An Unbalanced Force - by Valerie Sherrard (Paperback)

About the Book

Ethan's father has been lying about taking "business trips," using them as cover for a clandestine -- and potentially illegal -- operation. To catch a liar, Ethan must become a liar, but what if the truth can throw his whole life off balance?

Book Synopsis

Winner, New Brunswick Book Awards -- Books for Young Readers Award 2025

To catch a liar, he must become a liar.

Ethan Granger has no idea what his father does for work, just that it's lucrative enough to make his family rich, and it often requires him to go out of town.

But when Ethan catches his dad in a lie, it raises unsettling questions he can't ignore. Before long, Ethan's investigation into this seemingly small fib uncovers a whole clandestine -- and potentially criminal -- operation.

Hiring a private eye, sneaking into his dad's office, tailing him on his "business trips" -- Ethan uses every deceitful trick his father taught him against those closest to him, but just how far will he go to expose the lies?

And what if the truth throws his whole world off balance?

Review Quotes

"Opening with Isaac Newton's First Law of Motion to solidify the title, and a first line that rocked me to my core, I was ready. ... A fast-paced adventure that asks the hard questions of the responsibilities of sons and teenagers."

--Sarah Butland "The Miramichi Reader"

"Valerie Sherrard's An Unbalanced Force is a page-turning, edge-of-your-seat mystery that examines familial relationships, friendships, and personal ethics."

--Mellissa Connolly "Canadian Children's Book News"

"Valerie Sherrard has created an intellectual story that puts a teenager in a pretty outrageous position and requires him to do the right thing. I love that Ethan, although a teenager and certainly prone to the wrong choices, makes very calculated and intelligent decisions throughout the story. You root for him because you would like to think you would make similar choices given the circumstances. ... [T]his story was a thought provoking examination of family and choosing between family and what is right."

--Stephanie Lamb "Storytime with Stephanie"

"Valerie Sherrard chilled me to the core in An Unbalanced Force. ... Readers who love action, suspense, and drama will enjoy this book."

-- "Readers' Favourite"

"Valerie Sherrard excels at realistic YA in which young people are challenged by ordinary feelings in perhaps uncommon circumstances. In An Unbalanced Force, Ethan is challenged with doing what's right which may be at odds with what his family might want."

--Helen Kubiw "CanLit for LittleCanadians"

"Sherrard keeps her readers on the edge of their seats ... Highly Recommended."--Ann Ketcheson "CM Reviews"

"Sherrard's An Unbalanced Force is a fast moving, action-packed, suspense-filled thriller, with enough twists and turns that will engage a reader from the first page and perhaps have them question their own integrity and moral fibre alongside Ethan Granger! FIVE STARS!"--Karen Upper "Goodreads"

"The novel hooks you early on and you're not likely to put it down. You really care where it's leading and how Ethan is going to handle the dilemma. And by the time you're past the halfway mark, the emotionally-wrought scenes are true heart-stabbers, very skillfully written. ... It's simply a great read, with the moral angst of Ethan's situation a strong pull throughout."--Pam Withers "YA Dude Books"

"[The] first-person narration will ensnare readers immediately, sustaining their interest as this compact, strongly paced story navigates red herrings and subplots. ... A fast-paced page-turner that explores moral gray areas."

-- "Kirkus Reviews"