• Age: 12 to 17
• Grade: 7 to 12

Bliss Adair, 16, ace knitter and math wiz, discovers that some secrets are meant to share while others are not. Her involvement in the dilemmas of friends is well intentioned - but is that enough? And does the first rule of knitting - don't look too far ahead - always apply to life?

Jean Mills has been writing professionally for over 30 years, her five Young Adult novels received critical acclaim in Canada and internationally. Skating Over Thin Ice was a 2019 Forest of Reading Red Maple Fiction nominee and was named to the USBBY Outstanding International Book List. Jean is a former college Communications professor, and she also spent ten years on the Media & Communications team at Curling Canada. When she’s not writing, she can be found playing one of her many musical instruments, creating something with yarn, or cheering for the Maple Leafs. Jean lives in Guelph, Ontario.

Jean Mills' profile page

"Mills's book captures that awkward beauty of adolescence in this feel-good read that will have readers reaching for a ball of yarn. An excellent choice for YA readers, knitting enthusiasts, or anyone who just enjoys a good slice-of-life read."
— School Library Journal

"The story is notable for its depiction of acceptance and community even as things get a bit tense… This story delivers nuggets of wisdom, a balanced outlook, and the refuge of knitting—just take it one stitch at a time. Humorous, wise, and comforting."
— Kirkus Reviews

"A thoughtful, thoroughly authentic coming of age novel, Bliss Adair and the First Rule of Knitting will connect a new generation of high schoolers to the joys of knitting, math, and friendship."
Highly Recommended
— CM Magazine