I began reading Andre Norton about 1977. Her particular brand of SciFi/Fantasy had always been a draw for me at that age. Even beating out what was at that time the great space opera of Star Wars. I have collected over those thirty plus years every book she had written that I could find, up to her passing. We lost a great mind and one of the best story tellers of the Age with her passing. This book is a wonderfully easy read with a great flow. It's the second of her novels I have read that wasn't in the genre of SciFi/ Fantasy and I found it delightful! I am very much looking forward to reading the sequel. One can see she had some great influence from someone who truly understood the confederate spirit. This is a great coming of age tale that can echo in many of us. If you are not familiar with Andre Norton I highly recommend reading her works and sharing them with your children. she will forever be a writer for all ages!