Ellen Fremedon

With a long hot summer ahead, Ellen Fremedon decides that she is going to write a book -- a long one, with chapters. She doesn't need to look far to find characters. The tiny village of Partridge Cove is full of interesting personalities. The budding novelist has characters galore, but what about a plot?With the help of her best friend, Jenny, Ellen soon realizes that there's plenty of mystery and intrigue in Partridge Cove as well. Why have the loathsome new neighbors bought the big house next door? And who will benefit from the housing development that's to be built right on top of the town's aquifer? Then, just as Ellen's story gets going, her novel must take a back seat to real life, when her twin brothers disappear, and things suddenly become very complicated, and very personal.

...Ellen's first-person narrative will resonate with many readers, particularly those with an interest in writing.

Givner's first novel for children is a delightfully surprising blend of old and new...the artful, funny perceptions about writing, arguing and relationships are as clever as they come in a post-modern era.