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

After his younger sister dies, 17-year-old Jean-Luc goes into a downward spiral.

He is sent away for the summer to live with his uncle in a small town on the coast of France. On his first day there he meets the beautiful Selina and decides that this summer might not be so bad after all. That is until he realizes that she stole his wallet. Jean-Luc does some detective work and eventually tracks her down. Selina confesses that she and other runaway teens are being exploited by a mysterious figure known only as Le Patron. Jean-Luc devises a plan to help Selina escape, but will the two of them be able to outwit the dangerous criminal?

Karen Spafford-Fitz grew up in an old limestone farmhouse near Kingston, Ontario where her early training as a writer involved reading thousands of books. In fact, it was impossible to walk across her bedroom without stubbing a toe on Anne of Green Gables, Little House on the Prairie, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Trixie Belden, and her father's old Lone Ranger books.

Eager to read more, Karen studied English Language and Literature at Queen's University. She followed that up with a degree in Education and went on to teach elementary and junior high students for eight years. Two daughters and a move across the country later, Karen began creating her own stories for children and teenagers. Dog Walker is her first middle-grade novel.

When Karen is not writing in her Edmonton studio, she is often running with her rambunctious German shepherd, who helps Karen train for her next half marathon. Karen also enjoys speaking to students about the inspiration for her stories, the creative process and the writing life.

Karen Spafford-Fitz's profile page

• Commended, BC Books for BC Schools

“An accessible, engaging tale of redemption.”

Kirkus Reviews

“This accessible, fast-moving story features a unique setting and a moving story of personal redemption. Recommended for high school collections in need of hi-lo materials.”

School Library Journal

“An engaging story that combines adventure, action, and an interesting destination. Highly Recommended.”

CM: Canadian Review of Materials