In this introspective story, Selena crashes her truck in the countryside and takes a job at an inn located at the very edge of the world. The inn offers a complimentary ferry ride to the Great Unknown, a destination from which no guest has ever returned.

Selena befriends the inn’s guests and grows close to the people who pass through. But one by one, they board the ferry and disappear. As she watches her friends leave, Selena wrestles with what it means to say goodbye—and learns to let go when others are ready, even if she isn’t.

Quiet Crossings offers a thoughtful and tender look at grief, friendship, and transition. With dreamy artwork, warm storytelling, and a quietly magical setting, it’s a book that resonates deeply with readers of all ages.

The graphic novel has already received strong advance praise:

“Partridge’s debut graphic novel implements cozy visuals for a sweet parable about processing love and grief. Quiet Crossings is a perfect summer read for the tender hearted. It’s sure to become a go-to comfort book for those who have experienced loss of a loved one.” —Ren Strapp, How Could You

“A warm and subtly layered story with a charming cast of characters. Quiet Crossings tackles difficult topics with a gentle touch.” —Vivian Zhou, Atana and the Firebird

“Quiet Crossings is simply beautiful. Heartfelt and inviting, Vivi Partridge gently draws you into a world of overlapping journeys, where summer lingers, magic runs close to the surface, and the need to let go meets the desire to hang on.” —Sfé Monster, Minecraft (Graphic Novels)

“Quiet Crossings is a beautiful meditation on when to hold on and when to let go. Lovingly illustrated with inviting colour palettes, it’s sure to linger in the heart long after reading.” —Brenda Hickey, Butterfly House

“Quiet Crossings is a thoughtful reflection on our relationships with death, near-death, and each other. Vivi Partridge’s understated storytelling is complimented by their expressive and beautiful cartooning. A refreshing and creative addition to the genre, many teens will relate to Selena and her journey in this book.” —Jade Armstrong, Food School

About the Creators

Vivi Partridge (they/them) is a queer emerging artist based in Toronto. They graduated from Seneca Polytechnic’s illustration program and have tabled at TCAF, VANCAF, MCAF, and Comic-Con. Their paintings have appeared in Southern Ontario galleries such as Northern Contemporary, Worth Gallery, and the Proudest Pony.

Janaina Spada (she/her), originally from Brazil and now based in Toronto, also studied illustration at Seneca College. She specializes in sequential art and creates self-published webcomics and children’s books.

Quiet Crossings will be available on October 28, 2025.

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By Ruth Duran

As they enter the classroom, students’ eyes are drawn to the bins that are stacked by our class library. They’re filled with brand new comic books that have been gifted to my 6th graders—a class made up of general education students, some students with special needs, and English Language Learners. Quite the eclectic group!

My students come from diverse backgrounds; many of them are of Hispanic/Latinx descent. As they sift through the bins looking for whatever comics will catch their attention, I notice they’re asking and comparing: “Who’s this superhero? What’s their superpower? Is it a guy or a girl? Where do they come from?” In short, they want to know: Which of these can they connect with?

The post Empowering Education: Exploring Hispanic/Latinx Representation in Comics appeared first on TEACH Magazine.

By Kelsey McCallum

Across North America, books are disappearing from shelves in classrooms and libraries. This wave of censorship has increased in frequency over recent years—not just in the United States, but Canada as well, most recently with Alberta’s new school library standards. As groups, government entities, parents, and individuals continue to raise issues about the content of certain books, it’s important to consider the impact this will have on our students.

Frequently, books that address diverse topics, perspectives, and identities are the ones being targeted. Rather than removing or restricting access to this material, however, we should be celebrating these stories. All students have the right to see themselves reflected in the books they read. Not only does this help them feel supported, it also encourages a lifelong love of reading. Plus, having access to a wide range of reading options gives students the opportunity to learn about lives, communities, and cultures other than their own.

The post Shining a Spotlight on 10 Banned Books appeared first on TEACH Magazine.

By Kelsey McCallum

As LGBTQ+ rights are increasingly targeted around the world, there’s never been a more crucial time to uplift and celebrate queer stories. These K–12 books highlight queer identities, voices, and communities, while also introducing students to real-life LGBTQ+ activists and changemakers who are fighting for a more inclusive future. They’re perfect additions to your classroom or library in recognition of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (May 17), or Pride Month in June—and every day after that.  

The post 10 Books That Celebrate Queer Voices appeared first on TEACH Magazine.

By Kelsey McCallum

A 2019 UNESCO report revealed that nearly 1 in 3 students worldwide has been bullied within the past month. Bullying can take many forms, leaving children unsure of how to respond or where to seek help. To help address this issue, we’ve curated a list of impactful books that explore bullying from various perspectives. These stories can help kids see themselves in the characters, fostering empathy and understanding. Share these books with your students to spark meaningful conversations about bullying and empower them to stand up for themselves and others.

The post 10 Books That Tackle Bullying appeared first on TEACH Magazine.

I became an English teacher because I love books. As a child and teen, books were magical and libraries were a haven. As an education major, I wrote, a little naively, in my philosophy of education that I was going to introduce students to stories they loved. They just needed someone to help them. Overzealous? Perhaps. But that passion is why it’s an uncomfortable truth to admit that now, a decade later, I absolutely loathe the novel study.

The hatred doesn’t stem from the books themselves, but rather due to all of the challenges a novel study presents. It’s exhausting, and I know other teachers have experienced similar situations. Only having one class set, so all reading must be done within the 55-minute class period. That entire period is spent reading, so there’s little time left to discuss. I feel I am forced to lead weeks of reading like a steam engine chugging toward a destination. I picture myself throwing wood to flame, afraid to stop and be derailed.

The post Percy Jackson in the Classroom: A New Approach to the Novel Study appeared first on TEACH Magazine.

These days it can feel like we’re constantly inundated by nothing but bad news. With everything that’s happening in the world right now, in far off countries and closer to home, it’s easy to feel defeated—especially for kids. It’s up to us to remind them things aren’t hopeless, and that it’s never too late to take a stand. The voices of today’s youth can still be heard, and they have the power to take action in big and small ways for causes that matter to them.

To help you inspire your students to become agents of change, we’ve gathered this collection of K–12 books, published in 2024 and beyond, that focus on different forms of activism. From inspiring stories of everyday heroes—both real and fictional—to guidebooks that feature practical steps students can take to support their local and global communities, there’s a little something for everyone in this list.

The post 15 New and Upcoming Books for Student Activists appeared first on TEACH Magazine.

By Kelsey McCallum

Fall is officially here! Now the days are getting shorter and the temperature will soon start dropping, and that means the leaves will begin changing too. As we watch forests transform from lush curtains of green into vibrant shades of red and gold, what better time to inspire students to explore the life cycles of trees and their importance to all living things? Plus, National Tree Day takes place on September 25 this year in Canada, in the middle of National Forest Week. To help you and your students honour the magnificence and magic of these living monuments, here are some tree-themed books to bring into your classroom.

The post 7 Books That Explore the Importance of Trees appeared first on TEACH Magazine.

Independence Day is right around the corner, and to mark the occasion we’ve put together a list of books bursting with facts, figures, food, and more—all to do with the USA! Get ready to dive into stories about America’s history, culture, and geography, along with a wide range of other topics. Whether you’re looking for books to add to your classroom library next year or to share with your own kids this summer, these reads are a great way to celebrate the beauty and diversity of the United States.

The post 10 Books to Read for the Fourth of July appeared first on TEACH Magazine.

As we commemorate Canada Day and the anniversary of Confederation, it’s the perfect time to delve into some outstanding books inspired by the colourful Canadian landscape. To mark the occasion, we’ve curated a collection of new and upcoming books that take place at different locations across the country. Canada Day is also a great opportunity to highlight the wide number of Canadian publishers, so be sure to check out the ones on this list and show your support for the many, many others as well!

The post 10 Canadian Books to Read This Canada Day appeared first on TEACH Magazine.