• Age: 10 to 13
• Grade: 5 to 8
• Reading age: 9 to 12

Meryl’s mother was a great bard – a storyteller and musician who sang of life and the world around her. Meryl wants to follow in her mother’s footsteps and undertakes a special quest in search of the mythical Avalon.

Caryl Cude Mullin grew up on an island on Canada’s eastern shore, and as a result she developed an abiding fascination with islands and odd characters. She now lives in Montreal, Quebec. Her first fantasy novel was A Riddle of Roses.

Caryl Mullin's profile page

Pamela McDowell’s first career was in education, teaching junior high and high school. She began writing when she left teaching and has now written more than twenty nonfiction books for children. Pamela grew up in Alberta and enjoys writing about the diverse animals and habitats of her home province. Ospreys in Danger is her first work of fiction. Pamela lives in Calgary, Alberta, with her husband, two kids and an Australian shepherd. For more information, visit www.pamelamcdowell.ca.

Kasia Charko's profile page

• Short-listed, Canadian Children's Book Centre Our Choice Book
• Short-listed, Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award
• Short-listed, Canadian Librarian Association Book of the Year