Coal Harbor is an everyone knows everyone town, and it seems like our narrator has overcome quite a bit of commotion for a town the size. She casually mentions that she WAS living with endearing neighbors Bert and Evie while her parents were lost at sea for a year, but now they are back home. Phew. Written from the point of view of our young narrator, Primrose, this story is realistic fiction with a theme of place-based security and connection. No one is dying to get out of this small town, in fact, they are willingly getting arrested to preserve its beauty. When a newcomer shows up as Bert and Evie's new foster, Primrose finds herself drawn to protect him and act as the ambassador of their town. Through tragic circumstances, best friendships are formed, marriages and babies are created, and love, loss, and kindness reverberate throughout Coal Harbor. Recommended for 6-8 grade. Horvath, P. (2012). One year in Coal Harbor. Shwartz & Wade Books: New York. FictionKirkus Starred Review I absolutely loved this book. It's full of fresh perspectives and topics that I haven't really been enlightened about before. This book was an emotional roller coaster for me: I was happy for Primrose getting her first best friend, Ked, who she was able to connect with because they both have been in foster care; I was angry at Eleanor a lot because she was being inconsiderate and mean to Ked specifically; I was sad and angry when Ked's father took him away to Yellowknife, and when Ked went missing. I was really excited at the end of the story when Ked made it back to Coal Harbor, where his foster parents and Primrose were; and I was livid when Ked's dad came back for him, and it turned out that Ked's dad was horrible and abusive, and therefore was arrested. At the very end of the story I was happy when Ked was adopted by his foster parents and got to stay in Coal Harbor, and Primrose was able to be with her best friend.A theme that seemed to be in the story was if you want something to happen, make it happen. "'It's too bad you can't buy the mountain,' I said hastily, 'That would stop the logging.'"And that's when Uncle Jack stood up and left. Without a word.... That's how Mendolay Mountain ended up with a statue of Mr. Honeycut on top of it.... " (190-191) This quote was when, to stop the logging on Mendolay Mountain, Uncle Jack actually bought the mountain with money originally given to him to find a place to create "Honeycut Park" for Ms. Honeycut. This shows that, because Uncle Jack wanted to stop the logging, he made it stop by buying the mountain.This book reminded me of "Almost Home" by Joan Bauer because, like Sugar, both Primrose and Ked had to be in foster care because their parents weren't able to care for them. This book also made me realize again how lucky I am, because I am lucky to have best friends in my life and great parents.
What do You think about One Year In Coal Harbour (2012)?
2.5--3.0 starsthe more I think about it, the more I am disappointed at this book.
—eka
