You must read Gil Adamson's book, Help Me, Jacques Cousteau. The book's chapters read like linked short stories in which Adamson's protagonist, Hazel, tells us about her life from childhood to early adulthood, and about her off-beat family. This is a slim book which is fun to read, and it is impressive to see how much punch and plot Adamson gets from the lean use of well-chosen words. Highly recommended.