• Age: 10 to 18
• Grade: 6

In this novel by Ted Stenhouse we return to the community of Grayson first introduced in Across the Steel River. It's 1952 and in this small prairie town not too many white kids have an Indian for their best friend. Will tries not to care what the townsfolk think. No matter what anyone says, Arthur's been like a brother to him. So when they witness a young Indian being hunted down like an animal by Old Man Howe, the town's richest man, they set out to find the facts -- only to uncover dirty dealings that hide generations of disgrace in the Howe family. As a story of deception and cruelty unfolds, Will discovers that everyone has something to be ashamed of -- and that no amount of money or power is enough to ease that shame.

Ted Stenhouse grew up in Gleichen, Alberta. He now lives in Wahpeton, North Dakota. Across the Steel River was his first novel.

Ted Stenhouse's profile page

A Dirty Deed

In this novel set in the Alberta prairies of the 1950s, Will and his Aboriginal friend, Arthur, are out late one night when they observe an Aboriginal youth named Catfish being pursued by Mr. Howe, the richest man in town. The boy hides something in a hole, before Mr. Howe and his men catch him. Catfish is beaten and stripped naked before being taken to the local jail. Will and Arthur rescue the paper, which turns out to be a deed of land. They want to help Catfish and in doing so are thrown into a mystery complicated by racism, mental illness and violence against the backdrop of a small town where indigenous people are treated poorly.

A Dirty Deed is Ted Stenhouse’s second novel.

Caution: The book is written for a grade 4-7 audience but the content is better suited to high school students. The many instances of beatings, derogatory terms and racist beliefs might be difficult for a younger student to interpret as being set in the context of the time.