• Age: 9 to 11
• Grade: 6 to 9

Finalist, Saskatchewan Book Awards, Best Children’s Book

 

 

 

Sisters Jennifer and Sarah were once part of a happy, stable family, but their idyllic life comes to an abrupt halt with the death of their mother. Unable to cope with his grief and the needs of his two young daughters, their father finds comfort in alcohol, gets fired from his job, and loses his grip on his family.

 

As twelve-year-old Jennifer approaches maturity, she starts to develop a tough exterior, especially when she attracts unwelcome attention from one of her father’s friends. With nothing left to lose, the two sisters decide run away to their mother’s sister in Vancouver, setting out with very little money and no clear plan. Along the way, they must overcome fear, loneliness, illness, and the conflict inherent in their sibling relationship. This emotional story deals with mature themes, but is ultimately about the enduring bonds of family. Suitable for readers aged nine to eleven.

Stories and music have been important in Alison Lohans's life since early childhood. With parents who loved telling stories and singing at bedtime, and always a stash of library books on hand, how could Alison not be drawn in?

The Wind and Amanda's Cello is Alison's thirty-first book, and came from a whimsical "What if?" idea. Her publications range from picture books and early-reader chapter books to novels for middle-graders and young adults. She has won awards for her work and has given more than a thousand readings in schools and libraries across Canada. Alison has taught writing, and she's taught music as well.Starting piano at age five, she could read simple music before she could read words.

When Alison's younger son, Chris, started cello lessons, she got hooked, too! She's active in local music groups, playing recorder, cornet and cello, singing in her church choir, and once again taking piano lessons. She also loves to travel.

Alison Lohans lives in Regina, Saskatchewan with her furry friends Sebastian and Sassy and two budgies. Visit Alison online at alisonlohans.wordpress.com or on Facebook @alisonlohanswriter.

Alison Lohans' profile page

“This is a book that will help readers empathize with the characters, who are forced to survive by any means, as they set out on a journey to find a place called home." —#WeHaveDiverseBooks Catalogue, Association of Canadian Publishers

“A fast-paced, gripping read." —Jocelyn Reekie, CM Magazine

No Place for Kids

Jennifer and Sarah were once part of a happy, stable family, but their idyllic life comes to an abrupt halt with the death of their mother. Unable to cope with his grief and the needs of his two young daughters, their father finds comfort in alcohol, and loses his grip on his family. With nothing left to lose, the two run away to their aunt’s in Vancouver, setting out with very little money and no clear plan.

Statistics for homeless youth in today’s urban centres are increasingly high. Many readers will identify – or sympathize —with Sarah and Jennifer’s desperation to survive in a world without parents. This is a book that will help readers empathize for the characters, who are forced to survive by any means, as they set out on a journey to find a place called home.

Author available for class visits. @alisonlohans