When Rick and Willow Forster find an old sketch hidden in a boxcar, Rick assumes it’s junk. But Willow’s instincts tell her otherwise. Could this be a sketch by one of the Group of Seven painters? Could this be the legendary boxcar where they spent their summers? Suddenly Rick and Willow find their ordinary week at camp transformed into a thrilling adventure as the two new detectives search the web, the woods, and the town nearby for clues. When Kristo, the local art dealer, starts acting more and more suspiciously, and when Willow’s hunches seem like they may be true, Rick and Willow are caught up in a chain of events that includes a race through the woods to beat Kristo to the boxcar, an encounter with a pack of “wolves,” and a trip to the officials at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Packed with intrigue and mystery, The Lost Sketch is a fascinating exploration of the lives of Group of Seven painters. Non-fiction sidebars offer amazing information about the group members, painting styles, copies and forgeries, and more. Andrea Spalding has written eight books for children, including Finders Keepers, An Island of My Own, Phoebe and the Gypsy, Sarah May and the New Red Dress, and Me and Mr. Mah. David has written, co-written, or edited ten books. Most are about science for adults, with recent books about dinosaurs and whales. Andrea and David live on Pender Island in British Columbia and are excited about teaming up to write this new children’s adventure series.

Andrea Spalding is a prolific writer for children.
Born in the industrial city of Manchester England, she trained as a teacher. Then, with husband David, Andrea immigrated to Canada in 1967. After living in Alberta for 24 years, Andrea and David relocated to British Columbia and live on Pender Island, one of Canada's Southern Gulf Islands.
Canadian life proved to be rich and varied. Curiosity about her chosen country compelled Andrea to listen to other Canadian immigrants who shared tales that later became her folktale book, A World of Stories.
A love of the outdoors prompted her and David to take their family and travel quintessential Canada. They've skated on frozen lakes, worked on dinosaur digs, and panned for Yukon gold. Andrea has whale-watched on both coasts, enjoyed vineyards and theatre festivals on the Niagara Peninsula, and tapped her feet in Toronto jazz clubs. A highlight West Coast experience was assisting in the carving an Aboriginal Honour Pole with Tsimshian master carver Victor Reece. These experiences provided background for her stories.
Andrea's first children's book, The Most Beautiful Kite In The World, was selected as a Canadian Children's Book Center's "Our Choice." She has garnered awards and nominations ever since. Her fantasy novels - The Summer of Magic Quartet - are avidly read by both children and adults. Her picturebook, Secret of the Dance, is her 30th. Written with Aboriginal Elder Alfred Scow, it has gained accolades from both the aboriginal and white communities.
Andrea gives school presentations across the country, and also teaches writing workshops, and in-service presentations to teachers, librarians, and any one interested in her passion for Children's Literature.

Visit Andrea's website at www.andreaspalding.com.

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