Porcupine by Meg Tilly

Jack Cooper, nearly 13, with a ten year old sister and 8 year old brother, finds a hard new life on the Canadian prairie when their mother dumps them with a great grandmother they have never met, in a part of Canada they have never seen, shortly after their father is killed in Afghanistan by friendly fire. Jack (short for Jacqueline) is worried that this new Gran will leave them alone when she answers the brochures on Assisted Living. Meanwhile, there are new schools to ride the bus to, chickens to feed and coops to clean, cows to milk and thinking of a way to make friends when none seem to jump out in front of her. Oh yes, life is different with Gran! Rich