Winner of the Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize and the TD CCBC Canadian Children's Literature Award

Kip is spending the summer with his grandmother and his five eccentric girl cousins, including Emily, who thinks she's a dog. Gran's house is about to be demolished, so anything goes, whether it's drawing maps on the walls or sawing off the knob at the bottom of the banister for a smoother ride.

When Kip bashes through an old closet, he discovers the binder his late father kept as a teenager. He's bewildered by what he finds: puzzling lists, hair samples, old newspaper clippings and business cards -- all accompanying a confidential report written by a mysterious young operative who is carrying out a secret plan to infect teenagers with a cell-altering virus.

This wonderful novel has all the Sarah Ellis hallmarks -- quirky characters, insight and wit -- underpinned by resonant themes of family, memory and the creative imagination.

Sarah Ellis is one of Canada's most-loved children's writers. A former librarian, she is a highly sought-after children's book reviewer, literary jury member and speaker who lectures internationally on Canadian children's books. She is the winner of the Governor General's Award (Pick-Up Sticks), the Mr. Christie's Award (Out of the Blue and The Several Lives of Orphan Jack) and the Sheila A. Egoff Award (The Baby Project, Back of Beyond and Odd Man Out). Further accolades for Odd Man Out include the prestigious TD Canadian Children's Literature Award, the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award Master List, ALA Notable Book for Older Readers, Maine State Library Cream of the Crop List and OLA Best Bets - Top 10 Fiction for Children. Sarah Ellis has also won the Vicky Metcalf Award for a Body of Work. Sarah is on the faculty of Vermont College of Fine Arts. She lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Sarah Ellis' profile page

• Long-listed, Chocolate Lily Award
• Long-listed, OLA Silver Birch Award
• Short-listed, Alberta Children's Choice Award
• Short-listed, Manitoba Young Reader's Choice Award
• Winner, TD Canadian Children's Literature Award
• Commended, CCBC Our Choice (Starred Selection)
• Short-listed, Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Award
• Commended, Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award
• Commended, OLA Best Bets - Top 10 Fiction for Children
• Commended, Maine State Library Cream of the Crop List
• Short-listed, CLA Book of the Year for Children Award
• Commended, ALA Notable Books for Older Readers list
• Winner, Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize

Ellis's restrained but rich language and vivid characterizations bring readers directly into Kip's world.

Horn Book

This is a thoughtful and often funny book of a boy on the verge of adolescence challenged to think...in a different way.

School Library Journal

Odd Man Out is a mystery novel full of thoughtfulness and humour.

Teaching Tolerance

Quirky characters and a solid plot make for an engaging read.

Book Links

This is another superb novel by Sarah Ellis. Odd Man Out is a multifaceted story of imagination, suspense, family, fun, and even fear...without a doubt, Odd Man Out deserves a spot on every library and classroom shelf. Highly recommended.

CM Magazine

Ellis's language is restrained but rich, and she brings readers directly into Kip's world, never wavering from his sensitive point of view; and Kip's gradual understanding of his father's mental illness is affecting. The characterization is vivid...

Horn Book

Ellis creates with splendid and inviting detail a chaotic houseful of happy relatives who treat the old house as a big toy because of its forthcoming demolition...this is a determinedly individual and warmly affectionate family story about a boy who finds strength in new understanding of both the present and the past.

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Kip...is an engaging protagonist, and his search for the truth is suspenseful enough to hold readers' attention.

Booklist

Ellis...offers an insightful character study in this novel....the themes of growing up, accepting change, and finding out where one belongs make it a universally appealing work that teens will enjoy...

VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates)

Odd Man Out is beautifully written: clever, funny, and hauntingly sad. Ellis has a sure hand at dialogue, bringing to life each cousin's eccentricity and Gran's warmth.

Vancouver Sun

The strength of this novel rests not only in the intriguing plot, but also with Ellis's amazing ability to bring her characters to life....all of the characters stay alive in the readers mind far after the book is finished.

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