SHORT FICTION
"Even for a country used to superb short story writers like Margaret Atwood, Alice Munro, and Mavis Gallant, [the short fiction in The Journey Prize Anthology] is impressive stuff. As an example, Don Aker's 'The Invitation' plumbs the depths of childhood's loss of innocence as a man remembers exactly where he was the day JFK was shot. Social realities in small town Nova Scotia become achingly clear as a little boy--all too aware of his own precarious status in the playground pecking order--tries desperately to avoid a birthday party given by the class loser. The Kennedys--even in the midst of their tragedy--stand for the glamour missing in our lives, in ironic contrast to the disappointing Queen Elizabeth, 'an ordinary woman in a blue dress and hat that could have come from the Simpson-Sears catalogue.'"
- The Globe and Mail, August 3, 1991
Return to top of page
OF THINGS NOT SEEN (1995)
"In his first young-adult novel, Aker, a Middleton, Nova Scotia, high-school teacher, deals powerfully with the theme of physical abuse.... Aker is particularly strong at characterization, and he renders the dynamics that allow abuse to continue within a family with great credibility.... Highly recommended."
- Dave Jenkinson, http://portal.mbnet.mb.ca/cm/vol2/no8/things.html Manitoba Library Association, 1995
"With a keen eye for detail, [Aker] describes the painful expose of persistent violence.... Of Things Not Seen is indeed frighteningly credible."
- Atlantic Books Today, No. 13, Summer 1996
"Aker's intensity of characterization provides a multifaceted glimpse of the pressures facing a male teen.... This YA novel has one of the best starts of any I have read. I find that reading the first page and a half ... aloud to students elicits a most powerful reaction. As I read, their eyes grow larger and they lean forward, an indication of their involvement. Everyone wants to read this book."
- The Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, February 1996
"In this young adult novel, Aker ... peels away a thin veneer of pastoral charm to reveal brutal generational violence toward women and children and endemic racism.... Aker distills the community and family dynamics, which allow abuse to thrive, into a credible and riveting plot."
- The Chronicle-Herald, March 22, 1996
Return to top of page
STRANGER AT BAY (1997)
"[Don Aker] brings to [his second novel] a tight, intelligent style, a keen ear for adolescent angst, and a cast of well-wrought characters.... Aker, a high-school teacher in Middleton, Nova Scotia, won several awards for his previous title, Of Things Not Seen. This one consolidates his reputation as a fine writer."
- Quill & Quire, January 1998
"Contemporary young adult fiction has a sure winner in Middleton high school teacher Don Aker. His first young adult novel, Of Things Not Seen, earned him a 1996 Ann Connor Brimer Award and a Canadian Authors' Association Lilla Stirling Award for excellence in children's literature. His second, Stranger at Bay, is a worthy follow-up.... Aker has a deft hand with dialogue and characters.... More than a new-kid-on-the-block, coming-of-age tale, this is an impressive story."
- The Daily News, February 8, 1998
"Aker's hero, Randy, gives a particularly wry and self-deprecating view of teendom as well as life-with-parents in an often acerbic tone that is genuinely funny from first chapter to last."
- Canadian Children's Literature, no. 96, vol. 25:4
"Stranger at Bay made me laugh and made me cry, but most of all made me remember what it was like to be a teenager trying to fit in.... Randy's voice is the perfect combination of the self-deprecation and self-centredness common to teenagers. Because Aker gets the voice absolutely right, it is easy to identify with Randy; and because Aker uses a light hand and some humour, it doesn't become claustrophobic being in Randy's head. A light hand seems to be Aker's strength. He gives Randy some insight into his own behaviour and feelings, but not too much, so the novel never becomes preachy. Aker doesn't try to change the world with this novel, just allows the main characters to grow a little bit, resolve some of their current conflicts, and make peace with the past."
- Resource Links, February 1998
"A teacher in Middleton, Nova Scotia, Aker writes with authority about the school milieu. As Robert Cormier did in The Chocolate War, Aker reveals that schools, ostensibly places of learning and enlightenment, can have a nasty darker side; some students, especially the academically bright, small, weak, or physically unattractive, find themselves victimized and/or excluded from the social mainstream. Recommended."
- Canadian Book Review Annual: Canadian Children's Literature, 1997
"Aker writes consistently good dialogue and scenes for [his teenaged characters]. He also creates adults whose words and actions are believable."
- The Chronicle-Herald, November 8, 1997
"Among other first-class YA authors is Don Aker, whose first book, Of Things Not Seen, won the Ann Connor Brimer Award and the Lilla Stirling Award. Stranger at Bay is another feather in his cap.... [Aker] has an eye for the subtleties of everyday relationships, between fellow students, or between parents and children. Stranger at Bay offers readers good entertainment, food for thought, and a promise of more good things to come from Don Aker."
- Atlantic Books Today, No. 19, Winter 1997-98
"The conversations and relationships [in Stranger at Bay] are natural and believable, bringing a marvelous sense of the absurdity of the moment that will be appreciated by readers of any age."
- Forest Hill Town Crier, March 1, 1998
"[Stranger at Bay] is an insightful glimpse into the trials of a ninth grader's traumatic move from an elite private school in Ontario to a rural high school in Nova Scotia. [Aker is] an astute observer of teenagers, as evidenced by the crisp dialogue, relevant issues, quirky sense of humour, and current jargon.... [Aker] excels in humour of the unexpected, the quick wit, and in amusing double meanings of our regular language.... [He] is to be complimented on the reality and strength of [his] portrayal of Randy, as well as the other kids."
- Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, Volume 41, No. 7, April 1998.
Return to top of page
THE FIRST STONE (2003)
"The First Stone might just break your heart. Luckily, however, Don Aker is right there to sew it back together again, an act he accomplishes with humour, real compassion, and a surgeon's eye for detail. Your heart will be stronger for the experience."
- Tim Wynne-Jones, author of The Maestro
"The gritty but sensitive reality of The First Stone will certainly appeal to young people.... It's a page-turner."
- Budge Wilson, author of The Leaving
"Takes us to the edge and back.... Superbly conceived."
- Ron Jobe, Ph.D., University of British Columbia
"Almost four decades ago, the appearance of S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders helped to change the content of North American YA literature by revealing a dark underside of adolescence. While the book's enduring theme causes it still to be read today, the romantic portrayal of Ponyboy and his friends simply no longer rings true. The contemporary 'Greasers' and 'Socs' can be found, however, in Don Aker's The First Stone, which powerfully captures what it can be like to be an adolescent member of today's marginalized underclass.... Highly recommended."
- Dave Jenkinson, Editor, CM
"Don Aker has created in [The First Stone] a gripping and unflinching story that envelops readers from the first page.... This astounding and honest book will linger with readers long after they leave its final pages."
- Lisa Doucet, Book News Summer 2003
"[The First Stone] is a page-turning story that also has sensitivity and genuine characters to whom the reader becomes attached. Reef, in particular, is introduced as a person no one can like; he's belligerent, unrepentant, and destructive. As the tale unfolds, however, [the reader] follows the changes [he experiences] and sees that he is worthwhile, worth the effort. Chris Crutcher--move over."
- Leslie Koster, Toronto Public Library
Return to top of page
LANGUAGE & WRITING (1998-2001)
(Textbook series co-authored with Dave Hodgkinson)
"The Language and Writing [series] details the forms, elements, and characteristics of literary genres and writing functions, and addresses language features such as mechanics, usage, grammar, and spelling. Information about word origins and the contributions of many cultures and languages to English usage and spelling extends students' learning. The use of models in [these] texts enables students to learn about the elements of literary genres and writing forms in a concrete and meaningful manner. The models ... are particularly effective in instructing students in the Applied course. The writing [texts] make strong connections between the elements of writing such as form, style, conventions, literary devices, and mechanics and the examples of these elements expressed in the models.
"Student activities and tasks provide for demonstrations of learning in a variety of concrete or performance formats. Numerous opportunities exist for students to apply their learning in interviews, posters, written reports, advertisements, and oral presentations. Self-assessment is encouraged, using checklists, questions, and activities for reflection. The Teacher's Guides contain a variety of assessment tools such as checklists and rubrics tied to the levels of the Ontario Achievement Chart.
"The writing [series] is well organized, with an inviting format that is easily accessible by students. Selections and activities represent a variety of people, countries, cultures, and life circumstances. Role models of diverse background, both male and female, along with stories and information from various cultures serve to broaden the world view of students.
"Summary: [Language and Writing] is a high-interest resource that uses an engaging full-colour format and teaches language skills in a meaningful context, using authentic writing samples and students' own work. [This is] a manageable resource that offers useful mini-lessons and extensive exercises for skills development."
- Ontario Curriculum Correlation
Return to top of page
|
