Miracle at Willowcreek

by Annette LeBox, Kasia Charko (Illustrator)

From her beloved grandmother, Tess developed a great love for sandhill cranes, who live in the marsh near her new home. Then she learns that her uncle is supporting a plan to turn their sanctuary into a golf course.Things become even more complicated when the marsh's infamous ghost appears. When Tess and her friends encounter a wonderful bird woman who is passionate about protecting the environment, adventure and the struggle to protect the cranes quickly coincide. This captivating novel for readers twelve and under will enthrall and enlighten.

288 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1998

About the author

Annette LeBox is an environmental activist and award-winning author of six picture books and two YA novels. Her latest picture book is Mother Aspen: A Story of How Forests Cooperate and Communicate, illustrated by Crystal Smith and published by Groundwood Books. Mother Aspen was published in September, 2024. As a founding member and director of the Pitt Polder Preservation Society, Annette was a major stakeholder in the conservation of two British Columbia Regional Parks: Blaney Bog and Codd Wetlands.

Her picture book, Salmon Creek, was awarded the British Columbia Book prize for illustrated literature in 2002. Circle of Cranes, a YA novel, by Dial Books, Penguin U.S. was shortlisted for the Manitoba Young Readers Choice Award. Her latest picture book, Peace is an Offering won the 2016 BC Book Prize for Illustrated Literature. Formerly from Ontario, Annette lives in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada. She is married to Michael Sather.

Reviews

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a lovely book, I hardly know where to begin. Young Tess comes back to Pitt Meadows after her beloved grandfather dies and finds herself in the middle of the ploder helping the survival of sandhill cranes with her new friends.

This book is tender and sweet and interesting, with a "Where the Crawdads Sing" feel to it, although this book was written at least three decades before. This book deals with death, conservation, racism and fitting in and all the subjects are handled with grace and delicacy. It was such a pleasant reading experience. I read 2/3 rds of this book in one sitting, staying up till 3 am. I was just so hooked.

[Three O'Clock Press]

From her beloved grandmother, Tess developed a great love for sandhill cranes, who live in the marsh near her new home. Then she learns that her uncle is supporting a plan to turn their sanctuary into a golf course. Things become even more complicated when the marsh's infamous ghost appears. When Tess and her friends encounter a wonderful bird woman who is passionate about protecting the environment, adventure and the struggle to protect the cranes quickly coincide. This captivating novel for readers twelve and under will enthrall and enlighten.

[Neill Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tess always loved being at the marshlands in Maple Ridge, birding and exploring with her grandfather. When he dies her mother decides to move back to the old farm. But Tess’s uncle wants to drain the swamp for real-estate development and Tess knows that the loss of habitat will decimate the sandhill cranes so she fights with all she has and everyone she can find to protect the wetlands.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good book. It was one of my favourites when I was younger.