Rita Joe was born in Whycocomagh, Cape Breton Island and now resides in the Eskasoni Reserve. She has published two other books of poetry, including Song of Eskasoni. in 1990 she was awarded the Order of Canada.

The year 2000 isn’t starting out too well for Toronto high school senior Katherine Boatman. Not only has her oldest friend ditched her for yet another boyfriend, her beloved grandmother died on New Year’s Eve leaving a void of goodness in her life that Katherine’s not sure how to fill. While overwhelmed with sadness and self-doubt, Katherine unexpectedly finds new love, both for Toronto’s underground music scene and for her would-be saviour: a straight edge, loud mouth misfit named Marie. As Katherine seeks comfort in jagged guitars, mind-reading poets and honest conversations, she struggles to figure out not only what she and Marie might mean to each other, but also what it truly means to be good.

Lily Poritz Miller brings us this story of family, love and displacement with the same vivid, haunting prose and skilled storytelling as In a Pale Blue Light, her critically-acclaimed debut novel.

Recently-widowed Sara Hoffman is filled with dreams of a new beginning. She is bringing her children from South Africa to join her brother, Meyer, in a small New England town. World War II has ended, all of their loved ones have perished and the estranged siblings long to be close. But Meyer has abandoned his youthful passions while chasing the American dream. Determined to gain standing in his community, Sara’s family is presented as his charity case.
Small-town life becomes even more difficult for the new immigrants when Libka, Sara’s eldest daughter, is courted by a well-positioned older man. Under the watchful gaze of her family and community, Libka must choose between a dull, traditional future or the insecurity and freedom of escape.
The Newcomers is a tender and sharply funny portrayal of one family’s frustrations, hopes and loyalties during the uncertain beginnings of their new life.

Letters Lived: Radical reflections revolutionary paths features a diverse group of international and cross-generational social justice activists who share the incredible journeys they have taken since their teen years—and what they wish they could have known back then.

How do we learn to trust and love ourselves, as well as navigate our bodies, families, identities and communities? These candid, powerful and relatable letters engage the personal and the political as we grow: whether combating social injustice, reconciling racial and cultural backgrounds, sexualities and genders, or the process of building strong communities.

Edited by activist and educator Sheila Sampath, Letters Lived reminds us that even though it isn’t always easy, we all have the power to shape our world.

Nannerl Mozart’s twelfth birthday wish is to become a famous composer. She’s already considered a brilliant musician, touring Europe with her little brother Wolfgang and playing the clavier for queens and kings in the great courts. But Papa doesn’t take her seriously as a composer and won’t even teach her to play the violin or the organ. On top of that, Mama usually has a list of household chores for her and Wolfi always manages to steal everybody’s attention.

Upon original publication in 1996, the novel was received with great acclaim, winning A Children’s Book Centre ‘Our Choice’ Selection, a nomination for the Mr. Christie Book Award, a Red Cedar Book Award nomination and was Shortlisted for the Geoffrey Bilson Prize for Historical Fiction for Young People. Now a Sumach Classic, The Secret Wish of Nannerl Mozart is an inspiring blend of fact and fiction in which Barbara Kathleen Nickel brings the eighteenth century world of a talented young girl to life.

One Kind Word: Women Share Their Abortion Stories is a groundbreaking collection that helps to end the silence surrounding abortion experiences and to combat the feelings of fear, shame, stigma, and isolation that many women face. By featuring over thirty women’s personal experiences and portraits, One Kind Word shifts the focus of the abortion debate towards creating a more open, honest, and compassionate dialogue about reproductive freedom in Canada. The stories and portraits in One Kind Word remind us that women who have had abortions come from all backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, and ages. Women who have had abortions are our mothers, sisters, grandmothers, lovers, friends, neighbours, doctors, teachers, and politicians. One Kind Word features forewords by prominent feminist and pro-choice activist Judy Rebick, as well as Jillian Bardsley of Medical Students for Choice.

The history of Toronto’s nightlife reveals its pulse.

From award-winning veteran music journalist and DJ Denise Benson comes Then & Now: Toronto Nightlife History, a fascinating, intimate look at four decades of social spaces, dance clubs, and live music venues. Through interviews, research, and enthusiastic feedback from the party people who were there, Benson delves deep behind the scenes to reveal the histories of 48 influential nightlife spaces, and the story of a city that has grown alongside its sounds.

Advance Praise

“Contrary to conventional wisdom, Toronto has known how to party for a while. Then & Now tells a heretofore untold social history of Toronto, including the clubs where often-marginalized people found both community and liberation deep into the night. This book is an essential chapter of Toronto’s recent history.”   ̶ Shawn Micallef, Author and Spacing Co-owner

“The early days of punk and new wave at The Edge; clubs like Voodoo and Twilight Zone where you could be normal being weird; playing Depeche Mode and New Order at Focus and Club Z; dancing to The Specials at Nuts and Bolts and Fad Gadget at Domino Klub; playing The Happy Mondays at Empire … Legendary Toronto club culture and memories brilliantly captured and stamped in time.”   ̶ Scot Turner, Producer/Host CFNY 102.1, Program Director Energy 108

“Denise Benson’s Then & Now … shines a deserved light on the many young, often disenfranchised, DJs, promoters, and business owners who created scenes from nothing, providing safe and exciting spaces for alternative communities and culture to flourish. Denise gets it so right because she was there herself, is still there. Good thing, since reading her chronicles makes me want to dance!”   ̶ Liisa Ladouceur, author Encyclopedia Gothica

“Denise … ambassadors all good things in the Toronto music scene. The work she’s accomplished documenting pivotal moments in club history is nothing short of amazing. She is a proven archivist and we are lucky to have someone with this level of passion in our ever-growing and evolving scene.”   ̶ Nitin Kalyan aka DJ/producer Nitin, co-founder of No.19 Music