A Hole in the Hedge

by Grace Casselman

Winner of an Alberta Golden Eagle Book Award and shortlisted for the Canadian Library Association's Children's Book of the Year!

"...this coming-of-age tale also has a heart-wrenching twist at the end that causes Kaitlin to grow up and help another...both interesting and heart-warming." -Calgary Herald

An expert at fierce scowls and unpleasant grimaces, twelve-year-old Kaitlin Anderson presents a tough face to the world, usually hiding her quirky, imaginative nature. Still dealing with the loss of her mother to cancer, Kaitlin is less than kindly disposed to her stepmother Jane and her bratty half-sister, Anna. Meanwhile, Kaitlin has firmly fastened the bulk of her antagonism on her next-door neighbour - the odious boy, Michael, who used to be her best pal. Now, with the help of her friends, she devotes much of her energy to scheming to make him as miserable as possible. But is that what she really wants?

Kaitlin's friends are a mixed bunch. There's her very favorite buddy in the world, Tracy - who seems to be losing her grip on reality. In contrast, there's the unflappable Winter, Kaitlin's prime competitor in all things academic. And don't forget the class heart-throb Glenn, who has suddenly developed a particular interest in Kaitlin. Does he want to be more than friends? And can she trust him? When her dad finally delivers a letter written by her mom just before her death, Kaitlin has to deal with her own grief and anger. But unexpectedly, she's able to use that letter and her own experiences to give some help and comfort to someone else who really needs it. And ultimately, she's forced to make some tough decisions about revenge and forgiveness. In the face of love and loyalty, Kaitlin has to decide what's most important in life.

ISBN 978-0929141-99-2 / Ages 11 and up / Softcover / 5 1/8" x 7 1/2" / 216 pages / $9.95 CDN, $8.95 U.S.

A Walk in the Park

by Grace Casselman

"Promising... many junior high girls may well like this book very much." - Resource Links

In a new town, in a new school, fourteen-year-old Terra is experiencing many of the trials and tribulations that face her peers. She isn't finding it easy to make new friends, nor leave behind her old ones. And while some of the new Inglewood girls seem kind of exciting, is that the crowd she really wants to hang out with? And what about that cute guy Glenn from the new school? Could he possibly want to be friends with Terra - or more? Terra has many, ultimately crucial, choices to make.

All of these are normal stresses for a teenaged girl. But on top of all of these, Terra, who has always known she was adopted, is panicked at the thought of meeting her birthmother for the first time. Why didn't this woman want to keep her baby fourteen years ago, and why has she decided she wants to meet Terra now?

This is the follow-up to A Hole in the Hedge, which was shortlisted for the Canadian Library Association Children's Book of the Year and brings to the page another moving story about the angst of being a teen.

ISBN 978-1894917-19-3 / Ages 11 and up / Softcover / $8.95 CDN, $7.95 U.S.