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Three Songs for Courage
In this powerful novel for mature readers, Maxine Trottier transports the reader to the summer of 1956, and the small town of Erie View, a haven for teenagers. Summer jobs are plentiful, and there’s always action on the beach or the main drag. Life is cool. But Erie View is a town of shifting layers. They drift by turns, scarcely touching, then jarring fathers and grandfathers try to adjust to quiet lives after an eternity of action overseas, women struggle to remake marriages and return to their kitchens, and teenagers with far too much freedom live the secret lives of youth.
This is sixteen-year-old Gordon Westley’s world. But it’s about to change once tragedy strikes his family and forces Gordon to explore the darkest, as well as the sweetest, side of human emotions.
Part mystery, part love story, acclaimed author Maxine Trottier weaves a spellbinding portrait of small-town Ontario dealing with its loss of innocence and coming of age in a changed world.
This is sixteen-year-old Gordon Westley’s world. But it’s about to change once tragedy strikes his family and forces Gordon to explore the darkest, as well as the sweetest, side of human emotions.
Part mystery, part love story, acclaimed author Maxine Trottier weaves a spellbinding portrait of small-town Ontario dealing with its loss of innocence and coming of age in a changed world.
328 pages, Hardcover
First published April 4, 2006
About the author
Maxine Trottier
56 books29 followersMaxine Trottier is the award-winning writer of numerous books for young people, including Claire's Gift (winner of the Mr. Christie's Book Award), Laura: A Childhood Tale of Laura Secord, the Circle of Silver Chronicles, and The Tiny Kite of Eddy Wing (winner of the CLA Book of the Year Award).
A former teacher and an avid sailor, Maxine has long been fascinated by history. She is now an associate member of La Société des Filles du roi et soldats du Carignan, whose purpose is "to honour the memory of these courageous people." While researching Alone in an Untamed Land, Maxine discovered that she herself is directly descended from a fille du roi.
Maxine lives in the small outport of Newman's Cove in Newfoundland, with her husband William and their Yorkie Moon.
A former teacher and an avid sailor, Maxine has long been fascinated by history. She is now an associate member of La Société des Filles du roi et soldats du Carignan, whose purpose is "to honour the memory of these courageous people." While researching Alone in an Untamed Land, Maxine discovered that she herself is directly descended from a fille du roi.
Maxine lives in the small outport of Newman's Cove in Newfoundland, with her husband William and their Yorkie Moon.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 7, 2020
I loved this book, which surprised me. It's just so excellent. A great main character, 16-year-old Gordon Westley. Set in the small lakeside town of Erie View in 1956. Gordon's little brother Stan dies, and tears his world apart. His "gang", the Lakers, is confronted by Lancer Coldwell and the Sultans, and things get out of control. Great characters all around, great plot, great boy book.
June 5, 2021
This book made me laugh, it made me smile, it made me cry, and when I was done the book, I had book hangover so bad I had almost cried. 😔 such a great novel, if you get the chance to read this! Please, do! Also, as a Native American myself, I was so touched with Injun Joely’s role in this book. I was even sadder at the end when he had passed on. ❤️❤️ I highly recommend this novel!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2018
slow start but really ramped up toward the end.
December 19, 2021
A coming of age story that kept me reading. Some content may be disturbing to some readers.
August 31, 2011
Three Songs for Courage
By Maxine Trottier
321 pp. Ontario, Canada.
Tundra Books. $10.95
ISBN: 978-0-88776-831-6
After reading the little passage on the back cover, I thought Three Songs for Courage would be an interesting book to read. That is why I decided to borrow it from the library and it became a part of my summer reading list. I found the storyline of this book interesting because of its setting and moral. The beginning of the book made me realize that it is easy to read but I didn't stop myself.
Three Songs for Courage is about a group of teenage boys and their exciting yet dangerous summer vacation. Although the story focuses on the life of its protagonist, Gordon Westley, every other character becomes included and related to it somehow. Sixteen year old Gordon and his three friends are part of a group they like to call "The Lakers". Gordon has always had a crush on beautiful, strawberry blonde haired Mary. But he so easily becomes her boyfriend with the help of his family's close relationship with her family. Simultaneously, Gordon slowly develops issues between a boy named Lancer Caldwell and himself. Their arguments lead to dreadful results, yet the final result of all is the most shocking.
Since Three Songs for Courage takes place in s small town called Erie View and in the 1950's, I am able to learn and visualize how the lifestyle was. This book also allows the read to discover a contrast between the teenage society in the 21st century and in the mid 20th century. It proves that times and people have changed. Yet I was shocked to read about the serious violence the book contained, in the 1950's. Although a similar situation could happen nowadays, it is still rare. I enjoyed this book and although it was fairly easy and simple to read, I recommend it to teenagers.
By Maxine Trottier
321 pp. Ontario, Canada.
Tundra Books. $10.95
ISBN: 978-0-88776-831-6
After reading the little passage on the back cover, I thought Three Songs for Courage would be an interesting book to read. That is why I decided to borrow it from the library and it became a part of my summer reading list. I found the storyline of this book interesting because of its setting and moral. The beginning of the book made me realize that it is easy to read but I didn't stop myself.
Three Songs for Courage is about a group of teenage boys and their exciting yet dangerous summer vacation. Although the story focuses on the life of its protagonist, Gordon Westley, every other character becomes included and related to it somehow. Sixteen year old Gordon and his three friends are part of a group they like to call "The Lakers". Gordon has always had a crush on beautiful, strawberry blonde haired Mary. But he so easily becomes her boyfriend with the help of his family's close relationship with her family. Simultaneously, Gordon slowly develops issues between a boy named Lancer Caldwell and himself. Their arguments lead to dreadful results, yet the final result of all is the most shocking.
Since Three Songs for Courage takes place in s small town called Erie View and in the 1950's, I am able to learn and visualize how the lifestyle was. This book also allows the read to discover a contrast between the teenage society in the 21st century and in the mid 20th century. It proves that times and people have changed. Yet I was shocked to read about the serious violence the book contained, in the 1950's. Although a similar situation could happen nowadays, it is still rare. I enjoyed this book and although it was fairly easy and simple to read, I recommend it to teenagers.
October 13, 2010
I really did enjoy this book. It was something I had seen at the library several times when I was looking for a book and I would always pick it up then pu it back. Finally I decided I would check it out and I am glad I did. This book took me back and made me feel like I was back in the 1950's. The story had humour, young love, family love, sadness and the overcomings of life's obsticals. If I ould I would rates this book with another half star for 4.5/5 stars. It was a great book and if you were to get the opportunity to read I would definately recomend it.
June 10, 2012
I found this book amongst the normally mundanely drama-filled books of my high-school reading club and got immersed in a world that may have been set in our universe but which was uncommonly profound. This book is shocking, it's characters sometimes silly and illogical in realistic teenager sort of ways and the bad guys not just demons for the sake of being so, but a fantastic representation of dangerous mental illness and instability.
a great read and highly recommended to anyone who likes coming-of age stories.
a great read and highly recommended to anyone who likes coming-of age stories.
November 26, 2014
I thought this book was going to be boring on account of it was assigned to me for an english class read, but boy, was I wrong.
I love this book. The storyline and characters were very realistic. I laughed when Tony stunk up Lancer's car, I cried when Lancer killed Old Dougie and Stan, and when Gordon hugged his mother at the funeral. It was a very touching story.
I love this book. The storyline and characters were very realistic. I laughed when Tony stunk up Lancer's car, I cried when Lancer killed Old Dougie and Stan, and when Gordon hugged his mother at the funeral. It was a very touching story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2008
good so far. it made me laugh and cry. i like how it back in the late 50s after the war.
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September 20, 2022
This was an interesting read. I enjoyed as a teen.
August 15, 2015
As much as I really wanted to get into this book and wanted to like it I couldn't. It just didn't catch my attention and I felt like I was wasting my time.
November 2, 2008
ah, young love.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews