Best Selling Books by Rachna Gilmore

Learning from her grandmother that her family was active in the Quit India movement of 1942, a rebellion against nearly two centuries of British occupation, gives fifteen-year-old Tara new pride in her heritage, but she still objects when her teacher implies she is not a "regular Canadian."

When the story pods stop growing in the Plains, a stubborn young girl undertakes a dangerous journey to seek the help of the legendary Sower of Tales, but she is plunged into a desperate struggle against a sorcerer who plans to use the story pods to destroy the world.

Gita has made friends in her adopted home, but is now faced with the possibility of returning to India where most of her relatives still live. A Gift for Gita is a touching story about the importance of friendship and stability and the meaning of "home." This is the final book in the critically acclaimed series.

Nobby, short for Zenobia, meets an older girl, Zilla, when her family goes on holiday. Zilla is developmentally disabled, but much more fun than the average teenager. The friendship grows until Uncle Chad shows up. He is snooty and sometimes unthinkingly cruel to Zilla. Prejudices and attitudes take a surprising turn when Uncle Chad gets hurt during a storm and it is Zilla who generously comes to the rescue.

Dilly can’t believe her eyes. That new kid, Gedion—Sulky-face—is shoplifting from her family’s store, and her mother is just letting it happen. No wonder her parents can’t afford to buy her those special hockey skates she’s always wanted. But as soon as Dilly tells on Gedion, she realizes that some things are better left unsaid. Gedion’s father has just lost his job, and he has to put back some groceries to pay for the chocolate bars his son has stolen. To make up for her thoughtless action, Dilly comes up with the most fabulous, beautiful, wonderful idea: she’ll throw a Christmas party for Gedion and his parents, just like the ones Gedion’s father said they used to have in the old country. With her best friends on board, Dilly’s plan grows and grows. Soon the whole community is involved—from pipsqueak Simon to Dilly’s grandmother, a.k.a. the Great White Hen—with some hilarious and unexpected results. But has the party become too big? How will they raise all the money they need without Dilly having to dip into her own savings for those hockey skates she’s been yearning for? With Sulky-face always glaring at her, Dilly wonders why she’s bothering in the first place.

First Flight "RM" is an exciting series of beginning readers which include songs, poems, adventures, mysteries, humor, nature, and more by established authors and illustrators. These books make the introduction to reading fun and satisfying for new readers and are available in four levels to correspond to reading development.

When her father is too busy to play with her, Emily angrily creates a snow dinosaur whose hunger quickly grows out of control.

Mina invites her classmates to her family''s annual Holi spring party. But her excitement is dampened when her friends make fun of her newly immigrated grandfather.

Homesick for India, Gita plants a garden just like her grandmother''s.

"Maisie''s shy to make new friends, and the boy next door is a bully. An unlikely friendship with a spider helps her realize that making new friends may not be so hard after all" Cf. Our choice, 1999-2000

A hilarious look at a child''s view of a mother''s bad day. Originally published in 1989 by Ragweed Press, this book is considered to be a P.E.I. classic. This unique view of mother''s "bad day" through the observant eyes of a child is a weird and wonderful story for parents and children. My mother is so weird. Some mornings, when she wakes up, she has horns on her head and long pointy teeth and claws. She speaks in a voice like a jackhammer. But after her morning coffee, Mom''s horns disappear, and her teeth and claws shrink back to normal. She speaks in a soft, smooth voice. But, one morning...we ran out of coffee...

Recently immigrated from India, Gita is looking forward to celebrating her favorite holiday, Divali, a festival of lights, but things are so different in her new home that she wonders if she will ever adjust.

A CLA Book of the Year for Children Award Honour-Book and finalist for the Silver Birch and Red Cedar awards It’s the Depression, but Red’s family is managing better than most on their Prince Edward Island farm. Hard working and resourceful, they have enough to eat and to help others, even if at times they are mocked by their neighbours for putting education ahead of farm work. Eleven-year-old Red, with his preference for woodworking, doesn’t always shine at school, but he can’t slack off—his older sister, Ellen, is the local teacher, and she simply won’t tolerate it. But when Red’s father is injured, the family’s situation looks dire. Red must step up to the challenge to finish the tobacco boxes that his father makes and help shovel out a train stuck in the snow. Stubborn, even pig-headed, Red makes many mistakes along the way, landing himself in the midst of some hair-raising and hilarious adventures involving horses, lost sisters, outhouses and even airplanes. But in this gem of a novel—a CCBC Best Books for Kids and Teens selection and Girl Guides of Canada Book Club pick—the hero’s heart is always in the right place.

A girl describes how strange her mom is, until she finds out that her friend''s mom is even stranger.

Island Morning is a gentle story of a girl and her grandfather''s early morning walk through the fields of Prince Edward Island. On their journey, they see gentle pastures, farm animals, scenic vistas and a glorious sunrise. But this walk is about more than just viewing the beautiful scenery. It is also about the special time between grandfather and granddaughter and how they see the world through each other''s eyes.

When Lisabeth''s mother''s memories of herself as a girl show up in the form of When-I-was-a-little-girl, who is perfect and makes Lisabeth look bad, Lisabeth turns to her grandmother for help.

After her parents drown in a flood, Chandra finds solace in her mother''s magic flute.

A young child tries desperately to catch some time with her family on a busy day.

Instead of sitting still when Ms. Wesley puts her in time-out, Rilla magically transforms into Wild Rilla and travels around the school to help other teachers.

Scully, a young hearing-impaired girl, wants to play outside in the rain, away from her brother Leo and her busy mother. She loves to feel the sensation of the rain running over her face. After escaping briefly to the wet green trees outside, she is grounded and not allowed to leave the house for a day. As evening approaches, Scully and her mother are able to share a special moment together watching the stars. Winner of the 1999 Governor General''s Literary Award for Children''s Literature - Text "This wonderful book is a carefully composed collection of moments during one of those days when parents experience exasperation. Rachna Gilmore, a talented author,magically captures a child''s overbrimming love of life and irrepressible spirit of mischief and rebellion. This is not abook with a message; rather, it is a sweet story told in exquisite fashion. A Screaming Kind of Day is an engaging, "singing in the rain" book which children will love to read." -- Jury Statement, 1999 Governor General''s Literary Awards, Children''s Literature Text.

Gita has made friends in her adopted home, but is now faced with the possibility of returning to India where most of her relatives still live. A Gift for Gita is a touching story about the importance of friendship and stability and the meaning of "home." This is the final book in the critically acclaimed series.

Gita has recently moved to America from India, and she is looking forward to celebrating Divali -- her favorite holiday -- with her family. She has invited some of her new friends from school to join in the festivities, but a winter storm puts a damper on her plans. Just as Gita decides she hates her new home, events take another turn. Beautifully illustrated with warm, radiant paintings.

Dilly can''t believe her eyes. That new kid, Gedion, is shoplifting from her family''s store, and Dilly''s mom is letting it happen. Just because Gedion''s family is struggling financially doesn''t mean that her parents have to let him get away with it. But as soon as Dilly tells on Gedion, she realizes that some things are better left unsaid. Particularly since it means Gedion''s father has to give back some groceries in order to pay for the chocolate bars his son has stolen. Dilly wants to make up for her mistake and comes up with the perfect idea: recreating a wonderful Christmas for Gedion and his parents, just like the ones Gedion''s father said they used to have in the old country. enlisting the help of her best friends, Dilly soon discovers that the whole community wants to be involved--but has the party become too big? And will they be able to raise all the money they need without Dilly having to dip into her own savings for that very special pair of skates she''s been yearning for? With its zany cast of characters, smart and spunky heroine, and generous dose of holiday spirit, this book is sure to be a favourite for years to come.

Recently immigrated from India, Gita misses her grandmother''s garden. After she gives her wind chimes to her neighbor, Mr. Flinch, he invites her to share his garden with him.

Gita''s loving relationship with her grandmother is put in sharp contrast to her sense of identity with her new home.