Winner of the Mr. Christie's Book Award and the Violet Downey Book Award

When Megan finds out why her mother is acting so odd, she is shocked and overwhelmed. Suddenly she is expected to welcome a new half-sister as part of the family.

This is a beautiful, compassionate novel that is both poignant and funny.

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, OLA Silver Birch Award
• Winner, IODE National Chapter Award
• Winner, IODE Violet Downey Book Award
• Winner, Mr. Christie's Book Award
• Short-listed, Governor General's Literary Awards: Text

Ellis' handling of the family dynamics is quiet and sure and her characters...are fresh, appealing - and imperfect. No angst-filled drama here; instead readers get a solid, credible adjustment story.

Booklist, STARRED REVIEW

Vivid, fully realized and difficult to forget.

Quill & Quire, STARRED REVIEW

A rich story, written with grace and empathy, in which very real troubles are tempered with humor and love.

Horn Book