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Today I Am

Today I Am

Jael Richardson (Editor) See More
Marty Chan (Author) See More (8)
Rosena Fung (Author) See More (3)
Michael Hutchinson (Author) See More (6)
Chad Lucas (Author) See More
Angela Misri (Author) See More (2)
Mahtab Narsimhan (Author) See More (3)
Danny Ramadan (Author) See More (4)
Jael Richardson (Author) See More
Liselle Sambury (Author) See More (5)
JUVENILE FICTION
Diversity & Multicultural | Short Stories | Social Themes
General (see also headings under Family)
Scholastic Canada Ltd
5 - 6
10 - 14
2025 Spring
Junior & Intermediate Fiction
AmazonIndigo
Paperback
9781443192354
$16.99 CADAvailable
English
08/06/2024
EPUB [reflow]
9781443192361
$16.99 CADAvailable
English
08/06/2024
View full details

Description

A fresh and fearless collection of short fiction, poetry and graphic fiction for today’s middle-grade readers.

In this timely, thought-provoking, funny and heartbreaking collection, ten acclaimed BIPOC authors from across Canada explore the theme and concept of home.

From awkward family dinners, to life on the rez, to moving to a new town, each of these stories provides a unique perspective on the theme of belonging through characters tasked with navigating and finding their place in this world.

Brought together by curator (and story contributor), Jael Richardson, Today I Am will make readers laugh and cry while opening their hearts and minds to the world around them, validating how it feels to be young and alive today.

Today I Am includes stories by Jael Richardson, Marty Chan, Rosena Fung, Michael Hutchinson, Chad Lucas, Angela Misri, Mahtab Narsimhan, Danny Ramadan, Liselle Sambury and Brandon Wint.

Michael Hutchinson Danny Ramadan Marty Chan Angela Misri Liselle Sambury Rosena Fung Rosena Fung Mahtab Narsimhan Jael Richardson Jael Richardson Chad Lucas Brandon Wint

Author Bio

JAEL RICHARDSON is the author of the memoir The Stone Thrower, a picture book by the same title and the picture books Because You Are and The Hockey Jersey. Her debut novel, Gutter Child, was shortlisted for the Amazon First Novel Award. She is the founder and Executive Director of the Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD) in Brampton, Ontario. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Guelph and lives in Brampton, Ontario. Visit her online at www.jaelrichardson.com.

MARTY CHAN writes books for kids and plays for adults. He’s best known for his Marty Chan Mystery series, which includes award winners The Mystery of the Frozen Brains and The Mystery of the Graffiti Ghoul. The Junior Library Guild awarded the gold medal standard to his novels Willpower and Haunted Hospital. Marty works and lives in Edmonton, Alberta, with his wife Michelle.
ROSENA FUNG grew up and is based in Toronto, Ontario. Her graphic novel, Living With Viola, was nominated for the Silver Birch award. When she is not drawing, Rosena can be found teaching illustration, vending at zine fairs and going to the library. Her favourite activities are reading, cats, snacking and learning to play the guitar. Her name is pronounced “Rosanna.”
MICHAEL HUTCHINSON is a citizen of the Misipawistik Cree Nation in the Treaty 5 territory, north of Winnipeg. He is the author of the Mighty Muskrats Mysteries series. He has spent much of his career telling the stories of Indigenous peoples and advocating for First Nation families and communities across Canada. Currently he is the Communications Manager for the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre. Michael’s greatest accomplishments are his two lovely daughters.

CHAD LUCAS is the author of Thanks A Lot, Universe (winner of the Ann Connor Brimer Award for Atlantic Canadian Children’s Literature), Let The Monster Out (a 2023 Red Maple Award Nominee) and You Owe Me One, Universe. A proud descendant of the historic African Nova Scotian community of Lucasville, he lives with his family in Nova Scotia.



ANGELA MISRI is an award-winning journalist, author and educator. She is best known for her detective series, The Portia Adams Adventures, and her middle grade series, Tales from the Apocalypse. Pickles vs the Zombies won the 2021 Hackmatack Award for fiction. Trip of the Dead is up for the 2023 Red Cedar Award. Angela teaches journalism at Toronto Metropolitan University.

MAHTAB NARSIMHAN is the award-winning author of numerous books, including The Third Eye, which won the Silver Birch Fiction Award, Mission Mumbai and The Tiffin. The Boy and the Banyan Tree is her first picture book for Scholastic. Mahtab is originally from Mumbai, India, and lives in Vancouver, Canada. Visit her online at www.mahtabnarsimhan.com.

DANNY RAMADAN is a Syrian-Canadian author and LGBTQ-refugees advocate. His debut novel, The Clothesline Swing, won multiple awards and his picture book Salma et les saveurs de la Syrie continues to receive accolades. Danny graduated from UBC with an MFA in Creative Writing, and lives in Vancouver with his husband.

JAEL RICHARDSON is the author of the memoir The Stone Thrower, a picture book by the same title and the picture books Because You Are and The Hockey Jersey. Her debut novel, Gutter Child, was shortlisted for the Amazon First Novel Award. She is the founder and Executive Director of the Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD) in Brampton, Ontario. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Guelph and lives in Brampton, Ontario. Visit her online at www.jaelrichardson.com.

Liselle Sambury is a Trinidadian Canadian author and Governor General’s Literary Awards Finalist. She has a love for stories with dark themes, complicated families, and edges of hope. In her free time, she shares helpful tips for upcoming writers and details of her publishing journey through a YouTube channel dedicated to demystifying the sometimes complicated business of being an author.

Prizes

  • OLA Red Maple Award, FictionNominated 2025

Table of contents

Introductionby Jael Richardson.............................................................................viThe Secret CousinA short story by Chad Lucas.................................................................1In a FlashA short story by Marty Chan .............................................................30Where the MulbErries growA short story by Liselle Sambury ........................................................59Home FiresA short story by Michael Hutchinson ..................................................83The Memory FishA comic by Rosena Fung ...................................................................99A Feathered SakrA short story by Danny Ramadan .................................................... 118The Invention of Serene BrownA short story by Jael Richardson....................................................... 138The TombA short story by Mahtab Narsimhan ................................................ 161Be Careful What you Wish ForA short story by Angela Misri........................................................... 187Yesterday I Was, Today I Am,Tomorrow I will beA poem by Brandom Wint................................................................ 209About the Contributors .................................... 238