[In the Upper Country] is a testament to the power of story and the veneration of those whose tales are often forgotten in mainstream media.”

Thomas’s mesmerizing debut explores freedom, family, and the interconnections between white, Black, and Indigenous communities in 1859 Canada.

Kai Thomas’ ‘In The Upper Country’: A tree-planting encounter inspires historical Black fiction

The story reveals an interconnected history of love and survival for the Black and Indigenous peoples of North America.

Engrossing and intensely readable, this book represents just the beginning of a larger narrative, with many chapters yet to be told; very highly recommended.

The fates of two women intertwine in 1800s Canada, at the terminus of the Underground Railroad populated by people fleeing enslavement.

An exceptional work that mines a rich historical vein.

Kai Thomas keeps us close by her (Lensinda's) side and her determination to find ways to save a life, and, like Thomas, never let history become a forgetting.

Here are the CBC Books picks for the top Canadian fiction of the year!

Globe and Mail editors and reviewers offer up our annual guide to the best fiction, non-fiction, thrillers, graphic novels, picture books and cookbooks of the year