Porcupine

 
Tilly, Meg (2007). Porcupine. Toronto, Ont: Tundra Books.

Twelve-year old Jack Cooper lives with her mother and two younger siblings in Newfoundland. Her dad is overseas in Afghanistan serving in a peacekeeping unit.  Jack idolizes her dad and is anxiously awaiting his return. When the family receives word that he was killed by friendly fire they are all devastated. Her mother sinks into herself leaving Jack to take on the role of both mother and father until she eventually loads them all into the car one day and drives them to Alberta, Canada to visit their previously unknown great-grandmother who raised Jack’s mom. Great-grandmother is a tough old woman, angry at her granddaughter for eloping and living alone on her farm. When Jack’s mom eventually leaves, leaving the kids behind, Jack must come to terms with her great-grandmother whom she dislikes as well as “raise” her brother and sister as her dad would have.

I was surprised to find that this book was written by actress Meg Tilly. It is a touching novel of loss, grief, acceptance, love and family. In the beginning Jack is angry about the loss of her father and about the fact that her mom has abandoned her and her siblings. Her language in the first third of the book reflects that with Jack swearing often. However, this strong language is by no means gratuitous- it is a reflection of the anger that Jack is feeling. As she comes to terms with her life and her grandmother the language softens and we see Jack’s growth shine through. Recommend this to students who liked Dicey’s Song by Cynthia Voigt.