Murder on the Ridge

I lay back and looked up at the stars, trying to imagine what could make an Indian hater and an Indian turn away from what they'd been for their whole lives. The answer didn't come.

In smalltown Canada in 1952, Indians and whites mostly just tolerate each other--when they're not openly hating each other. But thirteen-year-old Will and Arthur are like brothers despite their different backgrounds, much to the disapproval of their closed-minded neighbours. Determined to solve the mystery of their friend's grandfather, who died--possibly murdered--in World War I, the boys embark on a haunting sweat lodge journey to the battle of Vimy Ridge that sends them back to their own time with the chance to right a wrong steeped in decades of deep-rooted prejudice and fear.

Will's laconic narration is the highlight of this book: his candid, matter-of-fact tone perfectly captures the character of a boy still learning the ways of the world, and his deadpan humour adds many a laugh to this poignant story that tackles difficult issues in such a way that every word rings true. This Canadian Stand by Me conjures up the boys' friendship so effectively that readers will tremble at the realization of how easily things could go wrong and cheer as the boys prove that it's never too late to change. Masterfully written with a powerful message, this novel is an absolute winner that will be loved by readers of all ages.

Note: The beginning of Will and Arthur's story is told in Stenhouse's two previous novels, Across the Steel River and A Dirty Deed.