One Year in Coal Harbor

Polly Horvath is a gifted storyteller whose stories sweep ou into the ocean-side world of Nova Scotia. Primrose Squarp is a world-class heroine, spunky and brave and smart, right up there with all the best classic heroines. Don't be put off by the Young Adult category; this book is for all ages, as much as Huckleberry Finn and Little Women are. Horvath creates a realistic world that makes the reader want to hop on a train and visit.

I enjoyed 'Everything on a Waffle' so much, I was delighted to see a sequel. Unlike many sequels, this book maintains the original charm. I sensed that Primrose grew since the prior novel and seems more skeptical of the ways of life than before, when her hope was undiluted. However, this seems to be a logical part of growing up, which includes realizing absent justice... and the occasional miracle.

This will always be one of my favorite treats! I appreciate so much the development of the main character, her believability, and desire for goodness and fairness in the world. The word choices are wonderful, and I highly recommend this book!

I love this book. My 9 year old son loved this book. Ms. Horvath is brilliant. This should be a movie.

I love this book so good and interesting! Action packed and keeps you wondering ! It's a mix of romance mystery and action best book ever :)

This story whisks me away to the seaside and I don't have to worry about inclement weather. I love it!

One Year in Coal Harbor drops us back into the oceanside town in British Columbia where you can play hockey at Uncle Jack's house or have Miss Bowzer fix you up something to eat-just know it's going to come on a waffle. It's been a year since Primrose's parents returned, and she to her home with them. She's more rich now than ever with her Uncle Jack staying on in town, as well as Bert and Evie, her temporary foster parents who had moved to Coal Harbor all sticking by her. She visits all of them regularly, along with keeping up her regular sessions at The Girl in the Red Swing learning to cook all variety of dishes with Miss Bowzer.I observed in the last novel that Primrose Squarp is surprisingly resilient and full of faith, but also lacking in companions her own age. This is rectified in One Year in Coal Harbor when Bert and Evie take on a new foster child, Ked, who Primrose quickly comes to think of as her best friend (even though she'd never tell him that). Primrose recognizes in Ked the loneliness and thin places she herself was in when her parents were missing and instinctively finds he is someone she can relate to and wants to protect, despite his reluctance to reveal anything about his own past.As in its predecessor, the problems in One Year in Coal Harbor are very real and bigger than the little girl telling the story. However, because of that little girl the story feels cozy and personal. Primrose is able to gauge issues the way we adults let slip from our perspectives at times. Her care for Ked, her concern for Uncle Jack and Kate Bowzer who she is certain must get married, and observations of a town protesting the logging of a mountain in their backyard are all reflected through Primrose's insightful thoughts, and of course, we are graced with more recipes.One Year in Coal Harbor is a wonderful story about not letting our pasts dictate who we will be, and also the reality that some things just are. Primrose realizes somewhere along the road that the majority of things in life we cannot fix or ruin, but we can still change them. She tries her hardest to change those things she sees in need, but also finds out that you can't really control other people's lives if they want certain things. I was so happy to see Primrose gain a friend at last, and it was wonderful to see her stick her neck out for someone who was currently going through something so akin to what she'd known.

My young daughter writes a newsletter for our family; here's our review after reading this aloud each night before bed.* * *This is the sequel to Everything on a Waffle, and fans of the first book won't be disappointed. Most of the characters are still there (you won't even miss Ms. Perfidy!), and the addition of Ked, a foster child who comes to stay with Burt and Evie, finally gives Primrose the best friend she's been waiting for.The folks in this town are excellent role models for young readers because they are not afraid to speak up (and even be arrested) for what they believe in. In this case, they do not want their beloved mountain to be logged, and who can blame them? Will Uncle Jack be able to save the day, and why does Primrose keep asking Ms. Bowzer to make Boeuf Bourguignon?The humor in Ms. Bowzer's outburst is outdone only by the infamous Dead Cat poem. The book also contains a lot of wisdom about how to move forward with hope in your heart when times are tough. Readers who enjoy acting will have fun reading Burt & Evie's dialogue aloud.Enjoy this fun read, gather some wisdom, and don't forget the mini marshmallows!