“Deborah Ellis is that all too rare artist whose deeply rooted sense of social justice is manifest in writing that is lively, lucid and highly entertaining. In settings as diverse as Afghanistan, Malawi, Medieval Paris, and Regent Park, Toronto, her novels chronicle the lives of youngsters faced with enormous challenges. She writes from first hand experience, with compassion and spirit, with humour and always with a keen-eyed, child-centred sensibility. She is a brave writer and an exemplar to us all of the power of Story to engage the heart, to heal and to inspire.”
— 2004 Vicky Metcalf Award Jury (Deirdre Baker, Sarah Ellis, and Tim Wynne-Jones)