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Short-listed for the 2003 Red Maple Award and Arthur Ellis Award for best Juvenile Book, commended for the 2003 Canadian Children’s Book Centre Our Choice Selection
Shelby Belgarden isn’t exactly thrilled when people start thinking Greg is her boyfriend. After all, she’s more interested in the athletic Nick Jarvis. But one day Greg suddenly becomes more interesting to Shelby – though for all the wrong reasons: Shelby begins to suspect that Greg is responsible for the series of arsons that have occurred in her small New Brunswick town in recent weeks. After finding out that Greg and his father had moved to this town after their old home burnt down – with Greg’s mother inside – Shelby finds Greg’s gasoline-soaked mitten near the scene of the latest arson.
Shelby launches her own investigation into the crimes. As she does, she becomes aware that whoever is responsible may have been a victim of sexual abuse.
— Malkin Dare
Teenage readers will be able to identify with Shelby, who has all the normal insecurities and emotional excesses appropriate to her age... Out of Ashes may be of particular interest to those who work with troubled teens.
Well written, exciting and thought-provoking.
— The Guardian, Charlottetown, PEI
well crafted and entertaining.
— The New Brunswick Reader
The trials and tribulations of Shelby Belgarden make for excellent reading, guidance and discussion for young girls and their parents and teachers.
— Daily Gleaner (Fredericton, NB)
By introducing a romantic triangle involving Shelby, Nick and Greg, Sherrard takes Out of the Ashes beyond the typical adolescent mystery novel.
— CM Magazine
The novel encourages readers to reflect on why they make the choices that they doan excellent launching point for a discussion about peer pressure.
— Elan (Electronic Language)
Shelby Belgarden is the new Nancy Drew for budding mystery readers.
Valerie Sherrard lives in Miramichi, New Brunswick. Out of the Ashes is her first novel.