Twelve-year-old Liam finds a dead body along the shore at his grandfather’s cottage. He can’t erase what he’s seen and can’t focus on anything else, not even the upcoming opportunity of a lifetime to try out for an elite soccer team. Liam believes there is more to the girl’s story than her “accidental death” and decides to investigate.
When Liam visits his grandfather, living in palliative care, things go from bad to worse. As they watch Germany’s 2014 World Cup soccer games together, his grandfather, a German World War II veteran, reveals stories about his past — stories a Jewish Canadian kid doesn’t want to hear. Angry and overwhelmed, Liam is swept up in a history that may just help him solve the girl’s death — and make sense of his own world again.
| NEWS AND REVIEWS | HONOURS |
| – Kirkus Reviews (starred): “What might have been a simple whodunit becomes a powerful exploration of family secrets, trauma, and grief, enlivened by the exhilarating furor of soccer. Liam’s sharp, ruminative narration fully immerses readers in his journey.” – Canadian Children’s Book News (Red Leaf Literature pick*) – Seattle Book Review (4.5/5) – Canadian Teacher Magazine – Quill & Quire – Kitchener Public Library – CBC Books – Youth Services Book Review (starred) – Cloud Lake Literary – CM: Canadian Review of Materials (highly recommended): “What might have been a simple whodunit becomes a powerful exploration of family secrets, trauma, and grief, enlivened by the exhilarating furor of soccer. Liam’s sharp, ruminative narration fully immerses readers in his journey.” | – 2021 Forest of Reading Red Maple Finalist – Canadian Children’s Book Centre Best Books for Kids & Teens 2020 – 2021 Skipping Stones Honor Award |
The creation of this work was funded in part by an Ontario Arts Council grant. Thank you.
Advanced praise for The Other Side
“With The Other Side, author Heather Camlot accomplishes again what she did with her debut, Clutch: a story brimming with humour, heart, and a unique historical context. In this case, we are plunged into an engaging murder mystery, and readers will be left guessing until the final reveal. But this murder mystery coincides with a fascinating exploration of what family history means, how it affects our relationships, and how we can bridge the gap between the people we love and what they may or may not have done in the past. And, of course, Camlot also provides an extremely adept and insightful look into PTSD and how it affects our everyday lives. With themes of self-identity, historical ambiguity, and representation, this a book that seeks to challenge readers. Teachers, this a book that is going to spark much-needed conversations.”
— Wesley King, New York Times bestselling author of The Wizenard Series
“Liam Reimold loves soccer, but in this simmering mystery he’s also his own kind of wrestler: he struggles to reconcile the past and present, right and wrong, life and death. We’re by Liam’s side from start to finish as Heather Camlot artfully reveals how a young boy’s vulnerability is his strength, and we quietly rejoice when his warring emotions find an enduring peace. Like the memories at the heart of this loving family portrait, Camlot’s fine writing lingers.”
— Emil Sher, playwright and author of Young Man With Camera
Where to buy: From your favourite bookstore, Red Deer Press or 
Be sure to check out the Dig Deeper section of this website for lots of background information about The Other Side — from videos to timelines to Pinterest boards.
Heather Camlot 