The Summer of the Hand

Lynn Manuel writes mystery novels for young adults and is the author of
Return to Cranberry Farm.

While 12-year-old Shona Drummond is not looking forward to her move from
Scotland to Canada—specifically, Winnipeg—she finds herself making
an even more remarkable journey—400 years into the past. With her
cousin, Davey, she tries to save the Lady Rose and her brother Lord
Hamish from death at the hands of the evil Granger. When their adventure
is over, Shona realizes how preferable her own life is, even though she
is moving away.

The author does not romanticize the past, but instead portrays its
brutality, ignorance, and

misery. It is shown as a serious, sombre, life-threatening world, in
which a 12-year-old girl is expected to act like a full-grown woman.
Moore is at her best when describing Ballayn Castle and the surrounding
countryside, which she does with great sensory appeal and attention to
detail. The novel, however, lacks energetic movement, and proceeds
rather slowly at times. Not a first-choice purchase.