A beautifully written coming-of-age story. While intended for the YA group, this is a book that anyone who appreciates writing about nature, small communities, farm life, etc. would enjoy. A modern day equivalent to the "Little House" books if you will. The story follows Timmy, a modern day girl living on a cattle ranch in Wyoming, during her 13th year. It is a journal of sorts; her thoughts and reflections on family and friends, animals, hard times, her life on a cattle ranch that she truly loves, and her feelings when all that is important to her is threatened by forces beyond her control. Each chapter is a reflection on a month of the year and begins with a few paragraphs about life on the ranch during that month; what mother nature brings to bear, the life cycles of animals and people, the joys and burdens of that particular time of year, what she looks forward to and what she dreads. These passages are short, sweet and exquisitely written. I find myself wanting to read just these chapter intros again. The main body of the work is well written and the characters voices ring true. Well worth the time if this type of narrative is what you enjoy.
well written good for middle level chapter book readers.
