At the height of summer, Toby and his family hike into the Northern Ontario backcountry for a family camping vacation, hoping to disconnect from their busy city life and seeking adventure. In this exhilarating adventure, Toby, Graham, and Evelyn wander away from their campsite and get lost. They learn that many things lurk within the woods, as they face adventure after treacherous adventure.
In this exciting tale, Toby and the children must work together to survive each frightening challenge. As darkness falls and the trio are tired, injured, and far from safety, they ask themselves, “Will we make it out alive?”
Join Toby, the family dog, as he tells the story of their struggle to survive the wild wilderness of the Canadian backcountry. And see if they are able to escape from Killarney.
KIRKUS REVIEW (kirkus.com)
An action adventure about two kids and their dog surviving in the wilderness.
A family camping adventure in the Ontario wilderness becomes a struggle for survival in Graham’s (What is Growing Out of Your Ear?, 2014) middle-grade novel. Hiking with their parents, Graham and his sister, Evelyn, mistakenly get separated after chasing after the family dog, Toby. Out in the wilderness by themselves, they must keep their wits about them as they encounter dangerous predators. As Graham and Evelyn find their way back to their mysteriously abandoned campsite, Toby wonders whether the strange woodsman Graham saw earlier has possibly done something to their parents. But more pressing dangers await: The wolf they encountered earlier is back, and there are more deadly creatures in the wild, including rattlesnakes. In the tense conclusion, Graham races to save his sister from a snakebite; Toby tries to protect his family from the wolf, and the woodsman’s true character is revealed. The action of the novel is intense and age-appropriate as Graham and Evelyn face down various threats. Narrated by the dog, the author adds a sense of fun and humor to the otherwise scary events. For example, when Evelyn needs to go to the bathroom and her mother searches their packs for toilet paper, Toby tries to offer his own advice: “Watch this, Evelyn. I try to get her attention by standing against a tree right in front of her. I lift my leg and, presto! Back to basics.” The success of Toby as a narrator comes from the balance of his canine and human qualities; as a dog, he chases loons, loves kibble and licks faces, but as a narrator, he offers descriptions of the action and insights into characters. Together with his amiable character and strong voice, Toby is a real, three-dimensional character; young readers will be drawn in by the dog’s big heart and heroic spirit. The human characters are just as compelling. Evelyn shows herself to be a capable, smart young girl, taking care of her brother when he breaks his arm, and Graham is a thoughtful older brother.
A dog-narrated adventure for young readers full of action, heart and heroics.
‘Escape from Killarney’ tells story of dog and children’s struggle to survive Canadian backcountry.
Ottawa, Canada (PRWEB) July 27, 2014
Author Angela Graham remembers the horror of last summer’s encounter with a potentially predatory mother black bear and cubs. “It was sundown and we were deep in the interior,” recalls Graham. “We had no option but to abandon our campsite and hike out.” In a race against the falling darkness, her family’s struggle to get safely out of the backcountry inspired Graham’s new middle grade adventure novel, “Escape from Killarney” http://www.angelagraham.webs.com .
Uniquely told by the family dog, the story follows 11-year-old boy, Graham, 10-year-old girl, Evelyn, and their dog, Toby, who wander far away from the family’s campsite seeking adventure and get lost. Their peaceful vacation turns disastrous as they discover what really lurks in the Northern Ontario forest. Toby and the children are pushed to their limits as they face challenge after treacherous challenge. As darkness falls and the trio is tired, injured, and far from safety, they ask themselves, “Will we make it out alive?”
An excerpt from “Escape from Killarney”:
The beast is closing the distance between itself and the kids, and I can see that it is huffing and snorting angry warnings to them. I suddenly see why. Behind her—I can see now that it is a “her”—are two smaller black forms. They huddle close together, watching their mother stand her ground to protect their blueberry patch. Their mother stops. She stares at the kids and bangs her massive paw on the ground. I feel the earth shake through the water, and I race forward.
Graham pulls himself to his feet, takes Evelyn by the arm, and encourages her to stand as well. He raises his arms high above his head, and Evelyn copies his action.
The bear—as that is what this massive form is—does the same, and raises herself on her back haunches. She towers above the children, her front legs pawing the air. I hear her growl above my splashing, as my feet find the shore rock and I claw my way out of the lake. I scream ferocious threats at her as I charge in. Her eyes snap in my direction, and her glare gores through me. As her paws drop to the ground in my direction, I once again feel the ground shift under her weight.
“Hmphf!” she snorts at me.
“Escape from Killarney”
By Angela Graham
Published by AuthorHouse
Hardcover | 6 x 9 in | 110 pages | ISBN 9781496923011
Softcover | 6 x 9 in | 110 pages | ISBN 9781496923028
E-Book | ISBN 9781496923004
Available at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Escape-Killarney-Angela-Graham/dp/1496923022/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406313554&sr=8-1&keywords=escape+from+killarney
and Barnes & Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/escape-from-killarney-angela-graham/1119967334?ean=9781496923028
About the Author:
Born and raised in Ontario, Canada, Angela Graham spent her youth in the heart of nearby forests. As an adult and outdoor enthusiast, she spends her downtime escaping into the Canadian wilderness, seeking tranquility and adventure. She currently lives in Ottawa, Canada with her husband, two lively children, and their dog. To learn more about her, visit her website at http://www.angelgraham.webs.com.
