Forest of Reading
The Forest of Reading® is Canada’s largest recreational reading program offered in both English and French, with 270,000 readers taking part every year. This popular program offers young readers the opportunity to celebrate Canadian authors and to vote on their favourite fiction, and non-fiction books. This initiative is made available through the Ontario Library Association (OLA).
There are ten categories, each of which is associated with a grade/age range.
We encourage you to discover as many of the books as you can in your age category and then vote on your favourite! Join the Forest of Reading challenge for your age group in Beanstack. Beginning April 1, participants can cast their vote through Beanstack. OLA will announce the winners at the Forest of Reading Festival in May.
To search for a nominee in MPL’s collection, click the “View our Catalogue Listing” link under each category.
Blue Spruce™
JK-Grade 2
Reading tracker
For many children, this is their first introduction to the world of books. This program promotes reading for enjoyment and helps in developing a child’s skills in evaluating a picture book based on story, text and pictures.
Participants must read at least eight of the ten titles to be eligible to vote.
Silver Birch Express®
Grades 3-4, fiction, non-fiction
Reading tracker
The Silver Birch Express Award® is unique in providing a mix of fiction and non-fiction titles for readers at different reading levels.
Participants must read five of the ten titles to be eligible to vote.
Silver Birch Fiction®
Grades 5-6, fiction
Reading tracker
One of the Forest of Reading’s most popular award programs. From fantastical, fun titles to serious, life-learning tales, this program provides a variety of stories for readers to enjoy.
Participants must read five of the ten titles to be eligible to vote.
Yellow Cedar, Grades 4-8, non-fiction
Reading tracker
This is the only Forest of Reading list that is composed of non-fiction books geared to readers from Grades 4 to 8. Readers will learn about real-life stories and facts – these books are definitely conversation starters!
Participants must read five of the ten titles to be eligible to vote.
Red Maple™, Grades 7-8, fiction
Reading tracker
The Red Maple Award reading program is offered for the enjoyment of students ages 12 to 13. This program aims to get readers engaging in conversation around the books and encourages them to use critical thinking while reading.
Participants must read five of the ten titles to be eligible to vote.
La Forêt de la Lecture
Le prix Peuplier
Fiche de suivi
Albums, moins de texte, sujets simples, convenant parfaitement à la lecture à haute voix.
Poplar books offer a fun introduction to the world of reading. Picture books, less text, simpler subject matters, great read alouds.
Participants must read all ten titles to be eligible to vote.
Le prix Mélèze
Fiche de suivi
Courts romans, des albums plus avancés, des documentaires ou des BD. Le vocabulaire et le temps de verbes sont peu complexes.
Shorter novels or more mature picture books, non-fiction or comics. Vocabulary and verb tenses are not very complex.
Participants must read five of the ten titles to be eligible to vote.
Le prix Tamarac
Fiche de suivi
Romans de 100 à 250 pages, texte plus petit avec peu ou pas d’illustrations, des albums avec un sujet mature, des documentaires ou des BD. Le vocabulaire et le temps de verbes sont complexes.
100 to 250 page chapter books, including non-fiction and comics. Smaller text, minimal illustrations, and more mature subject matter. Vocabulary and verb tenses are complex.
Participants must read five of the ten titles to be eligible to vote.
