Read this! Nation by Terry Pratchett

What would you do if your home suddenly washed away? If everyone you knew and loved was gone?

What would you do if you were stranded in a strange place far away from everyone you know and you didn't even know how to make scones?

Mau, the last survivor of The Nation, a tribal people living on a south seas island has to face the first question. He leaves his home island for the boy island as part of the ceremony to become a man. He expects to return home triumphant; to join the ranks of men. Instead he returns home no longer a boy, but not a man and must answer questions no one in his village has ever thought to ask.

Ermintrude is travelling from England to the South Seas to join her father, the Govenor of one of England's many colonial outposts. Her ship is caught in the tsunami that devestates Mau's island. Ermintrude is the solve survivor of the shipwreck. Ermintrude has been taught how to be a proper lady, how to pour tea, how to curtsey, and she has been taught that a lady does not to ask questions. Ermintrude was never any good at being a lady though, which is a good thing because she has to start asking questions, not the least of which is how to make proper beer.

Terry Pratchett's humor shines through the character of Ermintrude. Her mater of fact aplomb in facing situations that would have most young victorian women fainting is admirable. I was in awe of her beer making abilities by the end of the book.