The High Climber of Dark Water Bay by Caroline Arden

Lizzie is an orphan who lives with her sister and her husband.  The depression is making money short for everyone, so when her uncle writes and offers to give her a job for the summer, her sister makes arrangements to send her.  Lizzie isn't excited to be sent to a logging camp but she has no choice.  She also has to travel by herself...

Turner and Edelweiss allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published June 5th.

Her uncle was to meet her but he's not there when she arrives.  She does see the name of the camp on a truck and asks for him there.  The two men tell her they will take her to camp and their boss will contact her uncle for her.

Living in a logging camp is a real education for a twelve-year old.  They do amazing things, have their own terms for things and they start early in the morning.  She's adjusting while waiting for her uncle to send for her but then she finds out the owner is holding her for ransom!  He's no friend of hers.

A lot happens at the camp while she's there.  She makes friends with some of the men, even has a chance to play high climber.  When her uncle finally sends for her, she's not sure she wants to go.  And when she visits them, she finds her idea of a good life is no longer living in a nice house.  She has one more decision to make...