COMPELLING SEQUEL: Surviving the wilderness in the spring is one thing; it’s another thing entirely to survive a wild winter storm in the night, on the side of a mountain.

SURVIVAL STORIES PERENNIAL KIDS’ FAVE: Hatchet is THE classic survival story, but these books stand out as they showcase a young girl who faces challenges with both practical knowledge and inner strength. 

AWARD-WINNER: Red Fox Road won the 2021 Arthur Ellis Award for Best Juvenile or YA Crime Book; it is also shortlisted for the Red Cedar Award (British Columbia Young Reader’s Choice Award).

JLG SELECTION: Red Fox Road was also selected by the Junior Library Guild.

STRONG FEMALE CHARACTER: While still dealing with the trauma of that last family vacation, with her mother in a hospital, still, Francie’s inner strength shines through as she sets out on a daring rescue mission.

ATMOSPHERIC WRITING: Just as in Red Fox Road, Frances Greenslade writes so vividly about the outdoors; in this case, the swirling snow, the bent trees, the cold dark rock caves…

FRANCES GREENSLADE was born in St. Catharines, Ontario, and has since lived in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. She has a B.A. in English from the University of Winnipeg and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from UBC. Her first book, a travel memoir called  A Pilgrim in Ireland: A Quest for Home, won the Saskatchewan Book Award for Non-Fiction. Her second memoir, By the Secret Ladder: A Mother’s Initiation, was published in 2007, and her novel, Shelter, was published in 2011. Her first novel for young readers, Red Fox Road, won the Arthur Ellis Award for Best Juvenile Crime Novel, was a JLG selection, and was shortlisted for the B.C. Red Cedar Children’s Choice Award. Greenslade teaches English at Okanagan College in Penticton, B.C.

Author Residence: Penticton, British Columbia

“[A] gripping adventure story with strong themes of camaraderie, bravery, and forgiveness…. Francie’s strong connection to nature will resonate with outdoorsy readers, who may find the winter survival elements instructive. A harrowing and reflective escapade.” —Booklist

“Francie is a gritty and determined young person…. Green Mountain Academy was hard to put down.” —CM Reviews