• Age: 10 to 17
• Grade: 5 to 10
• Reading age: 10 to 17

Spike is 14 years old -- and pregnant. She is faced with many decisions and many questions -- from her boyfriend, Shane, her mum, and her friends. It's not easy, but Spike is no quitter, as she demonstrates in this stirring novelization of one of the most controversial and groundbreaking series storylines shown on Canadian television.

LORETTA CASTELLARIN has studied magazine journalism at Ryerson University. She also worked as a writer/researcher for Degrassi Junior High.

Loretta Castellarin's profile page

Ken Roberts is the author of several popular books for young readers, including Hiccup Champion of the World, Crazy Ideas, Pop Bottles, Nothing Wright, Past Tense (shortlisted for a Governor General’s Award) and two highly praised previous Thumb books — The Thumb in the Box and Thumb on a Diamond (Cooperative Children's Book Center Choice, SSLI Honor Book, Horn Book Fanfare Top Ten List). Ken is chief librarian of the Hamilton Public Library. He lives in Hamilton, Ontario.

Ken Roberts' profile page

"Myths that adolescents have about pregnancy and the responsibilities of having a child at such a young age are explored in a sensitive manner ... A tremendously poignant read that the audience would find difficult to put down."

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