About BC Books Online
BC Books Online was created for anyone interested in BC-published books, and with librarians especially in mind. We'd like to make it easy for library staff to learn about books from BC publishers - both new releases and backlist titles - so you can inform your patrons and keep your collections up to date.
Our site features print books and ebooks - both new releases and backlist titles - all of which are available to order through regular trade channels. Browse our subject categories to find books of interest or create and export lists by category to cross-reference with your library's current collection.
A quick tip: When reviewing the "Browse by Category" listings, please note that these are based on standardized BISAC Subject Codes supplied by the books' publishers. You will find additional selections, grouped by theme or region, in our "BC Reading Lists."
Description
Resourceful fourteen-year-old Odette is on the move again, traveling as a stowaway on a cheese cart with her hapless mother, Anneline.
They are in Burgundy, France, in 1799, fleeing yet another calamity caused by Anneline (who is prone to killing people accidentally). At dawn they find themselves in a town called Nevers, which is filled with eccentric characters, including a man who obsessively smells hands, another who dreams of becoming a chicken and a donkey that keeps the town awake at night, braying about his narrow life. As Odette establishes a home in an abandoned guardhouse, she makes a friend in the relaxed Nicois and finds work as a midwife's assistant. She and Nicois uncover a mystery that may lead to riches and, more important for Odette, a sense of belonging.
The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 9 to 12
- Grade:
- 4 to 7
- Reading age:
- 9 to 12
Awards
- Short-listed, Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Award
- Short-listed, Chocolate Lily Book Awards
- Short-listed, Rocky Mountain Book Award (RMBA)
- Short-listed, Sunburst Award for Excellence in Canadian Literature of the Fantastic
- Short-listed, BC and Yukon Book Prizes - Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature Prize
- , The Governor General’s Literary Awards (GGBooks) - Young People’s Literature Text
- Short-listed, City of Victoria Children’s Book Prize
- Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens
Editorial Reviews
"Nevers is a funny story, simply told, with a delightful heroine. It has been a long time since I've read such a convincing, relevant historical novel for children."
— CM: Canadian Review of Materials
“Beautiful in its writing style, almost poetic at times, this novel is characterized by the strength of the protagonist, the historical references which educate young readers about a monumentally influential period of French history and the clever resolution which will surprise all readers who do not read carefully.”
— Must Read Literature: K thru YA
"In Nevers, readers will be spellbound by the magic and mayhem of Odette and Anneline’s life in motion. Against a rich background of post-Revolutionary France, they’ll learn of perseverance, friendship and love in many forms. Cassidy is a master storyteller, and her fresh imagery and wordplay, along with a well-paced plot and a diverse cast of characters, are a real delight.”
— Julie Paul, author of <i>Meteorites</i> and <i>The Pull of the Moon</i>
“This book is a quick, fast paced read that will keep the reader involved…Filled with a variety of characters that will be appealing to most readers.”
— Resource Links
“Poignant, passionate and full of surprises.”
— Globe and Mail
"This brief sojourn in an alternative 18th-century France is an unexpectedly rich one."
— Kirkus Reviews
"Full of twists and turns...The book has an off-beat story line and will appeal to kids who like a quirky, unexpected read."
— Canadian Children's Book News, student takeover edition
“Readers will enjoy the quirky characters...While the pacing is quick, the story never feels rushed. A worthy addition to middle grade collections; give this to fans of Adam Gidwitz’s The Inquisitor’s Tale.”
— School Library Journal
“Unfolds with mystery and hilarity, building momentum in a way that will keep readers engaged to the end. Recommend to fans of Adam Gidwitz’s The Inquisitor’s Tale.”
— Booklist
“Nevers is a marvelous and magical book with an unforgettable heroine—prepare to be transported!”
— Esta Spalding, author of the Fitzgerald-Trouts series
