Riptide!

Joan Buchanan is a writer, storyteller and instructor and author of
Taking Care of My Cold.

Riptide is a topical, fast-paced novel with a 14-year-old protagonist,
Rory MacDonald. Rory is unhappy with his new life in Halifax. He longs
for his former home in Crooks Harbour, where “there were lots of kids
around—his cousins, kids from school, guys from the hockey team.” To
add to his problems, he has to babysit his 11-year-old cousin, Megan,
when she comes for a summer visit. The only friends his age are a gang
of shoplifters who hang out in the downtown mall.

Despite Megan’s objections and his own questioning conscience, Rory
quickly becomes more deeply involved in stealing. The challenge and the
camaraderie assuage his ache for Crooks Harbour, where “there was lots
to do—fishing, always fishing with his dad or with one of his uncles,
and diving for mussels, jumping off the rocks, or taking out a small
dory and exploring.” Rory is still angry with his father for selling
the fishing boat he was going to work on (with his dad) when he
graduated and became a part-time fisher and conservationist.

Crook draws believable characters, uses realistic details, and provides
lots of dialogue and action. Part of the story’s appeal also lies in
its Nova Scotia setting.

The author has done her homework, and has kept her 12- to 14-year-old
audience in mind.