Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Set in the depression years of 1934, this is the story of 13-year old Hannah, whose family runs a dairy farm in rural Pennsylvania. When Mrs.Sweet from Philadelphia visits the one-room schoolhouse seeking potential scholarship students, she discovers Hannah's rare ability with numbers and math and invites her to live in the city to study for the scholarship test. The fact that Hannah can barely read seems to be irrelevant in light of her math abilities.

None of Hannah's friends or family want her to go. They discourage her in every way possible, telling her how difficult it will be for a farm girl to fit in with the city crowd. Her only supporter is Grandad, who sees her math as the key to a greater future—quite an accomplishment for a girl in the 30's.

But Hannah goes and her challenges in the city make for good reading. Ridiculed by the city girls for her country ways and her inability to read,she struggles to make a new home for herself, all the time fearing her family and friends at home were right. She will never belong. The only redeeming factor is the excitement she feels as she learns new math theorems and formulas. Grandad's death while she is gone creates a greater dilemma for her. When she returns to the farm for his funeral, she is tempted to stay where she is accepted.

The choices she makes are not easy and the reader will empathize with Hannah. Although strong-willed, stubborn and spirited, Hannah has many faults that make her quite likable and the supporting cast is also very colorful. I can highly recommend this book for children ages 9-12.

— Vy Armour, Member SCBWI