IF YOU’RE ever fortunate enough to travel the length of Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore, you won’t pass through Hilchey Bay; it, and its residents, exist only in my imagination.

Cassie’s favorite picture book is That Stripy Cat, written by Norene Smiley and illustrated by Tara Anderson, published by Fitzhenry & Whiteside.

The Dr. Seuss books that Cassie likes are Horton Hatches the Egg, Horton Hears a Who!, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, and The Cat in the Hat, all published by Random House.

The book Brick chose from The Laughing Loon is Wall, by Andy Goldsworthy, published by Harry N. Abrams. Open: An Autobiography, by Andre Agassi, published by Alfred A. Knopf, is one of the titles that Brick takes out of the library.

Docker loaned Brick The Shotokan Karate Bible: Beginner to Black Belt, by Ashley P. Martin, published by Firefly Books.

The DVD that Brick and Cassie watch is called AC/DC No Bull, Elektra Entertainment Group.

[acknowledgements]

THIS BOOK needed considerable help along the way. My warm thanks are extended to:

Barbara Markovits, who read a very early version of Home Truths, and whose encouragement and insights were, as always, invaluable.

Mary Jo Anderson, whose suggestions later in the editing process were informed by her ever-present intelligence and emotional acuity—and by our long friendship.

My editor, Ann Featherstone, for how could this book have been published without her? Right away she saw the problems with an early draft, and we went from there—all the way to the deadline. Keep that sense of humor!

Gail Winskill, for her continuing belief in my writing, and her hard work on my behalf.

Sensei Tony Tam, 7th Dan, of the Dal Karate Club in Halifax, who allowed me to observe several beginner classes. He kindly undertook to read the pages of the manuscript that involved karate, and to give me his feedback. Any errors are my own.

He also granted permission to quote the dojo kun, the five principles of Master Gichin Funakoshi.

John Doherty, of Pro Cycle, Dartmouth NS, for his help with the technical aspects of driving an ATV.

My family, Dodie, Colin, and Stuart MacLean, who answered questions ranging from hard rock to hoodies. Special thanks to Stuart and Colin for demonstrating self-defence tactics on the living-room floor. And thanks to John Strowbridge for help with Johnny Cash.

Anne MacLean, for last-minute editorial advice about the vernacular of Nova Scotians, and for friendship.

The Abbey Girls, who first heard me read aloud from Home Truths.

I am very grateful for financial support, during the writing of Home Truths, from the Province of Nova Scotia through the Grants to Individuals Program of the Department of Tourism, Culture & Heritage.

I am equally grateful to the Grants to Professional Writers Program of the Canada Council for the Arts. The money I received supported the lengthy process of editing Home Truths.