One night out of the blue, Rachet Clark's ill-natured mother tells her that Rachet will be leaving their Pensacola apartment momentarily to take the train up north. There she will spend the summer with her aged relatives Penpen and Tilly, inseperable twins who couldn't look more different from each other. Staying at their secluded house, Rachet is treated to strange family stories and local lore, along with heaps of generosity and care that she has never experienced before. Also, Penpen has recently espoused a new philosophy -- whatever shows up on your doorstep you have to let in. Through thick wilderness, down forgotten, bear-ridden roads, come a variety of characters, drawn to Penpen and Tilly's open door. It is with vast reservations that the cautious Tilly allows these unwelcome guests in. But it turns out that unwelcome guests may bring the greatest gifts.

Thank you Fracula for all the interesting YA books for my daughters! AND the great adult conversation.

This book has been starring at me for way too long and I am so happy that I read this wonderful story! Ratchet and Harper had such a terrible childhood until they found themselves dropped off at the door of the "Blueberry Ladies", and their lives were changed forever. Great characters and story!!! Thank you so much for sharing!

Taking this book to the next Calgary Bookcrossing meetup, enjoy!

I picked this up at the October BookCrossing meeting to add to my pile.

Such quirky characters - all so lovable in their own way. Quick read with many smiles and you just keep finding interesting things happening and love the way they work through things.

This book is ready to head off to the Christmas meet up at Cravings.

Book has come back to me, as I had not read it when I sent it into the group. Adding to Mnt. TBR.

I am so glad I brought this book back home to read!

Ratchet is dumped by her mother on two distant and very elderly aunts. This is such a sweet tale, with delightful characters who have an unorthodox view of life. Ratchet is so lucky to have Penpen and Tilly in her life!

This book doesn't patronize the YA reader, just enriches them!

Taken to the February meet-up of Calgary BookCrossers, held at Cravings Market Restaurant.

Picked up this book at the Calgary BookCrossing February meet-up. This book has the weirdest cover, but it did win a National Book Award so it can't be that bad.

I'm not sure what to make of this book. It's quirky, I'll give you that, but kind of surreal. Is this something every kid should read? I dunno. Most of the story has Penpen and Tilly recounting tales from their youth and there's not much in the way of development for Ratchet. She does get away from her horrible mother and discovers her potential, but it's her two aunts that dominate the story. A fun read, overall, but I'm not sure why it won that award.

Passing on this book to the next reader at the Calgary BookCrossing March meet-up.

Picked up at the Bookcrossing meeting today - it may languish on my TBR shelf for a while....