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Sketches
After fleeing her suburban home, 15-year-old Dana struggles to survive in the alleys, squats, and subway stations of downtown Toronto. Dana and her two friends, seasoned street kids Brent and Ashley, must contend with turf wars, thugs, hunger, and the daily battle of life on the streets.When Dana’s graffiti on an underpass catches the eye of a counsellor at Sketches, a drop-in centre for homeless teens, Dana discovers a haven where she can express herself through art. As she works on a self-portrait, Dana begins to confront the reason she left home. The truth of what her stepfather did to her is trying to surface, but will it come out through her paintbrush or the blade of a knife? This gritty, honest portrayal of street life from acclaimed author Eric Walters is a testament to the healing power of art.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
31 people are currently reading
727 people want to read
About the author
Eric Walters
158 books909 followersEric was born in Toronto in 1957, which makes him "real old". But, as Eric says, "Just because I have to grow old doesn't mean that I have to grow up!" In his many roles as parent, teacher, social worker, youth sports coach and writer he is in constant contact with children and young adults. He draws from these experiences and feels that this helps him to capture the realistic interaction between young people—the conflicts, tensions, stresses and interests that make up their lives.
Eric began his writing as a teacher. He taught in classes from kindergarten up and his stories often reflect the curriculum that he was teaching. He always read stories—picture books and novels—to his students and this helped him to understand what children liked, responded to, and were inspired by. He enjoys the enthusiasm of his students and often looks at them to provide him with the inspiration to pursue a particular topic in both the classroom and in his writing.
Eric tries to write every day. When he has a story idea he starts with research. This could involve reading books, watching a documentary, or trying to experience the things that his characters are going to go through. This could include rock climbing or riding white water (for Stars), spending time in a wheelchair (Rebound), playing and walking with tigers (Tiger by the Tail), hanging around a tough biker bar (Diamonds in the Rough), standing out in his backyard in a blizzard wearing a T-shirt and shorts (Trapped in Ice), or traveling to Africa (Alexandria of Africa).
"The most important thing anybody ever told me about writing was to write what you know . . . and the only way to get to know things is to do your homework and research before you write," Eric stated.
Once the writing begins the story is always playing around in his head. He takes any opportunity, even if it's just a few minutes between presentations, to put things down, either with pen and paper or on his laptop.
Prior to entering teaching and writing Eric was a social worker (B.S.W., M.S.W., B.A.Hons—specialized major psychology). He worked in a variety of settings including child welfare, private practice, a mental health centre, and, for twenty years on a part-time basis as a Crisis Social Worker in an emergency department. He stopped teaching 4 years ago and left the ER only last year.
The majority of Eric's time is spent in the company of his wife, children and dogs (Lola a big standard poodle and a little white dog named Winnie the Poodle).
Eric began his writing as a teacher. He taught in classes from kindergarten up and his stories often reflect the curriculum that he was teaching. He always read stories—picture books and novels—to his students and this helped him to understand what children liked, responded to, and were inspired by. He enjoys the enthusiasm of his students and often looks at them to provide him with the inspiration to pursue a particular topic in both the classroom and in his writing.
Eric tries to write every day. When he has a story idea he starts with research. This could involve reading books, watching a documentary, or trying to experience the things that his characters are going to go through. This could include rock climbing or riding white water (for Stars), spending time in a wheelchair (Rebound), playing and walking with tigers (Tiger by the Tail), hanging around a tough biker bar (Diamonds in the Rough), standing out in his backyard in a blizzard wearing a T-shirt and shorts (Trapped in Ice), or traveling to Africa (Alexandria of Africa).
"The most important thing anybody ever told me about writing was to write what you know . . . and the only way to get to know things is to do your homework and research before you write," Eric stated.
Once the writing begins the story is always playing around in his head. He takes any opportunity, even if it's just a few minutes between presentations, to put things down, either with pen and paper or on his laptop.
Prior to entering teaching and writing Eric was a social worker (B.S.W., M.S.W., B.A.Hons—specialized major psychology). He worked in a variety of settings including child welfare, private practice, a mental health centre, and, for twenty years on a part-time basis as a Crisis Social Worker in an emergency department. He stopped teaching 4 years ago and left the ER only last year.
The majority of Eric's time is spent in the company of his wife, children and dogs (Lola a big standard poodle and a little white dog named Winnie the Poodle).
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
March 27, 2017
This is one of those books that makes you question your worldview. Its one of those books that gets you thinking about one others life style, their choices, there luck, and their tenacity to live. Sketches fallows the life of a group of teens through their journey of accomplishing goals, braking down obstacles, and most of all getting of the streets. Even though it gets hard for them at times you can always expect it to get better. I would recommend this book for kids to adults anywhere from 12+.
December 13, 2021
this book is absolute garbage. it killed my dog and my grandma of a heart attack at the same time. ! It was quite horrendous it destroyed the economy and single handedly fueled capitalism. Quite a terrible piece of literature should not exist in the world of fiction. I wanted fall into a seizure after passing the first chapter. And I beg of you, do Not allow me to begin on the final chapter, which did in fact kill my whole bloodline simultaneously and made me infertile. I do in fact beg to not read this terrible dog poop of a novel. The author of this novel has clearly not lived in the Toronto that I have known and loved for 50 years. Toronto is not a "ghetto" area and is quite beautiful. In conclusion, do not read Sketches by Eric Walters if you want to fall infertile and want the interte of your bloodline to end. !
April 2, 2012
I absolutely adored this book!
Read
January 2, 2012I really like this type of books, so sadly i finished it way too fast. I wish the book had a sequel or something. Anyway the book has made a great start for 2012!
November 25, 2022
I enjoyed this book so much! I really liked the characters and their relationships showing a found family. It also got into the story very quickly without any unnecessary scenes. It was a good length too, definitely recommend.
June 25, 2020
I liked the concept, I did not enjoy Dana.
February 11, 2022
One of the worst books I've read. The concept of it was okay, yes. It should've been a good book about a girl figuring out her new life without a home. It could've been good. It actually has no plot, which I didn't know was possible. I had to get through the whole thing for a project, because like I said, I thought it would be good. NO. It was NOT good.
The characters were so fake, it was like he somehow hired bad actors into his book and they were just reading lines. And the action scenes...ohhhh the action scenes were so bad. They were written with exclamation points! To make it more "exciting"! Oh boy! oh NO! Gosh darn! Even if they weren't even real action scenes. Like, come on, man. Really?
The characters were so fake, it was like he somehow hired bad actors into his book and they were just reading lines. And the action scenes...ohhhh the action scenes were so bad. They were written with exclamation points! To make it more "exciting"! Oh boy! oh NO! Gosh darn! Even if they weren't even real action scenes. Like, come on, man. Really?
April 15, 2024
I’ve read this so many times since I was in like… elementary school and I always come back to read it again. The plot is so good, the characters are amazing, and it will never get old. Gaining an insight to youth homelessness is something I enjoy learning about and reading about it in this format is informative and enjoyable. Go read this if you haven’t!! It’s a super fast read and a great one to get out of a slump!
February 13, 2014
It was good a story, but it didn't move very well. There were a lot of places that dragged, but it made up for it's short comings with a generally interesting plot, and for the most part compelling characters.
November 6, 2010
This book felt really dragged out at times and I had trouble staying interested. This was an okay book but I didn't really enjoy reading it.
Read
June 19, 2019Overall, the book was really good and I enjoyed reading it the whole way through. I liked how the characters all had different personalities yet were so similar at the same time. The author was able to put a lot of descriptions about each of the characters allowing me to imagine them really well. Throughout the whole book there were a lot of scenes that represented the real world and how it would truly be for people living on the streets. Another thing that drove me to keep reading the book was overall how it was written and the way Dana’s story was told.
The characters in the book were really well described and explained how Dana did not look as dirty as Brent and Ashley since they have been living on the streets longer. It really allowed me to picture how they looked and how their appearances changed with each scene in the book. The way the author wrote the book explained their personalities really well. Just reading the book and what they were saying you could tell the similarities in their personalities and the differences between each of them. Eric Walters put in just enough detail and information so you are never confused about what is happening yet didn’t put in too much making the book too focused on the tiny details than the actual story itself.
The whole book was very realistic making me not want to put the book down. It represented the real world in every way possible and it makes me think, is it based off of a real story? Having it so realistic made me start thinking about how rough it would be to be stuck on the streets. Reading this book got me to put me in the shoes of a homeless teen and I realized how horrid it would really be out there. He managed to add in many different things that come with living on the streets without adding in too much and making the book become too overwhelmed.
The way the author wrote the book was the main thing that made me keep reading and love it so much. The whole story flowed very nicely and it was not hard to understand the timeline at all. He didn’t skip big parts of the story or drag parts out too much making it a really good and interesting length throughout. Dana’s story was told with a lot of detail and you could picture her whole life story almost just from this book. He also was able to incorporate Ashley and Brents story into the book without making it seem like three different books that were just overlapped.
Overall I found this book really interesting, well written and thoroughly descriptive. The characters were really well described in the book and you always knew exactly how they looked and what they were wearing. He also really let their personalities show through everything they did so you knew how they acted at all times as well. The author, Eric Walters did a fantastic job at writing this book making sure he mastered many great qualities.
The characters in the book were really well described and explained how Dana did not look as dirty as Brent and Ashley since they have been living on the streets longer. It really allowed me to picture how they looked and how their appearances changed with each scene in the book. The way the author wrote the book explained their personalities really well. Just reading the book and what they were saying you could tell the similarities in their personalities and the differences between each of them. Eric Walters put in just enough detail and information so you are never confused about what is happening yet didn’t put in too much making the book too focused on the tiny details than the actual story itself.
The whole book was very realistic making me not want to put the book down. It represented the real world in every way possible and it makes me think, is it based off of a real story? Having it so realistic made me start thinking about how rough it would be to be stuck on the streets. Reading this book got me to put me in the shoes of a homeless teen and I realized how horrid it would really be out there. He managed to add in many different things that come with living on the streets without adding in too much and making the book become too overwhelmed.
The way the author wrote the book was the main thing that made me keep reading and love it so much. The whole story flowed very nicely and it was not hard to understand the timeline at all. He didn’t skip big parts of the story or drag parts out too much making it a really good and interesting length throughout. Dana’s story was told with a lot of detail and you could picture her whole life story almost just from this book. He also was able to incorporate Ashley and Brents story into the book without making it seem like three different books that were just overlapped.
Overall I found this book really interesting, well written and thoroughly descriptive. The characters were really well described in the book and you always knew exactly how they looked and what they were wearing. He also really let their personalities show through everything they did so you knew how they acted at all times as well. The author, Eric Walters did a fantastic job at writing this book making sure he mastered many great qualities.
March 4, 2020
Choice book #3 Quarter #3
Sketches written by Eric Walters is a realistic fiction book.
This book takes place in the streets of downtown Toronto.
The main character of this book is Dana. Dana is a girl who ran away from home and is now living on the streets with Brent and Ashley. She goes to this place called sketches to do art. I think she is a dynamic character because in the start she is insecure and is not very close to anyone, and in the end her Brent and Ashley are Best friends, and she went back to her mom to try to make thing right after an incident with her step dad.
The main problem in the book is Dana and her friends getting enough money and food to survive. I think this is person verses society because they have to be extra careful not to get put in jail for being on the run or taken away by child protection services. This is also person verses person because they have to compete with the other people and gangs to get jobs like squeegeeing.
The author believes that good friends will help you get through any problem.
text evidence:
1. When Dana, Ashley, and Brent got jumped, Brent took control to let the girls escape an he made sure everyone was safe.
2. After Ashley found out that Dana had been cutting herself she quickly helped her bandage it up and offered support.
3. When Ashley and Brent were so low on money Dana came up with a solution to help, such as her chalk idea that bought them an apartment.
I really, really loved this book because it was exiting, and even when it wasn't, it was sweet and sad. My favorite part of the book was when they first lived in tent town, because it was super funny when they chucked the guy over the fence. The book did feel like there were large gaps of time missing between chapters that I would have liked to hear about, but other wise it was pretty complete. (No cliffhanger at least.) Compared to some other books I have read, it was a bit short, but just as good.
Finally, one thing I would have done differently is I would have skipped less time in between chapters so it made more sense.
Sketches written by Eric Walters is a realistic fiction book.
This book takes place in the streets of downtown Toronto.
The main character of this book is Dana. Dana is a girl who ran away from home and is now living on the streets with Brent and Ashley. She goes to this place called sketches to do art. I think she is a dynamic character because in the start she is insecure and is not very close to anyone, and in the end her Brent and Ashley are Best friends, and she went back to her mom to try to make thing right after an incident with her step dad.
The main problem in the book is Dana and her friends getting enough money and food to survive. I think this is person verses society because they have to be extra careful not to get put in jail for being on the run or taken away by child protection services. This is also person verses person because they have to compete with the other people and gangs to get jobs like squeegeeing.
The author believes that good friends will help you get through any problem.
text evidence:
1. When Dana, Ashley, and Brent got jumped, Brent took control to let the girls escape an he made sure everyone was safe.
2. After Ashley found out that Dana had been cutting herself she quickly helped her bandage it up and offered support.
3. When Ashley and Brent were so low on money Dana came up with a solution to help, such as her chalk idea that bought them an apartment.
I really, really loved this book because it was exiting, and even when it wasn't, it was sweet and sad. My favorite part of the book was when they first lived in tent town, because it was super funny when they chucked the guy over the fence. The book did feel like there were large gaps of time missing between chapters that I would have liked to hear about, but other wise it was pretty complete. (No cliffhanger at least.) Compared to some other books I have read, it was a bit short, but just as good.
Finally, one thing I would have done differently is I would have skipped less time in between chapters so it made more sense.
October 1, 2025
4⭐️ honestly this book was surprisingly good. I had to read it for school. It was short and it was sweet, but it also had an additional depth and a layer of complexity and darkness that I personally love because I like exploring the darker sides of the world. I really liked how at the beginning it just seemed like the hard life of these kids. Why would they run away? How dare they and then towards the end it’s like you’ve lived a whole life in between 200 pages and this author describes and makes the elements move at an incredible pace and I just love his writing only thing I did not really like was the last chapter made no sense. It was supposed to be an epilogue in a couple months later, but it never said that explicitly so it just kind of made no sense and I would like more closure than just two or three pages of what would’ve happened at the end but definitely an amazing school pic
Want to read
June 19, 2019Sketches is a book about a 15 year old girl and her friends brent and ashley who have to struggle to make money and eat.
This book really made me think about what people experience out on the streets and how they could end up on the streets.
I really enjoyed reading this book but I felt that the end was rushed and I wish I knew how it all came to be or even if we knew how she handled problem with her step father
I also wanted to know if her sister was ever hurt because that was one of the big reasons she decided to work hard and get off the streets.
The book also has a great message which is if you work hard you can accomplish anything in life even a challenge such as getting off the streets.
This book really made me think about what people experience out on the streets and how they could end up on the streets.
I really enjoyed reading this book but I felt that the end was rushed and I wish I knew how it all came to be or even if we knew how she handled problem with her step father
I also wanted to know if her sister was ever hurt because that was one of the big reasons she decided to work hard and get off the streets.
The book also has a great message which is if you work hard you can accomplish anything in life even a challenge such as getting off the streets.
April 2, 2024
I love this book. Very emotional, very empowering & hits home.
Fun fact- when I was in high school, I was at a friends house and we were waiting on another person to come over to hangout. My friend had a few books on her desk & I suggested we each grab a random book to read while we wait for our other friend to show up. I grabbed Sketches. I read it all during our hangout, borrowed it, finished it and really just found that it resonated with me.
Is this truly an amazing book? No, very YA and quick, but I absolutely love the message and the characters and the strength within this book. Always a favourite
Fun fact- when I was in high school, I was at a friends house and we were waiting on another person to come over to hangout. My friend had a few books on her desk & I suggested we each grab a random book to read while we wait for our other friend to show up. I grabbed Sketches. I read it all during our hangout, borrowed it, finished it and really just found that it resonated with me.
Is this truly an amazing book? No, very YA and quick, but I absolutely love the message and the characters and the strength within this book. Always a favourite
June 16, 2024
Through the eyes of Dana, a 16yo runaway, this is the story of a place called ‘Sketches’ that lets displaced & homeless teens and young adults come to practice their art / hands on skills. Dana and her two close friend, Brent & Ashley, struggle to live on the street. They find their way together. The story ends in a 1-year-later / ‘ever after’ fluff. The story is too predictable and not terribly deep in character development or plot.
November 14, 2018
Choice book #1 Quarter 2
Sketches written by Eric Walters is a Fiction book which takes place in downtown Toronto. The main characters in Sketches is Ashley, Brent, and Dana. The problem in the book is that Dana, Brent, and Ashley are stuck in the streets with hardly any food. Sketches is about a girl called Dana who ran away from her home because of her stepfather and is stuck on the streets with Brent and Ashley when she is only about 12. I wouldn't have done anything different if I was the author because at the end, she got foster parents and wasn't living on the street and she even got to see her mother again. I really enjoyed the book because it showed how if you worked hard enough, you could bring happiness to your life. My favorite part of the book was at the end when the mother and Dana met for the first time in almost 2 months. The book brought sadness at the beginning because it showed how hard it was to be living on the streets/being homeless but at the end it brought HAPPINESS.
Sketches written by Eric Walters is a Fiction book which takes place in downtown Toronto. The main characters in Sketches is Ashley, Brent, and Dana. The problem in the book is that Dana, Brent, and Ashley are stuck in the streets with hardly any food. Sketches is about a girl called Dana who ran away from her home because of her stepfather and is stuck on the streets with Brent and Ashley when she is only about 12. I wouldn't have done anything different if I was the author because at the end, she got foster parents and wasn't living on the street and she even got to see her mother again. I really enjoyed the book because it showed how if you worked hard enough, you could bring happiness to your life. My favorite part of the book was at the end when the mother and Dana met for the first time in almost 2 months. The book brought sadness at the beginning because it showed how hard it was to be living on the streets/being homeless but at the end it brought HAPPINESS.
April 28, 2023
3.5 stars rounded down
i liked the concept, but i just found it lacking in plot. THE SECOND LAST CHAPTER WAS CRAZY. it wasn’t unexpected, but it got dark so fast. i don’t like how the book didn’t really expand on Dana’s trauma, and how it was just brushed off with a happy ending. i feel like this book could’ve benefitted with a couple more chapters, but all in all it was decent.
i liked the concept, but i just found it lacking in plot. THE SECOND LAST CHAPTER WAS CRAZY. it wasn’t unexpected, but it got dark so fast. i don’t like how the book didn’t really expand on Dana’s trauma, and how it was just brushed off with a happy ending. i feel like this book could’ve benefitted with a couple more chapters, but all in all it was decent.
January 20, 2018
This was a very good book. It really gave insight to the lives of homeless youth and the troubles they endure. I sort of wish that the ending was more in depth and we got to meet the stepfather because I think it wouldve really emphasized the message.
May 9, 2018
I didn't know this book was out there until I recently attended a presentation by Eric. I'm sorry I hadn't read it before. It is a story of how and (more importantly) why, 3 kids end up living on the streets. A must read for all adults!
February 7, 2022
This book is amazing! In this novel there something happening all the time. This book kept me on my toes with all the hardships the rough tens manage to overcome. The end of the book really surprised me and I would highly recommend this book. Eric Walter is a very talented writer.
April 22, 2022
I love this authour. Every book he writes is so impactful and important. This book humanises unhoused youth and people - something that desperately needs to be done. It's also well written and brings awareness to these issues
June 18, 2025
Plot was fine, book was interesting, but the ending was too abrupt and I felt we didn't learn enough about the main characters' (especially Brent and Ashley's) backstories. Also Dana has got to be one of the DUMBEST and most annoying main characters I have every seen in my entire life
April 23, 2018
the book was really captivating. the only thing I didn't enjoy is how it ended so abruptly. it felt incomplete, but overall it was a nice read
August 17, 2018
Eye-opening, gritty, realistic.
August 25, 2020
not Walters’ best, but still palatable
October 24, 2020
Another great book! It shows reality I never knew.
June 21, 2024
I loved this book so much!
October 19, 2025
One of my favourite books by far!
September 28, 2024
- the ending is kinda rushed and I was so confused
- good concept
- like the characters
- read in one day
- kind of got bored but it’s alright
- feel like the author could improve on the writing more
- wish the author added some backstory to the characters
- feel bad for the guy who introduced Dana to the Sketches, he barely even get mentioned
- feel like the author writing style could improve a lot
- good concept
- like the characters
- read in one day
- kind of got bored but it’s alright
- feel like the author could improve on the writing more
- wish the author added some backstory to the characters
- feel bad for the guy who introduced Dana to the Sketches, he barely even get mentioned
- feel like the author writing style could improve a lot
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews