The Canning Season - by Polly Horvath (Paperback)

About the Book

Thirteen-year-old Ratchet spends a summer in Maine with her eccentric great-aunts, Tilly and Penpen, hearing strange stories from the past and encountering a variety of unusual and colorful characters. A National Book Award winner.

Book Synopsis

One night out of the blue, Ratchet Clark's ill-natured mother uproots her from Florida without a second thought. Ratchet is on a train to Maine for a summer with relatives within the blink of an eye. But these aren't just any relatives. Ratchet's ninety-two-year old great-aunts, twins Penpen and Tilly, live life in their secluded home on their own terms. They were born together, they grew up together, they live together, and they plan to die together. Through thick wilderness, down forgotten, bear-ridden roads, a plethora of strange family history, and a slew of unwelcome guests, Ratchet may just learn what a family can be after all. Unwelcome guests might just bring the greatest gifts of all.

By turns dark and humorous, Polly Horvath offers readers enough quirky characters and outrageous situations to leave them reeling!

Review Quotes

"* Horvath tops even Everything on a Waffle with this hilarious, heartrending tale of two unwanted children left with a pair of eccentric old ladies. . . . Once again Horvath displays a genius for creating multigenerational, interestingly extended families, and for blending high and low comedy into a tale rife with important themes and life-changing events." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"* Readers are in for a wise and wacky ride." --School Library Journal, starred review

"* Unruly, unpredictable and utterly compelling. . . . Readers may find themselves wondering just how far Horvath will go with her uncensored, Mad Hatter humor--and they won't be disappointed with her steering." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Alternately dark and humorous, Polly Horvath's imagination is always a treat." --The Chicago Tribune

About the Author

Polly Horvath is the author of many children's books, including Everything on a Waffle, a Newbery Honor book; The Trolls; and The Pepins and Their Problems (all available from Square Fish). She lives in Victoria, British Columbia.