Tig

Eleven-year-old Tig and her slightly older brother Peter have been living on their own since their mother abandoned them. Now they live with their uncle and his partner, and they have a rough adjustment to their new situation.

Tig finds solace in her brother and in her imagination as she struggles to trust and to adjust to her new family life in a new town. With humour, heart and a wonderful sense of innocence, once again Canadian author Heather Smith demonstrates her skill at putting depth of emotion and an engaging and heartwarming story within only 200 pages while also introducing readers to characters they'll care about.

This middle grade read is poignant, funny and at times heartbreaking as it focuses on themes of abandonment and the power of imagination and supportive family to get us through the tough times. There is a bit of a twist (which I anticipated) but I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Tig and witnessing her journey.

This is a story that will tug at your heartstrings (and your tear ducts) in equal measure. I found myself tearing up in parts and cheering on wee Tig as she adjusts to the changes life has thrown at her. Like Smith's character Bun O'Keefe, Tig is a character who you'll think about long after you've turned the final pages. 

Final Thoughts: Read this book and make sure it's in your public library

Recommended Reading: The Agony of Bun O'Keefe by Heather Smith

My Rating: 4.5 stars

Author: Heather Smith

Genre: Middle Grade, Canadian

Type and Source: Hardcover from public library

Publisher: Tundra Books

First Published: Sept 3, 2024

Read: Nov 23, 2024

Book Description from GoodReads: A new heartwarming middle-grade story from the critically acclaimed author Heather Smith featuring Tig, a young girl struggling to find peace within herself and in her new family. For fans of Rebecca Stead, Wendy Mass and Lynda Mullaly Hunt. 

After months of living without electricity or parents, Tig and Peter are forced to move in with their Uncle Scott and his partner, Manny. The transition from down-and-out to picture-perfect isn't easy, especially in pristine Wensleydale with the idyllic couple and their beautiful home.Tig, with Peter's support, decides to make their new life messy, starting with daily arguments and her plans to become a competitive cheese racer. She'll run circles around her new guardians, outrun a wheel of cheese, and leave her past buried in her dust. But things don't always go as planned, and Tig must decide what to truly leave behind in order to move forward.