The Beech Nut of Big Water Beach
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Margaret Shaw-MacKinnon, author of the award-winning Tiktala, (Fitzhenry and Whiteside) has brought us The Beech Nut of Big Water Beach (Aivilo Press), a humorous, uniquely Manitoban, coming-of-age story that is being enjoyed by young and old alike, and is being touted as one of those novels for readers from eight to eighty, worthy of national recognition. Not least of its charms, this book captures multiple nuances of a pleasurable and long-standing Winnipeg tradition—the summertime mass exodus of Winnipeggers from “the city” to “the beach.”
The book opens with the eccentric, artistic, twelve-year-old Munro McLean going over three troubling memories—two of which evoke unruly school days in 1970’s Winnipeg, and one of which takes place in an art class at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. In the mind of the young protagonist, the WAG represents nothing less than refuge from schoolyard bullying and life’s embarrassing trials—but not so with the appearance of the guest artist, Cassandra Beech. Munro recognizes her immediately as the Beech Nut of Big Water Beach, a reclusive beach resident who has long been the subject of the community’s ghost stories and pranks. Munro’s precarious young world topples when the Beech Nut sees his unusual name on his drawing board and informs him that many years before she dated his grandfather—and when she suggests that he might spend time at the beach with her shy, chubby grandniece, Alison.
As the book unfolds, we follow Munro as he develops an ever more convoluted and hilarious series of lies and subterfuges as he attempts to keep apart two worlds: the world of his art and the world of teenage popularity. The plot thickens with the arrival of Jack of the tarantulas and cigarettes. Further complicating matters is Munro’s growing attraction to Alison, who, in his eyes, comes to resemble the angel in Leonardo Da Vinci’s Virgin of the Rocks. Ultimately, we are led through humour to an unexpected ending, and a heartfelt examination of the nature of individuality and true friendship.
For educators: Watch for the exciting new Novel Study and Anti-Bullying Guide to The Beech Nut of Big Water Beach. Suitable for classroom study in Grades 5-9, or older at teacher’s discretion.
If you are coming into one of our stores, we suggest that you confirm that the book you want is in stock by emailing the location nearest you: Grant Park, Saskatoon, or by phoning the location nearest you.
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