An Ottawa high school student got to meet the former prime minister who inspired her first novel on Thursday.
Canterbury High School student Caroline Woodward wrote Showdown at Border Town: An Early Adventure of Paul Martin for a publisher’s contest.
The challenge was to write the first chapter of a book that involved Martin as a 12-year-old detective, but used real elements from his childhood.
That started a process that led to Thursday’s launch.
“I think it’s a terrific book,” Martin said during their introduction.
“Caroline Woodward has shown not only a great writing talent, but she’s also shown a lot of imagination in the way her plot comes from – I claim no credit for this book.”
Woodward said Martin’s late sister gave her a tour of the cottage near Windsor, Ont., where Martin spent his childhood summers.
“I was able to go down to see where the book was set, she was just so great,” Woodward said. “She told me so much about Paul Martin as a 12-year-old.”
Martin said hopefully the book will help get young people interested in Canadian history, and added it was easier to read than one of his budgets.
With a report from CTV Ottawa’s Katie Griffin
