The Town That Floated Away

Patricia Morley is professor emerita of English and Canadian studies at
Concordia University, and the author of Kurlek, Margaret Laurence: The
Long Journey Home, and As Though Life Mattered: Leo Kennedy’s Story.

This amusing novel began as part of a radio drama series with the CBC.

Ten-year-old Virginia Potts, who has PPPs (Preposterously Protective
Parents), is desperate for a little adventure without them. She wants to
win a free trip to nearby St. Boniface in the annual School Spring Draw.
When her best friend comes up with an idea on how she can win—namely,
filling a jar with Virginia’s name on every slip—Virginia agrees.

The idea works. Unfortunately, before Virginia can enjoy her prize, the
Manitoban town of Wellington floats away (because of the dry spring, the
townsfolk forgot to nail it down). Then other things go wrong. Worried
about her boot business, Madame Galosh tempts the locals with 50 pails
of free lemonade; when every toilet in town flushes at once, a chunk of
the riverbank breaks loose.

Fantasy and humor run riot in this delightfully witty book, which
occasionally gets bogged down in detail. Helen Flook’s small
illustrations add to the fun. Recommended.