Porcupine

by Meg Tilly

Summary: When Jack's (short for Jacqueline) father is killed in Afganistan, her mother leaves Jack and her little brother and sister with their grandmother, promising to come back soon. Jack soon realizes, though, that their mother isn't coming back, and that their gruff, no-nonsense grandmother is their legal guardian. Jack must deal with her feelings about being abandoned, her father's death, and the pressures of having to help raise her younger siblings.

My thoughts: Meg Tilly is best known for her acting abilities--she's been in several award-winning films. This isn't an amazing book, but it's not a bad one, either. For you girls looking for a story that tugs at your heartstrings, go ahead and give it a try.