Patrick O'Rourke

In the Clear showcases contemporary Canadian poetry that is accessible and wide-ranging in content and perspective. These poems reflect the geographical, ecological and social concerns of contemporary life and times in Canada, and many have a literary permanence because of their unique voice and exceptional craft. Readers who want a collection of poetry that is expansive in its human and social concerns will find this anthology indispensible.

"In the Clear is a testimony to the work and accomplishment of the people behind Thistledown Press."
— Canadian Book Review Annual

• Winner of the 1998 Saskatchewan Book Award for Publishing in Education!

*Teacher Resource Guide Available 

“This excellent anthology contains 42 works of short fiction written by Western Canadian writers in the last fifty years . . .”
— Canadian Book Review Annual

 Reviews

Batchelor, Rhonda. “Slipping into shorts.” Victoria Monday Magazine .
– Beck, Marion. Freelance (May 1990): 31-2.
– Cox, Catherine R. Canadian Materials (January 1990): 26.
– Editorial. “Rigid rule may hurt students.” Saskatoon StarPhoenix . November 28, 1990.
– Howells, Coral Ann. British Journal of Canadian Studies 8.2 (1990/1): 455.
– MacKinnon, Brian. “From the bookshelf.” Classmate 20.2 (Winter 1989): 31-2.
– MacKinnon, Brian. “From the bookshelf.” Classmate 20.3 (Spring 1990): 26-30.
– Mortin, Jenni. “The west, warts and all.” Sask Report (December 1989): 83.
– Oliver, Hugh. Canadian Book Review Annual (1990): 257.
– Parungao, Pat. BC Teacher-Librarians Association Reviews (March 1991).
– Quebec Library Association 31.1 (March 1990): 21.
– Quickenden, Robert. “A tension in the heart.” Winnipeg Free Press . December 23, 1989. 26.
– Schoemperlen, Diane. “Along old familiar trails.” Kingston Whig-Standard Magazine . June 2, 1990. 16.
– Solomon, R. H. Choice (April 1990).
– Stephaniuk, Jeffrey D. “Anthologies explore Canadian character.” Saskatoon StarPhoenix . February 10, 1990.
– Stephaniuk, Jeffrey D. “Anthologies emphasize both space and place.” Sheaf . November 30, 1989.

*Teacher Resource Guide Available

The Last Map Is The Heart Teacher's Guide is intended to assist the teacher in the preparation of teaching strategies for the fictions and short stories from The Last Map Is The Heart. It provides a focus, an insight into writing technique, and a commentary. The range and intensity of all teaching/learning activities have been created to accommodate both the novice and veteran teacher as well as the various levels of student readers.

This guide incorporates current reading response theory but also provides traditional literary activities. The aims of interaction between the student and the work are guided by the assumption that the reader is not passive, nor that all "meaning" resides in the text. Rather, the intention of this guide is to involve the student in all phases of the reading process. The teacher therefore is not the sole organizer of the response. This guide aims to have the teacher create the atmosphere and situations which encourage and develop the student's response, and to act as the medium for the written work.

The guide presents each of the stories in the context of the following:

• Focus;
• Commentary;
• Reader Response;
• Writing Techniques; and
• Creative Work

For thematic connections see specific title.

This guide is free with each class set purchase of 20 or more