MAKING SEAKER
by Karen Autio

Girls and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math)

When Jamie moves to Nipigon, Ontario, she’s not optimistic about making new friends at school. Jamie is passionate about science and engineering, and in her experience other girls don’t want to hang out with science nerds.

Still, Jamie doesn’t want a friendless future, so she sets out to be more likeable by becoming more like other kids. When she meets Beth who likes writing, Jamie claims to like it too. Then she trades her not-so-bad sandwich for a disgusting egg salad sandwich with Beth’s friend Raina, hoping the sacrifice will land her a friend. Instead she gets more gross lunches and is responsible for the writing in a group project. Jamie’s writing is terrible, and Raina and Beth are mad at her. Jamie’s social prospects look bleak.

But Jamie likes Nipigon and is fascinated by the story of Paddle-to-the-Sea, a fictional canoe trip that began in town. Jamie decides to build a trackable boat to recreate the journey of Paddle. She starts researching the tech for tracking the journey and searching for the best design for the boat.

When she tells her class about the project, kids seem interested. Raina even offers to help. Jamie is over-the-moon excited to have another girl to geek out with. But the project is fraught with complications—so is the friendship. And Jamie’s not sure she can salvage any of it.

Making Seaker will be available August 31, 2021. Order now and be among the first to receive it.

Karen Autio is the author of numerous books for children, including Growing up in Wild Horse Canyon and Kah-Lan and the Stink-Ink with Crwth Press. Karen grew up in Nipigon Ontario and visits the town almost every year. Today Karen lives in Kelowna, B.C. To learn more visit www.karenautio.com.