And Then It Happened

Posted on: March 31, 2017 at 1:57 pm, in

And Then It Happened                By M & L Wade“…After dinner that evening, we had a large bonfire and the Head Counsellor read us some really hokey, kiddie stories… until Gordon interrupted and asked if he could tell a story. The Head Counsellor smiled and said, ‘Sure, go right […]

The Skeleton Tree

Posted on: March 30, 2017 at 9:24 pm, in

The Skeleton TreeBy Iain Lawrence I’ve already mentioned that I love survival stories and this one is no exception. Twelve-year-old Chris doesn’t know much about the outdoors.  His parents never taught him to fish or hunt or survive in the wild.  He’s scared of wild animals and downright terrified of mountain climbing. Chris’s dad, who […]

Don’t I Know You?

Posted on: March 25, 2017 at 12:21 pm, in

Don’t I Know You?by Marni Jackson There is a slightly surreal quality to Marni Jackson’s debut novel, Don’t I Know You? A novel broken into short stories, each one following Rose McEwan’s life from 16-60. These stories go through Rose’s  life chronologically, and each one contains a pop culture figure as a central character role  […]

Jungle Jitters

Posted on: March 24, 2017 at 9:58 am, in

Jungle JittersBy Lisa DalrympleThis post was originally published in Canadian Materials, Volume XXIII, Number 23, February 24, 2017. Tate, aka the Potato, is known as a pretty boring kid. Nonetheless, when he and some of his grade six classmates get the opportunity to travel to the Amazon with their teacher to help build a school, he […]

The Thickety: A Path Begins

Posted on: March 23, 2017 at 6:18 pm, in

The Thickety: A Path BeginsBy J.A. White Kara Westfall is a witch – at least that’s what the townsfolk keep telling her.  Her mother was a witch too, although Kara doesn’t remember any magic or spells.  She does remember a loving mother whom she misses very much.   Kara’s mother’s legacy and reputation as a witch […]

Exit, Pursued by a Bear

Posted on: March 20, 2017 at 12:00 am, in

by E. K. JohnstonExit, Pursued by a Bear is a worthy successor to Laurie Halse Anderson’s seminal novel Speak.  In Speak, Melinda Sordino was so traumatised by her assault that she was unable to even say the words “I was raped,” to herself, much less out loud for months afterwards.  Hermione Winters, the protagonist of Exit, […]

Mark of the Plague

Posted on: March 17, 2017 at 10:05 am, in

Mark of the Plague By Kevin Sands This follow up to the wildly popular Blackthorn Key is equally good.  Christopher Rowe is back, but his master is dead.  Although the apothecary shop has been left to him, he is still an apprentice and therefore not allowed to sell his wares.  He is in dire straits […]

The Husband’s Secret

Posted on: March 12, 2017 at 10:47 am, in

  The Husband’s SecretThe Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty The Husband’s Secret was an unexpected choice for me as I don’t usually seek out mystery, and am always wary of it getting too dark and creepy. Luckily Liane Moriarty filled the bill on a great, suspenseful read. A mysterious sealed letter from her husband- to […]

Finding Audrey

Posted on: March 6, 2017 at 12:45 pm, in

By Sophie Kinsella  Sophie Kinsella, of the Shopaholic series fame, brings us this account of Audrey, a teen suffering from anxiety as the result of some sort of traumatic event (we don’t know what) that has sent her into darkness and despair. She is unable to leave her house, or go to school, or talk […]

The Sisters Brothers

Posted on: March 2, 2017 at 8:34 pm, in

The Sisters Brothers By Patrick DeWitt Patrick DeWitt’s The Sisters Brothers is an old western with a modern twist.  Even if you don’t like westerns (like me), you might like this one.  Hilarious and grotesque at the same time, The Sisters Brothers is surprisingly funny and doesn’t shy away from a bit of self-reflection. The […]