• Age: 9 to 12
• Grade: 4 to 7
• Reading age: 9 to 12

The year is 1935 and Maggie Sullivan's world has fallen apart. Maggie has grown up in a close-knit mining community perched atop a mountain in British Columbia. But now her father has been killed in a mine explosion and she is being forced to leave the only home she has ever known. To make matters worse, she must also leave behind her best friend Lucky, the three-legged dog that was a special gift from Pa.

Dianne Maycock has always wanted to write books about animals and is thrilled that her first children's book features a very special dog. Dianne currently shares her Vancouver, British Columbia home with two cats, Tiger and Ferdy, who love to steal her favorite writing chair and 'read' the computer screen while she's working. Lucky's Mountain is based, in part, on Dianne's mother's stories of growing up in a mining town in B.C.

Dianne was born in Vancouver but has lived in many parts of B.C. including Port Alberni, Trail, Castlegar, and White Rock. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from UBC and a combined Master's degree in Adult Education and Counselling from the University of Toronto. Dianne has worked as an elementary school teacher, a computer trainer, and a writer for educational television. She is a member of the B.C. Teachers' Federation, the Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and CANSCAIP.

Dianne is currently a stay-at-home mom who loves travelling with her husband and daughter. She has visited every Canadian province except for P.E.I., as well as most of the countries in Europe. One of her favourite places is a small town in Portugal called Luz, because there are cats in every alleyway and around every corner! Dianne also enjoys exploring historical sites in B.C.; it was one of these family expeditions that led to the writing of Lucky's Mountain. Dianne's other hobbies include reading, Irish dancing, and watching her daughter's basketball games. She is an experienced presenter and is available for school presentations.

Dianne Maycock's profile page

• Short-listed, Chocolate Lily Book Awards - Chapter Books / Early Novels
• Nominated, Forest of Reading Silver Birch Express Award
• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens

"many threads can be teased from this book, including school bullies, courage, accepting people regardless of their looks"

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"a fast moving book... [with a] spunky heroine... Recommended."

CM Magazine