• Age: 13 to 17
• Grade: 8 to 12
• Reading age: 13 to 17

When a black teen was murdered in a Sydney, Cape Breton park late one night, his young companion, Donald Marshall Jr., became a prime suspect. Sydney police coached two teens to testify against Donald which helped convict him of a murder he did not commit. He spent 11 years in prison until he finally got a lucky break. Not only was he eventually acquitted of the crime, but a royal commission inquiry into his wrongful conviction found that a non-aboriginal youth would not have been convicted in the first place. Donald became a First Nations activist and later won a landmark court case in favour of native fishing rights. He was often referred to as the "reluctant hero" of the Mi'kmaq community.

BILL SWAN has worked as a journalism teacher, editor and newspaper columnist. His first three novels, Fast Finish, Mud Run, and Off Track are highly recommended by CM Magazine: Canadian Review of Materials. Mud Run was nominated for a Manitoba Young Readers` Choice Award. He is also the author of Corner Kick. He lives in Courtice, Ontario with his wife and daughter.

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• Commended, Best Books for Kids & Teens - Canadian Children's Book Centre

"Much of this disturbing but well-researched book is impressively drawn directly from court documents and is part of the valuable Real Justice series, which features wrongfully accused Canadian youth and their fight for freedom."

Booklist Online

"the important subject matter, meticulous research, and ultimately balanced portrait of the flawed man Marshall was makes this an engrossing and enlightening read for curious teens." Recommeded

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

"Bill Swan presents a straightforward, compelling narrative, easily followed, that will astound today's teenagers." Rated G, good, even great at times

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