• Age: 10 to 18
• Grade: 5 to 12

In this first book of the Watcher’s Quest trilogy, 15-year-old Emma has long suspected that something is not quite as it should be in her life. With her long, pale face and white hair, she looks nothing like her parents or frail younger sister. She acts nothing like them, either. While her parents happily pursue their daily routine, Emma senses danger. She knows she must watch over the family day and night — but why, she doesn’t know.

Things spin out of control when Emma takes a summer job caring for an eccentric elderly neighbor and is drawn into playing a strange board game. She’s suddenly plagued by surreal, frightening dreams that begin to invade her waking hours. Emma is soon hurtled from her quiet farm life into strange worlds of intrigue and terror. As she becomes a participant in a bizarre game of life and death, the mystery surrounding her is solved … and her future decided.

Margaret Buffie is an award-winning author of young adult books. Her books include The Watcher and Angels Turn Their Backs. She lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Margaret Buffie's profile page

• Winner, Books For the Teen Age List, New York Public Library
• Runner-up, Manitoba Young Reader’s Choice Award
• Short-listed, Independent Publisher Book Award
• Winner, Our Choice, Canadian Children's Book Centre
• Short-listed, Young Adult Book Award, Canadian Library Association
• Short-listed, Book for Young People Award, McNally Robinson

Filled with suspense, adventure, and colorful characters.

School Library Journal

From ominous beginning to tense climax, this page-turner — will keep readers guessing.

Kirkus Reviews