Saltbox houses, named for the long, sloping roof in back that resembles the lid of an old fashioned saltbox, have lined the East Coast for up to 300 years. So, when Granny’s saltbox house comes crashing down in the opening pages of Janet McNaughton’s new novel (her first for junior readers), it is clear that tradition lies amid the rubble.

Set in Quinter Cove, Newfoundland, The Saltbox Sweater follows the struggles of nine-year-old Katie, her mother, and her grandmother to stay in their hometown despite an economy that is collapsing from the fishing moratorium. The story celebrates the interdependence of people in a small community and the ingenuity with which they adapt to new circumstances. When Katie’s mother discovers a talent for knitting, things start to look up. Her prize sweater interweaves the past and future, featuring the old saltbox house on the front of what will now make her a living.

Three of McNaughton’s four previous novels are works of historical fiction, and although this one is set in contemporary times, it carries historical value. McNaughton, an award-winning author in St. John’s, sets her scenes with meticulous care. From the idioms of speech to the descriptions of neighbourhoods, McNaughton’s specificity of detail enlivens her writing. At the same time, there is broader appeal in the story’s survival elements and the way the child plays a successful role in her destiny. The characters seem a bit lacklustre as they carry out their duties with persistent good cheer, but this seems to be the story of a community rather than individuals. As such, it forms an important chapter in an ongoing tale of a culture’s struggle to survive.