About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is navigating a major life transition, such as the loss of a parent or a sudden shift in family circumstances. This historical novel follows Lucinda Wyman and her brothers as they trade their comfortable life for a rugged existence in a Maine cottage following their father's death. It is a powerful exploration of how grief can be transformed into grit through shared labor and family unity. Through a grueling winter of physical hardship and isolation, Lucinda discovers a sense of independence and strength she never knew she possessed. Parents will appreciate the way it models fiscal responsibility and emotional resilience, showing that while loss is permanent, the 'Year of Jubilo' represents a turning point toward maturity. It is best suited for middle schoolers who are beginning to grapple with the complexities of adult responsibilities and the bittersweet nature of growing up.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
DISTRESS: The book opens with the heavy shadow of the father's recent death and the family's subsequent poverty. There is a scene involving a physical altercation (a fistfight) between the brothers and a local antagonist that may feel intense. There is also a recurring threat of freezing or starving during the harsh Maine winter. CONVERSATION: Be prepared to discuss the historical context of debt and the lack of a social safety net in the early 20th century. Children may have questions about why the family couldn't just 'get help' and why physical labor was their only path to survival.
Ideal Reader
A 12-year-old who enjoys survival stories like Hatchet but wants more focus on family dynamics and emotional growth.
Parent Prep
Read the first few chapters with your child to help them process the initial weight of the father's death before the adventure elements of the Maine move begin. A child witnessing their mother’s exhaustion and the heavy burden placed on siblings to act as providers.
Age Experience
Younger readers (10) will focus on the survival and 'pioneer' aspects of the Maine woods. Older readers (13 to 14) will resonate with Lucinda's internal struggle for independence and her changing relationship with her brothers.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many survival stories that focus on a lone individual, this highlights the 'unit' of the family and how shared hardship can either break or bond siblings.
Read plot summary
Picking up after the events of Roller Skates, this sequel finds the Wyman family in financial straits following the death of the father. Lucinda and her older brothers move to their summer cottage in Maine to live year-round. They must learn to garden, fish, chop wood, and navigate the social complexities of a small coastal town to survive. The story focuses on Lucinda's transition from a precocious child to a capable young woman.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Lucinda's brother says they are 'marooned' in Maine. How does their view of the cottage change from the beginning of the book to the end?
2
At one point, Lucinda has to cook for the whole family under difficult circumstances. Why was this such a big moment for her self-esteem?
3
The title refers to a 'Year of Jubilo.' Why would a year of such hard work and loss be described with a word that sounds like 'jubilee'?
4
How does the relationship between Lucinda and her brothers shift as they become more dependent on one another for survival?
