Karen Rivers

   Born in Nanaimo and having spent all of her life on the west coast, Karen Rivers feels a deep connection to the ocean and to the animals that call it home. Her abiding interest in killer whales and the issues raised by the captivity of these incredible creatures served as a catalyst to her writing of Dream Water. The story was inspired by the real life drowning of a trainer by orcas at a Victoria aquarium.

   Karen began reading ravenously as a child and counts among her influences Judy Blume and Lewis Carroll. After studying in the creative writing department at the University of Victoria, Karen obtained her degree in International Relations at UBC and has also completed pre-med studies. Karen has worked in a variety of jobs, from audio-visual aide at an alzheimer's clinic to haunted house attendant, all the while concentrating on her writing.

   Dream Water is her first work of teen fiction and publication concides with the release of her first adult novel, The Tree Tatoo, coming this fall from Cormorant Books.

   Karen lives in Victoria, British Columbia, with her partner, Tim, and her big mutt, Tika.

For more information visit Karen Rivers at her own web site.

Reviews

Dream Water
Karen Rivers
   Tragedy strikes during a February field trip to the Victoria Seaquarium. The whale show has just ended, and most of the children have wandered off to other exhibits. However, three children are playing tag by the killer whale tank. They witness the full horror of the moment when the pretty, young whale trainer slips from the platform and into the water. They see her terrified face as the whales attack, dragging her to her death. Years later, two of the children are still suffering the effects of the traumatic event. Cassie and Holden are trying to cope with the fears that have resulted from the incident and its impact on their lives. This is Karen Rivers' first novel for teens and is based on a real accident at a Victoria aquarium. 1999, Orca, Ages 14 to 18, $14.95 and $6.95. Reviewer: Heidi Green
ISBN: 1-55143-160-2
ISBN: 1-55143-162-9

Added 1999

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