Never to Be Told

Susan Kemp is an instructor at the Queen’s School of English,
Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario.

Becky Citra, a primary school teacher who lives on a ranch in Bridge
Lake, B.C., is the author of numerous books for young readers, including
the Max and Ellie historical series. In Never to Be Told, we are
introduced to Asia, who has lived with elderly Ira and his wife Maddy
for as long as she can remember. She loves their farm in Cold Creek, but
when Ira has a heart attack, Asia’s world is turned upside down.

Distraught at the probability of losing the only family she has ever
known, Asia is frightened but fascinated by the appearance of a ghost at
an abandoned farm—a ghost only she can see.

With respect to locations and characters, Citra writes about what she
knows with both veracity and assurance. She is particularly adept at
juxtaposing the present and past, and her ability to articulate the
insecurities of a young girl are spot on. A lyrical quality about
Citra’s writing, which is especially effective when she deals with
subjects such as loss and death, is most pleasing. Recommended.