New Releases by Julie Lawson

A follow-up of the bestselling, Geoffrey Bilson Award -- and Victoria Book Prize -- nominated A Blinding Light, focusing on the aftermath of the Halifax Explosion and the onset of the Great Influenza Pandemic. When Jane Mooney''s older brother Connor lies about his age and enlists in the Great War at age fifteen, she can''t imagine ever being more devastated. But on December 6, 1917, when two ships collide in Halifax Harbour, the resulting explosion proves her wrong. An injured Jane awakes to discover that the North End of Halifax, including her home, has been destroyed; her father and three of her brothers have been killed; her mother, recovering from a head injury, has been left confused and forgetful; and her two surviving brothers are looking to her for guidance. Like so many Explosion survivors, Jane and her family are forced to start over. This means accommodation in a newly-constructed apartment block, clothing and furniture from donation centres, and a new school. Unfortunately for Jane, the school she must now attend is in the prosperous South End. How will she fit in with her uppity classmates? The only bright light is that Jane now lives closer to her best friend, Livy Schneider. Livy''s older brother, Will, a student at the same school, gives Jane a job at the school newspaper. The start of the 1918 school year appears more hopeful until Jane hears rumblings of a new enemy at their door -- and this one is contagious. The Great Influenza Pandemic has reached Halifax''s vulnerable shores. In a time of financial and emotional strain, and with this terrifying new threat, how will Jane keep her family safe? And why hasn?t Connor written to her? Will he ever return from the trenches? Following in the immediate wake of A Blinding Light, with a universal message of hope and determination, Out of the Dark uses dual point of view to tell a remarkable story of rebuilding and resilience in a time of global upheaval.

This research investigates the rationale for an Australian Housing and Homelessness Strategy. Applying contemporary thinking about the role of governments in complex problem-solving, and lessons from other ''national approaches'' here and internationally, it sets out options for achieving cohesive, co-ordinated action on housing and homelessness in the Australian federation.The landmark UN project Housing2030 conceives of good housing policy governance deriving from clear strategic frameworks, mission-focused institutions, capable stakeholders, long-term leadership and commitment. It typically requires multi-level governance, based on long-term agreements. It is also open to monitoring and critique, strengthens the voice of marginalised groups, learns from mistakes and adapts when necessary. In this way a national housing strategy can be market-shaping and transformative, addressing causes of well understood challenges, designing relevant policies and programs to ensure adequate housing for all.Australia''s primary housing and homelessness mission should be that everyone in Australia has adequate housing. Australian legislation should place an obligation on the Housing Minister to make an Australian Housing and Homelessness Strategy, as well as obligations to regularly report on progress and periodically evaluate and review the strategy.International experience shows the vital role played by dedicated housing agencies co-ordinating the development and implementation of strategies, and, with development, Housing Australia is well placed to be Australia''s lead housing agency and to present the public face of the Strategy as it progresses.

Life makes all of us feel stressed and overwhelmed at times, so how do some seem to manage it so well? How do they overcome fear to achieve remarkable success? They know how to be resilient. Whether it''s managing daily stress and burnout or overcoming life''s most difficult adversities, Warrior Principles helps you develop the seven most important characteristics for living resiliently. These principles, based on more than 20 years of research, build the emotional and mental strength you need to navigate life''s challenges.--Publisher.

A unique insight into the ways in which one of today''s leading artists is inspired by great works of the past. In 16 emphatically modern new paintings, renowned artist, Alison Watt, responds to the remarkable delicacy of the female portraits by eighteenth-century Scottish portraitist, Allan Ramsay. Watt''s new works are particularly inspired by Ramsay''s much-loved portrait of his wife, along with less familiar portraits and drawings. Watt shines a light on enigmatic details in Ramsay''s work and has created paintings which hover between the genres of still life and portraiture. In conversation with curator Julie Lawson, Watt discusses how painters look at paintings, explains why Ramsay inspired her, and provides unique insight into her own creative process. Andrew O''Hagan responds to Watt''s paintings with a new work of short fiction and art historian Tom Normand''s commentary explores further layers of depth to our understanding of both artists.

Safe, adequate, affordable and appropriate housing is critical to health, wellbeing, and social and economic security. However, many Australians cannot find housing in the private market, and the social housing system is under-resourced and manifestly unable to meet demand.In response to this, there is emerging interest in whether reconceptualising social housing as a form of essential infrastructure might help to attract additional investment, especially from private sector sources.

Compared to standard infrastructure assessments, establishing social housing outcomes are more complex and multifaceted. This research investigated various business case frameworks for funding social housing as infrastructure, including using cost-benefit analysis (CBA) and other alternatives, in order to develop stronger analytical methodologies. The ''avoided cost'' approach estimates whole-of-government savings across portfolios, avoiding assigning financial value to the ''intangible'' dimensions of housing that a CBA would typically calculate. The ''housing adjusted life years'' (HALY) methodology sees social housing as a welfare/ public health intervention which improves life expectancy and quality of life.

This research modelled five alternative pathways to funding social housing and found the ''capital grant'' model, supplemented by efficient financing, provides the most cost-effective model for Australia. The research also established the current and future unmet need for social housing in different parts of Australia.

It''s 1917 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The First World War is raging, and despite its distance from the conflict, the Halifax Harbour is bustling with activity. Anti-German prejudice is rampant, and though 12-year-old Livy Schroeder and her 15-year-old brother Will are still mourning the loss of their father, who died in a mysterious boating accident just six months before, his German heritage doesn''t merit them much sympathy. The rumours he''d been a German spy are only flamed by his disappearance. On the morning of December 6, while Livy is in Richmond begging forgiveness from the Schroeders'' former housekeeper, Will is atop Citadel Hill reporting for the school paper, when he sees two ships collide. A flash of light, then thunder from underground: the Halifax Explosion hits. Instantly, the city is unrecognizable. Lost and separated in the dark, destroyed city, will the siblings find each other again? Where is their mother? And who is to blame for the catastrophe? In A Blinding Light, award-winning author Julie Lawson (No Safe Harbour) tells a riveting story of the Halifax Explosion and its aftermath, exploring the concepts of guilt, blame, and taking ownership, the divide between the rich and poor, locals and immigrants, as well as the human bonds that arise in times of tragedy. Young readers will be spellbound, and teachers and librarians will find plenty of topics for discussion in the book''s historical and cultural lessons.

A tale of how community can heal the brokenness in everyone.

When Char Hawthorn''s husband dies unexpectedly, she is left questioning everything she once knew to be true: from the cozy small town life they built together to her relationship with her stepdaughter, who is suddenly not bound to Char in any real way. Untethered explores what bonds truly form a family and how, sometimes, love knows no bounds. Char Hawthorn, college professor, wife and stepmother to a spirited fifteen-year-old daughter, loves her family and the joyful rhythms of work and parenting. But when her husband dies in a car accident, the “step” in Char’s title suddenly matters a great deal. In the eyes of the law, all rights to daughter Allie belong to Lindy, Allie’s self-absorbed biological mother, who wants to girl to move to her home in California. While Allie begins to struggle in school and tensions mount between her and Char, Allie’s connection to young Morgan, a ten-year-old-girl she tutors, seems to keep her grounded. But then Morgan, who was adopted out of foster care, suddenly disappears, and Char is left to wonder about a possible future without Allie and what to do about Morgan, a child caught up in a terrible crack in the system.

“A beautifully drawn study of what is at risk when you lose control of your own life. Unique, gripping, and viscerally moving—this impressive debut novel heralds the arrival of an extremely talented writer.” —Jodi Picoult, New York Times–bestselling author of Leaving Time Destined to be a book club favorite, a heart-wrenching debut about two people who must decide how much they’re willing to sacrifice for love. Mara Nichols is a successful lawyer, devoted wife, and adoptive mother who has received a life-shattering diagnosis. Scott Coffman, a middle school teacher, has been fostering an eight-year-old boy while the boy’s mother serves a jail sentence. Scott and Mara both have five days left until they must say good-bye to the ones they love the most. Through their stories, Julie Lawson Timmer explores the individual limits of human endurance and the power of relationships, and shows that sometimes loving someone means holding on, and sometimes it means letting go.

A real fish tale! When "the big one" gets away, Amy figures the day is ruined. Or is it? Set on Canada''s west coast, A Morning to Polish and Keep is a story of adventure, family interaction and the lasting comfort of memory. Recommended reading ages: 4-10

Published to accompany the exhibition of the same name held at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 14th June-19th October, 2014.

A young girl living at three Hudson''s Bay Company posts yearns for more adventure and freedom than the rules of mid-1800s HBC society allow.Motherless for years, and now orphaned when a hunting accident takes her father''s life, Jenna Sinclair is in the care of her prim Aunt Grace, who always finds fault with Jenna''s high spirits and tendency to break rules. Jenna finds kindred spirits in her Grandmother, one of the Home Guard Cree who lives near Fort Edmonton, and with her friend Suzanne. But even then, Jenna is still eager to have more freedom, and daydreams of finding Adventure with a capital A.Opportunity knocks after Jenna moves southwest with her newly-married aunt to Fort Colvile, and begs her aunt to let her attend a ""real"" school at Fort Victoria on Vancouver''s Island. With a small brigade, she begins a sometimes harrowing journey down rivers and over mountains to her new life. But the teachers at the new school are even more strict than her aunt, and she can''t find a friend as likeable as Suzanne. Ever restless, Jenna wants the kind of excitement worthy of being included in a Novel. By sneaking outside the fort walls, spying on the Company officers, even visiting the forbidden Songhees village, she sometimes finds more than she bargained for.As Jenna faithfully records her observations of the world around her — bringing the reader ""inside the walls"" of three very different HBC posts — she makes surprising discoveries about herself, and about Heroes, Villains and the places where Adventure can truly be found."

A teenage boy finds himself caught up in a century-old mystery -- aboard the Titanic! Kevin and his family are enroute to Halifax to check out a house they have mysteriously inherited from a man named Angus Seaton -- mysterious because none of them have any clue who he was or why they would be named in his will. While at the house, Kevin does his own investigating and discovers some old artifacts hidden behind a wall, including enigmatic photographs dating back to 1911, which show a young woman and her baby. This puzzling discovery leads to troubling dreams for Kevin -- haunting dreams and a voice that plagues him, a voice he cannot escape. Someone -- somehwere -- needs his help. One night he tries to answer the call, and finds himself in another reality, another time, in a flooded corridor... ... aboard the ship Titanic. In this ghostly new mystery by award--winning writer Julie Lawson, the terror, anxiety and reality of the sinking of the Titanic comes to life, as a teenage boy tries to right the wrongs of the past... and put some troubled souls to rest.

Captain McKee''s canoe has a mind of its own, and takes its passengers on a rollicking pirate adventure! The narrator of this whimsical rhyming story sets off in an enchanted canoe with his brother and O''Malley -- a stuffed kangaroo -- and meets up with a band of fearsome pirates. But the swashbucklers turn out to be friendly after all, and they all share a feast of hot dogs and "sizzled mallows," before the canoe speeds the adventurers safely home. The Pirates of Captain McKee was previously published under the title Whatever You Do, Don''t Go Near That Canoe!, a 1996 Governor General Award winner for its illustrations.

While heading for the Klondike to look for gold, Noah takes his cat, against his father''s wishes.

Eleven-year-old Sam''s first visit to the remote west coast of Vancouver Island is nothing like she''d expected. Her older cousins tease "the city kid" mercilessly when they''re not ignoring her altogether. She often finds herself left to her own devices. Still, the woods and beaches around Brackenwood Point offer plenty of room to explore. Then, one day, Sam comes face-to-face with a wild cougar and her two cubs, and her summer vacation suddenly gets much more exciting.

In "Emily: Building Bridges," Hing''s family finally arrives and Emily at last meets Mei Yuk, Hing''s daughter. After a rocky start, the two girls become fast friends. But as Emily begins to include Mei Yuk in her social life, she finds things changing between her and Alice, her best friend. Inspired by her art teacher, a young Emily Carr, Emily learns the importance of staying true to oneself. She also learns the meaning of tolerance and friendship.

Kate''s father is a builder for the Canadian Pacific Railway as it snakes across the mountains and through the Fraser Canyon. Everyone is excited about the "Iron Horse", but building the railroad is a treacherous undertaking. Kate is always thinking about her father''s safety, and the Accident Hospital next door is a constant reminder of the hazards the railroad brings. Despite the danger, there is tremendous excitement surrounding the creation of the transcontinental railroad as Kate, her town, and all of Canada eagerly await its completion. Vetted by historical experts, each book in this series contains maps, numerous period illustrations, and an extensive historical note.

Emily Murdoch is looking forward to one of her favourite times of the year: the four-day celebration of Queen Victoria''s birthday. Her excitement at the approaching festivities is tempered by her disappointment that her coveted bicycle may now be an impossibility and that Hing has decided to leave the Murdoch household. She has also had a falling-out with her best friend, Alice. On May 26, Emily, her family and friends climb on board streetcars for the ride to Esquimalt to witness the climax of the holiday celebrations. As Car 16 rolls onto the Point Ellice Bridge, the centre span of the bridge collapses, and the streetcar--packed with more than 120 passengers--plunges into the Gorge.

A beautiful and unusual story about a bear''s odd choice for a hibernation spot and the boy who witnesses it.

On her first night in the mountains with her family, a little girl is unable to sleep. She sits by the window and listens to the sounds of the winter night. As she imagines the nighttime world outside, she also anticipates the pleasures of the days to come. And day or night, even if she falls asleep, the little girl knows the mountains will beckon her to a magical place of endless snow. Full-color illustrations.