Barbara Radecki

This book was picked by CBC as one of 150 books to read for Canada's Sesquicentennial. Since it was set in New Brunswick and I was trying to find a book set in that province for a reading challenge I thought I would see what it was like. It is classified as suitable for Young Adults but this far from young adult enjoyed it.

Gemma lives with her father on an island off the coast of New Brunswick. Her father maintains the lighthouse on the island and also runs the ferry that provides a link between the island and the mainland. When her father is not working at his jobs he is gathering scientific data about pair attachment between voles. Gemma has never been off the island and there is no internet or TV for her to learn what life is like. There are no other children on the island so Gemma has been educated by Peg who is a trained nurse and also runs the island's one restaurant. Gemma has been told that her mother abandoned her because she was not right in the head. Gemma always wonders what her mother was like and if she could have gotten better. One morning when Gemma is almost 16 a woman arrives on the island and Gemma is drawn to her, wondering if she could be her mother. Marlie ends up staying with Gemma and her father and Gemma is happy to have some company. Marlie's presence acts as a catalyst for change and Gemma discovers secrets her father has hidden from her all her life. Gemma wants to find the whole truth which means she has to leave her safety net and explore the unknown.

I'll bet YA readers would find this even more gripping than I did.… (altro)