Just back from a trip to Vancouver Island where I gave readings of Adventure on Whalebone Island to over 600 kids. Over three days I was at Arden, Robb Rd., Gaglardi Academy, Puntledge Park, and Cumberland Community School in the Comox/Courtenay area, as well as Qualicum Beach Elementary, Oceanside in Parksville, and Cedar Elementary in Nanaimo.

Thanks to all the teachers and librarians for organizing this mini-tour, and to all the kids for being such a great audience.

Adventure on Whalebone Island is now available at Mulberry Bush bookstores in Parksville and Qualicum and Laughing Oyster Bookstore in Courtenay.

I thought I'd better give an update on where I'm at with the second book in the Maple Harbour Adventure series. As promised, it will be released this fall, probably in early to mid November. The new book s called The Mystery of the Missing Mask. Claire, Ryan, Kendra, Nathan and Meg are back for another adventure, this time involving a mask stolen from the Maple Harbour Museum.

First and second drafts of the book have been completed and I just got it back from the editor (thanks so much Sheila Cameron!). Now I'm doing some final edits, while Vadym is working on the illustrations. So it looks like everything is on track for a November launch!