The Canning Season - Polly Horvath

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. \n \nOne 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. \n \nBy turns dark and humorous, Polly Horvath offers readers enough quirky characters and outrageous situations to leave them reeling!\n