New ebooks From Canadian Indies
Description
Ever since Ariel's mom has been too sick to work they've been moving to progressively lower income neighbourhoods. Then they seem to hit rock bottom--Vancouver's downtown east side, Canada's poorest postal code. Here Ariel gets on the wrong side of a gang of tough girls at school after receiving unwanted attention from their boyfriends. Now she's stuck with a reputation and a label she doesn't know how to deal with.
Contributor Notes
TERESA MCWHIRTER has written three novels as well as numerous short works for adults in publications such as Vice, Bust, and Geist. A graduate of the University of Victoria's Creative Writing Program, for the past few years Teresa has toured with a punk band and worked driving an ice cream truck and as a monster in the haunted house of an amusement park gathering material for her novels. She lives in Vancouver's east side.
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 14 to 18
- Grade:
- 9 to 12
- Reading age:
- 7 to 10
Editorial Reviews
"...the story is well-developed and paced. The characters, particularly Ariel, are realistically portrayed, and ... while the author is making the text accessible to reluctant readers, she is not talking down to them while doing so... Skank is an engaging read and provides some great discussion points."
— CM: Canadian Review of Materials
"...every aspect of Skank feels authentic and will be eye-opening for teens living in other parts of the country. Its straighforward language makes this a good pick for reluctant readers."
— Resource Links
"This stark, convincing portrait of a girl struggling to live in a tough neighborhood should appeal to teens looking for realism... McWhirter paints an uncompromising portrait of her characters and their neighborhood... Sensitive and effective, this small, short book is explicitly aimed at reluctant readers; if they pick it up, they will find some fine writing within."
— Kirkus Reviews (U.S.)
"McWhirter has crafted a fine story with well-defined female characters, compelling conflicts, and strongly evoked communal bonds... Skank makes an engrossing, worthwile read for teens and adults alike."
— subTerrain, No. 59
