Times were tough in the small New England fishing village where Marcie lived. No one had any money, and work was hard to find. So the villagers rejoiced one glorious fall when an unexpected bounty of scallops filled their little bay. For young Marcie, a week of harvesting scallops also brought an unexpected adventure and a lesson about love that she would never forget. The Scallop Christmas, illustrated by rising star Astrid Sheckels, was the winner of the 2009 Maine Lupine Honor Award, given annually to a picture book of outstanding merit.