Hiding in Hawk's Creek

Deborah Dowson is a Canadian children’s librarian living in Harvard,
Massachusetts.

When Jennifer Bannon announces to her family that she wants to spend the
summer at her grandmother’s cottage in Hawk’s Creek near Thunder
Bay, she doesn’t tell them that she is thinking of staying up there
for good. Jennifer can’t face her family situation at home any longer,
especially now that her mom is engaged to marry Mr. Putterman. But
instead of finding the peace and tranquility she longs for at Hawk’s
Creek, she encounters a mysterious family who is the subject of much
derogatory speculation and suspicion. Jennifer tries to befriend Audrey,
the family’s troubled daughter, and in doing so, she eventually learns
the truth about their situation, which puts everything in a new light.

The narrative is a little stiff in the beginning of the book, and it is
hard to imagine a 14-year-old Jennifer using such old-fashioned
expressions as “time to make like a banana and split” or “a man
born as dependable as a Swiss clock.” Nevertheless, as the book
progresses, Jennifer becomes more authentic, and the story becomes more
interesting with the addition of the troubled Musquash family and some
other engaging characters. There is also a nice touch of humour that
balances the drama and mystery. Altogether, Hiding in Hawk’s Creek
makes for an enjoyable novel for preteen girls. Recommended.