We are planning a 2 week trip to Nova Scotia to spend time in Cape Breton Island, then Halifax, Lunenburg and finally Wolfville, the family home. Interested in books for 14 year old grandson (as well as me--his grandmother) to read before trip --perhaps including information on Halifax, Cape Breton, Fort Louisburg etc.

For fiction for you I recommend Alistair Macleod short stories Island and novel No great Mischief, and Anne marie MacDonald Fall on Your Knees about Cape Breton


There is a young adult book by Nancy Bond Another Shore set in Louisbourg which our family enjoyed

I highly recommend Barometer Rising by Canadian author Hugh McLennan- a compelling novel about the 1917 Halifax Explosion. It's more of an adult read.

Though not related to the East coast, your grandson might enjoy:

-Who Has Seen the Wind by W.O. Mitchell (another Canadian author)

-Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell

-The Pigman by Paul Zindel

-Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

Thank you for suggestions--on way to the library tonight although wonder if we will be able to get in the States.

My Grandfather's Cape Breton by Clive Doucet

Am reading Alistair Macleod' short stories--quite a writer. Found out that Barometer Rising is at main library in reference so will have to trek out there to review. Grandson checked out the Pigman and discovered his mother had read it years ago. Will check out some of the other titles at the downtown city library (we live in more rural county). Thanks again

The Birth House by Ami McKay would be great for you if a little old for your grandson-also check out Nimbus Publishing: they deal exclusively in books about Nova Scotia and have many things that your grandson could choose for himself from their booklist.(And my daughter works as an Editor for them so, of course, they are bound to be the best!)

Thank you so much for bringing my attention to Alistair MacLeod; I'm halfway through the stories in Island and enjoying them very much.

I heartily recommend The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill (fiction). It's just won the Commonwealth Prize (and I'm proud to say, is written by my friend).

Yes Macleod is really a great writer.

There are some earlier short story collections in addition to the novel, No Great Mischief and they are on my "to read" mental list (as opposed to in the physical pile by the side of the bed....)

14 years old, eh?

My younger son turns 14 in a couple of weeks.

Of all the books I can think of that might appeal to a kid, number one on the list would be The Boat Who Wouldn't Float by Farley Mowat.

It's set in Newfoundland, but that's close enough, and he'll see similar boats in Nova Scotia.

It's very funny, and even teenagers should find it funny.

I may die woithout reading a W.O. Mitchell book -- lots of people like him, but they also like other really boring Canadian authors.

What's the kid like? If he's project oriented, he might be happier with a good map and a guide book, and an assignment to plan how to find one good thing to photograph each day, so that he can frame, say, 14 5x7 prints, one per day, when he gets back home.

BAK