• Age: 14 to 18
• Grade: 9 to 12
• Reading age: 7 to 10

In this sequel to Lightning Rider, January and her family have taken in an RCMP summer student as a boarder. When Willow Whitecloud pulls up on her Kawasaki ZX-10R, January takes an instant liking to her. Willow becomes both a friend and a spiritual guide, who helps January connect with her Native heritage. But January is shocked when a number of clues suggest that her mentor may be involved in illegal activity that threatens the natural world she has taught January to respect.

[Fry Reading Level - 3.3

Award-winning author JACQUELINE GUEST is the author of numerous Lorimer novels, including the Arthur Ellis Award nominee Wild Ride and A Goal in Sight, which was shortlisted for a Golden Eagle Children's Choice Book Award. Many of her novels have also been Canadian Children's Centre Our Choice selections including the SideStreets novel At Risk, and the Sports Stories novels Hat Trick, Free Throw, and Soccer Star. Jacqueline Guest lives in Bragg Creek, Alberta.

www.jacquelineguest.com/index.htm

Jacqueline Guest's profile page

• Short-listed, Golden Eagle Children's Choice Book Award
• Short-listed, Arthur Ellis Award for Best Juvenile Crime Book

"Young readers will enjoy this unpredictable fast-paced mystery that cleverly melds ancient native culture with the life of contemporary teenagers."

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

"Wide Ride introduces readers to some memorable characters and unique situations. Young adult readers, boys in particular, will enjoy reading about Willow and January's motorcycles, and mystery fans will appreciate the environmental 'whodunit.'"

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"[Jacqueline Guest incorporates into her stories Canadian history, current events and strong characters who usually come from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities."

The Calgary Herald

Wild Ride

In this sequel to Guest’s first book in the SideStreets novel series, Lightning Rider, Métis teen January Fournier is starting to adjust to the changes in her life: moving to Banff National Park, having a new RCMP step father and attending a new school. When the family’s RCMP summer student boarder, Willow Whitehead, shows up on her Kawasaki ZX-10R, January feels she has found her soul mate. Willow’s commitment to her Métis heritage prompts January to do some soul searching of her own and the two quickly become friends. However, when several incidences of poaching of the area’s grizzly bears coincide with Willow’s unexplained absences and suspicious behaviours, January connects Willow to the poaching. Fearing the worst, January presses to resolve the case.

Guest is a Métis author who resides in Alberta. Wild Ride was shortlisted for a 2006 Arthur Ellis Award.