"A Skillful blending of the themes of adolescence, changing friendships, and old age."
- The Horn Book
"A refreshing coming-of-age story ... Entertaining."
-School Library Journal
"Outstanding tale of three adolescents ... warm, endearing, yet full of truth."
-Maine Examination Collection
"Impressive ... A summer rollercoaster."
-The Macon Beacon
Close as Clams
Thirteen-year-old Ronnie was looking forward to summer on Harbor Island with her best friends, Mia and Charlie. The trio called themselves "The Clamdiggers," because they were as close as clams. They did everything together: boating, waterskiing, fishing, swimming, exploring the wild areas of the island, and playing their favorite after-dark game-spying on the Island's residents. Except, that is, for the one person they never spied on-the Island's eccentric catlady, Mrs. Peet. They sometimes see the old woman wandering in the woods with her pack of half-wild cats. They had been warned by their parents to keep away.
Caught by The Old Catlady
Ronnie's summer plans fall apart because Mia and Charlie are growing up faster than she is. Mia claims that Charlie is her boyfriend now. One night when Mia and Charlie go off together, leaving Ronnie alone on the beach, she decides to do something that will impress Charlie. Planning to tell him all about it the next day, she spies on the catlady. She is crouched in the bushes by the old woman's back step when Mrs. Peet opens the door, discovers Ronnie, and invites her into her house to meet her "family" (her cats). Ronnie's first impulse is to run, but then she realizes that this is her opportunity to have a great story to tell Jimmy, and she bravely walks into the house. She discovers that Mrs. Peet is lonely and poor-she struggles to keep her "family" fed. She also learns that Fern, is an eighty-three-year-old retired concert pianist, who had a brilliant career on the world stage, until arthritis crippled her hands. When Fern offers to give Ronnie piano lessons, she finds herself excited to learn to play music.
Clamdiggers to the Rescue?
When Fern's son threatens to move her into a retirement residence, Fern tells Ronnie that she would rather die than be taken away from her family and no longer be able to roam the island's wilderness. Ronnie hatches a plan to get Fern's son to change his mind, But she needs Mia and Charlie's help. Will the Clamdiggers work together to rescue Fern? Will Ronnie be able to keep her relationship with Fern from her parents? Will she discover what Fern did with her savings?
"Vivid, evocative ... Ronnie's impulsive actions, her discomfort with the changes in her friends, and her need to find new companionship will be understood by many middle-school age readers."
-VOYA Magazine
