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

After his twin sister, Minnie, dies in an accident, Emmitt's world goes sideways.

He’s lost his best friend and it feels like the family is falling apart without her. But Minnie was an organ donor and Emmitt soon receives an anonymous thank you letter from one of the transplant recipients. Inspiration strikes, and he decides to try and put his sister back together, in spirit. He’s going to track down each organ recipient and film them to show his parents the results of Minnie’s selfless act and help them move on. But when each recipient falls short of his expectations and the star of his film, the girl who received his sister’s heart, refuses to meet him, Emmitt has to turn to extreme measures to find her. What he doesn’t know is that his "heart sister" is hiding an agonizing secret, one that could push Emmitt to the breaking point.

Orca Book Publishers is pleased to offer Heart Sister in two accessible editions. The audiobook features alternate text descriptions of images, including the cover. The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

Michael F. Stewart has authored over two dozen books for kids and young adults. With works ranging from interactive digital epics and graphic novels to humorous middle grade and surreal young adult novels, Michael enjoys stretching the limits on his storytelling and working with other authors young and old to tell their stories. He has an MFA from the Vermont College of Fine Arts and lives in Ottawa with his partner, four daughters, a cat, and a dog.

Michael F. Stewart's profile page

• Nominated, Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice Awards - Snow Willow
• Short-listed, Snow Willow Award
• Short-listed, Ottawa Book Awards
• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens, starred selection

“A touching, heartfelt story with a healthy measure of hope.”

Kirkus Reviews

“Raw, real, and riveting. In Heart Sister, Stewart masterfully takes us on Emmitt’s poignant search for what might be found when all seems lost. Heartfelt and heart-wrenching, it is a powerful story of hope.”

Caroline Pignat, two-time Governor General’s Award–winning author of <i>Shooter</i>

“An interesting look at grief, organ donation...I liked the messages the book shared – about death and loss, grieving in your own way, helping others, organ donations and family – whatever that looks like.”

Book Time blog

“Real and inspiring...An excellent reminder that anyone can make a difference, even after they're gone.”

Canadian Children's Book News

“A tale that is alternately heartbreaking and mischievous, sometimes creepy, and ultimately triumphant.”

Quill & Quire

“The characters are refreshingly unique as is the storyline. Stewart takes an honest look at the paralysis of grief, the profound suffering of losing a loved one and the courage required to move on in the face of tragedy.”

CM: Canadian Review of Materials