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2003
finalists.

2003 Hackmatack

Children's Choice Book Award/Prix littéraire - le choix de jeunes

When Christopher and his little sister, Stacie, go ith their dad to restore the rundown cabin, all they want is to keep him from selling it. But their father hates his family's old summer place, and is determined to get rid of it as soon as possible. As time passes, Chris and Stacie have to admit that the cabin seems cursed, and danger stalks the lake. Worse, their father is beginning to frighten Chris with his sudden temper and unreasonable behaviour. And now Stacie, who has always had an active imagination, is saying thing that go well beyond her knowledge - at least of this world.

What secrets haunt this family? Will Chris ever be able to trust his dad again? And before tragedy repeats itself, can Stacie and Chris discover what really caused the death of the mysterious boy named Topher?

Anita Horrocks once again mixes family dynamics in the here-and-now with other-world phenomena to create the perfect recipe for dramatic suspense. She was runner-up for the R. Ross Annett Award with her first book, Breath of a Ghost, and winner of the same award with her second novel, What They Don't Know. Both books are available from Stoddart Kids.

Suggested Activities

• Draw a map of what you think Christopher Lake, Saskatchewan looks like.
• Rewrite one of your favourite parts of the story as a scene from a movie.
• How many Canadianisms, or words particular to the Saskatchewan area can you find in the book? Topher meaning Loonie is one of them.
• What can you find out about Silver Surfer, Billy's favourite comic book super hero? Try the internet.