• Age: 8 to 12
• Grade: 3 to 7

More than just another guidebook, Hiking Ontario's Heartland is an invitation to savour the best of southern Ontario's spectacular landscapes, from country fields and spruce bogs to Carolinian forests. Over forty hikes are more than two hours, but less than a day to complete.

As well as providing all the necessary practical information, author Shirley Teasdale writes in a lyrical style with meticulous attention to detail, making this book so pleasurable to the senses that even committed couch potatoes will itch to lace on a pair of walking shoes.

Intended for people of average fitness level, the book is divided into five geographical sections and contains helpful maps. Accompanying the text are black and white drawings of wildlife and plants that hikers may encounter along the way. Whether you are looking for good introduction to Ontario's trails or are looking for a good introduction to Ontario's trails or are interested in exploring new regions, you will find Hiking Ontario's Heartland the perfect companion.

As a child Sharon Siamon had a passion for three things: horses, mountains, and books. Growing up in Southern Ontario with a family too busy for horses, Siamon pursued her dreams through books and make-believe. She says: “I never ran as a kid, I galloped, trotted, or cantered everywhere.” As an adult, she has spent her time pursuing an adventurous lifestyle, and sharing it in her writing.

The inspiration for her trilogy, Mustang Mountain came while participating in a five-day trail ride near Red Deer, Alberta. There she sat around an open fire at night listening to the wranglers talk. She was also inspired by conversations with young women who grew up on ranches.

Sharon Siamon’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Education from Nipissing University. Siamon is now one of Canada’s most prolific writers of fiction for young readers. She has published eleven novels in Canada, two series in England, and a series in Norway. Her Sleepover Series and five books she wrote in the Stage School series under the pseudonym Geena Dare are popular across Canada and Northern Europe.

A mother of three grown up daughters, Siamon now enjoys writing in the early morning hours and then spending the rest of the day outdoors. She and her husband Jeff currently reside in Toronto with their dog, Brio.

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