First published 1936
Kay and Garry find themselves stranded in their isolated cottage when winter arrives earlier and more severely than expected. Their parents are away, and the children must fend for themselves as snow piles high around their home. Kay, the older sister, takes charge of their survival while Garry struggles with fear and homesickness. They ration their dwindling food supplies, keep the fire burning, and battle the cold that seeps through every crack in their shelter. As weeks pass with no word from the outside world, the siblings must overcome their differences and learn to depend on each other. Kay discovers reserves of strength she never knew she possessed, while Garry finds courage in small acts of helpfulness. Their bond deepens through shared hardship as they face each new challenge together. The story reveals how crisis can transform ordinary children into resourceful survivors and shows the power of family loyalty when everything else falls away.
Genres: survival, 20th-century, adventure, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, sibling-relationship
Setting: Cottage
Period: Winter
Hardcover · Viking Juvenile