Bay Girl

Steve Pitt is a Toronto-based freelance writer and an award-winning journalist. He has written many young adult and children's books, including Day of the Flying Fox: The True Story of World War II Pilot Charley Fox.

Patsy arrives home from school to find her mother and Aunt Dora reading
a letter from Gran. Bad news! Shoal Harbour, where Gran lives with her
son Uncle Wish, is being resettled. Everyone must leave but where will
they go? Mom, Aunt Dora, and Patsy board The Burgeo and arrive at Shoal
Harbour to assess the situation. They urge Gran and Uncle Wish to come
to Cape Grande, but Gran says she’s not moving.

With her cousins, Loretta and Maggie, Patsy learns to row a boat. When
the girls lose a boat oar, Patsy dives into the bay to retrieve it, only
to find the water so cold she cannot swim; her cousins’ screams get
her moving. There’s a trip up the river to visit Gran’s oldest
friends. After negotiating the rapids, the girls climb up beside the
falls. Food is cooked on open fires; there’s a big tent and a surprise
birthday cake. After Gran and Uncle Wish promise to come live with Mom
and Patsy when the settlement closes, Patsy rows across the bay, a Bay
Girl at last.

This delightful account of Newfoundland life entertains and educates,
giving many insights into a rugged, independent lifestyle. Colorful
writing and beautiful descriptions add to the reader’s pleasure.
Recommended.