Most Popular Books by Maxine Trottier

A young sailor is caught up in the naval siege of Quebec leading up to the battle on the Plains of Abraham. Fourteen-year-old William Jenkins is working at a printing house when he comes to the attention of navigator and naval officer James Cook. William signs up to serve with Cook on the warship HMS Pembroke, part of Britain''s fleet setting out to take the French stronghold of Quebec. William soon learns that the world of a British sailor is a harsh one, especially when the ship lays siege to the fortress and is attacked by French fire ships - burning wrecks sent downstream to set the British warships on fire. On one raid, William is captured by the French allies, the Abenaki, and taken into Quebec itself, which is under constant bombardment from British cannons. With the siege strangling Quebec''s lifelines, William finds a way outside the fortress walls just in time to join the British soldiers landing their boats and preparing to face the French on the Plains of Abraham. A dramatic story of the Seven Years'' War, culminating in the siege and battle that claimed Canada for Britain.

Anna, the daughter of migrant farm workers, feels like different animals as she follows her family as they travel looking for work.

In early 18th-century Quebec, a headstrong young girl must make difficult decisions after she defies convention and buys a slave his freedom.

"Those are markers to lead you home," the captain told his son. "People here call them Inukshuks. They say some are as old as time." David wondered at the lichen-covered stones stacked in human shapes, but there were so many wonders in this strange land that he gave them little thought. Then one night, when winter had gone on forever and no one had seen the sun for so very long, a sharp, quick barking woke David. He turned in his bed and looked out of the port. There, at the edge of the shore, two foxes stood in the moonlight. David climbed down the gangplank and ran across the frozen bay. The animals turned and scampered away. David followed, the foxes dancing just out of reach. At last he stopped. Behind him, the ship was gone. Ahead, the foxes melted into the night. David was alone.

Marietta''s father, Jacopo Tintoretto, is a renowned and famous artist living in Venice during the Renaissance era. More than anything, Merietta wants to paint like her father. But Marietta is a girl--to work and study with her father she must disguise herself in boy''s clothing. Her hose and doublet allow her to accompany her father to the studios and galleries of Venice with the paint box her father has given her. "A gift from one painter to another, my dear. The work of an artist can fill the heart with light. Use it well, Marietta, and your heart will know happiness." When Marietta meets Piero, a young cabin boy, she is envious of everything he sees sailing the oceans--mountains, meadows and seas far from Venice. But Piero, sold into slavery to the ship''s captain, only dreams of staying at home and learning to paint. As the friendship between the two grows throughout the summer, they make plans that will allow Piero''s dreams to come to fruition. And when the time for Piero''s escape home arrives, Marietta''s special gift of her cherished paint box makes his trip extra special.

Too poor to buy a real kite, Eddie flies an imaginary one that catches the attention of Old Chan, the wealthy patron of the kite festival.

I will take care of your garden, Mr. hiroshi," I offered. He smiled. "That would give me great comfort, Mary," he said. "The koi are greedy, you know. Do not let them get fat." We watched the bus drive away. For Mary, too young to fully understand about war and far-off places, the promise was meant to last only until Mr. Hiroshi came back. But after a while it was clear the her friend wouldn''t be coming home. Still, Mary faithfully kept her word all through that long summer. And when the new people came to live in Mr. Hiroshi''s house, she knew exactly what to do. Once more, Maxine Trottier takes a small piece of a larger story, nurtures it with care, and grows a tale as elegant as a Japanese Garden. Flags is a simple story of innocence and friendship set against a backdrop of fear and suspicion. A story that must be told and told again--but never allowed to recur.

Our Choice outstanding book selection, CCBC Outstanding Book, Parent Council In this exquisitely wrought tale, young Van finds a walking stick at the foot of a huge teak tree. Blessed by Buddha, it becomes his talisman, his life long link to the past, and the support he will need to carry him into the uncertain future. For when the winds change blow, not even the deep forest of Vietnam remain safe. With the walking stick and his indomitable spirit, Van leads his family to safety and new land. Though the years pass in peace, the ever-present tap, tapping at the brass-tipped walking stick is Van''s constant reminder of the customs, voices, and land he will always remember with love. When the stick''s long odyssey is finally over, it is Van''s granddaughter who carries it home and places it at Buddha''s feet. The Walking Stick is a tribute to all those who must see beyond the next hill.

Shortlisted for the 2006 Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Award Long before she becomes Queen of England, Princess Victoria rides out in an open coach with her mother. Around her neck the child proudly wears her new silk scarf -- long, white, and embroidered with her initial. But the scarf will not belong to the young princess for long. A mischievous breeze will tug at the scarf, uncoil it from the little girl''s neck, and lift it into the air. The young princess will grow up, become queen, and rule her people for many years before she will see her scarf again. And what of the scarf? How long will it float on the breeze and find a succession of owners before time -- and chance -- bring it back to its rightful owner at last?

Five fascinating biographies of some of the most famous Canadian inventors who ever lived. From Alexander Graham Bell and the telephone, to James Naismith and the game of basketball, this book is written in easy-to-understand language and is a terrific introduction to Canadians who have changed how we live today

When Mack and Jamie MacNeil are kidnapped by the sinister Ben Sparks, a dangerous adventure is set in motion. Forced to travel through the North American wilderness on the eve of the American Revolution, Mack and Jamie''s very lives are on the line. As they try to thwart the evil that stalks them, they meet many brave allies, participate in thrilling political intrigue, and even find love. It is a journey that neither Mack nor Jamie would have chosen, but once set upon its path, their lives will be changed forever. Be sure to read the first book in The Circle of Silver Chronicles, A Circle of Silver, for more tales of the MacNeils'' adventures in the New World.

Young Hélène St. Onge and her older sister Catherine are orphans. When King Louis XVI orders all men in New France to marry, Catherine becomes a fille du roi, one of the many young women sent to the new world as brides. Hélène will accompany her on the long sea voyage and live with her sister''s new family. But Catherine dies during the grueling journey, and Hélène finds herself alone in a strange new country. New France is a far harsher place than she imagined, with bitter winters and the threat of attack from the Iroquois. Will the few friendships she has made on her long voyage enable her to survive?

Edward turned to follow the others as a cannon exploded. The powder charge was too great. Men fell to the deck screaming, but Edward could not hear them, for the blast had been deafening! It is 1812 and Edward MacNeil''s task is simple: escort Kate and Anne Kimmerling home to America, then travel to his uncle''s cabin to wait out the war. But a vicious storm on Lake Erie leaves Edward and the girls shipwrecked on an island and caught in the midst of the conflict. Half British, half Oneida, Edward''s loyalties are already divided, but his growing affection for an American makes his path even more unclear. As Edward finds his way, he comes to learn that courage, friendship, and love know no bounds. For more of the MacNeils'' adventures, look for the first two books in the Circle of Silver Chronicles, A Circle of Silver and By the Standing Stone.

Meet five amazing adventurers and learn about their historic Canadian journeys. Meet five explorers whose travels opened up our country! Packed full of illustrations and photographs, this book includes the biographies of Pierre de La Verendrye and Samuel Hearne, as well as Jacques Cartier, who gave Canada its name; Samuel de Champlain, the founder of Quebec; and David Thompson, the man who mapped close to four million square kilometres of Canada and is still considered one of the world''s greatest geographers. Canadian Explorers includes a table of contents, historic photographs and full colour art, and is perfect for curriculum use.

This book in the Kids Can Do It series features more than 16 beautiful crafts.

In Loon Rock, an Indian boy goes to sleep on the lakeshore and dreams of a loon with a flaming red eye. When he wakes, he does what he did in his dream: he grinds red stones to paint the loon high on the rocks across the lake from his village. When he returns, the villagers clap and sing -- he has come home a warrior who has left his mark on the rocks.

Meet five amazing Canadians whose leadership has made a difference to our country.This book is filled with illustrations and photographs, and is written at a level suitable for young Canadians to read to themselves. It includes a table of contents and is perfect for curriculum. Included are the lives of Prime Ministers Sir John A.Macdonald and Pierre Elliott Trudeau, first lay nurse Jeanne Mance, Mohawk Chief Joseph Brant and Officer Sam Steele of the North West Mounted Police.

It is 1760, and Lord MacNeil decides that the way to make a man of his 13-year-old son, John, is to bring him along from England to Canada. He knows that John, with his expert drawing skills, will make an excellent cartographer of Canada''s wilderness; an activity that will keep him away from the dangers of war. On the eve of John''s departure, his beloved twin sister, Jane, gives him her treasured silver ring. As John wears this circle of silver, it becomes the link to everything he loves: his homeland, the frontier, and his newly-made friends - especially the intriguing Marie Roy. Set against a backdrop of tradition, growing unrest, and the looming danger of Pontiac''s Rebellion, John''s experiences in a young Canada do indeed carry him toward manhood. The first in a trilogy, A Circle of Silver brings history, memory, and hope together in a seamless adventure of discovery.

Selected as a Starred Book for the 1998/99 Our Choice Awards by the Canadian Children''s Book Centre Short listed for the Ruth Schwartz award 1999 Notable Book, Social Studies, Children''s Books Council Children''s Choice selection, Children''s Book Council and International Reading Association Emily''s weeping willow becomes a living symbol of the warmth, strength, and history shared by generations of one family. When Emily''s family moves to the ocean of grass called the prairie, she can''t help but dream of trees. After building their sod house, ploughing, planting and then harvesting, her Papa tells her there is a little money left over to get something special from the mail-order catalogue. She chooses a willow tree. The Prairie Willow chronicles the life of this little girl and her pioneering family.

A young girl watches as the Métis life she knows is threatened by conflict and the men in her family are called to action by Louis Riel, the charismatic leader of the North West Resistance.Tension grips Batoche, Saskatchewan in 1885. Many Métis moved here after the 1870 Riel Rebellion in Manitoba left them disallusioned. But life in Batoche is difficult. The buffalo on which the Métis depended for generations have been hunted almost to extinction, and the coming of white settlers poses a threat to their traditional way of life. The Métis want title to their land, but the government has delayed for years. Promises are no longer enough . . . and talk of a second uprising is in the air.Thirteen-year-old Josephine finds herself torn over her feelings about the Resistance: she is worried for her brother, who is eager to fight; for her father, who prefers a peaceful solution; for Edmond Swift Fox, her friend, whom she loves and will eventually marry; and for Louis Riel, the leader whose efforts to help the Métis preserve their way of life are actions she grows to respect and admire.Through Josephine''s faithful diary entries, the reader is transported into this pivotal moment in Canadian history — the time leading up to the defeat of the Métis and the allied First Nations forces at Batoche, the execution of Louis Riel, and the growing tensions between English Canada and French Canada.