“Though marketed as a middle-grade novel, Oasis will resonate with many adult audiences, too. Not only is the art style captivating, but the story has a level of simple sophistication that lingers like an affecting dream.” —Zoe McKenna reviews Oasis, by Guojing (New York: Godwin/Henry Holt, 2025) $19.99 / 9781250818379
First published Dec. 10, 2017. From Scratch by Gail Anderson-Dargatz Victoria: Orca Books, 2017. $9.95. / 9781459815025 Reviewed by Carol Anne Shaw * Gail Anderson-Dargatz’s From Scratch is a recent release from Orca Books’ Rapid Reads Program — a genre of short, high-interest novels penned by bestselling authors with the aim of helping adults to…
Read more #217 Batter matters
First published September 18, 2017 REVIEW: The Nor’ Wester by David Starr Vancouver: Ronsdale Press, 2017. $11.95 978-1-55380-493-2 Reviewed by Steve Pocock David Starr’s The Nor’Wester, for young readers, introduces us to fifteen-year-old Duncan Scott, a young highlander evicted with his sister and parents from their rural cottage during the Highland Clearances in the early nineteenth…
Read more #172 Highland Clearances to BC
Deadpoint by Nikki Tate Victoria: Orca Book Publishers, 2017 $9.95 / 9781459813526 Reviewed by Carol Anne Shaw First published May 31, 2017 * In Deadpoint, Ayla, a reluctant rock-climber, finds herself with two experienced injured climbers on the side of Black Dog Mountain. Reviewer Carol Shaw finds much to admire in the steep learning curve…
Read more #133 Black Dog desperation
Munro vs. The Coyote by Darren Groth Victoria: Orca Books, 2017 $19.95 / 9781459814097 Reviewed by Carol Anne Shaw First published April 14, 2017 * Since the sudden death of his sister, sixteen-year old Munro Maddux has been angry, depressed, and confused. Even worse, he can’t get rid of a horrible voice in his head…
Read more #120 Looking up from Down Under