This is a story loosely based on a real murder at the beginning of the 20th century. It is more importantly based on a young girl named Mattie Gokey. She is highly talented at English literature and language; her abilities to write and express herself in her writings are outstanding. Both she and her best friend, Weaver Smith, are very talented young people and both have the aim of getting a higher education and becoming something worthwhile. Yet it is hard for them to get out of North Woods (where they live) and into College. Mattie is torn between her family responsibilities, her desire to be a writer and her first romance. The book is filled with the tale of her struggles.

This book is one of the very best that I have read recently. The language throughout is used excellently to set the scene, show the mood and make you feel like the characters feel. Jennifer Donnelley uses her writing talents to make you feel as though you were in the book or sitting nearby to the events as they happen throughout the story. The book is filled entirely with feeling and passion. There are also lots of very dramatic moments that happen to Mattie, her family and her friends for example when an accident happens to Weaver's mother's house. Although there is one odd thing about the book; as you reach the ending it finishes as though it were a short story because it ends so suddenly.

Overall I have found this book to be very exciting and enjoyable. I would recommend it to anyone who really likes to get into a book.

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