Hannah Edwards Secrets of Riverway

Gr 5 Up–In this witty narrative told through journal entries, tween Hannah Edwards is tired of her dreary, boring hometown. To make matters worse, Hannah’s father, the Canola King and “soul of the town,” mysteriously disappears. When Hannah’s best friend Sam claims to have seen her father’s ghost, they set out to contact him. Hannah suddenly hears her father’s voice during math class, but she refuses to believe it’s really him until she sees the ghost herself. As she and Sam investigate, Hannah starts to suspect that her Uncle Fergus, who swooped in to help out when her father disappeared, isn’t as harmless as he seems. Debut author Hards introduces a sharp, spirited heroine who tackles the paranormal with skepticism and a can-do attitude, blending familiar mystery elements with fresh, engaging twists. Though the characters do sometimes sound older than their age, this might resonate with readers who enjoy mature, introspective dialogue or those who appreciate young protagonists with wisdom beyond their years.