The Secret of Willow Castle, by Lyn Cook

Who is Lyn Cook?

As a little girl, I knew her only as the author of my beloved 1960's Brownie Handbook.

But she is also the author of many other Canadian children's books, including The Bells on Finland Street, Samantha's Secret Room (a favourite of the Squirrelings), and this volume that Mama Squirrel rescued from the thrift store:

It's gently-paced historical fiction, written in Lyn Cook's include-lots-of-facts style.  The Canadian Materials for Young People couldn't help sneering when they reviewed a reprint in 1985:

"This reprint of the Lyn Cook classic (originally published in 1966) is designed to appeal to a new generation of readers. Although the merit of the book and the writing have not changed, the tastes of young readers have. It is doubtful this story, which weaves together the lives of Cousin John Alex (later better known as Sir John A. Macdonald), the well-to-do and slightly rebellious daughter of the "Laird of Napanee," and an orphaned young girl, will claim the enthusiastic reception accorded it by earlier readers who were more avid readers of historical fiction.

"Readers who do enjoy this genre, however, will be rewarded for their persistance in plowing through a lot of historical detail by an interesting story, replete with coincidences, which provides an accurate picture of life in the 1830's in an Ontario backwoods settlement."

That's not the most encouraging description! And they're right, in a way; yes, tastes have changed, and yes, too much detail can sometimes be tedious. But there's a reason that many of Lyn Cook's novels have hung on, though this particular one has been pretty much forgotten, and it's the same reason that the Brownie Handbook went from being a list of badges into a story that girls actually wanted to read: she's a good writer. Her characters are real (even when they're chatting away about Champlain's voyages or the issues of slavery), and they have an honest appeal for young girl readers who haven't been spoiled too much by current publishing trends.

Anyway, I think it's worth adding to Crayons' free-reading shelf this year.