SOLVED. YA set in Iqaluit, girl looks for mother, I think both have the same tattoo, roughly 2004. [s]

[Leah]

Hi all, sorry if I'm doing this wrong - first post. I'm looking for a book I read around 2004, and probably roughly written around then too (unsure, but not particularly old). It was probably YA but possibly children's.

It was about a girl (early teens maybe?) in Iqaluit/Baffin Island who was searching for her mother. There's a man, I think, middle-aged and in a kind of uncle role. I don't remember if she had other family or anything of her home life. I don't recall a lot of the plot detail aside from how I pictured scenes as I was reading - there was a scene near the end where she's in a lighthouse or some similar structure, possibly at night, and there's something about her tattoo. I think she and the mother had matching tattoos, but I don't remember if she found the mother or the circumstances of their separation. I don't think that counts as spoilers because I have no idea how it went!

I've tried various google combos over the years but never hit upon it amongst Nunavut lists. Anyone have any idea?

[Tab]

Leah, was this a contemporary setting or historical?

Was it a fantasy, adventure, coming of age, etc?

Remember anything about the cover?

[Leah]

I think it was a fairly contemporary setting - I don't remember anything indicating it was particularly anachronistic. Identifying the genre would require more memory of the plot than I have... perhaps some coming of age elements.

Sadly, I have absolutely no memory of the cover, the author, anything about the title... I've tried some searches of the library where it might have come from, but so far nothing. :(

[Tab]

Drifting Snow: An Arctic Search ?

This book is a bit old (published in 1992). There's a little more details on the Amazon page
http://www.amazon.com/Drifting-Snow-A...

[Leah]

Wow, maybe! It's in my library, so I've requested it and I'll get back to you with a verdict. Thanks!

[Leah]

It came in today! It's not familiar so far but then again I don't remember much before the ending. How did you find it, may I ask? :) My methods are clearly wildly insufficient, haha.

[Tab]

I think I found it through Novelist Plus. A valid library card from our local library lets patrons browse through the online database.

You should check with your local library. They may have tons of databases you can use with just a valid library card :)

[Leah]

The vague familiarity of the blurb was justified - success! I guess I was a little too generous with my chronology estimate but hooray, my 10+ year search is over. :) Thank you!