Description:
A contemporary story-in-vers, vividly told in rich and playful linked poems, about an eleven-year-old girl who desperately wants both a dog and for her family to stay together.
Brief description: Saskatoon writer Katherine Lawrence has published four poetry collections, most recently Black Umbrella (Turnstone Press, 2022). Her poetry has been published across the country and has been longlisted twice for the CBC Literary Awards. Originally from Hamilton, Katherine has lived on the prairies for over 35 years. She is a former writer-in-residence for the Saskatoon Public Library and holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Saskatchewan. You can find her online at www.katherinelawrence.net.
Review Quotes: Winner of a 2017 Moonbeam Award (Gold) for Children's Poetry
"At first glance, Stay appears to be modest in length, form, and story. But within the spare pages of this middle-grade novel in verse is a powerful narrative about a family in transition, and the young girl at its centre who needs to form something new and whole from what remains . . . Though the plot of Stay is relatively straightforward, Katherine Lawrence's writing is not. Lawrence is an accomplished author with several books of poetry for adults to her name; here she pens a novel for young readers so profound and complex in its voice and subtle in its story that multiple readings are necessary to appreciate all the nuances . . . Stay might be a quick read, but it's a book that should be savoured."
- Quill & Quire (starred review)"While a child can teach a dog to 'Stay, ' a child cannot cause parents to stay together. This free-verse novel is a powerful portrayal of a nuclear family that is coming apart . . . Highly Recommended."
- Canadian Review of Materials"Stay is brilliantly written; each word serves its purpose and powerfully paints the characters. The format is wonderfully unique. It manages to be both accessible to children and lyrically sophisticated at the same time. Heavy subject matter is treated with a deft hand."
"Katherine Lawrence's middle grade novel-in-verse, Stay, evokes the changeable emotions of eleven-year-olds and the enduring truths of community. Here is a world of families in transition, poor puppy training, and the possibility of discovering something new within the tatters of the old. Filled with charm and world play, Stay is a hopeful response to our modern struggles . . . It's everyday magic-stirred up, made bright."