The Hermit — Jan L. Coates

Eleven year old Danny Marsters was planning to have a fun but straightforward summer: pool parties and bike rides with his buddies, the odd game of washer toss with Grampy, and, of course, soccer camp. He didn''t count on developers threatening to build condos on the land the whole community had worked so hard to turn into the best soccer field in the county. And he definitely didn''t expect to stumble across a dishevelled man living all alone, deep in the woods behind Barnaby''s Brook. But Danny''s curiosity gets the better of him, and he slowly befriends the hermit. Just when he discovers a hidden connection between himself and the old man, disaster strikes, and more secrets are exposed that just might help Danny save the soccer field once and for all.

Loosely based on the real-life ""Hermit of Gully Lake,"" this story of unexpected friendship and close-knit neighbourhood bonds will appeal to anyone who has had to stand up for the things—and the people—they love. With themes of environmentalism and community activism, The Hermit is a timely novel full of heart.