Tin Angel

The Raven's mountain lodge has been in the family for generations, allowing Ronnie and her sister to grow up surrounded by nature. But with fewer tourists coming to the lodge each summer, their father is forced to look for investors, and is killed in an accident on a business trip. The situation leaves Ronnie's mother with no choice but to sell the lodge to Louis Moss – a man Ronnie blames when her idyllic life is turned upside down.

When the lodge burns to the ground, with Moss inside, Ronnie is the police's only suspect, and is coerced into a confession. The dramatic court case unfolds, with some portraying Ronnie as a monster who killed a generous man that had stepped in to take care of her family, and others seeing her as a minor whose rights were violated by detectives. In the end, Ronnie herself is unsure of her complete guilt or innocence, in this intense novel in which everyone has something to hide.

Awards and Reviews:

“American readers, hooked by this finely woven, heart-wrenching, coming-of-age narration, will be undaunted by the concluding trial with references to Canada’s juvenile-justice system. Instead, they will be treated to revealed secrets, Ronnie’s redemption and a history of political activism that spread across borders.” – Kirkus Reviews, Oct. 2007

“... readers will be riveted ... Rich with imagery and raw with emotion ... This is a must-read.” – Quill & Quire Starred Review, Nov. 2007

“... a multitude of uses in the Canadian classroom, and a rewarding read for all ... touches on an amazing variety of themes: stifling small town life, realistic portrayals of poverty and substance abuse, 1970s political activism, and the troubling evolution of Canadian youth justice. High school teachers from all disciplines will find this book a wonderful addition to their curricula. Memories of unproductive, giggly mock trials in my Grade 12 Law class implore me to especially recommend Tin Angel to secondary teachers in Social Studies, Canadian History, and Law ... promises a fulfilling reading experience, one created by an undeniably skilled writer.” – CM: Canadian Review of Materials, Nov. 2007

“... an intriguing look at the legal system pre-Young Offender's Act and the political climate in Canada at the beginning of the 1970s. However, the author has also created a complex coming of age story, examining very contemporary issues of loss, depression and major upheaval in the life of a teenager ... Ronnie's account is wonderfully written. Her voice is authentic and honest ... She is a complex character, appearing both prematurely old and emotionally young at the same time and, while she is sympathetic and likeable, she is uncertain of herself and her innocence, and readers will question just how accountable she is for what took place ... a fascinating and well-conceived first foray into YA literature, and whether it is read as enrichment for a high school law class, or as a coming-of-age novel such as Kathy Stinson's Becoming Ruby, readers will stay with it from the first page to the last.” – Canadian Children's Book News, Spring 2008

“Cowan develops the characters in the story more fully than many writers for young adults ... She evokes the isolation and beauty of the Coast Mountains, the rhythms of small-town life, and the events and mood of the late 1960s and early '70s to create a rich story about a mysterious and violent incident and an unlikely criminal.” – Montreal Review of Books, Fall 2007

“Strong themes of youth rights propel the story to an exciting and vivid conclusion, and readers will not be able to put down this marvelous, righteous tale that feels ripped from the headlines. Like Chris Crutcher or Alex Flinn, Cowan vividly presents issues that are worthy of classroom discussion.” – VOYA, Dec. 2007

“... [a] socially conscious story of loss and persecution.” – ForeWord, Nov. 2007

“... tragedy and redemption ... the old Canadian Juvenile Delinquent Act ... small town West Coast life and the political sensibility of the era ... Cowan has masterfully combined all these separate elements in Tin Angel while creating a character so real there are times you want to reach out to her ... all the elements that will appeal to young readers -- it doesn't talk down to them and it allows the protagonist to solve her own problems.” – Victoria Times-Colonist, Sept. 2007

“Tin Angel is beautifully written and well paced ... Cowan gives her readers characters to connect with, characters to mourn and characters to despise, all of them unforgettable.” – Vancouver Sun, Nov. 2007

“This novel explores several very diverse topics including: the youth justice system, radical activist groups in the 1960's, and the brutality of high school life.” – Resource Links, Dec. 2007

• Shortlisted, Canadian Children's Book Centre's Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People (2008)
• Selected, Quill & Quire “Best Books of the Year” (2007)
• Selected, “Best of 2007” by January Magazine
• Selected, Canadian Bookseller Magazine “Picks of the Kid Litter” (Nov. 2007)

Customer Reviews:

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