First published 2008
Primrose Squarp stands alone in Coal Harbour, convinced her parents survived the storm that everyone else believes killed them. The townspeople see her as an orphan, but Primrose knows better. When Miss Perfidy's babysitting fees become too expensive, the town council tracks down Uncle Jack, who agrees to take her in without much enthusiasm. Primrose adjusts to his house, even though strange sounds like a hockey game echo through the walls at night. Her real comfort comes from The Girl in the Swing restaurant, where Miss Bowzer serves everything on waffles, including lasagna, and listens to Primrose with understanding ears. Between Uncle Jack's reluctant care and Miss Bowzer's warm wisdom, Primrose navigates her unusual situation while holding fast to hope about her parents' fate. The story follows her journey through loss, belonging, and the power of believing in what others cannot see.
Genres: fiction, family-life, contemporary
Vibes: emotional, intimate, whimsical
Tropes: found-family, unreliable-narrator
Setting: Coal Harbour
Period: 20th-century
176 pages · Paperback · Square Fish