Bitter, Sweet by Laura Best
Summary: The Burbidge family have each other, and after being abandoned by their father and the illness of their mother, their bond is stronger than ever. After their mother dies, Jesse, Pru, and their younger brother and sister struggle to keep her death a secret from noisy neighbours and the law so they can stay together. An unexpected return further complicates things and ultimately results in a showdown between Jesse and the RCMP, leaving the Burbidge children to decide who they can and cannot trust. Number of Pages: 144 Age Range: 13-14 Review: Bitter, Sweet. Apt title. With all of the...
Read MoreLost on Brier Island by Jo Ann Yhard
Summary: Distraught after the unexpected death of Adam, her twin brother, Alex is sent to spend the summer with her Aunt Sophie in the small community of Brier Island. A whale-watching trip introduces her to a baby whale that Alex connects with and calls Daredevil, but guilt over her brother’s death holds her back from forming friendships with others. When she discovers her parents’ marriage is on the brink of divorce, a day spent with Rachael on the foggy island changes her perspective on things, and she is finally able to move on with her life. Number of Pages: 178 Age Range:...
Read MoreOak Island Revenge by Cynthia D’Entremont
Summary: Fourteen year-olds Jonah and Beaz are starting their summer by keeping their Oak Island treasure hunting plans a secret due to Jonah’s parents being over-protective and Beaz’s mother being physically abusive. But this one simple secret multiples into other secrets when a local girl turns up dead and Jonah and Beaz keep stumbling upon clues revealing who the murder is. As some of the secrets are unveiled, the most powerful ones remain silent, causing danger to Beaz. Jonah learns that while the truth isn’t always pretty, it is vitally important, and the mysterious...
Read MoreRattled by Lisa Harrington
Summary: Bored after her fifteenth birthday, Lydia’s life picks up when new neighbours move into the old Henley place across the street. Suddenly there’s a new love interest named Sam that her older sister Jilly calls dibs on, and Lydia gains a new friend in his younger sister, Megan. After what seems like merely a rough start with Mrs. Swicker, Lydia realises Sam and Megan’s mother’s hostile nature is meant to hide something and decides to investigate. What she uncovers will not only have consequences for the Swicker family, but will also put Lydia’s life in...
Read MoreLast Summer in Louisbourg by Claire Mowat
Summary: After winning an essay writing contest, fifteen year-old Andrea is offered a chance to work at any Canada Park for the summer. She chooses to go to Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia to work at the historical Fortress of Louisbourg because she was born in the Maritimes and misses being there. Her summer job leads to new friends, a role in a movie production, and the revelation of a long held family secret. Number of Pages: 147 Age Range: 12-13 Review: The last book in The Girl From Away trilogy, main character Andrea is now fifteen years-old and venturing out to Cape Breton Island to...
Read MoreAbout Amy
Amy Mathers has been passionate about reading from a very young age, and hopes others will share her enthusiasm for funding a teen book award. Read more Follow Amy
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