Lesley Choyce

Raising Orion tells the tale of an eccentric, timeless woman, Molly, a second-hand bookshop owner, and her childhood as the daughter of the last lighthouse keeper of Devil’s Island at the mouth of the Halifax Harbour. At its core, Raising Orion is a novel of discovery, and a chronicle of intense individualism where to believe you can set the stars in the sky will make it so.
Molly is an enigmatic person, powerful over her own destiny. She is at the centre of an eclectic, unlikely group of people — customers of  her bookstore that have become her friends — searching for meaning in their own lives through the books they find in her store. Their test begins when Molly is on the verge of being criminally charged for interfering with authorities in rescuing a young cancer patient. Her dedicated book-customer friends must help save her, which, given Molly’s eccentricities, philosophical outlooks, and strong independence, isn’t an easy task.

Set on the East Coast, and focusing on sixty-nine year old Jonas, this novel reflects the title character's energy, rage and humour as he looks upon his world, past and present, and is filled with memorable characters, adventures, and a pervading rugged gentleness.

This crically-acclaimed novel is an excellent choice for Canadian Studies and courses that investigate themes of maturity and old age.

 Reviews

Broughton, Katheryn. Canadian Materials (Novemer 1989): 275.
“Children's books fun and informative.” Halifax Sunday Daily News . November 7, 1993. 51.
Dorsey, Candas Jane. “Sci-fi nominations don't fail to amaze.” Edmonton Journal . February 10, 1991. C7.
Doucet, Clive. “Nova Scotian soul.” Globe and Mail. August 12, 1989. C8.
Finnie, John. “East coast eloquence.” Matrix . no. 32 (Fall 1990).
James-French, Davy. “The Rhythms of Nature.” Books in Canada (April 1990): 40.
McFadyen, Isobelle. Freelance (June 1990): 33.
McRae, Siobhan. Dalhouse Review 70.1 (July 1991): 137.
Nowlan, Michael O. Canadian Book Review Annual (December 1990): 162.
“Quick readings.” Ottawa Citizen . October 1989.
Skelton, Robin. “An arrogant old man and the sea.” Quill & Quire (August 1989).
Stewart, Beverly. “More life, universe and everything.” Th Whig-Standard Magazine . October 7, 1989. 20.
Woods, Thomas. “Lyric Atlantic fiction with wisdom, humour.” Vancouver Sun . December 30, 1989. H4.

*Teacher Resource Guide Available

Set in Canada's East Coast, this novel from the award-winning and prolific Lesley Choyce grapples with current environmental issues as experienced by two teenagers.

“As with all his young adult books, Big Burn features a strong plot, some conflicts, and a resolution that isn't glib. And there's that unmistakable gusto for the great outdoors; lots of wind, sun, rocks, ocean and scenery.”
– Halifax Chronicle Herald.

This is an easy-read novel that is central to discussions of environmental issues and the challenges they create.

• Canadian Children's Book Centre "Our Choice" selection

Ages 9-13

Reviews

Beaton, Virginia. “Teens fight incinerator in Choyce's latest novel.” Halifax Chronicle-Herald/Mail-Star, June 9, 1995. B2.
Garvie, Maureen. Quill & Quire (May 1995).
Jenkinson, Dave. Canadian Children's Literature (July 1996): 44.
MacDonald, Cathy. “Suitable reading for young teens.” Halifax Daily News . September 10, 1995. 56.
McClay, Jill. Resource Links (April 1996): 176.