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52 pages 1 hour read

Everything on a Waffle

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2001

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Book Brief

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Polly Horvath

Everything on a Waffle

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2001
Book Details
Pages

150

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Coal Harbour, British Columbia • Contemporary

Publication Year

2001

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

8-12 years

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Super Short Summary

In Polly Horvath’s Everything on a Waffle, 11-year-old Primrose recounts her parents disappearing during a typhoon in Coal Harbour, British Columbia. Unwavering in her belief they are alive, she faces skepticism from the townspeople and battles a counselor determined to place her in foster care. Supported by her quirky uncle and a kind café owner, Primrose endures a series of mishaps while holding onto hope for her parents' return. This book addresses themes of parental absence, injury, and the death of an elderly person.

Humorous

Inspirational

Heartwarming

Bittersweet

Playful

Reviews & Readership

3.7

11,267 ratings

59%

Loved it

30%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Polly Horvath's Everything on a Waffle has charmed readers with its quirky characters and heartfelt narrative. Its humor and poignant moments resonate well, particularly with younger audiences. However, some readers feel the plot is predictable and certain characters underdeveloped. Overall, it's an engaging story with a unique voice that appeals to many.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Everything on a Waffle?

Readers who delight in quirky, heartwarming narratives such as Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo or Holes by Louis Sachar will enjoy Everything on a Waffle by Polly Horvath. Ideal for middle-grade audiences, this book is perfect for those who appreciate themes of resilience, community, and the unconventional.

3.7

11,267 ratings

59%

Loved it

30%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

Character List

Primrose Squarp

An 11-year-old protagonist and first-person narrator who is determined and intuitive, experiencing an unusual life for someone her age as she navigates the world mostly surrounded by adults after her parents are lost at sea.

Primrose’s uncle who leaves the Canadian navy to care for her, working as a real estate agent with ambitious plans for developing Coal Harbour, and becomes a guardian figure amid his busy schedule.

The school counselor who plays an antagonistic role by attempting to find an alternative living situation for Primrose, often coming into conflict with Uncle Jack over Primrose's welfare.

The owner of the local café known for serving dishes on waffles, who becomes a mentor and source of comfort for Primrose, offering cooking lessons and wisdom.

Primrose’s elderly neighbor who takes care of her after the disappearance of her parents, exhibiting forgetful tendencies and a quirky demeanor.

A childless couple who become Primrose’s foster parents, characterized by their openness and acceptance of Primrose’s situation, and eventually a significant presence in her return to Coal Harbour.

Book Details
Pages

150

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Coal Harbour, British Columbia • Contemporary

Publication Year

2001

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

8-12 years

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