Fran longs to be a star of stage and screen, but she's too poor to afford elocution and dance lessons. When she lands the leading role of Miss Matty in a school production of  Cranford , she's determined to make a splash. Far away, in Europe, World War II rages on, but Fran isn't worried, because her boyfriend is stationed in Canada. Her life seems to be heading in the right direction, finally-until she begins to unravel a web of lies and deception. Much as she wants to cling to familiar fantasies, Fran may have no choice but to face the truth. " Miss Matty takes readers back in time to Montreal during the Second World War, where they will find young women who, despite different circumstances, are remarkably similar to themselves. With patience and care, Edeet Ravel builds a story that encompasses not only the uncertainties of wartime, but friendship, desire, betrayal, sacrifice, ambition, loyalty, and class-all imbued with youthful, determined hopes for the future." -Joan Barfoot, author of Critical Injuries , longlisted for the Man Booker Prize "A brilliant novel. Memorable, engaging, with deftly-drawn, distinct characters. The setting-Jewish Montreal in 1942-is evoked with extraordinary fidelity and determines the characters' lives in multiple ways. Young adult readers of Miss Matty will find in it reflections of their doubts, their aching desires, and their struggle to understand the complex flawed humanity that defines their own lives and the lives of others."-Nigel H. Thomas, winner of the Canadian Molson Prize for lifetime contribution to the Arts "In this richly detailed story of Montreal in wartime, Edeet Ravel deftly explores girlhood and friendship. A joy to read and an inspiration."-Claire Holden Rothman, author of The Heart Specialist Fran longs to be a star of stage and screen, but she's too poor to afford elocution and dance lessons. When she lands the leading role of Miss Matty in a school production, she's determined to make a splash. Edeet Ravel has written fiction for young readers, young adults, and adults. Her books have received many literary awards and distinctions, including the Hugh MacLennan Fiction Prize, the QWF Blachford Prize for Children and YA Literature, the J.I. Segal Award and the Snow Willow Award. She has been nominated twice for the Governor General's Award as well as for, among others, the Giller Prize, the Commonwealth Prize, several Children's Tree Awards, the Arthur Ellis Award, and the Vine Award. Her books have been translated into several languages and her YA novel The Saver was adapted for the screen. She lives in Montreal, and loves to hear from readers. Her name is pronounced eeeDEEET (not "edit"). Steven Stowell is an artist, writer, and art historian based in Montreal, Canada. He holds a BFA from Queen's University, Kingston, and has exhibited drawings and paintings in Canada and the UK. He is also an Associate Professor of Italian Renaissance art history and teaches at Concordia University, Montreal.