SpringRush

In addition to proving a good read for pre-teens and juveniles, The Adventures of Buddy Williams series has found a substantial audience with older folk as well. It is also contributing to the study of the novel unit in middle and high schools—in part because of the accompanying student study guides. Readers have enjoyed the trip back to the early fifties on the Canadian Prairies, experiencing the escapades of Buddy Williams and his partners-in-crime, Riel Belliveau and Mokey Stackhouse. Fictitious Buffalo Crossing and Pelican Lake are once again the settings in SpringRush, the final instalment in the series—after SummerWild, FallGently, and WinterFree.

Buddy Williams’ happy life in SummerWild was obliterated by the blow of his great loss in FallGently. That tragedy, along with the combative relationship with his intimidating teacher Miss Ruby, led the young lad to experiencing depression and making some very bad choices in WinterFree. But the blizzards of the cold season are past, and new adventures lie in wait. Nature continues to offer surprises for Buddy, Riel and Mokey. An old friend teaches him a very important life lesson, which also helps him clarify his contentious connection with religion. But will he ever be rid of the bad blood between him and the Red Witch?

Will the warm winds of spring encourage Buddy to find a path to redemption? Will his family overcome the challenge a past secret has hidden? And will the young protagonist take advantage of the bonds with his companions—including native teenager, Joe Starblanket—so that he might thrive again?