Heather Down. A Deadly Distance  
Dundurn Press  $10.99  ISBN 978-1-55002-637-5  128 pg.
Reviewed by Allison, Age 11

When Mishbee is in the forest looking for some berries for her people, she stumbles across a young settler named John. They try to become friends without letting anyone know; making attempts to understand each other. If anyone knew it would be worse than death! Mishbee’s First Nations people, the Beothuks, fear the European settlers and the settlers fear and distrust her kind. Then a deadly disease comes along.

I think that somebody who is a good reader could read this book because there are some hard words. But the glossary was really helpful, and the historical notes were very interesting to read.

If you like historical fiction books then this would be a quick good book for you. I would usually walk past this kind of book, but then I started reading it and fell in love with it by the second chapter.

For a well-written book I’m giving A Deadly Distance 4 stars. An enjoyable book for ages 10 and up.