New ebooks From Canadian Indies
Description
After eight-year-old Kevin Mason's mother abandons him, he takes refuge in his fantasy of becoming Knuckles McGraw, a tough cowboy roaming the plains on his legendary horse, Burlington Northern. But instead of riding the range, Kevin is stuck in a foster home with a pierced and tattooed teenager named Ice and a mute girl named Breezy.
While he waits to be claimed by the father he barely remembers or the mother who left him a good-bye note in his lunchbox, Kevin (aka Knuckles McGraw) tries to communicate with Breezy, learns to get along with his bunkhouse-mate Ice, and discovers that memories can be as deceptive as family secrets.
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 9 to 12
- Grade:
- 4 to 7
- Reading age:
- 9 to 12
Awards
- Short-listed, Chocolate Lily Book Awards
- Commended, Bank Street College of Education Children's Book Committee Best Children's Books of the Year
- , Forest of Reading Silver Birch Express Award
- Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens
- Commended, Ontario Library association (OLA) Best Bets
Editorial Reviews
"The author understands how kids think, a fact that will allow the kids in your library to thoroughly enjoy this book...Recommended."
— Library Media Connection
"Readers will certainly be drawn to the plucky, appealing grade-schooler and the terrible plight he so bravely faces."
— Booklist
"Peterson's fiction is a welcomed addition to an elementary school library…She incorporates interesting characters, well-developed plots, and sensitive handling of realistic issues written at an appropriate age level. I tip my cowboy hat to Peterson and the 'Orca Young Readers' series and hope I will be reading more of her work in the future. Highly Recommended."
— CM Magazine
"Peterson...has written another great story for young readers. While the story is simply crafted, her language is a delight and readers will be kept engaged...The book exceeds tremendously in inspiring hope."
— Resource Links
"A humorous yet sensitive story…[Peterson] fills the story with a host of characters who are unusual yet kind and as we hear their stories we develop empathy for each of them."
— Canadian Children's Book News
