Fran Kimmel Knihy

A small-town ex-cop and his troubled family take in an orphaned young girl over the Christmas holidays, though she helps them as much as they do her.

Winner of the 2013 Alberta Readers' Choice AwardRebee Shore's life is fragmented. She's forever on the move, ricocheting around Alberta, guided less than capably by her dysfunctional mother Elizabeth."The Shore Girl" follows Rebee from her toddler to her teen years as she grapples with her mother's fears and addictions, and her own desire for a normal life. Through a series of narrators--family, friends, teachers, strangers, and Rebee herself--her family's dark past, and the core of her mother's despair, are slowly revealed.

Set against a backdrop of familial relationships, this uplifting drama weaves together themes of redemption and resilience. With heartwarming elements reminiscent of A Man Called Ove and emotional depth akin to Anne Tyler's works, the narrative explores how characters confront their pasts and embrace the transformative nature of second chances. The story highlights the importance of compassion and connection within a family, ultimately celebrating the strength found in overcoming life's challenges.