The Gambler's Daughter

Anne Hutchings is an elementary-school teacher-librarian with the Durham
Board of Education.

“In Canada, every person controls his own destiny. [We have] the
freedom to make our fortunes, no matter what kind of family we come from
or how much money we have when we start out.” These are the ideals
that give Loretta the courage to seek a new life for herself and her
young half-brother, Teddy.

Motherless Loretta and Teddy, along with Bean-Trap (Teddy’s father),
have been constantly on the move for the past year. In each new place,
Bean-Trap sets up a gambling establishment and stays just long enough to
bilk the locals out of their hard-earned money before being run out of
town yet again. This time, however, it’s not just disgruntled losers
who are after him: the police want him, too—possibly for murder!

Bean-Trap tries to shield Loretta and Teddy from trouble by sending
them away. Now that the running is over, the children are determined to
leave the past behind and start afresh.

Set in a variety of locations from Portland to Alaska, this novel makes
up for what it lacks in realism with plenty of excitement and adventure.
Recommended with reservations for junior-grade students.