Description
Short-listed for the 2012 SYRCA Snow Willow Award
Lexie Malton is an average Vancouver teen with fairly typical issues. Her stepmother is far from her favourite person, she has a sister with special needs, and life outside the home is the usual mix of school, friends, and social events.
But Lexie has a secret. Her ex-boyfriend, Devlin Mather, is now a heroin addict living on the street, and only Lexie knows that shes the one who put him there. Guilt makes her give in to Devlins demands for money time and time again, even though she knows how dangerous his drug use is.
Lexie finally gathers the strength to stop enabling Devlin. But when he seeks treatment for his addiction, Lexie finds herself drawn back to him, never guessing what a dark and deadly path she has just chosen.
Devlin relapses, and his desperation leads to an act that will change both of their lives forever.
Author Bio
Prizes
- SYRCA Snow Willow AwardShort-listed 2012
Review Quotes
This novel is a bit heavy-handed but it really makes a point that involvement with drugs on any level can be dangerous. It should appeal to reluctant readers who like lots of action in a short book.
— Resource LinksAccomplice presents a straightforward but not light-weight plot involving common teen trials dealing with curiosity about drugs, discriminating between right and wrong, dating and communicating, and accepting responsibility.
— CanLit for Little Canadians (blog)Lexie's voice is consistent and authentic; she's equal parts guilty, anxious, and naive. Sherrard doesn’t shy away from the details and realities of drug abuse and withdrawal, and provides good explanations of drug terminology.
a thought-provoking book by a Canadian writer.
— Region Record (Waterloo)Accomplice was gritty and refreshing.
— The Book PixieBiographical note
Valerie Sherrard is the author of 12 previous novels for young people, including the Shelby Belgarden Mysteries, Watcher, Sarah’s Legacy, Speechless, and her first historical novel, Three Million Acres of Flame. Her work has been shortlisted for numerous Canadian awards, including the Red Maple, White Pine, and Arthur Ellis Awards. She lives in Miramichi, New Brunswick.
