Nathan's investigation to clear his name and find the truth leads him through a variety of conflicts and complications to a dramatic climax and a satisfactory conclusion. As his relationship with Sally deteriorates, his suspicions of her brother, Brad, increase, and he ultimately comes into violent conflict with Brad's gang. Whitmore's abuse escalates into a brutal attack that results in Nathan's removal from the foster home. Through all the discord, Nathan emerges with new insights and realizes "that for the first time in his life he had choices. And that felt good."

      Nathan's primary goal is to get home to his mom and younger siblings. His white mom has raised him; he's never seen his Cree father. His only interest in native culture is in Indian healers, a career he thinks he might like to pursue. Jenny Twofeathers, a former foster child of the Whitmores, comes to stay while doing research for a university paper. Nathan resents, resists, and then accepts Jenny who bullies him into attending native events like a pow wow and a healing ceremony, and tries to persuade him to acknowledge and accept his heritage. "You need me," she tells him, "to get in touch with the native inside you."

      Dalton adds Trial by Fire, her first young adult novel, to her published works. The novel presents some standard problems -- dysfunctional families, prejudice and stereotyping, identity crisis, relationships; then throws arson, murder, gangs, abuse, violence, drugs, foster care, and aboriginal healing rituals into the mixture. Nathan's character develops against a collection of stock character types - the sexy girlfriend, the abusive foster father, the bullied wife, the sympathetic social worker, the tough cop, the teacher/friend who betrays, the addicted mother, the teenage "druggie." The plot moves briskly, saturated with obstacles, betrayals, conflicts, and a remarkable number of "problems" that Nathan must overcome. However, Dalton concludes the story on an optimistic note with Nathan deciding that "in the future he'd be running towards, not away from, something."

      Trial by Fire bears The Canadian Children's Book Centre Choice seal.

Recommended.