The DEWPOINT SHOW

The Dewpoint Show made the 2015 Canlit for Little Canadians back-to-school list. http://canlitforlittlecanadians.blogspot.ca/2015/08/back-to-school-book-list.html

The Dewpoint Show was one of three finalists for the Writers' Guild of Alberta 2012 Ross Annett award for children's fiction.

Structured like a video, with a strong “viewing” motif throughout, The Dewpoint Show is the story of how 13-year-old Leonard Pierson breaks from his role as a spectator in life. Leonard’s helicopter mother, absent minded father, along with the straight-talking elderly woman next door, and her three-legged dog, all play leading roles in Leonard’s coming-of-age show.

Although categorized as a book for young adults (age 12+), the book was written for all ages and offers an engaging perspective for adult readers.

REVIEWS

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books - November 2010
The plot in this Canadian novel is a subtle underlay to the sharp and humorous observations of Leonard’s daily life...Leonard will be ruefully recognizable to many young people, even those who haven’t had a moose heart dropped unexpectedly into their laps, and they’ll snicker at his view of the world even as they applaud his eventual willingness to participate in it. .—DS

VOYA Magazine - December 2010
Thirteen-year-old Leonard Pierson, an only child, is an accomplished observer—so accomplished that his mother fears an obsession and moves the family to the countryside to limit his voyeurism. Leonard’s new room, however, still has a window, beyond which reside his ancient neighbor, Vivian, and her three-legged dog, Tripod. Eccentric Vivian installs a hot tub in her yard, generously inviting all to enjoy. Leonard, to his mother’s horror, takes a dip, marking the beginning of a friendship that eventually moves Leonard from observer to participant, with many hurdles along the way.—Laura Woodruff.

Canadian Teacher Magazine - January 2011
At the age of thirteen, Leonard is quite fascinated by watching people. He often treats his observations as if he were filming everything, fascinated by watching people. At various points throughout the book Leonard will “zoom in” on an object or situation, do a commentary, and then “zoom out.” At other times there will be a “pause” and the story is told from another character’s point of view. After the word “resume,” Leonard continues with the story...

All the chapter headings are written on a Clapboard, which is the board that is clapped in front of the camera just before the director says, “Action.” The last chapter of the book is called, “Sequel.” It is five years later and Vivian is still one of Leonard’s best friends. The final chapter gives a nice closure to the novel and a happy ending for everyone on “The Dewpoint Show.”—Julia Rank.