Every student at Saskatoon Collegiate knew that all the most important aspects of school life were controlled by a secret club called Shadow Council. Each fall, Shadow held a traditional lottery during which a single student's name was drawn. The rest of the student body called the student the lottery winner. But Shadow Council knew better; to them the winner was the lottery victim. Whatever the label, the fated student became the Council's go-fer, delivering messages of doom to selected targets. In response, the student body shunned the lottery winner for the entire year. This year's victim was fifteen-year-old Sally Hanson.
"One of this year's 'must' purchases...Highly recommended."
– CM Magazine
"A gripping and powerful narrative."
– KLIATT
ALA Best Books for Young Adults | 2003 | Long-listed
YALSA Quick Picks | 2003 | Long-listed
CCBC Our Choice starred selection | 2003 | Commended
CLA Young Adult Book Award nominee | 2003 | Short-listed
KLIATT Editors' Hardcover YA Fiction Choice | 2003 | Commended
Manitoba Young Readers' Choice Award nominee | 2004 | Short-listed
SYRCA Snow Willow nominee | 2004 | Short-listed
White Ravens List | 2003 | Commended
White Pine nominee | 2004 | Runner-up