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 offered by the Ontario Library Association (OLA).
There are ten categories, each of which is associated with a grade/age range. Participants are encouraged to read the titles in their appropriate grade/age category
Voting takes place in April 2024, and the OLA will announce the winners in May 2024.
To search for or borrow a nominee from MPL, click below!
Blue Spruce™, JK-Grade 2
For many children, this is their first introduction to the world of books. This program promotes reading for |
enjoyment and begins to develop a child’s skills in evaluating a picture book based on story, text and pictures.
Participants in the Blue Forest of Reading Challenge must read all ten titles to be eligible to vote.
Silver Birch Express, Grades 3-4, fiction, non-fiction
The Silver Birch Express Award is unique in providing a mix of fiction and non-fiction titles for readers at
different reading levels. Especially for those young people in Grades 3 to 4, or the reluctant reader. This
program is sure to get them excited about reading!
Yellow Cedar, Grades 4-8, non-fiction
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 in the Yellow Cedear program, must read five of the ten titles to be eligible to vote.
Silver Birch Fiction®, Grades 5-6, fiction
One of the Forest of Reading’s most popular award programs, this is the one that started it all! From
fantastical, fun titles to serious, life-learning tales, this program provides a variety of stories for readers
to enjoy. Participants in the Silver Birch Fiction program, must read five of the ten titles to be eligible to vote.
Red Maple™, Grades 7-8, fiction
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 in the Red Maple program, must read five of the ten titles
to be eligible to vote.
La Forêt de la Lecture
Le prix Peuplier
Poplar books offer a fun introduction to the world of reading. Picture books, less text, simpler subject matters, perfect
for read alouds. Particpants in Le prix Peuplier must read all ten titles to be eligible to vote.
Le prix Mélèze
Shorter novels or more mature picture books, non-fiction or comics. Vocabulary and verb tenses are not very complex.
Particpants in Le prix Mélèze program, must five of ten titles to be eligible to vote.
Le prix Tamarac
100 to 250 page chapter books, including non fiction and comics. Smaller text with minimal illustrations, and more mature subject matter. Vocabulary and verb tenses are complex. Particpants in Le prix Tamarac program must read five of ten titles to be eligible to vote.
