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Seven Ravens: Two summers in a life by the sea

Book of Michael

Michael Grove was sixteen years old when he was convicted for the murder of Lisa Conroy, the girlfriend he loved very much. The circumstances surrounding her final hours attract considerable media attention, especially because Michael and Lisa had sex just prior to her death. A public outcry against light penalties for young offenders ensures Michael is tried as an adult; he receives a harsh and severe penalty. Six months into his imprisonment, the true murderer confesses. Michael is released but quickly finds that the stigma of imprisonment and the (wrongful) rap for murder is not an easy thing to escape
out on the streets.

Hell's Hotel

See Related Lists:Teens

Tara''s life in Halifax is about as good as it gets--she gets top marks in her class, her parents are cool, she has a good part-time job, her boyfriend Ron edits an alternative paper.

Her life is especially good compared to her friend Janet''s. Janet fights with her parents whenever she sees them, which isn''t often. She spends more time begging for change on the street and crashing at the dismal squat locals call Hell''s Hotel.

Soon, however, cracks start to appear in Tara''s perfect life. When Ron writes an exposé on the kids who live at the Hotel, Tara is forced to question his motives. Things start falling apart, one by one: her grades slip, her friends drop her, her mom leaves town. When catastrophe hits Hell''s Hotel, however, Tara and Janet find themselves relying on each other more than either expected. Together they aim to make big changes, in their city and in themselves.

Set against a gritty, inner-city background, Hell''s Hotel examines the challenges teenagers face every day, in their comfortable homes and on the streets.

This book was originally published in 1984 as Dark End of Dream Street.

[Fry Reading Level - 3.3]

Last Chance

See Related Lists:Ages 10-12

The odds are stacked against Melanie and Trent, who are trying to stay in high school while holding down part-time jobs to survive. They can''t live at home, and they can''t rely on the social support system. They''re going to have to help each other through if they''re going to make it.

Previously published as Falling Through the Cracks, a Canadian Children''s Book Centre "Our Choice" selection.

Last Chance

See Related Lists:Ages 10-12

The odds are stacked against Melanie and Trent, who are trying to stay in high school while holding down part-time jobs to survive. They can''t live at home, and they can''t rely on the social support system. They''re going to have to help each other through if they''re going to make it.

Previously published as Falling Through the Cracks, a Canadian Children''s Book Centre "Our Choice" selection.

Reaction

Zach and Ashley have been going out for a while, and things are going well--until Ashley finds out she is pregnant. She is angry and blames Zach. She wouldn't be in this state if he hadn't tried to take their relationship further than she wanted. Insistent at first on an abortion, she turns against Zach. Confused, Zach struggles with what he should do and what his responsibilities are. Coming to terms with the reactions of their families and friends, Zach realizes that this is a decision that he and Ashley must make together.

The End of the World As We Know It

ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards finalist (Juvenile Fiction category), 2007

Alberta Children''s/Young Adult Book of the Year Nominee, 2008

White Pine nominee, 2008

CCBC''s Best Books for Kids & Teens, 2008

Manitoba Young Readers'' Choice Award Nominee 2009

"I hate the world and everything in it. And that includes me."

Asked to write something for English class that expresses who he really is, 16-year-old Carson takes pleasure in blistering the page with hate for everything in his life. Stuck in a private school for kids who have repeatedly flunked out elsewhere, Carson knows he''s got nowhere lower to sink to. "Flunk Out Academy" is the last resort for Carson and his classmates, in a small town where its deeply troubled students are decidedly unwelcome.

Then Carson meets someone who is even less optimistic than he. Christine struggles to get by, living in a trailer by herself, abandoned by her mother and father, so desperate that she has become almost immune to the pain and loneliness.

Confronted by her deep sadness, Carson starts to care for her and she for him. Once focused on someone other than himself, he begins to notice the world around him and realize that there is beauty as well as hopelessness, love as well as hate. Together the two teenagers struggle to work out how they are going to live in an imperfect world. There are no easy happy endings, but somehow the journey eventually makes the pain worthwhile.

Carrie's Camping Adventure

See Related Lists:Ages 4-6

Carrie and her best friend Laura read about the Amazon rainforest--the monkeys, snakes and tarantulas--and decide they need to go to the wilderness themselves.

Carrie''s mom isn''t keen to go camping, but changes her mind when Carrie offers to organize the whole trip herself. Carrie''s brother Ernie reluctantly agrees to go as well, on two conditions: that they take plenty of music and plenty of food.

When they unload the gear at the campsite--tent, rope, sleeping bags, stove, CD player--there''s not a crumb of food to be found. Carrie left it at home. As they struggle to save the trip from sure disaster, Carrie and Laura''s reading proves surprisingly useful.

Carrie''s Camping Adventure is a story that shows how going beyond everyday experience can make young people stronger and more resourceful.

Refuge Cove

See Related Lists:Ages 10-12

The guy had one hand on my throat and I was pinned down. His other hand held a knife. Then I looked in his eyes and realized that he was as scared as I was. He was breathing hard as he tried to get control of himself. He was trying to say something.

"You tell, I kill," was what I finally made out.

Greg is an avid sailor. On a solo trip off the rugged Newfoundland coast, he stumbles upon a family of desperate refugees stranded in a lifeboat. Fearing for their lives if they are deported to their homeland, the family convinces Greg to help them, and keep their existence secret. He promises not to call the authorities and takes the family home. When his plan begins to unravel, and the family flees into the teeth of an oncoming storm, Greg goes after them. A thrilling story that demonstrates the importance of community and the power of conviction, Refuge Cove is also an exciting adventure.

Along with being an avid surfer, Lesley Choyce is an accomplished author and teaches university English.