Comfort Creek

by Joyce McDonald

Quinn and her family have seen better days. Mom has gone off to sing in a band, and Pa-Daddy is moving them out of their hometown and into the swampy backcountry. Worst of all, Quinn has lost her chance to edit the sixth-grade newspaper at her old school. Pa-Daddy is having serious money troubles, but is that any excuse for turning Quinn's world upside down? Warmth and wit bring spice to this memorable novel about a family's discovery that sticking together is the only way to beat the rough times.

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

There is more than one author with this name

Born in San Francisco, CA, and raised in Chatham, NJ, Joyce McDonald received her BA and MA from the University of Iowa, and went on to complete her Ph.D. at Drew University. She is the author of several books for children and young adults, among them the award winning Swallowing Stones, and the Edgar Award Nominated Shades of Simon Gray. She has taught at East Stroudsburg University in PA, Drew University in NJ, and is currently on the faculty of Spaulding University's Brief-residency MFA in Writing Program in Louisville, KY. For over ten years, Joyce has served on the Rutgers Unversity Council on Children's Literature. She and her husband live in Forks Township, PA.

Reviews

[Brennan H]

I have just finished the book Comfort Creek by Joyce McDonald. Quinn Ellerbee has just had her life turned upside down by her very own father! After her mom went away to play with a band, I guess you could say Quinn and Pa-Daddy just weren't seeing eye to eye anymore. So when he moves Quinn out to a swamp, destroyes her career dreams, and takes her away from her friends, Quinn's pretty steemed. if only Pa-Daddy could see it through her eyes. I mean, no electricity, mosquitoes everywhere, and most importantly, she can't edit her sixth grade newspaper! Sure, ther are having some money trouble, but that's no exuse! This is no Comfort Creek. But wait! Stop! She has a chance to turn it around? Can she?

Quinn seems like an okay girl, but she seems kind of tense at times. I quess I would too, if I were in her position. I would not, however, yell at my father. Though I have never moved away, my friend has. But not only did she move out of city or state, but out of country! I was sad for days, so I can kind of relate. Though I'm more like Quinns sisters Rhonda Fay and Louise rolled into one. Though some of you might disagree, I'm sort of mature and stubborn. Rhonda Fay being Stubborn and Louise being mature. I think the auther did a good job with the book. It took place in the late 1900's, so it was interesting listening to what they did and used. I also liked how Quinn and her dads relationship went up, then down, then up and so on. Overall I give this book three and half stars. It was cool and facinating, but i've read better.

[Kali]

Easy read. In the style of Our Only May Amelia and Gentle’s Holler

[Adrian]

great!

[Rachelfish Fish]

this is a read-aloud with the kiddo...