• Age: 12 to 18
• Grade: 8 to 12
• Reading age: 12 to 18

Everything changes when Hattie Tamblyn's much-adored older brother, Will, enlists in the Canadian army in 1916 and is sent to fight in France.

Hattie lives for Will's letters from the front, but her mother retreats into depression, her younger brother, Johnny, becomes violent and her father despairs of running the family farm without Will's help. Tension mounts when Hattie's father hires a young conscientious objector to work on the farm. Although his wealthy Toronto family is mystified and disgusted by his decision not to fight, David Ross's friendship with an elderly German musician has led him to question the narrow notion of patriotism that has overtaken the country. His appearance at the Tamblyn farm enrages Hattie and Johnny, who, like most of their neighbors, believe all "conchies" are cowards. As more and more of her childhood friends are maimed and killed overseas, Hattie fears for Will's safety. But when her own safety is threatened, it is David who protects her, putting himself squarely in harm's way. In a world gripped by prejudice, fear and hatred, David and Hattie discover that there are many kinds of courage and that real power lies in forgiveness and redemption.

A Kind of Courage is Colleen Heffernan's first novel for young adult readers. She has previously published two early chapter books and several pieces of short fiction for young readers. Colleen lives in Edmonton, Alberta.

Colleen Heffernan's profile page

• Nominated, Golden Eagle Children’s Choice
• Commended, Texas Library Association (TLA) TAYSHAS List
• Commended, New York Public Library (NYPL) Best Books for Teens
• Commended, Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) Our Choice
• Winner, The Writers’ Guild of Alberta (WGA) R. Ross Annett Award for Children’s Literature

"A hugely timely novel for kids...A superb resource book."

The Muskokan

"Well written, has an interesting plot, believable characters, and it covers a variety of war related issues not always covered in fiction. Recommended."

CM Magazine

A Kind of Courage

This novel is set in 1918 when young Hattie is living on a farm in Ontario. Her older brother is off fighting in France while her father runs the farm and her mother suffers from stress and depression. Hattie’s father needs help with the farm work and takes on the services of a conscientious objector, David. He will work on their farm for the duration of the war. Events at home dealing with persecution of conscientious objectors and German-Canadians combine with news from the war overseas to raise levels of tension and bring the story to a satisfying conclusion.

This is an interesting addition to Canadian war literature and a useful book to read along with the Charlie Wilcox books.

A Kind of Courage

Tension mounts when Hattie’s father hires a conscientious objector to help run the farm during WWI. This compelling first novel deals with prejudice, fear and forgiveness.