Billy and the Bearman

At first glance, 12-year-old Billy Gavin and 17-year-old John “Bearman” Redell seem to be unlikely allies. Billy is an underconfident city kid, while the Bearman (named for his skill in tracking bears in the woods) ... Read More »

March 19, 2004

Stars

By Eric Walters

Joseph, a precocious car thief, spins out on a high-speed chase and wakes up in intensive care. Enter a nice, long-suffering social worker named Gord at his bedside with an offer he can’t refuse – ... Read More »

March 19, 2004

Cougar Cove

By Julie Lawson

It can seem like a tragedy when you’re 11 and something you’ve looked forward to for ages doesn’t live up to your dreams. Samantha’s first visit to Vancouver Island starts out as a bad trip: ... Read More »

March 19, 2004

Butterflies and Bottlecaps

By Eliza Clark, Vladyana Krykorka, illus.

A little girl has butterflies instead of hair. She wants to be like all the other children, but her mother assures her she is special. One night, the child dreams that her butterflies fly away. ... Read More »

March 19, 2004 | Filed under: Picture Books

Nathaniel’s Violin

By Alison Lohans, Marlene Watson, illus.

The power of music to enrich and even transform human lives was the theme of two outstanding Canadian picture books – Robert Thomas Allen’s The Violin and Stéphane Poulin’s Benjamin and the Pillow Saga. As ... Read More »

March 19, 2004 | Filed under: Picture Books

Fast Break (Sports Stories series)

By Michael Coldwell

Jeff loves being on the basketball team at his new high school, but he isn’t so keen about some of the activities of the guys on the team – things like shoplifting, drinking, and bullying ... Read More »

March 19, 2004

The Chinese Puzzle

By Chrystine Brouillet, Linda Gaboriau, trans.

The Chinese Puzzle is a mystery story that revolves around a Chinese tea chest containing a hidden letter, a photographic negative of a famous painting, and a mysterious message. The story’s improbable plot contains numerous ... Read More »

March 19, 2004

Thunderbird Spirit (Lightning on Ice series)

By Sigmund Brouwer

Thunderbird Spirit is smoothly told, well paced, and has interesting characters. However, its two major plot lines fail to mesh effectively. Most of Thunderbird Spirit is about hockey, racism, and self-control, but final chapters of ... Read More »

March 19, 2004

★ The Tuesday Cafe

By Don Trembath

For years now, gritty realism has been the hallmark of young adult literature. It could be argued that YA literature is like this because kids enjoy it. But consider that we’re dealing with an audience ... Read More »

March 19, 2004