A riveting story of a pivotal battle in the Seven Years’ War that changed Canadian history forever. Seventeen-year-old Sébastien de L’Espérance and his friend Guillaume have fought to keep the British from getting a foothold in Île Royale (now Cape Breton Island) ever since the young men came from France two years ago. Britain has blockaded Louisbourg, and supplies for the 4000 inhabitants are running short. Despite Louisbourg’s massive defences, if cut off from supplies provided by France, it cannot survive. Both young men are members of the Compagnies Franches de la Marine. They are sent out on scouting missions that provide valuable information about the British troops — troops which outnumber the French three to one. When British warships arrive in force, Sébastien vows to defend the town, his friend Guillaume, and the woman he loves.

Sixteen-year-old Ben Corbett desperately struggles to maintain the secret he's been hiding for nine years.

Reef is back in Halifax for the funeral of Frank Colville, his former mentor. Memories of Frank compete with memories of Leeza and the terrible way their relationship ended. Mindful that the restraining order against him has been renewed by Leeza’s mother, Reef has no intention of staying in Halifax for long. Leeza, in the meantime, is feeling stifled by her mother’s “concern.” A first-year student at Dalhousie, she is kicking herself for not attending university out of town. Despite Reef ’s best efforts to stay away, circumstances push him and Leeza ever closer to each other. An eager political crusader wants to close Reef ’s former group home, and he will stop at nothing to get media attention, including manipulating news items. Reef is shocked to discover that he has been photographed outside Leeza’s house and, therefore, in violation of the restraining order. Finding himself at the centre of growing controversy, Reef is pushed to his limits. Before he leaves town, Reef must face his demons and make some tough choices or else risk losing everything he has worked for, including the only girl he has ever loved.

Reef is an embittered young offender, hardly able to contain his anger at the world over the death of his grandmother, the only person who had shown him any love. Seventeen-year-old Leeza is mourning the death of her older sister. A stone hurled in rage shatters both their lives and throws them together in the most unexpected way—and offers them a chance at healing.

Willa Jaffrey is beautiful, rich, dating the perfect guy and determined to have a fabulous senior year. Enter Keegan Fraser, a handsome new student who wants no part of the games everyone plays at Willa’s school. Despite a rocky start, Keegan and Willa gradually become closer, even as Willa’s carefully constructed universe begins to fall apart. But little does Willa know that Keegan’s past holds the darkest of secrets—and it’s about to catch up to him. PRAISE FOR DON AKER “Aker is a master at creating appealing characters and powerful relationships . . . and almost unbearable tension.” —CANADIAN CHILDREN'S BOOK NEWS “Aker’s sure and swift style drives the story with vigour . . . before bringing it to a resounding climax.” —QUILL & QUIRE “Running on Empty . . . really shines at showing how a boy reckons with ideals, and what he has to do when they slip out of his grasp by his own actions.” —NATIONAL POST

Fifteen-year-old Sam solves a mystery while treasure-hunting on the Australian coast.