Reviews of Hiding in Hawk’s Creek

Barely passing high school Jennifer Bannon is dreading spending another summer at home in Springhills with her dysfunctional family. The fourteen-year-old teen lives with her mom and younger sister and hardly ever gets to see her dad who split. Mr. Putterman, her mom’s boring boyfriend destroys the sisters’ dream to reunite their scrambled family. When her mom and Mr. Putterman announce their engagement its all Jennifer can take, although she forces a plastered grin. She manages to persuade her mother to allow her to go to Hawk’s Creek, to spend time with her kindly grandmother – it sounds like a perfect, relaxing trouble free summer retreat (the perfect hide out). To her surprise, she finds something more. Caught up in a whirlwind of events surrounding a suspicious native family in the neighbourhood, Jennifer’s summer turns out a lot different than she expected.

Five stars – Sarah’s Stars
June 2006 by Hayley

It’s a story of suspense and a haunting friendship, beautifully told by Brenda Chapman . . . Her stories for young people are valuable for their excellence, for not “talking down” to a younger audience, and for her frank discussion of the problems and the joys all teens have to face.

Linda Turk
Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal, March 2007

Here’s some excellent summer reading . . . . Chapman successfully combines a mystery novel with serious issues to introduce young readers to a fast-paced coming-of-age story. The two teenagers from different cultures are drawn realistically and sympathetically.

MaryLeah Otto
The Muskokan, summer 2006

Brenda Chapman is an excellent author whose books are compelling and brimming with action. Save this book for a rainy afternoon when you can curl up and just read cover to cover. Suitable for readers ages 10 to about 15, but the older reader would probably appreciate it the most.

Hiding in Hawk’s Creek is about fourteen-year-old, Jennifer Bannon and one very exciting summer that she spends with her grandmother in tranquil Hawk’s Creek. Soon after she arrives she realizes that even this diminutive town there still is a vast number of secrets. Most of these secrets involve the mysterious actions of the Musquash family. The locals believe that it is Audrey Musquash that is causing all the problems around town, but after Jenny talks to Audrey herself she learns the truth behind all the peculiar activities. Will she be able to set the record straight, before something even more drastic happens?

Hiding In Hawk’s Creek deserves 4 shining stars.

Sarah’s Stars
September 2006 by Darcy

Hiding In Hawk’s Creek by Brenda Chapman is the story of one young girl’s search for contentment and escape from the troubles of her family and home life. Following fourteen-year-old Jennifer Bannon through her decision to spend the summer with her grandmother in a place called Hawk’s Creek (and her plans never to return home), Hiding In Hawk’s Creek carries its readers through an original and entertaining story of friendship, darkness and pain, racial intolerance, love, and considerable suspense. A welcome addition to the reading list of children ages 10 and older, Hiding In Hawk’s Creek is very highly recommended as a creative and well crafted “coming of age” tale of one teen girl’s life and times.

Midwest Book Review
August 2006

Jennifer Bannon is definitely not happy that her mother is going to marry again. She finds a way to go by herself to stay with her grandmother at her cottage. She renews old friendships at Hawk’s Creek and makes new ones. Notably the Musquash family. Audrey Musquash and Jennifer become friends only because Jennifer is someone who can think for herself. Befriending Audrey means many things; not knowing when she might show up, short brusque conversations, moody, unexplained behaviour, and putting up with the constant inuendo and gossip concerning her and her family.

Mr. G’s Book Blog
August 2006

 video books are fine on occasion because they allow you to do work around the house or drive your car…. I don’t think I would ever read an e-book.”

You can find Brenda’s novels in major bookstores like Chapters, Indigo and Barnes & Noble, and smaller stores like Collected Works, Leishman Books and Prime Crime Books. On December 2, 2006, from 1 to 3 p.m., Brenda will be signing books at Shirley Leishman Books in Westgate Mall, Ottawa, Ontario. For more information, visit Brenda Chapman’s web site.

Canadian Teacher Magazine, Winter 2005