You’re Never Alone in a Small Town: Community, Comfort, and Canola in Hannah Edwards Secrets of Riverway, a guest post by Ashley Hards

Hannah Edwards Secrets of Riverway was inspired by the rural community I grew up visiting every winter weekend with my family. This drive south to Pincher Creek had us driving by Nanton’s Candy Shop, which was filled with a thousand types of sweets, and the grain elevator—both of which transformed into parts of the town in my novel—as did the cowboy influence of Pincher Creek. But the biggest impact this journey had was on the community in my novel.

My parents—both of whom grew up in small towns—told me that the community was the difference between towns and cities. Even though there are more people in cities, it doesn’t always feel that way. I experienced this sense of a tight-knit community at the Castle Mountain Ski Resort. Castle is a small ski hill, and people there really know one another . . . like Marie, the liftie, who always gave me (and everyone) a hug. Marie always kept up to date on what we were doing. (She still does!) When you know all your neighbors and you’re always outside your trailer, digging in the snow, or making forts in the trees, then you’re never really alone.

Giving the book a rural setting allowed me to showcase this sense of close community. The town takes care of Hannah Edwards’ family after her father’s disappearance, but in the wrong way: instead of solving the case (like Hannah wants), they bring small-town comforts, like homemade food. Riverway is a town that cares—after all, people have chosen to stay even as the river is drying up. And this caring can help Hannah Edwards (like when Gemma and Joe swoop in at the end of the novel) or hinder her (prying eyes make her mystery-solving more nerve-racking). There’s something a bit vulnerable about being seen and cared for, but there’s also something comforting.

The rural setting also enabled me to depict Riverway as a town deeply connected to nature. Canola drives the town’s economy and becomes a major fixation for Hannah Edwards’ initial tour. The drying river is part of this connection, but so is the winding path that Hannah and Sam bike along. They can still play and be free. Hannah’s connection to the town gives her something to fight for—she doesn’t want to lose the river where she played as a kid. And isn’t that such a universal experience—not wanting to lose the place where you used to play?

Riverway frustrates Hannah Edwards but also loves her. It gives her the chance to solve a mystery without ever really being alone. While I was often alone in cities while writing Hannah Edwards Secrets of Riverway, the small Albertan towns I experienced as a kid gave me a sense of community.

And a lot of candy.

Meet the author

Ashley Hards was declared to be “gifted” at age 8 and was diagnosed with ADHD at age 22. When forced to sit still in class, she found books and writing to be the most engaging subjects, especially Shakespeare. She received both her BA and MA in English Literature from McGill University, where she now teaches writing and continues her research on Shakespeare and ritual.

Always the adrenaline lover, Ashley enjoys skiing, mountain biking, and opera. (Hey, it’s exciting.) She spent many weekends driving across Alberta and hanging out at a ski hill near Pincher Creek, and the vision for Riverway developed over many dark, stormy nights. Like Hannah, she enjoys journaling. Unlike Hannah, she has not solved any mysteries (yet). This is her first book. Find her on Instagram @ashleyrhards.

www.Hannah-Edwards.com

https://www.instagram.com/ashleyrhards

Fabled Films Press has numerous classroom resources written and developed under the supervision of educators and professionals to support the book. These include a Neurodiversity Discussion Guide by Dr. Dawn Jacobs Martin, PhD (sample sections include exploring neurodiversity and societal perspectives as well as using Hannah Edwards as a tool to understand neurodiversity); a Common Core Language Arts Guide by Pat Scales (sample sections include pre-reading activities, curriculum connections, and classroom discussion questions); and a print-at-home Tween Activity Kit with word games, crafts, and writing activities. All of these resources and more are available at www.Hannah-Edwards.com.

About Hannah Edwards Secrets of Riverway

This authentic ADHD reimagining of Hamlet is a fresh and unconventional take on a classic–that’s also a mystery! It’s Nancy Drew and Sammy Keyes mixed with Turtles All the Way Down and Honestly Elliott.

Cheer on Hannah Edwards in this exciting mystery and relatable coming-of-age story about ADHD, friendship, school, and family.
Hannah has a lot on her mind. Her father—the Canola King—is missing, and no one in her small town seems to care. With the support of her best friend Sam Castillo, and their sidekick Tim the Hall Monitor, Hannah embarks on a journey to solve the mystery of her father’s disappearance.
Along the way, she uncovers secrets that she records in her journal, confronts challenges in school due to her ADHD, talks to a ghost, and learns the true meaning of determination and friendship.

ISBN-13: 9781944020910
Publisher: Fabled Films Press
Publication date: 09/10/2024
Series: Hannah Edwards
Age Range: 9 – 12 Years

Filed under: Guest Post