Sister Wife

Gathered in the isolated, rural community of Unity the people of The Movement live a simple life guided by a set of religious principles and laws that are unique to them. Polygamy (multiple wives) is the norm, and it is customary for 15-yr old girls to be assigned to much older husbands.

Celeste has been born and raised in Unity, yet she struggles to fit in. Perhaps it's because of Taviana, the girl who has come to live with them and entertains Celeste with forbidden stories, or Jon, the young man she has clandestine meetings with, or maybe it's the influence of Craig, the outsider who builds inuksuk on the beach, but whatever it is, she struggles to accept her ordained life. At fifteen she is repulsed at the thought of being assigned to an older man, becoming a sister wife and she knows for certain she is not cut out to raise children. She wants something more for herself, yet feels powerless to change her destiny because rebelling would bring shame upon her family.

Celeste watches as first Taviana leaves Unity, followed by Jon, and finally Craig, the boy who has taught her to think ‘outside the box'. Although she is assigned to a caring man, his sixth wife, she is desperately unhappy. How will Celeste find her way out of Unity?

Awards and Recognition

Resource Links Best Bet for 2008

Orca Book Publishers
ISBN 978-1-55143-927-3