Orca Complete Rights Catalogue Volume

Transcription

Orca Book
Publishers
Rights Catalogue— Fall 2015
Transatlantic Agency
Reaching More Readers
Amy Tompkins
2 Bloor St. E., Suite 3500, Toronto, ON, m4w 1a8, Canada
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
[email protected] • www.transatlanticagency.com
young adult 1
Orca Book
Publishers
Rights Catalogue—Young Adult
Core Titles
Transatlantic
Amy Tompkins Agency
2 Bloor
St. E., Suite 3500, Toronto, ON, m4w 1a8, Canada
Amy
Tompkins
(416)
488
9214Toronto,
· Fax (416)
488
4531
2Telephone:
Bloor St. E.,
Suite
3500,
ON,
m4w
1a8, Canada
[email protected]
www.transatlanticagency.com
Telephone:
(416) 488 9214 · Fax •(416)
488 4531
2 young adult
All Good Children
Catherine Austen
Creativity is a crime Max commits every day.
t’s the middle of the twenty-first century and the elite children of New Middletown are
IMaxwell
lined up to receive a treatment that turns them into obedient, well-mannered citizens.
Connors, a fifteen-year-old prankster, misfit and graffiti artist, observes the changes
with growing concern, especially when his younger sister, Ally, is targeted. Max and his best
friend, Dallas, escape the treatment, but must pretend to be “zombies” while they watch
their freedoms and hopes decay. When Max’s family decides to take Dallas with them into
the unknown world beyond New Middletown’s borders, Max’s creativity becomes an unexpected bonus rather than a liability.
World Rights Available
(ex – North America)
312 pages ∙ ages 12+
Rights Sold:
Complex Chinese—Ten Points
Korean—Sigongsa Co., Ltd.
Catherine Austen was raised in Kingston, Ontario, studied political science and environmental studies at university and worked in the conservation movement before having
children and becoming a freelance writer. Catherine lives in Quebec with her husband, Geoff,
and their children, Sawyer and Daimon. Her first novel with Orca was Walking Backward.
To learn more about Catherine and her books, go to www.catherineausten.com.
Sunburst Award winner
CLA Young Adult Book Award winner
White Pine Award nominee
Stellar Book Award nominee
Canadian Children’s Book Centre Best Books starred selection
Resource Links the Year’s Best selection
Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books of the Year
ALA Teens’ Top Ten nominee
ALA Best Books for Young Adults
“Imaginative and affecting…A smart, polished novel, peopled with realistic characters in a welldeveloped, futuristic world…The books builds on cultural familiarity, resulting in an emotionally
engaging work.” —Quill & Quire
“Austen provides many nuanced details of life in the near future, from facts on transportation and
garbage disposal to the devastating effects of global warming. Strong characterization as well as a
thrilling and horrifyingly plausible plot all combine to make All Good Children a wonderful read.”
—Montreal Review of Books
“Austen writes with cinematic definition, driving the action with taut dialogue and unremitting
menace. By alternating recognizable adolescent struggles with dystopian horrors, she makes the
threat of totalitarian mind control all the more visceral.” —Booklist
“I love this book! It’s important and riveting. And somehow, miraculously, it manages to be deeply
scary and funny at the same time.” —Tim Wynne-Jones
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
young adult 3
Juggling Fire
Joanne Bell
achel’s idyllic existence with her family in the remote mountains of northern Yukon was
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shattered by her father’s depression, the family’s relocation to “town” and her father’s
subsequent disappearance. Obsessed with understanding why her father never returned,
Rachel hikes with her dog across mountain passes and along valleys to her childhood home.
As she walks, she distracts herself from her anxiety by reinventing fairy tales remembered
from her childhood. As the days pass, the imaginary quest begins to echo her own journey
as she confronts danger, faces loneliness and unearths the truth about her father.
TriState YA Review Group Book of Note
“Readers are on a wilderness trek which is so clearly described it seems just metres away…
A wonderful tale which will appeal to both male and female young adult readers. Highly
Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“Bell beautifully captures the natural world through descriptions of the mountainous terrain as
well as nail-biting encounters with bears and wolves. Rachel is a smart, resourceful narrator who
nevertheless struggles with the challenges nature throws her way, as well as balancing her own
needs and those of her dog.” —School Library Journal
Redwing
Holly Bennet
owan is the sole survivor when his entire family is struck down by the plague. Alone
and grief-stricken, Rowan ekes out a living by playing music on his button box in
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the small towns and villages of Prosper. He lives and travels in his family’s old caravan,
208 pages · ages 12+
half starved and in despair. One day, he finds he has competition: a young man playing
a violin. Rather than make an adversary, Rowan suggests they travel and play together,
but he regrets his offer when he finds out that Samik is from the Tarzine Lands, beyond
the volcanoes, and is being pursued by a vengeful warlord. And that’s not all. Samik also
claims to have the Sight—and what he sees (and hears) is Rowan’s dead sister, Ettie. As they
travel from town to town, they form an uneasy alliance, which gradually evolves into a
friendship that will be tested to its limits when Samik is captured.
Snow Willow nominee
Canadian Children’s Book Centre Best Books selection
“A fast-paced story of loss, friendship, learning to trust, and letting go, wrapped around an adventure
with just a touch of the supernatural…Samik and Rowan are well-drawn, the descriptions of Prosper
and the people they encounter are nicely detailed. Readers will enjoy watching the friendship between
the young men develop. This page-turner will appeal to reluctant or struggling readers.”
—Library Media Connection
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
4 young adult
Shapeshifter
Holly Bennett
woman trapped in the body of a deer. A dark sorcerer in relentless pursuit. A mysterious
AThis
child, found alone on the slopes of a great mountain.
is the turbulent and heartbreaking story of Sive, a girl of the Otherworld who must
flee her world of plenty to live as a hunted beast. Surviving hardship, danger and crushing
loneliness, she finally finds refuge—and unexpected joy—with a mortal champion, Finn Mac
Cumhail, the great hero of Irish legend. But Sive’s ordeal is far from over. She has a gift the
Dark Man craves, and the smallest misstep will give him his chance to snatch her away from
all she holds dear.
Snow Willow nominee
Sunburst Award nominee
“Holly Bennett has surpassed my wildest hopes…This is a writer with a genuine love and respect
for Irish traditional stories who can be trusted to use her imagination to fill the gaps in the
sources. Highly Recommended.” —Storytellers of Ireland
“Bennett deftly embellishes Sive’s story while remaining true to its mythic sources…A boldly
written, tightly plotted and hard-edged novel…The book is unflinching in its emotional effect,
which is rooted in its well-drawn characters.” —Quill & Quire
The Warrior’s Daughter
Holly Bennett
L
uaine is daughter to the greatest of Irish warriors, the legendary Cuchulainn. Although
known throughout Ireland as the most fearsome of killers, to Luaine he is a loving playful
father who amuses her with his exciting tales and marvelous feats. When the unthinkable
happens—Cuchulainn returns from war injured nearly to the death—it is the first intimation
of the hero’s downfall, and Luaine’s first painful step toward an adult life unlike anything
she has imagined. As she faces loss, betrayal, suffering and fear, Luaine must find a strength
that comes neither from the sword nor from her proud parentage, but from her own courageous spirit.
White Pine nominee
“A well-told tale of romance, heartache, war and growing up from an author to watch…
rooted in ancient Irish stories…maintains a wonderful, gentle sense of fantasy. Recommended.”
—CM Magazine
“I was impressed by both the care with which Bennett pays tribute to the compelling mythology
of Ireland and also by the zest of the writing.” —Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
young adult 5
The Bonemender Series
Holly Bennett
abrielle is a Bonemender of extraordinary talent. In The Bonemender, she takes her talent
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for healing into battle where her father dies in her arms; she falls in love with Féolan who
turns out to be an Elf, with a lifespan many times that of a Human, and she learns that she is
not whom she believes herself to be.
In The Bonemender’s Oath, the war is over, but the threat from across the mountains has
only withdrawn for the time-being, and danger lurks closer to home. Both Gabrielle and her
brother Tristan must fight for their lives and for those they love, as Gabrielle struggles to save
a young man who thinks himself her enemy.
When Gabrielle’s niece and nephew are kidnapped by raiding pirates in The Bonemender’s
Choice, Gabrielle and Féolan are drawn into a sea journey into unknown lands. The adventure
takes a deadly turn when the Gray Veil, a plague that slowly chokes its victims, strikes the
harbor town where the children have been taken. Gabrielle’s healing powers are needed as
never before, and in the end, it seems, she must choose: She can only save one, her husband
or her niece.
International Reading Association Children’s Book Award notable
New York Public Library’s Books for the Teen Age selection
Canadian Children’s Book Centre Our Choice selection
White Pine Honour Book
Tayshas nominee
“Bennett is definitely a fantasy writer to watch.” —School Library Journal
“A truly beautiful story that will stay in your mind well after the last page has been read.”
—Canadian Children’s Book News
“A captivating fantasy tale that delivers warm, believable characters who continue to develop
throughout the book…Readers will no doubt anxiously await the sequel…Highly Recommended.”
—CM Magazine
“[Holly Bennett’s] prose is elegant and her insight into her characters’ thoughts and hearts is moving
and delightful. Excellent.” —Resource Links
“Fast-paced and absorbing.” —Booklist
World Rights Available (ex – North America)
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
6 young adult
If Only
Becky Citra
F
ifteen-year-old Pam is assaulted when she and her twin brother, Danny, are walking
home through the woods. Danny is frozen with fear and does nothing; luckily, Pam is
rescued by a woman out walking her dog. Pam deals with the trauma by isolating herself
while Danny struggles with the shame of not protecting his sister. His shame is compounded
by their father’s contempt, and Danny decides to redeem himself by finding Pam’s attacker.
In the process, he discovers a family secret, and Pam connects with new friends who help
her regain her confidence.
Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize nominee
“Short chapters alternate between Danny’s and Pam’s perspectives and illustrate with heartbreaking
clarity the growing distance between the once-close twins as they cope separately with their
feelings of guilt. The characters’ reactions to a highly traumatic experience are realistic without
being graphic, and sensitive but in no way sentimentalized. Citra’s sparse and direct writing move
the action along at a pace that will draw readers in and keep them reading.” —Booklist
“A sensitive tale, offering emotional insight into the two adolescents, their friends and family.
An engaging portrait of siblings caught in the blame game.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Citra is good at revealing the characters’ thoughts and feelings, which ring true…Attempted rape,
assault, the harm of gossip and thoughtless criticism, the meaning of friendship—all are touched
upon and effectively portrayed.” —VOYA
Me, Myself and Ike
K.L. Denman
fter watching a tv program about Ötzi, a 5,000-year-old “Ice Man,” Kit’s friend Ike
becomes convinced that Kit’s destiny is to become the next ice man. Together they
A
obtain artifacts they think will accurately reflect life in the early twenty-first century and
plan their journey to a nearby mountain. As he grows more and more agitated and isolated,
his family and friends suspect that something is terribly wrong, but before they can discover
the true severity of the situation, Kit and Ike set off on what could be their last journey.
Rights Sold:
Korean—Pulbit Publishing Co.
White Raven International Youth Library list
Governor General’s Literary Award nominee
“Completely riveting, suspenseful, and heartbreaking, Me, Myself and Ike is one of the best young
adult releases of the year.” —Quill & Quire
“A gripping novel full of surprises. K.L. Denman’s masterfully-crafted first-person narrative on
schizophrenia sweeps the reader along.” —Governor General’s Literary Awards committee
“A stark and fascinating portrait of a paranoid and delusional teenager…Denman deftly gets into
the head of a mentally unwell teenager while telling a coherent, engaging story.”
—Publishers Weekly
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
young adult 7
Before Wings
Beth Goobie
wo years after a near-fatal aneurism, fifteen-year-old Adrien is caught between the land
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of the living and the spirit world. As she struggles to understand the spirits of the young
women that only she sees, she learns of their tragic connection to her aunt. Faced with the
knowledge that another aneurysm could strike her at any time and shunned by the other
staff at the camp she works at because she is the boss’s niece, Adrien finds a soulmate in Paul,
the handyman, who is convinced that he has seen his own death.
Rights Sold:
UK—Faber & Faber
German—Patmos Verlag
Slovenian—MISH Publishing
Chinese—Zhejiang
Mr. Christie’s Book Award Silver Seal winner
ALA Best Books nominee
CLA Book of the Year for Young Adults winner
PSLA Young Adult Top Forty selection
ALA Popular Paperback selection
ALA Michael Printz Award nominee
ALA Teens’ Top Ten nominee
Sunburst Award nominee
Saskatchewan Book Award for Children’s Literature winner
The Lottery
Beth Goobie
E
very student at Saskatoon Collegiate knew that all the most important aspects of school
life were controlled by a secret club called Shadow Council. Each fall, Shadow held a
traditional lottery during which a single student’s name was drawn. The rest of the student
body called the student the lottery winner. But Shadow Council knew better; to them the
winner was the lottery victim. Whatever the label, the fated student became the Council’s
go-fer, delivering messages of doom to selected targets. In response, the student body shunned
the lottery winner for the entire year. This year’s victim was fifteen-year-old Sally Hanson.
Rights Sold:
UK—Faber & Faber
German—Fischer Verlag
Slovenian—MISH Publishing
White Pine Honour Book
Snow Willow nominee
Manitoba Young Readers’ Choice nominee
White Ravens International Youth Library list
CLA Book of the Year nominee
ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant YA Readers nominee
ALA Best Books nominee
KLIATT Editors’ Choice Best of the Year selection
Canadian Children’s Book Centre Our Choice starred selection
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
8 young adult
Three Little Words
Sarah N. Harvey
Sid prefers his words few and well-chosen.
S
Rights Sold:
German—Carl Hanser Verlag
French—Magnard-Vuibert
ixteen-year-old Sid barely remembers his birth mother and has no idea who his father
was. Raised on an idyllic island by loving foster parents, Sid would be content to stay
there forever, drawing, riding his bike, hanging out with his friend Chloe and helping out
with Fariza, a newly arrived foster child. But when a stranger named Phil arrives on the
island with disturbing news about his birth family—including a troubled younger brother—
Sid leaves all that is familiar to help find the sibling he didn’t know existed.
What he discovers is a family fractured by mental illness, but also united by strong
bonds of love and compassion. As Sid searches for his brother, gets to know his grandmother, and worries about meeting his biological mother, he realizes that there will never be
a simple answer to the question, Am I my brother’s keeper?
Sarah N. Harvey is the author of nine books for children and young adults. Some of her
books have been translated into Korean, German and Slovenian, none of which she speaks
or reads (although she is trying to learn Italian). Sarah works as an editor in Victoria,
British Columbia, where her goal is to get her heels to the floor in downward-facing dog.
Visit www.sarahnharvey.com for more information.
Bolen Books Children’s Book Prize nominee
Stellar Award nominee
“Harvey does a beautiful job balancing the story’s many plot threads, while creating realistic,
compelling characters. Identity, mental illness, social security (and insecurity), racial concerns,
and recovery from trauma are all themes that surface throughout the novel without ever
overwhelming the strong, skillfully told story.” —Booklist
“A quiet but moving story about the different forms family can take…16-year-old Sid has grown
up happily with foster parents on an island of Canada’s west coast, an evocative setting that
Harvey (Death Benefits) paints with care.” —Publishers Weekly
“Harvey’s expert pacing of Sid’s story is slowly hypnotic. Her characterization is top notch.
She patiently reveals their personalities. Chloe, in particular, is a delightful supporting character
who adds power to the novel. These characters are well constructed, uniquely defined by their
actions and speech, and eminently engaging. Harvey does not shy away from the reality of difficult
situations and faithfully depicts Devi’s mental illness, Wain’s troubled existence, and Fariza’s thaw
from the chilling events that brought her to Sid’s life.” —VOYA
“Appealing, original characters—especially Sid, eccentric but high-functioning—are a strong
suit…Harvey portrays parental mental illness and the long-term effects of childhood trauma with
compassionate insight.” —Kirkus Reviews
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
young adult 9
Death Benefits
Sarah N. Harvey
Looking after his ninety-five-year-old grandfather is not what
Royce had in mind for his summer vacation.
oyce (aka Rolly) is having a bad year. Not only has his mother dragged him across the
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country in order to be close to her aged father Arthur, a celebrated cellist, but he’s also
recovering from mono. When he convinces his mother to let him finish the school year by
Rights Sold:
German—Carl Hanser Verlag
Korean—The Little Seeds
Publishing Co.
correspondence, he’s left feeling isolated and lonely, and spends his time watching tv and plotting ways to get back to his friends in Nova Scotia. But before his plans can be implemented,
his grandfather has a small stroke. Suddenly Arthur needs more care than Royce’s mother can
provide and, after a couple of hired care aides quit, Royce is pressed into service. Looking after
a ninety-five-year-old—especially one as cantankerous, crafty and stubborn as Arthur—is a
challenge. But as Royce gets to know the eccentric old man—who loves the Pussycat Dolls,
hates Anderson Cooper and never listens to the kind of music that made him famous—he
gradually comes to appreciate that his grandfather’s life still has meaning. Even if Arthur
himself seems to want it to end.
OLA Best Bets selection
White Pine nominee
Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Books of the Year
“Harvey’s characters are multidimensional, genuine, flawed, and funny. Ethical dilemmas aren’t
in short supply, but they arise realistically and without pat solutions. For readers both with and
without vile-tempered-yet-engaging granddads of their own.” —Booklist
“In this character-driven intergenerational story…Harvey offers a realistic view of the aging process,
the difficult decisions left to loved ones and the need for friends and family.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Royce is a comical, likeable and thoughtful main character…Harvey strikes a good balance
between humour and sensitivity that makes the relationship [between Royce and his grandfather]
feel authentic…A good story with strong characters that will appeal to a wide range of teen
readers.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
10 young adult
The Lit Report
Sarah N. Harvey
Don’t try this at home!
Ruth has always been big: big-boned, big-headed, big-mouthed, big-hearted, big-haired, big-assed.
When I first met her, which was in Sunday school when we were five, she was already taller, broader,
louder and wilder than most of the boys in our little class.
ulia and Ruth have been unlikely best friends since they first met in Sunday school—Ruth
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was standing on the Bible-crafts table belting out “Jesus Loves Me.” Now that they’re a
year away from graduation, they’re putting the finishing touches on their getaway plans.
But their dream of a funky big-city loft and rich, interesting older men is threatened when
preacher’s daughter Ruth goes to a wild party without studious Julia, and all hell breaks loose.
Ruth gets pregnant; Julia gets creative. Determined to support her friend and stay on
track for life after high school, Julia comes up with a plan that will require all her intelligence, compassion, ingenuity and patience. Drawing on some great (and some not-so-great)
works of literature, Julia proves that you can learn a lot just by opening up a book.
BC Book Prize—Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize nominee
CLA Young Adult Book Award nominee
“Edgy, earthy—and filled with literary references…Julia is a wonderful character with her mixture
of practical wisdom and intelligence and her naivete.” —KLIATT
“Julia’s eventful year is both insightful and funny…[a] thoughtful take on teen pregnancy made
bearable by best-friend support.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Harvey depict[s] authentic relationships. She also reveals, quite wonderfully, the fluid line
between family and friends.” —The Globe and Mail
“A refreshingly original alternative to many of the more angst-ridden teen problem novels.”
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
young adult 11
Your Constant Star
Brenda Hasiuk
Some people are lost, maybe for good,
but others are found.
F
aye is the “good” adopted Chinese daughter. Bev is the wild child. Mannie is the unambitious stoner. What brings them together—and tears them apart—is a need to move
beyond the clichés and commit to something—anything—that will bring meaning and joy
to their lives.
When Faye’s long-lost childhood neighbor, Bev, turns up out of the blue, wanting something from her old friend, Faye goes along with Bev’s plan. But Mannie, the joyriding daddy
of Bev’s baby, has a half-crazed romantic agenda of his own. As one cold, miserable prairie
spring inches toward summer, a series of unexpected and sometimes explosive decisions
sends the trio hurtling toward disaster. A darkly funny portrayal of three unforgettable
teenagers feeling their way into adulthood in an imperfect world.
Brenda Hasiuk is an award-winning short-fiction writer whose work has appeared in
numerous literary journals and anthologies. Her first novel, Where the Rocks Say Your Name,
was nominated for the Carol Shields Winnipeg Book Award and the McNally Robinson
Book of the Year. She lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the coldest major city on earth, with
her husband, author Duncan Thornton, and loves to answer email from readers because
otherwise she’d be on Kijiji, buying used stuff she doesn’t need. For more information, visit
www.brendahasiuk.com.
McNally Robinson Books for Young People Award nominee
“Effectively describes a brief moment in the lives of teens on the brink of adulthood. The difficult
and rather dark situations they find themselves in are lightened by moments of humour sprinkled
liberally throughout, and their different, but believable attitudes toward life will resonate with a
variety of readers.” —Quill & Quire
“Authentic teen characters, closely observed settings and a moving plot…A superb novel from a
rising Canadian literary star, best for adult and mature crossover readers.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Hasiuk skillfully creates complex and believable characters, who are by turns cruel and
compassionate, alienating and sympathetic. She understands the blind groping of adolescence, along
with its mixing of affection and contempt toward loved ones and occasionally crippling, occasionally
empowering uncertainties, and examines this fumbling (and its potential for disaster) in an insightful
but unsentimental light. With its restrained but uncondescending portrayal of teen pregnancy, drug
use, and mental illness alongside small interpersonal cruelties and baffling but resonant adolescent
behavior, this will appeal to teens looking for other souls asking questions without answers.”
—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“With all their flaws, the three narrators jump off the page with terrifying realism. They are
teenagers to make any parent or guidance counselor cringe in recognition. Hasiuk doesn’t flinch
from adolescent anger and frustration…Bev, Mannie and Faye are hard to forget. Recommended.”
—CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
12 young adult
Tweaked
Katherine Holubitsky
ixteen-year-old Gordie Jessup is a good kid but he’s living a nightmare. His eighteen-yearS
old brother Chase’s two-year addiction to crystal meth has left their family emotionally
and financially drained. And just when Gordie thinks he can no longer stand the manipulating, the lying and the stealing, things get even worse. Chase is arrested for aggravated
assault, released on bail and sent home to his family. But his dealers are after him and Chase
appeals to Gordie for help. Gordie, disgusted with his brother and fully aware that it’s a
gamble, risks everything he has in the hope of bringing his family some peace.
White Pine nominee
Snow Willow nominee
“Portrays the overwhelming combination of anger, sadness, and bewilderment that families
experience in the face of the wily yet irrational behaviour of a crystal methamphetamine addict…
An important and difficult story…that leaves an indelible mark.” —Jeunesse
“A painfully authentic exploration…poignantly demonstrates the fact that the addict’s agony is
only the beginning.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“A solid work…a story of hope tempered with a dose of hard reality…effective and compelling.
Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Allegra
Shelley Hrdlitschka
llegra thinks being at a performing-arts high school will change her life and make her
a better dancer. But high school is still high school, complete with cliques, competition
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and cruelty. Allegra’s refuge comes in the form of a class she doesn’t want to take—music
theory, taught by a very young, very attractive male teacher. Soon all Allegra can think about
is music composition—and Mr. Rochelli. But has she misunderstood his attention, or is he
really her soul mate?
ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults
“As an examination of mental health troubles, the book is a sophisticated and subtle anomaly in a
genre that often places emphasis on the ‘issues’ first and characters second. Hrdlitschka’s prose is
clean and clear…Avoiding the one-dimensional depictions often foisted on older generations in YA,
Allegra’s mother and father are fully realized, flawed, and believable…You can’t hear the music, but you
can feel it in this fresh, engrossing story.” —Quill & Quire
“[An] absorbing exploration of contemporary teen life…Hrdlitschka (Sister Wife) realistically depicts
teenage emotional turmoil as Allegra’s growing obsession with Mr. Rocchelli combines with despair at
her parents’ separation and the ups and downs of her new friendships. The main characters’ devotion
to the arts enriches the drama.” —Publishers Weekly
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
young adult 13
Gotcha!
Shelley Hrdlitschka
t’s “bead season” at Slippery Rock High. This year the bead-snatching grad game called
Itradition.
“Gotcha” has been banned because the teachers have decided to put an end to a dangerous
After the game is banned it becomes even more appealing. Katie, a member of the Grad
council, finds herself losing friends and falling victim to her classmates’ obsession with the
game. She slides further and further down the chute that leads to disaster. Can she bring a
safe end to this deadly game?
White Pine nominee
Rights Sold:
Chinese—Zhejiang
German—Rowohlt Verlag
“A fast-paced and thrilling read for older teens, looking closely at the idea of mob mentality,
and how even the smartest of people can get swept away with the crowd.”
Sister Wife
Shelley Hrdlitschka
I
n the isolated rural community of Unity, the people of The Movement live a simple life
guided by a unique set of religious principles and laws. Polygamy is the norm, strict obedience is expected and it is customary for young girls to be assigned to much older husbands.
Celeste was born and raised in Unity, yet she struggles to accept her ordained life. Perhaps
it’s because of Taviana, the girl who lives with them and entertains Celeste with forbidden
stories, or Jon, the young man she has clandestine meetings with, or maybe it’s the influence
of Craig, the outsider she meets on the beach. At fifteen she is repulsed at the thought of being
assigned to an older man and becoming a sister wife, and she knows she is not cut out to raise
children. She wants something more for herself, yet feels powerless to change her destiny
because rebelling would bring shame upon her family.
CLA Young Adult Book Award nominee
White Pine nominee
International Reading Association Young Adult Choices Selection
VOYA Top Shelf Fiction for Middle School Readers list
“This compelling story combines authentic characters to pique the interest of a wide array of
teens and get them talking about faith and free will.” —VOYA
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
14 young adult
The Warlocks of Talverdin Series
K.V. Johansen
Enter a world as vivid and inviting as Middle Earth.
K
.V. Johansen has Master’s Degrees in Medieval Studies and in English. She held the 2001 Eileen
Wallace Research Fellowship in Children’s Literature from the Eileen Wallace Collection at
the University of New Brunswick. She also received the Frances E. Russell Award for research
in children’s literature from the Canadian section of IBBY, the International Board on Books for
Young People. Visit her website: www.pippin.ca.
Ann Connor Brimer Award winner
Snow Willow nominee
ALA Quick Picks
VOYA Best Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror list
“The fast-paced adventure, compelling characters and conflicts that make sense will reward readers
of this fully-realized fantasy.” —Booklist
“The adventures that ensue are complex and carefully constructed; Johansen is adept at presenting
intricate political and social intrigue, supported by strong characterization…She has created a
fascinating, original fantasy world, one which readers will want to enter in to dwell.” —Resource
Links
“Fast paced and dramatic, [The Shadow Road] took swift hold of my imagination and provided a
splendid imaginary escape to another world. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“The Tolkienesque scale of the story is clear in the large glossary of characters at the end of the
book…What better balance for cheery summer weather than a landscape clouded by looming
evil?” —Georgia Straight
“Followers of The Warlocks of Talverdin will relish [The Shadow Road], while those new to the series
can jump right in with very little confusion and become fans themsevles. Readers will be hooked from
the first few pages.” —PSLA Best of the Best Reviews
“[The series] is more than a fast paced adventure of battling forces, wizardly spells and noble
quests. Underlying the intrigue, kidnapping and battles, the theme of understanding the emotional
damage of prejudice and racial intolerance is evident. Overall, [the Warden of Greyrock] was a pleasure
to read. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“It gets to the action quickly yet KV Johansen still manages to create the personalities of her main
characters and the world they are in.” —Fantasy Book Review
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
young adult 15
Punch Like a Girl
Karen Krossing
It’s not the girl in the fight;
it’s the fight in the girl.
obody understands why Tori has suddenly become so moody and violent. When she
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attacks a stranger in a store, she ends up doing community service at a shelter for victims
of domestic violence. She bonds with a little girl named Casey, but when Casey is abducted
while in Tori’s care, Tori is racked with guilt, certain that she should have been able to prevent
the abduction. During the search for Casey, Tori comes face to face with an ex-boyfriend who
sexually assaulted her at a party. Only when she speaks out about the assault is she able to
begin to heal.
Karen Krossing is addicted to stories. She began to create her own stories when she was
eight, and today she writes novels and short stories for children and teens. Karen also
encourages new writers through workshops for kids, teens and adults. Karen lives with her
family in Toronto, Ontario. Punch Like a Girl is her seventh novel. For more information,
visit www.karenkrossing.com.
“While Krossing…acknowledges the importance of self-defense, the story makes clear that
sharing one's pain is equally important. Tori's anger is palpable throughout, and her emotional
evolution is empowering.” —Publishers Weekly
“The first-person present-tense narration gives a sense of immediacy and pulls readers along
with the protagonist as she seeks ways to stop feeling helpless in the aftermath of the assault…
While comparisons to Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak (Farrar, 1999) are inevitable, Tori's
journey is her own and will provide another option for encouraging necessary discussions on
sexual assault.” —School Library Journal
“Krossing provides a modern version of an age-old story, with a very real, very strong
heroine. Tori's flaws make her believable, while her growth makes her admirable.”
—Resource Links
“This book is incredible because it raises awareness of a problem in the world that is truly
horrible. It teaches girls to fight back and speak out. Be strong.” —YALSA YA Galley Teen Review
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
16 young adult
The Yo-Yo Prophet
Karen Krossing
alvin is the smallest guy in his high school, and a perfect target for Rozelle and
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her girl gang. His mother is dead, his father is long gone and his only remaining
relative, his grandmother, is getting too sick to run her dry cleaning business. The only
time Calvin feels in control is when he’s working his yo-yo. When he takes up street
performing, Rozelle demands a cut and insists on being his manager. To get media attention, she markets him as a yo-yo genius who can predict the future, dubbing him the
“Yo-Yo Prophet.” Calvin begins to believe his own hype, but as Gran’s condition deteriorates, he realizes that it will take more than fame and adulation to keep his family intact.
CYBIL Award nominee
“Krossing’s…depictions of the many pressures Calvin is under, as well as his relationship with his
grandmother, feel especially intimate and authentic. It’s a clever and quiet coming-of-age story
about developing confidence and doing what’s right.” —Publishers Weekly
“Krossing paints vivid and believable portraits of her main characters and keeps the action
flowing, especially in her descriptions of Calvin’s performances. She manages to convey the
intricacies of the tricks and Calvin’s joy in mastering them while moving the narrative briskly
along. It all adds up to a captivating and believable portrait of a young boy coming of age.”
—Kirkus Reviews
The Prisoner of Snowflake Falls
John Lekich
ifteen-year-old Henry Holloway isn’t immoral, he’s just hungry. His mother died
when he was nine, leaving him to be raised by his Uncle Andy and his friends, all
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amiable small-time crooks. When Uncle Andy is sent to prison, Henry takes up residence
in an abandoned tree house in order to escape the notice of Social Services. His mission?
To survive on his own while preserving his cherished independence. Fortunately, Henry
possesses all the skills it takes to be a successful house burglar.
Henry is an unusually resourceful and considerate burglar—often tidying up the
places he robs—until he’s caught. The terms of his probation? He must live with
the Wingates, a strange family in a small town called Snowflake Falls.
Henry is just getting used to his temporary family when the newly liberated Uncle Andy
and his criminal friends draw him into a plan to rob the citizens of Snowflake Falls. Will
Henry be loyal to his uncle or will he break with the past and do the right thing?
Manitoba Young Reader’s Choice Award
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
young adult 17
Lauren Yanofsky Hates
the Holocaust
Leanne Lieberman
Some kids got Disney. I got Hitler.
auren Yanofsky doesn’t want to be Jewish anymore. Her father, a noted Holocaust histoL
rian, keeps giving her Holocaust memoirs to read, and her mother doesn’t understand
why Lauren hates the idea of Jewish youth camps and family vacations to Holocaust memo-
rials. But when Lauren sees some of her friends—including Jesse, a cute boy she likes—
playing Nazi war games, she is faced with a terrible choice: betray her friends or betray her
heritage.
Told with engaging humor, Lauren Yanofsky Hates the Holocaust isn’t simply about making
tough moral choices. It’s about a smart, funny, passionate girl caught up in the turmoil of
bad-hair days, family friction, changing friendships, love—and, yes, the Holocaust.
Leanne Lieberman is the author of two other books for young adults, Gravity and
The Book of Trees. She lives in Kingston, Ontario, with her husband and two sons. For more
information, visit www.leannelieberman.com.
Sydney Taylor Notable Books for Teens selection
“[Lieberman] smoothly weaves humor and knowledge about Judaism through Lauren’s story. Lauren’s
narration is contemplative and from the heart, and readers should relate to her attempts to identify
her beliefs and tackle life’s big questions.” —Publishers Weekly
“Heavy topics get a lighthearted treatment in this smart, observant story of a girl who has had it with
being Jewish…Lieberman draws a strong portrait of a girl who can’t find comforting answers, and that
is the strength of this book.” —Booklist
“Lieberman, known for her edgy, provocative Jewish-themed novels…creates another strong female
protagonist, whose characterization of Judaism as a religion ‘about loss, grief and persecution’ will
raise eyebrows with both Jewish and non-Jewish readers. A thought-provoking exploration of a teen’s
evolving ideals.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Lieberman touches [on] moral and ethical issues in a simple, direct novel. Teens will relate to the
realistic dialogue and teen angst…Lieberman gives the reader a lot to think about, in a very compact
style filled with humor, reality, and drama. The book will appeal to teens looking for a realistic, teen
drama about morality and ethics.” —VOYA
“The Nazi war games juxtaposed with Lauren’s Jewish background and the way she must come
to terms with the problem and her emotions are thought-provoking themes which allow Lauren
to develop throughout the book. Her maturing process literally goes through a ‘trial by fire,’
and a different Lauren emerges in the final pages of the novel. Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
18 young adult
The Book of Trees
Leanne Lieberman
hen Mia, a Jewish teenager from Ontario, goes to Israel to spend the summer studying
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at a yeshiva, or seminary, she wants to connect with the land and deepen her understanding of Judaism. However, Mia’s summer plans go awry when she falls in love with a
non-Jewish tourist, Andrew. Through him, Mia learns about the Israeli occupation of
Palestinian land and starts to question her Zionist aspirations. In particular, Mia is disturbed
by the Palestinian’s loss of their olive trees, and the state of Israel’s planting of pine trees,
symbolizing the setting down of new roots. After narrowly escaping a bus bombing,
Mia decides that being a peace activist is more important than being religious.
“[A] realistic, sensitively drawn story of one teen’s tumultuous, coming-of-age search for faith,
cultural identity, and grown-up love.” —Booklist
“Lieberman’s directness is refreshing.” —Quill & Quire
“Poignant, thought-provoking, and haunting at times…Lieberman’s story raises many questions,
both religious and political. The reader will take this journey of self-discovery with Mia and may
marvel or cower under its weight. Either way, this is a story that demands to be read, for so
many different reasons.” —VOYA
“More than just a book about a conflicted teenager, there are deep and important themes
about social justice and equal treatment of all peoples.”—Canadian Children’s Book News
Gravity
Leanne Lieberman
llie Gold is an orthodox Jewish teenager living in Toronto in the late eighties. Ellie has no
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doubts about her strict religious upbringing until she falls in love with another girl at her
grandmother’s cottage. Aware that homosexuality clashes with Jewish observance, Ellie feels
forced to either alter her sexuality or leave her community. Meanwhile, Ellie’s mother, Chana,
becomes convinced she has a messianic role to play, and her sister, Neshama, chafes against
the restrictions of her faith. Ellie is afraid there is no way to be both gay and Jewish, but her
mother and sister offer alternative concepts of God that help Ellie find a place for herself as a
queer Jew.
Sidney Taylor Award nominee
“The writing is smooth and rich in detail, the dialogue is zesty, the plot suspenseful and all the
characters are well-rounded.” —Kit Pearson, author of A Perfect Gentle Knight
“A compelling, well-written story that…leaves readers wanting more—and, rightly so, leaves
them to draw their own conclusions about whether orthodoxy and homosexuality can coexist.”
—The Jewish Independant
“Lieberman’s confidence is impressive. She is in complete command of her material. Her work
is like origami, in which meanings gently unfold.” —The Globe and Mail
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
young adult 19
The New Normal
Ashley Little
You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone—especially when it
comes to hair.
amar Robinson knows a lot about loss—more than any teenager should. Her younger
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sisters are dead, her parents are adrift in a sea of grief, and now Tamar is losing her hair.
Nevertheless, she navigates her rocky life as best she can, not always with grace, but with
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her own brand of twisted humor. She joins the chess club with her friend Roy, earns a part
in the school production of The Wizard of Oz, buys an awesome wig, lands a crappy job, gets
invited to the prom (by three different guys!) and helps her parents re-enter the land of the
living. What Tamar lacks in tact (and hair), she makes up for in sheer tenacity.
Ashley Little attended high school in Calgary, Alberta. She has worked at a pie shop,
a fast-food chicken restaurant and a convenience store/gas station. She completed a BFA
in creative writing at the University of Victoria in British Columbia. Ashley teaches
yoga and writes fiction in Alberta’s badlands. The New Normal is her first novel for teens.
For more information, visit www.ashleylittle.com.
OLA Best Bets
Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize winner
“This novel is a joy to read from start to finish. Tamar is complex, never boring and remains a
charismatic and appealing character at her best and her worst…The New Normal is a powerful
story about accepting yourself and your circumstances…[and] keeps just the right balance between
tragedy and comedy. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“In addition to creating an endearing, believably conflicted protagonist whom it is impossible not
to cheer for, Little deftly doles out levity and hardship at just the right times. The novel is mired
neither in endless tragedy nor flippant dark humour; it presents a realistic portrayal of a grieving
teenage girl…With equal parts humour and humility, Little’s novel reads like an Alberta-set love
child of Susan Juby and Sarah Dessen, and that’s not a bad thing at all.” —Quill & Quire
“[Little] prevents Tamar’s situation from feeling melodramatic, always keeping her story grounded.
Readers will sense that realism from the very first page…Tamar is so relatable and genuine that
readers will be invested in her attempts to surmount the challenges that pile up.” —Publishers Weekly
“One cannot help but root for [Tamar] to survive the challenges in her life…Readers remain
connected to this feisty, capable teen and just want for her to be happy…Through sheer tenacity
and a love of life, she saves herself and, in the process, her family. A quick read that delivers a happy
ending.” —School Library Journal
“Tamar’s wisecracking first-person voice adeptly conveys the complexity and grit of her emotional
life as she learns to stand up for herself. Readers who tough it out with her on the journey will be
rewarded by the destination.” —Kirkus Reviews
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
20 young adult
The Beckoners
Carrie Mac
The line between victim and tormentor is easily crossed.
he line between victim and tormentor is easily crossed. When her mother suddenly moves
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them to a new town, Zoe is unhappy about leaving behind what passes for a normal life.
And when the first person she meets turns out to be Beck, who rules her new school with a
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mixture of intimidation and outright violence, she is dismayed. But she has no idea how bad
things will get. Unsure of herself and merely trying to fit in, Zoe is initiated, painfully, into
the Beckoners, a twisted group of girls whose main purpose is to stay on top by whatever
means necessary.
A chilling portrait of bullying and violence. The Beckoners illustrates the lure of becoming
one of the tormentors rather than the victim, and the terrible price that can be exacted for
standing up for what is right.
CLA Young Adult Honour Book
Arthur Ellis Award winner
International Reading Association Young Adult Choices Selection
White Ravens International Youth Library List
“A disturbing eye-opener.” —Vancouver Sun
“This is a beautifully written, ugly, moving, terrifying, compelling book.” —NMRLS
“Along the way it will challenge young people to reflect on what they accept and dismiss as
normal.” —Canadian Children’s Book News
“Hard-hitting…saturated with a sense of foreboding…a provocative and realistic portrayal of
what it means to be a victim and a tormentor.” —Resource Links
“Will be one of those sleeper novels passed from hand to hand by teenagers…It will probably
disappear from your library collections, the ultimate approval rating. Buy your five copies now
and keep one behind the counter. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
young adult 21
Tru Detective
Norah McClintock
Illustrated by Steven P. Hughes
Truman is too late to save his girlfriend.
Can he save himself?
ruman’s parents are out of town, and he has made plans with his girlfriend, Natalia.
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When she doesn’t show up, he is angry. But when he finds out she has been murdered,
Truman becomes the prime suspect. With no alibi, he must try to find the truth behind his
girlfriend’s violent death. But the more he digs, the more he realizes he doesn’t really know
who Natalia was, and he starts to wonder why she was interested in him at all. Hounded by
suspicious detectives, angry Russian mobsters and a sense that nothing is as it seems, Truman
is in a race to save himself.
This is the second eye-catching graphic novel from Arthur-Ellis Award-winning author
Norah McClintock.
Norah McClintock is a bestselling mystery author of teen fiction. Her first graphic novel,
I, Witness, was a Junior Library Guild Selection. Norah lives in Toronto, Ontario. For more
information, visit www.norahmcclintock.com.
Steven P. Hughes grew up in Ontario, graduated from Sheridan College in 2012 with a BAA
in Illustration and currently lives in Montreal, Quebec. Besides illustration, he enjoys traveling,
reading and spending time with his faithful companion, Bixby (the dog). Tru Detective is his
first graphic novel.
“McClintock follows I, Witness (2012) with another highly engaging suspense graphic novel
geared toward struggling readers…The appealing layout and compelling story, as well as the
straightforward dialogue, make this very accessible to a wide audience, both reluctant and
struggling readers as well as those looking for a pulse-pounding thriller.” —Booklist
“McClintock has crafted a solid, appealing mystery, especially for newcomers to the genre…
Readers will be caught up in Truman's struggles, the perils he finds himself in, and the awareness
he develops of both himself and others. Hughes' black-and-white art builds on and supports
the noir elements of McClintock's storytelling with a stark, cinematic quality, leavened with
occasional flashes of wit and sly humour…Though most of them will never experience the kind
of drama the story presents, adolescent readers will feel right at home.” —Quill & Quire
“With a story that unspools across the pages, laying out clues and the details as it goes, this
mystery begs to be read in one sitting. Stark black-and-white illustrations give the book a noir
feel that contrasts with the youth of the main character but doesn't conflict with it—instead
it makes Truman's journey into the darkness of Natalia's story more powerful…A mystery
graphic novel, beautifully done.” —School Library Journal
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
22 young adult
I, Witness
Norah McClintock
Illustrated by Mike Deas
When you witness something horrific, do you look out for yourself?
Or try and find justice?
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n a dark back alley, Boone and Andre witness a violent murder, and agree not to mention
it. But the killers have different ideas and come after Boone and his friends, killing two of
them. Boone is desperate to save himself but realizes to do so he will need to face the violent
act in his past that continues to haunt him.
Told in Norah McClintock’s trademark suspenseful style and with spare black-and -white
illustrations from Mike Deas, this compelling graphic novel looks into the darkness and forces
us to face our deepest fears.
Norah McClintock’s fascinating mysteries are hard to put down. She is a five-time winner of
the Crime Writers of Canada’s Arthur Ellis Award for Best Juvenile Crime Novel. Although
Norah is a freelance editor, she still manages to write at least one novel a year. Norah grew
up in Montreal, Quebec, and now lives with her family in Toronto, Ontario.
Mike Deas is the illustrator of the bestselling Graphic Guide Adventure series. His love for
illustrative storytelling developed at an early age while growing up on Saltspring Island,
British Columbia. Mike enjoys traveling, and he has worked in England and California as a
concept artist, texture artist and art director in the video game industry. Mike and his wife
Nancy live in sunny Victoria, British Columbia.
Junior Library Guild selection
ALA Quick Picks nominee
Texas Library Association Maverick Graphic Novel List
“[McClintock] shows her customary concerns with character development, fast and abrupt action,
and the effectiveness of showing different viewpoints. Deas’ dramatic black-and-white artwork is
splashed with a bright blood red spilt across those panels where violence occurs…An effective
thriller that raises questions about the complicity of silence on violence.” —Booklist
“McClintock’s first foray into graphica is a teenage mystery with enough twists and turns to interest
readers.” —Quill & Quire
“McClintock has crafted an intriguing story, one which is not only entertaining to read, but is also
surprisingly complex and comprehensive despite occupying less than one hundred and fifty pages…
Deas’ illustrations are wonderful additions to the story, working well to support and, at key points,
enhance the text laid out by McClintock…Readers who are admirers of crime and detective
stories will surely find I, Witness to be an enjoyable and satisfying read. Highly Recommended.”
—CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
young adult 23
About That Night
Norah McClintock
Two disappearances in one night.
Someone knows the truth.
depths of winter, a woman wanders off in the snow. She is a popular former teacher
Ihisnandnewthewifegirlfriend
of a local policeman. A full-blown search begins. Meanwhile, Derek is staying with
and her parents while his family is out of town. He can’t believe his luck—
Jordie is the hottest girl in school, and he’s going out with her. When Ronan, school bad boy
and Jordie’s ex-boyfriend, shows up, Jordie decides that maybe Derek isn’t the one after all. But
before she can end it with him, Derek disappears. Did he run away? Or did something happen
to him? Is there a connection between the two disappearances? As Jordie slowly starts unraveling the truth, she finds that nothing about that night is as it seems. When she finds Derek’s
body, suspicion falls on her. And then on Ronan. But Jordie knows she didn’t kill Derek. And
she is sure Ronan didn’t. So who is responsible? And why was Derek marked for death?
Arthur Ellis Award nominee
“McClintock avoids the usual patterns of murder mysteries, relying on detailed and believable
characterizations that round out the plentiful plot twists. When she does employ a frequently used
device, the characters often comment on it ironically, bringing the reader into the joke. Mystery
fans will appreciate the thoughtful plotting, the complex characters, and an ambiguous ending that
guarantees readers will be mulling over the story long after they finish. Of special note are the
descriptions of landscape and weather: cold, forbidding, and characters in themselves, with their
own secrets and dangers.” —Booklist online
“Derek becomes such a fully rounded character that the reader comes to feel his absence as
acutely as if they knew him. When the resolution arrives…it is surprising and satisfying, the hallmark
of a well-written mystery.” —Quill & Quire
“[The characters’] mature speech, combined with plenty of adult characters, makes this a great
crossover novel. The present-tense narration helps keep the mystery taut with concise pacing.
A classic whodunit.” —Kirkus Reviews
“A suspenseful, fast-moving mystery that will hook readers from the very first page…The novel
moves like a film, cutting rapidly from scene to scene and character to character. The text is
masterfully executed, with all the hints and red herrings a good mystery should offer…Avid
mystery fans may connect the plot details before the characters themselves do, but even then
various twists and turns will keep readers guessing right up to the last sentence and maybe after.
Norah McClintock is a talented writer, and this taut, deftly plotted novel is an excellent choice
for mystery readers, readers who prefer a high-action plot, and anyone who enjoys a well-told
story.” —Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
24 young adult
Guilty
Norah McClintock
Why would a murderer return to the scene of the crime?
And why would he kill again?
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inn watches in horror as his stepmother is gunned down in front of his house. His father
reacts and kills the gunman. When Finn learns that the killer is the same man who
admitted to killing his birth mother years before, he is shocked and wants to know if this is
more than a terrible coincidence. At the police station, he meets Lila, daughter of the killer,
and they strike up a wary friendship. Both of them are desperate to find the truth. What they
discover hints at a much larger conspiracy.
ALA Quick Picks
Snow Willow nominee
Golden Oak Award nominee
Manitoba Young Reader’s Choice Award
“[A] searing detective story…The chapters alternate between Finn and Lila’s points of view, a
juxtaposition that lends even more depth and energy to an already exciting story.” —Booklist
“McClintock has crafted an engrossing thriller that will keep readers turning pages. Full of intrigue
from the first page…teens will be drawn into the mystery.” —VOYA
“McClintock is well-known for her many young adult crime novels…Guilty will appeal to both her
fans and to new readers as well. The book is fast-paced and exciting…The usual elements of a good
mystery are all there, with a number of suspects and potential scenarios. People keep secrets of
all kinds, and the final unraveling of the plot surprises both Lila and Finn and will catch readers off
guard both in its simplicity and ingenuity. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“Guilty is a perfect example of why Norah McClintock is the queen of Canadian YA crime fiction,
having won the Arthur Ellis Award for crime fiction at least five times”
—CanLit for Little Canadians blog
“Layers of description and Finn and Lila’s discoveries, as well as their budding relationship, will
keep the readers engaged until the very end…A good read for reluctant and voracious readers
alike. The characters are compelling and the plot just twisted enough to hold attention.”
—TriState YA Book Review Committee
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
young adult 25
She Said/She Saw
Norah McClintock
egan was in the backseat when her two best friends were gunned down in front of her.
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Was it an argument over drugs? An ongoing feud? Or something more random? Tegan
says she didn’t see who did it. Or know why. Nobody will believe her. Not the police; not her
friends; not the families of the victims; and not even Kelly, her own sister. Is she afraid that
the killer will come back? Or does she know more than she is saying?
Shunned at school and feeling alone, Tegan must sort through her memories and try to
decide what is real and what is imagined. And in the end she must decide whether she has the
strength to stand up and do the right thing.
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ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults nominee
“[A] fast-paced mystery…The infighting between the families of the two victims, both from
different economic, ethnic, and social backgrounds, is tragic and believable. Several scenes,
including one in which Tegan learns that her mother’s job is in jeopardy and a flashback involving
an enraged motorist, crackle with tension.” —School Library Journal
“A slim and shocking stand-alone [novel].”—Kirkus Reviews
“McClintock’s writing is taut and tense, and the reader will find him/herself flipping rapidly through
the pages seeking the truth.” —Resource Links
Taken
Norah McClintock
wo girls have recently disappeared near the town where Stephanie lives. She is concerned
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but is sure that it could never happen to her. But then it does. Tied up and alone far
from home, she manages to escape her captor and run for her life. But she is in the middle
of nowhere, with no food, no shelter and no way home. And worst of all, she has run away
before, so she is sure that the police will not take her disappearance seriously. She will need to
save herself, calling on lessons learned from her grandfather and an inner strength she never
thought she had.
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ALA Quick Picks
Manitoba Young Readers’ Choice Award winner
ALA Popular Paperbacks selection
“Taken is an engrossing study of the humbling effects of solitude, and it offers an unflinching
depiction of the unforgiving and often brutal realities of the natural world.” —Quill & Quire
“Riveting, and never becomes too harrowing.” —Booklist
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
26 young adult
Straight Punch
Monique Polak
Tessa fights to keep her school from going down for the count.
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essa McPhail has a bad habit—tagging—that lands her at New Directions, an alternative school in Montreal’s toughest neighborhood. The school is far from Tessa’s home
and full of troubled kids. To make matters worse, half of every school day is devoted to
boxing. The other students think boxing is cool. Not Tessa, who cannot handle violence of
any kind. But when a neighbor starts a petition to have New Directions closed down, Tessa
discovers something worth fighting for, both in and out of the ring.
Monique Polak has written many novels for young adults, including her historical novel,
What World Is Left, which won the 2009 Quebec Writers’ Federation Prize for Children’s
and Young Adult Literature and was published in Dutch by De Fontein. In addition to
writing award-winning books for youth, Monique Polak teaches English and Humanities at
Marianopolis College in Montreal, Quebec, and also works as a freelance journalist. Monique
lives in Montreal with her husband, a newspaper man.
Quebec Writer’s Federation nominee
“Polak keeps her prose simple and straightforward, providing her readers with a suspenseful,
insightful story that ticks off some hot buttons. The high-interest graffiti/boxing combo is
supported by real affection for throwaway teens, resulting in a story that should have broad
appeal.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Polak excels at portraying her characters…[She] also provides a behind-the-scenes look at
boxing and some of the dynamics involved when two people must be trained to fight each
other. Issues of teen pregnancy and homosexuality are handled with care…Fans of Playing
with the Boys…will enjoy this book, as will anyone looking for strong relationships without
romance.” —VOYA
“Tessa’s backstory is fully fleshed out and explains her aversion to violence following an
out-of-control hockey brawl that left her scarred. Tessa’s character represents how many
feel about violent sports and as she grows to the sport and embraces it, readers will too.”
—Southwestern Ohio Young Adult Materials Review Group
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
young adult 27
So Much It Hurts
Monique Polak
Becoming a statistic was never part of the plan.
I
ris is an aspiring actress, so when Mick, a well-known visiting Aussie director, takes
an interest in her, she’s flattered. He’s fourteen years older, attractive, smart, charming
and sexy—in other words, nothing like her hapless ex-boyfriend, Tommy. But when Iris and
Mick start a secret relationship, she soon witnesses Mick’s darker side, and his temper
frightens her. Before long, she becomes the target of his rage, but she makes endless excuses
for him. Isolated and often in pain, Iris struggles to continue going to school, where she is
preparing for her role as Ophelia. When her family and friends begin to realize that something is terribly wrong, Iris defends her man, but she also takes the first tentative steps
toward self-preservation.
Monique Polak has written many novels for young adults, including her historical novel,
What World Is Left, which won the 2009 Quebec Writers’ Federation Prize for Children’s
and Young Adult Literature and was published in Dutch by De Fontein. In addition to
writing award-winning books for youth, Monique Polak teaches English and Humanities
at Marianopolis College in Montreal, Quebec, and also works as a freelance journalist.
Monique lives in Montreal with her husband, a newspaper man.
“Provides a detailed anatomy of a young girl’s descent into the nightmare of an abusive relationship
that is both accessible and thought provoking.” —Quill & Quire
“Parallels between Iris and Hamlet’s Ophelia, a role she is playing in her high school’s production,
are telling, and Polak does a credible job portraying Iris as a smart girl who nevertheless finds
herself submitting to increasingly vile behaviour…[The novel’s] positive outcome should give heart
to those who need it.” —Booklist
“Readers will acknowledge Mick’s volatility long before Iris’s denial lifts, while recognizing how the
desire to love and be loved can so easily turn self-defeating.” —Publishers Weekly
“Nicely written about a difficult subject. Readers will empathize with Iris. Mick’s aggressive behavior
is amply, but not overly, portrayed. Iris’s loneliness, after having given up her friends and lied to her
mother, is real, as are the other characters in the story…So Much It Hurts sheds needed light on
abusive relations.” —VOYA
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
28 young adult
The Middle of Everywhere
Monique Polak
oah Thorpe is spending the school term in George River, in Quebec’s Far North, where
N
his dad is an English teacher in the Inuit community. Noah’s not too keen about living
in the middle of nowhere, but getting away from Montreal has one big advantage: he gets a
break from the bully at his old school.
But Noah learns that problems have a way of following you—no matter how far you
travel. To the Inuit kids, Noah is a qallunaaq—a southerner, someone ignorant of the customs
of the North. Noah thinks the Inuit have a strange way of looking at the world, plus they eat
raw meat and seal blubber. Most have never left George River—a town that doesn’t even have
its own doctor, let alone a McDonald’s.
But Noah’s views change when he goes winter camping and realizes he will have to learn
a few lessons from his Inuit buddies if he wants to make it home.
Quebec Writers’ Federation Literature Prize nominee
“Noah’s greatest adventure is discovering that the middle of nowhere can be the beginning of
something new.” —The Alan Review
“A powerful novel that blends the emotional insecurities of young teenage boys with their need to
be strong…Polak delivers her tale with a simplicity and realism that brings the readers into the northern
world.” —Resource Links
Miracleville
Monique Polak
S
ixteen-year-old Ani lives in the tiny Quebec town of Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré, where her
family runs Saintly Souvenirs, a tourist shop catering to the many pilgrims who come
to the town seeking a miracle. The bane of Ani’s existence is her hyperactive, over-sexed
younger sister, Colette. Ani and her mother, Therése, are devout Catholics; Colette and her
father are not. When Therése is paralyzed after a freak accident, Ani’s faith is tested, but
when she is confronted with something shocking in her mother’s past, she has to rethink her
whole existence.
“In this sensitive examination of the complexities of faith, Polak…captures the perplexing nuances
of a town whose economy depends on and caters to pilgrim tourists, which affects the beliefs of
local inhabitants, creating both skeptics and devout believers.” —Publishers Weekly
“Polak maintains a tone that is understanding and contemplative as she probes the questions,
doubts and fears of many of the characters, both teen and adult, in her work…[An] outstanding,
dare I say heavenly, young adult novel! Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
young adult 29
What World is Left
Monique Polak
Right and wrong have lost their meaning for Anneke.
I scratch the skin around my shoulder. I know I mustn’t, but I can’t help it. I am itchy everywhere.
I fight the urge to jump out from the bunk. Besides, there is no place to go. We are prisoners here.
pampered child used to having her own way, Anneke Van Raalte lives outside
A
Amsterdam, where her father is a cartoonist for the Amsterdam newspaper. Though
Anneke’s family is Jewish, her religion means little to her. Anneke’s life changes when the
Rights Sold:
Dutch—De Fontein
Nazis invade Holland, and she and her family are deported to Theresienstadt, a concentration
camp in Czechoslovakia. Not only are conditions in the camp appalling, but the camp is the
site of an elaborate hoax: the Nazis are determined to convince the world that Theresienstadt
is an idyllic place and that European Jews are thriving under the Nazi regime. Because he
is an artist, Anneke’s father is compelled to help in the propaganda campaign, and Anneke
finds herself torn between her loyalty to her family and her sense of what is right. What
World is Left was inspired by the experiences of the author’s mother, who was imprisoned in
Theresienstadt during World War II.
Booklist Editor’s Choice selection
Quebec Writers’ Federation Literature Prize winner
“A very personal, thought-provoking and, ultimately, hopeful book.” —The Jewish Independent
“[Offers] a candid look at a father’s presumed collusion, a perspective rarely seen in YA
literature about the Holocaust.” —Publishers Weekly
“Heartbreaking. An important addition to the Holocaust curriculum.” —Booklist, starred review
“Polak’s story breathes life into a period fading from memory.” —Montreal Review of Books
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
30 young adult
Audacious
Gabrielle Prendergast
S
ixteen-year-old Raphaelle says the wrong thing, antagonizes the wrong people and has the
wrong attitude. She can’t do anything right except draw, but she draws the wrong pictures.
When her father moves the family to a small prairie city, Raphaelle wants to make a new start.
Reborn as “Ella,” she tries to fit in at her new school. She’s drawn to Samir, a Muslim boy in her
art class, and expresses her confused feelings in explicit art. Told entirely in verse, Audacious is
a brave, funny and hard-hitting portrait of a young girl.
Westchester Fiction Award Winners list
Canadian Library Association YA Book Award nominee
“In Ella, Prendergast has created a voice that is definitely audacious—but also utterly real and
memorable.” —Quill & Quire, starred review
“Audacious is a book just as powerful as its title…Beautifully written, thoughtfully layered, and
occasionally disturbing, Audacious asks important questions that will grip a teen reader’s attention,
with poems as varied, lovely, and shocking, as the ups and downs of the heroine’s quest for
understanding.” —Margarita Engle, Newbery Honor-winning author of The Surrender Tree
“Fans of Ellen Hopkins and Sonya Sones’s novels in verse will delight in Prendergast’s rich, riveting
story.” —Publishers Weekly
Capricious
E
lla’s grade-eleven year was a disaster (Audacious), but as summer approaches, things are
looking up. She’s back together with her brooding boyfriend, Samir, although they both
want to keep that a secret. She’s also best buddies with David and still not entirely sure about
making him boyfriend number two. Though part of her wants to conform to high school
norms, the temptation to be radical is just too great. Managing two secret boyfriends proves
harder than Ella expected, especially when Samir and David face separate family crises, and
Ella finds herself at the center of an emotional maelstrom. Someone will get hurt. Someone
risks losing true love. Someone might finally learn that self-serving actions can have public
consequences. And that someone is Ella.
Capricious is a sequel to the acclaimed verse novel Audacious.
Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature Prize finalist
“Prendergast’s unrhymed verse not only tells the tale, but varies form and line length, the clipped
rhythms capturing Ella’s emotional turmoil…Sensitive and compelling.” —Kirkus Reviews
“A quick read, thanks to the format and the dramatic plot. Prendergast varies the style of the
narrative, seamlessly integrating rhymed couplets, acrostics, and more…Her candid approach to
sex, lies, and friendship should attract a wide audience, especially readers who are drawn to deep
and sometimes dark issues.” —School Library Journal
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
young adult 31
What Is Real
Karen Rivers
But what is real? Are you? Am I? Is anyone?
ex Pratt is seventeen years old, a star basketball player and a budding filmmaker.
D
And his life has been turned upside down. His parents have split up and his mother
has remarried and taken him to a new life in the city. When his father attempts suicide
and fails, Dex returns to their small town to care for him. He is not, however, prepared
for how much everything has changed. Gone is the suburban split-level on the outskirts
of town. Gone are the new cars, fancy bikes and other toys. Now he and his wheelchair-bound dad live in a rotting rented house at the back of a cornfield. And, worse, his
father has given up defending marijuana growers in his law practice and has become
one himself.
Unable to cope, Dex throws his camera in the trash and begins smoking himself into a
state of surrealism. He begins to lose touch with what is real and what he is imagining. And
then there are the aliens…And the crop circle…And the girl-of-his-dreams…
What Is Real presents a poignant portrait of suburban family life gone south. Dex Pratt is
smart, funny, creative and compulsive; he’s also angry and disillusioned. But most of all he’s
a character that readers won’t soon forget.
Karen Rivers is the author of fourteen novels, mostly for young adults. Her books have been
nominated for a number of awards, including the Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Award
and the Silver Birch Award. Karen lives, reads and writes in a yellow house near the beach in
Victoria, British Columbia, and can almost always be found online at www.karenrivers.com.
“Rivers writes in a first-person present-tense narrative that is true to a young stoner’s wild,
muddled viewpoint…Even if teens skim over some passages, the story’s central dramas will hold
them: a lost kid, angry and loving, who cares for a disabled parent as he tries to block out secrets
and lies.” —Booklist
“An intriguing read…The reader is left with interesting thoughts to ponder upon—what’s real and
what’s a dream? Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“A tale of teenage angst exceptionally written in lyrical, hallucinogenic prose.”
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
32 young adult
Five Minutes More
Darlene Ryan
’Arcy’s dad is dead. She desperately wants it to have been an accident, but she is not sure.
D
And when she learns the truth, things become even more difficult. Why would her father
choose suicide? Why didn’t she see the signs? Her father had always helped her get through
everything in her life—five minutes at a time. Can she do it alone? And then she meets Seth.
When will things get back to normal? Learning to live without her father while her mother
struggles with her own pain, D’Arcy finds an inner strength she wasn’t aware of. She also finds
that almost anything is tolerable for five minutes more.
ALA Quick Picks
Ann Connor Brimer Award nominee
“Authentic characters, real passions surrounding both death and life and an interesting plot
which revolves around the difficult yet not uncommon issue of suicide: young adult fiction
doesn’t get much better than this. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“Ryan presents teenagers living with devastatingly emotional situations…Well written.”
—VOYA
Pieces of Me
Darlene Ryan
addie is living on the streets, trying to protect herself and make enough money to get
a place to stay and find a way to go back to school. When she meets Q, she is wary but
M
welcomes his friendship. And then she meets Dylan, a six-year-old boy, living on the streets
with his family. When Dylan’s father asks Maddie to watch the boy for a while, she is happy
to help. But Dylan’s parents don’t come back; and Maddie and Q are left looking after him.
Trying to make a life together and care for her makeshift family, Maddie finds that maybe
she has to ask for help.
SLJ’s Best Books for Teens Living in the ‘Margins’ list
“Homelessness, domestic abuse, and parental abandonment are indisputably weighty topics. Yet
in this story of a makeshift family, they seem surprisingly surmountable…Ryan has created a
thought-provoking portrait of young people living…on the fringes of society.” —Booklist
“An impressively managed text. It presents realistic and richly detailed explorations of a difficult
topic without being hopeless…Pieces of Me is a strong book with much to offer YA readers.
—Resource Links
“Ryan tackles some serious issues—including homelessness, abuse, and child abandonment…[Her]
simple prose and interesting storyline should attract readers (especially reluctant ones).”
—Quill & Quire
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
young adult 33
Tag Along
Tom Ryan
Best. Prom. Ever.
I
t’s junior prom night. Andrea is grounded for getting her older brother to buy booze
for her, Paul is having panic attacks, Roemi has been stood up by his Internet date, and
Candace is busy tagging a building (before she gets collared by a particularly tenacious cop).
By happenstance, the four near-strangers end up together, getting into more trouble, arguing
and ultimately helping each other out over the course of eight madcap hours.
Tom Ryan was born and raised in Inverness, on Cape Breton Island. He spent his childhood
reading, wandering the countryside, making up stories and bossing around his younger
brothers. After high school, he studied English at Mount Allison University and then moved
to Halifax, where he studied film production. He currently lives in Ottawa, Ontario, with his
partner and dog. In the future, he would like to write more books, travel the world, direct a
feature film and eventually move back to beautiful Nova Scotia. For more information, visit
www.tomwrotethat.com.
OLA Best Bets Honourable Mention
Rainbow Top Ten list
“A novel of rites of passage, experience, and teenage angst, Tag Along captures the teen audience
with well-written narrative, rich with emotion and spicy with the complications of life. The story is
a page-turner with humour, angst, anger and joy breathing life through the momentous events of the
evening. Truly entertaining and delightful. Highly recommended for leisure reading.” —Resource Links
“It’s prom night, and four teens’ plans for the evening are about to get hijacked…They all manage
to meet, get connected and ultimately have a prom night that is far more memorable than their
original plans. Ryan never goes over the top as he unfurls the story, alternating the voices of the
four teens, but exciting events occur, and the gradual jelling of the group is completely believable.
A regular kid’s prom, minus the limo but with enough drama to satisfy.” —Kirkus Reviews
“A quick read with some of the antics being laugh-out-loud funny. Most teens will identify with one
of the main characters, though they each have their quirks. This could also spark discussions about
loyalty, friendship, and being true to yourself.” —VOYA
“Ryan must be given lots of points for style…Junior high teachers who put this fun and entertaining
novel in the hands of reluctant and struggling readers are sure to be thanked by their students.”
—CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
34 young adult
Way to Go
Tom Ryan
Nothing kills your sex life like a dose of reality.
anny thinks he must be the only seventeen-year-old guy in Cape Breton—in Nova
D
Scotia, maybe—who doesn’t have his life figured out. His buddy Kierce has a rule for
every occasion, and his best friend Jay has bad grades, no plans and no worries. Danny’s dad
nags him about his post-high-school plans, his friends bug him about girls and a run-in with
the cops means he has to get a summer job. Worst of all, he’s keeping a secret that could ruin
everything.
Tom Ryan was born and raised in Inverness, on Cape Breton Island. He spent his childhood
reading, wandering the countryside, making up stories and bossing around his younger
brothers. After high school, he studied English at Mount Allison University and then moved
to Halifax, where he studied film production. He currently lives in Victoria, British Columbia,
with his partner and dog. In the future, he would like to write more books, travel the world,
direct a feature film and eventually move back to beautiful Nova Scotia. Way to Go is his first
novel.
ALA Quick Picks
Rainbow List
“Those who, like Danny, feel like ‘an island of gayness in an ocean of straightness,’ should identify
with his search for a path of his own.” —Publishers Weekly
“The [novel’s] realism adds to its considerable emotional impact.” —Quill & Quire
“Danny is very believable, and unlike so many ‘issue’ novels, the supporting characters are fully
realized and multi-dimensional…It’s a story that absolutely needs to be told, and the author’s
approach succeeds beautifully. Excellent.” —Follett Library Resources
“This engaging book about a reluctantly gay adolescent is more about finding one’s way in life than
it is about gender…The subplots in this book work well with the main storyline and the absence
of any contrived or strident posturing is very reassuring. This book deserves all the respect a
reader can give it.” —Resource Links
“From page one I was swept into Danny’s world. Tom Ryan wrote a book that I will read over and
over again…This book was phenomenal and I recommend it to everyone.” —Doodle’s Book Blog
“Ryan easily finds the voices of the teens, male and female, gay and straight, as well as the adults
with whom they interact, as if he has been all those people and speaks from experience.”
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
young adult 35
Baygirl
Heather Smith
It’s always “beer o’clock” at Kit’s house.
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rowing up in a picturesque Newfoundland fishing village should be idyllic for sixteenyear-old Kit Ryan, but living with an alcoholic father makes Kit’s day-to-day life unpredictable and almost intolerable. When the 1992 cod moratorium suspending the cod fishery
forces her father out of a job, the tension between Kit and her father grows. Forced to leave
their rural community, the family moves to the city, where they live with Uncle Iggy,
a widower with problems of his own. Immediately pegged as a “baygirl,” Kit struggles to fit
in, but longstanding trust issues threaten to hold her back when a boy named Elliot expresses
an interest in her.
Originally from Newfoundland, Heather Smith now lives in Waterloo, Ontario, with her
husband and three children. Her Newfoundland roots inspire much of her writing. For more
information, visit www.heathertsmith.com.
“Refreshingly, Smith chooses not to cast Phonse as an abusive alcoholic, but accurately
portrays the mood swings, unpredictability, and misunderstandings of the disease…Kit is a
likable, sympathetic heroine who is often funny in a goofy, endearing way. The supporting
characters are equally strong…while the language convincingly evokes the novel’s East
Coast setting…With sprightly dialogue, relatable characters, and a story that delves into
serious subject matter without becoming morose, Baygirl is a balanced, well-written debut.”
—Quill & Quire, starred review
“This first-person tale gently illustrates change, both good and bad” —Kirkus Reviews
“Baygirl is, very much, a bildungsroman, a coming-of-age story that will captivate the attention of
today’s young adults…This well-crafted novel deals with the maturation and growing awareness
of self and others…Part of the charm and allure of this novel is its skilful depiction and stitching
together of social and personal challenges in believable ways. And this makes it ideal for book clubs
and literature discussion groups inside and outside of schools…A remarkable first novel that I
vigorously recommend for students in Grade nine and up.” —CM Magazine
“[A] gritty, realistic, coming-of-age story…[Kit] is such a likable character. She is strong-willed,
sharp-tongued, and possesses one heck of a sense of humour…The details of the family’s hardships
are not sugar-coated by any means; yet, all is not bleak. Hope exists for Kit, and it comes at the
hands of forgiveness.” —The Fun Librarian blog
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
36 young adult
Who I’m Not
Ted Staunton
Danny has more lives than the proverbial cat.
D
Rights Sold:
German—Arena
anny has survived everything life has thrown at him: being abandoned at birth, multiple
abusive foster homes, life as a con man in training. But when his latest “protector” dies
suddenly, Danny has to think fast or he’ll be back in foster care again. He decides to assume
the identity of a boy who disappeared three years before. If nothing else, he figures it will
buy him a little time. Much to his astonishment, his new “family” accepts him as their
own—despite the fact that he looks nothing like their missing relative. But one old cop
has his suspicions about Danny—and he’s not about to declare the case closed. Inspired by a
true story, Who I’m Not is a powerful portrait of a boy whose identity is as fluid as a river and
as changeable as a chameleon’s skin.
John Spray Mystery Award winner
“Takes off like a rocket and continue its upward trajectory right to the very last page…Danny
himself is fantastically constructed, his typical teen bravado complicated by trauma and deep-seated
fears…Given its cinematic quality, dead-on dialogue, and rollicking pace, Who I’m Not is a perfect
choice for reluctant readers. This book is a knockout.” —Quill & Quire, starred review
“Staunton’s latest page-turner moves fast. Readers aren’t sure whether or not they can trust the
main character, and that makes the journey all the more exhilarating…The provocative, well-drawn
characters run the gamut, from Danny’s kindly caregiver, Shan, to his violent, drug-addicted brother.
Staunton stealthily inserts clues as to the whereabouts of the real Danny, but his keen plotting skills
will keep readers guessing until the very end. Breathless, fast-paced fun.” —Kirkus Reviews
“This quick read pulls the reader in almost immediately. The main character’s backstory is minimal,
yet the reader cannot help but be intrigued by his attempt to be Danny…This should be an easy
booktalk and will appeal to reluctant readers.” —VOYA
“Although the story is written with Danny’s voice, the other characters are well-drawn, and their
motivations are obvious. This book makes the reader question everything…There are questions
that are not answered in the text but are worth puzzling about afterwards. Recommended.”
—CM Magazine
“[Staunton] brings an engaging solidity to the currently popular impostor plot, and fake Danny
is an intriguing character—a genuinely talented, compulsive grifter who’s great at understanding
everybody’s behavior but his own, and who’s more of a lost soul than he realizes. His relationship
with Gillian is realistically low key even as it’s pivotal…[and] the underlying family drama is sadly
plausible…A speedy, satisfying suspense tale.”—The Bulletin of The Center for Children’s Books
“Staunton gives us a tightly woven, suspenseful story that will grip readers and keep them turning the
pages. At the same time, the ineffable sadness of the narrator’s situation adds a poignant undertone and
depth to the story. Readers may figure out the real Danny’s fate before the narrator does, but there are
many more developments before the last page.” —National Reading Campaign blog
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
young adult 37
The World Without Us
Robin Stevenson
Sometimes letting go seems easier than holding on.
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hat do you do when someone you care about wants you to follow him to a really dark
place? Do you pull away? Do you help plan the trip? Or do you put your own life on
the line in the hope that love will coax your friend away from the precipice? When Mel meets
Jeremy, she thinks she has finally found someone who understands her, someone who will
listen to her, someone who cares. But Jeremy has secrets that torment him, and Mel isn’t sure
she can save him from his demons. All she knows is that she has to save herself.
Set in Florida, against a backdrop of anti-death-penalty activism, The World Without Us
examines one girl’s choices in a world where the stakes are very high and one misstep can
hurt—or even kill—you.
Robin Stevenson is the author of seventeen novels for teens and children. Her young adult
novels include Hummingbird Heart, Escape Velocity, Inferno, Out of Order and Governor General’s
Award finalist A Thousand Shades of Blue. Robin was born in England, grew up mostly in
Ontario and now lives on the west coast of Canada, with her partner and son. She enjoys
visiting schools and offers creative-writing classes for people of all ages. For more information,
visit www.robinstevenson.com.
“Mel’s first-person narration plunges readers into the action before flashing back to explore the
excruciating pain that leads Jeremy to contemplate suicide…[Readers] will find the ways each teen
views and handles death to be compellingly presented.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Stevenson explores the complex psychology of suicide and survivor's guilt through the lives of
these realistic teens. There are no easy answers here, no miraculous recoveries. But there is hope…
Deals sensitively with a tough issue.” —Booklist
“Because the story does not conform to clear cut relationships or dimensions, the plot is
believable…The World Without Us is a great read and focuses on a topic that deserves attention.”
—CM Magazine
“Complete with solidly drawn characters, moving dialogue, and a realistic, not-so-tidy
ending, The World Without Us is an intense, astute exploration of love, death, self-discovery,
heartbreak, and hope that will serve as a catalyst for earnest dialogue not only about mental
health, but also the strength of the human spirit and how we define the meaning of life.”
—National Reading Campaign blog
“The World Without Us delves into issues with which young people might be dealing: grief and
guilt, suicidal thoughts, friendship and love…Stevenson reminds us in her eloquent text that the
fictional can become reality in a split second and with just a slip of time or even a misstep.”
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
38 young adult
Escape Velocity
Robin Stevenson
ou’s dad has been addicted to painkillers since an accident left him unable to work. He’s a
L
good, loving dad, but kind of useless. Lou’s mother, Zoe, a successful novelist, abandoned
Lou at birth and showed no interest in her until three years ago, when Lou was twelve. Their
relationship since then has been strained, but when Lou’s dad has a stroke, there is nowhere else
for her to go while he recovers. Lou struggles to find her bearings and figure out why her mom
left her all those years ago. She is convinced the answers are in Zoe’s fiction, but when Lou’s
grandmother, Heather, appears at a reading, Lou realizes she may have misjudged her mother.
“Lou’s pain and alienation is palpable, and her desire to both protect and escape her father is
understandable. This is a multilayered, emotionally draining—yet hopeful—novel that will allow
many teens to recognize their own ambivalence towards their parents, as well as the need to
escape velocity—the speed an object requires to break free from a gravitational pull in their lives.”
—Booklist
“A nuanced story that is both familiar and inspiring…Escape Velocity is a subtle meditation on both
the ties that bind and that difficulties that divide.” —Quill & Quire, starred review
Hummingbird Heart
Robin Stevenson
ixteen-year-old Dylan has never met her father. She knows that her parents were just
teenagers themselves when she was born, but her mother doesn’t like to talk about the
S
past, and her father, Mark, has never responded to Dylan’s attempts to contact him. As far
as Dylan is concerned, her family is made up of her mother, Amanda; her recently adopted
younger sister, Karma; and maybe even her best friend, Toni.
And then, out of the blue, a phone call: Mark will be in town for a few days and he wants
to meet her. Amanda is clearly upset, but Dylan can’t help being excited at the possibility
of finally getting to know her father. But when she finds out why he has come—and what
he wants from her—the answers fill her with still more questions. What makes someone
family? And why has her mother been lying to her all these years?
“Like many teens, Dylan has found emotional safety in keeping distant from others, judging before
she can be judged. As Dylan comes out of her shell, she realizes her own power and responsibility
in setting the terms of her relationships…Teens who were intrigued with the family drama in
Sara Zarr’s How to Save a Life (2011) or Jodi Picoult’s My Sister’s Keeper (2004) will find similarly
thought-provoking issues here.” —Booklist
“A well-written exploration of complex family relationships.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
young adult 39
Out of Order
Robin Stevenson
ifteen-year-old Sophie sees her move to Victoria as a chance to start over and leave her
F
old self behind. She is soon drawn into the orbit of the charismatic but troubled Zelia.
As their friendship develops and Zelia’s behavior becomes increasingly self-destructive,
Sophie struggles to maintain both the friendship and her own sense of self. Then Sophie
meets Max. At first, Max seems to be Zelia’s opposite: direct, straightforward and sure
of herself. But this new friendship brings its own unexpected challenges and confusion,
and Sophie slowly starts to realize that friendships are a place in which one can both lose and
discover oneself.
“The novel takes an honest, gentle, non-judgmental look at the making of ‘mean girls’ and the
devastating impact their bullying has on Sophie.” —Jeunesse
“This novel is impossible to put down. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“What sets this debut [novel] apart is the strong first-person narration and the full, rich
development of even minor characters.” —Booklist
Inferno
Robin Stevenson
D
ante thinks high school is an earthly version of hell. She hates her new home in the
suburbs, her best friend has moved away, her homeroom teacher mocks her and her
mother is making her attend a social skills group for teenage girls. When a stranger shows
up at school and hands Dante a flyer that reads: Woof, woof. You are not a dog. Why are you
going to obedience school?, Dante thinks she’s found a soul mate. Someone who understands.
Someone else who wants to make real changes in the world. But there are all kinds of ways
of bringing about change…and some are more dangerous than others
BC Book Prize–Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize nominee
“Stevenson creates a compelling portrait of autonomy vs. conformity…Dante’s sexuality is
refreshingly not a problem, just a fact of life. Readers will recognize themselves and many of
their peers in Stevenson’s complex, likeable characters.” —Booklist
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
40 young adult
A Thousand Shades of Blue
Robin Stevenson
The water's fine, but Rachel is in way over her head.
sailing trip to the Caribbean might sound great, but sixteen-year-old Rachel can’t stand
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being trapped on a small boat with her family. She misses her best friend and feels guilty
about leaving her older sister Emma, who lives in a group home. Her father is driving her
crazy with his schedules and rules, her brother is miserable, and there is never anyone
her own age around. Worst of all, there is nowhere to go when her parents fight. While
their boat is being repaired, the family spends a few weeks in a small Bahamian community, where Rachel and Tim discover a secret which turns their world upside down and
threatens to destroy the fragile ties that hold their family together.
“Readers looking for a family drama with adroit characterization, serious issues, and a little
risky romance on the side should sign up for this voyage.”
“Using the small boat as a setting highlights the cramped, suffocating feeling many young people
have when spending a lot of time with parents and siblings. The book has no easy answers…
giving the novel a refreshing realism.” —School Library Journal
“It is well-written, well-paced, easy to read and conveys the message that there is no such thing
as a perfect parent…Stevenson's conversational style is a great hook and her mastery of teen
dialogue and teen angst is engaging. Highly recommended.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
young adult 41
Blank
Trina St. Jean
“It’s all fun and games until someone loses an I.”
hen Jessica wakes up from a coma, she has no memories of her life before the accident
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at her family’s bison ranch. As she struggles to reconnect with her family and friends,
she experiences all the signs of traumatic brain injury—confusion, sadness, fear and rage.
Returning to school is a nightmare—especially when she overhears someone say he thinks
she is faking her amnesia. When a new friend presents an alternative to staying in her old life,
Jessica must confront the reality of what it means to leave her past behind.
Trina St. Jean grew up in northern Alberta but later moved to pursue degrees in psychology
and education. She also has an mfa in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont
College. She now lives in Calgary, Alberta, where she teaches esl and evades grizzlies in the
nearby Rockies with her husband and two daughters. Blank is Trina’s first novel. For more
information, visit www.trinastjean.com.
“Boldly opens up discussions about TBI and its effects on the victim and everyone in her world.
The struggles portrayed within the story are compassionately but realistically addressed, and
while Jessica's case is rare…this character beautifully illustrates the thorough distress a person
must feel when parts of her life are missing.” —Booklist
“Debut author St. Jean delicately and thoroughly explores the internal life of a character
suffering from amnesia, detailing Jessica's feelings of separation from herself and the weight of
others' expectations through an introspective first-person narrative. The mystery surrounding
Jessica's accident and a growing fear for what she will discover will keep readers invested in her
“[The novel's] convincing plot, engaging first-person narrative, and well-defined characters
succeed in dramatizing one young woman's struggle with unfathomable loss and change without
relying on clichés. Blank sends the reader on a powerful, age-appropriate odyssey of selfdiscovery about what it means to belong, the resiliency of the human spirit, and the unshakable
bonds of family.” —Quill & Quire
“St. Jean skillfully navigates a tricky ending that satisfies the reader without providing easy
answers or clichéd wrap-ups. In the end, Blank does a nice job of teaching some lessons that
apply to all of us, not just those who have suffered a brain injury. It reminds us about the power
each of us has to form and re-form our identity and to move forward with the support of those
who love us.” —CM Magazine
“St. Jean does a great job of putting the reader into Jessie's situation. We feel her fear, her
anger, at the loss of self. She criticizes The Girl she used to be as too naïve, too sweet, and her
new self as too thoughtless and insensitive. When we finally learn along with Jessie that she was
injured in an attempt to be more daring, we see how the two lives are interconnected, and how
her two selves may find a way to coexist. There is no fairy tale ending, but there is hope for a
new beginning.” —Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
42 young adult
Whisper
Chris Struyk-Bonn
You will never go far in this world
if you don’t know how to rescue yourself.
S
ixteen-year-old Whisper, who has a cleft palate, lives in an encampment with three other
young rejects and their caregiver, Nathanael. They are outcasts from a society (in the
not-too-distant future) that kills or abandons anyone with a physical or mental disability.
Whisper’s mother visits once a year. When she dies, she leaves Whisper a violin, which
Nathanael teaches her to play. Whisper’s father comes to claim her, and she becomes his
house slave, her disfigurement hidden by a black veil. But when she proves rebellious, she is
taken to the city to live with other rejects at a house called Purgatory Palace, where she has
to make difficult decisions for herself and for her vulnerable friends.
Chris Struyk-Bonn has detassled corn, worked in a small motor-parts factory,
framed pictures, served in various and sundry restaurants and labored in an egg
factory. She is currently a high school English teacher in Portland, Oregon, and has
at last found a job she thoroughly enjoys. Whisper is her first book. For more information, visit www.chrisstruykbonn.com.
Oregon Spirit Book Award nominee
Leslie Bradshaw Award for Young Adult Literature nominee
“The characters are well-rounded and not defined solely by their deformities or problems. This
poignant meditation on the meaning of family raises fascinating questions about community and
accountability.” —Booklist online
“A darkly hopeful take on the universal themes of family and identity…The author’s vivid
characterizations give this common trope urgency and nuance, and Whisper’s answer resonates
with hard-won conviction. A thoughtful dystopian drama.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Raises some fascinating moral and geopolitical issues for class discussion…Whisper will enthrall,
horrify, and anger young readers, but it should also give them a sense that they can create their own
destinies.” —School Library Journal
“A complex novel…Whisper’s trajectory from forest to village to city is intense and often anguishing;
readers will likely be so sympathetic to the protagonist that they will be more than willing to
endure her painful life lessons right along with her…Offer this to character-driven dystopia fans
who will likely relish this glimpse into a multi-layered society that is as well-developed and plausible
as it is troubling.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
young adult 43
Leftovers
Heather Waldorf
One picture is worth a thousand tears.
ifteen-year-old Sarah Greene’s father—chef by day, camera buff by night—choked to
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death on a piece of steak. It was the best day of Sarah’s life. But a year later, Sarah still
struggles with the legacy of her father’s abuse. While other girls her age are determined
to find boyfriends and part-time jobs and dresses for the prom, Sarah is on a search-anddestroy mission: to find the shoebox containing her father’s collection of kiddy porn.
After a brief skirmish with the law, Sarah is sentenced to do community service hours
at Camp Dog Gone Fun, a summer program for shelter dogs. With the love of a big goofy
dog named Judy, the friendship of Sullivan, a guy with problems of his own, and the support
of a few good adults, Sarah begins to understand her past and believe in a brighter future.
Canadian Children’s Book Centre Choices list
“A frank novel that asks the reader to come to grips with the central character’s feelings of
shame and guilt—the ‘leftovers’ of abuse that give the book its title.” —Quill & Quire
“The characters are well fleshed out…The conclusion is cathartic and realistic, featuring layers
of themes and character development that will hold reader’s interests to the end.” —VOYA
“A fluid, wonderful story of how you can learn to deal with your past and the power of
unconditional love and acceptance…A great read for any teen.” —What If? Magazine
“Waldorf does an excellent job of not allowing Sarah to become a one-dimensional victim;
instead, Sarah's response to her abuse forms only one facet of her character…Deals with
a challenging topic with tasteful humour and interesting characters that will appeal to older
teenage readers. Highly recommended.” —Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
44 young adult
Whatever Doesn’t Kill You
Elizabeth Wennick
Does the truth always set you free?
enna Cooper was only a few days old when her father was murdered and her family was
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shattered. Now fifteen, she daydreams of a picture-perfect sitcom family as she struggles
with the gritty realities of her life. When Jenna finds out that Travis Bingham, the man who
shot her father, has been released from prison, she becomes obsessed with tracking him
down and confronting him. But her search reveals that there may be more to her father’s
murder than she has been led to believe—and will her relationships with her family and
friends survive her obsession?
Elizabeth Wennick grew up in Germany and Burlington, Ontario, and spent a number of
years on Canada’s east coast before moving back to Ontario. She has written two novels,
a weekly newspaper humor column and many short plays, and she has co-written two musicals. Elizabeth currently lives in Brantford, Ontario, with her husband, two sons, two cats,
a dog and varying degrees of chaos.
John Spray Mystery Award finalist
Manitoba Young Reader’s Choice Award nominee
“This brief, taut novel is thick with Jenna’s legitimate angst and understandable longing for
answers…A believable portrait of a family destroyed, destroyed again, and finally rebuilt.”
—Booklist
“[The author] keeps the tension tight as secrets from the past come to light and Jenna discovers
that things are not as they seem. Wennick writes with a knowing honesty about her characters
and the inner-city setting, delivering a sympathetic narrator and suitably edgy dialogue…Whatever
Doesn’t Kill You works well as a contemporary, urban YA novel.” —Quill & Quire
“Wennick keeps her prose flowing nicely, and her characters come across as real people with
strengths and flaws. Jenna’s confusion and her determination to sort out her understanding of
both herself and her history come through clearly and sympathetically. A solid, affecting comingof-age tale.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Readers will be hooked from the first sentence and kept on the line by the quick-paced plot and
easy-to-follow language…Intriguing enough to hold the interest of even the most reluctant readers…
it is an overall good selection for those looking for a quick, heartening read.” —School Library Journal
“Whatever Doesn’t Kill You is best described as haunting. The ghosts that are around, though, are
the virtual ones of guilt, fear, and the unknown…Wennick never goes for the easy route of tying
up all storylines and going for the happily-ever-after. She keeps things real.” —CanLit for Little
Canadians blog
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
young adult 45
The Desert Legend Trilogy
John Wilson
his trilogy follows a young man’s search for his identity through the wilds of the Arizona
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Territory and northern Mexico during the 1870s. In Written in Blood, young Jim Doolen
attempts to find some trace of the father who abandoned his family ten years earlier. As he
travels through a scorched landscape very different from the lush West Coast forests of his
home, Jim crosses paths with an assortment of intriguing characters, including an Apache
warrior, a cave-dwelling mystic, an old Mexican revolutionary and a mysterious cowboy.
In Ghost Moon, after he discovers the terrible truth about his father, young Jim is not yet
ready to return to Canada. Instead he heads up to New Mexico in hopes of finding work and
building a life. On the way he meets Bill Bonney (later to be known as Billy the Kid), who
takes him to a ranch south of the town of Lincoln, where they both find work as cowboys.
By Victorio’s War, Jim has become a scout for the Army in the middle of a brutal war to
force Victorio’s Apaches onto a reservation far from their traditional lands. Deeply troubled by
the violence he’s witnessed and been a part of, and having lost so many friends, both white and
Indian, Jim feels trapped between the two worlds he’s encountered over the past three years.
John Wilson is the author of over twenty books for juveniles, teens and adults. His selfdescribed “addiction to history” has resulted in many award-winning novels that bring the
past alive for young readers. Wilson spends significant portions of the year traveling across
the country speaking in schools, leaving his audiences excited about our past.
“Told in a terse, present-tense narrative, James’ adventures will thrill all fans of traditional pulp-style
oaters.” —Booklist
“Chapters are short and action filled, Jim is a likable character and reluctant readers will find this to
be a fast-paced, easy-to-swallow tale of the Old West.” —Kirkus Reviews
“[This] coming-of-age tale is filled with history, including an eyewitness account about what really
happened at the Alamo, which is again referenced in the climax. Wilson, an award-winning Canadian
author, captures the dichotomy building in Jim as he seeks his place in a world rife with violence and
treachery.” —VOYA
“This third volume of John Wilson’s Desert Legends trilogy is every bit as well done as the first two…
Wilson’s seeming asides and occasional real historical references merely entice the reader to look
further and more closely at what is presented before him…[A] well-paced tale.” —Resource Links
“Wilson is a self-confessed history addict, and his enthusiasm for creating believable stories about
the past, as well as his attention to detail, has been obvious throughout the series. Victorio’s War
seems more realistic and authentic than many other novels about this time period, and it keeps the
setting lively and entertaining for the (mostly) boys who will fall in love with the idea of a teenager
on a momentous adventure.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
46 young adult
Feral
Hello, Groin
Bev Cooke
Beth Goobie
208 pages ages 12+
A street kid and a small cat
experience fear, hunger and
pain in a dangerous subterranean world.
Dylan discovers that
friendship can get in the
way of love.
Res Judica
Torn Away
The Dream Where
the Losers Go
Beth Goobie
Skey dreams of a dark
tunnel, a place where she is
safe and alone.
The Hippie House
Vicki Grant
James Heneghan
CSI meets Freaks and Geeks.
Exiled from Ireland as a terrorist,
Declan is sent to live with family
in Canada. All he wants, though,
is to return to the fight.
When a local girl is found
murdered, the freedom and
innocence of “the summer of
love” are forgotten.
Rights Sold:
French—Rageot Editeur
Rights Sold: German—Dtv Junior
Rights Sold:
Lithuanian—Gimtasis Zodis
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
young adult 47
The Burning Time
The Whirlwind
Carol Matas
War of the Eagles
Carol Matas
Everyone is a suspect and
justice has gone up in flames.
Eric Walters
Ben flees Nazi Germany only
to find himself in a battle for
his life and his soul.
Caged Eagles
Eric Walters
Racism and injustice
toward Japanese Canadians
imbue this sequel to
War of the Eagles.
The journey into adulthood
for a young Tsimshian boy.
Death on the River
John Wilson
A young soldier struggles to
survive prison camp in the
last year of the Civil War.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
For complete title information
check out our website:
www.orcabook.com
phone: 1-250-380-1229
fax: 1-250-380-1892
email: [email protected]
Soundings 1
Orca Book
Publishers
Rights Catalogue—Soundings
Transatlantic
Amy Tompkins Agency
2 Bloor
St. E., Suite 3500, Toronto, ON, m4w 1a8, Canada
Amy
Tompkins
(416)
488
9214Toronto,
· Fax (416)
488
4531
2Telephone:
Bloor St. E.,
Suite
3500,
ON,
m4w
1a8, Canada
[email protected]
www.transatlanticagency.com
Telephone:
(416) 488 9214 · Fax •(416)
488 4531
2 Soundings
Orca Soundings are short, high-interest novels with contemporary themes, written expressly for teens reading below
grade level.
• Interest level: ages 12+
• Reading level: grade 2.0 to grade 4.5
• More than 500,000 copies sold
• Teachers’ guides available
“An excellent series for high school students who need to improve reading skills…age-appropriate themes as well as
situations…a Hi-Lo fiction series that does not call attention to it being Hi-Lo.”
—Ty R. Burns LMS, Cypress Springs High School, TX
“A must-buy for librarians looking for high-quality fiction to appeal to reluctant readers in grades seven through
twelve.” —Voice of Youth Advocates
“Impressive and believable.” —School Library Journal
“Teens will gobble up this cool high/low resource…simple, clean language, slick packaging and a compact size make
this an ideal choice for both teens and educators. School and public librarians will be overjoyed to discover this highquality new series for reluctant and struggling readers. Highly recommended.”
—NMRLS Youth Services Book Review Group
“They are well-written, a great read and will give your low-end readers something age-appropriate. Would make great
books to discuss in class. Can’t praise them enough.” —District Librarian
“I cannot say enough good things about this line of books. It is everything I have been looking for, for my struggling,
reluctant readers. I love these books because our middle-school students can relate to them.” —Teacher-librarian
“Because of your series for teens, my 14-year-old son now considers himself a reader. One of his teachers introduced
him to the books, and he’s now read them all. I never thought he’d pick up a book, but on a recent family trip he
stayed up late every night to read. I can’t thank you enough for publishing the series.” —Parent
“The Orca Soundings series fulfills the wishes of countless librarians and teachers by providing well-written, relevant
stories geared toward lower level readers. These slender books are an easy sell with their colorful, teen-savvy covers
and edgy titles. A broad range of topics and viewpoints allow readers plenty of choices.” —VOYA
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Soundings 3
Death Wind
William Bell
llie’s life has just taken a turn for the worse. Not only do her parents fight all the
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time, but she is also failing more classes than not, and now she thinks she might be
pregnant. Unable to face up to her parents, she decides to run away. She hooks up with her
old friend Razz, a professional skateboarder, and goes on the road. Razz is ranked number
one, but constant confrontations with the challenger Slash put Allie in some dangerous
situations. With the rivalry heating up, Razz and Allie head toward home—right into the
path of a fierce tornado. To survive in the horror and destruction that follows the storm,
Allie has to call on an inner strength she didn’t know she had.
“An amazing amount of story is packed into these action-driven pages.” —VOYA
(ex – English and Spanish in
North America)
The Hemingway Tradition
Kristin Butcher
haw Sebring is sixteen and trying desperately to understand and accept his
father’s recent suicide. Moving with his mother halfway across the county
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in an effort to distance themselves from the awful truth, Dylan lands in a new
school and finds that the ghost of his father, a bestselling author, has followed
him. Determined that he will not follow in his father’s footsteps, Dylan tries
to chart his own course, until circumstances force him to accept that where—
and who—we come from have an impact on what we become.
“This book portrays true, if sometimes raw, emotions…Students who are forced to confront
loss and grieving will find comfort in the fact that they are not alone.” —School Library Journal
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
4 Soundings
The Trouble with Liberty
Kristin Butcher
L
iberty Hayes has just moved to Sutter’s Crossing and is the talk of the town. She
has plenty of money and everyone wants to be her friend. When Liberty accuses a
male teacher of sexually assaulting her, the rumors start. Val, her new best friend, is torn
between believing Liberty and trusting her old friend Ryan when it comes to the truth.
What is the trouble with Liberty?
“[A] well-written, fast-paced novella that will hook readers. Even though it is geared toward
reluctant readers, many teens will be able to relate to the situations.” —School Library Journal
Rights Sold:
Swedish—Hegas
Zee’s Way
Kristin Butcher
Z
ee and his friends are angry that their old haunt has been replaced by stores that are
off-limits to them and storekeepers who treat them with distrust. To let the merchants
know what he and his friends think, Zee paints graffiti on the wall of the hardware store.
After the wall is repainted, Zee decides to repeat the vandalism, but this time with more
artistic flair. A store owner catches him in the act and threatens to call the police—unless
Zee agrees to repair the damage.
Chocolate Lily winner
North America)
Rights Sold:
Slovenian—MISH
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Soundings 5
Skylark
Sara Cassidy
A
ngie lives in an old car with her brother and mother. Homeless after their father
left to find work, the family struggles to stay together and live as normally as
possible. It is difficult though. Between avoiding the police and finding new places to
park each night, it is a constant struggle. When Angie discovers slam poetry, she finds a new
way to express herself and find meaning and comfort in a confusing world.
Bolen Books Children's Book Prize nominee
“Any teen who has felt like an outsider will identify with Angie’s attraction to the coffee-shop
scene and be inspired by her family’s determination to support one another. The short chapters, simple language, and matter-of-fact narration make this Orca Soundings entry of appeal to
reluctant readers.” —Booklist
“Beautifully written…Angie’s narration reads like confessional/prose poem monologue…[The
characters are] drawn by Cassidy with deeply affecting sensitivity.” —The Vancouver Sun
Rock Star
Adrian Chamberlain
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truggling at home and at school, Duncan decides to try out for a local rock band. He
plays the bass in the school orchestra, but it is a long way from band camp to rock star.
Joining a heavy-metal band, he tries to fit in, dumping his old friends and trying to walk
the walk. When his dad’s new girlfriend starts to teach him about real rock music and
introduces him to her musician brother, Duncan discovers that there is more to being a
guitar hero than playing in a heavy-metal band.
ALA Popular Paperbacks
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
6 Soundings
Breaking Point
Lesley Choyce
ameron has been in trouble with the law more than once for breaking and entering. After
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his latest conviction, he’s sent to an outdoors program for young offenders rather than a
standard juvenile detention facility. There he meets Brianna, a girl who has been caught selling
drugs at her school. They bond quickly, and she convinces Cameron to steal two sea kayaks
and head off with her into the wilderness of bays and coves of Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore. It’s a
fearless but ill-timed escape as a hurricane is about to pound the coast. They must use all their
courage and newfound survival skills if they are going to make it back to shore alive.
“Fast-paced and well-written…Will appeal to many young and reluctant readers.”
Crash
Lesley Choyce
ust when sixteen-year-old Cameron thinks he’s going to straighten out his troubled life,
his parents break up and he ends up living on the street with his dog, Ozzie. He meets a
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girl named Mackenzie, who has been sleeping in a pup tent in the park. With her help, he
tries to survive on the street and continue with school, despite the new challenges in his life.
Finding a safe place for them to crash at night is difficult, and panhandling for money
isn’t as easy as it looks. Cameron learns that Mackenzie has her own emotional baggage
to deal with, and life for a kid with a dog and no home gets even more challenging. After
Mackenzie gets into some real trouble, Cameron realizes he needs to come up with a realistic solution if they are going to survive the turbulence.
Rat
Lesley Choyce
olin is tired of school bullies and other students’ refusal to speak up or “rat” on the real troubleC
makers. When Colin does speak out against a couple of school thugs, they post an embarrassing
photo of him on a social networking website. Colin makes some new enemies in the process but
also a few new allies, including the vice-principal, Mr. Miller. One of Colin’s new unwanted allies,
though, is Jerome, who is selling weapons to kids at school for “self defense.” Colin threatens to
turn Jerome in but backs off, tired of his growing reputation as the school rat. When Jerome is shot
and killed, Colin regrets not speaking up earlier. When the police show up, Colin tells them what
he knows, and while he realizes that he has some enemies, he also has some real admirers as well.
“[The] Orca Soundings series can boast another standout in this tale.” —Booklist online
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Soundings 7
Off the Grid
Lesley Choyce
ixteen-year-old Cody was born and raised off the grid deep in the wilderness by idealistic
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parents. When his father becomes seriously ill, the family is forced to move into the city
so he can get treatment. Attending high school for the first time, Cody is an oddity and has a
hard time adjusting. He finds unlikely allies in DeMarco, an inner-city kid, and Ernest, a philosophical homeless man, and he begins a tentative friendship with Alexis.
Standing up for DeMarco, Cody finds himself in trouble with the police and he is convinced
he must escape to the family homestead or be arrested. But Cody is torn between fleeing the city
or staying with his ailing father and facing whatever consequences come his way.
“This slim, straightforward novel will appeal to struggling readers who want stories that
reflect their experiences.” —Booklist online
Reaction
Lesley Choyce
ach and Ashley have been going out for a while, and things are going well—until Ashley
finds out she is pregnant. She is angry and blames Zach. She wouldn’t be in this state if
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he hadn’t tried to take their relationship further than she wanted. Insistent at first on an abortion, she turns against Zach. Confused, Zach struggles with what he should do and what his
responsibilities are. Coming to terms with the reactions of their families and friends, Zach
realizes that this is a decision that he and Ashley must make together.
“A gritty, realistic story that chronicles the fear, confusion, and solitude that comes with teen
parenthood.” —CM Magazine
World Rights Available (ex – English and Spanish in North America)
Refuge Cove
Lesley Choyce
n a solo sailing trip off the rugged Newfoundland coast, Greg stumbles upon a family
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of desperate refugees stranded in a lifeboat. Fearing for their lives if they are deported,
the family convinces Greg to keep their existence secret. He promises not to call the authorities and takes the family home. When his plan begins to unravel, and the family flees into
the teeth of an oncoming storm, Greg goes after them. A thrilling story that demonstrates the
importance of community.
“A fast paced story that manages to incorporate suspense, social issues and family matters…Greg
is a strong male protagonist who will appeal to reluctant readers of both genders.” —Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
8 Soundings
Running the Risk
Lesley Choyce
fter being the victim of an armed robbery, Sean should be terrified, but he isn’t. He finds
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he likes the rush that comes from danger and tries to recreate the feeling. But when his
risk-taking leads him to some of the worst parts of town and he finds himself face-to-face
with the original armed robbers he finds he must do the right thing.
“Choyce incorporates suspense, mystery and the social issue of homelessness into a fast-paced
story that is sure to appeal to both male and female readers. Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Thunderbowl
Lesley Choyce
eremy’s band is hot—really hot. Thunderbowl is on the way up and they have had their
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first big break—a long-term gig at a local bar. The only problem is that while Jeremy
should be doing his homework, he spends most nights in a rowdy club, trying to keep the
band together while his life is falling apart. Trying to balance his dreams of success with
the hard realities of the music business, Jeremy is forced to make some tough choices.
Rights Sold: German—Hase Und Igel
Wave Warrior
Lesley Choyce
B
en is determined to learn to surf. In the rough North Atlantic waters near his home, only
the tough can make it on the water. His first attempt is a disaster. Then he meets Ray,
a surfing veteran from California. Ray promises to teach him to surf—and to face his inner
demons. As Ben becomes more comfortable on his board, he learns that he has what it takes
to become a Wave Warrior.
“A brief, engaging tale of a 16-year-old boy who challenges himself and comes out a winner.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Soundings 9
Homecoming
Diane Dakers
iona’s dad comes home after sixteen months and eight days in jail. Along with her mother and
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family friends, she awkwardly welcomes him home. He’s been away so long, it’s an uncomfortable reunion for Mom and Fiona, who have suffered financially, emotionally and socially in his
absence. Fiona’s dad was in jail for a crime he didn’t commit. Or did he? Fiona thought she knew
him. Believed he was innocent. But now that he’s home, her friends, her teachers, even her mom—
everyone is treating him like a criminal. Guilty or not, Fiona’s father has ruined everything. When
she starts getting lured into the darker side of life, she discovers who her father really is.
“Dakers deals sensitively with the complicated emotional space that Fiona finds herself in.”
—Resource Links
“The relevance of Homecoming and the straightforward nature of the text make it a great read for
reluctant readers.” —CM Magazine
Rights Sold: Slovenia—MISH
Scum
James C. Dekker
egan’s brother Danny is dead. Killed in an apparent robbery in a bar. It seems like
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a terrible but simple case of mistaken identity, of being in the wrong place at the
wrong time. But as the truth comes out, Megan realizes that Danny was “known to police.”
He was in much deeper than she realized, and the police are not motivated to solve the crime.
As Megan watches her family self-destruct, she decides she has to find the truth. But the truth
is hard to come by, and there are people who will kill to keep it hidden.
Canadian Children’s Book Center Best Book Selection
“The book’s willingness to forego hackneyed messages is refreshing…a quick but satisfying
drama for those aware that darkness is only a step away in even the most comfortable lives.”
Impact
James C. Dekker
J
ordan’s brother was killed two years ago in what appeared to be a random act. Now,
as the family reads their impact statements in court before the suspect is sentenced,
a different story emerges. Maybe this was not a random act. Maybe Jordan knows more than
he is saying. What was the impact of that violent act? And who set the wheels in motion?
Rights Sold: Danish—Carlsen
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
10 Soundings
Battle of the Bands
K.L. Denman
ay, Kelvin and Cia are the Lunar Ticks, a dedicated band who are convinced they are on
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their way up. They hope to win an upcoming battle of the bands where the first prize
is a full day in a recording studio. Jay is struggling to write new material but finds he lacks
the experience to come up with a truly original song. Going up against Indigo Daze, a band
from another school, Jay finds himself falling for Rowan, the leader of the other band. When
Rowan’s guitar is trashed right before the contest the Lunar Ticks are the prime suspects.
“Filled with humour, first crushes and break-ups…Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Spiral
K.L. Denman
hen fifteen-year-old Abby is seriously injured, her wounds go far deeper than her
broken back. Rehabilitation therapy teaches her to cope with her new physical reality,
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but once she’s home with her family, she refuses to participate in life and withdraws into a
world of drugs.
Abby’s family discovers her addiction, and she is sent to a farm that specializes in Equine
Assisted Therapy. She must still do battle with her cravings, but when she witnesses the
connection between another young patient and a pony, she decides that if this girl can heal,
she too can learn to be present in life again.
“An excellent addition to Orca’s high interest, low vocabulary Soundings series…a realistic and
thoroughly gripping read. Highly recommended.” —CM Magazine
Bike Thief Rita Feutl
N
ick just wants to replace the tv his sister accidentally broke before their foster parents
find out. To repay the debt, the sixteen-year-old has to steal bikes, break them down
and rebuild them to sell. But the debt and the violence keep growing. Even Nick’s own
beloved fixed-gear bike—the fixie he built with his dad—is up for grabs.
Should Nick recruit younger “runts” to do his dirty work? Should he find a way to give
back the bike of the cute girl at the diner now that he sort of likes her? And how can Nick
protect his little sister from the creepy guy with the shades?
ALA Quick Picks
“With a slim size that’s perfect for struggling and reluctant readers, this is a suspenseful tale with a
surprising twist and satisfying conclusion.” —Booklist online
Rights Sold: Korean—Arte Publishing Co.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Soundings 11
One More Step
Sheree Fitch
ourteen-year-old Julian’s parents separated when he was a baby and he is still angry
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and hurt. His mother has had relationships since—all of which have ended disastrously—but this time it seems serious. Jean-Paul looks like he might be the real thing.
Julian is wary—and critical—as he comes to terms with the fact that he and his brother
may have to let down their defences and allow their mother to find happiness. On a road
trip with his mother and her new beau, Julian finds that love—and happiness—come in
many guises. In the end, he realizes that it is not blood that determines true family, but
the willingness to stand together.
“Fitch continues to display her love of sounds and words that she has so aptly demonstrated
in her poetry…The use of italics, capitalization, slang, and reference to popular culture lend to
the oral nature of this slight novel.” —Resource Links
Rights Sold:
Swedish—Hegas
Chill
Colin Frizzell
hill has always been different, but the way he deals with his disability and his art have
given him the power to survive the horrors of high school. When a new teacher arrives,
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determined to crush his students’ spirit, Chill decides to fight back and risk everything.
A story of doing the right thing and standing up for yourself—and your friends.
“Frizzell reaches deep into the psyche of high school students…respectfully emulates the
voice of a teen.” —CM Magazine
“A good read for all teens, especially for the less popular and the artistically inclined…one of
the better Orca Soundings.” —Kliatt
Rights Sold:
Swedish—Hegas
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
12 Soundings
No Problem
Dayle Campbell Gaetz
urt seems to have it all—a girlfriend, friends, a good summer job and a guaranteed
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position on the baseball team with the promise of a professional career. Then, one
misstep causes his world to unravel and his life to plummet into the depths of depression
and addiction. A bleak yet ultimately hopeful story about one teen’s struggle with the
pressures of growing up, fitting in and getting by.
PSLA Top Forty selection
“‘No problem’ is the mantra of all addicts, and this novel shows just how insidious that denial
can be…Highly recommended.” —CM Magazine
Sticks and Stones
Beth Goobie
ujube is thrilled when Brent asks her out. She is not so happy when the rumors
start flying at school. Pretty soon her name is showing up on bathroom walls and
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everyone is snickering and sniping. When her mother gets involved, Jujube’s reputation
takes another hit. Deciding that someone has to take a stand, Jujube gathers all the other
girls who are labeled sluts—and worse—and tries to impress on her fellow students the
damage that can be done by assigning a label that reduces a person to an object.
Canadian Library Association Book of the Year nominee
Amelia Bloomer List
White Pine nominee
North America)
“The high interest plot works—the action starts right away and the story is filled with gossip,
tears, and righteous retribution.” —VOYA
Rights Sold:
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Soundings 13
Something Girl
Beth Goobie
ophie is in a lot of trouble. She is on probation for stealing and is doing poorly at school.
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Her mom doesn’t really talk to her, and the other adults in her life are pressuring Sophie
to talk about her bruises. Sophie worries that if she tells, she will be sent to live in a group
home. Her friend Jujube is the only person who knows the truth, and now Jujube, too, wants
Sophie to speak up.
Rights Sold: Swedish—Hegas; German—Bertelsmann; Slovenian—MISH; Danish—Carlsen
Kicked Out
Beth Goobie
ime is fifteen and angry all the time. Her parents don’t like the way she dresses, her
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boyfriend, her attitude. Her older brother Darren was paralyzed in an accident she
walked away from. When the fights and accusations finally become too much, Dime moves
in with her brother. But when her troubles follow her, she finds that she has to start taking
some responsibility for her actions.
Rights Sold: Danish—Carlsen Denmark Forlaget
Who Owns Kelly Paddik?
Beth Goobie
elly Paddik is locked up. Sent to a secure facility because she is a “danger to herself,”
K
Kelly wants only to escape. But her painful past continues to haunt her until she is forced
to face up to the most painful memory of all. A searing look at one girl’s struggle for selfrespect.
Tayshas List
“Even the most resistant of teen readers will be thoroughly absorbed by 15-year-old Kelly and
her situation…Goobie’s characterization of Kelly and her powerhouse of rolling impulses and
emotions is keenly convincing.” —Quill & Quire
Rights Sold: German—Bertelsmann
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
14 Soundings
B Negative
Vicki Grant
addy loves his family, all except for his annoying stepfather Anthony. When they
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have a discussion about his future, Paddy overreacts and threatens to join the army.
Unable to back down, he finds he is alienating everyone around him. And when he takes
the physical exam and learns his blood type, his world starts to crumble and he starts to
question everything he thought he knew.
OLA Best Bets
Canadian Children’s Book Centre Best Book selection
“The cover art will capture readers’ attention but the brief, compelling story will snag readers’
thoughts and have them turning the pages as quickly as they can read.”
Comeback
Vicki Grant
R
ia is rich, slim, pretty, popular. If you only knew her at school, you’d think she led
a charmed life—and until recently you’d have been right. But her situation has taken
a sudden, unfortunate change. Her parents’ seemingly perfect marriage has broken up,
and before she’s had a chance to absorb the blow, her beloved father disappears in a plane
crash. What’s worse, rumors begin to surface that he may have perpetrated a multimillion-dollar investment scam and everybody—Ria’s mother, her best friends, even her
boyfriend—believes them. Ria sees no choice but to take her little brother and run. She
vows to keep the memory of her father alive. Soon, though, she begins to wonder: is her
memory playing tricks on her—or is he?
(ex – English, French and
Spanish in North America)
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Soundings 15
Dead-End Job
Vicki Grant
rances works the night shift at a local convenience store, dividing her time between
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restocking shelves and working on her art. Her routine is broken one night when Devin
comes into the store. He claims to be the son of a famous local artist and offers her advice on
her drawings. Although he seems to know way too much about her, Frances decides, against
the advice of her boyfriend, that he is odd but harmless. By the time she realizes the danger
she is in, Devin is completely obsessed with her and convinced that if he can’t have her, no
one will. Frances will be forced to use all her strength to escape from Devin.
Rights Sold: German—Hase Und Igel, Swedish—Hegas
I.D.
Vicki Grant
hen Chris finds a wallet on the street he tries to return it to its owner. In trouble at
home and at school, he is struggling to do the right thing. However, as circumstances
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slowly start unraveling and his whole life appears headed down the drain, Chris realizes
that the person who owns the wallet looks a lot like him and has a life he would do almost
anything for. What if he switched identities? What if he became someone else?
Tayshas nominee
“Coherent, snappy prose…undeniably motivating; readers will feel able to commit to this book…
Rights Sold: Swedish—Hegas
Triggered
Vicki Grant
N
eil decides that his long-term relationship with Jade is finally over. After ending it, he
realizes the hardest part will be saying goodbye to her little brother, Owen, who suffers
from severe migraines. Neil’s friends suspect that Jade’s constant calls for help are just too
convenient to be real. What are the chances Owen would relapse every time Neil is out with
someone new? Neil admits they’re not very good—but he’s seen the boy. A four-year-old can’t
fake an illness like that. Turns out both Neil and his friends are right.
“Rich in teen angst and the human condition, this novel will shock the teen reader with an
awareness of how emotionally disturbed the human psyche can become…Highly recommended
for the reluctant reader collection in school library.” —Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
16 Soundings
Blue Moon
Marilyn Halvorson
obbie Joe didn’t set out to buy a limping blue roan mare—she wanted a colt she could
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train to barrel race. But the horse is a fighter, just like Bobbie Joe. Now all she has to
do is train the sour old mare that obviously has a past. While she nurses the horse back to
health, Bobbie Joe realizes that the horse, now called Blue Moon, may have more history
than she first thought. With the help of the enigmatic Cole, she slowly turns the horse into
a barrel racer.
“Well written, fast paced with lots of dialogue. Marilyn Halvorson tells a good story and puts
her extensive knowledge of horses to good use. She writes with a sensitivity and awareness
of the complexity of growing up.” —Resource Links
Bull Rider
Marilyn Halvorson
ayne wants nothing more than to follow in his father’s footsteps and to be a bull rider.
His dad was one ride away from a National Championship when he got trampled to
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death. Layne wants to be able to give his dad that championship—by winning it for him.
What he doesn’t want, though, is to end up like his father and die in the rodeo arena.
When the chance comes, Layne realizes he must face up to his greatest fear. With the
help of his friend Jana and his bratty younger sister, Layne learns to reach deep inside and
trust himself.
Tayshas selection
(ex – English and French in
North America)
“The strength of the book lies in the conflict…that the very thing they love can harm or kill
the people they love even more.” —VOYA
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Soundings 17
Bull’s Eye
Sarah N. Harvey
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fter Emily’s aunt dies, Emily learns that everything she has always believed is a
lie, and her world crumbles. Forced to face the fact that her mother is not who she
thought she was, Emily tries to find the truth about her past and make sense of her future.
Turning to graffiti and vandalism as a way to deal with her anger, she comes to realize
that there is more to a family than shared DNA.
“With short chapters geared toward reluctant teen readers, this fast-paced text offers unflinching
coverage of hot-button topics such as suicide and teen pregnancy.”—The Horn Book Guide
North America)
Deadly
Sarah N. Harvey
my and Eric are the perfect couple. Popular, good-looking, happy. But after they
are seen quarreling at a party, Amy disappears and Eric is the number-one suspect.
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Amy wakes up alone in a windowless, all-white room. She has no idea how she got there,
or who put her there. All she knows is that she has to get out. Eric wakes up to news of
Amy’s disappearance—and a visit from the police. All he knows is that he didn’t do it, and
that he has to find Amy.
As Amy tries to figure out a way to escape, she must also follow the instructions in a
bizarre letter from her kidnapper. And as Eric tries to figure out where Amy is and who
took her, he discovers that the past has a way of coming back and biting you in the butt.
Told in alternating voices—first Amy’s, then Eric’s—Deadly is a fast-paced story about
love, hate, courage, tenacity, forgiveness—and the many uses of a toilet rod.
Rights Sold:
Swedish—Nypon Forlag
“Deadly starts fast and intense and keeps you on the edge of your seat…The characterization is
wonderful; you feel connected to both Amy and Eric from the first line…and never lose faith or
hope in either. Highly recommend[ed].” —Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
18 Soundings
Plastic
Sarah N. Harvey
W
hen Jack develops an interest in something, he puts his all into it, making lists,
doing research and learning all he can. When his best friend Leah decides to have
plastic surgery for her sixteenth birthday, Jack is horrified—and then determined to
stop her. Researching the surgery and the results, he finds that there are unscrupulous
surgeons operating on the very young, and no one does anything about it. Jack organizes
a protest and becomes an instant celebrity. But when someone else takes up the cause and
the protest turns violent, Jack is forced to make some tough decisions.
Rights Sold:
Slovenian—MISH
German—Hase Und Igel
Shattered
Sarah N. Harvey
M
arch has a perfect life: beauty, popularity, a great job, a loving family and a hot
boyfriend. So when she discovers that her boyfriend is cheating on her, she
is hurt and enraged. When she lashes out at him, he falls and is badly injured. March
panics, f lees the scene and then watches her perfect life spiral out of control. In a
misguided attempt to atone for her crime, March changes her appearance, quits
her job and tries to become invisible until an unlikely friendship and a new job force her
to re-engage with life.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Soundings 19
Hit Squad James Heneghan
his is Mickey’s first year at Grandview High. After transferring, all he wants to do is
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keep his head down, work hard and fit in with the upscale crowd. He is approached,
because of his tough reputation, to join a group of students to take back the school from
the bullies. Mickey finds himself caught up in a shadowy world of violence and retribution.
When their planned payback goes horribly wrong, Mickey is forced to acknowledge the thin
line between victim and victimizer.
ALA Popular Paperback
Rights Sold: Danish—Aschehoug Dansk Forlag
Truth
Tanya Lloyd Kyi
hen an adult is brutally murdered during a high-school house party, everyone in school
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seems to have an idea who did it, but no one will go to the police. As a reporter for the
school tv show, Jen decides to try and uncover the truth. When she and others begin digging
too deeply, violence flares in the small community.
Rights Sold: German—Hase Und Igel
My Time as Caz Hazard Tanya Lloyd Kyi
az thinks she has a pretty good reason when she punches her boyfriend in the face, but she
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gets expelled anyway. At her new school, she is told she is dyslexic and is sent to special
education classes. Caz tries to get by while suffering the taunts and abuse that others throw at
the students in her class. A new friendship leads her into new territory: shoplifting and skipping
school. Coupled with her parents’ impending separation, her life spirals out of control.
Rights Sold: Danish—Carlsen
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
20 Soundings
Exit Point
Laura Langston
fter a night of drinking Logan wakes up to find he has been involved in a car accident
A
and is dead. With the help of his guide, Wade, and the spirit of his grandmother, he realizes he has taken the wrong exit—he wasn’t meant to die. His life had a purpose—to save his
sister—but he took the easy way out and he failed. Now, before he can rest in peace, he has
to try and save his sister from a future no child should face.
“A thoughtful and thought provoking book. Excellent.” —Resource Links
Hannah’s Touch
Laura Langston
hen sixteen-year-old Hannah gets stung, she rises out of her body, where she’s greeted
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by her dead boyfriend, Logan, and a loving but unseen presence. She wants to stay
with them. They say no. She must go back. There’s something she must do.
But Hannah can’t figure out what it is. Nor can she make sense of the weird things
happening around her. Since the sting, she seems to have the ability to heal. Hannah doesn’t
know what to think. And then she faces another challenge: Logan has a purpose in mind for
her new gift. And it’s a purpose Hannah can’t bear to face.
Last Ride
Laura Langston
e killed his best friend, Logan, in a street-racing accident a year ago. As he tries to make
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amends to Logan’s girlfriend and keep his promise to never race again, Tom is haunted
by his dead friend. He thinks Logan is trying to tell him something. Not only that, since he
faces huge medical bills from the accident and may have to give up his car, the pressure to
race is almost unbearable.
“[Langston] piles on the narrative stresses with chapter-by-chapter efficiency…A satisfying ride.”
—Booklist
“That teens often misinterpret events around them and often blame themselves when there is no
blame is explored and answered in this book with enough veracity to warrant a recommendation,
or maybe even a second reading.” —Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Soundings 21
The Way Back
Carrie Mac
olby Wyatt has had a rough year. Her dad disappeared, she doesn’t have a place to live,
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and she’s addicted to meth. Her best friend Gigi’s grandma takes her in, and Colby helps
out with the family business, selling stolen goods in Gram’s pawnshop. Now she’s pregnant she
checks herself into rehab so she can get clean and figure out how to keep the baby. Though
Colby isn’t sure how to make a family, she’s determined to make things work.
“Mac treats the issues of teenage pregnancy, drug use, and homosexuality, with frankness. Nothing
is glossed over or glamorized. Colby is a character to whom readers can easily relate to and with
whom they can sympathize.” —CM Magazine
Crush
Carrie Mac
ent to New York to spend the summer with her hipster sister, Hope ends up meeting Nat,
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and developing a powerful crush. The only problem is that Nat is a girl. Hope is pretty
sure she isn’t gay. Or is she? Struggling with new feelings, fitting in and a strange city far
from home, Hope finds that love—and acceptance—comes in many different forms.
“Absolutely charming…Mac infuses so much passion and heart into…this witty, entertaining
glimpse into one kid’s summer of discovering that ‘life is really hard if you’re a person who’s alive.’”
—Georgia Straight
Rights Sold: Swedish—Hegas, German—Bertelsmann
Charmed
Carrie Mac
ngry at her mother and trying to deal with school, friends and the attentions of charisA
matic Cody Dillon, Izzy finds her life swirling out of control. Coerced into putting out to
help Cody, Izzy finds she is one in a long line of girls ensnared in prostitution, with no way
to escape. Believing that her mother will come for her, Izzy manages to fight back and, when
the chance appears, make a run for it.
“Charmed is the gold standard of what hi-lo titles can be. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Rights Sold: Slovenian—MISH
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
22 Soundings
Jacked
Carrie Mac
s far as Zane knows, today is just another boring day at his boring gas-station job.
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Until he gets carjacked by a masked gunman. Zane has no idea where they’re going
or what will happen when they get there. All he knows is that the lunatic in the passenger
seat has a gun aimed at him. Zane tries to reason with the guy, and when that fails, he
tries a couple of daring stunts to get free, but they backfire. They’ve been on the road for
a long time before Zane’s fear starts to ease just a little, enough for his curiosity to take
over. His captor has had several opportunities to hurt him or punish him for trying to
get away, but he hasn’t. Zane starts to wonder who this guy is. And what he really wants.
ALA Quick Pick nominee
Pain & Wastings
Carrie Mac
t fifteen, Ethan is on the fast track to nowhere. In and out of group homes and
constantly in trouble, Ethan is fighting to find a sense of who he is. After breaking
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into an amusement park and being savaged by a police dog, he is befriended by a paramedic. Offered a choice of court or going on a ride-along in an ambulance, Ethan takes
what he thinks is the easy way out. On Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, Ethan comes
face to face with the horrific truth from his past and must learn to deal with where he
came from—and where he is going.
“Heavy topics of drug abuse, prostitution, and murder make this a gritty and gripping story.”
—The Horn Book Guide
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Soundings 23
Fastback Beach
Shirlee Smith Matheson
M
iles Derkach and two friends stole a car and went joyriding. When the dust clears,
his friends have left, leaving him to take the blame—and the punishment. Placed
on probation and sentenced to community service, Miles begins working for a man who,
after suffering a stroke, has kept his beloved hot rod under wraps in the garage. Seeing a
chance to pursue his dream of becoming a mechanic, Miles helps to restore the car. When
the hot rod is stolen and Miles is the prime suspect, he must confront his friends and stand
up for himself.
“Fastback Beach does a superb job of illustrating the struggles teenagers go through…This
is the story of an adolescent becoming an adult, making decisions, and dealing with the
consequences of his actions. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
My Side
Norah McClintock
W
hen quiet, shy Addie is lured into the woods, she is convinced she is going to die.
She quickly finds out that there are worse things than terror—things like betrayal
at the hands of her best friend and public humiliation in front of the entire school.
Neely, Addie’s ex-best friend, is tired of the same old life and the same old friends.
She is ready to take some chances to re-invent herself. Is she also ready to win new
friends at the expense of old ones?
There are two sides to every story, and it’s impossible to know the truth until you’ve
heard them both. But sometimes you don’t ever learn the other side of the story. What
drives these two friends apart? Who is right and who is wrong? You’ll only know if you
read both sides.
“McClintock builds realistic and frightening suspense, and the girls’ accounts deliver intense
emotion to which teens can relate.” —Publishers Weekly
“A novel about two girls finding their way through the murky territory of high school, the
questionable ethics of teenagers, and coming to terms with emotions that are seemingly beyond
control…It covers topics that are relevant to today’s youth and lets readers know that, if they are
in a similar situation, they aren’t alone.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
24 Soundings
Back
Norah McClintock
ojo’s back, released from jail, and people are tense and afraid all over again. They wonder if
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his friends will start showing up again. They wonder if they’ll be walking down the street
one day and they’ll run into Jojo and Jojo will give them attitude or shove them around, just
for fun. Jojo’s friends have a way of making it hard—really hard—on people who decide to
press charges against Jojo. Those people just wish Jojo would go away and never come back.
Then there are the people who have hate in their hearts. These people wish something
bad would happen to Jojo. Something really bad.
Ardell Withrow is one of those people.
Canadian Children’s Book Centre’s Best Books starred selection
OLA Best Bets
Resource Links the Year’s Best selecton
Picture This
Norah McClintock
than lives in a foster home, struggling to put his life on the right track. Involved in a photogE
raphy program for at-risk kids, he finds himself threatened again and again by someone
who wants his camera. What does Ethan know? And what is on his camera that someone is
willing to kill for? Struggling to stay out of trouble and solve the mystery, he discovers he has
all the answers. He just has to figure out the questions.
World Rights Available (ex – English and French in North America)
Masked
Norah McClintock
hen Daniel enters a convenience store on a secret mission, he doesn’t expect to run
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into anyone he knows. That would ruin everything. And when Rosie enters the same
store to see what her father wants, she’s hoping to make a quick getaway with her waiting
boyfriend. All Daniel and Rosie want is to get in and out without any trouble. Neither expects
what happens next. A masked man enters the store. “This is a stickup,” he announces. He has
a gun and isn’t afraid to use it. When he’s ready to leave, he decides to take Rosie hostage.
And then things get complicated.
“Tight plotting, swift pacing, and tension that intensifies with each page turn.” —Booklist
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Soundings 25
Tell
Norah McClintock
hen his step-father Phil is shot dead in an apparent robbery, David becomes the prime
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suspect. Where was David that night, and what does he know about Phil? David has
figured out the truth about his step-father, and the day his kid brother died. What will it take
for him to tell? And how did he know?
“A well-written, compelling story to be enjoyed by [a] YA audience, especially male readers.”—Kliatt
Rights Sold: Swedish—Hegas; German—Random House GmbH
Bang
Norah McClintock
uentin and JD have been friends forever. Even after JD gets in trouble, Quentin stands
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by him. Hanging out together Quentin learns JD has a gun, and when they are caught
in a robbery, JD uses the gun—with deadly results. Trying to cover up the crime and escape
detection, Quentin gets in even deeper than he expected and learns that the only person he
can trust is himself. Especially when his freedom—and his future—is at stake.
Tayshas nominee
Down
Norah McClintock
emy is back in his old neighborhood after a stint in Juvenile Detention for assaulting a
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guy who insulted his girlfriend Asia. As a white boy dating an immigrant, Remy has had
to take a lot of the racism that exists in the inner-city—from strangers, his family and even
the police. When the white kids and the “outsiders” start scrapping over the local basketball
court, Remy is caught between sticking up for his friends and siding with Asia.
“A lot happens in this very short novel, but McClintock keeps her writing spare and the story
fast-paced.” —Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
26 Soundings
One Way
Norah McClintock
R
iding the wrong way up a one-way street, Kenzie takes his eyes off the road and hits
a pedestrian. And not just any pedestrian. It’s his ex-girlfriend, Stassi. Was this a
freak accident? Or something more sinister? And when the police come to talk to him, it
becomes clear that everyone thinks he had a reason to hurt her. Kenzie ends up in a fight
to prove his innocence, even as he begins to question it himself.
“[McClintock] keeps readers hooked all the way. One Way is packed with emotion and speeds
through until the smart twist at the end. If a reluctant reader is looking, Orca Soundings don’t
disappoint and McClintock may even raise the bar.” —Resource Links
Snitch
Norah McClintock
J
osh had been living in a group home after being ratted out by Scott, his one-time best
friend. Now he has moved in with his brother and overbearing sister-in-law and has been
sent to an anger management class. When an old enemy continues to push his buttons and
Scott appears to be up to his old tricks, Josh struggles to control his temper. Framed for a
crime he didn’t commit, it will take all of his new-found strength to keep his cool—and his
freedom.
ALA Popular Paperbacks nominee
North America)
Rights Sold:
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Soundings 27
Tough Trails
Irene Morck
o save an old lady’s beloved companion from the meat-buyers, Ambrose buys a horse
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who would be better off in retirement. The horse, Society Girl, almost dies on the
trail, and Ambrose realizes she will have to go back to the meat-auction. Ryan, a misbehaving ten-year-old, takes the horse and disappears into the teeth of a dangerous mountain storm. Will the young boy and the elderly horse survive a vicious hailstorm?
“This small volume, beautifully written with vivid imagery and well-developed characters and
plot, explains how sometimes what might seem like a bad decision might actually be a good
one.” —Western Horseman
Exposure
Patricia Murdoch
J
ulie is tired of being tormented at school, tired of not fitting in and being the butt of
jokes. When her brother brings home a camera with images of her chief tormentor in
a compromising situation, she sees a way to level the playing field. When her attempt at
turning the tables goes wrong, she is left even more on the outside and struggling to do
the right thing.
“A compelling, albeit condensed, discussion of bullying from the viewpoints of the abuser and
the victim.” —Alan Review
(ex – English and Spanish in North
America)
Rights Sold:
German—Hase Und Igel
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
28 Soundings
Middle Row
Sylvia Olsen
hings have changed since Raedawn and Vince started going out and the racial
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boundaries in town have slipped a bit. But when Dune, who never took sides, disappears, Raedawn is determined to find out where he has gone—or what happened to him.
Fighting against ignorance and hate, they track Dune down and find he is in more trouble
than they thought and that nothing is black and white.
ALA quick picks nominee
“Without sacrificing storyline or writing down to her intended audience, Olsen manages to
tell a story applicable for older teens with low reading levels.” —CM Magazine
Yellow Line
Sylvia Olsen
ince lives in a small town—a town that is divided right down the middle. Indians
on one side, whites on the other. The unspoken rule has been there as long as Vince
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remembers, and no one challenges it. But when Vince’s friend Sherry starts seeing an
Indian boy, Vince is outraged and determined to fight back—until he notices Raedawn, a
girl from the reserve. Trying to balance his community’s prejudices with his shifting alliances, Vince is forced to take a stand and see where his heart will lead him.
White Raven selection
“[Sylvia Olsen] knows what it is like to walk the line between white and Indian culture, and she
is fair in her presentation of those on both sides of the line. Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Rights Sold:
ESL English—Easy Readers
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Soundings 29
No More Pranks
Monique Polak
ete likes to play pranks. It doesn’t matter what it is as long as it gets a laugh. When
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he impersonates his vice-principal on a radio call-in show, he goes too far and is
suspended from school. Pete’s parents send him to spend the summer working with his
uncle, a whale-watching guide in a tourist town far from the city. When a whale is injured
by a reckless tour guide, Pete struggles to save the animal. Then Pete has to pull the most
important prank of his life to bring the guide to justice.
“[Polak] has captured the teenage mind while still making her point. A good read. Highly
recommended.” —CM Magazine
“Lots of action here, combined with nice insights on the clash between tourism and the
preservation of natural environments.” —VOYA
Home Invasion
Monique Polak
osh is less than thrilled that he has a new stepfather, and finds his personal habits—and
his personality—irritating. When his mother leaves town, Josh is left to spend a week
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alone with Clay. Resenting his new living arrangements and his unorthodox home life,
Josh finds himself drawn to the idea of a “regular” family and, on a whim, sneaks into
a neighbor’s house to see how others live. When another opportunity arises to be a fly
on the wall, Josh takes it and finds himself becoming bolder. Considering it a harmless
pastime, Josh continues entering people’s houses, until he is witness to a violent home
invasion. Josh must use all his courage to save himself and bring the home invader to
justice.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
30 Soundings
Night Terrors
Sean Rodman
ver since he watched his little brother drown, Dylan has felt like he’s losing it. He can’t
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shake the nightmares—dreams from which he wakes up screaming every night. Dylan
takes a summer job at a wilderness hotel, hoping to leave his problems behind. But when
he volunteers to help close up the resort for the winter, things only get worse. Edward, the
hotel manager, seems to be out to get him. A freak snowstorm blocks the road to the resort,
leaving them trapped for days. And Dylan keeps seeing a ghost that might be trying to send
him a message—or maybe Dylan really is going crazy this time.
Snow Willow nominee
Final Crossing
Sean Rodman
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ill and Big O are brothers and best friends—and small-time crooks. Ever since their
dad went to prison, they’ve been stealing to survive. On a ferry ride from the big
city, they hatch a plan for one more score: they’ll break into the cars on the ferry during
the trip and scrape together enough to get out of town. And maybe out of the criminal life
forever. But everything goes south when they discover one car that contains more than
they bargained for: a young kidnap victim. Pursued by a crazed professional criminal, the
brothers must now survive the night and a final crossing into a new life.
Rights Sold: Swedish—Hegas
Tap Out
Sean Rodman
hen Darwin’s father went to prison for assault, his mom decided it was time to move
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him from his inner-city school to the elite Norfolk Academy. It was supposed to be a
brand-new start for him. But old instincts die hard, and Dar is used to fighting for everything.
Convinced by a new friend to take part in an illegal fight club, Dar starts competing in
no-holds-barred matches between students. He quickly rises to become the best in the ring.
When one match goes too far and a student is almost killed, Dar faces a choice. Everyone tells
him he’s a fighter, but he needs to decide for himself—who is he, and what is he fighting for?
“Rodman works the Orca Soundings criteria perfectly: well-developed characters and
relationships, driving action, effective themes, in a brief, accessible format. Tap Out is a knock out!”
—Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Soundings 31
Dead Run
Sean Rodman
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am wants to win, no matter what it takes. Bicycle racing is his sport and he has a gift for it—but
his attitude keeps getting in the way. After his teammates give up on him, Sam is offered a fresh
opportunity. Viktor, an aging Olympic racer, will coach him and maybe give him what he needs to
be a winner. But there’s a catch: Sam has to work as a bike courier at Viktor’s company. The work
is dangerous and intense, fighting traffic in the inner city to make deliveries at breakneck speeds.
Then Sam is assigned by Viktor to the mysterious “dead run,” delivering untraceable packages for
an unknown client. Soon Sam is racing away from the law—and risks losing everything.
“Readers, particularly those who enjoy action novels, will like the fast pace and vivid descriptions,
including scenes of Sam dodging perilous traffic.” —Booklist
Infiltration
Sean Rodman
ex has explored almost every abandoned building and tunnel in the city. He’s into “urban
exploration”—going where he’s not supposed to go. Bex has always done it just for fun and
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bragging rights, taking nothing but pictures and leaving nothing but footprints. But that changes
when a new kid arrives at school. Kieran is edgy, dangerous and into urban exploration as well.
Together, they start pushing each other to radical extremes. When Kieran pitches a plan that
involves taking more than just pictures, Bex has a decision to make. Where will he draw the line?
Rights Sold: Swedish—Nypon Forlag
Coming Clean
Jeff Ross
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ob wants to be a DJ—more than anything. And when his older brother Adam lands
him a gig at a local all-ages club filling in for DJ Sly, Rob is ecstatic. This could be his
big break, and when he finds out that the girl of his dreams will be there that first night, it
seems like it is all coming together. But things fall apart—Mary Jane overdoses on Ecstasy
provided by Adam, and DJ Sly turns Adam in and implicates Rob. The brothers end up on
the run, evading the police while trying to force DJ Sly to tell the truth about the brothers’
part in the death and Sly’s own role in supplying drugs at the club.
“Features clean prose, believable characters, current cultural landmarks…and a powerfully sharp,
abrupt ending…Ross plots [the narrative] with transparency and without moralizing, offering a
story that will resonate well beyond the targeted reluctant readership.” —Booklist
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
32 Soundings
Cuts Like a Knife
Darlene Ryan
aniel has been crazy about Mac from the moment she transferred to his school. She’s
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smart, funny, loyal and fiercely independent. The only problem is, when life gets too
hard for Mac, she runs away. But she always comes back.
Except now Mac’s grandmother is dead, their house is about to be torn down and she’s
been humiliated in front of the entire school. When Daniel finds out Mac has been saying
goodbye to her friends, he realizes she’s planning on leaving for good. Getting more and
more desperate as he searches the city, Daniel finds an unexpected and unlikely ally. But
can he find Mac before he loses her forever?
Saving Grace
Darlene Ryan
vie was pregnant and forced to give up the baby. But she can’t just leave the child with
strangers, especially when she thinks the baby is being neglected. Evie steals the baby
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and convinces her boyfriend to drive her to Montreal, where she plans to start a new life
with her child. When the baby won’t eat and she and Justin argue, she ends up alone in a
small town. As the baby becomes sicker, Evie must decide whether to admit her mistake
and turn herself in, or keep running.
Tayshas nominee
Ann Connor Brimer Award nominee
“Lots of authentic dialogue and engrossing subject matter.” —VOYA
North America)
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Soundings 33
Responsible
Darlene Ryan
evin Frasier is in a new school—his fourth in the last year. When he falls in with
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Nick and his friends, Kevin ends up going along as the group bullies and threatens
their way through the school. When Nick starts tormenting Erin—and she stands up to
him—the harassment escalates until Kevin is forced to make a difficult decision and risk
everything.
“Ryan has taken a much-discussed issue, teen bullying, and has ‘made it new’—an achievement
to which all novelists aspire.” —CM Magazine
Rights Sold:
Danish—Carlsen
Denmark Forlaget
Cellular
Ellen Schwartz
rendan has it all—captain of the basketball team, good friends, a beautiful girlfriend
and a loving family—until he is diagnosed with leukemia. Terrified and convinced
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that no one understands what he is going through, Brendan faces chemotherapy alone,
until he meets Lark. She is also in treatment, although her condition is much worse,
and yet she remains positive and hopeful. Brendan is torn between feeling sorry for
himself and the love for life that Lark brings to even the simplest thing. Through Lark, he
discovers the strength to go on, to fight for survival and to love.
“Schwartz packs a lot of intensity into this slim novel.” —School Library Journal
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
34 Soundings
Damage
Robin Stevenson
an ordinary nightmare of a family trip until Theo realizes that the beautiful girl beside
Ifivet’stheyears,
hotel pool is his childhood babysitter—and his first crush. Theo hasn’t seen Ronnie for
but when she invites him to go with her—and her toddler son, Zach—on a road
trip, he leaps at the opportunity to ditch his parents and head to Hollywood. They’ve only
gone a few miles before Theo begins to regret his impulsive decision. Zach cries nonstop, and
when they get pulled over by the police, Ronnie is clearly terrified. She says her ex-boyfriend
is a cop and that he is looking for her. Theo wants to trust her, but he suspects she is hiding
something. And when they reach Los Angeles and she disappears, leaving him to look after
Zach, he needs to find out the truth—and decide where his loyalties lie.
In the Woods
Robin Stevenson
hen Cameron rescues a baby abandoned in the woods, everyone says it is a miracle.
A stroke of luck that he just happened to be there, riding his bike along that trail, and
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heard the baby’s cry. But Cameron has a secret: It wasn’t just luck. He was there because
his twin sister Katie begged him to go. Did Katie know about the baby? Is she covering for
someone? At first Cameron just wants some answers…but once he knows the truth he has
to decide what to do with it.
Junior Library Guild Selection
“While packing in lots of facts about teenage pregnancy, this fast read is more than a problem novel.
Cameron’s seething jealousy of his gifted twin, her failure, and his growing bond with his sister—and
with his niece—will hold readers.” —Booklist
Big Guy
Robin Stevenson
D
erek thinks he might be falling in love. The problem is, he hasn’t been entirely honest
with his online boyfriend. Derek sent Ethan a photo taken before he gained eighty
pounds. Derek hasn’t been honest with his employer either. When he lied about his age
and experience to get a job with disabled adults, the last thing he expected was to meet a
woman like Aaliyah. Smart, prickly and often difficult, Aaliyah challenges Derek’s ideas
about honesty and trust. Derek has to choose whether to risk telling the truth, or to give up
the most important relationship in his life.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Soundings 35
Outback
Robin Stevenson
ince his girlfriend dumped him, Jayden has been avoiding school—and life in general.
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When his eccentric uncle Mel invites him to help with his biology research at an
Australian university, he figures he has nothing to lose. Once he arrives, he discovers
Mel is obsessed with finding a new species of lizard and is determined to be the first to
discover it. Unfortunately, this means an expedition into the scorching desert heat of
the Australian outback...with the increasingly paranoid Mel and an unfriendly biology
student named Natalie. Then disaster strikes, and Jayden and Nat find themselves many
miles from civilization fighting for their survival.
Tristate YA Review Group Book of the Year
North America)
“There’s…drama and excitement [in this] survival tale.” —The Horn Book Guide
Fallout
Nikki Tate
ara’s sister died a year ago, on the day that Tara didn’t answer her phone when
Hannah called. And Hannah stepped in front of a bus. Now Tara lives with the guilt
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of wondering if things would be different if she had been there when Hannah needed her
most. Competing in slam poetry competitions is the only way Tara can keep her sister’s
memory alive and deal with all the unanswered questions. But at some point, Tara is
going to have to let Hannah rest in peace, and she will need to find a way to move on.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
36 Soundings
First Time
Meg Tilly
H
aley and Lynn are best friends. When Lynn meets Chad, a player several years older,
Haley feels left out. She tries to be happy for her friend, but when her mother’s
new boyfriend starts making unwanted advances, Haley finds she has no one to tell. Not
wanting to upset her mother’s happiness and finding that Lynn is drifting away, Haley has
to face her tormentor alone and face up to some very hard truths.
Golden Eagle Award nominee
Breathing Fire
Sarah Yi-Mei Tsiang
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hen Ally’s mom dies, Ally is left with no family, no friends and no future. Put into
foster care at the age of fifteen, she has less than $200 to her name and nothing
left to lose. When Ally meets Tate, a busking fire breather, she starts to see a new life
for herself as a street performer. Ally decides to run away from her foster home, but her
problems follow her. Hiding her age, sleeping on the streets and avoiding fights with other
buskers, Ally discovers that there’s more to life as a fire-breathing busker than not getting
burned.
“Tsiang’s protagonist crackles with personality, and readers will be rooting for Ally as she juggles,
flips, and breathes fire to come into her own.” —Publishers Weekly
“The author deals with such sensitive subject matter as addiction, death, sex, and poverty from
a relatable, first-person perspective. Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Soundings 37
Riot Act
Diane Tullson
H
ow often do you get to see a car tipped or stores looted? Seventeen-year-old Daniel
gets caught up in a post-game riot, and then he and his best friend escape police by
breaking into a store. They only intend to cut through to the alley, but rioters follow and
trash the place. Daniel prevents an arsonist from torching the store; the next day he’s a hero
while his friend is outed as a rioter. Can Daniel save face, and will it cost him his friend?
Sea Change
Diane Tullson
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ucas and his father are not close. In fact they hardly see each other, which is just fine
with Lucas. When he travels to the remote fishing lodge his father manages, Lucas
is left once again, this time with a lodge worker, a girl named Sumi. She makes it pretty
clear that Lucas is on his own. But she does take him fishing and seems to be warming up
to him. Then, in a horrible sequence of misjudgments, Sumi is shot in the foot. With no
radio and no phone, Lucas and Sumi are truly alone. Fog rolls over the islands and it’s up
to Lucas to get Sumi to medical help, a day’s journey by boat up the inlet.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
38 Soundings
The Darwin Expedition
Diane Tullson
ej and Liam are going snowboarding. When they take a shortcut over a treacherous
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logging road and have an accident, their adventure becomes more about survival than
fresh powder. Tracked by a hungry bear, while trying to outrun the weather without any
food, Tej and Liam learn about their friendship and what it will take to survive. When Tej is
hurt, Liam decides he has to go for help—alone.
Lockdown
Diane Tullson
ome days it’s just easier not to go to school at all. Adam has been slacking off lately, but
today he stuck around to see his girlfriend. When Josh, who has been bullied mercilessly,
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brings a gun to school, the building is locked down, and Adam is forced to risk everything
to save himself and to find Zoe before Josh does. Calling on reserves he didn’t know he had,
Adam could end up a hero—or a victim
“This story of a school in crisis is an intense, suspenseful read.” —The Horn Book Guide
“Diane Tullson is a wonderful up and coming author.” —Resource Links
Riley Park
Diane Tullson
eventeen-year-old Corbin plays hockey and is known as a scrapper on and off the ice.
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Fighting makes him feel strong. Corbin’s friend, Darius, is socially adept and popular,
and Darius’s reckless risk-taking makes Corbin feel alive. With Rubee, a girl both boys
like, Darius crosses a line, and after a party at Riley Park, Darius and Corbin are attacked.
Darius is killed; Corbin is seriously injured. Corbin fights his clouded memory—he can’t
identify the assailants. He fights his weakened body—he can no longer play hockey.
He fights the loss of his friend. But when he gives up the fight, he finds strength in acceptance.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Soundings 39
Knifepoint
Alex Van Tol
ill took a job which sounded perfect for the summer, guiding tourists on trail rides in
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the beautiful mountains. She didn’t realize that the money was terrible, the hours long
and the coworkers insufferable. After a blow-up with her boss, she takes a single man into
the mountains for a ride, only to find that he is a dangerous killer. When Jill fights back
and manages to escape, she is in a desperate race to survive and make it to safety.
“From the moment Jill and her sociopathic tourist head into the mountains until her final
harrowing escape, the suspense is palpable. Both reluctant and avid readers who enjoy nail-biting
tension will race through to find out whether or not Jill reaches safety” —Booklist
(ex – English, French and Spanish in
North America)
“The story is fast moving, and reluctant readers will be on the edge of their seats as Jill tries to
outrun—and outthink—her tormentor in this suspenseful page-turner.” —The Horn Book Guide
Redline
Alex Van Tol
enessa’s a thrill seeker by nature. Anything fast, she’s all over it. Angry and blaming
herself for her best friend’s death, Jenessa escapes to the sanctuary of her car and the
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freedom of the open road, where she can outrun her memories…if only for a while. She
finds a kindred spirit in Dmitri, a warm-hearted speed demon who races at the track. But
when Jenessa falls in with a group of street racers—and its irresistible leader, Cody—she
finds herself caught up in a web of escalating danger. When her penchant for risk-taking
spirals out of control, Jenessa has to find a way to break the self-destructive patterns she’s
built—before anyone else gets hurt.
“Taut and intense, this offering will appeal to readers who are looking for a fast read with
non-stop action. The characters are strong and likeable…The plot never slows, and struggling
readers will have no time to lose focus.” —Library Media Connection
“Orca has another hit. A street racing book with a female point of view is a rarity which both
genders will race to finish.” —Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
40 Soundings
Shallow Grave
Alex Van Tol
hen they’re hauled into the office in the wake of a stupid prank, schoolmates Elliot
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and Shannon have no idea that hiding the principal’s Smart Car in the woods was
the least of their problems. As part of their punishment, the pair is tasked to clean up the
school boathouse. Should be an easy enough task, they figure: chuck all the broken stuff,
organize whatever still works and get the weekend underway. But when Shannon talks
Elliot into making a Ouija board, things take a turn for the horrifying. When the pair
accidentally unleashes a dark force, they find themselves caught up in a mystery that must
be solved if they have any hope of escape.
“A good introduction to scary stories while still being suspenseful enough to hold the interest
of older readers, too.” —Booklist
Viral
Alex Van Tol
ike has fallen deeply in love with his best friend, Lindsay. And he’s pretty sure she
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feels the same way…until a simple misunderstanding destroys Lindsay’s trust.
Devastated and feeling betrayed, Lindsay leaves town for the summer. In the fall, she
returns to school a different person and she’s suddenly tight with the “in” crowd.
When Lindsay gets intoxicated at a party and ends up in a compromising situation,
she has no idea that someone is filming the whole thing on his phone. When the footage
goes viral around their school, Mike has to dig deep within himself to find the courage to
help Lindsay in her time of greatest need.
“Packed with violent drama, this entry in Orca’s Soundings line of books for reluctant readers
is intense…Many teens will be drawn to the contemporary high-school story about enemies,
friends, and lovers that explores headline issues.” —Booklist
“Lots to like here—the story is easy to follow and full of ripped from the headlines issues.”
—Puget Sound Council for Reviewing Children’s Media
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Soundings 41
Stuffed
Eric Walters
hen Ian and his classmates watch a documentary about the health concerns of
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eating fast food, Ian decides to start a boycott and stop everyone he can from eating
at Frankie’s, a huge fast-food chain with a questionable menu. The boycott takes off and
Frankie’s gets concerned. The company’s lawyers threaten Ian and his friends and try to force
them to stop the boycott. Can you take on a corporate behemoth and win?
Tayshas nominee
Rights Sold: German—Hase Und Igel; Korean—Toto Book Publishing
House Party
Eric Walters
s the new girl in a strange town, Casey is trying desperately to fit in and make friends.
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When her parents leave town for the weekend, her friend suggests she have a house
party. Casey is reluctant to go along, until she realizes maybe this is the answer to fitting in
and making friends—and getting back at her parents. They invite a few people and then a
few more, using msn and text messaging. Hundreds of people show up and things get out of
hand. Casey is in more trouble than she thought possible and now she must decide whether—
and how—to do the right thing.
Grind
Eric Walters
hilip lives for skateboarding. School is merely the break between trying to land a difficult
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jump and outrunning the security guards. When he and his best friend Wally meet a
professional skateboarder who videotapes himself for his website, Philip thinks they can do it
too—and make money at the same time. When they start getting hits on their website—and
making money—they start to feel the pressure to do more and more dangerous stunts.
World Rights Available (ex – English, French and Spanish in North America)
Rights Sold: Danish—Carlsen;
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
42 Soundings
Overdrive
Eric Walters
ake has finally got his driver’s license, and tonight he has his brother’s car as well. He
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and his friend Mickey take the car out and cruise the strip. When they challenge another
driver to a street race, a disastrous chain reaction causes an accident. Jake and Mickey leave
the scene, trying to convince themselves they were not involved. Jake finds he cannot pretend
it didn’t happen and struggles with the right thing to do. Should he pretend he was not
involved? Or should he go to the police?
“The plot moves quickly…this high interest, low reading level novel is simple, engaging, and well
written…A satisfying read.” —VOYA
Juice
Eric Walters
hen a division one coach comes to their school to bring the football program up to
contender status, Moose and the rest of the players are pumped. Coach Barnes has new
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ideas and a vision for the future—nothing is too good for his players. Everything seems to be
on a winning track. But when Moose and others are offered steroids, tempers start to fray and
the teammates have to decide whose side they are on. Juice is a compelling story about the pressures and temptations that are faced by many in the competitive world of high school athletics.
Tayshas nominee
“A quick, well written and realistic read…Juice will be a hit with fans of sports fiction.” —KLIATT
Tagged
Eric Walters
he city is cracking down on graffiti and guerilla art. Between that and cutbacks to the
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local art gallery it seems like nothing is safe. But Oswald, masquerading as a graffiti
artist known as The Wiz, is fighting back—by painting elaborate murals in public places and
planting art in the galleries, and then by taking on the mayor himself. As the fight escalates
and the stakes become higher, Oswald gets in deeper than he meant to and needs to rely on
his friends to get him out of his latest mess.
“Inspired by the experiences of a real Toronto tagger who tacks on a testimonial of his own,
Walters’ tale makes a refreshing change of pace from the sports- or personal-crisis-driven stories
often aimed at unenthusiastic or less able older readers.” —Booklist
Rights Sold: Korean—Toto Book Publishing
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Soundings 43
Breathless
Pam Withers
everly is in Hawaii, helping her uncle at his dive shop, learning how to dive and
B
trying to lose weight and get a boyfriend. When Garth, an accomplished diver, shows
an interest in her, Beverly is ecstatic, until it turns out Garth is only interested in one
thing. Struggling with failing strength from her self-imposed starvation diet, Beverly finds
herself in deep trouble when she has to fight Garth off underwater.
“Attention to detail and character development are strong in this brief novel.”
—Hip Librarian’s Book Blog
(ex – English and Spanish in North
America)
Rights Sold:
Slovenian—MISH
Learning to Fly
Paul Yee
ason is an outsider. A recent immigrant from China, he lives in a close-minded town
with his mother and younger brother. Falling in with the wrong crowd, trying to fit
J
in, Jason takes chances and ends up in trouble with the police. Holding on to his friendship with a Native boy, also an outsider, Jason finds he needs to fight to belong and to find
a new home.
“Yee’s slim novel packs in a lot.” —Booklist
“[Yee’s] characters and their life struggles ring true and are likely to connect well with teen
readers. Written in a fast-paced, easy-to-read style, this book should be successful with
reluctant readers.” —TeensReadToo.com
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
www.orcabook.com
phone: 1-250-380-1229
fax: 1-250-380-1892
Orca Book
Publishers
Rights Catalogue—
Seven (The Series) &
The Seven Sequels
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
2 Seven (the series)
Between Heaven and Earth
Eric Walters
D
J is David McLean’s eldest grandson, so it stands to reason that he be the one to
scatter his beloved grandfather’s ashes. At least that’s how DJ sees it. He’s always been
the best at everything—sports, school, looking after his fatherless family—so climbing
Kilimanjaro is just another thing he’ll accomplish almost effortlessly. Or so he thinks,
until he arrives in Tanzania and everything starts to go wrong. He’s detained at immigration, he gets robbed, his climbing group includes an old lady and he gets stuck with
the first ever female porter. Forced to go polepole (slowly), DJ finds out the hard way that
youth, fitness level and drive have nothing to do with success on the mountain—or in life.
Rights Sold:
Brazilian—Editora Fundamento
French—Éditions Recto-Verso/
Éditions de l’Homme (World
French ex Canada—Fleurus)
Indian & Indian subcontinent—
EuroKids International Private
Limited
Korean—Better Books
Eric Walters began writing in 1993 as a way to entice his grade five students into
becoming more interested in reading and writing. At the end of the year, one student
suggested that he try to have his story published. Since that first creation, Eric has
published nearly seventy novels. His novels have all become bestsellers and have won
over eighty awards. Often his stories incorporate themes that reflect his background in
education and social work and his commitment to humanitarian and social-justice issues.
He is a tireless presenter, speaking to over 70,000 students per year in schools across the
country. Eric is a father of three and lives in Mississauga, Ontario, with his wife Anita and
dogs Lola and Winnie. For more information, visit www.ericwalters.net.
Rocky Mountain Book Award nominee
Red Maple nominee
Over 100,000 copies of Seven (the series) sold in North America.
“The rich setting and the thrilling details of the climb will make readers yearn for their own
adventure. However, graphic descriptions of altitude sickness and stomach-twisting trail food
leave no false illusions that the journey will be an easy one…Richly detailed and satisfying.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Walters’ style is, as usual, quick and catchy, but smooth and engaging at the same time. His
characters are well-developed, focusing mainly on three people, DJ, Sarah, and Doris, as they
struggle to make their way toward the summit and deposit DJ’s grandfather’s ashes…Walters’
has written a fantastic story that will capture the attention of young readers and keep them
engaged until the last page. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“Walters is known for action-adventure novels that appeal to boys, and his latest project,
Seven (the series), is no exception…A solid outdoor adventure story.” —Quill & Quire
“While DJ’s overconfidence makes it hard to root for him at first, his growth along the way
soon transforms him into a more palatable hero. The biggest draw, though, is Walter’s keen
attention to atmosphere, detail, and setting—Mount Kilimanjaro is a character unto itself.”
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Seven (the series) 3
Lost Cause
John Wilson
S
teve thinks a trip to Europe is out of the question—until he hears his grandfather’s will.
Suddenly he’s off to Spain, armed with only a letter from his grandfather that sends
him to a specific address in Barcelona. There he meets a girl named Laia and finds a trunk
containing some of his grandfather’s possessions, including a journal he kept during the
time he fought with the International Brigades in the Spanish Civil War. Steve decides to
trace his grandfather’s footsteps through Spain, and with Laia’s help, he visits the battlefields
and ruined towns that shaped his grandfather’s young life, and begins to understand the
power of history and the transformative nature of passion for a righteous cause.
Rights Sold:
Limited
Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, John Wilson grew up on the Isle of Skye and outside Glasgow
without the slightest idea that he would ever write books. John is addicted to history and
firmly believes that the past must have been just as exciting, confusing and complex to
those who lived through it as our world is to us. Every one of his seventeen novels and
six non-fiction books for kids, teens and adults deals with the past. For more information,
visit www.johnwilson-author.blogspot.com.
“The dialogue is witty and sharp…The Spanish setting oozes charm, beauty and history. Readers
will feel as if they are scootering with Steve and Laia along narrow roads and through timeless
tiny villages steeped in the memory of a bloody civil war.” —Resource Links
“Posthumous messages and tantalizing clues send a teenager from Canada to Barcelona in search
of a hidden chapter from his beloved grandfather’s past. Steve slowly gains insight into how it
felt to believe passionately in a cause—even, in this case, a doomed one—and then to lose that
innocent certainty in the blood and shock of war.” —Kirkus Reviews
“The descriptions of the war—and the emotional reactions of Steve and his grandfather at
two different points in history—are rich and poignant…Steve is a relatable teenager, with an
honest voice and realistic reactions to his situation…Some of the most compelling parts are the
grandfather’s journal entries which give amazing insights into the strategy and struggle of war.
These, paired with the stories of the current day Spanish people, paint a complete picture of the
war and its enduring effects. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“I had to force myself to take a break for food or sleep once in a while. I just wanted to keep reading.
This was an excellent book and I’m happy I picked it up to read.” —ALA YA Galley Teen Review
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Jump Cut
Ted Staunton
S
Rights Sold:
Limited
pencer loves movies, but real life is boring, right? When his late grandfather’s will reveals
the tasks he wants his grandsons to undertake, Spencer thinks he got screwed. He’s not
going to France or Spain or Africa. He’s not even getting a cool tattoo, like his younger
brother. No, he’s going to Buffalo to get a kiss from an ancient movie star. Gross. And he’s
supposed to film it. Grosser. But Spencer hasn’t bargained on Gloria Lorraine, star of the
silver screen back in the day. Gloria has big plans—plans that involve her granddaughter
AmberLea, a gun, a baker who might be a gangster, some real gangsters and a road trip
to Nowheresville, Ontario. After being shot at, jumping into an icy lake and confronting
some angry bikers, Spencer finally realizes that real life can be as exciting (and dangerous)
as reel life.
Ted Staunton divides his time between writing and a busy schedule as a speaker, workshop leader, storyteller and musical performer for children and adults. His previous
books include the well-loved Green Applestreet Gang series, as well as the acclaimed
Hope Springs a Leak, which was shortlisted for both a Silver Birch Award and a Hackmatack
Award, and Power Chord. Ted lives in Port Hope, Ontario. For more information, visit
www.tedstauntonbooks.com.
Red Maple nominee
Canadian Children’s Book Center Best Books starred selection
“Ted Staunton’s sense of humour is divine, especially when verbalized by the indomitable
Gloria Lorraine…Jump Cut has the eccentric elements of a cult classic. But, I suspect, that Jump Cut
and all the other books in Orca’s Seven (the series) will definitely stay in the mainstream for a
long time with their popularity ensuring their status as classics.” —CanLit for Little Canadians blog
“A zany adventure…In the course of the story, Spencer tangles with Mafia toughs and
motorcycle gang members, finding maturity, smarts and personal strength in the process…
[An] entertaining story with a heart of gold.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Staunton offers plenty of action, intrigue, and well-placed humour. The way the story
intertwines with Spencer’s younger brother’s journey adds further interest and keeps readers
guessing to the end. The film allusions throughout are clever and appropriate, and the cast of
characters is both interesting and convincing…Readers will thoroughly enjoy Jump Cut on its
own or as part of this unique new series. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Ink Me
Richard Scrimger
B
unny (real name Bernard) doesn’t understand why his late grandfather wants him
to get a tattoo. Actually, Bunny doesn’t understand a lot of things, so it’s good that
his older brother, Spencer, is happy to explain things to him. But this is a task Bunny
is supposed to do on his own, and nobody is more surprised than Bunny when, after
he gets tattooed, he is befriended by a kid named Jaden and adopted into Jaden’s gang.
The gang hangs out at a gym, where Bunny learns to fight, but when it finally dawns
on him that the gang is involved in some pretty shady—and dangerous—business,
Bunny is torn between his loyalty to his new friends and doing what he knows is right.
Rights Sold:
Limited
Richard Scrimger is the award-winning author of more than fifteen books for children
and adults. His books have been translated into Dutch, French, German, Thai, Korean,
Portuguese, Slovenian, Italian and Polish. The father of four children, he has written
humorous pieces about his family life for The Globe & Mail and Chatelaine. For more information, visit www.scrimger.ca.
“Bunny is a likeable, engaging narrator whose storytelling style is captivating both in its
naïveté and in its omissions. In its idiosyncratic rendering of the ambiguities of language, the
text reveals many moments of unexpected insight and brilliance…This is a surprisingly rich
book, despite its casual presentation…It is clever in its execution and wise in its thematic
treatment.” —Resource Links
“[An] enjoyable fable of Toronto gang life recorded in believable, phonetically spelled prose…
Most intellectually disabled characters in children’s fiction are siblings or pals whose treatment
by other characters signals their compassion or otherwise. Bunny’s a rare hero—not on
anyone’s journey but his own.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Readers will be too engrossed in the upshot of Bunny’s honesty and incomprehension to
realize that Ink Me exposes the vulnerability of perceptions to misinterpretation…A brilliant
story, less about gangs and tattoos than about our relationships with others and the roles
misunderstanding and perspective play in securing or destroying the integrity of those
connections.” —CanLit for Little Canadians blog
“An exciting story [with] a lot of hearty laughs at Bunny’s misunderstandings and their
consequences.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Close to the Heel
Norah McClintock
N
Rights Sold:
Limited
o one is more surprised than Rennie to hear that his late grandfather, whom he
hardly knew, has left a mission for him to fulfill. Rennie is to fly to Iceland and
deliver a message from beyond the grave, but when he gets there, nothing is simple or
straightforward. For one thing, Brynja, the teenage daughter of the family he’s staying
with, is downright hostile. Her father Einar, who is to be Rennie’s guide in Iceland,
is preoccupied with looking after his elderly father-in-law, an old friend of Rennie’s
grandfather. Bored and a little bit annoyed, Rennie explores the town and becomes
aware that the family is dealing with more than their grief over Brynja’s mother’s death
the year before. Before he realizes what is happening, his curiosity puts Rennie in grave
danger, with no one to trust and no one to save him except himself.
Norah McClintock’s fascinating mysteries are hard to put down. She is a five-time winner
of the Crime Writers of Canada’s Arthur Ellis Award for Best Juvenile Crime Novel.
Although Norah is a freelance editor, she still manages to write at least one novel a year.
Norah grew up in Montreal, Quebec, and now lives with her family in Toronto, Ontario.
“From the very first chapter, I was already intrigued—it opened with a bang…I found that I
couldn’t turn the pages fast enough—eager to see where [McClintock] was taking both Rennie
and me…Overall this book was compact and quick-paced…I [am] intensely curious to read
the stories of the other 6 grandsons. I’ll be getting my hands on those as soon as I can.”
—Bound by Words blog
“McClintock’s style is ideal for this series. Her characters are well-developed, and secrets are
revealed only gradually, leaving the murderer’s identity in doubt until the final pages. She also
includes much local colour…and lightens the story with a sense of humour…This title stands
alone, but the intriguing series’ premise and the sense of mystery and adventure should prompt
middle grade readers to ask for more.” —CM Magazine
“McClintock writes with her usual simple prose that can appeal to a broad audience, scattering
little clues for astute readers and highlighting Iceland’s interesting culture. Rennie’s defiant
character will appeal to many reluctant readers, who may be moved to try another in the
series. A neat, suspenseful mystery tailor-made for young readers.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Readers are immediately propelled into an action-driven plot with an intriguing back
story. An unexpected plot twist will keep readers rapidly turning pages to the very end.”
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Devil’s Pass
Sigmund Brouwer
S
eventeen-year-old Webb’s abusive stepfather has made it impossible for him to live
at home, so Webb survives on the streets of Toronto by busking with his guitar and
working as a dishwasher. When Webb’s grandfather dies, his will stipulates that his
grandsons fulfill specific requests. Webb’s task takes him to the Canol Trail in Canada’s
Far North, where he finds out that there are much scarier things than the cold and
the occasional grizzly bear. With a native guide, two German tourists and his guitar
for company, Webb is forced to confront terrible events in his grandfather’s past and
somehow deal with the pain and confusion of his own life.
Rights Sold:
Limited
With close to three million books in print, Sigmund Brouwer writes for both children and
adults. In the last ten years, he has given writing workshops to students in schools from the
Arctic Circle to inner city Los Angeles. One of his latest novels, The Last Disciple, earned
Sigmund an appearance on ABC’s Good Morning America. Sigmund and his family live half
the year in Nashville, Tennessee, and half the year in Red Deer, Alberta.
John Spray Mystery Award nominee
Red Maple nominee
Kirkus Reviews Critics’ Picks
VOYA’s Top Shelf for Middle School Readers
Isinglass Teen Read Award nominee
“[Webb’s] beloved grandfather has died, and his will sends Webb north to hike the Canol
Trail and solve a 50-year-old mystery. Add grizzly bears and a psychotic local who has taken a
disliking to Webb, and you have a strong, fast-paced survival story with a kick. Flesh it out with
acoustic guitar riffs, World War II air shows, and an imperfect hero with a conscience, and
the result is a thoughtful exploration of issues like love, trust, responsibility, guilt, and identity.
This explores secrets on many levels and delivers handsomely with a resolution that satisfies
but doesn’t simplify. Happily, there are six other titles in the series.” —Booklist
“Webb’s journey will certainly inspire readers to seek out the other novels in the series, in the
hope that they are as satisfying in terms of both intrigue and emotional veracity.” —Resource Links
“Brouwer weaves twin narratives to good effect…[and] a likable guitar-playing protagonist
is a bonus. Unlike Webb, readers can face grizzly bears, wolves and psychopaths in the cozy
confines of a good book.” —Kirkus Reviews
“A fast-paced adventure that will keep readers on the edge of their seats cheering on Webb
while guessing what will happen next. Sigmund Brouwer has done a superb job maintaining
suspense throughout Devil’s Pass while assuring readers nothing will happen that Webb can’t
handle. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Last Message
Shane Peacock
A
Rights Sold:
Limited
dam has a good life in Buffalo: great parents, a cute girlfriend, adequate grades. He’s
not the best at anything, but he’s not the worst either. He secretly lusts after Vanessa,
the hottest girl in school, and when his dead grandfather’s will stipulates that he go on
a mission to France, Adam figures he might just have a chance to impress Vanessa and
change his life from good to great. When he gets to France, he discovers he has not one
but three near-impossible tasks before him. He also discovers a dark and shameful episode
from his grandfather’s past, something Adam is supposed to make amends for. But how
can he do that when he barely speaks the language and his tasks become more and more
dangerous? Despite the odds, Adam finds a way to fulfill his grandfather’s wishes and,
in the process, become worthy of bearing his name.
Shane Peacock is an award-winning novelist, playwright, journalist and television
screenwriter. His bestselling series for young adults, The Boy Sherlock Holmes, has been
published in ten countries in twelve languages and has found its way onto more than
forty shortlists. He enjoys reading, spending time with his kids, playing and coaching
hockey, and visiting schools, conferences and festivals across North America to speak
about reading and writing. Shane lives in the countryside north of Cobourg, Ontario.
For more information, visit www.shanepeacock.ca.
“This novel certainly succeeds in motivating readers to continue the series, and discover the
assignments given to the other cousins…The adventure elements and the French history hit
the target.” —Resource Links
“The missions [Adam is] assigned are amusing and suspenseful…An unusual tale.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Part mystery and part adventure, Last Message is a fantastic and thrilling page-turner that is a
perfect antidote to the glut of paranormal romance and Hunger Games-esque science fiction that
have been flooding the shelves. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“Perfect for reluctant readers, especially male readers who are ready for some mystery and
adventure along with an easy to take dose of classic literature and art.”
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
the Seven sequels 9
Sleeper
Eric Walters
DJ wants it all: the car, the girl and the truth about his grandfather.
J jets across the Atlantic to England to follow a series of obscure clues and symbols he
D
hopes will reveal the truth about his grandfather. In London, he stays with Doris, the
elderly woman he climbed Mount Kilimanjaro with. Laid up with a broken ankle, Doris
has her grandchild, Charlie, offer assistance. Charlie—short for Charlotte—is a beautiful
model who is romantically (and secretly) linked to a member of the British Royal Family.
Spies, guns, double agents, the Cambridge Five and a vintage E-Type Jag are a few of the
things DJ and Charlie encounter on an adventure that makes climbing Kilimanjaro look
like a walk in the park.
Eric Walters began writing in 1993 as a way to entice his grade-five students into becoming
more interested in reading and writing. Since then, Eric has published over eighty books and
won more than one hundred awards. Often his stories incorporate themes that reflect his
background in education and social work and his commitment to humanitarian and socialjustice issues. He speaks to over seventy thousand students per year, in schools throughout
North America. Eric has three grown children and lives in Mississauga, Ontario, with his
wife and two dogs. For more information, visit www.ericwalters.net.
“Part Holmes-ian mystery and part James Bond adventure, DJ’s quest requires both intellect
and an unflappable resolve…[A] solid nod to the British spy and mystery legacy. A fast-paced,
enjoyable entrée to this mystery/adventure series.” —Kirkus Reviews
“The setting is vibrant, and the thrills are a mile-a-minute. Fans of James Bond, Jason Bourne, and
other action/espionage heroes will find much to love in Walters’ latest book for young readers.
“Flashy, quick and fun…A perfect Robert Ludlum-esque redux for the middle-grade set.”
—Quill & Quire
“What a great way to take readers from David McLean directing the actions of his grandsons, as
he did in the Seven Series, to the boys looking to new adventures, pursuing their own suspicions
and curiosity about their grandfather, and embarking on adventures that will put their intrepid
natures to the test in more daring situations. Sleeper introduces the theme of espionage and
hidden identities in an intriguing manner…[It] is a propitious beginning for my reading of The
Seven Sequels. Make it one of yours too.” —CanLit for Little Canadians blog
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
10 the seven sequels
Broken Arrow
John Wilson
Nothing says “I love you” like plutonium.
teve thinks he made the right choice turning down a snowy week with his cousins at a
S
cabin in northern Ontario in favor of a relaxing (and perhaps romantic) time under the
Spanish sun with his friend, Laia. But when an email from his brother DJ arrives, implicating
their grandfather in some shadowy international plots involving nuclear bombs, Steve and
Laia immediately put aside all thoughts of a lazy, sun-drenched vacation. In a desperate
attempt to find out if Steve’s grandfather was a Cold War-era spy, they crack mysterious
codes, confront violent Russian mobsters, dodge spies, unearth a bomb and avoid nudists.
But the more they uncover, the more Steve wonders: whose side was Grandpa really on?
Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, John Wilson grew up on the Isle of Skye and outside
Glasgow without the slightest idea that he would ever write books. After completing a
degree in geology at St. Andrews University, he worked in Zimbabwe and Alberta before
taking up writing full-time and moving to Lantzville on Vancouver Island in 1991. John
is addicted to history and firmly believes that the past must have been just as exciting,
confusing and complex to those who lived through it as our world is to us. He has written
over forty books of fiction and nonfiction for kids, teens and adults, and has won or been
shortlisted for many awards. For more information, visit www.johnwilsonauthor.com.
“With only a forged passport and a coded message as clues, Steve will need all the help he
can get to figure out whether his grandfather was a well-traveled businessman or a double
agent…Steve’s quest is part-Cold War mystery and part-Spanish history lesson…The puzzles
are satisfyingly difficult…the information about a little-known chapter in history is interesting
and the setting is beautiful.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Wilson does an excellent job of bringing readers back into Steve’s world right from the first
chapter, detailing the emotions and desires of the protagonist in the character’s own words.
While this title has a lot to offer as a standalone—without too much lead up to the action
and just enough backstory to afford understanding—it does best as a sequel…One of Broken
Arrow’s definite strengths is the dialogue as it differentiates characters, moves the plot forward
at a perfect pace, and introduces facts in an easily digestible way. With its absorbing beginning,
unpredictable ending, and series of heart-stopping encounters in between, Broken Arrow is a
great bet for the male tween demographic, though girls will like it, too! Highly Recommended.”
—CM Magazine
“The warm, dusty atmosphere of rural Spain and the busy city of Barcelona with its loving
traditions bring this story to life. Early teen readers both boys and girls will be quickly drawn
in to this compelling mystery that effortlessly teaches history as it entertains with panache.”
—Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
the Seven sequels 11
Coda
Ted Staunton
In the murky world of espionage, how can you tell
who’s on your side?
hen his brother Bunny vanishes from the Toronto City Hall skating rink, Spencer, a
W
budding filmmaker, finds himself plunged into the stuff of movie thrillers: kidnapping, terrorists, intrigue, a missing document, a world-famous pop star, disguises, romance
and a rogue alligator. As he races the clock to save his brother, he must sort the real from
the make-believe and unravel a murder mystery involving his grandfather. The last time
Spencer got tangled up in an adventure from his grandfather’s past, he didn’t believe it
was for real. Now he can’t get anyone to believe him when he says that Bunny has been
kidnapped and that someone is going to die.
When he isn’t writing, Ted Staunton has a busy schedule as a speaker, workshop leader,
storyteller and musical performer for children and adults. Ted is the author of numerous
books for young readers of all ages, including Puddleman, the Morgan series and the
acclaimed Hope Springs a Leak, which was shortlisted for both a Silver Birch Award and a
Hackmatack Award. His most recent novel is the YA mystery thriller Who I’m Not. Ted lives
in Port Hope, Ontario. For more information, visit www.tedstauntonbooks.com.
“Part 007 and part Mr. Bean, Spencer is the perfect combination of nerdy secret agent and
bumbling, lovesick teen. Surprising twists, dangerous foes and a generous helping of mac ‘n’
cheese make for a suspenseful mystery with a hint of romance. This clever spy adventure
features a likable hero and bursts with enough film references to satisfy all but the most hardcore movie buffs.” —Kirkus Reviews
“A fun read with interesting characters and a quirky plotline.” —CM Magazine
“Oddball characters like Bun's program supervisor Roz, and the counterrevolutionary Dusan,
are carefully drawn complex individuals who enliven the plot and make it believable…This book
will be of great appeal to junior high students, both boys and girls.” —Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
The Wolf and Me
Richard Scrimger
Life isn’t about making sense.
It’s a gift, and you do your best with it.
unny is in trouble. He’s been kidnapped from the skating rink at City Hall in Toronto,
B
and now he’s locked in a cold basement room, still in his parka and skates. Where is
he? And why do his kidnappers keep asking questions about his dead grandpa and some
weird national anthem? Bunny may not always know what’s going on, but he has an innocent’s ability to get to the heart of things and find out what it’s all about. When he manages
to escape, he skates across hockey rinks and down frozen highways, always a few strides
ahead of his kidnappers. He gets help along the way from an assortment of characters—
some kindly, some crazy, some scary and at least one that will make your jaw drop.
Richard Scrimger is the award-winning author of twenty books for children and adults.
His middle-school novel The Nose from Jupiter won the Mr. Christie’s Book Award. His books
have appeared on ALA’s Kids’ Picks list and on The Globe and Mail and ALA’s notable books
lists and have been translated into almost a dozen languages (actually, eleven). Richard lives
in Toronto, is the father of four, and is used to being laughed at. For more information,
visit www.scrimger.ca.
“Bunny’s learning disabilities can make academics challenging, but his unique way of viewing the
world might just be the key to his freedom…Bunny’s indomitable spirit makes him a likable,
one-of-a-kind narrator…Readers will respond to this improbable, deeply sympathetic hero.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“This book [is] great fun. Bunny’s adventures veer toward the edge of implausible, but his frank
and lovable voice made me cheer for him…Like Richard Scrimger’s previous novels, this book is
playfully and smartly written…An all-around rollicking read.” —Resource Links
“[Bunny] bumbles along, and we get so caught up in his absurd adventures, his crazy
misunderstandings, that we are compelled to read on and on…If that isn’t the mark of a good
book, I don’t know what is.” —CM Magazine
“Poor Bunny. He’s such a great guy but, often through no fault of his own, he gets himself
immersed in the most unusual, even dangerous, situations…Like the detention centre, there
are many obstacles that impede Bunny’s journey. But he always finds a way to turn them into
something positive…I’m so glad Richard Scrimger gave him life. He makes life better for all who
meet him, fictional characters and readers alike.” —CanLit for Little Canadians blog
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
From the Dead
Norah McClintock
The mean streets of Detroit hide a multitude of sins.
ennie is in Uruguay when his cousins discover a secret cache at their dead grandfaR
ther’s cottage. Thousands of dollars in foreign currencies. A mystifying notebook.
Multiple passports, some obviously fake. A gun. A disguise. And a photo of some Nazis.
Rennie’s mission: to find out whether there was more to the old man than anyone knew.
Was he a spy? If he was, what did he do? And for whom? Did he help a Nazi war criminal
escape justice? Rennie’s quest leads him to Argentina and then to Detroit, where he finds
more questions than answers and more than one gun pointed—and fired—in his direction.
Norah McClintock writes mystery and crime fiction for young adult readers. She is the
author of the Chloe and Levesque, Mike and Riel, Robyn Hunter, and Ryan Dooley series,
as well as many standalone novels. Norah grew up in Montreal, Quebec, is a graduate
of McGill University (in history, of all things) and lives in Toronto, Ontario. She is a fivetime winner of the Crime Writers of Canada’s Arthur Ellis Award for Best Juvenile Crime
Novel. Her novels have been translated into sixteen languages. For more information, visit
www.norahmcclintock.com.
OLA Best Bet
“Vivid descriptions of a devastated Detroit provide the background to this layered suspense
story from indefatigable crime writer McClintock…Rennie’s impulsiveness, his issues with his
military officer father, and his failure to consider potential consequences as he pursues answers
add a degree of authenticity to this over-the-top, unrelenting thriller. The unembellished, plotfocused writing should appeal to reluctant readers looking for an adrenaline story.” —Booklist
“Offers intricate plotting and well-developed, multidimensional characters. Clues are revealed
slowly, but the action never drags, and surprises lurk around every corner…McClintock carefully
ties up all the loose ends of this mystery, but the onion-like character of David McLean clearly
holds many more secrets just waiting to be peeled away. This book stands alone, but why miss
the others in the series? Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“A nicely written story that will appeal to those readers seeking adventure, especially when that
adventure involves solving historical mysteries. The reading level is not difficult, so readers of all
abilities will be able to access and enjoy the story.” —Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Tin Soldier
Sigmund Brouwer
When things hit you out of nowhere,
pick yourself up and pretend nothing happened.
im Webb’s pursuit of the truth about his grandfather’s role in the Vietnam War puts
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him squarely in the sights of someone high up in the US military—someone who wants
certain events from that war left in the past. Webb goes on the run in the American Deep
South with Lee, a Vietnam vet, trying to smoke out the man they call the Bogeyman by
using Webb as bait. The Bogeyman may be powerful and smart, but Webb and Lee, with
the help of a few of Lee’s old army buddies (and one motorcycle-riding girl), are ready to
take him down.
Sigmund Brouwer is the bestselling author of nineteen novels and several series of children’s books, including titles in the Orca Echoes, Orca Currents and Orca Sports series,
with over three million books in print in seven different languages. His 2012 novel, Devil’s
Pass, was a finalist for the John Spray Mystery Award, a Red Maple nominee and a Kirkus
Reviews Critics’ Pick. For more information, visit www.rockandroll-literacy.com. Sigmund
and his family divide their time between his hometown of Red Deer, Alberta, and Nashville,
Tennessee, where his Grammy-nominated wife is a singer and songwriter.
“Rich in historical detail, the narrative is a crash course on a volatile time in American history.
Webb, who battles his own internal demons even as he’s fighting external enemies, is a
complicated and authentic hero.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Brouwer certainly knows how to weave an intriguing mystery, and protagonist Jim Webb’s
blend of hard-earned cynicism and innate compassion stand him in good stead as he unravels
the secrets of his grandfather’s past…[Webb] learns that self-respect and forgiveness are key to
letting go of anger. Racism, tolerance, compassion, self-respect, and the power of song resonate
through the novel.” —Resource Links
“A fast-paced story with lots of twists, Tin Soldier will have readers hooked and cheering on its
teenaged main character Webb from page one…A great read that is hard to put down, full of
characters readers can’t help but root for, and packed with historical facts without allowing the
story to become a dry history lesson. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Double You
Shane Peacock
Adam discovers the true meaning of “live and let die.”
hen Adam Murphy learns that his late, revered grandfather, David McLean, hid a
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huge stash of foreign cash and fake passports in the family’s cottage, he is stunned.
Was Grandpa really a traitor, as some of the evidence suggests? And why was a loaded
Walther PPK pistol hidden at the cottage? Determined to prove his grandfather’s innocence, Adam takes the famous James Bond gun and follows the clues to Bermuda, where
he encounters danger, evidence of espionage, and an unusual girl named Angel Dahl.
Desperate and on the run with Angel, pursued by a deadly operative, Adam races to other
exotic locations, unsure if Angel is friend or foe, or if his grandfather was a hero or a villain.
Three clues hold the dark secret of David McLean’s past—the letter W, a glass eye with a
golden iris, and the haunting words of someone named Mr. Know.
Shane Peacock is a biographer, journalist, screenwriter and the author of more than a
dozen books for young readers, including The Boy Sherlock Holmes series. His work has
won many honors, and his novel, Becoming Holmes, was a finalist for the Governor General’s
Award. Because Shane often writes about unusual subjects, his research methods have, at
times, been out of the ordinary too; he has learned the arts of tight-rope walking, silent
killing, trapeze flying and sumo eating, all in the service of his art. Shane and his wife, journalist Sophie Kneisel, live with their three children on a small farm near Cobourg, Ontario,
where he continues to search for and imagine larger-than-life characters. In his spare time
he enjoys playing hockey, reading, and sometimes even walking the wire. For more information, visit www.shanepeacock.ca.
“Posh hotels, buried treasure, dangerous secrets and uncertain alliances all add up to a rip-roaring
mystery. Adam, who fancies himself something of a Daniel Craig Bond, is both a dangerous
opponent and a conflicted hero. While this fast-paced romantic mystery is a volume in a sevenpiece set, it clearly shines in its own right. A romantic spy thriller with a heart.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Teen readers who know and love the James Bond stories and movies will enjoy the novel
and find many similarities and intricacies linking back to Fleming’s work within the storyline.”
—CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
www.orcabook.com
phone: 1-250-380-1229
fax: 1-250-380-1892
Orca Book
Publishers
Rights Catalogue— Middle Readers
Core Titles
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
2 Middle readers
Walking Backward
Catherine Austen
A Brief History of Grief.
hen Josh’s mother dies in a phobia-induced car crash, she leaves two questions for her
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grieving family: how did a snake get into her car and how do you mourn with no faith
to guide you?
184 pages ∙ ages 9–12
Twelve-year-old Josh is left alone to find the answers. His father is building a time
machine. His four-year-old brother’s closest friend is a plastic Power Ranger. His psychiatrist
offers nothing more than a blank journal and platitudes.
Isolated by grief in a home where every day is pajama day, Josh makes death his research
project. He tests the mourning practices of religions he doesn’t believe in. He tries to mend
his little brother’s shattered heart. He observes, records and waits—for his life to feel normal,
for his mother’s death to make sense, for his father to come out of the basement.
His observations, recorded in a series of journal entries, are funny, smart, insightful—
and heartbreaking. His conclusions about the nature of love, loss, grief and the space-time
continuum are nothing less than life-changing.
Cybils Award nominee
Quebec Writers’ Federation Literature Prize nominee
Diamond Willow nominee
Red Cedar nominee
Canadian Childrens’ Book Centre starred selection
Manitoba Young Readers’ Choice Award nominee
“In this impressive debut novel, Josh keeps a journal to chart his feelings and thoughts, allowing
readers to follow his journey from sadness to acceptance and the eventual return of cohesion in
his family. Given the subject matter, the story is never maudlin, and Josh’s voice rings natural and
true. An elegantly crafted volume of lasting power.” —Kirkus Reviews
“An original and entertaining take on grief and coping with loss…[Josh] is easy to relate to and
sustains this story with his strong, thoughtful and funny voice.” —Canadian Children’s Book News
“Austen is both unsentimental and unapologetic in her employment of precise and elegant prose,
and the complicated and often humorous reactions to grieving practices lend themselves to an
enjoyable read.” —School Library Journal
“This novel’s refusal to sentimentalize loss or to accept quick or predictable solutions in
conjunction with its ability to create a realistic and complex protagonist allows for a refreshing
perspective on the story of the loss of a parent.” —Canadian Literature
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Middle readers 3
Dirk Daring, Secret Agent
Helaine Becker
Mission interruptus.
hen Darren Dirkowitz’s evil stepbrother (code name Waldo) gets hold of Darren’s
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tippity-top-secret spy journal, he threatens to expose it to the entire Preston Middle
School student body. Unless, that is, Darren starts doing his dirty work for him. Now Darren’s
208 pages · ages 8–11
got to use the oh-so-cloak-and-daggery skills he’s honed in his secret alternate life as Dirk
Daring, Secret Agent to spy on kids at school. Naturally, he also sets up a separate, sneaky
surveillance program to unearth Waldo’s own secrets. As more and more ugly truths are
exposed, new alliances are forged and old friendships broken. Can Darren learn to be true to
himself and build real friendships for the first time in his life? Or will he retreat back into his
exciting but imaginary shadow world?
Helaine Becker is the bestselling author of more than fifty books for children and young
adults, including the “enduring Canadian Christmas classic” A Porcupine in a Pine Tree and
the giggle-inducing Ode to Underwear. She’s also a three-time winner of the Silver Birch
Award and a two-time winner of the Lane Anderson Award for Science Writing for Children.
Helaine lives in Toronto with her husband and her dog, Ella. For more information, visit
www.helainebecker.com.
“The nonstop action, evolving plot, fleshed-out characters, gross-out jokes, intermittent cartoonish
illustrations, and overarching themes of friendship and self-discovery should resonate with middle
school readers. Recommend this to fans of Sammy Keyes and Hunter Moran.” —Booklist
“Full of wisecracking jokes, shifting alliances, and betrayals, Becker’s school-day caper offers a steady
stream of surprises and laughs. Darren maintains a deadpan, noir-ish tone (‘No one must know of
my covert actions. Therefore, I use ultimate discretion and a steady hand to obtain my ink’) even
when, for instance, he’s using his own urine as invisible ink.” —Publishers Weekly
“Friendships are strongly tested throughout the novel, which is peppered with imaginative turns of
phrase and bursts of energy. The book is an enjoyable and quirky read…These are real kids behaving
with all the creativity and energy one would expect of them. But beneath all the play and humor is a
genuine emotional core, exploring the trials and tribulations all friendships endure when moving from
elementary school on to junior high. A stunning last-minute twist pushes the book above and beyond.
A clever romp that’s enhanced, not lessened, by its message.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Becker has created a delightful hero in underdog, Darren Dirkowitz…Chock full of code names
and encrypted missions, comic doodles and handwritten editorial comments, Dirk Daring, Secret
Agent is a high-energy race car speeding to what looks like certain disaster. But underneath
is a gentle and thoughtful look at the scary parts of being ten years old…A highly imaginative
and enjoyable read and the underlying message adds to, rather than detracts from the fun.”
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
4 Middle readers
Button Hill
Michael Bradford
All Dekker needs is an old book,
a green tomato and the courage to stay human.
ekker isn’t happy that he and his little sister, Riley, are stuck in Button Hill with their
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weird old great-aunt Primrose. When he discovers an old clock in the cellar, made
entirely of bones and with a skull for a face, he doesn’t think much about it. But when Riley
goes missing, a strange boy named Cobb appears in Button Hill. He tells Dekker that Button
Hill sits on the border between Nightside and Dayside—and that Riley is in Nightside and
may never return. In order to save her, Dekker must follow her into the darkness and sacrifice
something he thought he couldn’t live without.
Originally from St. Albert, Alberta, Michael Bradford has worked as a grass cutter, waiter,
pizza-delivery boy, literacy teacher, elementary-school vice-principal and published poet.
Button Hill is his first novel. He lives in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, with his wife and two children. For more information, visit www.michaelbradford.ca.
Kirkus Prize nominee
“A moment’s messing with an odd clock plunges a lad into the strange and dangerous borderland
between the living world and the realms of the dead in this decidedly offbeat chiller…Though
strewn with scary creatures and tons of spooky bones, the tale is also leavened with tonguein-cheek elements…Both Dekker and Riley are admirably clever, and Bradford keeps the stakes
satisfyingly high. Rare, scary fun. With tomatoes.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“A scrumptious Gothic treat, oozing high-calorie horror and delectable dread…Although
Dekker’s quest seems hopeless at times, Bradford never lets him or the reader slide into
complete despair. A cheerful optimism bounces through the story, much of it coming from the
upbeat, buoyant Riley…A rollicking good read, with adventures tumbling one after the other…
Gleefully thrilling.” —Quill & Quire, starred review
“A dark yet delightful tale for readers who love the unexpected, who long for secret passages and
who live for annoying their siblings. When Dekker is trapped in the scary world beneath his strange
Aunt’s spooky house, he and his sister have to discover what really matters to even have a hope
of seeing the real world again. The dead come alive, sort of, in this thrilling novel written by the
talented, fun, and lively Michael Bradford.” —Alice Kuipers, award-winning author
“A highly recommended title that will fascinate readers between 9 and 12, especially those interested
in ghost stories, horror, fantasy, adventure and mysteries. There’s an underlying theme of sibling
rivalry, loyalty, and love that will attract readers of other genres.” —Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Middle readers 5
After the Fire
Becky Citra
When it comes to family, there’s no such thing as perfection.
elissa is waiting for the “new life” that her mother Sharlene has promised her since a
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fire devastated their family. But nothing ever seems to change. Melissa has difficulty
making friends at school, they never have enough money and her little brother Cody is a
Rights Sold:
Finnish book club*
Norwegian book club*
Swedish book club*
*Stabenfeldt
brat. When Sharlene announces that they will be spending the month of August at a remote
cabin on a wilderness lake, Melissa is less than thrilled. But there is more to do at the lake
than she expected, and she is surprised to learn that her mother knows how to paddle a
canoe, fish and make bannock and s’mores. On an island in the middle of the lake, Melissa
meets Alice, a strange girl who is writing a fantasy novel. Alice shares her tree fort on the
island with Melissa, and while at first Melissa is attracted to Alice’s strong personality and her
stories of her “perfect family,” she becomes increasingly uneasy around Alice. As Melissa’s
relationship with her mother improves and her confidence increases, she is able to hold her
own with Alice and start to appreciate her own imperfect family.
Red Cedar nominee
“Citra captures the tenuous feelings of manipulation and trust, longing and belonging, that
Melissa, like other preteens, experiences…I recommend this book to students looking for a
mature glimpse at a preteen’s life, without the gauze of a quick fix or fairy tale ending.” —VOYA
“Melissa’s angry resistance to her mom, and to her own memory, shakes up the familiar scenario
of a kid trapped with an abusive adult, and readers will be caught by the realism of her first-person
narrative…Along with Melissa’s loneliness, there is always the beauty of the solitary setting and
the truths she finds in the silence as she looks at the stars above the cliffs.” —Booklist online
“Citra delivers a poignant, well-paced story about family and friendship…The book wraps with a
satisfying and hopeful ending that affirms the human capability to persist and succeed through the
hardships and difficulties that life may present. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“Citra has produced yet another winning novel for young readers that is engaging, interesting and
full of true to life situations” —Quill & Quire
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
6 Middle readers
Missing
Becky Citra
Before Thea can move forward, she has to go back.
hea and her dad are always on the move, from one small British Columbia town to
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another, trying to leave behind the pain of Thea’s mom’s death. They never stay long
enough in one place for Thea to make friends, but when her dad gets work renovating a guest
Rights Sold:
Czech book club*
Finnish book club*
German book club*
Hungarian book club*
Swedish book club*
*Stabenfeldt
ranch on Gumboot Lake, she dares to hope that their wandering days are over. At the ranch
she makes friends with Van, a local boy, and works hard to build the trust of an abused horse
named Renegade. When Thea unearths the decades-old story of a four-year-old girl who
disappeared from the ranch and was never seen again, she enlists Van to help her solve the
mystery. When some disturbing facts come to light, she finally starts to come to terms with
the losses in her own life.
Becky Citra is the author of many books for children, including After the Fire, Never To Be
Told and Whiteout. Becky lives on a ranch in Bridge Lake, British Columbia, where she has
ridden and trained horses for thirty years.
Diamond Willow winner
Silver Birch nominee
“A quick and engaging read.” —VOYA
“Citra’s writing is solid, and Thea is strong and appealing.” —Kirkus Reviews
“The intersection of Thea’s mysterious past with a cold-case mystery she stumbles upon in her
latest stay deep in the Cariboo wilderness is compellingly told in Thea’s first-person narrative…
The theme of finding yourself by letting yourself care for another is subtly and richly conveyed.”
—Booklist
“The novel provides just enough foreshadowing that readers will enjoy piecing together
the mystery. The theme of fitting in and finding acceptance will resonate. Recommended.”
“The story is fast moving and compelling…The concurrent story line of Thea’s maturing relationships
with those around her add another layer of interest.” —School Library Journal
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Middle readers 7
Dalen & Gole
Scandal in Port Angus
Mike Deas
Dalen and Gole are refugees on Earth in a race against time to
save their home planet from an evil plot.
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ith seconds to the finish line, Dalen and Gole lead the distant world of
Budap’s annual Junior-Jet Race. Suddenly they are overtaken. Left behind
in a cloud of mysterious purple exhaust, they realize something doesn’t add up.
Looking for clues, the two friends uncover a tunnel that leads them to Earth.
They arrive in Port Angus, once a lively west coast fishing community. The fishing industry
is dying, and Dalen and Gole find themselves embroiled in a sinister plot to steal fish and
send them to Budap. Pursued by government agents and angry aliens, Dalen and Gole are in
a race against time to save both their own distant world and the fishing community of Port
Angus.
Mike Deas is an author/illustrator of graphic novels, including Tank & Fizz and the Graphic
Guide Adventure series. While he grew up with a love of illustrative storytelling, Capilano
College’s Commercial Animation program helped Mike fine-tune his drawing skills and imagination. Mike and his wife, Nancy, currently live on Saltspring Island, British Columbia. For
more information, visit www.deasillustration.com or follow him on Twitter@DeasIllos.
Silver Birch Express nominee
BC Book Prize—Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize nominee
Hackmatack nominee
“A crisp, clear comic romp about two alien friends who uncover a gently sinister scheme that
could destroy both their home planet and a small fishing town on Earth…Deas’ art has a clarion
brightness and is tidily paneled across the page…Squeaky-clean, good fun.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Deas, illustrator of the six-volume Graphic Guide Adventure series, makes his debut as an author
and illustrator here and provides solid graphics, pacing, dialogue, and humor…The rundown of
the Budapian alphabet at the end is a particularly nice touch, and it allows readers to spin back
through and translate the many signs sprinkled throughout the book. A fun mystery-adventure
that’s just right for young space cases.” —Booklist
“A fast-paced…fun romp about strangers in a strange land…Budap’s residents resemble humantoad hybrids with snail-like eyes. Visually, they are immediately endearing…An entertaining and
charming book.” —Quill & Quire
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
8 Middle readers
Bank Job
James Heneghan & Norma Charles
How long can Nell and her friends rob banks before
they get caught?
He passed a note across the counter:
THIS IS A BANK ROBBERY. YOU WON’T GET HURT IF YOU DO AS YOU’RE TOLD.
I knew what the note said because I had written it.
Rights Sold:
Easy Reader Edition—Lindhardt
Og Ringhof
ell has been in foster homes all her life—most of them have been horrible. She finally
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gets moved to a home she likes, and the ministry threatens to close it down unless an
expensive renovation is made to the house. Nell and the two boys in the home, Billy and
Tom, decide to raise the funds themselves. How do kids get large amounts of money quickly?
By robbing banks, of course. Their first few heists are successful, but when they almost get
caught on their sixth robbery, the friends start to fight about whether they should continue.
The bank jobs that were meant to keep their family together just might tear it apart.
Bank Job was inspired by a newspaper account of three teens who robbed seven banks in
the Vancouver area.
Chocolate Lily nominee
Manitoba Young Readers’ Choice honour book
“A satisfying moral tale…described in gripping detail. The effects of peer pressure and the
desire to please those we love and admire are clearly illustrated. While not condoning robbery,
Heneghan and Charles make valuable points about the importance of family, especially family of
choice, in young people’s lives.” —Booklist
“[Heneghan and Charles] do a good job of creating tension and keeping us wondering if (and
when) something will go horribly wrong. The pacing is right and the details realistic enough to
give the story plausibility.” —Quill & Quire
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Middle readers 9
Lost in the Backyard
Alison Hughes
Survival of the fittest doesn’t apply to Flynn.
lynn hates the outdoors. Always has. He barely pays attention in his Outdoor Ed class. He
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has no interest in doing a book report on Lost in the Barrens. He doesn’t understand why
anybody would want to go hiking or camping. But when he gets lost in the wilderness behind
his parents’ friends’ house, it’s surprising what he remembers—insulate your clothes with
leaves, eat snow to stay hydrated, build a shelter, eat lichen—and how hopelessly inept he is
at survival techniques.
Alison Hughes is an award-winning writer who has lived, worked and studied in Canada,
England and Australia. Her previous books include Poser and On a Scale from Idiot to Complete
Jerk. She read lots of survival stories as a child and used to make elaborate and thrilling plans
to weather a natural disaster which, sadly, never materialized. Alison lives with her family in
Edmonton, Alberta, where she still delights in blizzards and power outages and tends to stockpile canned goods.
“Narrated in Flynn’s sarcastic-yet-realistic tone, the story provides a different take on wilderness
survival than, say, Jean Craighead George’s My Side of the Mountain (1959)…A book that will grab
many, including reluctant middle-school readers.” —Booklist Online
“Hughes writes Flynn’s story in the first person, allowing the reader to feel and experience all of
Flynn’s emotions and struggles. The tone and self deprecating humour allow the reader to easily
connect with Flynn and to root for him despite his clear dislike of the circumstances he finds
himself in. Short sentences, paragraphs and chapters propel this adventure story forward quickly
it’s a race to the finish of the book to find out how Flynn survives his days in the woods. Highly
recommended for those who love adventure and the outdoors…[and] readers who just want a
quick exciting read.” —CM Magazine
“Simply written, in first-person perspective, the novel is carried by the voice of its engaging and
truly adolescent main character…A satisfying tale of a young man’s personal growth.” —VOYA
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
10 Middle readers
On a Scale from Idiot
to Complete Jerk
A Highly Scientific Study of Annoying Behavior
Alison Hughes
Meet J.J. Murphy, DJ*
*Doctor of Jerkosity
hen grade-eight science-project time rolls around, J.J. Murphy skips the beakers and
the papier-mâché and dives into research about jerks. And idiots. But mostly jerks.
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By his own estimation, his science project, On a Scale from Idiot to Complete Jerk, is ground-
breaking, exhaustive, highly scientific and seriously worthy of bonus marks. Beginning with
the dawn of humankind and concluding conclusively with a very cool pie chart, the project
dissects the elements of jerkosity through extensive case studies and scientific illustrations.
Rights Sold:
It explores the who, what, when, why and how of jerks and, more important, peppers the
Korean—BookInFish
lively research with sciencey-looking graphs and charts that reveal a lot about J.J., his family
Dutch—Van Holkem &
and friends, and the jerks of this world.
Warendorf/Unieboek Spectrum
“A quirky, funny glimpse into the life and mind of a 13-year-old boy. Structured as a science report
written by J.J., On a Scale from Idiot to Complete Jerk presents a narrative about human nature
that middle-grade kids will find relatable, humorous, and genuine…In addition to the unorthodox
format, what makes this book work is its universal appeal. Young readers will enjoy J.J.’s stream-ofconsciousness narration, his cheeky tone, and his efforts to convince his teacher that this is actually
a science report when it’s anything but…Alison Hughes deserves an A+ for her smart, engaging
middle-grade read.” —Quill & Quire
“The format of a science report with lots of case studies to dip into makes this an engaging read
for kids who prefer non-fiction, as well as a lively read for those who like fiction. The material is
lots of fun and often thought-provoking, J.J.’s voice is strong and the various observed behaviours
are familiar to anyone who has encountered an idiot or jerk or acted like one (i.e. all of us). Bravo,
Alison Hughes! Bonus marks awarded.” —National Reading Campaign blog
“Hughes has crafted an authentic and endearing narrator—J.J. Murphy is the kind of boy most
readers would like to be friends with…Hughes is a skilled writer, words roll off the page, and
most readers will keep turning the pages. The “case studies” of various jerks—young jerks, old
jerks, sports jerks, etc.—are illustrated with amusing stories and observations…A witty and skillful
account of those “idiots” and “jerks” that populate the lives of children.” —CM Magazine
“J.J.'s descriptions will have readers not only laughing out loud but also reading passages aloud to
whoever will listen—they are that funny.” —Canadian Children's Book News
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Middle readers 11
Poser
Alison Hughes
Spin is a model boy, but not in a good way.
welve-year-old Luke “Spin” Spinelli is sick of fake running, fake laughing and fake
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pointing. Sure, he once made the cover of Baby Show magazine, but now his secret
modeling career is making him miserable. He dreams of using nonwhitening toothpaste.
He can’t wait to stop styling his hair. And he really wants to stop worrying that the school
bully will discover he was once the face of Dribbleez Diapers. After all, Spin’s just a normal
boy looking for a hockey game and some pizza with extra cheese.
Alison Hughes has lived, worked and studied in Canada, England and Australia. She started
writing when it became clear that it was much more fun and flexible than being a lawyer,
and didn’t require her to wear nylons. She won the Writers’ Union of Canada’s Writing for
Children Competition, and her short stories have been short- and longlisted for the CBC
Literary Awards. She lives in Edmonton, Alberta, with her husband, three children, three
dogs and two cats. She has never been a child model and is much more comfortable behind
the camera in family pictures.
Red Cedar Book Award nominee
Hackmatack Children’s Choice Award nominee
“Behind the comedy, Hughes presents a convincing picture of a boy just beginning to assert his
own individuality, making choices he knows are risky. Luke’s first-person patter will hook readers,
as will details of Luke’s modeling assignments…The entertainment value stays high. Plenty of fun,
and substance too.” —Kirkus Reviews
“The tone is breezy and the characters just larger than life, which makes for a fun jaunt through
school, friendship, hockey, and the unglamorous life of the child model.” —Booklist online
“A witty narrative that embraces important themes…Along with a look at the modeling life and
what it’s like to make money by being photogenic, this laugh-out-loud funny novel considers bullying,
lying, and appreciating one’s special gifts.” —School Library Journal
“Readers will identify with Spin’s angst while recognizing how minor his problems really are, and
this dichotomy is the basis of the book’s humor. You can’t help liking Spin. He’s a really funny
kid, and it’s entertaining to spend time with him. Supporting characters are all interesting, wellrounded and hilariously described by Spin…Poser is funny and easy to read and will be extremely
popular. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
12 Middle readers
Dunces Anonymous
Kate Jaimet
There’s strength in numbers, even small ones.
Who would want to join a club called Dunces Anonymous? It was a dumb name. It was a dumb idea.
Still, what else could he do? He needed help. Josh was in terrible trouble, and he couldn’t think of a way
out of it alone.
osh Johnson’s mother wants him to run for class president. Josh just wants to run
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and hide. If only there were a club to help downtrodden eleven-year-olds escape their
parents’ ambitions! But since no such club exists, Josh has to invent one—he calls it Dunces
Rights Sold:
Korean—BookInFish
Anonymous, and before he knows it, the membership is up to three.
Magnolia and Wang help Josh lose the school presidential election, but that’s just the
beginning of the club’s activities. Magnolia, pressured by her mom into trying out for
the role of Juliet in the school’s play, finds herself fending off the advances of an overly
amorous Romeo. Wang’s father has forced him to join the school chess club, but Wang
desperately wants to take fencing lessons instead.
As the three friends try to free Magnolia from the school play, liberate Wang from the
chess club and get rid of horrible Stacey Hogarth, who has vowed to become the new president of Dunces Anonymous, they realize that they all have talents—if only their parents
could see them.
Ottawa Book Awards nominee
Canadian Children’s Book Centre selection
“Loved it. Spot-on plotting, and a great cast of characters.” —Gordon Korman
“Delightful, quirky fiction…[The] characters are funny, entertaining and endearing. Dunces Anonymous
is a strong reminder that the power of friendship can move mountains, and it will leave you with
a smile on your face.” —St. Albert Gazette
“The adventures and intrigues that Josh, Wang, and Magnolia plot to get out of doing what their
parents expect are quite entertaining…A nice read, which captures the spirit of children first
learning to branch out. Recommended.” —Library Media Connection
“The concept for this novel is one that many overachieving students can relate to.”
—School Library Journal
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Middle readers 13
Dunces Rock
Kate Jaimet
Dunces to the rescue!
he Dunces—Josh, Magnolia, Wang and Wilmot—are back, and this time they’re going
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up against a formidable foe: Principal Hale, who has canceled their school’s drama
and music program just when Wilmot needs it most. He has a guitar (given to him by a
teen named Headcase), but no teacher and nowhere to practice (his dad hates rock ‘n’ roll).
The Dunces’ plan to convince Principal Hale to reinstate the program involves Josh’s reluctant
participation in a hockey team, Magnolia’s enthusiastic role-playing and Wang’s disillusionment with a suspicious character named Hui Bing (aka Larry). But can the Dunces really rock,
even when they rebrand themselves as Cousin Willy and the Wang Dang Doodles?
Kate Jaimet developed an early taste for madcap plotlines due to childhood exposure to the
novels of P.G. Wodehouse. Her batty characters are mainly based upon members of her own
family. Kate enjoys limericks, yoga, clever repartee, kayaking and spending time with her two
young daughters, except when they are trying to injure each other. Kate lives in Ottawa and
for more information, visit www.katejaimet.com.
Red Cedar nominee
“Jaimet keeps the story fast-paced and funny, giving each friend a distinct challenge to overcome while
they work together to bring drama and music back to their school…The Dunce’s latest escapades
prove that friends can accomplish anything as long as they’ve got one another’s backs.” —Booklist
“The author is wise not to dwell too much on the arts-vs.-sports agenda, instead leaning heavily
on witty banter among her characters and larger-than-life explosions of joy and friendship.
Another wise decision is made when dealing with Principal Hale, who is painted not as evil or
shortsighted but instead pompous and vain, making this less and less a sophisticated analysis of
scholastic debate and more a well-intentioned romp.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Well-written, with short, digestible chapters and plenty of action to keep the reader hooked.
This motley crew of students has multiple challenges thrown at them throughout the course of
the book, and manages to figure out a way around each of them. Their path may not always be
straight—and in fact might seem downright backwards at some points—but they never give up,
which keeps the story interesting.” —StoryMonsters Ink
“Middle-grade readers will commiserate with the characters’ frustrations about not being allowed
to do what they really want to do, and they will laugh out loud at the Dunces’ shenanigans. In
particular, readers will enjoy the principal-inspired songs, and Wang’s attempts to master a possibly
mystical, distinctly absurd dance will leave readers in stitches. Packed tight with jokes, deliberately
quirky scenes, and lovable characters, Dunces Rock’s fast-paced humor is perfectly suited to its
intended audience.” —VOYA
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
14 Middle readers
So Much for Democracy
Kari Jones
Home is where the sun, soldiers, spiders and snakes are.
welve-year-old Astrid has come to Ghana with her family in 1979 so that her father can
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help oversee Ghana’s first democratic election. Astrid and her brother, Gordo, were told
it would be a great family adventure, but they soon find out that everything about Ghana
is difficult—the heat, the food, the threat of disease, the soldiers on the roads, the schools.
Gordo fits in more easily than Astrid, who is often left to look after her baby sister, Piper, as
their mother begins to fall apart under the strain of living in Ghana. When the government
is overthrown, Gordo comes down with malaria and a soldier threatens her family, Astrid is
surprised to discover how protective she has become of her new home.
Kari Jones spent her youth traveling around the world. Her novel, Out of Season, was
published in Finnish, German, Hungarian, Norwegian and Swedish. She was fortunate
enough to spend some years in Ghana when she was in her early teens. Kari now lives and
writes in Victoria, British Columbia. For more information, visit www.karijones.ca.
Hackmatack Children's Choice Award nominee
“Astrid, her younger brother, and her friend Thema are well-developed young characters, and the
relationships Ghanaians have with each other and Astrid’s family are compelling. Astrid’s firstperson narration is appropriately childlike, and her youthful perspective is a concise, honest glimpse
into an event relatively unknown in the U.S.” —Booklist
“The political context for the story would be of interest to students learning about African history,
or for anyone wanting to learn about recent changes in countries in Africa. Astrid is an interesting
character because of how strong she is in the face of difficulties at home with her mother, and
managing her siblings and friends. There are multiple ways of looking at and enjoying this book.”
—Resource Links
“Scenes filled with tension, including one in which a soldier takes away their mother’s purse, make
the story gripping to middle grade readers. This is a great book for understanding another culture
and the struggles of a nation.” —Reading Today online
“Jones’ story provides readers with an emotionally captivating look into a family’s anxieties as the
unit transitions to life in a new country…[and] richly depicts Astrid’s strength and commitment to
her family as they endure stress and battle sickness and fear…The book educates readers about a
family’s emotional situation and social conditions surrounding life in 1979 in Ghana…[and] provides
educators the opportunity to have active discussions with their students about the integral role
which government, elections, democracy, and freedom play in society. Highly Recommended.”
—CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Middle readers 15
The Mealworm Diaries
Anna Kerz
As the worm turns.
What’re we gonna investigate?” Aaron said.
“You might want to investigate the art of listening,” Mr. Collins said. “The rest of the class will
study mealworms.”
There were snickers. If Aaron heard, he didn’t seem to care; he kept moving. His legs jiggled. He
tapped his pencil on his desk. He hummed. His head bopped from side to side as if he was hearing music.
Weird kid, Jeremy thought.
Rights Sold:
Korean—Jaem & Moeum
ealworms are small creatures that live in dark secret places. Jeremy is a bit like that
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when he leaves his home in rural Nova Scotia and moves to Toronto with his mother.
Lots of things keep him from enjoying his new life, but the worst is his science partner,
Aaron, who is more annoying than sand in a bathing suit. Jeremy is also burdened by the
secret he carries about the motorcycle accident that injured him and killed his father.
Although Jeremy is haunted by his past, he starts to feel at home in Toronto when he
realizes he has some skills he can share with his classmates. And when his mealworm project
yields some surprising results, Jeremy is finally able to talk about his part in the fatal accident.
Anna Kerz loves stories that touch the heart and tickle the funny bone. Now that she’s
retired from teaching, she fills her time by working as a storyteller, telling tales to audiences
of all ages, and by writing books for children. She lives in Scarborough, Ontario.
Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books of the Year starred selection
Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award nominee
Hackmatack nominee
OLA Best Best selection
“This moving first novel deftly weaves…serious issues into a realistic depiction of an ordinary boy
moving forward despite his loss and doing the right thing by his troubled classmate.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Kerz effectively conveys the insular social dynamics of a grade-school classroom and presents
winning portraits of Jeremy and his understanding family and teacher. Readers will enjoy this quiet
story as they absorb its simple but timeless message about the importance of kindness.” —Booklist
“Aaron’s ADHD-type behavioural problems are described with such accuracy that he jumps
right off the page…There is real, raw talent here, evident in the character of Aaron, and in the
depiction of classroom life.” —Quill & Quire
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
16 Middle readers
Better Than Weird
Anna Kerz
Sometimes reading faces is a lot harder than reading books.
stand-alone sequel to The Mealworm Diaries, Aaron is anxiously waiting for his father
for the first time since Aaron’s mother’s death eight years earlier. Aaron works
Ihardntothisreturn
with a counselor at school, but he still has problems getting along with and understanding other kids, and he’s worried that his dad will think he’s weird. As well as having to
confront Tufan, the class bully, Aaron must find ways to cope with the fact that his dad now
has a pregnant wife and his beloved Gran needs surgery. In the end, his greatest strength is
not his intelligence or his sense of humor, but the openness and warmth of his heart.
Notable Books for a Global Society Book Award
“Life’s complications are delicately handled by Kerz, who weaves a multilayered tale…
A heartwarming read for fans of realistic fiction.” —Booklist
“This moving story looks at both family and school life from the point of view of a boy trying hard
to fit into a world he doesn’t quite understand…This companion book [to The Mealworm Diaries]
stands alone but will surely send readers back to read the first.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Kerz succeeds beautifully at crafting a convincing narrative centered on the life of a 12-year-old
boy who cannot control his behavior.” —School Library Journal
“Aaron doesn’t know his father at all. He is both excited and terrified by the impending reunion—
and so are we…Kerz is brilliant at describing these challenges from Aaron’s perspective, and she
does so without a trace of sentimentality…It’s a messy and far from perfect outcome for Aaron,
but after spending some time with his own messy imperfections, we wouldn’t have it any other
way.” —Quill & Quire, starred review
“Better Than Weird is simply told, yet rich with wonderful metaphors and believable surprises.
Kerz’s style makes this a story that will appeal to readers of all levels. Highly Recommended.”
—CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Middle readers 17
The Gnome’s Eye
Anna Kerz
Theresa needs more than a smooth river stone to vanquish her
fears in a new world.
n the spring of 1954, when her father announces that the family has a chance to immigrate
IYugoslavia,
to Canada, Theresa’s life changes forever. She and her family are wartime refugees from
so it shouldn’t be hard to leave Austria. But the weathered barracks of Lager
Lichtenstein are the only home she knows, and they are filled with family and friends she
doesn’t want to leave behind.
As she says her goodbyes, Theresa’s friend Martin gives her two gifts: a package of postcards and a stone he calls the Gnome’s Eye, which he says will “protect her from all things
evil, living or dead.” Theresa is convinced the stone has no power, but she still keeps it close
as they travel on the crowded immigrant ship and when they settle into a crowded rooming
house on Kensington Avenue in Toronto.
At first Theresa is afraid of everything: the other tenants in the rooming house, the rat
that lives in the kitchen, learning a new language. But as time goes by, Theresa’s need for
the Gnome’s Eye fades, until she is finally able to give it to someone who needs it more than
she does.
Hackmatack nominee
OLA Best Bets honourable mention
“[A] lively, detailed novel…The immigration drama will hold readers.” —Booklist
“This immigration story…presents itself through a strong first-person voice deft in creating an
empathetic and engaging response in middle grade readers. Both laughter and genuine concern
will be evident through Theresa’s imaginative storytelling and descriptive narrative.”
“A believable first-person narrative told through the eyes of an impressionable, imaginative
child…This family interests the reader, and learning about a different time and place is intriguing.
Recommended.” —Library Media Connection
“Kerz provides a fresh take on…immigrant motifs in a well-shaped plot…Kerz does a particularly
nice job of indicating that the characters are not speaking English.” —Quill & Quire
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
18 Middle readers
Count Me In
Sara Leach
Tabitha’s not sure which is scarier:
a hungry bear or an angry cousin.
welve-year-old Tabitha is less than thrilled when her parents send her on a hiking trip
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with her cousins, Ashley and Cedar, and her Aunt Tess. For one thing, she’s not much of
a hiker. And she’s pretty sure her cousins hate her. But even Ashley can’t blame Tabitha for
Rights Sold:
German book club*
Finnish book club*
Australia/New Zealand book club*
Swedish book club*
*Stabenfeldt
everything that goes wrong: the weather turns ugly, a bear comes into the cabin, Ashley and
Tess are injured and Max, the family’s beloved dog, disappears. When rescue finally arrives,
Tabitha realizes that she is no longer the timid, out-of-shape girl she used to be. She’s become
strong, resourceful and brave in the face of adversity—no matter what form it takes.
Sara Leach is a writer and teacher-librarian in Whistler, British Columbia. She loves hiking
the nearby alpine trails with her husband and two children. Fortunately, they have never
been stranded in any mountain huts, although they have endured many rainy days. Sara’s
first book for Orca was Jake Reynolds: Chicken or Eagle? To learn more about Sara, please visit
www.saraleach.com.
Red Cedar winner
“The setting is well realized, and the authentic action sustains interest…A taut adventure tale
that features plenty of action and some troubled relationships.” —Kirkus Reviews
“The characters and their motivations are well developed. The plot is simple, but entertaining,
and the survival aspects of the story are realistic and suspenseful…Fans, including reluctant
readers, of Gary Paulsen, Will Hobbs, and other writers of survival fiction will enjoy this book.”
“The stormy weather adds drama to the story and turns a plot about awkward relationships into
one of survival. Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Middle readers 19
All-Season Edie
Annabel Lyon
Edie copes with family tragedy and her “perfect” sister
during one tumultuous year.
We’re hot and red-faced and breathless, and when we see Dexter, we both start to laugh.
“You too, Dexter,” Mean Megan says. “You have to dance too.”
I say, “Dex too.”
Maybe Dexter is too stunned to say no, because she starts making her pretty swan movements while
I snap my fingers and stomp my feet and Megan grooves and swerves her head around and makes her
hip-hop moves. Mom and Dad stand in the doorway of the den, watching us and saying nothing.
leven-year-old Edie Jasmine Snow has a “perfect” thirteen-year-old sister, two loving
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parents and a cat named Dusty. She also has a grandmother she suspects is a witch and
a grandfather who insists on calling her Albert. Framed by family summer vacations at the
Rights Sold:
Swedish book club*
German—Beltz & Gelberg
lake, All-Season Edie follows Edie through a tumultuous year in which her beloved grandfather becomes ill. In the face of family tragedy, Edie tries to practice witchcraft, learns
to dance the flamenco, meets the Greek god Zeus doing his Christmas shopping at the
mall, ruins the most important party of her sister’s life, and realizes that her family is both
completely strange and absolutely normal.
*Stabenfeldt
“An effortless read, an honest and beautiful book.” —The Globe and Mail
“Subtle, sad and hilarious, it has a wonderful way with words and features characters that stick.”
—Resource Links
“Astonishingly fresh…has the classic flavor of Ramona and Beezus, as if they had hit middle school
and the new millennium.” —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
20 Middle readers
Box of Shocks
Chris McMahen
Real life: more terrifying than a tarantula
and more dangerous than a wild dog.
liver has helicopter parents—they love him, but they seriously cramp his style. He
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decides to fill an old wooden box with souvenirs from some of his outrageous and
daring exploits. That way, he’ll never forget the zombies, the killer dogs and the crazy
cows, and his parents will never know that he once jumped from a bridge with the police
in hot pursuit. But the biggest shock comes when Oliver realizes that the most terrifying
things of all can’t be controlled or contained.
Chris McMahen is an elementary teacher-librarian and classroom teacher in Armstrong,
British Columbia. He is the author of Klutzhood and Tabloidology. Box of Shocks was inspired
by the flood of emotions unleashed by a friend’s visit to his childhood home.
Manitoba Young Readers’ Choice winner
“Oliver’s effective first-person narration shifts from accounts of his adventures to a growing
understanding about the complicated lives of others; lives that are, often times, more shocking
than anything that can be contained in a box.” —Booklist
“A touching story of personal growth, gratitude, and kindness, this book will serve as an excellent
discussion starter.” —School Library Journal
“Oliver is a well-drawn character whose pragmatic attitude, honesty and humour are endearing,
and who quickly overcomes the reader’s initial impression of selfishness…With a facetious warning
to read at your own risk, this well-written novel is a fast-paced, quirky experience that touches
poignantly upon more serious issues. It will capture children’s attention from the start, combining
as it does adventure, humour and just a little coming of age.”
“A fantastic read for any boy or girl, mid-readers will find themselves jumping into Ollie’s shoes
for this fantastic, nail-biting and mind-boggling adventure.” —Resource Links
“[Oliver is] an enthusiastic, realistic, and funny protagonist. His adventures come in different forms
and it never gets boring to read about what his next challenge will be…Box of Shocks is an excellent
realistic novel for kids of both genders between the ages of 9 to 13, and is highly recommended.”
—KeenReaders.org
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Middle readers 21
Tabloidology
Chris McMahen
ake one prankster, put her together with the editor of the world’s most boring school
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newspaper, add one over-worked principal, and you’ve got a recipe for the most chaotic
few weeks in the history of Upland Green Elementary. The unlikely duo of Martin Wettmore,
editor and expert grammarian, and Trixi Wilder, prankster extraordinaire, is given the task
of improving the pathetic sales of their school newspaper. Martin and Trixi clash over everything from journalistic integrity (Trixi has none) to imagination (Martin has none). But
when the paper starts to wreak havoc at the school, Principal Baumgartner shuts it down
and assigns Trixi to Saturday morning bus-washing duty. To redeem themselves, Martin and
Trixi resolve to create one very special edition of the Upland Green Examiner.
Rights Sold:
Korean—Vidam
“A perky and engaging addition to the ranks of funny school stories for middle readers.”—Booklist
“The lessons that Tabloidology delivers are important: issues of representation—truth, falsehood,
exaggeration and omission—are combined with a lesson in achieving balance that many readers
will be beginning to learn themselves.” —Resource Links
Klutzhood
Chris McMahen
rlo thinks his mother is crazy for taking a job in a small town, far away from his old
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home and his good friends. And to make matters worse, the students at his new school
are crazy—hockey crazy. Arlo has never laced up a pair of skates in his life, and he’s not about
to start. To avoid making a complete fool of himself in front of his classmates, Arlo joins a
group of misfits called the Dumpster Dudes, who set him a series of wild initiation tests
that unleash mayhem on the school. Broken windows in the classrooms, angry ants in the
hallways, bicycles in the library and monsters in the air ducts—can East Bend Elementary
survive Arlo? And will Arlo survive East Bend?
“McMahen’s humorous writing style will open the reader’s eyes to the very real conflict felt by
students who want to belong but don’t really know how. Highly recommended.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
22 Middle readers
Charlie’s Key
Rob Mills
Will Charlie’s key unlock anything more
than a terrible family secret?
hen Charlie Sykes wakes up in hospital in St. John’s, he learns that he and his father
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have been in a car accident and that his father is dying. Charlie inherits little more than
the brass key that his father pressed into his hand before he passed away. As far as Charlie
knows, he has no family in Newfoundland. But then Uncle Nick shows up and is keen to
meet his nephew—not because 1of who Charlie is, but rather because of what Charlie has:
the key.
That key will unlock a treasure Uncle Nick began searching for more than thirty years
earlier. And he would have found it all those years ago if he hadn’t been arrested and sent
away for murder. But Charlie isn’t convinced he should give up the key. He leads Uncle Nick
on a wild chase through old St. John’s, across Signal Hill and out to the coast. There, high
above the rugged Atlantic, Charlie finally comes face-to-face with Uncle Nick, the treasure,
and a family history that will leave him with a new understanding of where he comes
from and where he’s going.
Rob Mills has been an award-winning reporter, newspaper editor and writer in Nova
Scotia, Newfoundland and Ontario. Charlie’s Key is his first published novel. He lives in
Peterborough, Ontario, with his wife and two daughters.
John Spray Mystery Award nominee
“While foggy cliffs and colorful villages effectively evoke the exotic Newfoundland setting, it’s
the mystery that moves the tale forward…A fast-paced, often riveting mystery with a plausible,
thrilling climax.” —Kirkus Reviews
“This suspenseful mystery keeps the reader engaged…Charlie is a very likeable character, one
to whom readers will easily relate. In addition to the major themes, censorship and literacy
are issues which are also brought up and could instigate conversation in a classroom. Highly
“The descriptions of Newfoundland are haunting, creating a compelling visual backdrop for the
story. The conclusion is both believable and satisfying.” —Resource Links
“In Charlie, Rob Mills has created a nearly perfect, enigmatic character. Charlie is naïve yet
worldly. He is compassionate and vulnerable, yet resilient and resourceful…The falling action
is equally intriguing, and when the reader reaches the ending, he finds it to be shocking and
emotional. Mills combines contemporary topics like child abuse and a writing style that is full
of local color and dialect to give us an excellent book.” —TriState YA Book Review Committee
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Middle readers 23
Not a Chance
Michelle Mulder
Can friendship bridge the gulf between cultures?
ian has been coming to the Dominican Republic with her doctor parents for years. Now
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that she’s thirteen, she had wanted to stay home in Canada, but instead she is helping
her parents set up their clinic and looking forward to hanging out with her Dominican friend
Aracely. When fourteen-year-old Aracely makes a shocking announcement—she is engaged
to be married—Dian struggles to accept that Aracely has the right to choose her own destiny,
even if it is very different from what Dian would choose for her.
Rights Sold:
Swedish book club*
Finnish book club*
German book club*
Korean—Pulbit Media
* Stabenfeldt
Michelle Mulder is the author of several books for children, some of which have been
translated into French, Korean and Brazilian Portuguese, and she enjoys telling the
stories of kids who seize life’s opportunities. Michelle began writing for kids because
she’s always loved reading children’s books. These days, when she’s not writing or
going on adventures, she enjoys reading, swimming, baking, hiking, and pedaling
her bicycle around Victoria, British Columbia, where she lives with her husband and
daughter. For more information about Michelle and her books, please visit her website at
www.michellemulder.com.
OLA Best Bets
“Mulder’s spare prose neither makes light of a delicate issue nor paints it with a broad brush.
Quietly perceptive and provocative.” –Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Mulder’s provocative tale about a cultural clash avoids heavy didacticism with lively dialogue and
carefully nuanced behavior for each of the believable characters. Readers will feel for Dian as
she tries to establish her identity, engage her overbearingly politically correct parents, and begin
a friendship with a Haitian boy that provokes a racist response from the community. It’s a lot of
growing up for one summer, but this engaging story intelligently takes on the matter of haves and
have-nots.” —Booklist
“A fine novel about clashing cultures. Dian’s direct narration clearly establishes the complexity of
life in Cucubano, and underlines the double-edged choices every character faces…‘It would do us
all good to quit trying to fix the world and actually enjoy it for once,’ Dian tells her parents at one
point. Mulder’s thoughtful, engaging novel manages to do both.” —The National Post
“Readers will be challenged to look beyond truths born of cultural conditioning, as both Dian and
Aracely struggle to understand one another…Mulder demonstrates her knowledge of remote
village life in her depictions of poverty, spirituality, and conformity…Because the issues are so
contemporary, it is the perfect multicultural novel.” —VOYA
“The Dominican village in which the novel is rooted is well realized, and the characters do not
feel one-dimensional. Dian…is well characterized and relatable. Not a Chance is a well-written and
engaging novel.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
24 Middle readers
Out of the Box
Michelle Mulder
Ellie’s vacation is an education in music, history and
family dynamics.
ife is smoothest for thirteen-year-old Ellie when she keeps her opinions to herself, gets
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good grades and speaks carefully when her parents ask her to settle their arguments.
She feels guilty that she welcomes the chance to spend the summer in another city with
16o pages · ages 9–12
Rights Sold:
her mother’s older sister, Jeanette. Ellie makes a new friend and learns to play an Argentine
instrument called the bandoneón, which she finds in her aunt’s basement. When she goes
searching for the bandoneón’s original owner, she discovers a story of political intrigue and
family secrets that help her start to figure out where her parents end and she begins.
Michelle Mulder began writing for kids because she’s always loved reading children’s books.
These days, when she’s not writing or going on adventures, she enjoys reading, swimming,
baking, hiking and pedaling her bicycle around Victoria, British Columbia, where she lives
with her husband and daughter. For more information about Michelle and her books, please
visit her website at www.michellemulder.com.
Vancouver Magazine’s 7th Annual Summer Recommended Reading List selection
CYBIL Award nominee
“Ellie’s narration authentically conveys her gradual growth, the insecurities that surround her
developing friendships, her role in a dysfunctional family, and the pleasure she takes in music.
Adults and their relationships are portrayed credibly…A bit of Argentine history rounds
out the believable plot, adding a bit of mystery and tension beyond Ellie’s immediate world.”
“Never heavy-handed, Ellie’s frank narration explores her feelings of guilt, and her tale will appeal
to middle-school readers.” —Kirkus Reviews
“The novel provides an honest perspective on Ellie’s mother’s mental health issues, as well as a
subtle, elegant nod to same-sex relationships…Ellie’s voice is strong and engaging, and the story is
realistic in its lack of easy solutions…with a wrap-up that is as subtly complex as real life.”
—Quill & Quire
“Out of the Box is, without a doubt, another stunning indication of Mulder’s ability to weave a
highly engaging and believable story. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“[A] subtle work, blending an exploration of mental instability and a dysfunctional family
relationship with a subplot involving an Argentinean immigrant…Mulder’s novel avoids easy
solutions to the more serious problems of Ellie’s family.” —Canadian Literature
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Middle readers 25
Catla and the Vikings
Mary Elizabeth Nelson
In a time of war, small acts of courage can yield big results.
the fall of 1066, a thirteen-year-old Anglo-Saxon girl named Catla watches from afar as
IseesnViking
raiders burn her village and imprison her family and the other villagers. No one
her as she flees toward Aigber, the closest village, praying the people there will help.
Catla must ignore her terror as she makes her way to the standing stones, a place of
refuge, where she meets Sven, an older boy from her village. Together, they continue toward
Aigber and are able to alert the village of the coming peril. Catla and Sven rally the villagers
of Aigber, and with Catla’s help, a plan is put in place that will save both villages from the
Nord-devils.
“Set in England in 1066, this novel takes place over two days and has a sense of urgency,
propelled by both the narrative itself and Catla’s impatience to rescue her family…The author’s
sense of place is strong, and the anticipation of Catla’s return to her village is palpable…
[A] compelling novel.” —Booklist
“Nelson has created some characters that the reader can relate to because of their complexity and
their flaws…A coming-of-age story with elements of action and survival. A good choice for readers
with a variety of interests.” —CM Magazine
“Catla’s voice in particular shows that although the story took place a millennium ago, children still
face some of the same growing pains, hardships, and insecurities then as now…Provide[s] a glimpse
into an historical period not often covered in a [juvenile] novel.” —Resource Links
“Rich in the essences of 11th century England. The tangible attributes of the houses’ roof thatch, to
the beer and drinking horns, and the weaponry and clothing are woven through the text, providing
a background of authenticity and lushness to Catla’s and Covehithe’s stories. But it’s the language
of her characters at which Mary Elizabeth Nelson excels…The descriptive names for common
objects or events…harmonize with the setting of Catla and the Vikings while enhancing the historical
account.” —CanLit for Little Canadians blog
“The reader finds out a lot about life in days of yore, however…Nelson hasn’t sacrificed topics
of perpetual interest to those over 12 years of age. Romance spices up the story [and]…the
characterization is strong…This book will suit those readers who love interesting stories set in the
past.” —Canadian Children’s Book News
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
26 Middle readers
Tank & Fizz:
The Case of the Slime Stampede
Liam O’Donnell
Illustrated by Mike Deas
Who let the slimes out?
hen Gravelmuck Elementary’s cleaning slimes escape and destroy the schoolyard
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with their acidic ooze, all claws and tails point to Mr. Snag, the school’s caretaker, as
the culprit. Determined to clear Mr. Snag’s name, Tank and Fizz dive into the case, only to
discover that the goop under Rockfall Mountain runs deep. The detective duo must outwit
their eight-legged principal and survive an ancient war between high-tech janitors and spellslinging wizards. Can Tank and Fizz find the real monsters behind the slime stampede in time
to clear Mr. Snag’s name?
The Case of the Slime Stampede is the first book in the Tank & Fizz mystery series about two
crime-solving monsters living under a mountain. Stay tuned for book two, Tank & Fizz: The
Case of the Battling Bots, coming Spring 2016.
“O’Donnell rolls out a slick subterranean caper flavored with a diverse nonhuman cast, topped off
with a suspenseful scramble. It’s all served up with a quivering dollop of complications related to
the uneasy local détente between monsters, who are more comfortable with machines, and the
dark mages of Slick City’s mysterious Shadow Tower. Deas’ frequent cartoon illustrations add zesty
incidents and punch lines to the plot. Young readers will slurp up the gumshoes’ gooey first exploit
with relish. And perhaps a few choco-slug cookies.” —Kirkus Reviews
“[O’Donnell] knows how to weave together elements of detective stories, such as multiple
plot lines, red herrings, and the usual suspects. With the addition of graphics by illustrator Mike
Deas…[the book] is elevated from a simple middle-grade mystery or graphic novel to a clever
amalgam…A monstrously imaginative and funny read, and a great introduction to a new series.”
—Quill & Quire
“This chapter book brims with reader appeal. Fizz’s snappy personality and loyal nature make him
a fun protagonist…[Tank’s] love of mechanics and engineering make her a unique and refreshing
addition and her excitement jumps off the pages, helped by Deas’s artwork. The world of Rockfall
Mountains and its characters (gremlins, goblins, slimes, and monsters) is reminiscent of Pixar’s
famous ‘Monsters Inc.’ film series and may hold appeal for children who have grown up with those
characters…Plenty of action, adventure and imagination to make it a strong addition to library
collections.” —School Library Journal
“Liam O’Donnell’s action-packed text is complemented by the illustrations created by Mike Deas…
This graphic novel is a seamless melding of text and visuals in an entertaining ghoulish storyline
populated by trolls, goblins, gremlins, ogres, dragons, kobolds, mages and other fantastic creatures.
Readers who like slimy humour and lots of amusing and improbable action will definitely enjoy this
book.” —Resource Links
“A magical and suspenseful page turner that young readers will be sure to enjoy…Tank and
Fizz is an entertaining mystery narrative full of monsters, detectives, and magic. The story
notably includes many incredible comic vignettes illustrated by Mike Deas to provide readers
with a visual accompaniment to the events taking place in the text…An enjoyable read!”
—CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Middle readers 27
Graphic Guide Adventures
Liam O’Donnell · Illustrated by Mike Deas
Power Play
evin and Nadia team up with Bounce, Pema and Marcus as they all travel to Northern
D
Ontario to watch their parents present to the Summit of World Leaders. A tragic accident
just hours before their parents’ presentation plunges the kids into their biggest mystery yet and
sets them on the trail of a murderer bent on stopping their parents’ controversial message from
being heard.
A Parent’s Guide to the Best Kids’ Comic selection
Food Fight
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hile Devin and Nadia spend summer vacation at a university camp for little kids—
Nadia as a counselor and Devin as an unwilling participant—their mother’s research
project is vandalized and her motives are questioned. Devin, Nadia and Simon stumble upon
shady characters, corporate conspiracy and a plot to take over the nation’s food supply with
genetically modified fertilizer.
Joe Shuster Comics for Kids Award nominee
Media Meltdown
hen Karl Reed, owner of Oasis Developers, tries to force the sale of a local fruit farm—
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through whatever means necessary—Pema, Bounce and Jagroop decide to expose him
through the media. Little do they realize that when it comes to the news and the advertisers
who make it possible, the truth is not always part of the story and nothing can be taken at
face value. While learning about media consolidation and the power of money over truth,
Pema, Bounce and Jagroop decide to take on the developers and the media.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
28 Middle readers
Graphic Guide Adventures
Liam O’Donnell · Illustrated by Mike Deas
Soccer Sabotage
adia is playing for her local soccer team, and they have made it all the way to the national
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tournament—against some very determined opposition. Unfortunately, Nadia’s challenges don’t just come from her opponents but from her teammates as well. After their coach
is injured in a suspicious accident and the threats against the team mount, it is up to Nadia
and her younger brother Devin to pull the team together and take a run at the championship
Ramp Rats
M
arcus is helping his cousin, Bounce, learn to skate. Between learning how to ollie
and do a 50-50 grind, Bounce and his friends also have to avoid the skate-park goons
and take on the outlaw bikers who are terrorizing the small town. Excitement, action and
some radical skating tips. Hang on for another wild ride!
Joe Shuster Comics for Kids Award nominee
Wild Ride
evin, Nadia and Marcus are on their way to visit their environmentalist parents who
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are working to stop a logging company from clear-cutting a remote valley. When their
plane crashes, the kids are left to survive in the wild with Wiley, a government bureaucrat,
who is the only other passenger on the plane. They discover that Wiley is working with
the logging company and will do anything to stop the secret getting out. On the run and in
mortal danger, the three must outrun Wiley, escape a raging forest fire and outwit a hungry
grizzly bear to make it to safety.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Middle readers 29
Silver Rain
Lois Peterson
bandoned by her father during the Depression, eleven-year-old Elsie lives in the garage
A
behind her old house with her mother, grandmother Nan and out-of-work uncle.
Elsie’s friend Scoop accompanies her as she searches for her father in the city, encountering
unfriendly hobos, food lines and shantytowns.
After both her uncle and her mother disappear on mysterious errands, Elsie and Scoop
eventually discover them competing in a dance marathon. Persuading them to abandon the
contest, Elsie and Scoop lead the exhausted dancers home, where Nan has news of Elsie’s
father and his impending return to the family.
“Terse, grim, and funny, the plainspoken narrative from Elsie’s viewpoint beautifully conveys a
child’s sense of the times.” —Booklist
“The search for family and relationships in tough times rings true…An absorbing and perceptive
story.” —Kirkus Reviews
“In Peterson’s finely wrought, affecting children’s fiction, the characters are created with tender
consideration for human complexity and frailty, for there is always more to people and why they
do what they do.” —The Vancouver Sun
Leaving Fletchville
René Schmidt
B
randon is the biggest and toughest kid in his small-town school. He is feared as a bully,
but he only pretends to be “dumb as a bag of hammers,” so he can learn as much as
possible about the people around him. When Leon, his sister Winnie, and their lively little
brother Sam, arrive in Kingsville, they are the only black people in town. Everyone is curious
about them—where they came from, what their parents do—but when Brandon discovers
the truth about their situation, he decides to do what he can to protect them from harm.
IODE Violet Downey Book Award nominee
Red Maple nominee
“With his debut novel, René Schmidt gives voice to the children who fall through the cracks,
whose struggles go unnoticed, whose responsibilities deprive them of the luxuries of childhood…
An engaging read that teachers will love to discuss with their students. Recommended.”
—CM Magazine
“In his funny and touching novel, Schmidt thoughtfully crafts characters to whom readers will
relate. The book’s tone is frank when dealing with serious issues yet retains a certain innocence.”
—VOYA
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
30 Middle readers
The Summer of Magic Quartet
Andrea Spalding
The White Horse Talisman—Book One
Dance of the Stones—Book Two
Heart of the Hill—Book Three
Behind the Sorcerer’s Cloak—Book Four
Andrea Spalding has written many beloved books for children. She hails from England,
where she was long steeped in ancient lore. The landscape of the Quartet is the landscape of
Andrea’s childhood. She and her husband, David, returned to England four times to research
the four books of the series. Andrea lives with David on Pender Island, British Columbia.
Hackmatack nominee
Rocky Mountain nominee
Red Cedar nominee
“[Spalding] weaves the fantastical strands of the story seamlessly into the everyday realities of the
children’s lives…deserves to be read and savoured. Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“The story, steeped in appealing Celtic lore and actual places, is inventive, well paced, and bursting
with action that is just right for middle-graders who love classic battles between good and evil.”
—Booklist
“…will have children of all ages dreaming of magic, enchantments and adventure.”
—The Alan Review
Rights Sold:
Russia—Corvus (The White
Horse Talisman and Dance of the
Stones)
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Middle readers 31
Record Breaker
Robin Stevenson
There is no shelter from some kinds of fallout.
t’s 1963, and Jack’s family is still reeling from the SIDS death of his baby sister. Adrift in
Isenses
his own life, Jack is convinced that setting a world record will bring his father back to his
and his mother back to life. But world events, including President Kennedy’s assassination, threaten to overshadow any record Jack tries to beat—from sausage eating to face
slapping. Nothing works, and Jack is about to give up when a new friend suggests a different
approach that involves listening to, not breaking, records.
Rights Sold:
Korean—BookInFish
Robin Stevenson is the author of more than a dozen books for children and teens, some
of which have been translated into Finnish, German, Hungarian, Norwegian, Slovenian
and Swedish. She has always loved reading and still finds it almost impossible to walk
past a library or bookstore without going inside. Robin spends most of her time writing,
hanging out with her homeschooled son, and teaching creative writing to adults, teens and
kids. She lives in Victoria, British Columbia, with her family. For more information, visit
www.robinstevenson.com.
Silver Birch winner
Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize nominee
OLA Best Bets
“A quiet novel that delves into difficult subjects, Stevenson’s latest shines a warm light on both grief
and friendship…A thoughtful evocation of an uneasy time on both a personal and global level.”
—Booklist
“Stevenson gives Jack a straightforward yet sensitive narrative voice, constructing a believable
portrait of the anxiety of this moment in history, as well as of how scary and lonely childhood can
be.” —Publishers Weekly
“Stevenson keeps the tone light but the story serious as Jack copes with his own grief and his
family’s distress…Jack’s growth as he makes a new friend and works on his performance caps this
sensitive exploration with charm. Perceptive and quite lovely.” —Kirkus Reviews
“A compelling novel, even with the weighty subject, and many of the characters are well rounded
and believable. The author also brings hope to Jack’s family and readers without giving the story a
pat ending. A solid offering.” —School Library Journal
“Stevenson has crafted an enjoyable and moving tale. Jack is a relatable character, built with the
right balance of flaws and charm that allows the reader to truly explore and examine the story
through his eyes…Record Breaker is an enticing, well-paced read that will delight readers with its
engaging dialogue, its historical setting and a well-developed cast of relatable characters. Highly
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
32 Middle readers
Impossible Things
Robin Stevenson
Moving molecules matters.
It felt good to laugh with someone. Actually, it felt better than good. So probably I shouldn’t wreck it by
asking her if she’d done something in class…something impossible. Definitely I shouldn’t. She’d just
think I was nuts and that everyone was right about me.
assidy Silver is not having a good year. Her engineer father is in the Middle East,
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her artist mother is too busy to listen to the painful details of her daughter’s gradeseven life, her genius younger brother is being bullied and her best friend Chiaki has
Rights Sold:
Finnish book club*
Swedish book club*
*Stabenfeldt
abandoned her to hang out with the meanest girls in school. Then Cassidy meets
Victoria, who is telekinetic; she can move objects with her mind. Cassidy, desperate to not be
the only ordinary person in her family, thinks learning telekinesis could be the answer to all
her problems. But is Victoria telling the truth? And is telekinesis really the solution?
Robin Stevenson is the author of several novels for teens, including A Thousand Shades of Blue
and Out of Order. She lives in Victoria, British Columbia. More information about Robin and
her books is available on her website at www.robinstevenson.com.
“A perfect selection to lift the spirits of the observers, the outcasts, and the creative individualists
who find the road of adolescence a painful one.” —VOYA
“Compelling.” —Vancouver Sun
“This book had me hooked.” — Resource Links
“Realistic fiction with a twist.” —School Library Journal
“[It] will appeal to adolescent girls, especially for those on the margins and who need more space.
Recommended.” — CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Middle readers 33
Liars and Fools
Robin Stevenson
You don’t need ESP to spot a fraud.
iona’s life changed forever when her mother died in a South Pacific sailing accident. One
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year later, everyone tells her it is time to move on. To Fiona, moving on means leaving
her mother behind—something she has vowed never to do. But Fiona’s father has started
dating again. His new girlfriend, Kathy, is a professional psychic who claims she can predict
the future and communicate with the dead. Fiona is sure she is a fraud, although she secretly
longs for her abilities to be genuine. With the reluctant support of her best friend Abby, Fiona
sets out to put an end to her father’s new relationship by trying to prove, with decidedly
mixed results, that Kathy is a liar.
“Liars and Fools is an important coming-of-age story that delves into how teens deal with the
grieving process…A good, solid dramatic story.” —VOYA
“Fiona is a believable character trying to deal with her grief…Her relationship with her best (and
only) friend, Abby, is realistic, and the banter between the two girls adds humor…This resonates
as a story about Fiona finding her own strength in the wake of tragedy.” —Booklist
“In this sensitive depiction of grief and acceptance, Fiona’s solid voice captures a flux of emotions
that arise from her mother’s death and from being an early adolescent…Stevenson adds further
layers of interest by incorporating Fiona’s British Columbia surroundings, the teen’s own love of
boating and a look at several belief systems.” —Kirkus Reviews
“In this perceptive novel, Stevenson captures the intensity of Fiona’s grief and her passion for
the sea. The questions haunting the heroine…are gracefully addressed in a way that will inspire
readers to draw their own conclusions.” —Publishers Weekly
“An expressive story about a young girl trying to come to terms with the world around her without
her mother by her side…By its conclusion, Stevenson’s novel brings about complex realizations of
how both children and adults come to cope with the loss. Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“Stevenson has done a great job [of] showing the angst of a young girl lacking control in so
many sections of her life…This book will appeal to younger students, especially those who can
empathize with the journey Fiona is on.” —Resource Links
“This book has a well-rounded main character who speaks and acts like a teenage girl and a cast of
believable secondary characters, and the sailing subplot provides additional interest.”
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
34 Middle readers
Catboy
Eric Walters
aylor and his mother have moved from a small northern town to the heart of Toronto.
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The differences are dramatic as Taylor becomes part of a classroom of kids as diverse as
the city itself. While taking a shortcut across a junkyard with his new best friend, Simon,
Taylor becomes aware of a colony of wild cats that make the junkyard their home. Assisted
by his classmates, teacher and the security guard, Mr. Singh, Taylor takes a special interest
in caring for the cats. Suddenly there is an announcement—the junkyard is being redeveloped to become condominiums. Can Taylor and his friends save the cats of the colony from
certain death?
Red Cedar nominee
“[With] an authentic-sounding narrative voice…the book does a good job of incorporating the
theme of cultural diversity into a personal story about accepting change…Taylor’s voice is the novel’s
greatest strength, and his relationship with the cat colony, and one cat in particular, is where the
story really engages.” —Quill & Quire
“Walters’ story—written in collaboration with students in Toronto schools—moves fast and
is plenty appealing…Readers will be too eager to see what happens…Solid writing, strong kid
characters, caring adults, and cute animals could make this a popular choice.” —Booklist
Hunter
Eric Walters
unter knows humans are dangerous to himself and the other cats of his colony. He avoids
them, as all wild cats should. So when a neighborhood boy starts showing up in Hunter’s
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junkyard to chase away dogs and bring the colony food, Hunter keeps his distance. But a new
condo development puts the whole colony in danger, and Hunter soon realizes the only way to
save his family is to put his trust in the boy.
The story of Catboy told through very different eyes.
“Hunter is a good read, and it is obvious that Walters has a very intimate knowledge of his subject
matter. He captures the tension between the different animals and humans quite well…I would
highly recommend Walters’ Hunter to be included in a public or school library collection.”
—CM Magazine
“An interesting experiment in collaborative creation and complementary storytelling.”
—Kirkus Reviews
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Middle readers 35
Quid Pro Quo
Safe House
The Solstice Cup
Vicki Grant
James Heneghan
Rachel Dunstan Muller
Cyril MacIntyre may only be thirteen years old, but he knows the law.
Liam is orphaned and alone, on the
run from vicious killers.
On a visit to Ireland, twin sisters are
lured into the “Otherworld.”
Rights Sold:
French—Rageot Editeur
Korean—Mirae Media
Rights Sold:
Danish—Lindhardt Og Ringhof
When the Curtain Rises
Orphan Ahwak
Emville Confidential
Raquel Rivera
Don Trembath
Magic, mystery and all the ice cream
you can eat!
When the hunted becomes the
hunter.
Baron dreams of being like his
favorite hard-boiled detectives.
Rights Sold:
Norwegian/Swedish book club—Stabenfeldt
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
www.orcabook.com
phone: 1-250-380-1229
fax: 1-250-380-1892
Orca Book
Publishers
Rights Catalogue— Nonfiction
Core Titles
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
2 nonfiction
The Great Bear Sea
Exploring the Marine Life of a Pacific Paradise
Ian McAllister and Nicholas Read
Photographs by Ian McAllister
Explore the relationship between the Great Bear Sea
and the rainforest it nourishes.
Paperback with flaps
Full-colour photos
128 pages · ages 8-14
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ollowing up the success of their first two books about the Great Bear Rainforest,
The Salmon Bears and The Sea Wolves, Ian McAllister and Nicholas Read take readers on an
expedition into the wondrous and mysterious underwater world of the Great Bear Sea. This
amazing part of the northeast Pacific Ocean is home to some of the planet’s mightiest and
most beloved residents: whales, sea lions, dolphins, orcas, sea otters and wild salmon. Filled
with spectacular images of this largely unknown part of the world, the book also explores
the uncertain future of the Great Bear Sea in this age of climate change, overfishing, pipelines and oil tankers. Can a rainforest full of rare spirit bears, fishing wolves and great grizzlies survive without a Great Bear Sea to feed and nourish it?
Green Earth Book Award nominee
Information Book Award nominee
Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize nominee
VOYA’s Perfect Ten list
“What sets The Great Bear Sea apart from other books of its ilk…is the bumptious energy of its
writing. Its spirit is that of two little boys, roaring around the seashore and calling to each other to
see the latest cool thing. A chatty, avuncular style and gift for accessible metaphors…sometimes
explode into sheer joy…The enthusiasm is contagious. Also distinctive is the book’s design. Unobtrusive text layout and a restrained use of sidebars make room for stunning photographs…This
is a book to read all the way through, to appreciate the big, amazing picture and serious message.”
—Quill & Quire, starred review
“Generous quantities of excellent nature photos include engaging close-ups of otter and seal faces,
dramatic shots of humpback whales and other finny mammals breaching, and particularly dazzling
close-ups of sea stars and other residents of intertidal zones. Along with plenty of eye candy,
though, the whole notion that a rainforest ecosystem doesn’t stop at the shoreline makes this
particularly valuable for students of ecology and environmental conservation. A handsome, welldesigned introduction.” —Booklist
“There’s an incredibly strong sense of place in the images and sensory detail in this presentation…
The book does a superb job of underlining the interconnectedness of life in the entire Great Bear
Rainforest ecosystem—including the sea—and leaves readers with a certainty that this unique
and spectacular place deserves our interest, our respect and our efforts to keep it intact. Highly
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
nonfiction 3
The Sea Wolves
Living Wild in the Great Bear Rainforest
These unique wolves swim like otters and fish like bears!
Full-colour photos
he Sea Wolves sets out to disprove the notion of “the Big Bad Wolf,” especially as it is
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applied to coastal wolves—a unique strain of wolf that lives in the rainforest along the
Pacific coast of Canada. Genetically distinct from their inland cousins and from wolves in
any other part of the world, coastal wolves can swim like otters and fish like the bears with
whom they share the rainforest. Smaller than the gray wolves that live on the other side of
the Coast Mountains, these wolves are highly social and fiercely intelligent creatures.
Living in the isolated wilderness of the Great Bear Rainforest, coastal wolves have also
enjoyed a unique relationship with man. The First Nations people, who have shared their
territory for thousands of years, do not see them as a nuisance species but instead have long
offered the wolf a place of respect and admiration within their culture.
Illustrated with almost one hundred of Ian McAllister’s magnificent photographs,
The Sea Wolves presents a strong case for the importance of preserving the Great Bear
Rainforest for the wolves, the bears and the other unique creatures that live there.
Red Maple nominee
January Magazine’s Best Books of 2010 selection
Lane Anderson Award finalist
Library Media Connection Editor’s Choice selection
VOYA’s Nonfiction Honor List
“A warm, informative introduction to a distinct strain of wolves that inhabit the British
Columbian coast…In succinct, conversational language, the authors present attention-grabbing
facts…[and] McAllister’s highly expressive, close-up photos of the beautiful animals hunting,
lounging, and nuzzling will easily draw browsers.” —Booklist
“This extensive, informative text is illustrated with remarkable photographs taken by
McAllister…They show the lush, old-growth forest and rocky shoreline and a variety of animals
that share this habitat, but the wolves are the stars: at rest, at play, on the prowl and catching
fish…Fascinating and useful.” —Kirkus Reviews
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
4 nonfiction
The Salmon Bears
Giants of the Great Bear Rainforest
Great bears need a great rainforest to survive.
Full-colour photos
96 pages · ages 8+
xtensively illustrated with Ian McAllister’s magnificent photographs, The Salmon Bears
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explores the delicate balance that exists between the grizzly, black and spirit bears that
inhabit the last great wilderness along the central coast of British Columbia and their natural
environment. Key to this relationship are the salmon that are born in the rivers each spring,
who then go out to sea as juveniles and return as adults to spawn and die, completing a cycle
of life that ensures the survival of not only their own species but also virtually every other
plant and animal in the rainforest.
In clear language suitable for young readers, the authors describe the day-to-day activities
that define the lives of these bears through the four seasons. But this is also very much the
story of the Great Bear Rainforest—a vast tract of land that stretches from the northern
tip of Vancouver Island to the Alaska border and contains some of the largest stands of oldgrowth forest left on the West Coast. The Salmon Bears focuses on the interconnectedness of
all life in the rainforest and makes a strong case for the importance of protecting this vital
ecological resource.
CYBIL Award nominee
Silver Birch Non-fiction Award nominee
BC Book Prize—Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize nominee
Quill & Quire Best of the Year selection
“This excellent book…[has] a sprightly narrative that takes the reader through a year in the
life of a bear…The illustrations for this book, a plentitude of photographs…are nothing short
of gorgeous.” —The Globe and Mail
“[An] evocative look at the big bears of the Great Bear Rainforest of British Columbia, and an
intriguing investigation of its ecological pattern of dependency…Superbly readable, informative,
and attractive, this book provides a clear picture of a pristine environment and its major
inhabitants.” —School Library Journal
“A thoroughly enjoyable and enlightening read. The text’s kid-friendly, informal tone helps
steer the way through a mass of information…The Salmon Bears shines a spotlight on a precious
national treasure and makes an impassioned case for protecting its future.” —Quill & Quire
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
nonfiction 5
City Critters
Wildlife in the Urban Jungle
Nicholas Read
What makes certain wild animals so eager to share our city lives?
hen we think of wild animals, we don’t immediately associate them with the cities we
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live in. But a closer look soon reveals that we share our urban environment with a great
many untamed creatures. Heavily illustrated with color photographs throughout and full of
Full-colour photos
144 pages · ages 8-12
entertaining and informative facts, City Critters examines how and why so many wild animals
choose to live in places that, on first glance at least, seem contrary to their needs.
How do those deer, raccoons, squirrels, skunks, coyotes, crows, gulls and geese—not to
mention the alligators, eagles, otters and snakes—manage to survive in the big city? What
special skills do city critters have that many of their wilderness cousins lack? Why have they
developed these skills? And what are our responsibilities in ensuring that these animals can
continue to share our city lives?
“A thought-provoking investigation of the growing number of animals sharing urban environments
with humans…Illustrated with numerous color photographs, Read demonstrates how human
developments affect animals’ abilities to thrive and survive, and leaves readers with plenty of food
for thought.” —Publishers Weekly
“Not a book to skim through as the conversational writing style is meticulous and rich with
fascinating anecdotes about various human/wildlife encounters. Read’s wry sense of humor infuses
many of the tales, but the serious nature of the topic is never underestimated…City Critters will add
significantly to the bank of knowledge on this topic by filling a spot that appears to be occupied by
only shorter, less comprehensive titles aimed at a younger audience. Highly Recommended.”
—CM Magazine
“[Read] presents a reasonably extensive menagerie of mammals, birds, reptiles and ‘creepy crawlies’
that urban or suburban U.S. and Canadian readers are more than likely to encounter…The mix
of close-up and mid-distance color photos on every spread present their subjects in fetching
poses…A broad, engagingly informal reminder that we are sharing our immediate surroundings, as
well as our world in general, with others.” —Kirkus Reviews
“The book manages to be unique without being overly sensational and is replete with factoids—
I learned some new tidbits, and I have a PhD in this field! It has a little something for everyone, from
younger kids newly interested in nature to teens and adults who may want to delve deeper into
the causes of and solutions to conflicts between humans and wildlife…we need resources
like this.” —The Chicago Reader
“Read includes information about familiar wildlife (raccoons, skunks, coyotes) and often overlooked
urban critters (rats, birds, turtles, butterflies, bees)…[City Critters] is geared for kids and would be
a great addition to school classrooms.” —The Vancouver Courier
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
6 nonfiction
Making Change
Tips from an Underage Overachiever
Bilaal Rajan
Foreword by Nigel Fisher, President and CEO of unicef Canada
Putting the fun back in fundraising!
“I want kids to find their passion, take action and know that they can do amazing things and make
a difference in the lives of others.”
—Bilaal Rajan
Rights Sold:
Korean—Myungjin Publications
“I’ve known Bilaal for many years. Making Change is both a road map, showing the route he has
traveled, and an invitation for others to follow. He is an inspiration, a role model, a dynamo and one
of my heroes.”
—Eric Walters
undraising wunderkind Bilaal Rajan shares his tips for effective fundraising, using
examples from his own amazing life to show how it can be done—and how you can have
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fun doing it. The second part of the book is a section entitled Eight Principles to Maximize
Your Full Potential, which includes exercises to help you identify and attain your dreams.
Bilaal Rajan started fundraising at the age of four, when he sold clementines to raise money
for the victims of an earthquake in India. Since then he has raised funds for children in
Southeast Asia, Haiti and Africa. In March 2005, Bilaal became the UNICEF Canada Child
Representative. He continues his fundraising efforts while attending school and traveling
the world spreading his message of hope. Bilaal lives in Toronto, Ontario, with his parents.
“[Bilaal] is humble, smart, hardworking, respectful and an example both to adults and children
alike…although the book focuses on guiding youth in their fundraising efforts, adults could also
learn much.” —CM Magazine
“Clearly, Rajan is an exceptional teen and has much to offer the world.”
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
nonfiction 7
When Elephants Fight
The Lives of Children in Conflict in
Afghanistan, Bosnia, Sri Lanka, Sudan
and Uganda
Eric Walters & Adrian Bradbury
There has never been a war fought that was started by children—or one that failed to harm them.
Children are the grass beneath the feet of the men, the tribes, the armies and the nations engaged in
armed conflict. Regardless of the winner—and there is a strong case to be made that war produces no
winners—the children always suffer.
96 pages · ages 8+
W
hen elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. This ancient proverb of the Kikuyu
people, a tribal group in Kenya, Africa, is as true today as when the words were first
spoken, perhaps thousands of years ago. Its essence is simplicity—when the large fight, it is
the small who suffer most. And when it comes to war, the smallest, the most vulnerable, are
the children.
When Elephants Fight presents the stories of five children—Annu, Jimmy, Nadja, Farooq
and Toma—from five very different and distinct conflicts—Sri Lanka, Uganda, Sarejevo,
Afghanistan and the Sudan. Along with these very personal accounts, the book also offers
brief analyses of the history and geopolitical issues that are the canvas on which these
conflicts are cast.
Eric Walters is one of Canada’s most successful writers for young readers with more than
sixty novels to his credit.
Adrian Bradbury is co-founder and director of GuluWalk, a foundation dedicated to
supporting the abandoned children of northern Uganda.
Canadian Children’s Book Center Best Books starred selection
Resource Links the Year’s Best Selection
“Bradbury’s personal experience with children in northern Uganda lends credence to these
narratives, and readers will share his sympathies with these innocent victims.” —Kirkus
“A thoughtful historical and political analysis to assist young readers—along with many an older
reader understandably confused by world events—in seeing how these conflicts arise…The
tales provide a fresh and vibrant voice that needs to be heard.” —Quill & Quire
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
8 nonfiction
Simon Says Gold
Simon Whitfield’s Pursuit of Athletic Excellence
Simon Whitfield with Cleve Dheensaw
The pursuit of excellence is its own reward.
Soon I caught Vuckovic, and not a moment too soon. There was only about a hundred metres remaining.
I flew past him, and he could not respond to my push. I was running away from him. Running toward
what felt like my destiny. Running toward Olympic glory and gold. Running toward a finish-line
banner that every Olympian dreams of crossing first.
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rom the moment Simon Whitfield burst onto the world stage at the Sydney 2000 Summer
Games, as triathlon’s first Olympic champion, his winning personality and stellar athletic
abilities have enthralled and inspired young people around the globe.
In Simon Says Gold, Whitfield describes his personal journey to Olympic glory as he
recounts not only that glorious day in Sydney, but also the anguish of failing to repeat as
Olympic champion in Athens in 2004, and his dramatic comeback at the Beijing 2008 Games,
when his exhilarating race to a silver medal enthralled millions of fans around the world.
Simon’s stories of the highs and lows of his running career will captivate readers young and
old, but his real message—that the simple pursuit of excellence is its own reward—will also
inspire and motivate. Not everyone can be an Olympian. Simon Whitfield believes that true
greatness is in performing to the best of one’s ability. The reward is in the effort, not the
outcome.
Simon Says Gold includes his instructions on training—his advice is bound to surprise
young athletes in any sport—and includes stories about family, friends, coaches, teachers
and mentors—all those who have had a lasting impact on his life and helped make him a
champion. Simon lives in Victoria, British Columbia.
“[Whitfield] tells his story with candor, and he sheds light on the dark side of early success
and the pressures athletes face…Participants and fans of track and field will enjoy Whitfield’s
insider’s perspective and cheer his determined comeback.” —School Library Journal
“[Simon’s] honesty about his failures and uncertainty, as well as the dizzying excitement of
victory, provides the drama in this action-packed biography.” —Booklist online
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
nonfiction 9
One Peace
True Stories of Young Activists
Janet Wilson
Children can change the world.
“We can’t change the whole world alone, but if I can teach people that if you put your hand in mine
and little by little we join more hands, maybe we can construct a new world.”
—Farlis Calle, age 15, Colombia
32 pages · ages 7+
Rights Sold:
Korean—Urikyouk
ne peace celebrates the “Power of One,” and specifically the accomplishments of children
O
from around the globe who have worked to promote world peace. Janet Wilson
challenges today’s children to strive to make a difference in this beautifully illustrated, factfilled and fascinating volume of portraits of many “heroes for today.”
Canadian Craig Kielburger, who started Free the Children to help victims of child labor
at the age of twelve, has been nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize. Farlis
Calle, forced to identify the body of a young friend—a victim of her country’s civil war—
started the Colombia Children’s Movement for Peace. At age ten, Kimmie Weeks, a refugee
from the Liberian civil war, came within a whisper of being buried in a mass grave. Almost
miraculously he survived and vowed to make a difference in the lives of other children.
At thirteen he established Voices of the Future, Liberia’s first child rights advocacy group.
Other portraits feature the accomplishments of children from Sarajevo, Japan, the United
Kingdom, Cambodia, Afghanistan and the United States. These moving testaments to the
courage and initiative of youth will inspire readers young and old.
Janet Wilson is an award-winning artist and author. Her awards include Best Illustrated
Book in the United States in 2004 for Jasper’s Day, Canadian Information Book of the Year
for her artwork in In Flander’s Fields, and she is the first non-Native artist to be awarded the
Native Reading Week Award for her illustrations in Solomon’s Tree (Orca, 2002).
Red Cedar nominee
Hackmatack nominee
Information Book Award winner
Smithsonian Notable Book for Children selection
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
10 nonfiction
Generation Us
The Challenge of Global Warming
Andrew Weaver
Global warming is not so much an environmental problem as an
economic and social problem.
n clear and accessible language, Generation Us explains the phenomenon of global
Isolution
warming, outlines the threat it presents to future generations and offers a path toward a
to the problem.
128 pages
Adult nonfiction
The reality of global warming has long been accepted within the scientific community,
yet it remains a hotly debated topic at the political and social level. Why is this? Is it the fact
that the ultimate effects of global warming will not be felt in our lifetimes? Do we really
feel no moral responsibility for future generations? Dr. Weaver, one of the world’s leading
experts in the field, contends that, just as humans have been responsible for creating the
problem of global warming, we must also be the solution.
Dr. Andrew J. Weaver is professor and Canada Research Chair in climate modeling and
analysis in the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of Victoria. He was a lead
author in the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, co-recipient of
the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. He is also the author of Keeping our Cool: Canada in a Warming
World (2008).
“A simply-worded, accessible explanation of climate change science, of the potential impacts
of climate change, what we can do about it, and the reasons why we should care…Never until
reading this book and talking with Weaver have I thought of global warming as an empowering
issue, but that’s one of Weaver’s talents: communicating the subject of climate change afresh.”
—Focus Magazine
“Weaver, one of Canada’s top climate scientists, offers a discussion of the complexities of
global warming, a discussion which is both concise and comprehensive…Teachers and students
in senior high (grades 10 through 12) science, geography, and environmental science courses
will find this is a useful resource, and senior high school libraries will probably want to acquire
more than one copy for their collections. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“Generation Us is like a climate change CliffNotes…This is a short, succinct, clear and readable
rendering of the science—followed by a passionate appeal for us all to move from ‘Generation
Me’ (which really seems to have outlasted its stylishness) to Generation Us, in which we
start taking seriously the opportunity we have to mitigate the climate damage that we have
already inflicted on future generations…For someone coming to this topic without any science
background, GenUs is a perfect introduction—and as such is an important addition to the
climate library.” —DeSmogBlog.com
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
nonfiction 11
Assault on Juno
Mark Zuehlke
awn, June 6, 1944. This is D-Day, the long-awaited Allied invasion of German-occupied
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Europe. The Allies will storm five beaches. One is code-named Juno Beach. Here, 14,500
Canadians will land on a five-mile stretch of sand backed by three resort towns. The beach
128 pages
Adult Nonfiction
is heavily protected by a seawall, barbed wire, underwater obstacles and hundreds of mines.
Behind these defenses a heavily armed German force waits inside thick concrete pillboxes
and deep trenches that bristle with machineguns and artillery pieces.
About 3,500 Canadians will lead the way. The fate of the invasion is in their hands.
They either break the German defenses or die trying.
With his trademark you-are-there style, acclaimed military historian Mark Zuehlke
plunges readers into a vivid and powerful account of the day-long battle that put the Allies
on the march toward victory in World War II.
“Assault on Juno, a detailed and poignant account of a horrific event, is accurate and well
researched. The intended readership should have no trouble with it. It is clearly written and easy
to understand. It is suitable for recreational reading, and, in the thoughtful reader, will raise many
questions about the futility of war and why so many young men had to die.” —CM Magazine
“An admirable monograph on a Canadian military achievement of WWII…This promising series
claims to be easy reading, and it certainly has succeeded so far in being accessible to those with
limited familiarity with the technicalities of military history, whether Canadian or not.” —Booklist
Ortona Street Fight
Mark Zuehlke
ecember 20, 1943. Two Canadian infantry battalions and a tank regiment stand poised
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on the outskirts of a small Italian port town. They expect to take Ortona quickly. But
the German 1st Parachute Division has other ideas. For reasons unknown, Hitler has ordered
Ortona held to the last man. Houses, churches and other buildings are dynamited, clogging
the streets with rubble. Germans with machine guns lie in ambush. Snipers slip from one
rooftop to another. The Canadians seem to have walked into a death trap. This is a battle
fought at close range, often hand to hand. Casualties on both sides are heavy. In the end, raw
courage and ingenuity save the Canadians.
Ortona Street Fight is a riveting telling of what is considered one of the most epic battles
that Canadian soldiers have ever fought.
144 pages
Adult Nonfiction
“True to the series’ intent, the book is light and fast-paced…Readers new to military history
will be genuinely moved by the courage and endurance of the soldiers and will learn about an
important chapter in our national heritage.” —Quill & Quire
“Zuehlke has an impressive way with battle descriptions and short, easy-to-understand
overviews of military tactics and strategy…A good place to start if you want to learn more
about the Second World War in Italy and Canada’s contribution to it.” —Alberta Views
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
www.orcabook.com
phone: 1-250-380-1229
fax: 1-250-380-1892
Orca Book
Publishers
Rights Catalogue— Footprints
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
2 Footprints
Brilliant!
Shining a Light on Sustainable Energy
Michelle Mulder
Innovative and sustainable energy sources light up
children’s lives around the world.
D
Rights Sold:
Korean—Greenfrog Publishing Co.
id you know that cars can run on french-fry grease or that human poop can be used
to provide power to classrooms? Kids in Mexico help light up their houses by playing
soccer, and in the Philippines, pop-bottle skylights are improving the quality of life for
thousands of families. Brilliant! is about what happens when you harness the power of
imagination and innovation: the world changes for the better! Full of examples of unusual
(and often peculiar) power sources, Brilliant! encourages kids to look around for new and
sustainable ways to light up the world.
“Environmental problems are treated as exciting opportunities for ingenuity, rather than a scary
future menace. Geothermal heat, wind, hydroelectric power, and the sun are all discussed as
potential alternate sources of energy, but biofuel is given the most attention. More cutting-edge
approaches, such as burning human waste or creating energy through play, encourage kids to
look for solutions in unexpected places.” —Booklist
“Mulder investigates our energy dependence and explains other environmentally friendly
possibilities in a fun, exciting, and optimistic manner…Clear language and catchy wordplay
in the sub-headings help make the science behind energy accessible…[Mulder’s] passion for
environmentalism is obvious and her enthusiasm contagious. Brilliant! will spark the interest of
many future innovators who can and will change the world.” —Quill & Quire
“An upbeat exploration of the often-curious world of alternative energy…The book is peppered
with exotic photographs, as well as quick-shooting boxed items, to catch the attention of busy
eyes. A smart, welcoming introduction to alternative fuels, one that puts the greater world in
readers’ hands.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Teeming with creative innovations from around the globe…The illustrations and colour photos
enhance the text, and the ‘Energy Facts’ and ‘Power Lines’ sections fill the spaces and create
more energy themselves!…This energetic book is a must-have for any school library. Highly
“A great addition to an elementary library as an excellent resource for students learning about
sustainable energy sources.” —Resource Links
“Mulder presents an objective, positive approach to teaching young people about traditional,
non-renewable sources of energy, and also about looking for alternative sources of renewable
energy, sometimes in unexpected places…An excellent choice for introducing children to the
variety of energy sources available today and to the complexities of the energy discussion.”
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Footprints 3
Every Last Drop
Bringing Clean Water Home
Michelle Mulder
Clean water is a precious resource in a thirsty world.
I
Rights Sold:
n the developed world, if you want a drink of water you just turn on a tap or open a
bottle. But for millions of families worldwide, finding clean water is a daily challenge,
and kids are often the ones responsible for carrying water to their homes. Every Last Drop
looks at why the world’s water resources are at risk and how communities around the
world are finding innovative ways to quench their thirst and water their crops. Maybe
you’re not ready to drink fog, as they do in Chile, or use water made from treated sewage,
but you can get a low-flush toilet, plant a tree, protect a wetland or just take shorter
showers. Every last drop counts!
Green Earth Book Award winner
Silver Birch Award nominee
Red Cedar nominee
“This engaging book takes on the important task of explaining clean drinking water to middle
school students…The writing style is a very accessible mixture of personal travel stories and
interesting facts…This well-written book will be a welcome addition to any classroom or
library collection. It will support any research on water usage and will be popular with students
interested in getting involved with environmental issues. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“Ideal for reports, the book is packed with great information on everything from the way
civilizations have collected and used water throughout history, sobering assessments of the
present and future availability of clean water, and intriguing solutions already employed, such
as fog catchers, or that are still in their experimental stages…Mulder is honest about the
emergency unfolding around this precious resource, and though the situation is fairly dire,
she empowers her readers by offering feasible suggestions that individuals can use to improve
things…An excellent resource on the topic.” —School Library Journal, starred review
“Young people will be amazed by the global initiatives: filtering arsenic-contaminated water
in Bangladesh with iron nails, harvesting fog to gather fresh water in Chile, and more. Catchy
‘Go with the Flow’ headings, startling water facts, and color photos of children collecting and
conserving water around the world make this high-interest reading.” —Booklist
“Mulder’s book will make readers stop and calculate…Lavishly illustrated with everything from
woodcuts to photographs, the book is far from downbeat and scolding…Mulder writes with a
clean, no-nonsense style…Informative, attractive and alarming—readers will think twice before
leaving the water running as they brush their teeth.” —Kirkus Reviews
“This accessible and engaging nonfiction book sheds important research about water around
the world. The author combines personal stories with interesting facts to raise awareness in an
effort to encourage personal responsibility about water usage…Classroom and school libraries
will want to include this important nonfiction book in a text set about sustainability of natural
resources.” —Reading Today online
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
4 Footprints
Pedal It!
How Bicycles are Changing the World
Michelle Mulder
Pedal power makes perfect sense.
edal It! celebrates the humble bicycle—from the very first boneshakers to the sleek
P
racing bikes of today, from handlebars to spokes to gear sprockets—and shows you
why and how bikes can make the world a better place. Not only can bikes be used to
Rights Sold:
Korean—Greenfrog Publishing Co..
power computers and generators, they can also reduce pollution, promote wellness and
get a package across a crowded city—fast! Informative but not didactic, Pedal It! encourages
young readers to be part of the joy of cycling.
Michelle Mulder is the author of several books for children, and she enjoys telling
the stories of kids who seize life’s opportunities. Michelle began writing for kids because she’s always loved reading children’s books. These days, when she’s not writing
or going on adventures, she enjoys reading, swimming, baking, hiking, and pedaling
her bicycle around Victoria, British Columbia, where she lives with her husband and
daughter. For more information about Michelle and her books, please visit her website
at www.michellemulder.com.
Information Book Award winner
OLA Best Bets
“Mulder’s evolutionary survey of the bicycle is, like the subject in question, a piece of many
parts: a cultural history, a course in mechanics, a soupçon of physics, a spotlight on economic
class and a springboard for innovation…Mulder twines the mechanics of bicycles with cultural
phenomenon, the environmental benefits of cycling and even the change in women’s
fashions…A smart, tangy history of our two-wheeled friend.” —Kirkus Reviews
“The introduction sets a personal tone that Mulder returns to throughout the book in the many
sidebars concerning her experiences and those of her friends and family…The quality of the
color photographs is quite good…The book’s international focus is valuable, and students will
find material here that is both interesting and potentially useful for reports.” —Booklist
“Mulder is a bike enthusiast who has written a hugely entertaining and informative nonfiction
book about bicycles…Hang onto your handlebars! Pedal It! is a must-read for kids and adults
alike. Now go dust off your bike!” —CM Magazine
“This very cool tome for inquisitive children shares a brief history of the bicycle, with interesting
facts…From Nepal to Kenya and many countries in between, bicycles are enabling people to run
home-based businesses and give them pedal power!” —The International Educator
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Footprints 5
Trash Talk
Moving Toward a Zero-Waste World
Michelle Mulder
Waste not, want not.
umans have always generated garbage, whether it’s a chewed-on bone or a broken
H
cell phone. Our landfills are overflowing, but with some creative thinking, stuff
we once threw away can become a collection of valuable resources just waiting to be
Rights Sold:
harvested. Trash Talk digs deep into the history of garbage, from Minoan trash pits to the
Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and uncovers some of the many innovative ways people all
over the world are dealing with waste.
“Mulder focuses not only on reducing consumption but also on how we can recoup some
of the energy and resources that are thrown away. Ingenious ideas like insulating homes with
jeans or weaving old fishing nets into carpeting are just a couple ideas that will spark readers'
imaginations. With full-color photos of kids in action and startling but fascinating trivia about
how much trash the world's population produces, this offers a very compelling argument for
conservation.” —Booklist
“Both a history of trash and a manual of its elimination (or diminution, at least), this nifty book
covers a variety of topics…Employing readable language, Mulder chronicles the development
of garbage disposal and goes on to castigate our throw-it-away-and-buy-a-new-one way of
thinking…Colorful photos record garbage issues around the world and innovative solutions
to cope with this mountainous problem…An informative call to action for young greenies.”
“Mulder tells the garbage story in clean and engrossing prose, complemented by stock artwork
and photographs…Mulder provides all sorts of alternatives to incineration, landfills and ocean
dumping…Enclosed in these pages is plenty of food for thought and examples for direct action.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“The text is written in a conversational style which will appeal to readers. 'Trash Facts'
provide additional trivia while colour photographs, perfectly suited to the text, add to the
reader's understanding of the concepts presented…An interesting, thought-provoking book
that might inspire some readers to spark some environmental initiatives of their own. Highly
“I look forward with great anticipation to each new Orca Footprints [title]. They have been
beautifully designed, well researched and blessed with terrific writing. This one is no exception…
[Mulder] includes personal observations and anecdotes from her travels and from her life in
Victoria today to make us cognizant of simple solutions to some of the ways in which we
dispose of unwanted and unneeded objects. The 'Trash Facts' are interesting and inspiring.
A wealth of impressive color photos, a table of contents, an index and a list of additional books,
movies and websites add to the appeal and to the value.” —Sal's Fiction Addiction blog
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
6 Footprints
Down To Earth
How Kids Help Feed the World
Nikki Tate
Fun, factual and fresh off the farm.
ids all over the world help collect seeds, weed gardens, milk goats and herd ducks.
K
From a balcony garden with pots of lettuce to a farm with hundreds of cows, kids can
pitch in to bring the best and freshest products to their families’ tables—and to market.
Rights Sold:
Loaded with accessible information about the many facets of farming, Down to Earth takes
a close look at everything from what an egg carton tells you to why genetic diversity
matters—even to kids.
Nikki Tate was born in Birmingham, England, but spent her childhood roaming the
globe. She is the author of nearly 20 books for young readers, many of which are about
horses, and has been translated into Czech, Finnish, German, Hungarian, Norwegian
and Swedish. Nikki has always enjoyed both writing and telling stories, as well as camping, kayaking and horseback riding. She currently hosts a book club called “Teens, Titles
and Tate” on CBC Radio’s All Points West. Nikki lives with her family (and her collection
of goats, ponies, dogs, cats and assorted feathered friends) on Vancouver Island in British
Columbia. Visit Nikki’s website www.nikkitate.com for more information.
“Handsomely designed with many high-quality photographs…This could be useful as an
introduction to food sources and the importance of local farms, and could inspire some to try
their hand at growing or raising a thing or two.” —Booklist online
“[Footprints] feature accessible texts, appealing layouts, and global perspectives…Down to
Earth investigates how youngsters help to produce, prepare, and distribute food…Engagingly
written…[and] filled with fun facts and well-captioned photos that provide alluring glimpses into
different cultures and locales…[An] inviting choice for informing and inspiring curious readers
and world citizens.” —School Library Journal
“Packed with information about the many types of food grown and how domestic animals are
raised around the world…The most interesting parts that spotlight children, however, are the
inserts about the author’s farm, Dark Creek Farm…[where] readers learn more personally
engaging and specific information about aspects of food production which would favor roles
for kids and which young readers could identify with…The greatest value in this book may be
to change the perception of young readers still under the illusion that food comes from the
nearest grocery store.” —CM Magazine
“Connecting kids who may be more used to a supermarket than a farm with the production of
their food is a challenge that Tate gamely takes on…Photographs of children all over the world
helping with both produce and livestock provides an important piece to the puzzle, as does the
dense saturation of interesting facts and typically detailed captions…With well-chosen variety
of issues related to food—including genetic diversity, organic farming, food costs, sustenance,
staple crops, multiple uses for livestock and their products, breeding, and marketing—the
coverage of the book is vast, especially for only 48 pages.” —Reading Today online
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Footprints 7
Take Shelter
At Home Around the World
Nikki Tate & Dani Tate-Stratton
Home is where the heart is.
roof, a door, some windows, a floor. All houses have them, but not all houses are alike.
A
Some have wings (airplane homes), some have wheels (Romany vardoes), some float;
some are made of straw, some of snow and ice. Some are enormous, some are tiny; some
Rights Sold:
are permanent and some are temporary. But all are home. Take Shelter explores the way
people live all over the world and beyond—from the Arctic to the Antarctic, from an underground house in Las Vegas to the International Space Station. Everywhere people live, they
adapt to their surroundings and create unique environments, using innovative techniques
to provide that most basic of needs: shelter.
Children's Literature Roundtables of Canada's Information Book Award
nominee
Red Cedar nominee
“Full-color photographs celebrate the world’s most unusual and amazing dwellings. A home is
much more than a composition of building materials, and this book is an appealing introduction
to a case study in cultural anthropology.” —Booklist
“Once you start thinking of your home as a sanctuary, then your ingenuity can run pretty wild,
as seen in this global tour of dwellings…Destitution is not the Tates’ point. It is to show how
people have used the materials at their disposal to fashion creative and wildly diverse dwellings…
The photographs are key: They convey a sense of place, evoking places where readers could
imagine unfurling their bedrolls…The supplementary text provides setting and logistical
peculiarities, but more than that, it provides anecdotes about the homes…’Sanctuary’ springs
from the Latin sanctus, or holy—and the Tates have kept that well in mind.” —Kirkus Reviews
“What makes a house a home? Using accessible text and inviting photography, mother-daughter
team Tate and Tate-Stratton take readers on a tour of homes, celebrating the diversity of
structures that different groups of people, in the past and the present, have constructed around
the world (and in outer space: the International Space Station is also mentioned)…An appealing
and accessible addition to a global studies curriculum.” —School Library Journal
“A perfect resource for any student learning about homes around the world. The text is both
interesting and well-researched. The writing style is straightforward and filled with appealing
tidbits. All the photos include descriptive captions…Every school library will want this
informative book. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“This book has universal appeal and is of interest to all ages because everyone rich and poor
needs a place to 'hang their hat.' This book is highly recommended for both school and public
libraries. It is an excellent resource for learning units about community, architecture, sustainability
and social issues.” —Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
www.orcabook.com
phone: 1-250-380-1229
fax: 1-250-380-1892
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Orca Book
Publishers
Rights Catalogue— Limelights
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
2 Limelights
Rock the Boat
Sigmund Brouwer
Webb didn’t come to Nashville to get ripped off.
ebb believes that if you want to reach your dreams, you have to live life loud. Bring the
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roof down. Rock the boat. Make sure that when you look back, you have no regrets.
But when a shady music producer steals one of Webb’s songs, Webb finds out how hard it
is for a kid on his own in Nashville to get justice. With the help of an unlikely ally, Webb
discovers that he has what it takes to succeed: talent, determination and some good friends.
Sigmund Brouwer is the bestselling author of numerous books for children and adults,
including Rock & Roll Literacy and titles in the Orca Echoes, Orca Currents and Orca Sports
series. Sigmund is the author of two previous books about Jim Webb: Devil’s Pass (Seven the
Series), and Tin Soldier (The Seven Sequels). Visit his websites, www.rockandroll-literacy.com
and www.sigmundbrouwer.com, for information about Sigmund’s books and school presentations. Sigmund and his family divide their time between his hometown of Red Deer, Alberta,
and Nashville, Tennessee.
“Brouwer keeps both chapters and book as short as possible; despite this, his characters shine
as individuals, and clearly he has done his research on the dangers the music world poses for
new talent…A quick read for music lovers.” —Kirkus Reviews
“A quick, easy and compelling narrative appealing to both genders. Although it is aimed at
eleven to fourteen-year-olds, the simple vocabulary, short sentences and brief chapters make it
accessible to much younger readers.” —Resource Links
“Will hook readers from the first chapter…True to life and easy to grasp…A suspenseful
plot, fascinating details, and a likable protagonist make this title a wonderful addition to hi-lo
“A fast-moving, easy and enjoyable reading experience that will appeal to many readers. The
vocabulary is at-level, but the quick pace and shorter chapters will appeal to reluctant readers
who will have a sense of accomplishment when they finish this book…Readers will be cheering
for Dean's demise, and they won't be left disappointed in the end.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Limelights 3
Cut the Lights
Karen Krossing
Is the play cursed or is Briar just a lousy director?
B
riar has a vision for the one-act play she’s been chosen to direct at her high school.
She’s going to create a masterpiece. If only everyone involved in the production
shared her vision. Her leading lady is gifted but troubled, her leading man has a crush on
the leading lady, her stage manager doesn’t have a clue, and her best friend, who wrote the
play, is worried that Briar’s production is cursed. As Briar struggles to motivate her cast
and crew, she learns some important truths about the fine art of directing.
Karen Krossing grew up in Thornhill, Ontario, with a family who loved to read. She
began to create stories when she was eight, and she continued this habit by writing poetry
in high school. By then she was hooked on books, so she studied English at university
then became a book editor and a technical writer before she began to write novels and
short stories for children and teens. Karen also encourages new writers through workshops for kids, teens and adults. She lives with her family in Toronto, Ontario. For more
information, visit www.karenkrossing.com.
“This entry into the Limelights line is one of [Orca’s] finest offerings…Krossing has done
her research, filling her story with specifics…that any young thespian will recognize. A ticking
clock…lends a level of tension greater than that of many books with higher stakes.”
—Booklist, starred review
“A fast-paced read…Cut the Lights builds to a satisfying conclusion and will appeal not only to
budding performers, but also to any teen who has ever felt misunderstood.”
“A realistic portrayal of theatre work…[and] an excellent representation of a teenager who
has high expectations for herself and others…Krossing shows that, while teenagers have goals
and dreams, there are compromises that have to be made in order to succeed, especially when
other people are involved in order to fulfill that dream. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
4 Limelights
Hot New Thing
Laura Langston
Fame comes with a hefty price tag
L
ily is discovered by a big-name director when she’s auditioning for a role in a toothpaste commercial. He wants her for his new movie, which is great except for the fact
that it’s shooting in Los Angeles and Lily lives in Vancouver. With the help of her Chinese
grandmother, she convinces her parents to let her go to LA with her agent as a chaperone.
But when she gets there, she finds out that if she wants to be more than the flavor of the
week, she’s going to have to pay a price that may be way too high.
Laura Langston is the award-winning author of fifteen internationally acclaimed books
for children and young adults. A former journalist with the CBC, Laura also writes
non-fiction for such publications as Canadian Gardening magazine. When she’s not
writing, reading or walking her Shetland sheepdog, she can be found in the garden or
the kitchen. Laura lives with her family and assorted pets in Victoria, British Columbia.
Visit www.lauralangston.com for more information.
“In Lily, Langston has created an authentic, lively character with whom readers will be able to
relate. The realistic portrayal of the acting scenes also adds tension and depth to the story.”
—CM Magazine
“Lily is a likeable character and readers will enjoy this story of her freshness…Readers who are
interested in acting or the dream of a career in the arts will enjoy this story.” —Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Limelights 5
Warm Up
Sara Leach
Without passion, dance is just a bunch of steps.
J
asmine used to love dance. Now she struggles to hold on to that love as her dance
team trains for a big competition. Her teammates are bickering, and when their
teacher suggests that Jasmine might not have what it takes to be on the team, Jasmine
is ready to quit. At a particularly rough practice, she channels her anger into her moves,
surprising everyone, including herself, with how well she dances. But the team is still
falling apart, and it’s up to Jasmine to figure out a way to get her teammates to work
together and celebrate the joy of dance
Sara Leach is a writer and teacher-librarian in Whistler, British Columbia. She loves
hiking the nearby alpine trails with her husband and two children. Fortunately, they
have never been stranded in any mountain huts, although they have endured many rainy
days. For more information, visit www.saraleach.com.
“Leach provides a compelling story of emotional growth while giving readers an authentic
view of contemporary dance and competition…The smooth, graceful writing matches the
subject nicely…As with most books from this publisher, its brevity never takes away from good
storytelling.” —Booklist
“A sweet story that will surely leave a smile on your face. Not only does it capture the beauty
and emotion of dance, but also the power of friendship…You will not want to put the book
down as you wait for the characters in the book to come together as a true team. This book is
simply a sweet, refreshing breath of fresh air.” —SLJ Teen reviewer
“Dancers will find this book enjoyable and non-dancers will learn about the finesse of the art…
Jasmine's character shows great inner strength under adversity and is a positive model for teen
girls on how to handle bullying.” —Southwestern Ohio Young Adult Materials Review Group
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
6 Limelights
Off Pointe
Leanne Lieberman
Camp Dance is all about taking the types of risks Meg
has spent her life avoiding.
hen Meg’s summer ballet program is canceled and her ballet teacher suggests she
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attend Camp Dance to learn new dance styles, Meg is devastated. Worse still, her
teacher thinks she lacks stage presence and needs to connect more with her audience. At
camp, Meg struggles to learn contemporary dance. A girl named Logan, who is jealous of
Meg’s ballet technique and her friendship with Nio, a cute contemporary dancer, makes Meg’s
life even more difficult. When Meg, Nio and Logan have to work together to create a piece for
the final show, arguments threaten to ruin their dance. Unless they are able to overcome their
differences, Meg’s time at Camp Dance will have been a disaster from start to finish.
Leanne Lieberman is the author of four books for young adults, Gravity, The Book of
Trees, Lauren Yanofsky Hates the Holocaust and Off Pointe. She lives in Kingston, Ontario,
with her husband and two sons. For more information, www.leannelieberman.com.
“A quick, easy, realistic read, ideal for reluctant readers interested in dance and a little romance.”
—Booklist
“Sure to hit the mark with readers looking for an informed and genuine approach to ballet and
growing one’s repertoire.” —Resource Links
“Told from an easy-to-engage, first-person perspective…The journey may be bittersweet, but
the message is one of hope and encouragement: no success without failure, no learning without
doing, no joy without daring.” —VOYA
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Limelights 7
Honeycomb
Patricia McCowan
How can Nat create harmony
when she doesn’t trust her own voice?
hen Nat, her best friend Jess and singing-star wannabe Harper sing together, their
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harmonies bring down the house. For Nat, the experience sparks a driving new
desire to perform. But when the girls form a trio and enter a contest for a chance to play
at the Tall Grass Music Festival, Nat finds that harmony—musical and otherwise—is hard
to maintain. Her bandmates almost never agree, her new boyfriend starts behaving more
like a non-boyfriend, and the trio’s famous-musician mentor doesn’t even like the way Nat
breathes. Every day, Nat’s dream of performing at Tall Grass seems farther away, and she
questions whether she has what it takes to get there.
Patricia McCowan originally wanted to be an actor. She took acting classes as a kid, was
a drama-club nerd in high school and studied acting at the University of Winnipeg and
the Banff Centre. After acting for a while (and then becoming a mom), she directed her
creative energies to writing. Her short stories have appeared in YA anthologies, as well as
in print and online magazines. For more information, visit www.patriciamccowan.com.
“With minimal adult guidance, the girls learn specific elements of their craft, how to navigate
opportunities in the music industry and how to work together, even coming to understand that
their arguments are a natural part of the music-making process. A fast-paced narrative set to
the tune of talented-teen melodrama.” —Kirkus Reviews
“The journey may be bittersweet, but the message is one of hope and encouragement: no
success without failure, no learning without doing, no joy without daring.” —VOYA
“Emphasize[s] the necessity of cooperation and persistence, as well as the importance of
education and family…Will appeal to reluctant readers, especially those with an interest in the
performing arts.” —School Library Journal
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
8 Limelights
Learning the Ropes
Monique Polak
You can’t make it to the top if you’re afraid to fall.
andy dreams of a career in the circus, working as an aerialist who specializes in
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rope climbing. When she is accepted into the prestigious Montreal Circus College
summer program, she feels that she is finally on her way to fulfilling her dreams. At circus
camp she is befriended—and challenged—by young circus performers from around the
world. Circus camp turns out to be a magical combination of work and play, but when a
veteran aerialist is killed in a fall, Mandy must confront the reality of circus life.
Learning the Ropes is Monique Polak’s seventeenth novel for young adults. Her historical
novel What World is Left won the 2009 Quebec Writers’ Federation Prize for Children’s and
Young Adult Literature. Monique is also a journalist whose work appears regularly in the
Montreal Gazette and in Postmedia publications across Canada. She has been teaching
English literature and humanities at Marianopolis College in Montreal, Quebec, for
thirty years. Monique lives in Montreal with her husband. For more information, visit
www.moniquepolak.com.
“An inspirational story…[that] tackles more than perseverance and ambition…[including]
female competition, body image, and the pressure of gender expectations for young girls in
society…The [Orca Limelights] stories are quick, bite-sized reads, but they pack a punch—the
well-developed stories have relatable characters and entertaining plots. This book will appeal to
a diverse audience of young female readers.” —VOYA
“With her strong dialogue and consistent narrative voice, Monique Polak succeeds in convincing
the reader that a fifteen-year-old really is telling the story…Even if the YA reader is not interested
in circus arts or gymnastics, this book is still a guaranteed fun read.” —Montreal Review of Books
“One of a growing number of novellas focused on teens trying to become professional
entertainers, and the choice of the circus as its subject certainly pops the book out of the norm.
Full of interesting and varied characters, the story stands up well, and the author describes the
difficult aerial maneuvers vividly. A quick read with a fascinating focus.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Will hook readers from the first chapter…True to life and easy to grasp…A suspenseful
plot, fascinating details, and a likable protagonist make this title a wonderful addition to hi-lo
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Limelights 9
The Frail Days
Stella Wing wants to rock, but everyone else wants to rap.
ixteen-year-old drummer Stella, guitarist Jacob and bassist Miles need a wild singer
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for their old-school rock band. When they discover nerdy Tamara Donnelly, who
nails the national anthem at a baseball game, Stella is not convinced Tamara’s sound is
right for the band. Stella wants to turn Tamara into a rock goddess, but Tamara proves
to be a confident performer who has her own ideas about music and what it means to be
cool. When their band, the Frail Days, starts to build a local following, Stella and Tamara
clash over the direction the band should take, forcing them to consider what true musical
collaboration means.
Gabrielle Prendergast is a uk-born Canadian/Australian who lives in Vancouver, British
Columbia, with her husband and daughter. She holds an mfa in Creative Writing from the
University of British Columbia. A part-time teacher and mentor, Gabrielle is the author of
the verse novels Capricious and Audacious, which was shortlisted for a cla Award. Gabrielle
blogs and rants at www.angelhorn.com and www.versenovels.com.
“Prendergast displays excellent insight into what makes young artists tick in this short novella.
Characterization is deftly done: Stella has an attractively rebellious edge to her personality, and
Tamara's character grows naturally in confidence. Punchy, insightful and great for music lovers.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“The dialogue is authentic, and the vocabulary is varied, interesting and appropriate for the
intended audience. Characters are realistic, and the plot is believable. The theme of performing
and finding a voice is well explored in this novel…The Frail Days would appeal to a variety of
readers, including readers of music, relationships and realistic fiction. Highly Recommended.”
—CM Magazine
“While the themes are serious, the lively first person narrative by the iconoclastic Stella
(piercings, fire-engine red hair, different fake tattoos every week) makes this a dynamic and
funny novel.” —Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
10 Limelights
Big Time
Tom Ryan
Sometimes you have to fail before you can succeed.
G
erri waits outside all night to audition for Big Time, her favorite tv singing competition. She believes she has a shot at success, but when she’s insulted by one of the
judges and kicked out of the competition, she thinks she’ll probably never sing again.
After a teacher at her school asks her to join a choral club, Gerri reluctantly gets involved.
Even though she can’t read music and she doesn’t know the other kids, she finds herself
enjoying the group and learning a lot about music. A cute guy she met at the Big Time
auditions joins the group, and when they perform their unique mashups at an open-mic
night, Gerri realizes there’s more than one way to be a successful—and happy—singer!
Rights Sold:
Finnish book club*
Swedish book club*
German book club*
* Stabenfeldt
Tom Ryan was born and raised in Inverness, on Cape Breton Island. He spent his childhood reading, wandering the countryside, making up stories and bossing around his
younger brothers. After high school, he studied English at Mount Allison University and
then moved to Halifax, where he studied film production
“Readers will want to ride along for the high hopes and disappointments, as well as the selfdiscovery that is part of Gerri’s journey to embrace and polish her talent.” —Publishers Weekly
“A feel-good story that is all about a love of music and following one’s dreams.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Limelights 11
Totally Unrelated
Tom Ryan
When you step into the spotlight, you have to expect some heat.
N
eil plays guitar with his family’s band, the Family McClintock, even though he can’t
stand the Celtic music they play, he doesn’t dance, he hates the outfits, and every single
performance reminds him that he isn’t as talented as the rest of the family. When his buddy
Bert convinces him to form a rock band and enter a local talent show, Neil’s playing
improves and everyone notices. He starts to think that all those years of practice might
come in handy after all. But it all comes to a head when Neil has to choose between an
important gig with the family band and the talent show. He’s only sure of one thing:
whatever he decides to do, he’s going to be letting someone down..
“Ryan writes well, and there’s a positive underlying message about following your own path
while honouring other responsibilities and commitments.” —Quill & Quire
“Neil’s voice is honest, with a touch of sarcasm and lack of self-perception that is appropriate
for this age. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“Ryan uses simple language to create rich characters that stick with you long after you are
finished reading the story.” —Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
12 Limelights
Attitude
Robin Stevenson
There’s more to ballet than pink pointe shoes and tutus.
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hen Cassie comes to Vancouver from Australia for an intensive summer program
at a prestigious ballet school, she finds it hard to fit in. A clique of girls who have
been at the school a long time don’t want the newcomers to get any attention. At first
Cassie tries to go along to get along, but when she realizes that some of the visiting
summer students are being bullied and threatened, and that she herself is being
sabotaged, she finally speaks out—and finds out how far some girls will go to succeed.
Rights Sold:
Swedish book club*
Finnish book club*
German book club*
Australia/New Zealand book club*
* Stabenfeldt
Robin Stevenson is the author of multiple books for children and teens. She spends
most of her time writing, hanging out with her homeschooled son, and teaching creative
writing to adults, teens and kids. She lives in Victoria, British Columbia, with her
family. For more information, visit www.robinstevenson.com. Robin loves to hear from
readers—and she always writes back.
“Stevenson creates an authentic picture of what it is like for young dancers participating in
ballet programs…The novel is engaging and rich with detail about the competitive world of
aspiring dancers, and readers who are dancers, or who have an interest in dance, will appreciate
this fascinating behind-the-scenes look at ballet…This innovative series offers something for
all kinds of readers whether they are directly involved in the performing arts or not. They are
short, fast-paced and well executed.” —Canadian Children’s Book News
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Limelights 13
Forcing the Ace
Erin Thomas
Sometimes the real magic happens offstage.
lex wants to enter the Silver Stage magic competition, but he needs a sponsor. Jack,
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a veteran card wizard, is willing to take on the role, but only if Alex agrees to team up
with Zoe, another young magician—and Alex’s rival. Working with Jack and sharing the
spotlight with Zoe, Alex comes to see that there are other ways to be a magician besides
competing—and that magic is about entertaining people, not fooling them.
Erin Thomas is the author of several books for children and teens. She lives in Whitby,
Ontario, with her husband, their daughter, a small gray cat and a large black dog. For
more information, visit www.erinthomas.ca.
“Thomas has researched extensively, and magic becomes an effective backdrop for well-written
characters and intriguing plotting. This novel is a convincing sleight of hand, with a carefully
finessed reveal of meaningful life lessons.” —Resource Links
“An important story of growing up and finding meaning in the profession you aspire to. Many
teens will go through similar anxieties and uncertainties to those that Alex goes through during
the magic competition. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“Short sentences and chapters make this perfect for reluctant readers. Within that format, the
author is able to create interesting characters and a convincing story. Eventually, Alex comes
full circle, learning that performing magic is a way to bring joy to others rather than performing
for the sake of winning. This book is a perfect addition to libraries needing hi/lo titles.”
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
www.orcabook.com
phone: 1-250-380-1229
fax: 1-250-380-1892
Orca Book
Publishers
Rights Catalogue— Currents
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
2 Currents
Orca Currents are short, high-interest novels with contemporary themes, written expressly for middle-school
students reading below grade level.
• Interest level: ages 10 –14
• Age-appropriate themes
• Contemporary, compelling stories
• Short, high-interest novels
• Accelerated Reader selections
• Bestselling authors
“[Pigboy] is a great quick read for boys who may be reluctant readers, but others will enjoy it as well.”
“Pigboy…is perfect for reluctant readers, and Vicki Grant has written a very enjoyable read. ‘Orca Currents’ books aim
to have high appeal for hard-to-reach male readers, and this book definitely fits that mold.” —CM Magazine
“If you are looking for short, high-interest novels, check these out.” —About.com
“See No Evil is an exciting story about right and wrong and the gray areas in between, with compelling characters and a
plot that is right out of today’s headlines. It’s a quick, easy read, in a book size that will appeal to those reluctant readers…and it’s guaranteed to keep their attention riveted on the story to the very end.” —TeensReadToo.com
“See No Evil is a fast-paced, event-driven story—a page-turner for kids who are beginning to read at this level and for
reluctant readers. Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“Mirror Image is an enjoyable glance at what’s beneath stereotypical images of popularity and failure…fast and funny.”
—Booklist
“Swiped is a fast-paced, well-written book, written in a simple style for young readers.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Currents 3
Fraud Squad
Michele Martin Bossley
hen Trevor, Nick and Robyn visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum, Robyn is inspired to raise
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funds for a dinosaur dig that will close soon if it doesn’t find funding. The kids are
caught up in another mystery when a chain of suspicious events, including the disappearance
of important fossils and a fraudulent discovery at the dig, leads them to wonder what’s going
on. Is the new visiting scientist behind the fraud, or did Robyn’s enthusiasm to save the dig
lead her astray?
Bio-pirate
revor, Nick and Robyn decide they have a mystery to solve when Trevor discovers a suspicious looking young man snooping around. They learn about missing research involving
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the use of carob beans to aid in cancer treatment—potentially valuable information. With a
shady looking grad student, a bitter activist and an employee of a medical research firm to
deal with, our amateur sleuths are faced with their greatest challenge yet.
Tampered
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revor has started his first job at Ashton’s Fresh Marketplace, where someone has been
tampering with the food. Cayenne has been sprinkled on cookies, garlic put in coffee,
and plastic insects hidden in fruit displays to terrify customers. Trevor and his friends Nick
and Robyn decide to find out who is out to destroy the store’s reputation. Is it Mattie, the
disgruntled ex-employee? Or perhaps the competition? Or is it Alex, their schoolmate who
doesn’t know when a joke has gone too far? Their snooping makes the kids themselves seem
suspicious, and soon they realize they have to solve the mystery before Trevor gets fired for
a crime he didn’t commit.
“A finely crafted story, one in which readers, along with Trevor, will overcome obstacles to find
that truth and justice prevail. The novel’s a page turner, and I highly recommended to both school
and public libraries for their teen collections.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
4 Currents
Cracked
revor, Nick and Robyn are ready to solve another mystery. When bobsledder Josh Gantz
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is accused of deliberately injuring a fellow competitor, he runs the risk of being thrown
out of the sport—right before the World Cup. Courtney Gantz asks Trevor, Nick and Robyn
to help clear her brother’s name. Can they find out who framed Josh? What is the meaning
of the strange coded messages they keep finding around Olympic Park? Who eats orange
bananas, anyway? The kids must unearth the clues in a race against time, before Josh’s championship dreams end up on ice.
“Another whodunit thriller…keeps the reader engaged. Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Swiped
ould-be detectives Trevor, Nick and Robyn are hot on the trail of a sandwich thief
when they learn that more than food has been going missing at school. A valuable
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hockey book has been stolen from the library and the kids worry that the librarian might lose
her job if it isn’t found. Who would steal a hockey book? Could it be Robyn’s arch-nemesis
and hockey enthusiast Cray? Or could it be Ms. Thorson, the Oilers fan teacher? The kids
are determined to solve these mysteries even though their sleuthing efforts land them into
trouble at every turn.
“A great read for anyone but certain to catch the eye and interest of reluctant readers.” —VOYA
Bear Market
hile volunteering at the local zoo, Trevor, Nick and Robyn learn that grizzly bears are
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being poached and their gall bladders removed for use in alternative medicine. Always
ready to solve a mystery, the kids set out to find the poachers. Bear is not only big game, they
learn, but big money to poachers. The stakes are high and the suspects many, as the kids
head into their most dangerous adventure yet.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Currents 5
Sewer Rats
Sigmund Brouwer
im, Micky and Lisa belong to a secret club called the Sewer Rats. Every Saturday
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the Sewer Rats reign supreme in paintball wars held in the city’s storm drain system.
The new kid, Carter, wants to join, but Lisa doesn’t want him in the club. When Carter
is hurt in his first paintball war, Jim and Mickey suspect that Lisa planned the accident.
They try to confront her, but she runs into the tunnels just as a rainstorm begins. Jim and
Mickey have to get Lisa out before the tunnels fill with water.
Wired
Sigmund Brouwer
eegan Bishop, championship skier, is almost injured in a dangerous trap set for one of
his teammates. Snowboard tracks leading away from the trap are the only clue as to
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who might be responsible. Keegan teaches himself to snowboard so he can find the culprit
on the snowboarding slopes. When Keegan discovers that someone has been stealing
snowboards and skis at Bear Mountain resort, and the girl he’s just met is somehow
involved, he must face his fears and test his new snowboarding skills in a run for safety.
“Wired’s fast-paced plot and element of mystery will appeal to readers. Recommended.”
—Canadian Book Review Annual
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
6 Currents
Alibi
Kristin Butcher
ifteen-year-old Christine is visiting her eccentric great-aunt in historic Witcombe, where a
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pickpocket has been victimizing tourists. Aunt Maude owns an antique store and also runs
the town’s ghost walk, which gives Christine the opportunity to meet local characters and visitors, including a mysterious young man who seems to know far too much about the crimes.
When the pickpocket targets Aunt Maude’s store, Christine is determined to find out who is
behind the thefts. Her search unearths more than one surprise.
“Once again, Kristin Butcher has created a protagonist teen readers will readily identify with.”
—Resource Links
“A very well-written mystery young readers will enjoy as it is filled with suspense and adventure.
Cabin Girl
Kristin Butcher
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ixteen-year-old Bailey is working at her first summer job, as a cabin girl at a fly-in fishing
camp at Witch Lake. She struggles with the job at first but enjoys hearing the stories
of the area, including the legend of a local ghost. Then April, an older waitress with street
smarts, takes Bailey under her wing and the two girls become friends. It’s all good until
another waitress burns her arm and has to leave. Bailey gets a sudden promotion, and April is
asked to help clean the cabins. April becomes far from friendly and Bailey finds herself alone
again and messing up on the job—and possibly seeing the ghost.
“Appealing and approachable…This story of a balanced, relatable heroine respects its readers, giving them
a novel serious in tone, smartly paced, and skillfully executed.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Caching In
Kristin Butcher
E
ric and Chris are avid geocachers who stumble into a very strange search for a series
of geocaches. At first they are merely curious, but as the stakes rise and the challenges
become more trying, the boys get truly hooked. Convinced they are indeed on the trail of
treasure, they become consumed with the search, and though their quest tests their strength,
intelligence, courage and even their friendship, they don’t give up.
“The novel very convincingly captures an adolescent perspective and the nuances of friendship at
this age…Readers will also appreciate the twist in the plot at the end as the boys come face to
face with a rival before their adventure reaches a satisfying conclusion.” —CM Magazine
“Budding Dan Brown fans will enjoy the ride of this fast-paced, plot-driven narrative.”
—The Horn Book
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Currents 7
Chat Room
Kristin Butcher
inda is shy and avoids getting involved at school. But when her high school sets up
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online chat rooms she can’t resist the urge to visit them. Fuelled by interest in a
student with the nickname Cyrano, Linda participates in online conversations using the
nickname Roxanne and gains a reputation as the queen of one-liners. Soon Linda starts
receiving gifts from a secret admirer who signs his gifts, “C.” She is certain that her life
has taken a turn for the better until “C” reveals his true identity.
Cheat
Kristin Butcher
L
aurel discovers her passion for investigative journalism when she writes an article for
her school paper about the homeless man who’s been living at the school. Eager to
write more articles with impact, she launches an investigation of a cheating scam at her
high school. Laurel’s efforts elicit hostility from her classmates. Nobody is interested in
seeing her article go to print, not even her own brother. It is evident that the cheating is
widespread, and Laurel, caught up in the thrill of the investigation, is willing to commit
social suicide to get the story, but her ultimate discovery changes everything.
Library Media Connection Editor’s Choice
(ex – English & French in
North America)
“Butcher offers an insightful look into the ethics and morals of high school students…The
short book really lends itself to a good discussion.” —PSLA Top Forty selection
Rights Sold:
Korean—Mirae Media & Books
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
8 Currents
Slick
Sara Cassidy
iza, determined to prove that her mother’s boyfriend is no good, starts researching
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the oil company he works for. Liza discovers a lawsuit against the company for
compensation that is long overdue to Guatemalan farmers. She starts a group at school
called GRRR! (Girls for Renewable Resources, Really!) and launches an attack on Argenta
oil. As her activism activities increase, her objections to her mother’s boyfriend become
political. She’s learning to separate the personal from the political, but when her mother
discovers her plans for a demonstration outside the Argenta Oil head office, the two
collide in ways Liza least suspected.
Canadian Children’s Book Centre Best Books Selection
“With its short length and high-interest, action-packed nature, this empowering book will be
a favorite with younger teens.” —School Library Journal
Windfall
Sara Cassidy
ife is full of challenges for thirteen-year-old Liza. She is already having trouble coping
with the death of a local homeless man when she learns that her family’s apple tree
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will need to be chopped down. If that wasn’t enough, the new principal at school keeps
blocking her attempts for a positive outlet by refusing permission for every project
that GRRR! (Girls for Renewable Resources, Really!) and BRRR! (Boys for Renewable
Resources, Really!) proposes. Liza starts to feel like she needs to create change in her
world without seeking permission. When she chooses the school grounds as the site for
her latest endeavor, she may have gone too far.
“A fast, entertaining read suitable for young teens…This charming book about teen activism
lives up to the high expectations set by Sara Cassidy’s first novel, Slick…Windfall is a fastpaced, fun and interesting novel. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Currents 9
FaceSpace
Adrian Chamberlain
anny McBride is not the coolest kid in school, not in his wildest dreams. And if the other
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kids knew he spent his Saturday nights playing Parcheesi with his mom and working on
a city made of Lego, he’d be even less cool. Danny wants more than anything to be popular.
He creates a fictional British rocker named James and befriends him publicly online, hoping
his make-believe friend’s cool will rub off. It works. Danny starts making friends and feeling
like part of the crowd—until people start wanting to meet the imaginary friend, and Danny’s
plan starts to unravel.
“Young adults everywhere have to contend with the realities of social networking sites like
‘FaceSpace’ on a daily basis, and this book might be helpful in dealing with the downside of such
media. Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“[Chamberlain’s] book is intention-perfect: it’s a great starting point for all sorts of theoretical
talking points…The creator of the fake online profile is the new bedtime storyteller for the
internet age.” —FacePuller blog
Skate Freak
Lesley Choyce
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orf is all about skateboarding and so far that’s worked out fine. But now that he’s in a
new city, the terrain has changed. He’s no longer free to skateboard where he wishes,
school is more difficult, and his passion for skateboarding garners him the nickname and
reputation of a freak. With daring stunts he gains the grudging respect of local troublemakers, but he needs to tap into another kind of courage to effect real change.
“Teens with a passion for skateboarding will devour this short, fast-paced novel; Choyce has
certainly done his research!” —Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
10 Currents
Sudden Impact
Lesley Choyce
hen Kurt is hurt in a soccer game and ends up in the hospital Tina tries to help him,
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but nobody will tell her what is wrong, and Kurt’s parents don’t want her around.
Tina learns that Kurt needs a donor with a rare blood type, and she finds a match in Kurt’s
soccer rival Jason. Jason agrees to donate his blood to Kurt, but when Kurt disappears
from the hospital, the situtation becomes desperate. Then Kurt’s rival is in a tragic accident that may change everything.
Manitoba Young Reader’s Choice Award nominee
Reckless
Lesley Choyce
osh knows he’s riding recklessly when he knocks down the old man he suspects is the
hermit of Loggerman Creek. But he is shocked when the hermit walks into the forest
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with his bike after the accident. Being without his beloved bike for a week motivates Josh
to hike into the woods and confront the crazy old man. The hermit, Jonathan, has fixed
Josh’s bike, and Josh learns that he has more in common with the old man than he ever
imagined. When Jonathan needs help, Josh has to respect the old man’s choices in order
to save his life.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Currents 11
Agent Angus
K.L. Denman
ngus and his best buddy, Shahid, share a love of science and their robot, Gordon.
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But recently, the artistic Ella Eckles has had a peculiar effect on Angus. When a
stink bomb at the school provides a chance for him to talk to her, he claims to share
her interest in reading facial expressions and declares his ambition to become a crimesolving mentalist. When Ella’s treasured sketchbook is stolen, she asks Angus to find the
thief. Equipped with rearview sunglasses and an informant who lurks in the washroom,
the duo bungle their way through a series of encounters that alarm Shahid and provide
Angus with some unfamiliar exercise.
Rights Sold:
Destination Human
K.L. Denman
C
hloe thinks of herself as a normal teenage girl—if there’s any such thing—until a
formless alien being inhabits her body. The being is named Welkin and claims to be
a Universal. Welkin has entered Chloe’s body as part of a school project. Chloe agrees to
let this weirdo observe her life for three days as long as Welkin doesn’t interfere. Welkin
tries to respect the non-interference portion of the agreement. But Welkin’s stream of
alien commentary as Chloe deals with boys, her coach and math homework has a comic,
and sometimes enlightening, impact on Chloe’s life.
“Denman weaves engaging humour into this thought-provoking and fast-paced story…A fun and
enlightening novel—another winner in the Orca Currents collection. Highly Recommended.”
—CM Magazine
“Chloe’s voice is strong, and she is a delightful character.” —VOYA
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
12 Currents
Mirror Image
K.L. Denman
able wears only black and has always felt that doom is near. Lacey wears pink and seeks
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beauty everywhere. A sadistic art teacher pairs Sable and Lacey together for their final
project. The girls have to get to know one another and select a suitable poem for the back
of each other’s decorative mirror. Sable is less than thrilled at having to spend time with
Lacey, who she believes to be nothing more than a brainless doll. As the project progresses,
and Sable gets past her resentment, she learns some surprising truths about who Lacey
really is. All of Sable’s images begin to change, including the one she holds of herself.
“An enjoyable glance at what’s beneath stereotypical images of popularity and failure…Fast
and funny.” —Booklist
Rebel’s Tag
K.L. Denman
am’s Grandfather vanished from his life the day Sam’s father was buried. Now, ten
years later, Grandpa Max wants to make amends. He sends letters that lead Sam on
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a scavenger hunt. Sam follows his grandfather’s bizarre instructions though he’s still not
ready to forgive. To alleviate his anger at his grandfather, Sam turns to his favorite stress
release: climbing onto roofs and leaving his tag, a spray painted symbol for Aquarius.
When he gets caught by an elderly couple, Sam learns a valuable lesson about forgiveness.
He’s ready to forgive his grandfather, but is he too late?
“Written for reluctant readers, this text tackles such heavy topics as forgiveness and death
while using accessible, age-appropriate vocabulary.” —The Horn Book Review
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Currents 13
Perfect Revenge
K.L. Denman
L
izzie Lane is used to life at the top of the food chain. Her near-perfect life is ruined when
Rachel, a girl she socially destroyed, exacts her revenge by getting Lizzie in trouble for
cheating on a test. Friendless and facing detention, Lizzie obsesses over finding the perfect
revenge. When Stella, Lizzie’s strange new neighbor, teaches Lizzie about magick, Lizzie
can’t resist creating a revenge spell. But she forgets the “rule of three,” that whatever spell
you cast comes back on you three-fold, and her zit spell backfires with dramatic results.
When she asks for help from Stella’s baba, the only advice she gets is to “write the lesson of
the zit on her heart.” Can Lizzie find a way to teach Rachel a lesson without causing permanent disfigurement to herself?
World Rights Available (ex – English & French in North America)
The Shade
K.L. Denman
afira doesn’t believe in ghosts, but the girl in her cabin at camp was not a living person, so
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what was she? Her friend Trinity is convinced Safira’s seen a ghost and sets out to discover
who the ghost girl is. Safira is too busy dealing with her family to help solve the mystery.
Safira has never gotten along with her sister, Mya, and now that Mya’s pending marriage
dominates the family there seems to be no hope for friendship between them. But when
Trinity discovers the death of a girl named Myra, Safira starts to wonder if the ghost-girl has
an important message about her own sister.
Stuff We All Get
K.L. Denman
ifteen-year-old Zack finds a home made cd with the word Famous written on it. Lonely
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and bored while suspended from school, he puts the cd on and loses himself in the music.
Zack has sound-color synesthesia. He sees colors when he hears music, and the music on the
Famous cd causes incredible patterns of color for him. Zack becomes obsessed with the girl
on the cd and tries to find her. He tracks down the singer, Jolene, in a café where she works
while she dreams of the big time. He convinces her to let him help her achieve her dreams,
but soon discovers that in her quest for fame, Jolene has done a lot of damage. Stuff We All Get
is a gentle critique of celebrity culture in North America.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
14 Currents
Crossbow
ourteen-year-old Matt has only one goal in life: to become a hermit. He has no use for
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school, but he loves the solitude of the forest. When he hikes up to the cabin he built
for himself, he discovers a mysterious stranger named Forrest has moved in. At first Matt
doesn’t connect Forrest’s appearance with the rash of local robberies. Forrest seems to be
the perfect hermit, and he teaches Matt the skills he needs to achieve his goal, including how
to hunt with a crossbow. But when Forrest tries to kill an endangered Roosevelt elk, Matt
questions the ethics of his new friend.
“Crossbow is half nature survival story, half modern realistic suspense thriller, and an allaround good book.” —CM Magazine
Spoiled Rotten
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essica loves her yearly backpacking trip with her father, but this year everything has
changed. This year Jessica has to share her vacation with her new stepmother and her
spoiled new stepsister, Amy. Jessica tries to salvage her holiday by sneaking off for a day
hike alone, but Amy follows. Jessica is certain that Amy will ruin the day. Amy rises to the
challenge of the rigorous hike and Jessica learns that Amy is not as spoiled as she thought.
When Amy is injured and night falls, Jessica must face the challenge of hiking through
bear country in the dark.
“The conclusion is dramatic, but not overly so, and the emotional resolution rings very true.
Spoiled Rotten is an excellent, action-packed read that would work well for a reluctant reader.”
—CM Magazine
Rights Sold: German audio book club*
Swedish audio book club*
Norwegian audio book club*
Finnish audio book club*
Australia & New Zealand book club*
* Stabenfeldt
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Currents 15
Explore
Christy Goerzen
hen Mike Longridge gets himself in trouble yet again, he is given a choice: juvenile
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detention or an outdoor program called Explore. He opts for Explore, but soon finds
himself wondering how he is going to survive ten months with the hippies and keeners in
the program. He’s never felt so out of place and is certain he will never get the hang of the
outdoor activities. Will Mike go back to his old trouble-making ways or will he finally find
a place to belong?
“Explore has everything a good teen read needs and would be an especially good selection for
reluctant readers who are interested in outdoor sports. Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Farmed Out
Christy Goerzen
addie has big-city dreams, and this summer she’s found her chance to visit New York.
An art magazine is holding a portrait painting contest, and the first prize is an allM
expenses-paid trip to the Big Apple. Maddie plans to win, but her mother has different plans
for her: a mother-daughter adventure in organic farming. Maddie is furious. How will she
find an inspiring subject for her portrait amid the goat poop and chickens? But Maddie
befriends the farmer’s daughter, Anna, and between dodging her mother and doing her
chores, she finds the perfect subject for the portrait contest.
Rights Sold: German audio book club*, Finnish audio book club*, Swedish audio book club*, Norwegian
audio book club*, Australian & New Zealand book club*
* Stabenfeldt
The Big Apple Effect
Christy Goerzen
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fter a lifetime of New Age “adventures” with her weirdo hippie mom, fifteen-year-old
Maddie is realizing a lifelong dream and visiting New York City. Armed with her 130-item
to-do list, Maddie hits the streets of New York with her friend Anna and Anna’s brother,
Thomas. Maddie drags her friends around on an epic quest for the ultimate art-show outfit,
oblivious to the fact that they don’t share her passion for vintage clothing. Three days into
the trip, a most unwelcome surprise—the arrival of Maddie’s mother—threatens to derail
the entire adventure. As her mother’s obsession with dietary trends and fortune-tellers takes
center stage, and everyone’s tempers get thin, Maddie has to face some ugly facts about how
she’s been treating her friends.
“A quick paced, lighthearted yet insightful romp about a girl and her emotional, quirky, New Age
mom…Deftly tackles important issues such as the boundaries of friendship, dangers of self-pity, the
value of self-awareness, and the healing power of forgiveness.” —Quill & Quire
Rights Sold: Norwegian book club*, Finnish book club*, Swedish book club*
* Stabenfeldt
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
16 Currents
Hold the Pickles
Vicki Grant
D
an Hogg is thrilled when his uncle offers him some work at a food fair, because he wants
money to hire a professional trainer to help him with his scrawny physique. His excitement vanishes when he learns that the job is dressing up in a hotdog costume and handing out
samples. Every dark cloud has its silver lining, Dan discovers, when he, or rather Frank Lee
Better, his mascot persona, gains the attention of a pretty girl named Brooke. The attention
is great until Dan finds himself under attack from Cupcake Katie and a mysterious guy with
a strange interest in Brooke. It’s not until he’s huddling in a bathroom in nothing but his tight
white underwear that Dan begins to suspect Brooke’s attention might be too good to be true.
Rights Sold: Norwegian book club—Stabenfeldt
Nine Doors
Vicki Grant
E
mery’s neighbor, Richard, is the kind of kid who gets under your skin. When Richard
suggests a game of Nicky Nicky Nine Doors, Emery can’t come up with a good excuse
not to play. Using chocolate bars as “stunt poo,” the boys start playing the classic prank of
the burning bag on the doorstep, but this game has a modern twist. They videotape their
neighbors’ reactions. The naked guy and the man in the apron are highly entertaining, but
Emery starts to get cold feet when another neighbor is reduced to tears. Emery wants out,
but he’s not sure how to stop the game without losing face. Soon the game gets serious, and
Emery has a lot more to worry about than his reputation.
Rights Sold: Norwegian book club—Stabenfeldt
Pigboy
Vicki Grant
an is not sure he’ll survive the boring field trip to a remote heritage farm. How could a
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place with no running water, telephone or electricity be anything but dull? The farmer
knows nothing about farming and is angry about having to conduct the tour. And what’s
with his tattoo? The teacher requests a private word with the farmer and then mysteriously
disappears. After a messy attack of allergies, Dan is excused to find a tissue. He sneaks back
to the school bus and discovers the driver and teacher have been bound and gagged. The
farmer is really an escaped convict with nasty plans. Will Dan be able to find help in time?
Rights Sold: Norwegian book club—Stabenfeldt; Korean—Mirae Media & Books
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Currents 17
Maxed Out
Daphne Greer
ore than anything, twelve-year-old Max wants to play hockey like he used to. But since
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the death of his dad, his mom does more crying than mothering, and Max has to take
his special-needs brother, Duncan, with him everywhere he goes. The team needs Max to
win the upcoming game against the Red Eagles, but one practice with Duncan makes it
evident that it’s not safe to leave him unattended on the sidelines. With only a week to figure
out how he can play in the big game, Max is feeling the pressure. Will he find a way to be a
good teammate, a good brother and a good son, or is it too much for one kid?
The Big Dip
Melanie Jackson
oe and his friend Skip are enjoying the thrill of the Big Dip, a famous rollercoaster, until
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they learn the old man in front of them has been shot. The old man mutters with his
dying breath something about getting a Margaret Rose to the police. Joe leaves the crime
scene to get on with his life. But someone is desperate for the Margaret Rose and thinks Joe
has it. When his sister is kidnapped, Joe is in a race against time to solve the puzzle.
Fast Slide
Melanie Jackson
lay would much rather work as a lifeguard at the beach than at Safari Splash, the new
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water park in town. He’s certain the summer will drag along, despite his position at the
Boa, the park’s fastest slide. The summer job starts to get interesting when he learns that
someone has been wandering the park in a lynx costume, scaring the staff. When forty thousand dollars is stolen from the till, and his friends are under suspicion for the theft, boring is
starting to look good. But Clay is certain that the mask and the thefts are connected, and he’s
determined to solve the crime.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
18 Currents
Eye Sore
Melanie Jackson
he last thing Chaz wants is to spend his summer working on his father’s Eye, a Ferris
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wheel with glass-bottomed gondolas set up to view scenic North Vancouver. For one
thing, Chaz would prefer to pursue his own passion: dance in the style of the late, great
Gene Kelly. More important, Chaz suffers from vertigo, and even the thought of the Eye
makes him want to lose his lunch. But when a crowd of angry protestors and a mysterious
vandal threaten his father’s dream, and the family’s livelihood, Chaz is forced to overcome
his own fears to help out.
“An interesting read with surprising thematic precepts…[that] will be embraced by many young
adult readers. Excellent life lessons to be learned and important messages about acceptance and
problem solving are addressed in the plot.” —Resource Links
“Well written and engaging…[with] a strong sense of the characters.” —VOYA
High Wire
Melanie Jackson
ack Freedman has complete control and feels a sense of calm on the high wire. If only he
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could say the same about the rest of his life. His fellow youth circus performer and roommate, Cubby, hates him, and his aunt dumps a yappy, excitable dog on him. When a necklace
is stolen during a circus performance and the victim of the theft threatens to shut down the
circus, Zack is desperate to solve the mystery so he can keep his place on the wire.
“A fast-paced adventure that will appeal to any young reader who has dreamed of joining a
circus, and to those who like mystery. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“An engaging read…Zack is a sympathetic character who makes a surprising, endearing choice
at the novel’s close.” —Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Currents 19
Out of Season
Kari Jones
ourteen-year-old Maya sneaks out in her kayak before breakfast every day to check on a
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family of sea otters living in nearby Riley Bay. It’s hard being an animal lover in a fishing
family. The animals Maya loves threaten her family’s livelihood, and Maya doesn’t know
if she can trust her family not to hurt them. She is determined to protect the sea otters, even
if it means checking on them for the rest of her life. One morning, Maya discovers she’s
being watched. Who is it and what are they doing? Soon Maya has to trust someone as she
gets caught in a dangerous race to save the sea otters—and her family’s livelihood—from
poachers.
“Features a high-energy plot rendered in accessible language…The narration is richly
descriptive, so strongly visual readers will follow the story easily, and the breath-taking races
and chase scenes create engaging drama and suspense…Provides an accessible, relevant reading
experience for its intended audience.” —Resource Links
Rights Sold: Finnish book club;
German book club;
Hungarian book club;
Norwegian book club;
Swedish book club—Stabenfeld
Storm Tide
Kari Jones
eft alone for the first time on the island he calls home, Simon is looking forward
to a day of personal indulgence. His sister Ellen only wants to make sure they get
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their chores done. Their parents are busy trying to convince the government not to close
the lighthouse that the family operates, and it’s up to the kids to make sure everything
runs smoothly. Neither Simon nor Ellen is prepared for the mysterious and potentially
dangerous visitor who brings with him an unexpected storm and a riddle that may lead
to treasure—treasure that could help them save the lighthouse. Simon and Ellen have
to work together to solve the riddle before the stranger—or the weather—destroys their
chances.
“Jones festoons this quick read with several well-shaped action sequences and a steady application
of danger in the guise of both the elements and the treasure-seeking villain.” —Booklist
“The pace is relentless and the wild, exotic and beautiful setting of the coastal island will intrigue
readers who are unfamiliar with coastal life. Action oriented Simon and the responsible clever
Ellen will appeal to the intended readers, both boys and girls, who are struggling with reading.”
—Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
20 Currents
Rise of the Zombie Scarecrows
Deb Loughead
ylan is back, and this time he is making a movie, The Rise of the Zombie Scarecrows,
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with his best friend, Cory, and his girlfriend, Monica. The film is for school credit, and
their plan is to film on Halloween. Everything is falling into place until Dylan and Monica
encounter a zombie scarecrow that causes Mr. Dalton, a friend of Dylan’s grandmother, to
have a heart attack. Dylan and Monica learn that a couple of zombie scarecrows are pranking
a local neighborhood. The police shut down Dylan’s project until the pranksters are caught.
But Dylan is determined to see his film through to completion, no matter what the cost.
“Readers will find this book to be a perky Halloween prank-filled mystery…Snappy dialogue,
a fun premise, and a not-too-obvious ending keep this tale moving briskly.” —Publishers Weekly
“This slim volume is nonstop plot…[and] the mystery is solidly executed…Will interest
reluctant readers with a bent towards crime solving.” —Booklist
“There is much to admire in this brief novel—engaging characters, and a plot with suspense and
mystery.” —Resource Links
Struck
Deb Loughead
laire’s life is a mess. She’s failing math, her depressed mother won’t get off the couch, Eric,
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the boy of her dreams, is dating her nemesis Lucy. While Claire is wishing her life were
better, lightning strikes. Soon afterward, everything changes. With Lucy in the hospital and
out of the way, Claire attracts Eric’s attention and gets the starring role in the school play. But
good fortune has a cost: her newly energized mother reconciles with her deadbeat dad, the
dream boy turns out to be a dud and Claire feels terrible guilt about gaining everything Lucy
has lost. But how can Claire turn it around when lightning only strikes once?
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Currents 21
The Snowball Effect
Deb Loughead
ylan and his friends snowball cars for entertainment on the weekend. When they
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don’t get enough reaction from passing cars, they put rocks in the middle of their
snowballs. Their first attack with the loaded snowballs causes a car crash. His friends flee,
but Dylan goes to the scene of the accident to make sure the driver is okay. He runs off
when he knows help is on the way. Dylan is sighted, and rather than being punished, he
is lauded as a hero. As his lies pile up, so does the hype about his heroics, and along with
it, Dylan’s guilt.
“Loughead is especially good at depicting Dylan's physical turmoil...The snowball metaphor—
how a single lie grows increasingly large—is also well handled…[An] intelligent drama.”
—Booklist
Caught in the Act
Deb Loughead
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ylan and his friends attract the attention of the police when a summer bonfire gets
out of control. Dylan almost loses a job opportunity at a local inn because of his
antics, but he is saved by the lies of Heather, an employee of the inn. When he is caught
on camera stealing towels from a summer cottage after a skinny-dipping prank, Dylan
and his friends become suspects in a number of cottage robberies. Dylan learns everything he can about the robberies, with the hope of clearing his name, and finds himself in
more than one sticky situation in the process.
“A fabulous addition to Orca Current library…Loughhead constructs her characters carefully…
It is to Loughead’s credit that while narrative expectations led us to expect a satisfactory ending,
Dylan’s story in no way ensures one.” —Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
22 Currents
Marked
Norah McClintock
hen Colin accepts the job to clean up the graffiti in an upscale neighborhood he worries
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that he might be targeted by gangs. But he didn’t expect to become a suspect in a series
of robberies. Every time he is sent to clean up graffiti, the police are nearby investigating
a crime. Colin knows he’s done nothing wrong, but even he acknowledges his presence at
the crime scenes looks suspicious. The only way he can clear his name is to figure what
is really going on.
“Its realism and simplicity make this an excellent choice for high school and public libraries.”
—CM Magazine
(ex – English & French in North
America)
Watch Me
Norah McClintock
t first Kaz intends to help the old lady who’s fallen in the park. But then he starts
thinking about how he never gets what he wants. The next thing he knows, he’s
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running away with her purse. The purse contains only five dollars and a battered watch.
When Kaz learns who the old woman is and where the watch came from, he begins to
understand consequences in a new way.
“McClintock…delivers another winner for the reluctant teen reader.” —Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Currents 23
Manga Touch
Jacqueline Pearce
ana is excited about her school trip to Japan despite the fact that she is surrounded by
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the Melly Mob, “in-crowd” kids who make fun of her. Dana is certain she will be less
of an outsider in Japan, home of manga and anime. But she soon discovers that it’s just as
difficult to fit in with a foreign culture as it is to fit in at school. And the only other manga
fan that she meets refuses to talk to her. As Dana learns to meet people halfway and gains
some friends in Japan, Melissa, leader of the Melly Mob, makes every effort to remind her
that she’s still an outsider.
“This is another excellent title in a superb series for older students with low reading skills.”
—Resource Links
(ex – English & French in
North America)
Siege
Jacqueline Pearce
hen Jason agrees to go camping with his cousin Sean, he doesn’t picture two weeks
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at a War of 1812 reenactment camp. But that’s where he ends up. The historically
accurate camp bans all trappings of modern life, like cell phones and electricity. Jason is not
impressed, but they do get to fire muskets, and he secretly likes that, despite the general
dorkiness of the camp. And then there’s the cute girl who works in the mess tent. And the
sneaking around at night getting into trouble, which is fun—until Jason and his friends
keep running into a camp counselor who is clearly up to no good. They resolve to find out
exactly what the counselor is up to, but they may have taken on more than they can handle.
“Events flow smoothly from one to the other, with history lessons included in the dialogue…
Readers will become familiar with some of the geography of Old Fort Erie and its surrounding
area, the cause of the War of 1812, and familiar with terminology and phrases that were used
at the time…The potential newfound knowledge that this war caused family members and
neighbours to fight against one another may have an impact on readers’ perspectives on war.”
—CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
24 Currents
Beyond Repair
Lois Peterson
s much as life has irrevocably changed since the death of his father, much has stayed the
A
same for Cam. He’s always had a great deal of responsibility around the house, but
the burden is heavier now in combination with the load of grief he’s been carrying. After
the man who was driving the truck that killed his father turns up at the end of the driveway,
Cam feels pressure to keep his family safe as well. He starts to see the man everywhere:
at his work, in stores, at his sister’s school. Cam needs to know what the man wants from
his family, and he starts following his father's killer in search of answers.
“Peterson keeps readers engaged from page one of this suspenseful and touching (yet admirably
unsentimental) hi-lo book.” —The Horn Book Guide
Disconnect
Lois Peterson
ince moving hundreds of miles to a new school, Daria has become increasingly dependent
on her cell phone. Texts, Facebook and phone calls are her only connection to her friends
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in Calgary, and Daria needs to know everything that is going on at home to feel connected
to her old life. Her cell phone habit looks a lot like addiction to her mother and to her new
friend Cleo. Daria dismisses the idea of technology addiction as foolish until her habit puts a
life in danger.
“An effective, up-to-the-minute look at a very real problem that will resonate with the vast
majority of teens in love with their communication gadgets and social media.” —Booklist
Rights Sold:
Rights Sold: Finnish audio;German audio;
Hungarian audio; Norwegian audio;
Swedish audio—Stabenfeldt;
Australia & New Zealand—Stabenfeldt;
Korean—Prunsoop Publishing Co., Ltd
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Currents 25
Hate Mail
Monique Polak
ordie’s cousin Todd has moved back to Montreal and is attending Jordie’s high school. Todd
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has autism and requires an aide. Todd has not been welcomed in the school. He’s known as
a freak, and even other parents seem to resent Todd’s special needs. Jordie does everything he
can to distance himself from his cousin, fearful of what his friends might think. When he learns
that Todd’s whole family is buckling under the pressure of a hateful letter, Jordie starts to question his own behavior. Inspired by real-life events, Hate Mail examines the transformative power
of speaking out against prejudice.
Quebec Writers’ Federation Prize winner
“A timely and topical story about bullying, prejudice, human justice and finding the courage to act
in the face of it all. Highly recommended.” —Resource Links
121 Express
Monique Polak
he students of the 121 Express are infamous for bad behavior and Lucas knows his role on
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the bus will determine his social standing at his new school. Lucas is tired of being one of
the nerds. When he attracts the negative attention of the cool troublemakers, he saves himself
by teasing another kid. His ploy works and soon Lucas is right in the center of the mayhem on
the bus. He loves his new found popularity, but when the fun and games push the bus driver
to a nervous collapse and hospitalizes an elderly lady, Lucas begins to question his choices.
ALA Popular Paperbacks
“Teens will appreciate the desire to fit in with the cool crowd and will laugh at the pranks.”
—Puget Sound Council for Reviewing Children’s Media
Finding Elmo
Monique Polak
ifteen-year-old Tim loves his job at his dad’s pet store, partly because he gets to spend time
Fsincewith
his best friend, a black cockatoo named Elmo. But things at work have been tense
the store moved to a larger, more expensive location. To make extra money his father
rents out the store’s exotic birds for parties and Tim is furious at this exploitation of his friend.
When Elmo is stolen from one of the parties, the police are unconcerned about the theft. Tim
and his new human friend, Sapna, set out to find Elmo and discover that Elmo is more valuable than they’d ever imagined.
“[The] fast-paced plot is sure to pull even the most reluctant of readers along in its wake.”
—Montreal Gazette
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
26 Currents
Junkyard Dog
Monique Polak
C
olin is fascinated with the aged guard dog at the corner store. He names it Smokey
and sneaks the dog treats. Smokey belongs to a company that supplies working dogs
to local businesses. Colin is thrilled to get a job working for Smokey’s company, until he
learns about the mistreatment of the animals. When Colin can’t shake his suspicion that
someone in the company is involved in a rash of thefts, he tries to quit. But Colin knows
too much, and his boss won’t let him go.
“Orca Currents continues its line of hard-hitting novels for reluctant readers with this brutal yet
rewarding moral quagmire…A powerful story for anyone who has ever looked into the eyes of
a dog and accepted the offer: ‘Be good to us, and we’ll be good to you.’” —Booklist
Pyro
Monique Polak
ver since he was small, Franklin has been soothed by fire. Staring into the flames
helps Franklin forget his problems. And right now, he’s got a lot to forget. Franklin’s
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mother has left the family home to be with her hairdresser boyfriend. Franklin’s father,
the mayor of Montreal West, is too busy worrying about his public image to do anything
about the family. As a rash of local fires competes with upcoming elections for media
attention, Franklin’s father has to work hard to keep the public happy. And Franklin has
to reconsider his romance with fire.
Quebec Writer’s Federation Literature Prize nominee
“A solid coming-of-age story…Its simple plot and language make it accessible to many readers,
especially English Language Learners and reluctant young teens. The simplicity of the story does
not take away from the depth of the issues or characters.” —Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Currents 27
Dog Walker
Karen Spafford-Fitz
urk needs cash, but he’s allergic to his own sweat so getting a job is out of the question.
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Then he makes a discovery: Girls love dogs. Turk’s friends will do anything to meet
girls. Turk starts a dog walking business. His friends walk the dogs and Turk collects half
the money. In an attempt to impress dog-loving Carly, Turk brags about his business in
front of the school tough guy, Chuck. When Chuck learns the true nature of Turk’s business and wants in on the action, Turk worries that he will lose his business and Carly’s
respect.
Vanish
Karen Spafford-Fitz
F
ourteen-year-old Simone is having trouble making friends at her new school when her
leadership studies class is paired with kindergarten students to mentor throughout the
school year. To her surprise, Simone enjoys the Kinderbuddy Project, and she develops a
special friendship with her Kinderbuddy, Lily. But as the bond between Simone and her
Kinderbuddy grows, she realizes that a crisis is looming in Lily’s family. Simone calls upon
Aaron, the reluctant heartthrob of the class, for help, and they become key witnesses to
events neither of them could have predicted.
“Teens will identify with Simone’s attempts to make new friends in the unfriendly environment
of middle school…Younger readers will enjoy the slight mystery, and the rapid narrative will
engage reluctant readers.” —Booklist
“Spafford-Fitz weaves the subplots together effortlessly to create a rich reading experience.”
—VOYA
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
28 Currents
Power Chord
Ted Staunton
t a battle of the bands event, Ace and his best friend Denny notice that girls like musiA
cians, no matter how dorky the dudes might be. Having, so far, been severely challenged when it comes to meeting girls, they decide to start a band. Ace discovers that he loves
playing guitar and electric bass. While Denny tweets their every move and their clean-freak
drummer, Pig, polishes everything in sight, Ace tries to write a song that will win at the next
local teen songwriting contest. It’s more difficult than he thought it would be. When Denny
brings a great tune to rehearsal, Ace is devastated that Denny, who rarely practices, is a better
songwriter than he is. The contest is only days away when Ace discovers that Denny stole the
song, and Ace has to decide if winning is worth the lie.
Ace’s Basement
Ted Staunton
F
ollowing the demise of his first band, Ace has started a duo called Two with Lisa, a girl he
has a huge crush on. As Ace and Lisa get serious about their music, Denny, Ace’s hapless
friend, tries to help out by filming their every move so that he can create the ultimate music
video. As a joke, Denny puts together a Two video capturing all of the embarrassing
moments—moments that Lisa in particular doesn’t want shared. Somehow, the video gets
posted on YouTube. Lisa and Ace find themselves starring in the latest comedic viral video.
Lisa is humiliated and refuses to talk to Ace—until their fame turns out to have positive results.
“Ace’s inner dialogue is superbly written, easy to relate to and likable as an accident-prone, selfdoubting, sincere teen…Staunton successfully portrays the struggles and humiliations of high
school and the pressures of fitting in, succeeding, and seeking romance. Highly Recommended.”
—CM Magazine
Hypnotized
Don Trembath
R
ufus and his sister Alexa hate each other at the best of times. When Rufus’s friend Phil
manages to hypnotize Alexa, Rufus is ready to enjoy the power. They begin by ordering
Alexa to be kind to her parents and Phil. The plan backfires when Alexa sweetly suggests
canceling an expensive family vacation in favor of a week at home playing board games. Then
Alexa turns on the charm with Phil and suddenly Rufus has to deal with a lovesick amateur
hypnotist. Rufus is certain it can’t get any stranger until Alexa, still in her hypnotic state,
is kind to the brother she’s always hated and Rufus is more confused than he’s ever been.
“The engaging plot…will captivate reluctant YA readers.” — KLIATT
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Currents 29
Chick: Lister
Alex Van Tol
hick is a popular fourteen-year-old who is essentially on this earth to live up to his
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father’s impossible expectations—or, at least, that’s how he feels. This pressure is a
grinding source of anxiety for him, which he copes with by making lists. He itemizes every
aspect of his life, from his daily routine to the things that make him nervous. But as the
pressure of school and his budding romance with his debating teammate Audrey builds, his
compulsion starts to feel impossible to control—or conceal.
“Van Tol realistically depicts a down-to-earth protagonist and a family on the verge of change
as Chick diagnoses himself with OCD. Chick's lighthearted, supportive relationship with his
girlfriend, along with his father's emotional shifts, bring positive elements to this satisfying
Rights Sold:
“Van Tol is to be commended for bringing Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Complex to the
Currents table and serving it with just enough seasoning to make it interesting, believable, and
palatable…It serves to demonstrate that even successful people can have hidden difficulties
and that much can be overcome with a little help form one's friends.” —Resource Links
Oracle
Alex Van Tol
wen has a crush on Kamryn. Kamryn has a crush on Owen’s brother Kyle. Owen
knows extreme action is necessary to make sure Kamryn does not end up with Kyle,
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a jerk who manipulates every situation. So what does Owen do? He manipulates the situation. With the help of his friend Hannah, Owen sets up a blog called The Oracle that gives
out relationship advice to local teens. Everything seems to be going great. Hannah and
Owen are having fun, and Kamryn seems to be following The Oracle’s advice and taking an
interest in Owen. Owen thinks he’s got it made, but he soon discovers that fraudulent tactics
have their consequences.
“This Orca Currents [title] has it all—a likeable protagonist, an intriguing storyline and a plausible
plot. Highly recommended.” —Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
30 Currents
Flower Power
Ann Walsh
C
allie’s mother has chained herself to the neighbor’s tree and is living inside the treehouse. She refuses to come down until the neighbor, Mr. Wilson, agrees to leave the
tree standing. Soon reporters arrive to interview Callie about her mother’s protest. Callie
doesn’t want to talk to anyone. More chaos ensues when Callie’s grandmother invites the
“singing grannies” to help save the tree, the neighbor’s biker friends come to her aid, and
Callie’s friends show up to try to get themselves on tv. Callie needs to figure out how to
get her mother to come down from the tree so that her life can return to normal.
“This humourous and inventive story is full of wit…” —CM Magazine
Horse Power
Ann Walsh
nce again Callie is forced to take part in her mom’s latest crusade. They head into
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ranch country to camp—bloodthirsty mosquitoes, stinky outhouses and all—at a
protest to save a rural school. Callie’s grandmother shows up with her biker buddies and
the singing grannies. Callie hates camping and wants nothing to do with the protest. To
make matters worse, Callie’s only possible ally, her cousin Del, is mad at her. The last
time Callie visited, she was thrown from Del’s horse, Radish. Callie claimed the horse
was vicious and now Del’s parents are forcing her to sell Radish. Callie wants to help her
cousin, but she’s terrified of the horse. Del is just as tenacious as the rest of Callie’s family,
and Callie is forced to admit that she’s not going to be allowed to go home until both the
horse and the school are saved.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Currents 31
Laggan Lard Butts
Eric Walters
am Campbell’s school team, the Laggan Lairds, always loses. When someone suggests that
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their name be the Laggan Lard Butts, Sam thinks the team should change its name. What
is a Laird anyway? The basketball coach agrees, and soon the whole school is involved in an
election for a new team name. Sam and his friends nominate the name Lard Butts. When the
basketball team starts winning games after a warm-up cheer of “Go Lard Butts!” it seems
the Lard Butt campaign might actually win the election.
“Eric Walters’ characterizations are excellent…this is a story I hope will be read by more than
just its target audience.” —CM Magazine
Splat
Eric Walters
eegan and Alex are the only kids in Leamington who haven’t volunteered to help
out with the town’s annual tomato festival. In an attempt to teach them a sense of
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responsibility, their fathers put them in charge of the tomato toss. The boys decide it’s
their responsibility to add a little excitement to the event. They exchange the traditional
wooden targets for human targets and, before they know it, they are running the most
popular event at the fair. The excitement may be too much for the sleepy town and soon
the tomato toss is taken to the streets.
“The main characters’ well-drawn friendship and their silly hijinks make this an entertaining,
quick read.” —The Horn Book Guide
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
32 Currents
Special Edward
Eric Walters
dward is a classic slacker. He’s got better ways to spend his time than toiling over
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homework, and as long as he gets passing grades he’s happy. When his fifty percent
average is threatened he has to find a way to pull up his grades without applying himself.
Edward discovers that special education students get more time to complete tests, and
he thinks he’s found the perfect scam. Little does he know that manipulating everyone
around him will take more work than he ever imagined.
“Bold, edgy…This is a topic too often skirted, and there’s an inherent fascination built into
Eddy’s plot to be known as a ‘plucky fighter’ rather than a ‘lazy underachiever.’” —Booklist
(ex – English and French in
North America)
In a Flash
Eric Walters
he first flash mob Ian puts together himself is a sixty-plus person, four-minute pillow
fight in a department store. His friend Oswald is thrilled with the event, but Julia,
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the one Ian really wants to impress, is still convinced that flash mobs are stupid. While
Ian tries to prove Julia wrong by initiating flash mobs with political impact, Julia is busy
waging war with the strict new principal at school. When Julia goes too far and gets
herself suspended, Ian sees an opportunity for a relevant and persuasive flash mob.
“This is a smart and tightly crafted story with appeal for reluctant as well as avid readers.”
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Currents 33
Branded
Eric Walters
he principal announces that the school is implementing uniforms, and Ian finds himself
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caught in a conflict. His friend Julia wants him to devise a plan to fight the decision, and
the principal is determined to convince Ian the uniforms are a good idea. Ian wants nothing
to do with the issue. While doing research for a social-justice class, he learns that the manufacturer of the uniforms is on the top-ten list for human-rights violations. When he tells the
principal this, all he gets is a reminder that the penalty for refusing to wear the uniforms is
suspension, and Ian finds himself caught in a whole new conflict—one with himself.
Rights Sold: Korean—Urikyouk
Benched
Cristy Watson
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hen Cody and his friends accept a challenge from a local gang to steal a park bench,
their main concern is keeping themselves on the gang’s good side. Cody learns that the
stolen bench had been dedicated to the father of the English teacher who sponsors the school
newspaper—the paper that Cody has just started writing for—and he’s worried about the
consequences. As the gang applies pressure for more from Cody and his friends, he realizes
they’ve crossed a line, and now he has to figure out how to make it right.
“Cody’s trials demonstrate how hard it is to be a freshman. The story resolves itself in a satisfying
way…The characters are likable…and their prank and its consequences are very believable.”
Living Rough
Cristy Watson
n most ways, Poe is like the other kids in his school. He thinks about girls and tries to
avoid too much contact with teachers. He has a loving father who helps him with his
Ihomework.
But Poe has a secret, and almost every day some small act threatens to expose
him. He doesn’t have a phone number to give to friends. He doesn’t have an address. Poe
and his father are living in a tent on city land. When the city clears the land to build housing,
Poe worries that they might not be able to find another site near his school. Will Poe have
to expose his secret to get help for himself and his father?
“The currency of the topic will resonant with teens of any reading ability, all of whom will be rooting
for a happy ending. An excellent addition to the Orca Currents series.” —Booklist online
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
34 Currents
Stolen
John Wilson
n a visit to a seaside town in Australia, fifteen-year-old Sam meets Annabel, who
O
works at the local museum. Annabel’s interest in history is infectious, and Sam soon
finds himself eager to hunt for the remains of a boat called the Mahogany Ship—a shipwreck
sought after by many. When a storm creates an erosion hole that exposes a structure, Sam
and Annabel are convinced it’s the fabled ship. Soon all of the museum staff are at the erosion
site to check it out. But the same storm also destroys the museum’s power; someone knows
the alarms aren’t working and steals the museum’s most treasured artifact, a large porcelain
peacock worth $4 million. As Sam and Annabel search for the thief, they realize there may
be a link between the fabled shipwreck and the recent theft.
“An exciting story that will hold the reader’s interest. The South Australian setting with its
rich shipwreck history is a great backdrop for this story of making friends and finding your way
as a teen. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“Provides an intricate plot as well as interesting characters that add to the suspense as
the mystery unfolds. Wilson incorporates factual information throughout the book to add
authenticity to the shipwrecks and hunt for treasure.” —VOYA
Bones
John Wilson
S
am and Annabel are visiting Drumheller, Alberta, where the farmland Sam’s mother
lives on is host to a dinosaur dig. Annabel, an avid learner, is thrilled to have access to
paleontologists and spends as much time as she can near the dig, much to Sam’s dismay.
But when they learn the dig has uncovered scientifically important bones, even Sam’s
interest is piqued. In fact, the whole town is talking about the dig. When Sam and Annabel
learn that Humphrey Battleford, a famous collector of stolen goods, is in the area, they are
on high alert to keep the ancient bones safe.
“The novel’s appeal comes from its thrilling storyline and its fascinating descriptions of the world
of paleontology…The interesting information about dinosaur research woven in the adventure
story will capture many young readers and sustain their attention throughout.” —CM Magazine
“Wilson is a skilled YA author who can balance dialogue and description perfectly.” —Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Currents 35
Blob
Frieda Wishinsky
t’s hard enough for Eve to adjust to a new high school without the extra weight she’s
Ibecome
gained over the summer. Her best friend is ashamed to hang out with her, and she’s
the focus of a schoolmate’s cruelty. Determined not to be “that pathetic fat girl” at
school, Eve struggles with a diet and forces herself to join a mentoring program. The diet
only makes her food obsessed, and she feels she is failing as a mentor. How can a lonely
fat girl gain the confidence she needs to succeed?
Queen of the Toilet Bowl
Frieda Wishinsky
hen Renata is chosen to play the lead role in the school musical, students who used
to ignore her start saying hello and congratulating her in the hall. She is happy until
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it becomes evident that Karin, a wealthy girl who expected to get the lead role, will go to
great lengths to ruin Renata’s reputation.
“A fast, manageable read, along with relevant age-appropriate themes and an absorbing
storyline.” —Quill & Quire
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
36 Currents
Camp Wild
Pam Withers
ilf is convinced his parents want nothing to do with him. When he isn’t in school, he is
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left to his own devices or shipped away to camp. But at fifteen, Wilf is adamant that he
is too old for summer camp. When his parents ignore his protests and ship him off anyway,
he knows how he will get their attention: He will escape from camp by canoe and spend the
rest of his vacation alone in the woods, proving to his parents he deserves his independence.
His plan begins to unravel when his cabin mate forces Wilf to take him along. Things go from
bad to worse when a younger camper follows them and they all end up in a fight for their lives
against the unforgiving river.
Daredevil Club
Pam Withers
ip’s only friends are the members of the Daredevil Club, a club whose mission is to
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complete seven dangerous dares before their rivals, the Wildmen, complete their list of
dares. Before the cliff-diving accident in which he lost the use of his leg, Kip had been the
leader of the Daredevil Club. Now he has difficulty completing the dares and suspects that his
membership is threatened. As the daredevils plan their final stunt, a dangerous climb along a
narrow steel shelf beneath a bridge, they try to convince Kip that he may not be up to the task.
Kip refuses to back down even though he suspects his friends might be right.
“This is a riveting story that will appeal to reluctant middle-school male readers. Highly Recommended.”
See No Evil
Diane Young
hen Shawn and Daniel witness a gang beating behind the local mall they flee the scene,
terrified that they’ve been seen. They recognize one of the attackers as a locally infaW
mous gang member. When they learn that the kid who was attacked is in critical condition,
Shawn wants to go to the police, but Daniel convinces him that they are in more danger if
they speak up. The threats they receive from other members of the gang reinforce the boys’
fears. When the gang attacks Daniel, Shawn has to put his own safety at risk to help his friend.
“An enthralling novel about urban grittiness and realism…the plot is fast-paced, the dialogue is crisp
and realistic…Highly Recommended.”—Canadian Book Review Annual
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
www.orcabook.com
phone: 1-250-380-1229
fax: 1-250-380-1892
Orca Book
Publishers
Rights Catalogue—Sports
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
2 Sports
Orca Sports are short high-interest novels with contemporary themes, written expressly for middle-school students
reading below grade level.
• Interest level: ages 10 –14
• Contemporary, compelling stories
• Short, high-interest novels
Tiger Threat is “a fun read for anyone who is interested in hockey—enough excitement to keep even the most reluctant
reader interested. Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Rebel Glory is “written in a fast-paced style and at a comfortable reading level.” —Teensreadtoo.com
All-Star Pride is “a thrilling story that will pull you in and not let you out until the book is over.” —Teensreadtoo.com
“A very interesting read, Kicker offers something for the sports minded with a little intrigue and suspense thrown in.”
—CM Magazine
“An excellent combination of the sports-themed genre with mystery and teen novel elements. Highly Recommended.”
—Resource Links
“Brouwer’s characters are believable, as is his plot, and readers will likely seek out further titles in this series.”
—CM Magazine
hockey
| basketball | football | track and field | soccer | parkour | equestrian | scuba | horse racing
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Sports 3
Hardball
Steven Barwin
There’s a shark in the waters of South Coast High.
aseball season has begun for the South Coast Sharks. As a senior, Griffin has college in
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his sights and plans to land himself a baseball scholarship. His determination causes
him to turn a blind eye to the hazing of new players by the team captain, Wade. But when
Griffin senses that his cousin Carson is getting the brunt of Wade’s aggression, Griffin
finally stands up to him. Soon after, steroids are found in Carson’s locker, and he’s kicked
off the team. Can Griffin stop Wade’s reign of terror, prove his cousin’s innocence and still
stay on track with his baseball dreams?
“Griffin, the story’s narrator, is believably caught in a tempest of confusing problems, and in a
satisfying turn of events, he musters the courage to stand up for what’s right.” —Publishers Weekly
“Short, fast-paced chapters keep the narrative moving with a mix of baseball play-by-plays and
sleuthing. A drug-dealing subplot adds a layer of suspense and raises the stakes well beyond
troubles on the ball field. Ideal for reluctant readers, this book’s gritty undertones will appeal to
the intended high/low audience of sports fans.” —Booklist
Hurricane Heat
Steven Barwin
Can Travis keep throwing winning pitches as he
searches for his only sister?
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verything stops making sense for southpaw Travis Barkley when his parents die
in a car crash and he is separated from his sister, Amanda. After years of being in
the foster-care system, Travis receives a puzzling postcard from Amanda and heads to
southern California to try to find her. His search is a dead-end until he meets Jesse and
Ethan. With the help of his new friends, Travis continues to look for Amanda. Travis’s
love of baseball is rekindled when Ethan convinces him to pitch on his baseball team.
His attention divided, Travis must decide between jeopardizing his chance at a future in
baseball and connecting with his sister.
“Barwin is particularly good at depicting the sports scenes. His close attention to detail and
use of first-person narrative allow the reader to experience the doubts and triumphs that are
integral to any player’s experience in a game situation. Barwin’s understanding of the team
dynamic, on and off the field, is also very believable…Travis is a likeable character who is trying
to do the right thing.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
4 Sports
Off the Rim
Sonya Spreen Bates
Dylan’s girlfriend knows something—and someone wants
to keep her quiet.
ylan’s wish comes true when Coach Scott names him to the starting lineup
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for the first game of the playoffs. But just when he should be concentrating on basketball, Dylan becomes the target of some off-court aggression.
As he’s driving his girlfriend, Jenna, home one night, a black pickup truck tries to run
them off the road. The police call it an accident. But even as Dylan tries to put it behind
him, he has a sense of impending danger that he can’t shake. When Jenna starts receiving
threats from an anonymous cyberbully telling her to keep quiet, Dylan becomes seriously
concerned about her safety. Jenna has no idea what the cyberbully thinks she knows. But
Dylan will have to help her figure it out fast if they’re ever going to feel safe again.
Junior Library Guild Selection
“This novel moves at a very good pace, and the characters are both likeable and believable…
This is one of my favorite books in the 'Orca Sports' series yet, and it would be a good addition
to a school or public library. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“Will have great appeal to basketball fans as individual games are described play by play, in
great…A satisfying short novel for reluctant readers.” —Resource Links
Topspin
Sonya Spreen Bates
Things are spinning out of control.
K
at is thrilled to be competing in a junior tennis championship at Melbourne Park
for the first time. But things are off to a horrible start. Her doubles partner, Miri,
is sneaking around at night and asking Kat to cover for her. She’s also playing terribly,
almost costing them their match. Miri’s boyfriend, Hamish, one of the top competitors,
seems unaware of her unusual behavior. When strange things begin happening to throw
off Hamish’s game, Kat suspects that Miri may be involved. Who is trying to sabotage
Hamish? And can Kat put a stop to the plot before it’s too late?
“Bates doesn’t hold back on action, whether athletic or otherwise. Cheating, blackmail, and
drugs make for a scandalous romp in the usually squeaky clean world of tennis. Matches are
recalled at breathless speed…[Kat] is an enthusiastic narrator and keeps the stakes of each
bout high…Tennis fans should find plenty to cheer about in this sporty endeavor.” —Booklist
“[Kat’s] sleuthing while off the court is as enjoyable and suspense-filled as the best literary
female detectives. Action abounds both on and off the courts, speeding the reader along to a
satisfying conclusion in this new Orca Sports novel. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Sports 5
Jumper
Desperate to save a band of wild mustangs from the
slaughterhouse, Reese finds herself in danger.
eese loves horses and longs to be a competitive show jumper. When the leased horse
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she rides is sold, she is left riding the orneriest horse in the stable. She decides she
must find a horse of her own. Her parents can’t afford a trained horse, so she decides to
buy a wild horse at auction.
Outbid, she discovers that many of the wild horses will be sold for slaughter.
Determined to save the horses from a terrible fate, she finds herself in deeper than she
expected—and fighting for her life.
Kicker
Why does someone want Izzy’s team out of contention?
zzy and Julia have been on the same team for years. Izzy is frustrated that Julia spends
too much time cherry-picking and getting all the credit when they score. But when
Isomeone
starts threatening the team and their home field is sabotaged, the friends must
work together to find the answers. Why would someone threaten their star player? And
what is the connection to a century-old train robbery and the rumor of buried treasure?
Trying to solve the mystery and keep the team in the playoff race, Izzy and Julia find
themselves in deeper than they thought, and in more danger than they imagined.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
6 Sports
Absolute Pressure
Sigmund Brouwer
an has been going to Key West every summer for years, helping his Uncle Gord at his dive
ISherri,
shop and spending as much time as he can underwater. When he’s not diving, he’s admiring
the girl who works at the dive shop, and wondering how she would feel if he told her
that he tastes blackberries whenever he sees her. A series of accidents leads Ian to believe that
his uncle is in grave danger, but the truth is more complicated and terrifying than he could
ever have imagined.
Golden Eagle finalist
All-Star Pride
Sigmund Brouwer
t’s the all-star team, made up of the WHL’s young hockey players, just one short step away
Ishown
from the NHL. Their goal is to beat the Russian All-Stars in a best-of-seven series to be
as a television special. Hog Burnell, one of the biggest and toughest players in the
league, is happy to be part of it. He could use the money that would come with a series win by
the WHL All-Stars. At the very worst, it’s a free vacation to Russia. It doesn’t take Hog long
to discover there’s plenty more money to be made along the way…if he’s willing to pay the
price for it.
Blazer Drive
Sigmund Brouwer
W
hen Josh Ellroy, left-winger for the Kamloops Blazers, and his dad find more than a
dozen dead cattle on the family ranch, Josh has some serious decisions to make. On one
hand, the Western Hockey League playoffs are ahead, plus a chance to play in the National
Hockey League. On the other hand, there’s a beautiful and interesting girl who believes more
prize bulls will be killed. Josh is afraid of what will happen if he gets involved. As he learns
more, he’s afraid of what will happen if he doesn’t.
Canadian Toy Testing Council Top Ten Great Books for Children
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Sports 7
Chief Honor
Sigmund Brouwer
auren Cross is the first female player on a WHL team—goaltender Joseph Larken’s team,
L
the Spokane Chiefs. For Joseph, the prospect of a season in the publicity shadow of a
new female goalie promises to be a nightmare. Hiding behind a carefully built wall of anger,
Joseph is relieved when a scandal knocks Lauren off the team…until he begins to believe she
was framed.
Cobra Strike
Sigmund Brouwer
oy Linden should be thrilled. His high school football team, the Johnstown Striking
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Cobras, just got a new quarterback, and that means a chance at a winning season and
a college scholarship for Roy, the team’s senior receiver. But then he stumbles onto a deadly
secret in the small coal-mining town. Revealing this toxic threat may cost him his best friend
and his football career. But remaining silent could cost him much more.
Hitmen Triumph
Sigmund Brouwer
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eft winger Nolan Andrews thinks it’s great that he can play hockey in Calgary, where his
older brother, Nathan, is a star center for the Hitmen. When Nolan finds out that a lot of
things about Nate’s new life in Calgary don’t make sense—or might not even be legal—Nolan
has to make some difficult choices that will affect him and his brother for the rest of their lives.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
8 Sports
Hurricane Power
Sigmund Brouwer
hen David’s family moves from northern Ontario to Miami, Florida, it takes him less
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than a day to discover how out of place he is in his new neighborhood. He joins his
school’s track team, hoping to make new friends, but soon he is pulled into a school-wide web
of secrecy and danger. And the one person who can help him keeps running away.
Maverick Mania
Sigmund Brouwer
he disappearance of his soccer team’s leading scorer during the championship finals leads
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sixteen-year-old Matt to investigate and entangles him in a possible kidnapping. If the
Mavericks win just a few more games, they’ll make it to the national soccer championship.
There’s only one catch. Their star player, Caleb Riggins, has disappeared.
“Each character is distinct and believable and acts consistently in accordance with his/her traits.
The author is clearly knowledgeable about soccer game-play.” —Resource Links
Oil King Courage
Sigmund Brouwer
hen the Edmonton Oil Kings discover that Reuben Reuben has a hockey game as
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unforgettable as his name and his Inuit heritage, life changes in a hurry for him and his
best friend Gear. A wealthy businessman sponsors a three-on-three pond-hockey tour across
the western Arctic, and Reuben and Gear find out more than they ever bargained for about
teamwork, about the North and about a dangerous family secret.
Canadian Children’s Book Centre Best Book starred selection
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Sports 9
Rebel Glory
Sigmund Brouwer
t seventeen, star defenseman Brian Thomas McPhee likes his chances of making it as a
A
pro hockey player. Yet, a string of recent “accidents” threatens to knock his team out of
the playoffs and ruin his promising career. B.T. McPhee has begun to question how many
“accidents” can happen before they become more than a coincidence. But it’s not a good time
for questions. Not in the spotlight of high-pressure hockey. Not when the team needs him
most. And not when he has some important lessons to learn about life.
Scarlet Thunder
Sigmund Brouwer
renton Hiser is trying to walk in the footsteps of his uncle, Mike Hiser, a successful
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Hollywood director. During Trenton’s summer vacation, he goes with his uncle to film
the inside story of Scarlet Thunder, a top-level stock-car racing team. As they film the action,
too many things go wrong, deadly mistakes are made and Trenton finds out that much more
than the race is at stake.
Thunderbird Spirit
Sigmund Brouwer
H
ockey stars Mike “Crazy” Keats and his Cree Indian friend, Dakota Smith, are caught
in a web of violence which makes winning a championship the least of their concerns.
Dakota is in trouble. But Mike doesn’t care. He is new to the Seattle Thunderbirds, and Dakota
seems like a good guy to have for a friend. Unfortunately, not everyone accepts Dakota’s Indian
heritage so easily.
“A substantial read with a unique plot and compelling characters…sure to entertain.”
—CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
10 Sports
Tiger Threat
Sigmund Brouwer
ay Hockaday plays center for the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Western Hockey League.
R
He’s spent his hockey career hiding something from the world. When his new Russian
room-mate shows up, Ray is assigned to help Vlad get used to life in Canada. What Ray doesn’t
know is that Vlad is also hiding something. And that secret could get both of them killed.
ALA Popular Paperback nominee
Golden Eagle nominee
Titan Clash
Sigmund Brouwer
ack’s dad is tough on him, but he has learned to live with it. For the most part, he has it
J
pretty good. Jack is a star player on his high school basketball team with everything going
for him—scoring records, popularity and an easy path to a college scholarship. Almost as fast
as the crash that put his mom in the hospital, everything Jack believes in starts to crumble.
His only hope is to discover what’s really going on, and quickly. If he doesn’t, Jack may lose
much more than a basketball career.
Winter Hawk Star
Sigmund Brouwer
T
yler is a good, solid hockey player, but not a great one. That honor belongs to the
obnoxious Riley, a sixteen-year-old spoiled superstar who makes Tyler’s life miserable.
When Tyler and Riley are sent to volunteer at a local youth program, Tyler finds the passion
and commitment he needs to step up his game on ice—and off.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Sports 11
Two Foot Punch
Anita Daher
Free-running feels like flying and Nikki must use all her skill to
stay ahead of danger and save her brother.
esse blames her brother, Jeremy, for their parents’ death in a house fire, but when
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Jeremy gets involved with a gang, Jesse knows she is the only one who can save him.
Enlisting the help of a girl named Rain, who uses her athletic abilities to carry out acts
of petty thievery, Jesse uses all her gymnastic and free-running skills to stay ahead of the
gang and keep her brother from being killed.
“A light and easy read which deserves a space on library or classroom shelves. Highly
Break Point
Kate Jaimet
A tennis rivalry. A beautiful girl. A multimillion-dollar property.
A trophy rumored to be worth a fortune.
the summer of Connor Trent’s sixteenth birthday, and the stakes for him have
been so high. Connor’s summer job at the Bytowne Tennis Club throws him
Iintot’snever
confrontation with his rich-kid rival, Rex Hunter. After a series of fundraisers
is sabotaged, Connor suspects that someone wants to bankrupt the club and take over
its valuable riverfront property. A fabled trophy, rumored to contain hidden cash, might
solve all of Connor’s problems—if he can win it.
“Jaimet has written a fast-paced story from a first-person narrative. She easily explains the rules
of the game whilst maintaining the excitement of a match and conveying the adrenaline rush a
player feels during competition…She bypasses a flat, stock jock-character for a more mature
young man who contemplates morality and how it would translate in action.” —CM Magazine
“[Jaimet’s] first-person descriptions of the hero playing a tennis match are well-researched;
the ring of authenticity and the concurrent sub-plots work well with the story’s main focus.”
—Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
12 Sports
Edge of Flight
Kate Jaimet
Can Vanisha find the courage she needs to save her friend?
dge of Flight is the toughest rock-climbing route Vanisha has ever faced. She has one
E
last chance to conquer it before she moves to Vermont to start university. University
is a sore point for Vanisha, who yearns for a career in the outdoors but feels pressured by
her mother to earn an academic degree. Trying to put school out of her mind, she heads
to the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas with her buddies Rusty and Jeb for a final weekend
of climbing and camping. Deep in the woods, they stumble on an illegal marijuana plantation, and the gang of bikers who guard it. When Jeb is shot by the bikers, Vanisha alone
must get help—and to do so, she must climb Edge of Flight. As she confronts her insecurities Vanisha gains a new resolve and the self-confidence to choose her own path in life.
Slam Dunk
Kate Jaimet
There are a few things more painful than a missed free throw.
ixteen-year-old Salvador “Slam” Amaro thinks being the assistant coach of the
Brookfield High School girls’ basketball team will be an easy gig. Show up, run a few
S
drills and pad his resumé so he can win a spot on the Ontario Provincial Under 17 team.
But Slam’s job suddenly gets a lot harder when the girls’ coach and her daughter, the star
point guard, vanish after being threatened. Getting to the bottom of their disappearance
puts Slam in confrontation with a mysterious stalker. But that’s not his only problem.
With the girls facing playoff elimination, Slam has to come up with some new coaching
strategies while he battles some tough competitors for a place on the Ontario squad.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Sports 13
Sidetracked
Deb Loughead
Will Maddy’s track team work out their issues
before the big race?
addy doesn’t find it easy adjusting to grade nine. The friendships and loyalties she
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took for granted in middle school are being challenged, and there’s so much more
competition on her track team now.
When Maddy stumbles across a friend being bullied behind the school after a track
practice, she suspects something nasty is going on. So when Coach announces one of
the team members has been robbed, she realizes the two incidents must be connected.
Everyone on the track and field team is under suspicion. How can the team function with
so much uneasiness among its members?
“Explores the importance of friendship, communication, forgiveness, standing up to bullying,
truthfulness, and doing the right thing in this timely story, and readers will empathize with the
subtle misunderstandings that lead to Maddy’s alienation from her old friends, while cheering for
her as she tries to set things right.” —Booklist online
Flying Feet
James McCann
Jinho is in a grudge match between indomitable spirit
and outright brutality.
fter losing yet another tae kwon do tournament, Jinho gives in to his anger and breaks
A
his opponent’s fingers. While this gets him barred from competing at his dojang, it also
gets him scouted by Austin, a trainer for an underground mixed martial arts club. At first the
prospect of fighting without boundaries appeals to Jinho, but the more involved he gets,
the more disturbing he finds it and the harder it is to find a way out. Unlike legal MMA,
which has rules and regulations, underground MMA is a free-for-all: there are no weight
classes and no referees to stop the fight should it go too far. When Jinho is set up to fight
a boy known as The Ripper, he realizes that he doesn’t belong in this world, but the only
thing that can save him is the ancient code of tae kwon do.
Canadian Children’s Book Centre Best Book starred selection
“McCann doesn’t demonize the sport or its participants. Instead, he offers the reader a lucid
account of its appeal while eloquently describing its dark side…An appealing story about
martial arts that offers teens a combination of action, suspense and a positive message. Highly
Recommended.”
—CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
14 Sports
Underhand
M.J. McIsaac
It’s the shot of a lifetime.
F
ifteen-year-old Nick Carver is tired of living in his older brother’s shadow. Markus is
the lacrosse team hero, love interest of Nick’s longtime crush and now the recipient of
a prestigious scholarship from the Philston Weiks Academy.
When a mistake at provincials results in Markus’s goal being discounted, rumors start
going around school that he cheated. Suddenly, Philston Weiks is “rethinking” Markus’s
scholarship offer. They’ve also invited other players, including Nick, to try out for Markus’s
spot. Nick is flattered but conflicted. He’s pretty sure his brother didn’t cheat. But can he
prove it? And if he does, will he ruin his one chance to finally be in the spotlight?
Junior Library Guild selection.
“McIsaac’s blend of suspense, sports action, and realistic drama keeps the story moving in the
hallways, in the locker room, and during game play.” —Publishers Weekly
“McIsaac proves she can create engaging, high-impact fiction, bringing a necessary edginess to
the lacrosse scenes and antagonism between the players.” —Quill & Quire
Squeeze
Dark, damp and dangerous—what’s not to like?
yron is psyched when his older brother Jesse invites him on a weekend caving trip—
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even if it means spending time with Cole, Jesse’s obnoxious college roommate.
Things get tense when they near the cave, only to find that the way in is blocked. Byron
stumbles on the entrance to a new cave, but the thrill of his discovery is overshadowed
by Cole’s increasingly strange behavior. Exploring a wild cave is always dangerous, but it
becomes deadly as tempers fray and the water level inside the cave starts to rise. When an
underground confrontation leaves his brother seriously injured, Byron has to make some
life-or-death decisions—and every second counts.
“Muller puts the emphasis on action and suspense in this short tale of three Vancouver
teens exploring a newfound cave rightly dubbed ‘Murphy’s Law.’…Rich in caver technique and
terminology…Older, less-able readers will enjoy this page-turner as much as the middle-graders
who are its natural audience.” —Booklist
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Sports 15
Fly Away
Nora Rock
Flying is one thing. Soaring is another.
fter a member of her competitive cheerleading team is injured in practice, sixteenA
year-old Marnie is asked to be a flyer—the most coveted role in cheerleading. The Soar
Starlings team has a real shot at the provincial championship, and Marnie has only a few weeks
to prepare. But as she scrambles to polish her lifts and throws, Marnie’s personal life begins
to unravel. First, her boyfriend of two years breaks up with her, and then her best friend
Arielle, captain of the Starlings, disappears during a team trip to Toronto. As Marnie
struggles to adjust to being both a flyer and the team’s new captain, she realizes that, to
be a leader, you have to let go of old alliances to make room in your life for new ones.
Above All Else
Jeff Ross
This team’s winning streak has taken an ugly turn.
D
el plays striker on his high school soccer team, the Cardinals, and they’ve gone
almost three seasons undefeated. To Del, it’s just a game, but some of the players
think winning is all that matters. When an ugly tackle results in a major loss for the
Cardinals against their main rival, the Rebels, things get heated between the teams. That
night, one of Del’s teammates has his ankle broken by an unknown assailant, leaving him
unable to take part in the playoffs.
As Del tries to figure out which of the Rebels’ players is responsible for the attack, his
coach brings in a substitute player, and he’s actually really good. Is it just a coincidence, or
did someone finally take the above all else mentality too far?
“A fast-paced mystery with some excellent dialogue, action scenes, and an important message:
one should not jump to conclusions and/or judge others until all of the evidence is in.”
—CM Magazine
“Part detective story, part teenage romance, part reality show, and quite an entertaining
quick read. Author Jeff Ross obviously knows his subject, audience and characters very well.”
—Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
16 Sports
Dawn Patrol
Jeff Ross
verything stops making sense for extreme surfer Kevin Taylor after his parents die in a
E
plane crash. When Kevin disappears, leaving only a cryptic note, his best friends Luca
and Esme have no choice but to try and find him. Their journey takes them to the coast of
Panama, where they must confront unfriendly locals, a surfer who seems bent on destroying
them, and monster waves. As their hope dwindles and time runs out, the mystery of what
really happened to Kevin’s parents deepens, and Luca and Esme begin to wonder if they are
in over their heads.
The Drop
Jeff Ross
lex’s goal in life is simple: to snowboard all day, every day. His ultimate dream is to be part
A
of the Backcountry Patrol, an elite group of snowboarders who patrol the ungroomed
slopes of British Columbia. But first, he and three other young hopefuls (Dave, Bryce and
Hope) must endure a series of tests, which takes them to remote and dangerous terrain. When
Bryce disappears, the teens are left with Sam, their dubiously qualified instructor, and no links
to the outside world. As Alex and Hope scramble to find out what happened to Bryce, they
must confront their own fears of the whiteout conditions and the ominous, mysterious drop.
Bank Street College of Educations Best Children’s Book of the Year
Powerslide
Jeff Ross
C
asey Finnegan is a talented skateboarder. He lives to skate. At the end of his final year of
high school, Casey is wondering what to do with his life. He hasn’t applied to any colleges,
and other than skateboarding, he doesn’t believe he’s very good at much of anything. When
a young movie star contacts Casey and offers him the job of stunt double in an upcoming
skateboarding movie, Casey is stoked. It’s his dream job, and Casey jumps at the opportunity
to train the star. But when word gets out about Casey’s new gig, a local skater has other ideas
about who would make the best stunt double.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Sports 17
Crossover
Jeff Rud
All the world is a stage…or is it a basketball court?
ifteen-year-old Kyle Evans is a triple-threat basketball player who can dribble, pass or
F
shoot with skill. But once he decides to try out for the school musical production, Kyle
finds there is much more to life than hightops and hookshots. Conflicting priorities cause
problems between Kyle and his coaches, teachers, teammates and friends. And when his
buddy Lukas becomes the target of homophobic hatred, Kyle is left with some difficult
choices to make.
Paralyzed
Jeff Rud
Reggie gets down and dirty.
inebacker Reggie Scott is forced to deal with the repercussions of an incident that
shakes his belief in the game he loves. When he is persecuted by angry fans for being
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a “dirty” player, Reggie is forced to confront his own guilt and decide whether he can
continue to play his senior season and beyond.
“This fast-paced, short novel is perfect…It offers the excitement of the game and at the
same time includes a story with substance and morals…Recommended.” —Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
18 Sports
Dead in the Water
Robin Stevenson
D
espite his father’s opposition, Simon “Spacey” Drake is determined to become a longdistance sailor, so he signs up for a week-long sailing course. The real trouble begins when
Simon and Olivia, another student, get curious about a nearby cabin cruiser in an anchorage.
They stumble upon an abalone poaching operation, but the poachers have far too much at
stake to let a couple of kids get in their way. Simon has always believed that the only person
you can count on is yourself, but when he and Olivia find their lives in danger, he knows they
will have to work with the rest of the crew if they are to survive.
“Stevenson delivers a fast-paced nautical adventure filled with intricate sailing maneuvers and realistic
depictions of stormy seas.” —CM Magazine
Razor’s Edge
Nikki Tate
ravis and his best friends Ryan and Jasper live for the thrill of watching their horses race.
T
When a thief starts hacking off the tails of Standardbred horses stabled at Blackdown
Park, suddenly the track isn’t such a great place to hang out. Things get even more unpleasant
when a troubled girl comes between Travis and his friends. Travis has to make some tough
choices, but how can he stand by his friends when he no longer trusts them?
“A flawless teenage tale.” —The Globe and Mail
Venom
Nikki Tate
S
ixteen-year-old Spencer loves his job at the local racing stable, but when he becomes
convinced that someone is drugging the racehorse Lord of the Fires, no one believes him.
In an effort to find out who is behind a dangerous race-fixing scheme, he takes on some of
the most unsavory members of the track community. By refusing to turn a blind eye, Spencer
risks losing those he cares most about, including Em, a horse trainer’s niece.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Sports 19
Boarder Patrol
Erin Thomas
yan is determined to be a professional snowboarder but he’s learned from what happened
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to his whistle-blower father that doing the right thing doesn’t always pay off. When his
parents leave Kamloops, Ryan decides to stay with relatives so he can be near the Salmon
Valley Ski Resort. He spends all his time at the ski hill, volunteering with the Junior Safety
Patrol to cover the cost of his lift pass.
Haze
Erin Thomas
ram’s friend Jeremy wants to go public with information about a hazing-related student
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death. The morning after he tells Bram this, he’s injured in a hit-and-run accident.
Now Jeremy is in a coma, and Bram is trying to follow the trail that he left. The trouble is,
Abby, Jeremy’s sister, is convinced Bram’s swimming coach is to blame. Bram knows Coach
is innocent, but can he prove it? And what will happen if he’s wrong?
“I’m the kind of person who has trouble starting new books…I got to page twenty-seven [of Haze]
before we had even left the Bookshelf. On the way home, my dad tried to talk to me, but I had my
nose in the book. I did not put it down once that day. I read it in the bath, I read it while I was walking
downstairs, and I read it until I finished it. In other words, it was amazing.” —Bookshelf Reviews blog
Gravity Check
Alex Van Tol
J
amie is determined that nothing—not even his annoyingly popular younger brother
Seth—is going to spoil his fun at a mountain biking camp in the backcountry. Nothing
but stumbling on a giant grow-op in the woods, that is. And watching their fellow campers
get captured by violent drug dealers. And working with Seth to figure out a way to save them
without getting caught themselves.
“This phenomenal novel is a testament to Van Tol’s sheer writing genius. Five stars!”
—Bookvacations.wordpress.com
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
www.orcabook.com
phone: 1-250-380-1229
fax: 1-250-380-1892
Orca Book
Publishers
Rights Catalogue—Young Readers
Core Titles
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
2 Young Readers
Colette and the Silver Samovar
Nancy Belgue
You don’t have to believe a prophecy for it to come true.
C
olette Faizal isn’t superstitious, so she doesn’t worry when a fortune-teller advises
Colette’s mother to “watch for the unexpected.” But when her father announces he is
going back to Iran, her mother is hurt in a car accident and Colette is sent to live with the
grandparents she’s never even met, everything the mysterious woman predicted seems to
be coming true. As Colette struggles to bring her family back together, she tries to hold
on to the last thing the fortune-teller told her: “You will know how to handle what lies
ahead.”
Feather Brain
Maureen Bush
Holy herbivore! The beast is alive!
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ucas has dinosaurs on the brain, but he’s a little short on friends. When he gets a new
book on how to make model dinosaurs, he’s inspired to make one immediately. He’s
not so inspired by his new dinosaur-making kit: all the box contains is a test tube of clear
liquid and a few instructions. But when he mixes the liquid into his papier-maché goop, he
gets much more than he bargained for, including the most unlikely friend.
Hackmatack nominee
Sunburst Award honorable mention
Red Cedar nominee
“There are so many possibilities with this story!” —The Bookmark
“Bush grabs the reader from the first page and pulls us quickly into a lively adventure.”
—Canadian Teacher Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Young Readers 3
Cursed!
Maureen Bush
Imagination can be your worst enemy or your best friend.
J
ane is terrified of the masks hanging along her grandmother’s stairwell, and even
more scared of the Spirit Man in her grandmother’s bathroom. After a week of avoiding him during a summer visit, she finally summons the courage to face him, minutes
before leaving for the trip home. But her moment of triumph marks the beginning of a
year of trouble for Jane and her family, trouble only Jane (and the Spirit Man) can fix.
“Bush’s story offers readers the opportunity to live vicariously through Jane’s journey to selfdiscovery and, further, experience a thrilling sense of obtaining confidence by overcoming
obstacles. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Whiteout
Becky Citra
Bad weather turns Robin’s world upside down.
obin can hardly wait for her cousin April and her Aunty Liz to come to the ranch for
Christmas. When a devastating car accident sends Aunty Liz to the hospital for sevR
eral months, Robin can’t help but be overjoyed to learn that April will live with Robin and
her family while her mother is recuperating. But April has changed, and Robin must deal
with April’s growing anger and resentment at being forced to leave her injured mother
and her life in the city. Then Robin’s little sister, Molly, disappears during a blizzard, and
Robin and April’s friendship faces the ultimate test.
“The strength of Whiteout lies in the depiction of Robin as a typical pre-teen, too selfabsorbed and too immature to understand or comprehend the real pain and dislocation
being suffered by her cousin April…The second strength of this novel…is the setting in the
beautiful and unspoiled BC interior which provides a great location for nature on the grand
scale, contrasted with human frailties. Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
4 Young Readers
Racing for Diamonds
Anita Daher
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az lives in the small northern community of Destiny and is a new member of the Junior
Canadian Rangers. Her divorced parents argue a lot, and Jaz hopes if she wins a dogmushing derby, they will be so proud of her they will stop arguing. But the derby would be
a lot more fun if she wasn’t paired with Colly, an older boy who is a more experienced JCR.
On the derby trail all Jaz’s newfound skills, her will to survive and her ability to get along
with Colly, are put to a life-and-death test.
Hackmatack nominee
Poachers in the Pingos
Anita Daher
hen Junior Canadian Rangers, Colly and Jaz, visit Colly’s uncle on Canada’s Arctic coast,
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they are quick to discover something is amiss. Someone has been hunting gyrfalcons,
the official bird of the Northwest Territories. Could it be poachers? During a pretend emergency, Colly and Jaz put two and five together and end up in a terrifying race for their lives!
“For children who enjoy a bit of escapist fiction with a solid whodunit element, this book fits
the bill. Recommended.”—CM Magazine
“A well-written and suspense-filled mystery for children…An excellent addition to a family,
school or classroom library.” —Resource Links
On the Trail of the Bushman
Anita Daher
unior Canadian Ranger Tommy Toner has a terrible secret. During the annual JCR
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summer camp in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, he plays a prank which has unexpected
and destructive results. Ashamed and afraid of what people will think, he keeps quiet, even
though the guilt eats away at him. Tommy and his old friends Colly and Jaz team up to take
part in a JCR competition at camp. They decide to search on horseback for the legendary
Bushman, a Sasquatch-like creature who has been sighted near Whitehorse. But is the Bushman real or is he simply a terrifying creature of myth and legend? What Tommy and his
friends discover puts all their lives in danger, and only the truth can save them.
“A pleasing page turner. Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Young Readers 5
Chance and the Butterfly
Maggie De Vries
Chance learns the importance of letting go.
very time Chance turns around, he gets in trouble. In school, he can’t sit still. Reading
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is hard and math is harder, but anything to do with science fascinates him. When his
class starts raising butterflies from caterpillars, Chance is hooked. School is suddenly fun
again, but when he decides to take his caterpillar home, he learns that loving something
often means letting it go.
BC Book Prize nominee
OLA Best Bests selection
“Chance and the Butterfly will touch the hearts and minds of those who experience it.”
—CM Magazine
Somebody’s Girl
Maggie De Vries
There’s more to family than shared DNA.
artha knows she is adopted, but she’s well-loved and popular, at least until her
mother gets pregnant and she feels her parents’ attention start to shift. Upset and
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confused, Martha lashes out at—and loses—her friends. She also makes no secret about
her annoyance at being forced to do a school project about sturgeon with Chance, a difficult boy whose foster parents are family friends. To add insult to injury, Martha’s birth
mother announces that she is getting married and moving away. Now Martha isn’t number one in anybody’s life. When her mom goes into labor prematurely, Martha realizes
that she needs to figure out a way to be a better friend and daughter, and a great sister.
“The story is beautifully written, and Martha and Chance are particularly authentic and
robust, though even minor characters are deftly drawn. Although the book has a strong
appeal to those interested in fiction about open adoptions, it deserves a wide audience
because it is so well told.” —School Library Journal
“De Vries looks at the world through a child’s eyes and in doing so, she captures the essence of childhood.” —Cracking the Cover blog
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
6 Young Readers
The Undergardeners
Desmond Anthony Ellis
A boy discovers an incredible community beneath his backyard.
ouse is small for his age and tired of being teased about it. Then one night he discovers,
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much to his surprise and delight, that he fits perfectly (well, almost perfectly) into the
Undergarden, a subterranean world beneath his backyard. Mouse befriends the Undergardeners—and helps them keep their existence safe from the dangerous world uptop. All that,
and he never has to change out of his pajamas!
“A little mystery and a little humor…This is a story that can and will be enjoyed by many children. Recommended” —CM Magazine
Belle of Batoche
Jacqueline Guest
The story of the Riel Rebellion from a Métis point of view.
elle, an eleven-year-old Métis girl, and Sarah both want the coveted job of church bell
ringer. An embroidery contest is held to award the position, and Sarah cheats. Before
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Belle can expose her, the two are caught up in the advancing forces of General Middleton and
his troops as they surround Batoche in the 1885 Riel Rebellion. The church bell disappeared
that day and remains missing to this day.
Red Cedar nominee
“An extremely fine work of historical fiction. Highly Recommended.”
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Young Readers 7
Secret Signs
Jacqueline Guest
Will the secret signs lead Henry to his father?
he Depression has ruined Henry Dafoe’s life: his father has left the family farm to look
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for work, his mother is sick and now she’s decided to send Henry to Nova Scotia to
work on his uncle’s fishboat. But Henry has other ideas. He runs away from home to join his
father, which proves more difficult than he imagined. Alone and scared in a strange city,
he befriends an old hobo named Clickety Clack, who agrees to take him to find his father.
As they make their way across the country, Clickety Clack teaches Henry about the secret
signs that hoboes use to communicate with each other.
Hackmatack nominee
“Young readers…will be treated to a good adventure story and a bit of history as well. Highly
Recommended.” —Canadian Book Review Annual
The Great Bike Rescue
Hazel Hutchins
To track down a bike thief, you’ve gotta think like one.
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he summer is off to a lousy start when Levi’s bike is stolen from outside the corner store.
He feels even worse because he didn’t lock it. But when his best friend Riley’s locked bike
is stolen the very next day, the boys are determined to get both of them back. When they
discover there has been a string of bicycle thefts in the area, the friends hatch several plans
to find the culprit. There are so many potential suspects—Steve Morrow and his gang, the
tattooed guy who sits at the bus stop, the owners of the secondhand-bike store. There’s also
Emily Grimshaw, Levi’s childhood nemesis, who keeps popping up and showing a peculiar
interest in the thefts. Does she really want to help or is she involved somehow? And will Levi
and Riley ever see their beloved bikes again?
Silver Falchion Award finalist
R. Ross Annett Award nominee
Silver Birch Express Award nominee
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
8 Young Readers
The Big Snapper
Tall tales help Eddie understand the world.
en-year-old Eddie lives with his mom and grandparents in a small cabin on the Queen
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Charlotte Islands. A year earlier, Eddie’s dad took the ferry to the mainland and never
returned. Eddie loves going fishing with Granddad and listening to his tall tales about the
big snapper. Eddie believes if they catch such a fish, it might change his family’s fortune.
When Granddad falls ill and must go away for treatment, Eddie worries that he too may
not come back.
Going Places
Fran Hurcomb
Scandal on a ski-doo.
welve-year-old Jess and her friends have been playing hockey with the boys in Fort Desperation, Northwest Territories, since they were six years old. They’d like to start a girls’
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team in their community, but is tiny Fort Desperation ready for it? Somebody is trying to
scare them off through acts of vandalism. Not only do Jess and her friends have to organize
a team, find a coach and learn to play together, they have to unmask the Hockey Vandal.
Can they do it before the Vandal destroys their team’s hopes?
“An inspiring story about achieving goals, finding pride, and building community. Absolutely
delightful.” —Carol Morin, CBC News: Northbeat
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Young Readers 9
The TJ Series
Hazel Hutchins
TJ and the Cats
TJ and the Haunted House
TJ and the Rockets
TJ and the Sports Fanatic
TJ and the Quiz Kids
rom her home in the mountain town of Canmore, Alberta, Hazel Hutchins has
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written over forty books for children of all ages. She gives lively presentations at
schools and libraries across Canada.
Red Cedar nominee
Shining Willow nominee
Tiny Torgi Audio Award nominee
Hackmatack nominee
Canadian Toy Testing Council Great Books selection
“The book is an unpretentious charmer, just like its hero, and is a solid read for anyone aged
seven and up.” —St. Albert Gazette
“An all-around crowd pleaser by one of our nation’s most prolific authors. Recommended.”
—CM Magazine
“The humour is catchy and one cannot help but cheer for the underdog.” —Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
10 Young Readers
I Owe You One
Natalie Hyde
Is it okay to use dynamite to pay back a debt?
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fter almost drowning in a swollen creek, Wes wonders if what his friend Zach says is
true: Wes owes a life debt to the old lady who rescued him. It doesn’t help that Wes
keeps hearing his dead father’s voice saying things like, “A man pays his debts, Wes,” and
“A man always treats a woman with respect, Wes.” But how does a guy go about paying back
a life debt anyway? And what if it involves a transmission tower, an ice-cream truck and a
few sticks of dynamite?
CYBIL Award nominee
“It is seldom that a text written simply, for younger readers, makes me both giggle and tear up.
Natalie Hyde has created characters with humourous traits, realistic flaws, and yet a sense of
integrity and community that restore one’s faith in people.” —Resource Links
“Quirky but believable characters populate the small Canadian town, giving a yesteryear feel to
a modern story.” —Booklist
Jake Reynolds: Chicken or Eagle?
Sara Leach
Jake insists he’s not crying wolf.
leven-year-old Jake Reynolds wants to save seal pups from the talons of bald eagles, proE
tect his little sister Sierra and confront the wolf he is sure stalks Hidalgo Island. But his
best friend Emily calls him a chicken, comforts Sierra when she falls and doesn’t believe the
wolf exists. Even as Jake hears howling in the night, part of him hopes Emily is right; he may
dream of being a hero, but he is terrified by the thought of running into a wolf. When Jake
leads Emily into the woods in search of adventure, he finds more than he bargained for—and
discovers things about himself that he never knew existed.
“A heart-pounding climax and a very satisfying resolution to his fears. Information about living
in harmony with the environment is seamlessly incorporated.” —Booklist
“Introduces concepts about friendship, family responsibility and conserving natural spaces.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Young Readers 11
Birdie for Now
Jean Little
By helping a small, abused dog, Dickon transforms himself.
ickon wasn’t happy in his old home or his old school. He hopes that in his new
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neighborhood he will meet children who never knew his old, hyper self, who will like
him for who he is now. And he hopes for a dog of his own. Dickon’s mother calls him Birdie.
She feeds him milk from a teddy bear mug. She worries if he’s out of her sight for a moment
and she knows how filthy and vicious dogs can be. Dickon is delighted to discover that the
Humane Society is right on the other side of the fence behind the new house, but only by
disobeying his mother will he ever get close to a real dog.
Red Cedar nominee
CLA Book of the Year for Children nominee
ASPCA Henry Bergh Award nominee
“A satisfying and heartwarming story.” —School Library Journal
“Fast-paced action and lively dialogue transport readers through conflict, challenge, suspense,
and satisfactory resolution.” —Quill & Quire
Lucky’s Mountain
Dianne Maycock
What’s so lucky about a three-legged dog?
he year is 1935 and Maggie Sullivan’s world has fallen apart. Maggie has grown up in a
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close-knit mining community perched atop a mountain in British Columbia. But now
her father has been killed in a mine explosion and she is being forced to leave the only home
she has ever known. To make matters worse, she must also leave behind her best friend
Lucky, the three-legged dog that was a special gift from Pa.
“A fast moving book…[with a] spunky heroine. Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Rights Sold:
Japanese—Asunaro Shobo
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
12 Young Readers
Addison Addley and the Things
That Aren’t There
Melody DeFields McMillan
Addison + Public Speaking = Disaster
ddison Addley hates math. He hates public speaking too. Actually, he hates anything
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that involves work, but he only has a couple of weeks to write and memorize his grade
five speech. The problem is, he can’t think of a single topic. When he finally comes up with
an excellent idea for a speech, it almost writes itself, but it’s his poor math skills that make
speech day unforgettable.
“An excellent read for young children.” —Resource Links
“McMillan has aptly drawn on her teaching background to create a believable, imaginative boy…
Her word choice and descriptive language blend to create a pleasurable read-aloud story for
the classroom.” —CM Magazine
Addison Addley and the
Trick of the Eye
Melody DeFields McMillan
Addison learns the difference between perspective and illusion.
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ddison’s mother wants to sell their comfortable old house and move into a townhouse
in a new development across town—a shoe box near a shoe factory, Addison calls it. As
usual, Addison’s brain goes into overdrive as he tries to solve two problems: first he must
get his mother to see their old house in a new light, and then he must figure out who is
responsible for a rash of neighborhood break-ins that make his mother feel unsafe. With the
help of his friend Sam, he puts his own unique spin on optical illusions (and home decor) and
ends up surprising everyone, even himself.
“Once again McMillan’s teaching background has facilitated her talent of blending a fascinating
variety of scientific principles with an exciting plot and engaging characters. Highly Recommended.”
—CM Magazine
“Readers will…enjoy the fun activities, with the scientific explanations behind optical illusions
and magic tricks accessibly conveyed.” —Booklist online
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Young Readers 13
After Peaches
Michelle Mulder
Silence is not always golden.
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en-year-old Rosario Ramirez and her family are political refugees from Mexico, trying
to make a new life in Canada. After being teased at school, Rosario vows not to speak
English again until she can speak with an accent that’s one hundred percent Canadian. Since
she and her parents plan to spend the whole summer working on BC fruit farms, she will be
surrounded by Spanish speakers again. But when her family’s closest friend Jose gets terribly
sick, Rosario’s plans start to unravel. Neither Jose nor Rosario’s parents speak English well
enough to get him the help he needs. Like it or not, Rosario must face her fears about letting
her voice be heard.
Rights Sold:
“Written in first person with clarity and understanding, this chapter book reflects the experiences
and emotions of the many immigrant children who work to fit in despite sometimes feeling ill at
ease in their new countries.” —Booklist
Ten Thumb Sam
Not even Magic Max can turn Sam into a circus star.
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am Stringbini, the youngest son in a family of circus performers, is living every kid’s
dream, except for the fact that he is no good on the high wire, trapezes freak him out and
magic mystifies him. When the Triple Top Circus is threatened by repeated acts of sabotage,
Sam is the number one suspect. To clear his name, Sam enlists the help of his cousin, Harriet,
and discovers that, while he may never be a sword-swallower or a lion-tamer, he just might
be able to save the circus.
“An absolutely delightful book.” —Resource Links
“A cute, cozy mystery for young readers. Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
14 Young Readers
Catching Spring
Sylvia Olsen
How can Bobby enter the upcoming fishing derby with no
money, no boat and no time?
he year is 1957, and Bobby lives on the Tsartlip First Nation reserve on Vancouver IsT
land where his family has lived for generations. He loves his weekend job at the nearby
marina. He loves to play marbles with his friends. And he loves being able to give half his
weekly earnings to his mother to eke out the grocery money, but he longs to enter the upcoming fishing derby. With the help of his uncle and Dan from the marina his wish just
might come true.
Red Cedar nominee
Murphy and Mousetrap
Sylvia Olsen
Murphy and his cat, Mousetrap,
never expected to end up back on the reserve.
urphy’s mother has just moved him and their cat, Mousetrap, back to the reserve in
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Port Alberni. Although he belongs to the Nuu-chah-nulth Nation, Murphy is sure
that he won’t fit in, and he worries about Mousetrap, who has always been an indoor cat.
When a bunch of local boys drag him to their soccer practice, put him in goal and pelt
him with balls, he believes that his worst fear has come true. However, he seems to be
discovering a new talent at the same time. And perhaps he has misjudged. Being a lightskinned city boy thrust onto a reserve far from the city is not easy, but maybe Murphy
has what it takes.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Young Readers 15
A Different Game
Sylvia Olsen
For Murphy and his friends, the playing field is no longer level
and the goalposts have been moved.
n this sequel to Murphy and Mousetrap, Murphy and his three friends, Danny, Jeff and
Imiddle
Albert, are making the transition from the tribal elementary school to the community
school. They are all trying out for the middle school’s soccer team, and they’re pretty confident that The Formidable Four will all make the team. But once the tryouts begin,
Albert, the tribal-school superstar, plays like a second stringer. Murphy’s new friend, Molly,
is determined to help the boys find out what’s wrong with Albert, but when they discover
the truth, they realize that Albert is playing a whole different game.
Molly’s Promise
Sylvia Olsen
Some promises are hard to keep.
hen Molly learns a talent competition is coming to town, her friend Murphy
(A Different Game, Murphy and Mousetrap) becomes her manager. Molly is certain she
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is a good singer—she has been singing in her head for as long as she can remember. She
doesn’t sing out loud because of a promise she made to herself. Years ago, Molly vowed
that her mom would be the first one to hear her sing. The only problem is, Molly knows
nothing about her mom, who left when Molly was a baby. With the talent competition only
weeks away, she has to decide whether to break her promise to herself and let her voice out
into the world, or wait for her mother’s uncertain return before singing for anyone else.
“In this small book with a lot of story packed into it, readers will enjoy the high drama…[and]
relate to Molly’s uncertainty as she tries something completely new.” —School Library Journal
“An accessible, easy-to-read text with surprising depth…Deals quietly with issues like race,
class, various kinds of sickness, and how families differ…Many readers will identify with and
enjoy Molly’s story.” —Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
16 Young Readers
The Ballad of Knuckles McGraw
Lois Peterson
fter eight-year-old Kevin Mason’s mother abandons him, he takes refuge in his fantasy
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of becoming Knuckles McGraw, a tough cowboy roaming the plains on his legendary
horse, Burlington Northern. But instead of riding the range, Kevin is stuck in a foster home
with a pierced and tattooed teenager named Ice and a mute girl named Breezy.
Meeting Miss 405
Lois Peterson
ife is hard enough for Tansy with her depressed mom away indefinitely and her dad
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making a mess of things at home. But then Dad sends her down the hall to a wrinkly old
babysitter named Miss Stella, who Tansy hates on sight. Miss Stella has a unique perspective
on life, to say the least, but with the help of her best friend Parveen, Tansy gradually learns
to manage all the changes in her life and make unexpected new friends in the process.
The Paper House
Lois Peterson
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ife is hard for ten-year-old Safiyah in the Kibera slum outside Nairobi. Too poor to go
to school, she makes a meager living for herself and her grandmother Cucu by selling
things she finds at the garbage dump. After using scavenged paper to fix up the inside of the
hut, Safiyah starts a mural on the outside. As word of the paper house spreads, Safiyah begins
to take pride in her creation. When Cucu collapses after a fire, Safiyah stays at the hospital to
help care for her grandmother. While Safiyah is away, her friend Pendo works on the mural,
which upsets Safiyah. But when Pendo attracts media attention to the paper house, Safiyah
and her grandmother are given a chance of a better life.
Rights Sold: Korea—Giant Publishing
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Young Readers 17
Trouble in the Trees
Yolanda Ridge
If Bree wants to keep climbing, she’ll have to go out on a limb.
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leven-year-old Bree is happiest when she’s climbing the trees at Cedar Grove, her
urban townhouse complex. She’s the best climber around, even better than an older
boy, Tyler, who drives her crazy with his competitiveness. When Ethan, a younger boy,
falls from a tree and hurts his elbow, the neighborhood council bans all tree-climbing in
Cedar Grove. If Bree chooses to ignore the bylaw, her family could be kicked out of their
home, so she vows to change the rule instead. After giving a presentation to the Neighborhood Council, she realizes this is not a battle she can win on her own, but rallying the
Cedar Grove troops is more difficult than she imagined.
CYBIL Award nominee
“Bree is a great role model for young girls who want to try different things, and make their
communities a better place to live.” —Resource Links
“Bree is a likeable and round character, and her voice rings true as a child frustrated with
the world of adults. All the child characters are distinct, and Ridge brings an honesty to their
conversations and thoughts. Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Road Block
Yolanda Ridge
Progress comes at a price that may be too high for Bree’s
family.
n this sequel to Trouble in the Trees, it’s the end of grade six and Bree plans to spend the
Ifriends.
summer hanging around her townhouse complex in Vancouver, climbing trees with her
But her parents have other plans for her; she is going to Ontario to stay with her
grandma who lives on a farm “in the middle of nowhere.” A farm that is about to be destroyed by a superhighway unless Bree can stop it. Convinced that saving the land will
end her grandma’s unhappiness, Bree tries to rally cousins and neighbors, but instead of
finding help, Bree uncovers some shocking things about her relatives. The more Bree gets
to know about her extended family and their farm, the more complicated everything becomes. If she isn’t able to save the farm, can she at least manage to save her family?
“[Its] strong plot and believable characters make it a very likeable novel indeed.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
18 Young Readers
Jesse’s Star
Ellen Schwartz
What drove a boy and his family to emigrate to Canada?
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esse’s project about his immigrant ancestors is due tomorrow and he hasn’t started. In a
last-ditch effort to find some information about his great-great grandfather, Yossi, Jesse
rummages through the mess in the attic until he finds a little battered travel case and a Star
of David. At first it looks plain and unimportant, but as he holds it in his hand, the star begins
to glow. Jesse is in for the surprise, and adventure, of his life as he finds himself becoming the
star’s first owner, his own great-great grandfather.
Now a boy in Russia in the 1880s, Yossi lives in a little village, watched over by thieving
soldiers who hate the Jewish community and often raid their crops before they can be stored
for the winter. The whole village prays for the opportunity to slip away from their Russian
keepers and escape to Canada, a land where they can be free. And nobody, even his parents,
think Yossi is old enough to be of any help. But Yossi is out to prove them all wrong. If his
plan works, he will set the whole village free. And he must do it alone.
Yossi’s Goal
Ellen Schwartz
Yossi dreams of playing hockey—but he has no skates.
ossi Mendelsohn works hard to help his family survive after they flee Russia to find a
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better life in Montreal. He sells newspapers and carries bundles from the garment
factory. Yossi longs to play “le hockey” with the French boys, but he has no skates. When his
father falls ill and his sister and her fiancé organize a walkout at the factory, Yossi’s dream of
lacing on skates seems farther away than ever.
“Boys will enjoy this engaging fast-paced novel. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“Believable, engrossing and provides numerous opportunities for exploring the difficulties of
immigrants.” —Canadian Teacher Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Young Readers 19
Seconds
Sylvia Taekema
hen it comes to cross-country running, Jake does everything right. He eats all the right
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foods, trains like crazy and reads articles about running in his spare time. There’s
nothing easy about running, but the hardest part for Jake is that, at the end of the day, Spencer
Solomon always wins first place. Determined to take the lead for once, Jake continues to push
himself even more. His rigorous training schedule leaves no time for friends, family, pizza or
joking around. When Jake is invited to join the Diamond Running Club, he thinks he’s found
an opportunity to train harder. Instead, with the help of his coach, Jake begins to rediscover
what he used to love about running in the first place.
Rights Sold: Korean—Beautiful People Publishing Co.
The Last Loon
Rebecca Upjohn
pending Christmas holidays in the wilderness with his ex-con aunt Mag is not Evan’s idea
of a good time. What’s worse is that everyone he meets—even his new friend Cedar—is
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making a big deal about a loon that is hanging around on the lake. Why should Evan care
about a dumb bird? When he discovers that the loon will die without help, he realizes he
does care, but rescuing the wild bird turns out to be whole lot harder, and more dangerous,
than he expected.
IODE Jean Throop Book Award—Toronto Chapter
“A beginning chapter book with a good story and a clear environmental agenda.”—Kirkus Reviews
Addy’s Race
Debby Waldman
ddy has worn hearing aids for as long as she can remember. Her mother tells her this makes her
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special, but now that Addy’s in grade six, she wants to be special for what she’s done. When Addy
joins the school running club to keep her best friend, Lucy, company, she discovers she is a gifted
runner. Lucy isn’t, which is problematic. Further troubles surface when Addy gets paired on a school
project with Sierra, a smart, self-assured new classmate who wears a cochlear implant. Addy is surprised to discover hearing loss is all they have in common—and a shared disability is not enough
of a foundation for a friendship. More importantly, Addy comes to understand that she is defined
by more than her hearing loss. She has the power to choose how people will see her, and she does.
Hackmatack nominee
Rights Sold: Korea—BookinFish
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
20 Young Readers
The Eric Walters Basketball Series
Eric Walters
Three on Three
Full Court Press
Hoop Crazy
Long Shot
Road Trip
Off Season
Underdog
Triple Threat
Boot Camp
Home Team
ric Walters began writing in 1993 as a way to entice his grade five students into becoming
more interested in reading and writing. At the end of the year, one student suggested that
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he try to have his story published. Since that first creation, Eric has published nearly seventy
novels. His novels have all become best-sellers and have won over eighty awards. Often his
stories incorporate themes that reflect his background in education and social work and his
commitment to humanitarian and social-justice issues. He is a tireless presenter, speaking to
over 70,000 students per year in schools across the country. Eric lives in Mississauga, Ontario,
with his wife and three children.
Rocky Mountain Book Award winner
Best of the Best North of the 49th
Red Cedar nominee
“Eric Walters is an extremely competent writer…[His characters] work and play hard, are
considerate of others, [and are] full of confidence and enthusiasm…Fans of the series will be
pleased to have another story about Nick and Kia. Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“Walters’ text is approachable for all readers beginning to feel comfortable with chapter books.”
—Quill & Quire
“The reading is easy and fast paced and basketball fans will love the excitement of the competition.”
—Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
www.orcabook.com
phone: 1-250-380-1229
fax: 1-250-380-1892
Orca Book
Publishers
Rights Catalogue— Echoes
Core Titles
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
2 Echoes
Orca Echoes are at-level early chapter books for beginning readers.
• Interest level: ages 7–9
• Black & White illustrations
• Themes include character building, cooperation, humor and friendship
Out and About with the Big Tree Gang is “ideal for young readers venturing into chapter reading…The language is easily
accessible…the penciled illustrations are detailed and wonderfully drawn. Highly recommended.” —CM Magazine
“Bruno has so much personality he almost leaps off the page, and the energy of the book matches its main character.
Bruno’s hijinks are entertaining and true to life, with every chapter acting as a fast-paced, self-contained story…Highly
recommended.” —Resource Links
“[Bruno] is witty and willful…A seven-year-old using this to practise reading aloud with a parent will have them both
laughing.” —Times-Colonist
“There are few true adventure books aimed at the early chapter book crowd, and [Wildcat Run] proves to be a must have
for all collections. Highly recommended!” —Resource Links
“Timberwolf Challenge is a not-to-be-missed title for those who have chuckled with other books in the Timberwolves
series.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Echoes 3
I, Bruno
Caroline Adderson
If it’s green, it’s gross!
runo is a boy with particular tastes and ideas. He will not, for example, eat anything
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green. He spends one day as Sir Bruno and another as the Queen. He is an entrepreneur
and he understands the language of Car. Bruno is a boy worth knowing.
Bruno for Real
Caroline Adderson
Birthdays, hiccups, swim lessons, summer holidays—growing up is fun!
even-year-old Bruno is back and tackling problems with his trademark originality. He
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defeats hiccups. He trades his mother for a new hat. He skillfully avoids math. And thanks
to his special Flutter Kick, he easily advances to the next level—in swimming and in life!
Bruno is ready for any challenge as he learns all there is to know about being a boy.
The Paper Wagon
martha attema
Could a paper wagon be just the thing to rescue the rooster from
the hungry fox?
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he rooster has been kidnapped by the fox. What is the little hen to do? Go to the shed and
build a paper wagon, that’s what. With two Herculean mice in place of horses, the little
hen heads for the fox’s house deep in the forest. On the way, she is joined by a cat, a brick,
a needle and a hairy spider, all desperate for a ride. Will they be able to complete the rescue?
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
4 Echoes
Marsh Island
Sonya Spreen Bates
Who else roams the woods of Marsh Island?
ake and his younger brother Tommy are on their first camping trip. While exploring
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in the woods on Marsh Island, they lose their way. When the boys start to feel like
they’re not the only ones wandering in the woods, they begin to wonder if the story their
dad told them about old Alfred Marsh and his lost fortune is true.
Back Street College of Education Best Children’s Book of the Year selection
South Australia Premier’s Reading Challenge selection
Smuggler’s Cave
Sonya Spreen Bates
A capsized boat and rising tide—will Jake and Tommy ever escape Marsh Island with their cousin Lexie?
ake and his younger brother Tommy are visiting family at a beach house on the coast.
Having already lost a race to his cousin Lexie, Jake can’t resist a second chance at
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victory when she challenges him again. Only this time it’s a boat race—to the legendary
Smuggler’s Cave and back. The ocean is deep and choppy, and the boat is harder to
control than Jake thought it would be. When he and Tommy reach Smuggler’s Cave, the
unthinkable happens. The boat capsizes, and they are swept into the cave. Lexie comes to
their rescue, but the rising tide prevents them from escaping, and the three of them soon
realize they are trapped.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Echoes 5
Wildcat Run
Sonya Spreen Bates
Can Jake, Tommy and Lexie get back to the lodge
before it’s too late?
ake, Tommy and Lexie are on a ski trip. In an attempt to squeeze one last run in for
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the day, the kids head out on their own to ski down Easy Street. But Lexie and Jake
convince Tommy to try Wildcat Run instead. Wildcat Run presents the young skiers with
more than they expect, including a cougar sighting. When Lexie has a bad fall, the kids
are left stranded on the hill in the fading daylight. Will they be rescued or will they have
to spend the night alone on the mountain with a cougar?
Thunder Creek Ranch
Sonya Spreen Bates
Jake and Tommy are about to learn why their grandparents’
farm is called Thunder Creek Ranch.
n their fourth adventure together, Jake and his younger brother, Tommy, visit their
Ifarm,
grandparents’ farm, Thunder Creek Ranch. When Jake spots a kid on the neighbor’s
he goes over to investigate and meets Cory McNash, a city kid. Cory thinks he’s
tough and likes to brag. He offers Jake a ride on a quad bike, and Jake can’t resist.
When Cory leaves a gate open and a young calf chases Tommy over the creek and
into the woods, Jake and Cory follow on the quad. There’s a storm coming, and they
soon discover why the trickle of water in the creekbed is called Thunder Creek. The
boys are stranded, and the tiny creek in now a raging torrent too dangerous to cross.
“A well-written story divided into short chapters, each one brimming with excitement…A fun,
easy-to-read addition to Sonya Spreen Bates’ series about the brothers Jake and Tommy. With
constant action, interesting settings, and character relationships that are true to real life, this is
a good choice for those looking for a realistic adventure story.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
6 Echoes
The Big Tree Gang
Jo Ellen Bogart
Rocks and bugs and kites and more.
“Hey,” Keely said to her brother, Reg. “This is a good day for a bug walk!”
“What is it with you and bugs?” he asked. “Rocks are so much better.”
Keely got a serious look on her face and started to sing, “Rocks are boring, rocks are dead. Reg
has rocks in his head.”
“Rocks don’t do anything,” she said with a sniff.
“That’s why I like them,” Reg said. “They don’t fly away, they don’t bite and they last a long
time.”
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eg and Keely are twins. Keely loves painting and bugs. Reg loves rocks. Keely sings
crazy rhymes. Reg plays softball. Shawna and Burt are their friends. In this series of
linked stories, the children’s deep involvement with their daily activities never falters,
from a bug walk, through incidents flying a kite and dividing labor at clean up time, to a
chance to swim in the river on a hot summer’s day.
Out and About with
the Big Tree Gang
Jo Ellen Bogart & Jill Bogart
Watch out for winter!
“What should we do for fun?” asked Reg.
“I know!” said Burt. “We can go for a bug hunt! You love those, Keely.”
“No, Burt,” said Keely. “The bugs are getting ready for winter. We can’t bother them. See,
autumn ruins everything!”
“If we can’t go on a bug hunt, maybe we can go on a treasure hunt!” said Shawna.
“That does sound exciting,” agreed Keely. “But we don’t have a treasure map.”
and Keely and Burt and Shawna are back, and ready for new adventures from
R eghunting
for treasure to sledding together and building fearsome creatures in the snow.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Echoes 7
Ghost Wolf
Karleen Bradford
The woods are frightening at night.
For the first time in his life, Matt knew terror. He had heard of being frozen with fear. Well, now
he was. He could not move. He tried hard to see into the darkness. He tried to hear if the wolf was
coming nearer. But he could see nothing. All he could hear was the sound of raindrops landing all
around him. Then, right in front of him, a white form took shape.
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att is desperate to fit in at summer camp. One night he gets lost when he goes off on
his own to retrieve a forgotten life preserver. A wolf appears and Matt overcomes
his fears and follows it. He finds a half-wolf, half-dog pup whose mother is dead. Is the
big wolf who guides him the same wolf that his father rescued years before from a trap?
Canadian Toy Testing Council recommended book
Justine McKeen
Queen of Green
Sigmund Brouwer
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle—Justine and her friends are out
to spread the word.
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ustine McKeen talks too much, bosses people around too much, and as everyone soon
finds out, she tells the truth, but just not all at once. Justine’s trying to save the planet,
one person and one cause at a time. Best of all, when she decides to get something done,
it involves a whole lot of laughter and fun for everyone.
Rights Sold:
Korean—BookInFish
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
8 Echoes
Justine McKeen
Walk the Talk
Sigmund Brouwer
What’s the Queen of Green up to now?
n Justine McKeen, Walk the Talk, the second book in the Justine McKeen series, Justine
Isolution
decides there are too many cars idling in front of her school. So she comes up with a
that should help keep the air cleaner. But she soon discovers not many adults
trust her crazy ideas.
“Amusing…[and] sure to appeal.” —Kirkus Reviews
Justine McKeen
Pooper Scooper
Sigmund Brouwer
Justine and her pooper-scooper crew try to get their
school librarian back where they need her to be—in the library.
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n Justine McKeen, Pooper Scooper, the third book in the Justine McKeen series, Justine
gets her friends to help her clean up the dog poop in the park across from the school
board’s offices in an effort to get the attention of the superintendent of schools. She hopes
the efforts of her crew of cheerful pooper scoopers will help get the superintendent to see
that bringing their school librarian back to work is the right thing to do.
“An inspiring story about protest…[and] written at an appropriate level so that young children
will understand that, through identifying a problem and acting peacefully through protest and
pro-active action, change is possible.” —CM Magazine
“Brouwer manages to create a believable and likable crusader in Justine. His writing is fun and
informative without ever feeling didactic.” —Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Echoes 9
Justine McKeen Eat Your Beets
Sigmund Brouwer
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n Justine McKeen, Eat Your Beets, the fourth book in the Justine McKeen series, Justine learns
a stray cat and her kittens are living off the food in their school Dumpster, Justine sets out
to reduce waste and help save animals in need. But convincing grumpy Mr. Raymond, the
cafeteria’s manager, to help them put Justine’s plan in action is another matter altogether.
“The initiative Justine displays in this story is endearing, and her efforts to help the environment are
creative and ambitious. Justine McKeen, Eat Your Beets shows readers how a little consideration and
small changes in day-to-day living can make a big impact.” —CM Magazine
Justine McKeen and the Bird Nerd
Sigmund Brouwer
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hen a small bird is injured after flying into a school window, the students are shocked
and upset. But they are even more shocked when school bully Jimmy Blatzo rescues
the bird and nurses it back to health. Blatzo may have saved one bird, but the problem is
much bigger and not confined to the school grounds. Birds are flying into the windows at
the town hall too. With the help of Justine, green activist extraordinaire, Blatzo gets the courage
he needs to approach town council. Getting over his fear of public speaking will be one challenge. Getting used to his new nickname, Bird Nerd, will be another matter entirely.
Rights Sold: Korean—BookInFish
Justine Mckeen vs. the Queen of Mean
Sigmund Brouwer
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ustine McKeen is back, and she’s on a deadline. With only days left before Earth Day,
Justine enlists the help of her classmates to count flower buds, frogs, spiders and ants in
their natural habitat as part of an environmental science project. But there’s a species right
in her own classroom that she’ll have to tackle first—a class bully. Savannah Blue, aka the
Queen of Mean, criticizes Justine’s secondhand clothes and calls being green a waste of time.
Their teacher, Mrs. Howie, gives the girls a new assignment for Earth Day—they must present
together to the class on why it’s important to care for the environment. In the sixth book in
this bestselling series, Justine is up against her biggest challenge yet—can she convince the
Queen of Mean to go green?
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
10 Echoes
Timberwolf Challenge
Sigmund Brouwer
A practical joke can turn on the joker.
ohnny Maverick has come up with an idea to win a fundraising contest for the Howling
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Timberwolves hockey team. It seems fun, until a girl visits Howling—and starts to win
challenges against Johnny. The entire town finds it funny; even worse, his friends Tom and
Stu like what’s happening.
Timberwolf Chase
Sigmund Brouwer
Lots of hockey action and hijinks.
ohnny Maverick and his friends play for the Timberwolves peewee hockey team in the
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small town of Howling. Tom Morgan has just moved from Toronto and is a talented
player. Tom is also very competitive and seems determined to pick on Stu Duncan, who is
slightly overweight.
Johnny suggests a race between Tom and Stu. Tom eagerly accepts; Stu is reluctant but
Johnny convinces him to trust his best friend’s advice. On race day Tom is surprised by both
the race and its outcome and learns that teamwork pays off.
Timberwolf Hunt
Sigmund Brouwer
He may shoot, but he never scores.
hen the Timberwolves get a new coach, they also get the coach’s son. The only problem
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is that Eldridge Elwell is a terrible hockey player. The team is on the hunt to make the
playoffs, and every time Eldridge plays a shift, it hurts the team more. Johnny Maverick is
just as angry about it as anyone on the team, until he learns something important about the
coach’s son.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Echoes 11
Timberwolf Prey
Sigmund Brouwer
Johnny finds himself with a prankster in the house.
he Howling Timberwolves need to win the best two out of three hockey games to make
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it to the championship finals. But first Johnny Maverick has to survive a visit from his
six-year-old cousin, Sarah. And not even Johnny’s dog Marvin is safe. Worse, Johnny’s got a
big lesson to learn on the ice, too. As always, Johnny and Stu and Tom think they have the
answers. But, as usual, they are wrong.
Timberwolf Revenge
Sigmund Brouwer
The Howling Timberwolves are at it again.
here’s plenty of action both on and off the ice. At a big tournament in Calgary, teammate
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Tom Morgan plays a practical joke on Johnny Maverick, so naturally Johnny feels he
has to pay him back. The rivalry escalates. After he scores a hat trick, Johnny is given a
hockey stick signed by all the members of the Calgary Flames. He worries that Tom will do
something to this prized trophy and decides he will not let it out of his sight. But in the end
Tom outsmarts him one more time and Johnny learns that revenge is never a good idea.
Timberwolf Rivals
Sigmund Brouwer
Which boy will win the grand prize?
ohnny Maverick and his friends Tom and Stu want to win the prizes donated for their
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hockey team’s Valentine’s Day dance fundraiser. Whoever wins the dance contest takes
home all the prizes, one of which is a graphite hockey stick. When the boys learn that Connie,
the new girl in Howling, is a great dancer, they each want her as their dance partner. But they
don’t think about asking her to go with them until it’s too late. And as usual, things don’t
turn out as planned for Johnny and his friends.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
12 Echoes
Timberwolf Tracks
Sigmund Brouwer
It’s father vs. sons; who will out-trick who?
t’s the most talked about trophy in Howling—The Wassabbee! And it goes to the
Itrouble,
winner of the annual fathers versus sons hockey game. This year the fathers are in
so they’ve changed the rules. The game won’t be played indoors. It’s going to be
held outside, at a weekend campout. In the middle of the winter! Johnny Maverick and his
friends know the fathers are going to play a few tricks on them, so they decide to use all
their genius to play the tricks first.
Timberwolf Trap
Sigmund Brouwer
Who knew hockey gear could smell so bad?
ohnny Maverick and Tom Morgan are in a race for the league’s goal-scoring trophy,
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but one or two other things are getting in the way. Like a joke on the coach. And,
worse, the smelly socks of death…
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Echoes 13
Not For Sale
Sara Cassidy
If Cyrus is going to stop this move, he’ll need a plan!
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hen ten-year-old Cyrus sees a For Sale sign plunged into his front lawn, it’s a
complete and utter disaster. Usually, his younger brother, Rudy, is the scaredy-cat,
but for the first time in his life, Cyrus is terrified. He’s lived at 637 Petunia Boulevard since
he came to live with his adoptive mom and dad at two months old. Won’t he go hurtling
into outer space without these four familiar walls to hold him in? Luckily, Cyrus has a few
sneaky tricks up his sleeve to stop this moving business before it even gets started.
Rights Sold:
Korean—Seedbook Publishing
“Winsome black-and-white illustrations succeed in evoking the playfulness of young narrator
Cyrus, whose struggle with the upheaval in his universe is handled with humor and real feeling.”
—Booklist
“The characters are each quite delightful…[and] the book has a gentle humour although the
themes are serious. Cyrus’ anxiety about moving is described and will be recognised as real by
any child who has been relocated.” —Resource Links
Seeing Orange
Sara Cassidy
Leland’s artistic gifts help lead him to find the courage he needs.
even-year-old Leland has trouble writing, but loves drawing. He so dislikes his
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teacher that he conjures up an imaginary seeing-eye dog to help him into class each
day. When a neighborhood painter recognizes Leland’s gifts as an artist, Leland grows
more confident about the world as he uniquely sees it. And when his family’s cat goes
missing, it is Leland’s keen observation skills that lead to finding him. Leland’s newfound
confidence helps him both confront and sympathize with his teacher.
“Themes of loneliness, friendship, and perseverance are ones to which many students will relate.
…The ending is satisfying and uplifting, leaving readers with a good feeling about appreciating
our abilities and facing challenges.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
14 Echoes
Jeremy and the Enchanted
Becky Citra
Theater
If you ever decide to travel in time, make sure you read
the Rule Book first!
eremy should be at home eating his supper. Instead he has traveled through time with a
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cat named Aristotle to Mount Olympus, home of the Greek gods. Neither he nor Aristotle
has any idea how to get home, let alone how to help Mr. Magnus lift Zeus’s curse on his
theater, where no play has been performed for years. Not knowing what else to do, Jeremy
and Aristotle climb toward the summit, finding adventure all the way.
Jeremy in the Underworld Becky Citra
Jeremy and Aristotle can get into the Underworld,
but can they get out?
Jeremy and the Enchanted Theatre, Jeremy traveled to Mount Olympus with an orange cat
Ihennamed
Aristotle to save Mr. Magnus’s theatre, but Zeus only agreed to help Mr. Magnus if
could solve the riddles on three scrolls. Now, in Jeremy in the Underworld, Jeremy is willing
to help solve the first riddle, but is he ready to travel into the Underworld to do so?
Jeremy and the Golden Fleece
Becky Citra
Jeremy and Aristotle must go to sea if they are to save
Mr. Magnus’s theater.
hat has twenty legs but just one wing? That is part of the riddle Jeremy must solve in
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this sequel to Jeremy and the Enchanted Theater and Jeremy in the Underworld, if he is to
help Mr. Magnus save the Enchanted Theater. However, he will have to captain a ship and
face a magical bull to do it.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Echoes 15
Jeremy and the Fantastic
Flying Machine
Becky Citra
Don’t fly too close to the sun!
eremy and his cat Aristotle must solve one more riddle to save the Enchanted Theater.
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Once again they travel through time and space. Once again they face their fears, this
time deep in a maze beneath the ground and high in the sky above ancient Greece. If they
succeed, the enchantment will be lifted. If they fail…
Becky Citra is the author of more than a dozen books for young readers. When Becky is
not writing, she gardens, hikes, skis and reads. Becky lives with her husband and daughter
on a ranch where she has ridden and trained horses for thirty years in Bridge Lake, British
Columbia.
Sam’s Ride
Becky Citra
Horses, cowboy boots and thunderstorms—Sam’s in for an
adventure on the ranch!
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am, a seven-year-old boy, is devastated when his mother leaves him for two weeks on
his grandfather’s ranch. Grandpa has a lot of rules, and Sam isn’t happy about having
to stay with him. But Sam’s time on the ranch isn’t all bad. He learns to ride a horse and
also discovers some surprising things about his father, who died when Sam was a baby.
When Sam is forced to overcome his fear of riding in order to help rescue Grandpa, Sam
grows to appreciate both his grandpa and life on the ranch.
Back Street College of Education Best Children’s Book of the Year selection
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
16 Echoes
Sam and Nate
PJ Sarah Collins
Did you know that apes do not have tails? Or that baleen whales
have two blowholes? Sam and Nate do.
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am and Nate tells the story of a developing friendship between two boys. Through letters,
notes, school projects, a pregnant teacher and a substitute who has never taught children
before, Sam and Nate support each other as best they can, but get into some funny scrapes
while they’re at it.
Sea Dog
What does Kyle’s dog seek so far out at sea?
hen Kyle finds a young dog almost drowned in a heap of seaweed on the beach, he
claims the dog as his own and is happy for the first time in a while. He knows that his
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dog loves him, but whenever they walk on the beach, the dog swims out to sea and doesn’t
come back until Kyle calls and calls. Then one day, they run into an old man and it turns out
that the dog may not belong to Kyle alone.
Pirate Island Treasure
Marilyn Helmer
Heave ho, and away we go, to look for pirate treasure.
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harlotte and her brother, Jacob, are thrilled to head off on an adventure in their grandpa’s boat, The Seawind. As they set sail for Pirate Island, they look forward to a day of
beachcombing, playing pirates and storytelling. There are plenty of great treasures to be found,
but Charlotte, who can be very bossy, is having trouble sharing with Jacob. When Charlotte
accidentally loses one of Jacob’s best finds, a piece of driftwood that looks just like a pirate’s
cutlass, it’s the final straw. Feeling horrible for upsetting her brother, Charlotte is determined
to set things right.
“Helmer writes the relationship between Jacob and Charlotte with attention to the complexity of
sibling rivalry; discussing jealousy, sharing, competition, promises and guilt…New readers will enjoy
the adventurous spirit of the characters, and more experienced readers will enjoy predicting what
may happen next on Pirate Island.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Echoes 17
Adventures at Camp Lots-o-Fun
Marilyn Helmer
With DJ in your cabin, summer camp’s full of surprises.
ad weather, bugs and boredom—DJ and the boys in Camp Lots-o-Fun’s cabin six are
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starting to call it Camp Not-so-Fun. To make matters worse, one of the boys has it in for
DJ. But DJ isn’t about to let that bother him. His lively imagination and wit ensure there’s never
a dull moment.
The Great Garage Sale
Marilyn Helmer
DJ is back in action!
ith the help of his wild imagination and enthusiasm, DJ, the hero of Adventures at
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Camp Lots-o-Fun, deals with one disaster after another—Super Stackers, “weeding” his
mom’s garden, facing Tiger the Terrible and a misspelled sign. But when DJ mistakenly
sells the wrong box of jewelry to his new friend Sam at his grandma’s garage sale, those disasters seem minor. Riding his beloved skateboard, Speedwell, DJ sets out to search for Sam,
which is a challenge in itself. When he finally finds Sam, DJ is not prepared for the enormous
sacrifice he will have to make to get the jewelry box back.
Canadian Children’s Book Centre Best Books
Sharing Snowy
Marilyn Helmer
Is the cat Ali finds hers to keep?
ore than anything else in the world, Ali wants a pet cat for her birthday. Unfortunately
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her brother Jay is allergic to cats. One day, Ali discovers that something is sharing her
clubhouse with her. To Ali’s delight, the new resident is a beautiful white cat, who she names
Snowy. Ali thinks that the clubhouse is the perfect home for Snowy. But is she right and,
more importantly, is Snowy really hers to keep?
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
18 Echoes
The Fossil Hunters
Marilyn Helmer
Shelley’s in the club, but she stills feels left out.
helley arrives at her aunt and uncle’s cottage on Grey Rocks Lake and is excited to see
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her cousin Kyle. Her excitement quickly turns to disappointed when she discovers Kyle’s
friend Marcus is staying at the cottage too. Shelley feels left out of the boys’ games. Then the
fossil she found at the beach goes missing, and she thinks Marcus took it. But when Topper,
Kyle’s dog, loses her ball, Shelley and Marcus are given an opportunity to become friends.
Theodora Bear
Carolyn Jones
Winnie the Pooh for the twenty-first century.
arriet has a large collection of stuffed animals. Her favorite is an intrepid bear, Theodora
(Teddy, to her friends), who leads the others in a variety of attempts to boss Harriet
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around and to claim the spot of alpha animal in the household. It is all Harriet can do to get
her own way once in a while.
A Puppy is for Loving
Mary Labatt
Puppies and people make great pairs.
lsie is about to have puppies, and Elizabeth is going to help. Her grandmother shows her
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exactly how to make the den for the dog and how to be ready when the puppies come
out. After they are born, Elizabeth helps Elsie care for them. Most important of all, though,
she helps her grandmother find just the right home for each, especially the very last one.
Rights Sold: Japanese—Shinkoshuppansha Keirinkan
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Echoes 19
Down the Chimney with Googol
Nelly Kazenbroot
and Googolplex
What are two alien robots, and their new friends Pippa and Troy,
to do when the neighborhood bully tries to interfere with their
scavenger hunt?
oogol and Googolplex are on a mission to learn about Earth by collecting a number of
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items including a blackbird’s song, snowballs and a chocolate bar. Pippa and Troy are
happy to help, especially when they get to ride to the North Pole in a spaceship. But when
they return, Martin, the bully next-door, sees something that he shouldn’t.
Under the Sea with Googol
Nelly Kazenbroot
and Googolplex
Do alien robots float? Can they swim?
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oogol and Googolplex have come back to earth to continue their scavenger hunt. Tutus,
sand dollars and peacock feathers are on their list. Luckily Pipa and Troy are ready
to help, and the ocean is nearby, but so is Martin Kelly, the boy next door, who will ruin
everything if he gets a chance.
Over the Rainbow with Googol
Nelly Kazenbroot
and Googolplex
The alien robots are back!
oogol and Googolplex are back from space, ready to continue their scavenger hunt.
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Pippa and Troy are eager to help, but runaway bulls and disappearing rainbows make
their task difficult. And dangerous!
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
20 Echoes
The True Story of George
Ingrid Lee
Small plastic toy or hero of mammoth proportions, George is a
character you won’t soon forget.
G
eorge is hardly bigger than a child’s middle finger. His knees and his elbows don’t bend
and his legs are fused together. When Katie and Mackenzie find him at the edge of the
ocean, they are unimpressed, but George keeps turning up in their lives. And what may
seem ordinary to a girl and a boy can be an awesome adventure if you are six centimeters tall.
George Most Wanted
Ingrid Lee
The story of George continues.
t the end of The True Story of George, George, a small plastic man, went for a ride on a
rocket and flew apart. Now, with Katie and Mackenzie’s help, all his parts must find
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each other. But his head has been frozen deep in a bag of blackberries. Will he ever be
whole again?
George, the Best of All!
Ingrid Lee
George, the little red plastic guy, is back, more famous than ever!
eorge is back, more popular than ever. And Katie and Mackenzie are just one step
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behind him. But George will have an adventure or two of his own before the three will
come together again.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Echoes 21
Maybe Later
Ingrid Lee
What’s inside Grandpa’s old bottle?
ong, long ago, Johnny’s grandpa found a bottle on the beach. When Johnny roots it out
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of the back of Grandpa’s closet, he can see a mysterious shadow through the green glass.
“We should break it,” Johnny says. “Maybe later,” says his grandpa. And so the story begins.
Cheetah
Wendy A. Lewis
Frogs do not belong in boxes!
heetah is the small spotted frog Amelia brings home in a macaroni container. Amelia
longs to keep Cheetah forever, but over the course of a week, she comes to understand
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that his place is back in the wild. Cheetah is based on a true story, and all the characters
are real.
Ospreys in Danger
Pamela McDowell
Cricket might be in over her head.
W
hen an osprey nest atop an electrical pole catches fire, the whole town of Waterton
loses power. Being a park warden’s daughter, Jenna (whom everyone calls Cricket)
is there at the scene, where she finds three abandoned baby ospreys. Caring for the chicks
proves to be challenging for Cricket. The birds are noisy, hungry and very picky eaters. But
when she discovers that the power company is building a new anti-nesting device on the
electrical pole, Cricket has an even bigger problem. How will she reunite the baby birds with
their parents without a place for them to build a nest?.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
22 Echoes
Flood Warning
Jacqueline Pearce
Can Tom get his family’s cows to safety before it’s too late?
T
om loves running through cow fields with his best friend, Peggy, and his dog, Amos—
especially when he’s pretending to be his favorite radio hero, the Lone Ranger. But
when Tom learns the nearby Fraser River is about to flood, he may have to become a reallife hero and help save his family’s herd of dairy cows. This story is based on real events
that happened in the farming community of Agassiz during the Fraser River flood of 1948..
“[Pearce] effortlessly weaves the story of friendship, co-operation, loyalty, family, unity, charity and
selfless heroic efforts…The reality of the events [is] brought into perspective by the expressive
and energetic pencil and watercolour illustrations…A heroic historical fiction novella for any
child's library, expressing good values as well as a sense of adventure.” —Resource Links
Mystery of the Missing Luck
Jacqueline Pearce
Even the best bakery needs a little luck.
S
ara loves her grandmother’s bakery. It’s a special place—not only because of its
delicious Japanese buns and pastries. She enjoys spending time with her obaachan,
her grandmother. But things aren’t going well for the bakery. When the bakery’s lucky
cat statue goes missing, Sara wonders if the bakery’s luck is gone for good. But then a
mysterious cat appears in the backyard one night and inspires a plan. With the help of her
friend, Jake, Sara just might find the statue and restore the bakery’s lost luck.
“This beginning chapter book ably portrays the two main characters and the bond between
them…The mystery's resolution is far more realistic than one usually finds in books for young
children. Readers new to chapter books will find this paperback, with its many full-page drawings,
a good place to start.” —Booklist
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Echoes 23
The Wrong Bus
Lois Peterson
Jack finds his own special way to say goodbye.
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ack loves and misses his bus-driving grandfather. When Grandpa Nod got sick, Jack’s
mother said eight-year-old Jack was too young to visit his grandfather in hospital.
When Grandpa Nod died, Jack’s mother said Jack was too young to go to the funeral. One
day after school, Jack gets on the wrong bus. To his surprise he discovers Grandpa Nod
is in the driver’s seat of the empty bus. By the end of the ride, Jack has had the chance to
tell his grandfather how much he misses him. And with his birthday coming soon, Jack
receives a very special gift—Grandpa Nod’s bus schedules. So even if he does get on the
wrong bus, Jack will always be able to find his way home.
“Jack soberly takes in each scene, asks cogent questions…and absorbs his grandpa’s comforting
responses…while quietly demonstrating that, given just a little distance, he—and, by extension,
young children in general—is indeed capable of comprehending and coping with the loss of
loved ones.” —Booklist
Soapstone Signs
Jeff Pinkney
Only the carver knows the soapstone’s true shape.
O
ne spring, a nine-year-old Cree boy is visited by a master soapstone carver named
Lindy, who gives him four pieces of soapstone. The primary secret to carving, the boy
learns, is recognizing that each piece of soapstone already holds its true form inside. Lindy
teaches the boy to listen to the soapstone and look to the world around him for signs as to
what to carve. As the seasons change, the young boy’s experiences lend him opportunities
to develop his carving skills and become attuned to the signs around him. He eagerly awaits
the following spring, which will bring Lindy’s return and a chance to show off his carvings.
“[Pinkney’s] first work of fiction will be of value to young readers who are interested in learning
about the rites of passage First Nations youngsters experience as they grow older. Each of the
four chapters, one for each season, can stand on its own as a self-contained story, but each leads
easily into another, making the book accessible for readers who are new to chapter books.”
—CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
24 Echoes
Monster Lunch
Pat Skene
Yummy, yucky rhyming stories and facts about food.
n Monster Lunch we dine with Frankenstein, attend a burgoo and a birthday party, meet a
Imaingrumpy
garden dude and slurp hot zoop. Each poem is followed by an interview with the
character or fascinating facts about food. This collection of yummy, yucky, messy and
hot rhyming stories is bursting with rhythmical fun.
“Rhyming poems are paired with an interview with the main character or a serving of fascinating
food facts. Black-and-white art appears in this collection crafted around a most clever premise.”
Rhyme Stones
Pat Skene
Poems to make friends by.
Rhyme Stones, we go spelunking, we meet a witch who can’t stay on her broomstick,
Iit toan schoolyard
bully, and we see how a simple piece of cloth can become anything we want
be. Each long poem is followed by an exclusive interview with the main character,
and each short poem has a “trailer” of cool facts about the theme.
What a Hippopota-Mess!
Pat Skene
Funny and creepy and friendly and strange: poems about animals.
T
he poems in this book tell stories of animals and nature, from two sweaty hippos,
a smiling lizard and some creepy crawlers to a few tricky dandelions. At the end of each
poem, find out more in an interview with a key character or a list of fascinating facts.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Echoes 25
Kelly’s Cabin
Linda Smith
Even a cardboard box can be a private (and magical) place.
elly loves the cabin she has made from a refrigerator box. It has a window with
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curtains, pictures on the walls, a cabin-sized table and a wonderful view. It sits in the
vacant lot next door, transformed into the rugged farm of a pioneer family. Now if only
Kelly can find the right person to share it with.
Linda Smith loved Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House books when she was growing up
on the prairies, and regularly pretended that she was a pioneer. Linda’s published titles
include Windshifter, Sea Change, The Turning Time, Sir Cassie to the Rescue, The Minstrel’s
Daughter, Talisa’s Song, The Weathermage, Kelly’s Cabin, and The Broken Thread.
Captain Jake
Shannon Stewart
A boy’s love of pirate treasure leads to unexpected events.
ake loves to hunt for treasure, so when the famous pirate Captain Kidd asks him
to be his cabin boy, he can’t refuse. But Jake soon learns that bringing home an
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invisible pirate can be a real disaster, particularly when the pirate is mortally terrified of
his teenage sister. There are many rules of the sea, and Captain Kidd’s own cabin boy,
Richard Barleycorn, teaches Jake how to face his biggest fear, Boris Baxter, the meanest
boy in the whole school.
Shannon Stewart is the author of Sea Crow (Orca), Alphabad: An Alphabet Book for Wicked
Children! (Key Porter Books), and Captain Jake (Orca). She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia. Shannon lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, with her husband and two children in a small cottage by the sea where she sometimes
spots young pirates digging for treasure.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
26 Echoes
Ben’s Robot
Robin Stevenson
Having a bossy robot for a friend really isn’t much fun.
even-year-old Ben loves pretending to be a robot, but his best friend Jessy is tired
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of being ordered to oil his knee joints and check his batteries. She says the robot
game is boring and runs off to play with someone else. So Ben decides to build a real
robot instead. He’s built all kinds of things before: wind generators, solar-powered marble
launchers, pinball machines. But none of his creations have ever really worked. Until now.
When his robot begins talking, Ben is thrilled. However, nothing goes quite the way
he thinks it will. Ben’s robot is rather difficult to get along with. He complains a lot. He’s
bossy. He never wants to do anything Ben suggests. Having a real robot isn’t nearly as much
fun as Ben thought it would be. And to make things worse, no one—not even Jessy—will
believe him.
Ben the Inventor
Robin Stevenson
What will it take to keep Jack from having to move away?
nventors invent inventions! That’s what Ben and his best friend Jack like to say. So when
Ishould
Ben discovers that Jack’s family is planning to move to another city, he decides they
put their inventions to work. The boys figure that if no one buys Jack’s house, Jack
won’t have to move away, so all they need is a plan to scare off potential buyers! Inventors
are good at coming up with plans. But when Plans A, B and C fail to bring the results the
boys had hoped for, Ben discovers that not everything in life stays the same—and that
while change can be hard, sometimes it isn’t all bad.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Echoes 27
Bagels Come Home
Joan Betty Stuchner
Meet Bagels Bernstein—backflipper, jig dancer
and escape artist extraordinaire.
W
hen eight-year-old Josh and his family adopt an energetic puppy with a big
personality and a talent for escaping, everyone is sure that obedience school
will teach him good manners. But Bagels turns out to be a bigger handful than anyone
predicted. He gets into the laundry, the groceries and the neighbor’s koi pond. He even
gets expelled from obedience school. Josh and his little sister, Becky, are worried that
if Bagels doesn’t shape up, their parents will send him back to the shelter. Can Bagels
redeem himself before it’s too late?
“Whimsical and humourous. The crazy adventures that Bagels gets into are close enough to
reality that many dog-owning adults will be able to relate to this book as well…Readers will
be left with the feeling of fun and mischief that only owning a dog can bring.” —CM Magazine
Bagels the Brave
Joan Betty Stuchner
The Bernsteins are going camping!
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n this sequel to Bagels Come Home, Josh, his younger sister, Becky, their parents and Bagels
head off on a three-day trip to Sasquatch Lake. But the vacation gets off to a rocky start.
The cabin is a bit more rustic than advertised, with a few too many holes in the roof. Then
Josh starts catching glimpses of a hairy figure in the woods nearby. When household items
begin disappearing, from pickles to pj’s to Becky’s birthday cake, the family heads out to
investigate, with Bagels in the lead. Who’s behind the mysterious happenings at Sasquatch
Lake? And could Sasquatches be real?
“With Josh’s bright and authentic first-person narrative, the appealing cast, and the zany
illustrations, this fits the bill.” —Booklist
“A fun, whimsical read, with a touch of adventure…The Illustrations by Dave Whamond (Oddrey)
are a fun comedic addition to the story. Recommended.” —Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
28 Echoes
Messy Miranda
What’s inside Miranda’s desk?
Jeff Szpirglas &
Danielle Saint-Onge
M
iranda has one messy desk. It’s full of books, pencils, science projects and other stuff.
Too much stuff, says her teacher, Ms. Basil. On a family visit to her Uncle Aldo’s one
night, Miranda wonders if some of his magician’s tools might offer a solution to her messydesk problem. Sneaking off to the magic room, Miranda finds Uncle Aldo’s impressive collection of top hats. Miranda knows that magic top hats can hold lots of things—why not the
mess from her desk? At first, the hat seems to do the trick, but soon things start to go horribly
wrong. As Uncle Aldo says, you have to be careful with magic.
Rights Sold: Korean—Beautiful People Publishing Co.
Something’s Fishy
What has Jamie done now?!
Jeff Szpirglas &
Danielle Saint-Onge
amie loves sharks. He reads about them. He talks about them. Sometimes he even
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pretends to be a shark. Too bad no one else wants to join his Shark Club. His peers
and parents are quickly growing tired of his current obsession. When Jamie’s teacher, Mr.
Claxton, brings in a new class pet, Jamie is put in charge. But Jamie has an accident while
feeding it, and everyone becomes upset with him. He needs to find a way to make things
right. In the end, he comes up with a solution that pleases both his teacher and classmates, a
solution that also gives Jamie an opportunity to share his newest obsession—lizards.
Shining Willow Nominee
X Marks the Spot
Jeff Szpirglas &
Danielle Saint-Onge
Can Leo help his friends and still prove he’s responsible?
natural-born explorer, Leo loves to make maps and experiment with new ways of getting
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around the schoolyard. But explorers sometimes get sidetracked, which can lead to
getting in trouble. When Leo’s teacher, Mr. Chang, announces he’ll be giving out an award
for responsibility, Leo is determined to redeem himself. The upcoming class field trip to the
woods seems like the perfect opportunity. He’ll get to use his handy compass watch and show
Mr. Chang he can be extra-responsible! But when two of Leo’s classmates wander out of
bounds, Leo is faced with a tough decision.
“Does an excellent job of highlighting the daily challenges children in the early grades of
elementary school experience, including learning what it means to be responsible, making tough
decisions, working with peers, and cooperating with other children who may not be the easiest
people to get along with. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Echoes 29
Skye Above
Eric Walters
Can Skye fly? She’s about to find out.
N
ine-year-old Skye has always had a fascination with flying. She’d love to be a pilot
someday, like both of her parents, but deep down she really wishes she could be a
bird. When Skye’s parents take her to Costa Rica, she is thrilled about all of the beautiful
exotic birds she’ll get to see. What she doesn’t realize is that her parents have three big
surprises planned, and each will offer her a different opportunity to feel what it’s like to fly.
From snorkeling with baby sea turtles to parasailing out on the open ocean to zip-lining
through the Costa Rican rainforest, Skye will have more than one chance to fly like a bird
before this trip of a lifetime is through.
“The story moves along at a fast pace and manages to pack in a great deal of unobtrusive
background detail about outdoor activities and rain forest flora and fauna…Emerging and newly
independent readers will enjoy the unfolding story and appreciate the accessible vocabulary and
logical sequencing. This should be equally popular with boys and girls, and it definitely deserves
a spot in school and public library high/low collection.” —Booklist
“[Offers] an age-appropriate plot and realistic characters while appealing to a wide audience of
readers gaining confidence in independent reading. This particular story also includes aspects of
character development.” —CM Magazine
Saving Sammy
Eric Walters
There’s a surprise visitor at Morgan’s house.
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fter Morgan’s backyard is flooded by the nearby river, her dog, Shire, finds a baby
beaver that has been washed out of its den. Realizing that its parents aren’t coming
back, Morgan must quickly learn to care for the beaver, which she names Sammy.
Morgan’s parents warn her that he can’t stay with them forever. Will Morgan be able to
find a safe home for Sammy?
“The story gives children an invaluable message. No matter how young you are or what your
situation is, there is always something you can do…This book would be a wonderful addition
to any children’s literature collection.” —CM Magazine
“Young readers will be captivated with this adventure based on a true story. Not only does the
book teach children what to do with a baby beaver that is found in one’s backyard, it also serves
as a great introduction to animal shelters and wildlife conservation.” —Library Media Connection
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
30 Echoes
Prince for a Princess
Eric Walters
Prince is a big-hearted greyhound of love.
even-year-old Christina desperately wants a dog. When she visits a kennel with her
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parents, she comes home with Prince, a greyhound recently retired from his champion
racing career. Christina is thrilled and spends all her time with her new pal. They are like
two peas in a pod. But one day, when Prince is left alone in the backyard, he escapes.
Christina’s mother searches everywhere for him only to find him at the schoolyard gate
waiting for Christina. Promising never to leave him alone in the backyard again, her
father brings home a little Chihuahua named Chancho. Now Prince will always have a
companion to play with.
Dimples Delight
Frieda Wishinsky
Lawrence’s dimples are far from delightful.
awrence hates being teased about his dimples, but nothing he does seems to make any
difference. Joe goes right on teasing him, and the teasing gets meaner and meaner.
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Finally, Lawrence notices something about his friend Stewart that may provide the tool
he needs to tease-proof himself once and for all.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Echoes 31
A Noodle Up Your Nose
Frieda Wishinsky
When Violet thinks that she isn’t invited to Kate’s birthday party,
she spreads rumors that threaten to ruin everything.
ate has decided on a pirate theme for her party. She thinks that seven is going to be the best
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age to be. Her friend Jake is going to teach her to ride a two-wheeler. And her party is going
to be fabulous. That is, until Violet starts spreading stories. Kate goes right on with her planning,
but she is worried. When Violet is the only one to show up on the big day, Kate thinks that her
worst fears have come true.
A Bee in Your Ear
Frieda Wishinsky
Kate wants to enter the spelling bee, but she doesn’t want to
compete against her best friend.
ate is determined to win her spelling club’s spelling bee, but the competition is fierce.
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She can almost put up with Violet’s relentless claims of superior spelling ability, but
when Kate and Jake begin to fight with each other, Kate is miserable. She wants to win the
contest, but she doesn’t want to lose her best friend.
A Frog in My Throat
Frieda Wishinsky
Friends are not always for keeps.
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ate and Jake have always been best friends; always, that is, until Jake’s cousin, Lionel,
moves nearby and Jake starts spending time with him instead. Kate struggles with
his abandonment and her own loneliness as she seeks new friends that share her likes and
dislikes. And, perhaps there is a place in her life for her old best friend after all.
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
www.orcabook.com
phone: 1-250-380-1229
fax: 1-250-380-1892
Orca Book
Publishers
Rights Catalogue— Picture Books
Core Titles
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
2 picture books
The Twelve Days of Summer
Jan Andrews
Illustrated by Susan Rennick Jolliffe
atterned on the popular carol, The Twelve Days of Summer takes readers on a joyous
journey into summer, from the first discovery of three eggs in a sparrow’s nest to the
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day when those eggs hatch. Readers will pore over the pictures, searching for that fifth
bumblebee, that tenth crow, and for the thoughtfully chosen toy that turns up on each page:
a parachute with the goatsbeard seeds, a fan with the ruffed grouse…This is a story to delight
and engage children and adults alike.
“A classic picturebook in that its pictures can absolutely absorb a child while an adult reads
aloud.” —Times Colonist
“The illustrations are superb…lushly beautiful and humorous at the same time.”
—Resource Links
Alphabetter
Dan Bar-el
Illustrated by Graham Ross
id you find all the letters hidden in the pictures in Alphabetter? Some of them are very
hard to find! These are the ones that we know about. Maybe you found others as well.
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Happy searching!
Did you ever try to use an egg in place of a football? Or dress up a live quail in doll’s
clothes when you didn’t have a doll? Or strap rag-dolls onto your feet in place of slippers? In
Alphabetter, twenty-six boys and girls find themselves in twenty-six different predicaments
when the alphabet refuses to cooperate with them. In the end, the solution turns out to be
right on the next page, if only they can find it…
Amelia Francis Howard-Gibbon Award nominee
“It is cleverness writ and painted large, and it’s delivered with an infectious exuberance and
cadence that manifests itself not just in the playful text, but also in illustrator Ross’s quirky,
kinetic characters.” —The Globe and Mail
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
picture books 3
Elliot’s Fire Truck
Andrea Beck
lliot Moose is on the loose once more. As he jumps aboard his bright red fire truck and
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takes off to the next rescue, he feels courageous. All his friends want to ride on the
truck and be firefighters too. Nobody wants to be rescued. One by one, Elliot’s friends climb
aboard until there is no more room on the truck. When suddenly they all need a rescue for
real, it is his two youngest and smallest friends who save the day. This lively new addition to
the Elliot Moose series is a charming tale of friendship and fair play.
“This lively addition to the beloved Elliot Moose series depicts Elliot and his friends in full action
mode. Andrea Beck’s colourful illustrations evoke the imagined outside world.” —Quill & Quire
“Beautifully written and illustrated, Elliot’s Fire Truck will keep young readers engaged from start
to finish.” —Resource Links
“Offers a gentle message about fair play…Beck’s soft and fluffy illustrations temper the story’s
drama.” —The Horn Book Guide
Pierre Le Poof!
Andrea Beck
P
ierre, a pampered show poodle in training, is torn between his love for his devoted
owner, Miss Murphy, and his dreams of running wild in the park. One day, an open
door beckons and Pierre escapes. But, this spunky little pooch gets more than he bargains for
and learns that home is the best place of all. Pierre Le Poof! is this charming character’s first
adventure in a new series by author-illustrator Andrea Beck.
Andrea Beck is the author and illustrator of Elliot Moose, the popular children’s book series
and television show. She lives in Unionville, Ontario, with her two sons.
Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Award nominee
“[A] delicious romp.” —Quill & Quire
“Dog and owner bear a strong resemblance to each other in airy ink-and-watercolor pictures
that delightfully go for the laughs…Will amuse preschoolers.” —Booklist
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
4 picture books
Pierre’s Friends
Andrea Beck
ierre, a pampered pooch, misses his friends Sparky and Lou. But how will he ever find
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them? They eat from a Dumpster and sleep somewhere in the big park outside his
window. Pierre needs a plan. So one afternoon while Miss Murphy naps, he slips out of their
apartment and sets off to bring his friends home with him. Along the way, Pierre meets
Old Wheezer, and remembers Miss Murphy’s words, Dogs and people belong together. In the
end, Pierre has an even better idea that provides everyone with a loving home.
Pierre’s Friends is the second in this new series by author-illustrator Andrea Beck.
“The author has created a safe, child-friendly world…The cartoon illustrations, done with
watercolor, pen, and pastels, reflect the gentle, upbeat nature of the tale.”
“The brown, bouffant-ed Pierre is appealing, and his desire to rescue friends in need is
undeniably praiseworthy.” —Kirkus Reviews
“A gentle story of a tenderhearted pup who, in seeking to assuage his own loneliness, discovers
others’ greater needs and takes steps to resolve them…Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Pierre in the Air!
Andrea Beck
P
ierre is excited about his trip to Paris for the poodle championship, and he can’t wait to
see the sights. But when his beloved Miss Murphy leaves him in the hotel room, Pierre
takes matters into his own paws. He slips out of their room and makes his way to the top of
the Eiffel Tower! When a storm erupts, Pierre catches hold of an umbrella and is swept into
the sky over Paris. He lives his dream of being Pierre Le Poof—Daredevil Poodle. In true
Pierre fashion, he stops at a Dumpster for a snack on the way back to his hotel. When he
returns to his room, his pompoms are a mess, and the dog show is only hours away!
“Adventure-seeking poodle Pierre Le Poof heads to Paris with his owner, Miss Murphy, in his third
outing…Readers should appreciate Pierre’s daring.” —Publishers Weekly
“Beck’s story and illustrations are great fun. Her whimsical watercolour and pencil drawings are
packed with Parisian details…and beautifully capture Pierre’s joie de vivre…The book is perfect readaloud material for the kindergarten set, with challenging vocabulary for early readers.” —Quill & Quire
“Beck’s watercolour paintings create a whimsical personality for Pierre, who can be rumpled
as well as carefully groomed…All the humans definitely take a back seat to the spunky canine.”
—Center for Children’s/Young Adult Books, MSU
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
picture books 5
Buttercup’s Lovely Day
Carolyn Beck
Illustrated by Andrea Beck
that winds and wends like a creek through a farmer’s field, we journey through
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lovely day in Buttercup’s life. Whether she is ruminating on the mud beneath her
the moon and the stars in the blue-black sky, she draws us deep into her rich and
wonderful world.
Blue Spruce nominee
“A read-aloud gem…a clever, joyful, playful celebration of creative language, sound, rhyme,
rhythm and repetition.” —Quill & Quire
“There’s much…for small fry to roll around their tongues as beautiful black-and-white Buttercup
meanders through her lovely day.” —The Globe and Mail
Richard Was a Picker
Carolyn Beck
Illustrated by Ben Hodson
ichard picks his nose. When one day his finger gets stuck up his nose, Richard panics.
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Before he knows it, all of him slides up his nose and Richard becomes a giant booger.
He propels his booger-ball self out of his house. But as he rolls down the sidewalk things get
Rights Sold:
Korean—Leescom
worse, way worse. Soon the whole town is chasing after him and jabbing him. Will Richard
be poked to pieces? With some quick thinking and a little luck, Richard avoids a terrible end.
Richard Was a Picker is gross. It’s zany. It has rhythm, music and rhyme. It may even be a
cure for nose picking!
“Hodson’s sticky green acrylics-and-colored-pencil illustrations hearken back to the anythingfor-a-gag Garbage Pail Kids gross-outs of the 1980s and really take off when Richard is
completely sucked into his own nose and becomes a giant ball of mucus…Icky for sure, but
that’s the whole point.” —Booklist
“An orginal, funny, gooey, and even heartwarming new picture book…Beck’s imaginative poetry
is fast-paced and will have adult readers laughing along…Hodson’s illustrations are brilliantly
done. Kids will love how he splashes every page (including the cover) with enormous green
boogers that actually draw readers in instead of repelling them.” —Quill & Quire
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
6 picture books
Wellington’s Rainy Day
Carolyn Beck
Illustrated by Brooke Kerrigan
a rainy day. Wellington is down in the dumps and can’t resist the smell of his master’s
Ihidest’sfreshly
made meatloaf. While his master snoozes, Welly devours every last bite. After he
the empty pan, he eats the contents of the garbage can too. Honey, a sneaky kitty and
Wellington’s archenemy, threatens to tell on him. Welly’s tummy begins to churn and out
comes everything he has gobbled down. What a mess! But in this lively, rhyming picturebook,
things have a way of turning out better than expected for Welly, and just this once he escapes
being blamed for the missing meatloaf.
Alcuin Design Award finalist
"The artist’s depiction of the long-eared canine and his feline arch rival, Honey, are quite
irresistible, and her detailed pastel pieces perfectly capture the humour and the irony of Beck’s
story. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“Kerrigan’s comical, softly hued crayon and watercolor cartoon illustrations portray a seemingly
clueless hound and a sneaky, fluffy orange cat.” —School Library Journal
“Kerrigan’s ink and watercolour illustrations add to the offbeat scatological humour…The snappy
writing is full of wordplay and would be fun to read aloud—the gross parts are sure to get a
reaction.” —Resource Links
The Ways I Will Love You
Rachel Boehm
Illustrated by Mary Jane Gerber
he Ways I Will Love You is a tender exploration of ordinary moments and activities that
occur during a child’s early years. The rhyming text and endearing illustrations are sure
T
to delight babies, preschoolers and adults alike.
In The Ways I Will Love You, a mother shares the many ways she will love and nurture her
baby as he grows. From days spent reading, singing and giggling to times spent snuggling
and playing together, The Ways I Will Love You looks at the many nurturing moments present
in everyday family life.
CBC Nova Scotia’s “Top Picks for Young Readers”
“A wholesome and wholehearted reiteration of the best of the mother-child relationship.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“I really enjoyed this book!! The story is written with rhyming verses which are perfect to lull little
ones to sleep…I will read The Ways I Will Love You over and over to my children…I would highly
recommend this book to all new parents.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
picture books 7
Out of the Deeps
Anne Laurel Carter
Illustrated by Nicolas Debon
L
ike many children throughout Canada’s history, Savino had to quit school when he was
twelve to work and help his family. In Out of the Deeps, Savino spends his first day at the
mine working alongside his father and Nelson, his father’s pit pony. When Savino’s headlamp
goes out deep in the coal mine, Nelson leads Savino out of the danger.
In 1944 the miners received their first paid holiday and insisted that their pit ponies
receive a week’s holiday too. In Out of the Deeps, Anne Laurel Carter captures a boy’s first day
at work in the mines and a special pit pony’s first glimpse of daylight.
“A fine addition to the body of excellent Canadian picture books that are superlative stories
for children, beautiful works of art, and invaluable recordings of the history and culture of our
country.” —Canadian Teacher Magazine
Night Boy
Anne Laurel Carter
Illustrated by Ninon Pelletier
N
ight is a boy who knows it’s much more fun to play than go to sleep. When the sun sets,
he travels through the night sky in a spaceship with his teddy. Night’s favorite game is
hide-and-go-seek, which he plays each evening with his older sister, Day. But why can’t he
ever find her?
Night Boy is a unique playful picturebook about a brother and a sister named Night and
Day. The rhythmic text and rich illustrations make for a bedtime story that is sure to lull children who say “I can’t sleep” into dreamland. Through the personas of a brother and sister,
Night Boy offers a unique explanation of how night turns to day astronomically.
“A great choice for bedtime-averse kids and for aspiring stargazers. Many galactic favourites make
an appearance, including the Orion and Pegasus constellations, the aurora borealis, and the North
Star, providing a jumping-off point for discussions of basic astronomy. The story ends gently, as the
best bedtime stories do, with the promise of another game tomorrow.” —Quill & Quire
“There is an unmistakable magic to this story. It’s a book full of big ideas, wrapped into a simple
story that readers can understand and enjoy…This cute story will appeal to a variety of readers
and will make a nice addition to picture book collections. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“Told in rhyming verse, the rhythm is jaunty and the language is imaginative. Fun as a read-aloud, this
book could also be used to introduce astronomy to young students.” —Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
8 picture books
Lots of Kisses
Lorna Crozier
A
ward-winning poet Lorna Crozier’s soothing lullaby delights in kisses for baby from head
to toe. Combined with beautiful photographs, Lots of Kisses is the perfect board book for
parents and caregivers to snuggle up and read with their oh-so-kissable little ones.
Lorna Crozier has authored fifteen books of poetry and received many awards, including a
Governor General’s Award, the Canadian Authors Association Poetry Award, the National
Magazine Award (Gold Medal) and first prize in the National CBC Literary Competition.
An Officer of the Order of Canada, Lorna has read her poetry on every continent except
Antarctica, and in 2005 she recited a poem for Queen Elizabeth II as part of Saskatchewan’s
centennial celebration. For more information, visit www.lornacrozier.ca.
“Babies are kissed by their grown-ups, from head to toe…Almost half of the cute and bubbly images
depict families of color…This title is bound to encourage lots of bonding.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Using rhythmic words, Crozier encourages parents to cover their babies with kisses…The book
is beautiful…Pastel, patterned backgrounds appear behind the text. The book includes children and
adults from different racial backgrounds and a variety of ages. Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Kishka for Koppel
Aubrey Davis
Illustrated by Sheldon Cohen
I
n this fresh take on a classic tale, a magic meat grinder helps a poor Jewish couple learn a
little gratitude after the three wishes it grants them go awry. A cautionary story that questions today’s consumerism and excessiveness, Kishka for Koppel, like the best folktales, will
cause children and adults alike to look both beyond and within.
PJ Library selection
“The tale is told in rapid-fire dialogue appropriately reminiscent of borscht-belt humor…Cohen’s
acrylic paintings facing the text add to the humor…A fresh look at an old favorite.” —Kirkus Reviews
“The naive, folksy cartoon illustrations are expressive and lend a lighthearted air with their varying
perspectives and bright acrylic colors. The storytelling is lively and humorous. The Yiddish speech
patterns will amuse readers familiar with that style.” —School Library Journal
“A fresh take on [an] old tale…Cohen’s folksy acrylic art features oversize eyes and exaggerated
facial expressions well suited to Davis’ borscht belt–style comedic retelling…Should be popular with
storytellers and listeners alike.” —Booklist
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
picture books 9
Uncle Wally’s Old Brown Shoe
Wallace Edwards
Join Uncle Wally’s old brown shoe on an entertaining journey
of hidden surprises and delights.
ncle Wally’s Old Brown Shoe, inspired by the familiar nursery rhyme The House That Jack
U
Built, follows the course of one very unusual shoe as it travels through a fascinating,
imaginative world to encounter an assortment of quirky characters. The imaginative text
Rights Sold:
Korean—Awesome World
and cumulative story are sure to enthrall young readers, as will the detailed illustrations.
Children and adults will delight in finding the whimsical objects and hidden meanings in the
layered colorful artwork, reminiscent of Wallace Edwards’s first book, Alphabeasts.
Wallace Edwards is an award-winning author and illustrator. His paintings and illustrations
are found in public and private collections, books, magazines and on public display in Canada
and the United States. Wallace has been the guest speaker at many conferences, literary
events, schools and libraries.
Blue Spruce Award nominee
Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award nominee
Libris Award nominee
Shining Willow Award nominee
January Magazine’s Best Books selection
“[Edwards] uses a ‘House That Jack Built’-style verse as scaffolding for a series of enigmatic,
beautifully drafted paintings…Visual elements…proliferate, morph, and refer to themselves in
endlessly imaginative ways.” —Publishers Weekly
“[A] bright, vibrant, and detailed work. Young readers will be drawn by the highly fanciful, delightfully
colourful art. The imaginative illustrations have a dream-like quality about them. One can gaze
at them for long periods of time, wondering how it all fits together…To walk through Edwards’
illustrations is to walk through a garden of limitless possibilities—a garden from which anything can
blossom.” —CM Magazine
“[A] surreal but delightful fantastical romp…Although the text is entertaining in itself, the
illustrations beg to be pored over…Readers’ eyes will initially focus on what is referred to in
the text but then wander into the dreamlike landscape, which is full of surprises that stretch the
imagination…[a] visual wonderland.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Astounding illustrations…Edwards’ artwork, vividly rendered in watercolour, pencil, and gouache,
has a vintage feel that contrasts with the growing trend toward graphically and digitally inspired
illustration in children’s books…It is difficult to argue with the obvious skill involved in creating such
intensely detailed, meticulously layered illustrations…With a lilting sing-song text and art that is
delightful and fun…this book will appeal to keen-eyed youngsters and nostalgic older readers alike.”
—Quill & Quire
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
10 picture books
Unnatural Selections
Wallace Edwards
A fantastical collection of unnatural selections!
B
eloved illustrator Wallace Edwards invites us into the world of Professor I.B. Doodling,
a traveling artist who takes suggestions from schoolchildren in order to create fantastical hybrid animals. The result of these visits is Unnatural Selections, a collection of magnificent beasts, from the stately Whalephant to the talented Lizabouboon. Sure to inspire the
imagination, Wallace Edwards’s intricate illustrations invite you to pore over them again and
again. A supplementary index lists additional creatures to spot throughout the book’s pages,
encouraging readers to go back for a second, and a third, look.
OLA Best Bets
“Hold onto your hat, Mr. Darwin, there are several new species in town—and their origins are
curious…Each hybridized animal introduced…comes from the delightful recesses of Wallace
Edwards’ imagination. The author-illustrator has produced yet another fantastical picturebook
guaranteed to ignite creative sparks in readers of all ages…Hours can be spent poring over every
inch of every page, unearthing elements previously unnoticed…Edwards greatest triumph is his
ability to encourage us all to discover the strange and wonderful beasts that already dwell in our
own imaginations.” —Quill & Quire, starred review
“A magnificently curious compendium of creatures…Edwards’ sophisticated watercolour and
coloured pencil paintings are full of intricate details and exotic habitats…Inventive, preposterous,
and fun. Children will undoubtedly be inspired to create their own zoological concoctions.”
“A wonderful new book that equals the humour and lush illustrations of his previous success…
Each of the detailed, brilliantly hewed illustrations has other wondrous and absurd animals
displayed along with the main creature. At the end of the book there is a list which identifies the
extra eighteen fabulous animals hidden in plain sight on the pages. Readers are encouraged to go
back and search for the new animals and are provided with a feast of visual delights to look upon
again and again…Fun for all ages. Highly recommended!” —Resource Links
“A gallery of chimerical critters that Darwin himself would be hard put to justify. Edwards catches
the exuberant ‘Whalephant’ in midbreach, water streaming from its flapping ears…With these
and other lovingly detailed portmanteau creations, Edwards (Mixed Beasts, 2005) takes nature
past its outer limits to hilarious effect…An imaginary zoo that will set readers to chortling.”
—Kirkus Reviews
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
picture books 11
By a Thread
Ned Dickens
Illustrated by Graham Ross
A rhythmic rollicking ride in Beo’s bedroom.
he toy box has erupted and the toys are perched high, dangling low, hanging by a thread.
T
Bard, the old bear, has been lucky enough to land in the underwear drawer and from
there is able to assist his friends, if only they will follow his daring directions.
By a Thread is about heroism in small places and all the different kinds of courage a child
can draw upon. The text rhymes, and its rhythm takes the tongue on a rollicking ride. Even
the most determined reader will not be able to read the story silently.
Alcuin Design Award winner
“A fun read-a-loud with expressive illustrations by Graham Ross that will delight the reader…
[it] can be read and reread and enjoyed each time. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“Text and pictures burst with energy…If only toy-box volcanoes erupted everywhere.”
—Kirkus Review
“The book design and zany illustrations by Graham Ross give By a Thread a very contemporary
exuberance.” —Quill & Quire
“Ned Dickens, playwright by trade, writes with a wonderful Seussical rhythm and rhyme…
utterly charming.” —Vancouver Sun
Pocket Rocks
Sheree Fitch
Illustrated by Helen Flook
Found rocks help Ian Goobie cope with the troubles at school.
Rights Sold:
Korean—Korea DSM Publishing
o matter how hard he tries, Ian Goobie can’t do the things that other children can do.
N
Then he finds a rock, a rock that fits perfectly into his pocket, a rock that touches all
his senses and whisks him away into a whole other world. From then on, as long as he has a
rock in his pocket, Ian Goobie can begin to cope with his daily challenges. That is until he
stuffs so many rocks in his pockets that his pants fall down right outside in the schoolyard!
“A cleverly crafted, believable peek into the fears of an overlooked child.” —Resource Links
“Flook’s work seems to radiate the energy and magic of the rocks. Highly recommended.”
–CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
12 picture books
Once Upon a Balloon
Bree Galbraith
Illustrated by Isabelle Malenfant
In a land not so far away…
T
heo is brokenhearted when he accidentally lets go of the string of his party balloon.
As he watches it float out of sight, Theo wonders where his balloon might have gone.
Luckily, his older brother Zeke knows everything about everything. Zeke explains that it
is a little-known fact that all lost balloons end up in Chicago, the Windy City. Then he tells
Theo about Frank, who is responsible for collecting all the balloons in the world. Theo is
so touched by Frank’s story that he decides to send him a message of hope the only way he
knows how.
A unique story filled with the magic and whimsy of childhood imagination, Once
Upon a Balloon will delight young readers and reawaken the child in all of us.
“Galbraith demonstrates an intimate understanding of a child’s inquisitive, innocent nature…
The fantastical storyline is enhanced by Isabelle Malenfant’s whimsical illustrations. With a hint
of Quentin Blake and a dash of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Malenfant captures the story’s spirit,
exemplified by a particularly striking illustration of a grey chicago enlivened by colourful balloons
that drift among the skyscrapers…Children will be delighted as Theo persists (and succeeds) in
trying to help Frank, and adult readers may be reminded of something too easily forgotten: that a
childlike sense of wonder is something to be treasured.” —Quill & Quire, starred review
“A lighter-than-air answer to that eternal question: Where do balloons go?…Malenfant uses a
deliberately childlike style to illustrate this sweet flight of fancy, which celebrates storytelling,
the bond between siblings and the wonder of a serendipitous connection, all at the same time.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Galbraith’s Zeke tells the story in a voice so like a real older sibling that readers will be captivated
and believe, as Theo does, that the lost balloon is in a happy place…Malenfant’s illustrations…layered
over soft, swirling backgrounds…bestow a dream quality on Zeke’s imaginative tale. Between the
story and the illustrations functioning so perfectly together, Once Upon a Balloon is a magical story
that leaves young readers with a sense of security and contentment.”—Resource Links
“The artwork, done in watercolor, colored pencil, and pastels, is as droll as the text…This story
is for every child who has ever let go of a balloon and wondered where it went. Zeke’s fanciful
story is a gift to his younger brother, strengthening the bonds between them. It is a fine choice for
storytime and a welcome addition to all libraries.” —School Library Journal
“This sweet story is beautifully illustrated and will captivate young children. The magical, yet
simple tale will appeal to both young and old, and will make a great read-aloud. Friendship,
kindness, and loyalty are the lessons children and adults will take with them, and the book will be
read over and over again to recapture its quiet joy.” —Library Media Connection
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
picture books 13
Puppies On Board
Sarah N. Harvey
Illustrated by Rose Cowles
When eleven puppies are born on her boat, Mollie must figure
out how to find a home for each and every one.
Rights Sold:
Korean—Korea Hemingway
W
hen eleven puppies are born on Mollie’s family’s boat, chaos ensues. Mollie’s mother
wonders what to do, but Mollie has an idea. She will host a tea party in order to find
homes for Charlotte, Heidi, Stuart, Margalo, Max, Pippi, Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, and Tigger.
But Wilbur…Wilbur is special. Not just any home will do for him.
Canadian Toy Testing Council Recommended Books selection
“Delightful chaos…” —The Globe and Mail
“Young readers will relish the madcap atmosphere but will also be satisfied with the harmonious
conclusion.” —Quill & Quire
Silas’ Seven Grandparents
Anita Horrocks
Illustrated by Helen Flook
S
Rights Sold:
Simplified Chinese—Xinjiang
Juvenile
ilas is a small boy who finds a unique solution to keeping up with his seven adoring
grandparents. Most of the time, Silas loves having seven grandparents. Each of them has
something unique and valuable to offer. They take him to amusement parks, museums, dog
shows and camping. When Silas’ parents go away on a business trip, all seven grandparents
invite Silas to stay with them. However, one Silas can’t be with seven different grandparents at
once. How can he choose one without hurting the others’ feelings? But Silas comes up with
an especially good idea that makes everyone feel included and happy. In the end, it’s Silas’
sensitive, inclusive nature which brings everyone together.
“Silas’s conflict is wholly relatable, and readers will enjoy, vicariously, all the doting, shown in
carefree acrylic-ink illustrations.” —The Horn Book Guide
“The deftly drawn water-based ink illustrations reflect the story’s upbeat tone and portray the
widely diverse grandparents in ways that make them distinctive. A refreshing alternative to
the many overly sentimental picture books about children and their grandparents.” —Booklist
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
14 picture books
Best Friend Trouble
Frances Itani
Illustrated by Geneviève Després
Who needs a best friend anyway?
H
anna is fed up with her best friend, Lizzy, who is always trying to be better than her.
When Lizzy tells Hanna she can throw her ball farther and succeeds, it’s the last straw.
Hanna is tired of feeling second best, but what she doesn’t realize is that sometimes she
makes Lizzy feel that way too. Maybe there’s a way they can still be best friends after all.
A funny and relatable story about best friends, competition and learning to see things
from another’s point of view.
Frances Itani has published fourteen books, including award-winning novels, short stories, poetry and children’s books. Her 2003 novel Deafening was shortlisted for the International IMPAC Dublin Award, won a Commonwealth Writers’ Prize and has been published
in seventeen territories. Frances is a Member of the Order of Canada and a three-time winner of the CBC Literary Award. She currently lives in Ottawa, Ontario, and reviews for the
Washington Post.
Geneviève Després completed a degree in industrial design at the Université de Montréal but decided instead to pursue her first passion: drawing. After spending a few years in
Europe exploring different techniques, Geneviève returned to Quebec. Since then, she has
illustrated many French books for children and is beginning to illustrate English books as
well. Geneviève lives in Saint-Lambert on the south shore of Montreal, Quebec, with her
family.
“[Itani] depicts children’s frustrations well, and knows how to draw a story to its natural
conclusion using good pacing and easy vocabulary. She gets to the truth about friendship with
grace and simplicity...The illustrations are wonderful and the text insightful. Parents, teachers
and librarians will want to add this delightful book about friendship to their reading lists.”
—Quill & Quire
“A warm, pithy navigation of the ups and downs of friendship, this straightforward selection points
out the necessity of catharsis and the satisfaction of compromise.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Captures the ebb and flow of close friendships, and highlights the burgeoning empathy that readers
this age are beginning to balance with their own sense of self.” —National Reading Campaign blog
“Despres’s rich watercolour and pencil crayon illustrations are strong and cinematic. Her colours
are warm—fiery oranges, crimson reds, and creamy yellows. The combination of good writing and
illustration make Best Friend Trouble a good choice for summer reading, ideal for those long hot
afternoons when nobody seems able to get along.” —Montreal Review of Books
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
picture books 15
Lady Ginny’s Tea Parties
Susan Rennick Jolliffe
hen Ear-Scratcher (the Duke) and Calls-Me-Sweetie-Pie (the Duchess) do not return
W
in time to host their family’s famous series of tea parties, Lady Ginny (the poodle)
and Codger (the cat) must step in. Codger slows them down a bit, but with the help of
Cook and two tiny and unusual characters, they entertain eleven gatherings of guests
from mountain lions to butterflies, with just the right treats for each, elegantly prepared,
and (almost) flawlessly presented. Lady Ginny’s Tea Parties is Lady Ginny’s scrapbook,
documenting her heroic attempts: the menus, the mishaps and the haute couture.
“Jolliffe’s illustrations are lavishly detailed and lots of fun.” —Quill & Quire
“There is a tremendous amount of detail and fun on every page of this book.” —Resource Links
“Observant children who like to pour over pictures to discover their hidden mysteries…will
find much to enjoy in this book.” —CM Magazine
The Littlest Sled Dog
Michael Kusugak
Illustrated by Vladyana Krykorka
I
gvillu is a little dog with big dreams. One of her favorite dreams is of becoming a sled dog.
When Igvillu is adopted from her kennel by an Inuit storyteller and moves to northern
Canada, she comes face-to-face with real sled dogs.
Igvillu loves living in the North, chasing siksiks and dreaming about her future. She’s a
dog who believes anything is possible!
“A charming story that meshes the reality of life in the north and the imaginary world of a
dreamy little pet. Kusugak writes fluently but manages to retain some of the cadence of a
traditional storyteller. Krykorka’s stunning illustrations evoke a world of the tundra in both
summer and winter. Highly recommended.” —CM Magazine
“[It] will appeal to young dog lovers, not only because Igvillu himself is so charming, but because his
story evokes the essential conflict of childhood-the need to venture out into the big, cold world to
explore, while never straying too far from the warmth and safety of home.” —Quill & Quire
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
16 picture books
Dragon Tide
Ingrid Lee
Illustrated by Soizick Meister
When a stranger visits the beach and makes a dragon in the
sand, two children must keep it safe until the tide can set it free.
A
girl and a boy watch a stranger build a dragon in the sand. The dragon must wait for the
night tide to set it free. But there is danger on the beach. As the sea crawls closer, other
children come. They jump and play and the dragon begins to dissolve beneath their feet.
The girl and the boy must keep the dragon safe until the sea can free him.
“Lee’s language is poetic and playful.” —Resource Links
“An enjoyable book, well told and well illustrated. Something to read at bedtime: for happy
dreams of dragons being brought to life.” —CM Magazine
The Summer of the Marco Polo
Lynn Manuel
Illustrated by Kasia Charko
I
n the summer of 1883, a famous clipper ship ran aground off the coast of Prince Edward
Island near the home of a young girl named Lucy Maud Montgomery. Lucy Maud,
who became one of Canada’s most beloved writers, wrote about the grand adventure in
her journals and reflected on it years later in her notebooks. The town of Cavendish was
transformed by the presence of the crew, and the ship’s captain stayed with Lucy Maud and
her strait-laced grandparents. Lynn Manuel has taken Lucy Maud’s memories and shaped
them into a story that will transfix and enchant readers.
“Manuel nicely weaves in the history of the Marco Polo and some information about L.M.
Montgomery’s childhood…the illustrations are colorful and lively.” —Quill & Quire
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
picture books 17
Jessie’s Island
Sheryl McFarlane
Illustrated by Sheena Lott
A lyrical celebration of island life.
W
ith a long list of activities and events to attend, cousin Thomas paints a picture of
city life that makes Jessie’s world seem a little dull in comparison. When her mother
suggests they invite Thomas to visit their island, Jessie wonders glumly what she could
possibly write in her letter that would sound as exciting as zoos, planetariums or video
arcades.
But as Jessie looks out over her island home, she sees a world of endless variety, from
killer whales in the strait and bald eagles soaring overhead to anemones in tide pools and tiny
hermit crabs on the shore. She thinks of countless days spent exploring, fishing, swimming
and canoeing.
“The realistic depiction of life on the island off the west coast conveys the wonder and beauty of
nature…Although fashion trends have changed since the original 1992 release, nature never goes
out of style, making this an appropriate and lovely addition.” —School Library Journal
Kiss, Tickle, Cuddle, Hug
Susan Musgrave
n enjoyable board book for babies and toddlers that introduces facial expressions,
A
emotions and gestures of affection. In Kiss, Tickle, Cuddle, Hug, emotions are linked to
facial expressions with an array of colorful close-up photographic images that showcases a
multiethnic cast of babies. Perfect for little hands to hold, this is a board book to share and
enjoy over and over again.
Toronto Public Library’s First & Best list booklist selection
“A range of emotions recognizable by caregivers and early childhood educators alike will appeal to
babies and toddlers who are becoming more emotionally aware…Babies will be especially attracted
to the variety of facial expressions, and all readers will appreciate the racial diversity of the children
in the photographs. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“Big, beautiful photos of babies demonstrate a range of infant emotions and the needs they imply.
These head shots of ethnically diverse youngsters show their happy, silly, angry and sad faces, to
name a few. In a nice departure from the typical baby-photo board book, each child is named, and
the need their facial expression reveals is also explored…Sure to elicit some parent and child
kisses, tickles, cuddles and hugs.” —Kirkus Reviews
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
18 picture books
Sea Otter Pup
Victoria Miles
Illustrated by Elizabeth Gatt
Pup may be little, but he has big lessons to learn.
F
Rights Sold:
Korean—Daseossure Publishing Co. Ltd.
ollow along as Pup learns how to eat spiky sea urchins, somersault beneath the waves
and groom himself. He still needs lots of help from Mother, but one day Pup will be old
enough to dive down below the waves and search for food on his own.
Accompanied by beautiful illustrations and set in the North Pacific, this heartwarming tale is perfect for little ones who still have lots to learn themselves.
Victoria Miles is the author of numerous award-winning books for children, including Old
Mother Bear, which received a Henry Bergh award from the American Society for the Protection of Animals. Victoria lives in North Vancouver, British Columbia, with her husband and
two daughters.
Elizabeth Gatt was born in London, England, and has an MA in graphic design from the
Central School of Art and Design. She worked for a number of years at the Natural History Museum in London and began illustrating children’s books after her two children were
born. Elizabeth now lives in Burlington, Ontario.
“Gatt’s acrylic painting illustrations are more vibrant in this [new board book format], consisting
of rich greens and browns, and their realistic nature reflects the basic facts about sea otters that
are being shared throughout the story…Sea Otter Pup continues to be a favourite for many young
readers, and this board book version would be a welcome addition to any home or public library.
“This appealing story of a young sea otter pup’s relaxing days with his mother is beautifully illustrated
with large paintings in soft colours, realistically depicting the animals. Both text and drawings should
appeal to young listeners and beginning readers.” —Resource Links
“The book reads gently, in a pace that reminds you of the rhythm of the waves of the Pacific Ocean.”
—Eco Parent
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
picture books 19
More Blueberries!
Susan Musgrave
Illustrated by Esperança Melo
From playtime to bedtime,
blueberries make everything oh-so-sweet!
T
hese young twins can’t get enough of their favorite snack—and they aren’t the only ones!
With playful rhyming text from award-winning poet Susan Musgrave and gorgeous
illustrations by Esperança Melo, this exuberant board book will delight little ones and have
everyone happily shouting, “More blueberries!”
“[Musgrave] combines ‘blueberry’ with simple, toddler-friendly vocabulary for an infectious chant…
Sharp-eyed readers will notice that the frog, bear, and crow that join the fun may be imaginary, if
stuffed toys and bedside book are taken as clues…A great read-aloud that supports both vocabulary
building and phonemic awareness.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Melo’s bold and beautiful acrylics on gessoed paper are a perfect match for Musgrave’s text as
she depicts the blueberry stained twins eating, drinking and playing their way through blueberry
concoctions of all sorts. More Blueberries has great visual and tactile appeal and should prove a
success with small listeners. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“The sheer joyfulness of the text and the vibrant acrylic paintings (appropriately smeared with
bright blue) is infectious.” —School Library Journal
Love You More
Susan Musgrave
Illustrated by Esperança Melo
Love for every season.
S
panning one full calendar year, this rhyming board book celebrates the deep love
between parent and child. Rendered in couplets, the verses weave expressions of affection with vivid imagery from the natural world, making it ideal for teaching young ones
about the seasons and the beauty of nature.
With vibrant, heartwarming illustrations, this is a perfect read-aloud to foster warmth
and closeness with baby.
“Musgrave walks readers through the months of the year, connecting a parent’s love for a child
to various seasonal occurrences…Melo’s illustrations…have a rich warmth and texture, from the
craqueleur of a violet night sky to cozy scenes of around-the-year friendship between a frizzyhaired girl and her fuzzy brown teddy bear.” —Publishers Weekly
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
20 picture books
Fred and Pete at the Beach
Cynthia Nugent
red is a near-sighted dog who worries all the time. He worries the most about what kind
F
of trouble Pete is going to get them into next. Unlike Fred, Pete is a happy, impulsive
dog who believes something wonderful waits around every corner. Fred and Pete live with
their human, Ron. When the dogs misbehave, Ron leaves them at home for the day. So the
dogs decide to find their own way to the beach. Pete is sure they can get to the beach by
themselves, meet up with Ron and all will be forgiven. Full of misgivings, Fred hurries after
Pete, if only to try to keep him out of trouble. Follow Fred and Pete on an adventure where
they hitch rides in anything with wheels, and optimism prevails.
“Nugent’s playful text and humorous artwork combine well to create a fun-filled, enjoyable
book…Likely to appeal to dog lovers of all ages. Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Alligator, Bear, Crab
A Baby’s ABC
Lesley Wynne Pechter
A
lligator, Bear, Crab is an abc book for babies and toddlers alike that introduces the shapes
and sounds of the alphabet amid a colorful collection of critters. The bright colors and
playful images make for a unique board book, the perfect size for a child’s small hands.
San Francisco Examiner ’s Top Ten Board Books for Toddlers
Read to Me! ’s 50 Best Books for Babies list
“Endearing animals introduce the ABCs in an inviting board book. Pechter’s organic paintings
feature soft lines, kindly faces, and a soothing palette of creamy sunset colors and sky blues…
With care paid to each image, this is a charming, distinctive primer.” —Publishers Weekly
“From the sharp-toothed alligator to the final wild zebra, an arresting animal menagerie is
presented…The nursery-inspired background palette includes robin’s-egg blues, tangerine
oranges and lemony yellows and peek through artful, intricate gaps in the animals’ outlines.
Always recognizable, these dreamlike creatures alphabetically enchant.” —Kirkus Reviews
“With a large, uncluttered image of an animal representing each letter of the alphabet, this
sturdy board book will have toddlers pointing at the bright pictures and sounding out the
critters’ names many times over…Just right for the youngest lap audience and for preschoolers
starting to learn letters.” —Booklist
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
picture books 21
Hamsters Holding Hands
Kass Reich
amsters Holding Hands is an engaging, fun board book targeted toward very young
H
learners. Each page features a different number of playful hamsters accompanied by
rhyming text. The illustrations are bright and graphic with lots of humorous details to keep
both child and adult engaged.
A counting book that takes readers from one to ten, Hamsters Holding Hands is a delight
to share with any young child.
“This charming counting book features spunky, pear-shaped hamsters…engaging in simple yet
unexpected fun…Debut talent Reich brings subtle, off-kilter humor—with props like balloons,
pinwheels, and snorkel gear—and an understated style to her spreads, with the hamsters’ citrus
hues playfully smudged outside their outlines. It’s hard not to smile at images of the happy hamsters
jumping rope or working on their tans.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Counting books are a dime a dozen, but few attain the outright adorableness of Montreal artist
Kass Reich’s first board book…Reich’s splay-toed rodents frolic in the sun, eat some rice, and, yes,
hold hands. The text is simple and fun, a combination that will no doubt strike a chord with wee
ones.” —Quill & Quire
This Little Hamster
Kass Reich
T
his Little Hamster is a spirited playful board book for babies and toddlers. Rhyming
couplets and cheerful illustrations will capture the interest of both child and adult
readers. This follow-up to Kass Reich’s bestselling debut, Hamsters Holding Hands, is a
charming introduction to basic colors that will fascinate little ones.
“Set against pale backdrops that correspond to 10 colors, the smiley, dumpling-like hamsters
proudly display objects in their favorite hues…Once again, the hamsters’ abundant enthusiasm
and Reich’s humorous penchant for unexpected props…are a winning combination.”
“Youngsters should have no difficulties in locating and identifying the various objects…A very good
introduction to colours [that] merits being part of home, as well as institutional, libraries. Highly
“A horde of hamsters introduces little ones to colors…As with their first outing, the critters are
endearingly drawn.” —Kirkus Reviews
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
22 picture books
Mooncakes
Loretta Seto
Illustrated by Renné Benoit
Discover how Jade Rabbit came to live on the moon!
M
ooncakes is the lyrical story of a young girl who shares the special celebration of the
Chinese Moon Festival with her parents. As they eat mooncakes, drink tea and watch
the night sky together, Mama and Baba tell ancient tales of a magical tree that can never be
cut down, the Jade Rabbit who came to live on the moon and one brave woman’s journey to
eternal life. With a gentle focus on the importance of family, Mooncakes is both a perfect book
for parent and child to read together, and an ideal choice for schools and libraries.
Loretta Seto is a fiction and screenwriter, as well as a playwright. She has been published in
Ricepaper magazine and the anthology Strike the Wok. Loretta completed her MFA in creative
writing at UBC. Mooncakes is her first children’s book. She lives in Vancouver, British Columbia. For more information, visit www.lorettaseto.com.
Renné Benoit has been drawing pictures since she could hold a crayon. She works out of her
home studio in St. Thomas, Ontario, where she lives with her husband, their daughter and
their dog. Her recent work includes Goodbye to Griffith Street, which won the Christie-Harris
Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize in 2005. You can visit her website at www.rennebenoit.ca.
“A cozy family story rooted in tradition…The folktales offer an imaginative addition to the narrative
as well as a window into Chinese legend. Created with colored pencils, watercolors, and gouache,
the double-page illustrations create a series of warm family scenes and tableaux from folklore, all
suffused with pale golden light.” —Booklist
“A lovely, touching story that functions well as both entertainment and an introduction to a snippet
of Chinese culture…Seto seamlessly blends the contemporary storyline with the traditional
narratives…Benoit’s moody palette of muted greys, blues, greens, and oranges evokes the nighttime
setting, giving way to unexpected pops of brighter colour when the narrative switches to folktales…
A treat as sweet as the titular pastry.” —Quill & Quire
“The framework of a family celebration is effective and satisfying here, and listeners will enjoy
curling up with their parents, learning about or re-experiencing some of the holiday traditions,
hearing the funny and comforting stories, and perhaps even drifting off to sleep…Lovely.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“In the contemporary story, the mooncakes seem real enough to eat, the teapot and cups are
beautifully rendered, and the night sky sparkles. This quiet gem will make an effective read-aloud to
introduce the Moon Festival and Chinese culture.” —School Library Journal
“The young girl’s responses to the stories are reflective and full of wonder…Benoit’s watercolour,
coloured pencil and gouache illustrations present a warm, loving family sharing traditions…This is a
wonderful book to introduce cultures and holidays. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
picture books 23
Seal Song
Andrea Spalding
Illustrated by Pascal Milelli
When the seals sing, magic happens.
inn loves to swim with the seals in a secret cove. He arrives at the cove one day and
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rescues a young seal tangled in netting. Finn wishes the seal could live on land. That
night the seals sing. “No good comes from seal songs,” says Finn’s father. When Sheila,
a mysterious girl no one has ever seen before, appears on the cannery docks, the fisher folk
are uneasy. They believe the newcomer is a magical selkie, a shape changer.
TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award nominee
Canadian Children’s Book Centre Best Books starred seletion
“A strong sense of place, sinewy prose, and an unusual blend of workaday life and fairy tale dreaminess
distinguish Spalding’s Pacific Northwest fantasy…The oil paintings by Milelli are composed, mosaiclike,
of planes of saturated color that mimic the play of light across the water and the faces of the fishermen.
The sober reality of the tweed caps of the men on the docks and the cannery’s wooden buildings
anchor the story’s magical elements in a particularly piquant way.” —Publishers Weekly
“Milelli’s illustrations are extraordinary. His unique artistic style, with his colour blocks and vivid
palette, harkens back to the works of Paul Cézanne and Pablo Picasso. Milelli’s approach allows the
reader to bear witness to the natural world with a newfound wonder…Seal Song weaves fishing
customs and traditional folklore effortlessly into one tale. Spalding adds depth…by taking a visceral
approach to her storytelling.” —CM Magazine
“The magical elements of this friendship story seem believable in context, and the bittersweet ending
is appropriate…The text is set on or opposite Milelli’s dark, expressive oil paintings, which focus mainly
on the characters, giving only a rough idea of their surroundings. Read aloud or alone, the storytelling
and illustrations work well together, creating a memorable, satisfying whole.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Spalding has intertwined traditional Celtic folklore with the west coast fishing way of life to
create an enchanting story about a loyal and, ultimately, life-altering friendship. She writes
beautifully, with such powerful imagery and a strong sense of place that the text could easily stand
on its own…Milelli’s vibrant oil paintings transport readers to the natural surroundings of a fishing
community. He achieves a dramatic effect by employing blocks of colour, with emphasis on blues
and greens, so supporting Spalding by creating the perfect atmosphere for her beautifully crafted
text. An inspired pairing!” —Canadian Children’s Book News
“The formal text retains the grave and romantic tone of folklore and incorporates freeverse poetry in lyrical songs that echo folkloric rhyme…The design and typography of the
poems enhance the emotional cadence and parallel the movement in the underwater scenes.”
—Canadian Literature
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
24 picture books
Dance Baby Dance
Andrea Spalding
You’re never too young to dance!
D
ance Baby Dance is an enchanting first book for babies. The rolling, rollicking poetry,
paired with colorful and diverse photographic images of babies with their friends and
families, is the perfect companion to Welcome Song for Baby: A lullaby for newborns.
Canadian Toy Testing Council Top Ten Great Books
Resource Links The Year’s Best selection
“Show[s] a charming variety of babies and toddlers learning to explore and enjoy their surroundings…
The book offers reassurance—perhaps to the adult reading it aloud as much as to Baby—that the
world is a pleasant and loving place in which Baby is free to explore, play, and develop.” —Quill & Quire
“Perfect for one-on-one sharing, this is a great addition to public library board book collections.”
—Resource Links
“An excellent lap book to be shared…A most worthy public library addition and an excellent gift book
purchase for parents. Highly recommended.” —CM Magazine
Secret of the Dance
Andrea Spalding and Alfred Scow
Illustrated by Darlene Gait
I
n 1935, a nine-year-old boy’s family held a forbidden Potlatch in faraway Kingcome Inlet.
Watl’kina slipped from his bed to bear witness. In the Big House masked figures danced
by firelight to the beat of the drum. And there, he saw a figure he knew. Aboriginal elder
Alfred Scow and award-winning author Andrea Spalding collaborate to tell the story, to tell
the secret of the dance.
Anskohk Aboriginal Literature Festival Book Award nominee
“The child’s view of brave adults in secret rebellion will even attract children somewhat older
than the target audience.” —Booklist
“An innocent perspective on a powerful act of defiance…Gait’s large-scale acrylic paintings reinforce the
religious dimension, infusing magic realism into the landscape and story.” —The Horn Book Guide
“The illustrations…strikingly reflect Aboriginal imagery. The voice of the adult recalling a profound
and transformative childhood moment is…immediate and credible.” —Canadian Literature
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
picture books 25
Can Hens Give Milk?
Joan Betty Stuchner
Illustrated by Joe Weissmann
On Tova’s farm, anything might be possible.
Rights Sold:
Korean—Gabobook Publishing Co..
ova lives with her family on a small farm in the famous town of Chelm, a mythical
T
village populated, according to Jewish folklore, by fools. Tova’s farm has hens and even
a rooster, but no cow. Her mother, Rivka, wishes they could afford to buy a cow, so they
could have fresh milk and butter every day. One night Tova’s father has a dream about how
to get milk without actually owning a cow. He asks Tova to help him find a way to get milk
from their hens, and the results are hilarious. Finally, to the family’s joy and the hens’ relief,
the problem is solved by none other than the wise Rabbi of Chelm himself, with a little extra
help from Tova.
Read Aloud Award and Honor Books nominee
Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award nominee
“An original tale takes readers to that nexus of foolishness, the village of Chelm…Stuchner is
completely at home with the almost-logic of Chelm. (It may seem paradoxical to write a new
traditional folktale, but it’s very much in the spirit of Chelm.) As in the best of the traditional
stories, every step of the villagers’ thought process makes perfect sense. The story is so
successful in making the absurd seem obvious that readers may wonder why they didn’t think of
it themselves.” —Kirkus Reviews
“It’s easy for Chelm stories to feel by-the-numbers or condescending toward their characters, but
Stuchner (Josephine’s Dream) and Weissmann (Mom, the School Flooded) never fall into that trap. It’s
the literary equivalent of a merry wink—which is just what this genre needed.”—Publishers Weekly
“The tone of Joan Betty Stuchner’s tale is cheerful, but the delivery is appropriately straightfaced. The effect is gently teasing but never unkind. Joe Weissmann’s expressive illustrations
complement this lighthearted style and paint a comic portrait of Schlomo and his family…There
will be ample pleasure in predicting the outcome of the family’s antics or just enjoying this simple
tale that celebrates silliness.” —Quill & Quire
“Weissmann’s naive-style cartoons emphasize the endearing but clueless characters and are
perfectly suited to Stuchner’s absurd text…Children will especially enjoy the hilarious ending.”
—Booklist
“This addition to the canon has all the delicious deadpan of the old [Chelm] tales, as well as their
familiar population of hilarious idiots. Literary idiots make powerless little readers feel powerful,
and smart.” —Tablet Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
26 picture books
Art’s Supplies
Chris Tougas
this delightful tale of the power of the imagination, Art’s supplies come to life in the
Iandnstudio,
creating mayhem and magic; and art! Pastels, pencils and paints, crayons, brushes
markers, everything gets in on the act of creating a mess-terpiece of fun. Chris Tougas’
brilliant illustrations and clever text explore the essence of the creative process in a way that
children will understand.
Rights Sold:
Korean—Bear Books
“This lively title is sure to be a favorite of youngsters learning to appreciate both subtle humor
and engaging cartoon art.” —School Library Journal
“Gorgeously colored…Tougas’ great skill at joyous illustration is just icing on the cake.”
—Quill & Quire
“This book captures how much fun fooling around with different media can be. Kids will want
to grab some colored pencils and get to work themselves.” —Booklist
Mechanimals
Chris Tougas
W
Rights Sold:
Simplified Chinese—Foreign
Language Teaching and
Research Publishing Co., Ltd.
Korean—Awesome World
hen a tornado leaves a farmer with a heap of scrap metal and no animals, his neighbors
are sure it’s all over for him. But the determined farmer refuses to admit defeat. His
plans are big, and when his neighbors dismiss them with the words, “When pigs fly,” they
grow bigger still. The farmer sets to work to turn that scrap metal into some rather surprising
creatures. Mechanimals will help all of us believe in our dreams, despite what the neighbors
may say.
Bolen Books Children’s Book Prize winner
Shining Willow winner
“Tougas gives us an ingenious farmer and a visually fascinating, funny book.”
—The Globe and Mail
“An unusual and likeable picturebook.” —Quill & Quire
“A refreshingly original and quirky idea for a children’s picturebook.” —BC Bookworld
“The illustrations…are delightful. Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
picture books 27
Little You
Richard Van Camp
Illustrated by Julie Flett
ichard Van Camp, internationally renowned storyteller and bestselling author of the
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hugely successful Welcome Song for Baby: A Lullaby for Newborns, has partnered with
talented illustrator Julie Flett to create a tender board book for babies and toddlers that
honors the child in everyone. With its delightful contemporary illustrations, Little You is
perfect to be shared, read or sung to all the little people in your life—and the new little ones
on the way!
R. Ross Annett Award winner
CLA Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Award
BC Books for Babies winner
Alcuin Design Award honourable mention
Read to Me! ’s 50 Best Books for Babies list
OLA Best Bets
Today's Parent's Best Canadian Kids Books list selection
Welcome Song for Baby
Richard Van Camp
rom renowned First Nations storyteller Richard Van Camp comes a lyrical lullaby for
newborns. Complemented with stunning photographs, this evocative board book is
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perfectly suited as a first book for every baby.
Books for BC Babies winner
National Parenting Publications Award winner
Toronto Public Library First & Best booklist selection
PJ Library Selection
“An excellent purchase for public libraries and a terrific gift for new parents! Highly recommended.”
—CM Magazine
“If you have a need to purchase a book as a gift for parents of a newborn, this is the one to get.
It will be a treasure long after the baby has grown.” —Resource Links
“It may work its way into parents’ and grandparents’ hearts the way Robert Munsch’s Love You
Forever has.” —Vancouver Sun
“An excellent addition to a public library’s collection. For new parents it would be a welcomed gift
to be cherished for years to come.” —Southwestern Ohio Young Adult Materials Review Group
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
28 picture books
Ben’s Bunny Trouble
Daniel Wakeman
Illustrated by Dirk van Stralen
In this wordless picturebook, Ben journeys into space to find his
bunnies a better home than his own inhospitable city.
B
en’s Bunny Trouble is set in a near future in which the world has lost all its green space.
When Ben decides that the city is not the best place for his bunnies, he embarks on
an out-of-this-world journey to find them a better home. It takes a few false landings and
help from a variety of aliens, but in the end, Ben finds his bunnies—which seem to have
multiplied—a new place to live.
“A highly enjoyable visual adventure. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“This wordless picturebook packs a huge story of belonging into its light-hearted illustrations,
and little details will delight patient searchers on every page.” —Georgia Straight
Ben’s Big Dig
Daniel Wakeman
Illustrated by Dirk van Stralen
During a reluctant visit with his grandmother, Ben decides to dig a
tunnel to escape, opening the door to unexpected adventures.
n this wordless picturebook, pictures tell Ben’s story of a midnight journey through the
Iwoman
center of the earth. Ben’s mother has dropped him off for a visit with his grandmother, a
with a penchant for baking. Ben feels lost and lonely until he discovers a chest full
of mining gear. He embarks on an adventure that will make him grateful for the hundreds of
pies stacked in his grandmother’s kitchen.
“A visually sohpisticated and appealing book that warrants and rewards multiple viewings.
Highly Recommended.”—CM Magazine
“An innovative picture book that takes the traditional creator/reader relationship and gives it a
fascinating shake-up.” —Quill & Quire
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
picture books 29
Room Enough for Daisy
Debby Waldman and Rita Feutl
Illustrated by Cindy Revell
Daisy’s room seems small until
she discovers what’s really important.
Rights Sold:
Korean—Leescom
aisy has more toys than she knows what to do with. In this story, inspired by an Eastern
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European folktale about a house that’s too small, Daisy thinks she needs a bigger
bedroom for all the gifts on her birthday list. Her clever mom helps her realize less is more,
and Daisy decides to donate many of her things to a Mitzvah Day rummage sale. In the
process, Daisy learns about sharing and the satisfaction that comes from choosing what’s
important.
“Great for discussions about greed, entitlement, and charity.” —School Library Journal
“This picture book skillfully tackles the topic of children who want more and more ‘stuff.’…
Colorful digitally painted illustrations in bright tones outlined in black depict the clutter without
overwhelming, and Daisy is cute and expressive with her wide freckled face and pigtails. In a culture
that decrees that having more is being more, it is refreshing to find a book that broaches the topic
of over-consumption as well as the idea of giving back.” —Jewish Book World, starred review
“A wonderful aid for teaching the concept of ‘less is more.’ Waldman and Feutl imbue the story
with a light tone, powerful message, and realistic characters. Revell’s illustrations, done in the
same colourful, folk-art style as previous collaborations with Waldman…are a treat for the eyes.
Readers will enjoy returning to Daisy’s busy room and discovering details missed the first time
around.” —Quill & Quire
“A delightful and inspiring picture book…The story provides plenty of topics for discussion with
young children, including how to donate and recycle unwanted items, learning to appreciate what
you have and [that] more is not always better…Colourful and whimsical illustrations will capture
the interest and imagination of children of all ages.” —Edmonton Jewish News
“Bright and bold and perfectly engaging. For a book in this format, there is a lot of text and a
very well-spun story. There’s lots going on here and many reasons for readers aged four to eight
to return…The moral here is present but not overwhelming and the illustrations are colorful,
bright and offer young readers lots to look at. This is a very good book for young children in
every way.” —January Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
30 picture books
Clever Rachel
Debby Waldman
n this retelling of a jewish folktale, Jacob tries to stump Rachel with his best riddles but
Itrickiest
fails repeatedly. When a young woman in need of help presents Rachel and Jacob with the
riddles of all, they discover the only way to solve them is to work together.
Rights Sold:
Simplified Chinese—Liaoning
Children’s Publishing House
Co., Ltd.
“This book is absolutely charming and concisely written. It’s full of the kind of Jewish values
parents want their children to absorb from a very young age: work hard, do your best,
cooperate…Any child old enough for a book with real pages will love this story.”
—Cleveland Jewish News
“A pleasure to read aloud. The main characters are made vivid by their rich language and
inner thoughts…Children will be attracted to the folk-art vitality on every page.”
A Sack Full of Feathers
Debbie Waldman
ankel loves to tell stories, as long as they are someone else’s. He does not see the hurt
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that his stories cause, the way they spread and change. Then the rabbi hands him a bag
of feathers and tells him to place one on every doorstep in the village. Yankel is changed by
what happens and finds himself with his best story yet, one of his very own.
Amelia Francis Howard-Gibbon Award nominee
Blue Spruce nominee
“A wonderfully illustrated book…the art warmly underlines the plot…refreshing.”
—Jewish Book World
“The fun in this retelling of a Jewish folktale is not in the lesson, but in the setting, the people
and the stories they tell.” —Booklist
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
picture books 31
The Matatu
Eric Walters
Illustrated by Eva Campbell
Come for an African bus ride with a dog, a goat and a sheep!
ioko had been watching the matatus come and go for as long as he could remember. But
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today, for his fifth birthday, he climbs aboard one with his grandfather. As the matatu
pulls away from the market, the village dogs chase after them. When Kioko asks his grandWorld Rights Available
father why the dogs always bark and chase after matatus, his grandfather tells him an entertaining tale about a dog, a goat and a sheep. Set in East Africa, The Matatu is a colorful story
filled with many unexpected turns and twists along the way.
Aesop Accolades winner
Children’s Africana Book Awards Best Books for Young Children selection
Rainforest of Reading nominee
“With a wry mix of realism and folklore, Walters draws on his work in rural Kenya to tell the
story of Kioko…Along with the vivid setting, there is a playful story based on a Kamba folktale…
The bond between Kioko and his grandpa will grab kids, and so will the sly twist when the boy
tries to fix things and change the old folktale.” —Booklist
“Campbell fills her oil paintings with bright colors and commotion, portraying her animals with
trickster-like characteristics. Walters offers tender insight into a grandfather and grandson
relationship, while depicting a unique cultural experience.” —Publishers Weekly
“The enjoyable view of life in this faraway country beautifully frames a universal special relationship
between a child and a grandparent. Children and adults will smile at Kioko’s concluding action in
response to his grandfather’s tale.” —School Library Journal
“Campbell’s illustrations effortlessly transport the reader to Kikima, Kenya. The Matatu is both
a beautiful and a light-hearted glimpse into the lives and stories of the Kenyan people. Walters
expertly switches gears on the reader by turning a story of adventure into one of hilarity.
However, The Matatu is not merely a folktale. Walters has also crafted a story that exemplifies
the grandparent-grandchild relationship.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
32 picture books
Doors in the Air
David Weale
Illustrated by Pierre Pratt
Discover the doors to your imagination.
oors in the Air is the story of a boy who is fascinated by doors. He marvels at how stepD
ping through a doorway can take him from one world to another. He is especially
enthralled by the doors of his imagination, which he refers to as “doors in the air. He delights
(ex – English and French in North
America)
in discovering that when he passes through these doors, he leaves behind all feelings of
boredom, fear and unpleasantness.
Doors in the Air is a lilting journey through house doors, dream doors and, best of all,
doors in the air.
David Weale is a folk historian and a popular storyteller and stage performer. He has
written thirteen books, four of which are for children. David co-created and wrote
The True Meaning of Crumbfest, an animated Christmas special for children, seen in more
than twenty-five countries around the world, as well as Eckhart, an animated tv series
for children. He is the father of five children and presently lives with his dog, Breaker,
in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.
Pierre Pratt studied graphic design at Ahuntsic College in Montreal. Since 1990, he has illustrated (and also written) close to fifty books for children. He has won several prizes, including
the Governor General’s Award of Canada three times, a Golden Apple and a Golden Plate in
Bratislava, a Totem at the Montreuil Salon du Livre in France, a UNICEF Prize in Bologna, the
Boston Globe Horn Book Award, the Elizabeth Cleaver Prize, the Mr. Christie Book Award
and the TD Children’s Literature Award. In 2008, he represented Canada for the prestigious
Hans Christian Andersen Award.
“Written in Seussian rhyming couplets…[and] employing alliteration that makes reading it aloud a
pleasure…Doors in the Air is a fantastical triumph, celebrating the spaces in which the ordinary and
the extraordinary intersect.” —Quill & Quire
“Featuring a palette of rich reds, blues, and greens, many of Pratt’s bright, double-page illustrations
change scenarios with a flip of the page…The intrepid boy striding through one doorway after the
next, with a friendly looking, long-necked bird in tow, just might inspire readers to start exploring
their own worlds of fantasy.” —Booklist
“A reflection on the richness that our imagination can bring to our lives. Illustrations in bright
colors by international award-winning Pierre Pratt draw in the reader, and each page is filled with
a fascinating variety of funky objects sure to incite lively discussion between reader and listener.”
—Montreal Review of Books
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
picture books 33
Jeffrey and Sloth
Kari-Lynn Winters
Illustrated by Ben Hodson
Discover the awesome powers of the written word.
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effrey can’t think of a thing to write, so he doodles instead, only to have his doodle begin
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to order him about. Jeffrey struggles with the situation until he discovers that the most
strong-willed doodle is powerless against a well-told tale. Jeffrey and Sloth is bound to have
children rushing for their colored pencils and their pens to see who and what they can create.
Kari-Lynn Winters loves shopping at garage sales and collecting other people’s discarded
photographs. She came to write Jeffrey and Sloth when a teacher said to her, “If you can’t
find anything to write about, then write about the moment of not having anything to write
about.” “And that,” she says, “is what I did.” Kari-Lynn is an educator, performer and writer
who lives with her family in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Ben Hodson has hiked through the Rocky Mountains with wild burros, fed a pair of baby
tigers from a bottle and seen monkeys in South Africa come into his house and steal bananas
off his table. A self-taught artist, Ben says that he often uses doodling to begin challenging
projects. “Staring at a blank piece of paper and knowing that you have to be creative,” he
says, “is one of the hardest things I know.” Ben lives in Ottawa, Ontario.
BC Book Prize nominee
Blue Spruce nominee
“…will make readers laugh out loud…Bravo to both of its creators. Recommended.”
—CM Magazine
“[This] unique Canadian picturebook…would make a good addition to primary school
collections.” —Resource Links
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
www.orcabook.com
phone: 1-250-380-1229
fax: 1-250-380-1892
Orca Book
Publishers
Rights Catalogue—Rapid Reads
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
2 Rapid Reads
Search and Rescue
Gail Anderson-Dargatz
A small-town reporter with a sixth sense risks all
to solve the case of a kidnapped woman.
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112 pages · Adult Fiction
hen a young woman goes missing on a nature trail, small-town journalist Claire
Abbott is first on the scene, as usual. The clues to the woman’s whereabouts are
misleading, but Claire has a sixth sense—what the fire chief calls a radar for crime. Trusting
her intuition, Claire insists that the search and rescue team look elsewhere for clues to
the woman’s disappearance. When they fail to follow up on her lead, she pursues it on
her own, embarking on a snowy chase up a mountainside that puts herself and others in
danger. She’s more than just a journalist chasing a story. Claire is determined to do the right
thing at any cost.
Search and Rescue is the first novel in a series of mysteries featuring journalist and sleuth
Claire Abbott.
Gail Anderson-Dargatz is a bestselling author. A Recipe for Bees and The Cure for Death by
Lightning were finalists for the Scotiabank Giller Prize. She also teaches other authors how
to write fiction. Gail lives in the Shuswap region of British Columbia, the landscape found
in so much of her writing. For more information, visit www.gailanderson-dargatz.ca.
“[Claire] is a relatable character, and her psychic ability grows at just the right pace for a short
series opener.” —School Library Journal
“Black forests, snowy weather and a growing sense of dread stir the pot of fear and tension to
a deadly twister resulting in drastic action, last second rescue and several red faces among the
town’s male protectors of the peace. A sleuth with an edge launches Claire Abbott into a new
series. I’ve got a hunch she’ll grow on you.” —Don Graves, Canadian Mystery Reviews
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Rapid Reads 3
Contingency Plan
Lou Allin
hen Sandra Sinclair, recently widowed and the mother of twelve-year-old Jane, meets
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wealthy lawyer Joe Gillette, he wins her over with his kind and conscientious attitude.
Falling in love faster than she ever thought possible, Sandra agrees to marry. But soon after
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they move into their new home, things begin to change, and Joe’s controlling behavior causes
her to question her decision. When her new husband becomes seriously abusive, Sandra
decides that she and Jane must leave.
When Joe makes it clear that he will not just let her walk away, Sandra discovers that it’s
quite likely that he arranged his first wife’s death, and that she is now part of his “contingency
plan.” She soon realizes that even the law is no defense against this meticulous and egotistical
man. Fleeing to an old family cabin on a remote lake, mother and daughter prepare to live
off the grid. And when Joe tracks them down, Sandra must come up with a contingency plan
of her own.
“An adrenaline filled race to the finish…Perfect for ESL readers, reluctant readers, or adult
readers who want a quick read.” —TriState YA Book Review Committee
“A standalone thriller, Contingency Plan is a fine, well-constructed story with an all-too-plausible
plot line and convincing characters…Allin has done a remarkable job of creating characters we
care about, and a plot that holds our attention.” —www.reviewingtheevidence.com
That Dog Won’t Hunt
Lou Allin
owboy drifter Rick Cooper is on the run in the California desert when he meets
Gladys Ryan, an eccentric widow who offers him a ride in her classic 1970 Mustang.
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Before long she convinces him to accompany her to Northern Ontario to help refurbish
her hunting lodge, promising him a share of the season’s profits and hinting at more. Rick
takes to life in the bush, working hard to make the lodge successful. In his free hours
he hunts birds with Bucky, Gladys’ ancient golden retriever. But at season’s end, Gladys
refuses to share the profits. An argument ensues. Rick shoves Gladys and she falls and hits
her head and dies. He takes her body into the remote bush and disposes of her trademark
Mustang, telling anyone who asks that she has gone off on her annual snowbird vacation.
No one seems suspicious and it looks like the perfect crime. Rick seems to have it all figured
out…except what to do with Bucky…
“Cooper is a thoroughly unlikable narrator, but readers comfortable with antiheroes may
find his unabashed opportunism intriguing, and the grisly conclusion to this tense thriller
brings a satisfying comeuppance.” —Booklist
“The first person narrator is clearly a ‘bad boy,’ yet the reader both identifies with him and
hopes for his success even while yearning for the universe to be just. The suspense is gripping…
A very compelling and well-written read…Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“[Allin] unveils a noir staccato to bring this little story to life. It really works…That Dog
Won’t Hunt is good storytelling in a tiny package.” —January Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
4 Rapid Reads
Orchestrated Murder
Rick Blechta
omething is terribly wrong at Symphony Hall. Luigi Spadafini, the symphony’s star
conductor, has been murdered—and the entire orchestra has confessed to the crime.
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This is the mess that Detective Lieutenant Pratt walks into one Saturday morning.
Overworked and tired, he’s also saddled with Detective Ellis, the newest member of
the homicide squad and still very wet behind the ears. With both the mayor and several
big shots from the symphony’s board of directors demanding a speedy resolution of the
crisis, Pratt is pushed to the limit. The trouble is, he also faces a seemingly endless list
of suspects with good reasons to want the philandering Spadafini dead. With the clock
ticking, Pratt is forced to use both his wits and the computer skills of Detective Ellis to
solve the mystery.
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“A vibrant closed-room police procedural sure to resonate with readers.” —Library Journal
“A finely-tuned gem of a story built on the powerfully-political dynamics of today’s highlystrung orchestras…Orchestrated Murder is a tangled little mess with a satisfying conclusion.”
—Hamilton Spectator
“Rick Blechta has wound a murder mystery with twists, turns and on-the-edge-of-your-seat
suspense. The storyline moves quickly…A good, fast-paced read. Highly Recommended.”
—CM Magazine
The Boom Room
Rick Blechta
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etective Mervin Pratt is called in to assist at a murder scene at a popular downtown
nightclub. The manager has been stabbed to death in his office. The lead investigator,
Detective Gordon, no friend of Pratt’s, sees it as an open-and-shut case. He has the suspect,
motive and even the murder weapon. But Pratt is unwilling to jump to conclusions.
When Pratt’s partner informs him that the suspect is his half brother, Pratt finds
himself in an ethical dilemma. The only solution, of course, is to solve the crime.
“A fast-paced murder mystery…The terse police dialogue is fun to read, and the pacing is
superb for this length of book: the action picks up right away and there’s never a lull…Perfect
for lunch-hour readers who want to supplement their workaday job with a bit of police drama.”
—ForeWord Reviews
“Tense and gritty, but not overtly so…[Blechta has] won awards for previous mystery stories,
and [his] talents come through here…Can be easily completed by a struggling or reluctant
reader…[and] could spark an interest in reading for those looking for a good detective story.”
—VOYA
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Rapid Reads 5
Love You to Death
Gail Bowen
harlie D is the host of a successful late-night radio call-in show. His listeners have a
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particularly intimate relationship with him and often reveal much about themselves,
confident that he will honor their trust and that he can save them. In their minds,
he is perfect: one of life’s winners. But Charlie feels he’s something of a fake. His easy
confidence on-air belies the reality for a man born with a wine-colored birthmark that
covers half his face.
Love You to Death covers one hour on “The World According to Charlie D”—an hour
during which he must both discover the long-time listener who is killing the people who
trust him and attempt to come to terms with the man behind the birthmark.
“Bowen takes a concept and crafts a story that is tightly-paced and thoroughly gripping…
The characters are swiftly drawn, but they aren’t clichéd, and the dialogue is witty, gritty, and
contemporary…Not only will appeal to high school students who have read their way through
‘Orca Soundings’ and want something a bit more challenging, but I am certain that Love You to
Death will find an audience amongst capable readers who want and need a rapid read. Highly
“This well-paced novel will appeal to readers who like humor, suspense and a believable mystery.”
—BookLinx
One Fine Day You’re Gonna Die
Gail Bowen
harlie D is back doing his late-night radio call-in show. It’s Halloween—The Day of
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the Dead. Not a day filled with good memories for Charlie, but the show must go
on. His studio guest this evening is Dr. Robin Harris, an arrogant and ambitious “expert
in the arts of dying and grieving,” who also seems to be auditioning for her own radio
talk show. Charlie and Dr. Harris do not hit it off. Things go from bad to worse when the
doctor’s ex-lover, Gabe, goes on air to announce that he’s about to end his life. Dr. Harris
is entirely unsympathetic until she learns that Gabe also has her daughter Kali and plans
to poison her too. It will take all of Charlie D’s on-air skills to save both Gabe and Kali.
“The novel…explores the infinitely variable, intractable mystery of relationships. It is not
only a rapid read, but one that is gripping and thoughtful.” —Vancouver Sun
“Replete with suspense and tension, One Fine Day is compelling and difficult to put down.”
—Quill & Quire
“A page-turner of the best sort. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
6 Rapid Reads
The Shadow Killer
Gail Bowen
t’s Father’s Day weekend—a tough time for Charlie D, host of a late-night radio callIalienated
in show that offers supportive advice to troubled listeners. For years Charlie has been
from his father—a retired politician who was always too busy for his son when
Charlie was growing up. The trouble is, his dad has chosen this weekend to attempt
to reconcile with his son. Charlie is not keen to forgive. But Charlie’s personal issues
suddenly seem mundane when an email arrives from a young listener that outlines his
very specific plans to kill not just his father but his entire family. The deeply troubled boy
could be anywhere, and Charlie has just two hours to discover his identity and stop him
from murder.
“[A] compelling reading experience…Romance, suspense, witty dialogue, and swiftly-drawn
but completely believable characters make this a book which offers something for everyone.
Fans of Bowen’s other Rapid Read novels will not be disappointed, and those who haven’t
yet experienced her work can start with this one.” —CM Magazine
“A quick read for those who like mysteries, but do not have the time to read something
longer.” —VOYA
The Thirteenth Rose
Gail Bowen
or his Valentine’s night call-in show, host Charlie D plans to offer his listeners two hours
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on the topic of “satisfaction.” His in-studio guest is twenty-five-year-old Misty de Vol
Burgh, formerly the highest-paid escort in the city but now happily married to eighty-threeyear-old billionaire Henry Burgh.
It’s all good fun until Charlie receives a chilling message: “It’s take-out-the-garbage
night. Time to kill all the hookers and wash the streets with blood.” When Charlie is directed to a website that allows viewers to watch the murder of a prostitute in real time
and promises that another killing will be broadcast live within the hour, the hunt
is on. But The World According to Charlie D. has an audience of over a million listeners. The
murderer could be anyone, anywhere. Charlie and his team have less than two hours
to find and stop the killer.
“Perfect for mature reluctant readers, ESL learners, or anyone who enjoys a good story.” —VOYA
“The Thirteenth Rose is not just an easy-to-read suspense novel; it also provides an incisive
perspective on the lives of sex trade workers, the dangers they face, and a reminder that the
public media cannot be used as a forum from which to disseminate hatred and bigotry
against them.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Rapid Reads 7
The Goddaughter
Melodie Campbell
ina Gallo is a gemologist who would like nothing better than to run her little jewelry
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shop. Unfortunately she’s also “the Goddaughter,” and, as she tells her new friend
Pete, “you don’t get to choose your relatives.” And you can’t avoid them when you live in
Hamilton and they more or less run the place.
When Gina bumps into Pete at the Art Gallery Gala, sparks fly. So do bullets, when
her cousin Tony is taken down by rival mobsters from New York. It turns out Tony was
carrying a load of hot gems in the heel of his shoe. When Gina is reluctantly recruited to
carry the rocks back to Buffalo, the worst happens: they get stolen. Pete and Gina have no
choice but to steal them back, even though philandering politicians, shoe fetishists, and a
trio of inept goons stand in their way.
It’s all in a day’s work, when you’re the Goddaughter.
“Campbell tells a hilarious story of the goddaughter of a mafia leader drafted into a jewelsmuggling operation.” —Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine
“A very funny romp makes this a great rapid read choice.” —The Hamilton Spectator
“Campbell’s comic caper is just right for Janet Evanovich fans. Wacky family connections and
snappy dialog make it impossible not to laugh.” – Library Journal
The Goddaughter’s Revenge
Melodie Campbell
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hen jewelry-store owner Gina Gallo and her boyfriend Pete take a week’s vacation,
she leaves the store in the hands of her cousin from New York. After all, cousin
Carmine is a certified gemologist—but Carmine is also in the Mob. When Gina gets
back, she discovers that her cousin has spent his time switching real gems for fakes in the
jewelry of some of her best customers.
With her reputation on the line, what’s a Mob goddaughter to do? Mastermind a string
of burglaries to get the gems back, of course! But nothing ever goes entirely smoothly for
Gina. Soon she and her eccentric cousin Nico are the toast of the town, as the local paper
and everyone else follow the antics of their very own Pink Panthers.
Derringer Award winner
“A non-stop switchero tale…By the time you’ve reached Union Station, all that glitters is
real gold. Short, sharp and full of what makes a Rapid Read feel like a great cup of coffee.”
—The Hamilton Spectator
“This story delivers a lot of tongue-in-cheek one-liners and a type of slapstick comedy one
might expect in some mobster movies…Campbell weaves a light, airy story with witty humor…
Give this to readers who enjoy a deliciously funny tale.” —VOYA
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
8 Rapid Reads
The Artful Goddaughter
Melodie Campbell
Who has ever heard of a reverse art heist?!
M
ob goddaughter Gina Gallo stands to inherit two million bucks from her great-uncle
Seb, a master forger. But there’s a catch: Uncle Seb wants Gina to make things right
and return an extremely valuable painting to the City Art Gallery. If she can’t do it, her ratface cousin Carmine gets the boodle.
Reluctantly, Gina comes up with a plan for a reverse heist, as she has learned things
never go as planned when her family gets involved. The wrong painting gets replaced,
and Gina finds herself with two priceless masterpieces in hand! It won’t be long before
someone realizes what’s going on.
The Artful Goddaughter is the third novel in a series featuring Gina Gallo, who wants
nothing more than to run her little jewelry store. But try as she might, Gina can’t escape
the family business, with hilarious consequences.
Melodie Campbell achieved a personal best when Library Journal compared her to Janet
Evanovich. Melodie got her start writing comedy. Her work has appeared in Alfred Hitchcock
Mystery Magazine, Star Magazine, Canadian Living, The Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail and
many more. She lives in Oakville, Ontario, and can be found at www.melodiecampbell.com.
“An easy read with twists and turns that make it a thrilling page turner…Campbell's characters
are likeable because they have their flaws and are written as real people…The infusion of
humour also balances the mystery and makes this book enjoyable. Highly Recommended.”
—CM Magazine
“A novella with legs and laughter…Strong plot, great zingers and imagery that draws you in and
just doesn’t let go…The scam is delightful, the plot, setting and dialogue move with page turning
intensity which makes the Artful Author’s third crime ride a blast and a laugh.” —Don Graves,
Canadian Mystery Reviews
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Rapid Reads 9
The Second Wife
Brenda Chapman
Does Gwen Lake really want to save her ex-husband
from a murder rap?
wen lake is a forty-five-year-old police officer with a desk job, an ex-husband and a
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future not even close to the American dream. A year after her divorce, and more
out of boredom and curiosity than anything else, she agrees to a meeting with her ex’s
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new wife. She has no idea that the encounter will lead to murder. And she has decidedly
mixed emotions when her ex-husband is arrested for the crime. Instead of accepting the
lead detective’s advice to book a Club Med vacation and leave the investigation to the
professionals, Gwen decides to work the case on her own. Her life is about to get a lot less
predictable and a lot more dangerous.
Brenda Chapman is the author of the murder mystery In Winter’s Grip (2010), along with
the successful Jennifer Bannon mystery series for young adults. She is a former special
education teacher and currently works as a senior communications advisor for the federal
government in Ottawa, Ontario
“Youth may identify with Gwen’s struggle against sexism at work and her desire to find
evidence to support what she knows in her heart is right.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
10 Rapid Reads
Dirty Work
Reed Farrel Coleman
ulliver Dowd is a little person in a world of hurt. After his sister, an NYPD policewoman,
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is murdered, he becomes a licensed PI. Dowd is shocked to discover that his mysterious
new client is Nina, his high-school girlfriend and the one true love of his life. But the real
surprise is yet to come. Nina hires Gulliver to find her runaway daughter, convincing him
to take the case only when she confesses that the missing girl is Dowd’s daughter too, the
product of their high-school romance.
When he takes the case, Dowd must travel from an exclusive girls’ academy to a
Mafia don’s mansion to seek the answer to his newfound daughter’s disappearance.
But all is not what it seems. What is the real surprise awaiting Gulliver Dowd?
“A little man with a huge heart and a huge chip on his shoulder, Gulliver Dowd swaggers
into the crime fiction world and takes his place with the great investigators. Smart, vulnerable,
wounded, heartbreakingly hopeful, I just adore his company. This is a staggering achievement.
Bravo!” —Louise Penny, New York Times bestselling author
“Gulliver is sarcastic, calloused, and tenacious, but beneath the façade, he is a sympathetic tragic
hero with a secret heart of gold. Veteran crime-fiction author Coleman proves adept at writing
for adult reluctant readers without sacrificing his signature hard-boiled style. A fine addition to
the Rapid Reads series.” —Booklist
Valentino Pier
Reed Farrel Coleman
t all begins when PI Gulliver Dowd is approached by Ellis Torres, a street kid, on
IGulliver
Valentino Pier in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn. Ellis has lost his dog, and after
helps to find the dog for him, they go their separate ways. So when Ellis is
discovered beaten, unconscious and left for dead not far from the pier early the following
morning, Gulliver is horrified—and suspicious. He sets out to find the attacker and learn
why the boy was targeted. What Gulliver uncovers by way of bizarre clues—amidst
threats of danger to himself and his loved ones-—leads him on his most curious case yet.
Undeniably, there is something amiss at Valentino Pier.
“Coleman, the award-winning author of the Moe Prager series, is a welcome addition to the
talented stable of writers who have joined Orca’s Rapid Reads line. Mixing accessible prose
meant to draw in new and reluctant readers with an exciting plot, Coleman introduces a gutsy,
street-savvy hero. More, please.” —Library Journal
“An action-packed mystery…Well-written, fast paced, and loaded with interesting characters.”
—CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Rapid Reads 11
The Boardwalk
Reed Farrel Coleman
PI Gulliver Dowd risks all to learn the truth.
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ulliver Dowd is finally on the verge of unraveling the mystery behind his sister’s
murder when the man who is supposed to give him the scoop, NYPD Detective Sam
Patrick, is gunned down on the Coney Island Boardwalk. As Dowd delves into Patrick’s
accidental shooting, he uncovers a pattern of corruption and deceit involving organized
crime and the police. But there are tough choices to be made. Just how much is Gulliver
willing to sacrifice in order to find out why his sister was murdered and to unmask the
killer? The answers aren’t found in the moon or the stars, but on the boardwalk.
The Boardwalk is third in the Gulliver Dowd Mystery series, featuring a New York
private investigator. In award-winning author Louise Penny’s words: “A little man with a
huge heart and a huge chip on his shoulder, Gulliver Dowd swaggers into the crime fiction
world and takes his place with the great investigators. Smart, vulnerable, wounded, heartbreakingly hopeful, I just adore his company.”
Called a “hard-boiled poet” by NPR’s Maureen Corrigan and “the noir poet laureate” in
the Huffington Post, Reed Farrel Coleman has published over fifteen novels. He is a threetime recipient of the Shamus Award for Best PI Novel of the Year and is a two-time Edgar
Award nominee. He is an adjunct instructor of English at Hofstra University and lives with
his family on Long Island. For more information, visit www.reedcoleman.com.
“The read rockets forward at a rapid pace…A very pleasant diversion that ends far too soon.”
—Blogger News Network
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
12 Rapid Reads
A Winter Kill
Vicki Delany
icole Patterson is a young, green and very eager probationary constable with the
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Ontario Provincial Police. Although she spends much of her time breaking up bar
fights and giving out traffic tickets she dreams of one day becoming a detective.
Late one bitterly cold winter night, she comes across the body of a young woman lying on
the edge of a snow-covered field. Nicole recognizes the victim as a local high school student with
a somewhat sullied reputation, the daughter of the town drunk. Though both under-qualified
and unauthorized, Nicole feels compelled to throw herself into the murder investigation.
Was the murdered girl really as promiscuous as her classmates described or the victim
of bullying? And what was her relationship with the star of the football team? Is Nicole
Patterson herself heading for trouble by pretending to be a detective?
“Complete with a thoughtful and observant protagonist, a sympathetic victim, varied supporting
characters, a snappy ‘whodunit’ plot, [and] short, easy-to-read sentences…This quick read fits
the series well and should appeal to an audience accustomed to the pace of television crime
dramas. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“This quick read will grab the reader’s attention from page one…A very satisfying read for
reluctant readers.” —TriState YA Book Review Committee
Juba Good
Vicki Delany
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uba, South Sudan.
RCMP Sergeant Ray Robertson has spent a year serving with the United Nations in
the world’s newest country. He’s tired; tired of the chaotic traffic, the jostling, the choking
red dust that blows in from the desert. He can’t wait to get back to his family, and to
policing a world he understands.
But when the fourth young woman in three weeks is found dead, Robertson fears
that a serial killer is on the loose. In a country plagued by extreme poverty and civil war,
the policeman realizes that it’s up to him to find the killer before they strike again.
“The story feels ripped from the headlines…Delany’s handling of setting and culture distinguish
this novel from other cop murder dramas—a genre it fits into comfortably…Delany’s skill with
concise plotting and characterization means that nothing valuable is left out…A great waitingroom read for people who want to experience worldwide thrills from within the safety of their
hometown.” —ForeWord Reviews
“A page-turner filled with suspense. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Rapid Reads 13
The Fall Guy
Barbara Fradkin
andyman Cedric O’Toole likes his simple life. He lives by himself on an isolated
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farm, collecting sheds full of junk and dreaming of his next invention. Then one day
a slick city lawyer drives down his lane and his nightmare begins. Lori-Anne Wilkins, the
wife of a wealthy local businessman, has fallen to her death from a deck Cedric built, and
the furious widower has slapped him with a lawsuit.
When Cedric goes to check out the accident site, he discovers that someone has
tampered with the railing around the deck. It appears he’s been set up to take the blame.
But who might want Mrs. Wilkins dead? Then, when someone runs him off the road, he
realizes that his life is in danger too. To clear his name and save his life, Cedric has to use
his inventive mind to trap the real killer.
“Fradkin does a nice job in combining the elements of a good murder mystery with the telling
of the story through Rick’s character…Constant tension between the narrator and the
world around him is one of the novel’s greatest strengths. Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Evil Behind that Door
Barbara Fradkin
hen softhearted handyman Cedric O’Toole agrees to help Barry Mitchell renovate his
farmhouse, he finds himself facing old fears. Not only did Mitchell bully Cedric all
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through school, but his life has been troubled ever since. Now, just out of prison, he’s broke
and his parents have gone missing, leaving a cloud of suspicion hanging over his head.
But when Barry warns him not to touch the boarded-up door in the cellar, the evercurious Cedric can’t resist. The small storage room, obviously unused in years, contains jars
of preserves, barrels of dried apples and a pile of small bones. As he sets out to discover who
died and how, Cedric uncovers a tale of violence, deception and abuse. And he learns just
how far Barry will go to keep a tragic family secret from coming to light.
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“Fradkin successfully brings back her handyman/inventor hero in his second outing (after The
Fall Guy)…Plenty of suspense and action are packed into a short and satisfying story.” —Library
Journal
“A fast-paced story aimed at adult readers, including ESL students, reluctant readers, adults who
struggle with literacy and anyone who wants a high-interest read they can finish in one sitting. In
the latter category, it will also suit teen readers who enjoy intrigue and are looking for a mystery
that will hold their interest but not take up a huge chunk of their time…Recommended.”
—CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
14 Rapid Reads
The Night Thief
Barbara Fradkin
Handyman Cedric O’Toole sets out to solve who is raiding his farm.
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imple country handyman Cedric O’Toole relies on his organic vegetable garden to
supplement his meager income, so he’s upset when vegetables begin disappearing.
After several futile attempts to protect the garden, he stakes it out one night with his
shotgun and spots a shadowy figure running into the woods. Cedric follows and finds a
young boy living rough on his land. The boy has never been taught to read or write, and
no one has reported him missing. No stranger to childhood neglect himself, Cedric takes
the boy under his wing and tries to find answers. Who is the mystery boy, and why is he
hiding in the woods?
The Night Thief is the third novel in a series featuring reluctant sleuth Cedric O’Toole.
Barbara Fradkin is a child psychologist with a fascination for how we turn bad. Her compelling short stories haunt numerous magazines and anthologies, but she is best known for
her gritty, psychological detective series featuring Ottawa police inspector Michael Green.
Barbara won Arthur Ellis Best Novel Awards for both Fifth Son (2005) and Honour Among
Men (2007). Barbara’s work as a school psychologist helping adolescents and younger
children, many of whom struggle with reading, has also made her a strong advocate of
programs that help develop reading as a lifelong passion. For more information, visit
www.barbarafradkin.com.
“Like other amateur sleuths, his presence often irritates the authorities, but ultimately Rick’s
help closes the case. This third installment in the Cedric O’Toole mysteries is written to appeal
to struggling adult readers looking for a fast-paced mystery story, but it would work equally well
for young-adult readers and adults who are simply overscheduled and lack time for reading for
pleasure.” —Booklist
“Fradkin’s writing feels pitch perfect for this kind of piece. She largely follows the structure that
comes with the mystery genre and employs many of the conventions we’ve come to expect
from this kind of book. It’s a testament, though, to her storytelling skills and comfort with the
language that these elements which in the hands of another might feel obvious and overbearing
are subtle and organic to the story being told…Fradkin has skilfully adjusted the genre to fit the
story she wants to tell, making the book appealing to a wide range of readers, both reluctant
and eager alike. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“Simple vocabulary, a relatable male character, and a fast-paced plot line that hooks the reader
immediately…Ideal for adults who have difficulty reading or for anyone who simply enjoys a
quick read with nonstop action and adventure.” —VOYA
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Rapid Reads 15
Disappearing Act
Rookie PI Leena O’Neil puts all her skills to the test
in her first case.
t age twenty, Leena O’Neil walked away from her old life. Anything to avoid becoming
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a lawyer like her mother and older sister, Georgia. Three years later, Georgia contacts
her, convinced that her husband is trying to kill her rather than divorce her. Reluctantly,
Leena agrees to help. But the stakes go up when Georgia’s husband, Mark, is murdered.
Now she wonders if the person who killed Mark is out to get Georgia as well. Armed with
several online courses in criminology and investigative strategies, Leena considers herself
“almost a private investigator” and she sets out to uncover the truth.
Disappearing Act is the first in a series of mysteries featuring rookie private investigator
Leena O’Neil.
Dayle Campbell Gaetz has worked as a creative-writing instructor, book editor and columnist but now devotes her time to her own writing. Gaetz is the author of over twenty
books for young people and adults. Her 2013 novel Taking the Reins won a Moonbeam Gold
Award for historical fiction. Gaetz grew up in Victoria, British Columbia, and now lives in
Campbell River. For more information, visit www.daylegaetz.com.
“Readers will likely find themselves connecting with Leena. Over the course of the novel, she
deals with issues of discovering her identity and complex family relationships and friendships…
The high interest topic, relatable protagonist, and gripping plot will be of interest to reluctant
readers, English language learners, and strong readers looking for a quick read…Campbell Gaetz
left several loose ends untied at the end of the novel, leaving readers on the edge of their seats
with anticipation for Leena's next adventure.” —CM Magazine
“[Disappearing Act has] a fast moving plot with well-developed characters which are keymarks
of this series designed for ESL and Literacy programs. This book is an excellent addition to the
series.” —Anne P, LibraryThing Early Reviewer
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
16 Rapid Reads
Beethoven’s Tenth
Brian Harvey
A mysterious musical manuscript launches piano tuner
Frank Ryan into a world of intrigue and violence.
iano tuner Frank Ryan is paid in kind by an aging music teacher with an old manuP
script that turns out to be Beethoven’s Tenth Symphony. Launched into a world of
intrigue and violence, Ryan, an unlikely sleuth, realizes he must use his wits to conquer
his enemies and solve the mystery of the manuscript. In the process Ryan discovers whom
he can trust and what he is made of. The first in a series featuring Frank Ryan, Beethoven’s
Tenth is a smart page-turner.
Brian Harvey is a scientist and writer. He holds a PhD in marine biology and specializes
in the conservation of aquatic biodiversity. Brian’s first nonfiction book for a general audience, The End of the River, was published in 2008. He is currently finishing a second nonfiction book about sailing around Vancouver Island and is working on several fiction projects.
Brian lives in Nanaimo, British Columbia.
“Harvey has created a believable character in Frank Ryan. The circumstances that he finds
himself in become very complicated very quickly…Rather than create a simple plot, Harvey
writes a story that has many twists and turns. Beethoven's Tenth is not a simple story, but a pageturner that requires close attention to detail. A quick read.” —CM Magazine
“Simple vocabulary, a relatable male character, and a fast-paced plot line that hooks the reader
immediately…Ideal for adults who have difficulty reading or for anyone who simply enjoys a
quick read with nonstop action and adventure.” —VOYA
“The perfect gift for mystery fans.” —Kirkus Reviews
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Rapid Reads 17
A Woman Scorned
James Heneghan
ancouver city councilor George Hamilton Nash has left his wife of twenty years
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and moved into a posh West End condo. A wealthy man about town, Nash appears
to be enjoying all the pleasures the city has to offer—until he turns up dead. The note
left behind indicates suicide, and the police are satisfied with this. But Sebastian Casey,
a reporter for the West End Clarion who knew something of Nash’s reputation as a lady’s
man, is not so sure. He doesn’t buy suicide and sets out to prove otherwise, amidst trouble
in his own relationship, and with no shortage of suspects, including the wife left behind.
The break Casey needs comes from a most unlikely source.
“The story is quick and clever…The book’s short chapters, swift pace, and simple and clear
language make it a great read for absolutely anyone. That’s not to say that Heneghan didn’t infuse
this book with any artful writing. There is foreshadowing and consistent themes throughout,
and wordplay in dialogue gives the characters some zing and the reader something fun to
google…A delight.” —CM Magazine
Fit to Kill
James Heneghan
brutal serial killer is murdering women in Vancouver’s West End. On a seemingly
insane rampage, he leaves their headless bodies to be found and writes taunting
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letters to the police. It soon becomes apparent that all his victims are members of the
neighborhood fitness center. Sebastian Casey, a reporter with the weekly community
newspaper, has just begun to work out at the center. As he gets to know some of the
others who use the facility, Casey finds himself drawn into the search for the killer.
His interest intensifies when he begins a tentative relationship with Emma Shaughnessy,
a local schoolteacher, whose good looks and fitness regime makes her a prime candidate
to be the killer’s next victim.
“As the search for the killer intensifies, so does the pace of the novel. In just 141 pages,
Heneghan makes his characters come alive…[and] provides just enough detail to make the
victim’s terror absolutely visceral.” —CM Magazine
“A quick read for those that like to watch crime tv shows, the plot is very action-oriented
and will keep the reader guessing. The characters are believable and the setting is crimescene realistic.” —VOYA
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
18 Rapid Reads
The Innocence Device
William Kowalski
Is the Innocence Device really the ticket to freedom
that Chago seeks?
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he year is 2147. Chago, twenty-four, is a prisoner in a world made up only of prisoners
and those who guard them. The only bright spot in Chago’s life is his son, Jim-Jim,
whose mother is a guard. In an effort to resolve overcrowding in the prison, the warden
introduces the Innocence Device, a high-tech machine he claims can determine innocence
or guilt. Prisoners are encouraged to walk through the Innocence Device and experience
its rewards: immediate freedom or death. When they discover the machine is rigged,
the prisoners riot and take over the prison. After witnessing the execution-style death
of the mother of his son, and surviving a brief stint outside the prison walls, Chago ends
up in a position of power. But he soon finds the new regime little different from the old,
and he sets out to save the only thing he values—his son.
The Innocence Device is William Kowalski’s fifth title in the Rapid Reads series. Kowalski
is also an adult-education consultant, specializing in delivering curriculum to adults
who are unemployed, undereducated and struggling to survive. William can be found at
williamkowalski.com and @WillKowalski.
“[A] thought-provoking, quick-read, thriller…Chago, although simple and unassuming, is
a character that many readers will cheer on due to his familiar struggles with bullying, fear,
authority, and love for family…This book will engage young adult readers, and certainly be a
popular addition to any school library.” —The Deakin Review of Children's Literature
“An exciting and thought-provoking novel that low literate readers would likely enjoy very
much. Even adults looking for a quicker read will be captivated by this exciting narrative.”
—CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Rapid Reads 19
Just Gone
William Kowalski
M
other Anqelique runs a shelter for homeless mothers and their children in a rundown inner-city area, where drug addiction, prostitution and random acts of
violence are facts of life. One day, newly orphaned Jamal and his sister Chantay arrive
at the shelter, hungry and scared. As Angelique tries to find a new home for them, she
develops a fascination with seven-year-old Jamal, who seems to inhabit a world of his
own. Jamal tells her fantastic stories of a man named Jacky Wacky, who protects the poor
children of the city and punishes the adults who harm them. A God-fearing woman,
Angelique doesn’t believe his stories at first. But strange things begin to happen whenever
Jamal is around, and Mother Angelique is forced to admit that the world may contain
stranger truths than her faith can explain.
Rights Sold:
“Worthy and positive…with the weary but determined voice of its earnestly captured narrator
and its hopeful message for exploited and abused inner-city youths…Appropriate for adult
literacy and ESL programs.” —Publishers Weekly
“This intriguing, somewhat dark tale delves into the lives of poor children who have suffered
violence and abuse. It has an element of fantastical realism shown in the mysterious character
of Jacky Wacky. His uncanny ability not to be seen by adults but believed and cherished by
children is a thread that provides hope and mystery throughout the novel. Highly Recommended.”
—CM Magazine
Something Noble
William Kowalski
inda is a young, hardworking single mom struggling to get by from paycheck to
paycheck. When she learns that her son Dre needs a kidney transplant, her family’s
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already precarious financial situation takes a turn for the worst. Then she discovers that
the only one who can help Dre is his half-brother LeVon, a drug-dealing gangbanger who
thinks only of himself. Somehow Linda must get through to LeVon in order to save her son.
Though she is deathly afraid of LeVon and the world he lives in, Linda knows she
must conquer her fear and meet him on his own turf if she is to have any hope of success.
Linda is finally able to teach LeVon the value of doing something noble with his life. And
to her surprise, she learns she has room in her heart for one more kid, a boy from the
streets who never had a chance.
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“Paced to attract the attention of young adult and adult readers, the story deals with intensely
emotional issues of life and death…[and] is short and action-centered.” —CM Magazine
“Marked by an authentic plot and realistic characters, this slim volume delivers what it
advertises and deserves a bright spotlight.” —Library Journal
“The author details a gripping tale about a mother’s love and a selfless act of one brother for
another despite a short-lived relationship between them…This is a book to read.” —VOYA
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
20 Rapid Reads
The Barrio Kings
William Kowalski
osario Gomez gave up gang life after his brother was killed in a street fight. Now all
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he wants to do is finish night school, be a good father and work hard enough at his job
at the supermarket to get promoted. But when an old friend shows up to ask him why he
left the gang, Rosario realizes he was fooling himself if he thought his violent past would
just go away. When his pregnant girlfriend is hit in a drive-by shooting, Rosario has to
make some hard choices. Revenge means a return to his old ways, something he swore
he would never do. But unless he takes action, his enemies will not rest until they’ve
settled the score against him.
“There is plenty of emotion to keep female readers engaged and plenty of action to hold the
attention of male readers. And while the story can be seen as a cautionary tale about the
dangers of gang life, it’s never preachy…Recommended.” —CM Magazine
The Way It Works
William Kowalski
alter Davis is young, handsome, intelligent and personable. The product of a biW
racial marriage, he prides himself on three things: his drive to succeed, his fine
clothes and never having been late for anything in his life. But Walter is also homeless.
The medical expenses that came with his mother’s brief and unsuccessful battle with
cancer have left him destitute. Ever the optimist, Walter believes he can turn his life
around. His situation gets even more complicated when he meets a girl. But trying to
impress a girlfriend when you have no fixed address proves difficult, and when he’s
caught in a lie, she shuns his company. Only resilience, ingenuity and his drive to
succeed can bring Walter back from the brink of despair.
Rights Sold:
“A compelling story featuring strong characters…Despite the book’s brevity, Walter’s
determination and resourcefulness quickly draw the reader in, and the story builds to a
satisfying…conclusion.” —Quill & Quire
“One of the series’ strongest titles…Kowalski shows how easily a person can lose everything,
and the ingenuity and strength Davis summons to solve daily logistical problems, and fall in
love, will hook readers.” —Booklist
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Rapid Reads 21
Cleanup
Norah McClintock
onnie Suarez, downsized from her job as a legal secretary, is working as a maid.
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She’s getting used to picking up after people and putting their lives in order. But she
is not prepared for the mess that awaits her when she arrives at work one morning to
find her employer dead on the floor of his bedroom. Connie’s co-worker Maria, an illegal
alien from Colombia, quickly becomes the prime suspect in his murder.
When Maria begs her for help, Connie cannot refuse. As she tries to discover what
really happened, she learns that Maria has been keeping a number of things from her. Now
Connie can’t decide who or what to believe. And that’s not the worst of it. Connie soon realizes that she herself is also a potential target for violence. The question now is, will she be
able to clean up the mess that Maria is in without getting killed herself?
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“With a fast-paced plot and simple narrative, this story fits the bill. Connie is a likable and smart
protagonist who uses her abilities in unusual ways. It also includes a rather nuanced look at the
challenges faced by Latinas, whether they are in the country legally or illegally.” —Kirkus Reviews
“An intriguing, well-written murder mystery by an accomplished author…It will appeal to older
teen and adult reluctant readers.” —CM Magazine
And Everything Nice
Kim Moritsugu
wenty-four-year-old Stephanie manages a clothing store and lives with her mother in
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the townhouse where she grew up. Her life isn’t in a rut exactly, but it’s not headed
where she’d like it to be. At her mother’s suggestion, she joins a community choir. Soon
she’s singing rock songs in four-part harmony and has met a completely new group of
people, including Anna Rai, a local tv personality.
When Anna’s private journal goes missing, she confides in Stephanie that she feels
terribly vulnerable. What if the notebook falls into the wrong hands and her secrets are
made public? She hints that such revelations could be devastating to her and other public
figures. When a blackmailer demands cash in exchange for the notebook, the two women
lay a trap to snare the crook. But will Stephanie use or abuse the information she now has?
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“[I] read the first few sentences. That’s all it took, and I was hooked. This book was quick and
easy to read, but strangely gripping from the first page.” —Bookblog of the Bristol Library
“Mortisugu’s characters are genuine and believable. The reader won’t be able to help cheering
on the characters in their quest to find the notebook and solve ‘The Mystery of the Missing
Notebook.’ Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“Even in this short work, we get to inhabit the quite witty viewpoint of a young woman named
Stephanie…Moritsugu’s characters are always so wonderfully flawed.” —Asian American
Literature Fans blog
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
22 Rapid Reads
If It Bleeds
Linda L. Richards
Nicole Charles gets lucky one night when she discovers
a murder victim.
N
icole Charles didn’t go to journalism school to become a gossip columnist, but the job
fell into her lap right out of school and her immigrant work ethic just won’t let her
quit to find something she’d like better. It’s a good job, but she struggles with the stigma
attached to her position by other reporters. More than anything, she wants to be a real
reporter, but it looks like she’s never going to get a chance.
Then one night while covering a gallery opening, she discovers a dead body in a dark
alley. An upand- coming artist has been stabbed in the throat with an antique icepick.
Nicole is right in the middle of the biggest story of the year. It’s the chance of a lifetime.
Too bad someone had to die to make it happen.
If It Bleeds is the first novel in a series of mysteries featuring rookie reporter Nicole Charles.
Linda L. Richards is a journalist and award-winning author. She is the founding editor
of January Magazine, one of the Web’s most respected voices about books. She is also the
author of several novels and works of nonfiction and is on the faculty of the Simon Fraser
University Summer Publishing Workshops. Linda can be found at www.lindarichards.com
and @lindalrichards.
“Richards' strong female characters…offer the reader a fresh and interesting perspective into
the modern day life of a Vancouver greenhorn journalist in this page turning mystery…Richards
does well with keeping the reader intrigued. Each short chapter reveals bits of evidence that
prompt the reader to continue…A quick and suspense-filled jaunt that keeps readers wanting
more. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“Richards has crafted a good mystery for the reader. It builds suspense and tension right up to
the end.” —Southwest Ohio Young Adult Materials Review Group
“Like any well written novella, author, Richards hooks the reader within thirty seconds: west
coast Vancouver atmosphere, tight plot, judicious back story, dialogue and a body. Add the
tension of a newsroom full of testosterone, egos and dubious fair play and you get…If it Bleeds…
read it. Hope there is more to come.” —Don Graves, Canadian Mystery Reviews
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Rapid Reads 23
The Spider Bites
Medora Sale
My Name is Rick Montoya. But you can call me the Spider.
Other people do.
hen Detective Rick Montoya returns to the city to try to clear his name after being
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accused of taking a bribe, he discovers someone is living in his apartment. Before
he can find out who it is, the apartment house goes up in flames. Rick watches covertly
as the police remove two bodies. Was the firebombing meant for him? Who exactly was
killed in the fire? And why? What was his landlady Cheryl doing at home in the middle
of the afternoon? And why is her daughter Susanna acting strangely? Then his estranged
wife arrives at the scene of the fire. The questions mount up, along with the suspects.
Mystery writer Caroline Medora Sale Roe is the author of fourteen novels. As Medora
Sale, she has written six police procedurals, including Murder on the Run, winner of an
Arthur Ellis Award for best first novel. Sale is a past president of both the international
Sisters in Crime and the Crime Writers of Canada. She lives with her husband in Toronto.
“A well-written and exciting novel. The time frame is condensed, and there are no flashbacks
to confuse the action. The language is simple and the sentences short…The Spider Bites is
one of the first entries in what may well become a large and popular series of easy-read
novels. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
24 Rapid Reads
The Next Sure Thing
Richard Wagamese
ree Thunderboy wants nothing less than to be the next great blues man. But, playing
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to tiny audiences in shabby rooms like Shelly’s Crab Shack, his career is stalled. Then
at the race track he meets Win Hardy, a seemingly charming rogue who spots Cree’s
knack for picking winning horses. He offers to record his first cd and send him on tour,
as long as Cree can keep coming up with the hot tips at the track. Things are looking
good for Cree until he discovers Win’s connections to the mob and his violent response to
anything that doesn’t go his way. And when things inevitably go bad, Cree discovers that
in life and in gambling there is never really the next sure thing.
“A clever puzzle that features a young man seeking to make his way.” —Library Journal
“[An] interesting and fast-paced read…the book will appeal to older teen readers who
are looking for something faster paced and shorter in length then some YA fiction.” —CM
Magazine
“As the native identity of the main character is not emphasized, the story is an uplifting read for
anyone who refuses to become a victim. The fast-paced plot and engaging conversational style
is well suited for…reluctant readers.” —Canadian Literature
Him Standing
Richard Wagamese
hen Lucas Smoke learns the Ojibway art of carving from his grandfather, he proves
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to be a natural. He can literally make people come to life in wood. Lucas’s growing
reputation attracts a mysterious stranger, who offers him a large advance to carve a spirit
mask. This mask is to represent the master, but Lucas must find its face in his dreams. As his
dreams become more and more disturbing, he feels himself changing. And the mask takes
control of his life. A chance encounter with an old woman introduces him to the identity
of the master. He is an ancient sorcerer named Him Standing, a powerful and dark wizard.
What follows is a race against time and the forces of evil in this supernatural thriller.
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“In an efficient yet engaging writing style, Wagamese portrays Lucas as a likeable hero with a
distinct voice and perspective. Amy acts as a solid foil to Lucas, and the two develop each
other in showing their vulnerable sides…The pace is snappy; events follow on each other’s
heels like dominoes at a rate sure to keep the reader hooked on the storyline. Recommended.”
—CM Magazine
“Wagamese dips into deep issues such as balance in the universe and the power of fear, and
wraps them up into a mystical story that clips along and clocks in at 129 pages. An impressive
feat. Also impressive is the voice he creates for Lucas; the young man’s internal dialogue feels
genuine throughout.” —The Coastal Spectator
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Rapid Reads 25
When I Kill You
Michelle Wan
ina Lopez is twenty-six, a postal worker during the week, a mud wrestler on
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weekends. She’s also a recent widow, though she is not exactly mourning the death of
her abusive husband Chico. Instead, she’s anxiously awaiting the life-insurance settlement
that will pay off his gambling debts. After that she’s hoping to take her mud-wrestling
skills out of small-town-Ontario bars and down to the more lucrative US circuit.
And then Marcia Beekland enters her life. Marcia has video evidence that appears
to implicate Gina in Chico’s death. Faced with the likelihood of a jail sentence and the
certain loss of the insurance settlement, Gina succumbs to Marcia’s blackmail demands.
And what Marcia wants is that Gina kill her husband Stanley.
What follows is a comic mystery caper that will keep readers both laughing and
eagerly reading to discover what is really behind Marcia’s increasingly crazed demands.
“Through Wan’s storytelling, the reader is drawn into Gina’s story of hard luck and battles
alongside Gina as she tries to do what is right. Suspense is built throughout as Gina struggles
with her inner demons…A good read, well written. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
Best Girl
Sylvia Maultash Warsh
manda Moss is a young hairstylist with ambitions to become a musician and play
in a band. She was adopted at age three after her parents were killed in a car crash.
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At least that’s what her adoptive mother Shelley has always told her. Shelley is also a
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hairdresser. But beyond that, mother and daughter don’t see eye to eye on much.
Then one day Amanda’s life changes dramatically when a stranger shows up and
tells her a very different story about her parents. Her real mother has just died of cancer
while serving a life sentence for the murder of Amanda’s father. Suddenly Amanda feels
her whole life has been a lie. Was her mother really guilty? When she also discovers that
her father was in a successful rock-and-roll band when he was killed, she goes looking for
former band members to try to find out what really happened so many years before. In
the process she learns some unpleasant truths about her family. She also learns that you
can love and hate someone at the same time.
“As the main character moves towards the truth, Warsh creates many twists and turns to
mimic Amanda’s confusion. Best Girl is a novel that addresses many themes including the
value of family and the quest for identity. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“Well-written…this novel features believable characters, a taut plot and a satisfying
ending. A quick read, and a book the reader will not be able to put down.”
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
26 Rapid Reads
The Middle Ground
Zoe Whittall
When everything goes wrong at once, Missy Turner begins to
make some unusual choices.
issy Turner thinks of herself as the most ordinary woman in the world. She has a lot
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to be thankful for—a great kid, a loving husband, a job she enjoys and the security
of living in the small town where she was born. Then one day everything gets turned
upside down—she loses her job, catches her husband making out with the neighbor and
is briefly taken hostage by a young man who robs the local café. With her world rapidly
falling apart, Missy finds herself questioning the certainties she’s lived with her whole life.
Rights Sold:
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Zoe Whittall is the author of five novels, including the critically acclaimed Holding Still
For As Long As Possible and Bottle Rocket Hearts, a Globe and Mail Best Book of 2007. She has
a master’s degree from the University of Guelph. Originally from Quebec, she has lived
in Toronto since 1997.
“Whittall’s prose demonstrates vitality and humour as she includes the minutiae of daily
life among the bizarre events in Missy’s adventure…An entertaining read. Recommended.”
—CM Magazine
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
Rapid Reads 27
Generation Us
The Challenge of Global Warming
Andrew Weaver
Global warming is not so much an environmental problem
as an economic and social problem.
n clear and accessible language, Generation Us explains the phenomenon of global
Ia solution
warming, outlines the threat it presents to future generations and offers a path toward
to the problem.
128 pages · Adult Nonfiction
The reality of global warming has long been accepted within the scientific community,
yet it remains a hotly debated topic at the political and social level. Why is this? Is it the fact
that the ultimate effects of global warming will not be felt in our lifetimes? Do we really
feel no moral responsibility for future generations? Dr. Weaver, one of the world’s leading
experts in the field, contends that, just as humans have been responsible for creating the
problem of global warming, we must also be the solution.
Dr. Andrew J. Weaver is a professor and Canada Research Chair in climate modeling and
analysis in the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of Victoria. He was a lead
author in the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, co-recipient
of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007, the Chief Editor of the Journal of Climate from 2005-2009,
and has authored or coauthored over 190 peer-reviewed papers in climate, meteorology,
oceanography, earth science, policy, education and anthropology journals. In 2008 he was
also appointed to the Order of British Columbia. Andrew is the author of Keeping Our Cool:
Canada in a Warming World (2008).
“A simply-worded, accessible explanation of climate change science, of the potential impacts
of climate change, what we can do about it, and the reasons why we should care…Never
until reading this book and talking with Weaver have I thought of global warming as an
empowering issue, but that’s one of Weaver’s talents: communicating the subject of climate
change afresh.” —Focus Magazine
“Weaver, one of Canada’s top climate scientists, offers a discussion of the complexities
of global warming, a discussion which is both concise and comprehensive…Teachers and
students in senior high (grades 10 through 12) science, geography, and environmental science
courses will find this is a useful resource, and senior high school libraries will probably want
to acquire more than one copy for their collections. Highly Recommended.” —CM Magazine
“Generation Us is like a climate change CliffNotes…This is a short, succinct, clear and
readable rendering of the science—followed by a passionate appeal for us all to move from
‘Generation Me’ (which really seems to have outlasted its stylishness) to Generation Us, in
which we start taking seriously the opportunity we have to mitigate the climate damage that
we have already inflicted on future generations…For someone coming to this topic without
any science background, GenUs is a perfect introduction—and as such is an important
addition to the climate library.” —DeSmogBlog.com
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
28 Rapid Reads
Assault on Juno
Mark Zuehlke
awn, June 6, 1944. This is D-Day, the long-awaited Allied invasion of GermanD
occupied Europe. The Allies will storm five beaches. One is code-named Juno Beach.
Here, 14,500 Canadians will land on a five-mile stretch of sand backed by three resort
towns. The beach is heavily protected by a seawall, barbed wire, underwater obstacles and
hundreds of mines. Behind these defenses a heavily armed German force waits inside thick
concrete pillboxes and deep trenches that bristle with machineguns and artillery pieces.
About 3,500 Canadians will lead the way. The fate of the invasion is in their hands.
They either break the German defenses or die trying.
With his trademark you-are-there style, acclaimed military historian Mark Zuehlke
plunges readers into a vivid and powerful account of the day-long battle that put the Allies
on the march toward victory in World War II.
“Assault on Juno, a detailed and poignant account of a horrific event, is accurate and well
researched. The intended readership should have no trouble with it. It is clearly written and easy
to understand. It is suitable for recreational reading, and, in the thoughtful reader, will raise many
questions about the futility of war and why so many young men had to die.” —CM Magazine
“An admirable monograph on a Canadian military achievement of WWII…This promising series
claims to be easy reading, and it certainly has succeeded so far in being accessible to those with
limited familiarity with the technicalities of military history, whether Canadian or not.” —Booklist
Ortona Street Fight
Mark Zuehlke
ecember 20, 1943. Two Canadian infantry battalions and a tank regiment stand
D
poised on the outskirts of a small Italian port town. They expect to take Ortona
quickly. But the German 1st Parachute Division has other ideas. For reasons unknown,
Hitler has ordered Ortona held to the last man. Houses, churches and other buildings are
dynamited, clogging the streets with rubble. Germans with machine guns lie in ambush.
Snipers slip from one rooftop to another. The Canadians seem to have walked into a
death trap. This is a battle fought at close range, often hand to hand. Casualties on both
sides are heavy. In the end, raw courage and ingenuity save the Canadians.
Ortona Street Fight is a riveting telling of what is considered one of the most epic
battles that Canadian soldiers have ever fought.
“True to the series’ intent, the book is light and fast-paced…Readers new to military history
will be genuinely moved by the courage and endurance of the soldiers and will learn about
an important chapter in our national heritage.” —Quill & Quire
“Zuehlke has an impressive way with battle descriptions and short, easy-to-understand
overviews of military tactics and strategy…A good place to start if you want to learn more
about the Second World War in Italy and Canada’s contribution to it.” —Alberta Views
Amy Tompkins
Telephone: (416) 488 9214 · Fax (416) 488 4531
www.orcabook.com
phone: 1-250-380-1229
fax: 1-250-380-1892
www.orcabook.com
phone: 1-250-380-1229
fax: 1-250-380-1892

Orca Complete Rights Catalogue Volume

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