Embarrassed by your brother? Estranged from your uncle? Then you might need some help from Almost Family Surrogate Agency. Cam Redden and his dad are rent-a-relatives, available for hire to anyone looking to upgrade.

Cam’s job is all about being whoever other people want him to be. Then two new clients come along. Albertina is an old lady with a big mouth, a bigger wig and a serious mission. Raylene is a beautiful girl with a nose ring, a wonky eye and a painful secret. Now to get to the bottom of the tragic mysteries that fuel them both, Cam may finally have to be himself.

VICKI GRANT left her career in advertising and television to write her first novel, The Puppet Wrangler, in 2004. She has written many books for young readers, including Not Suitable For Family Viewing, winner of the Red Maple Award, Quid Pro Quo, winner of the Author Ellis Award for Best Juvenile Crime Fiction, Betsy Wickwire’s Dirty Secret, Pig Boy and B Negative. She lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Web: vickigrant.com

Twitter: @VickiGrantYA

Instagram: @vicki_grantya

Vicki Grant's profile page

• Manitoba Young Readers Choice Awards - Nothern Lights Award (Grades 7-9)
• OLA Best Bets
• Red Maple Award Finalist
• Saskatchewan Young Reader’s Choice Award - Snow Willow Award

“Part mystery, part romance, part vigilante justice, Short for Chameleon is all heart, providing memorable characters readers will wish were part of their family.” — National Reading Campaign

“A delightful, quirky, and engaging read. . . . Highly Recommended.” — CM Magazine

“Original, hilarious and evocative.” — Resource Links

“Absolutely loved the book. It’s a voice thing and Vicki’s got it in spades!” — Teresa Toten, bestselling author of The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B and Beware That Girl

“Funny, super smart, and fast-paced. I loved every word.” — Susan Juby, author of The Truth Commission

“In Short For Chameleon, Grant flings charming goofiness around like confetti, with smiles and surprises on every page. I finished it in a sitting.” — Richard Scrimger, author of Zomboy and Lucky Jonah

“[Grant] excels here in silly Sherlock mode.” — Globe and Mail

“A near perfect book. It bursts with a unique voice and a delightfully surprising plot.” — Quill & Quire