The Canning Season [Paperback]

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!

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

* Horvath tops evenEverything on a Wafflewith 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