Having barely survived a brain aneurysm two years earlier, fifteen-year-old Adrien, working at her Aunt Erin's summer camp, is caught between the land of the living and the spirit world, unsure where she belongs. As she struggles to understand the message delivered by the spirits of the five young women that only she sees, she learns of the tragic consequences of their connection to her aunt. Faced with the knowledge that another aneurysm could strike her at any time and mostly shunned by the other staff because she is the boss's niece, Adrien finds a soulmate in Paul, the camp handyman, who is convinced that he has seen his own death foretold.

In high school Beth Goobie studied and taught piano, wrote stories, and was the recipient of academic and citizenship awards. She worked for a year as a nanny in Holland, then moved to Winnipeg where she studied English literature at the University of Winnipeg (receiving the gold medal) and religious studies at the Mennonite Brethren Bible College. She has worked for many years with physically and sexually abused children and is concerned with issues surrounding the anger and powerlessness of those under legal age. Addressing these issues in her writing, she has published several novels for young adults, including Born Ugly, Mission Impossible, The Lottery and Before Wings, as well as poems and short stories for an adult audience in anthologies and magazines such as Fiddlehead, Malahat Review and Quarry. She lives in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Beth Goobie's profile page

• Commended, Pennsylvania School Librarians Association (PSLA) Top Forty
• Commended, American Library Association (ALA) Best Books for Young Adults
• Nominated, Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice Awards - Snow Willow
• Winner, Canadian Library Association (CLA) Young Adult Book Award
• Commended, American Library Association (ALA) Popular Paperback for Young Adults
• Winner, Saskatchewan Books Awards - Young Adult Literature Award
• Commended, Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) Our Choice, starred selection
• Short-listed, The Sunburst Award for Excellence in Canadian Literature of the Fantastic
• Nominated, The Governor General’s Literary Awards (GGBooks) - Young People’s Literature Text
• Winner, Mr. Christie's Book Awards
• Commended, Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Teen’s Top Ten
• Commended, Resource Links, The Year's Best Books

"Goobie uses poetic language and well-realized characterization in this gripping story to recreate the intensity with which a teen lives life and...comes to terms with the possibility of death."

CITY Parent

"This is a dark but gripping story, with a lot going on to draw in readers."

KLIATT

"This book is good. Very, very good. Buy it, read it, recommend it. As a general rule, I make very sparing use of the 'Excellent' rating, however, Goobie's latest young adult offering deserves no less."

Resource Links

"Masterfully written and a great read."

CM Magazine

"Besides a good read, there is much to explore in this novel."

The Alan Review

"Engaging characters, realistic setting, and upbeat ending will satisfy teen readers."

School Library Journal

"Assured and flexible. She masters both edgy, abbreviated repartee of teenagers and a lyrical prose style for describing mystical experience."

Quill & Quire

"Full of magic realism and beautifully written."

Booklist

"Powerful, sensual, thought-provoking and most of all, refreshingly original. Read it and let your imagination fly free."

Rambles

"Beth Goobie unites her intense poetic ability with a fascinating plot that compels the reader to love, hate, and relate to each of the characters as they grow and change."

The Bloomsbury Review

"Richly sensuous descriptions evoke alternating shivers of fear and excitement...will leave readers breathless!"

VOYA

"Offers remarkable insight and raw, true emotion for readers who find themselves grappling with more than the usual load of teen troubles."

"The book can rightfully be called inspirational."

Children's Book News

"The aura of mystery and romance is aptly melded to the heady joys and secrets of summer camp."

Horn Book Magazine