SYNOPSIS

When the Great Depression forces Ellie’s family (mom, dad, older sister Esther and younger brother Samuel) to move into a wood cabin in Maine, she and dad partner in hunting, building and herb collecting.

Just as they adjust to living with privation and sharing with other families in need, tragedy strikes – a tree falls on dad and puts him in a months-long coma.

Ellie, blamed for the accident by her mom and sister, resolves to heal her dad with herbs and creative “shock” therapies.

While exploring the woods, she stumbles on a secretive boy, Larkin, and his grandma Kate, also in urgent need of medical help for a festering leg scratch from a wild animal.

While Ellie and her family care for Kate, they discover that the old lady had been their loving childhood nurse.

Kate’s son, who recently died unexpectedly, was a talented luthier who made Ellie’s mom’s favorite possession.

Through a mix of herbal and medical treatments, Ellie’s dad wakes up and Kate’s leg heals. Larkin resolves to follow in his dad’s lute-making steps.

PERFECT AGE 11 – 14

We love

• So much! It is a masterfully written book, with a perfect balance of a complex plot, engaging narrative, rich vocabulary, and plenty of moments for empathy and reflection.
• So many teachable moments – for example, Ellie never tells her mom who really caused dad’s accident (even though that would clear her of blame), out of kindness to her siblings.
• Amazing, and perfectly realistic, character developments – for example, Kate changes from the “scary hag” to a knowledgeable “book lady” to Esther’s nurturing childhood nurse, to the family’s patient…
• A humbling, revealing view into the Depression era, with dignity and without sugarcoating.

WATCH OUT FOR (Language, Big / Sensitive Topics, Outdated Concepts):

• There’s a scene with maggots on Kate’s wound – the gross-out experience is momentary and then we learn that she put them there (gasp!) on purpose… don’t fear, power through it.

CONVERSATION STARTERS

• Describe the relationship between Ellie and Esther. How does it change from the beginning of the book through to the end? How does the girls’ opinion of each other evolve?
• What do you make of Ellie’s decision to wake her dad up? Where does she get the idea from?
• Ellie seems to have a special relationship with animals. How does that help her in caring for her family and finding Kate?
• How would you tell the story from Larkin’s perspective? Why do you think he decided to become a luthier?