Dooley Takes the Fall by Norah McClintock
Summary: Ryan Dooley is a teenager with a troubled past living with his uncle to get his life back on track. When a stroll after work leads him to witness a schoolmate named Mark Everley falling from a bridge to his death, he is called in for questioning. The police initially rule Everley’s death an accident but Dooley finds himself under scrutiny from his classmates, teachers, and Everley’s sister who wants Dooley’s help in finding out what happened to her brother. A memorial service/party Dooley attends ends up getting him involved in another murder case when another...
Read MoreCarmen by Carole Frechette
Summary: Overwhelmed by nerves at the thought of doing a class presentation, Carmen decides to skip school instead. It’s Valentines’ Day, and after uncharacteristically stealing some lipsticks, Carmen finds herself in front of a tv camera being asked what she would like. Her innocent answer is taken out of context, but an adventure with one of her favourite musicians helps her to understand that she is not alone. In the span of twenty-four hours, Carmen gains newfound confidence not only to face school again, but also to go on a date with the guy she likes. Number of Pages: 101...
Read MoreWild Geese by Caroline Pignat
Summary: Driven by the desire to reunite with her family as well as running from the law in Ireland, Kit disguises herself as Mick’s younger brother and books passage with him to Canada. A break out of Typhus on a lengthy ship voyage causes them to be quarrantined at Grosse Ilse in Quebec, but Kit doesn’t let that stop her in her pursuit of her siblings. When she finds them, however, her goal of being a family again runs into some significant barriers and Kit finds she must re-evaluate what is best for everyone. A period of self discovery with the nuns in Bytown, Quebec helps her...
Read MoreA Hare in the Elephant’s Trunk by Jan L. Coates
Summary: Caught in a war between North and South Sudan, seven year-old Jacob Akech is driven from his home and separated from the rest of his family. Jacob, his nephew Monyroor, and his friend Oscar join thousands of other boys in the same predicament. Known as “The Lost Boys” to the world at large, they make their way to a refugee camp in Ethiopia and then to one in Kenya when the first is dismantled. Jacob grows up on his feet, finding family in the boys he travels with and surviving dehydration, starvation, and animal attacks. Caught between being encouraged to become a...
Read MoreThe Book of Michael by Lesley Choyce
Summary: When Michael gets out of jail after his wrongful conviction for the murder of his girlfriend Lisa, he finds that trying to go back to life as it was is impossible. Even though he has been exonerated, people still believe he is guilty and treat him differently. His struggle to land on his feet is supported by his grandmother Phyllis, the kindness of strangers and the former friends of Lisa, but figuring out what to do next takes some time. A poem from Lisa and letters from the person who really killed her end up giving him some direction. Number of Pages: 267 Age Range: 16-18 Review:...
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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