That Smudge of Smoke

After her mother dies suddenly, twelve-and-a-half year old

Penelope Grace Sinclair (Piper) must go live aboard a

steamboat captained by her father. Before she saw her

father only twice a month when he was off-duty. Now, she

must see him every day.

As Piper learns how to adjust to her father and grieve for her mother,

she also learns about life and work on a steamboat just before the

Great Depression.

To keep her company, Piper keeps a diary which she names

Dorie. Magically, Dorie comes alive and te...