Books by Shirley Martin

Kateri O''Leary has been searching for her ''thing'' - her one true passion in life - and she thinks she''s finally found it. But as she tries to get her rescue dog, Belle, ready for the Show Dog ring, life keeps getting in the way. Kateri''s family has money troubles, her absent-minded mom causes major mix-ups, and her pet mouse is sulking. She can''t keep up with school work, has a fight with a friend, and a bully named Clive is a thorn in her side. On top of it all, Kateri''s Red Setter is an escape artist. Kateri thinks she finally is ready for the Show Dog ring...but does her Red Setter, Belle, have a different plan?!?

Eleven-year-old Kateri just wants to fit in, but her red hair, freckles and rhyming name make her stand out like a sore thumb. She's already grappling with a new home, a new school and a bully named Clive. Then her pet mouse Murphy goes AWOL at school, leaving chaos in his wake.As her best friend back home replaces her with a newcomer, the timeline ticks on a school project and Clive pushes Kateri to the breaking point. Her new neighbours can't stand rodents, her parents are strapped for cash, and her mom is over-protective. Can things possibly get any worse? Only time will tell....and time is running out!Review:  "A delightful and insightful story for 8-12 year-olds. They say it takes a village...but young Kateri (rhymes with O'Leary) wishes it wasn't one called Haven Harbour, far from her friends in the big city. In Shirley Martin's playful hands, a diverse cast of characters and a sweetly mischievous plot are kept rolling with a runaway mouse leading the way to understanding and acceptance at last."   Caroline Woodward, author of Singing Away the Dark, The Village of Many Hats and A West Coast Summer for children and other books for adults.