Daughter loved it! She wants to become a teacher, and used it for a Language Arts project in 6th grade. She researched and made a booklet of the clothing and home life for 6 characters in this story - rural Colorado in the early 20th century.Love Avi's stories - my daughter has read several of his works. Her class read True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. His style and vocabulary push comprehension and growth just enough, and are good for kids who read at or above grade level. (Check his titles for the level recommended, some are more rigorous than others.)