Publishers Weekly: "Julia's recovery . . . parallels a deeper change—adaptation to a new kind of family life and eventual friendship with Grace, her "beastly" cousin. Julia's realization that she has behaved in a snobbish, self-centered, unlikeable fashion—and her subsequent maturity—is fully delineated and the 19th century setting is effectively evoked. . . . well sustained . . . a light, seamless style."

The year is 1887 and twelve-year-old Julia Applebee has been shipped off to her cousin's home in the small rural New York town of Liberty Falls while her parents go to China as missionaries. Used to living in New York City, Julia wants nothing to do with her "country cousins." To make matters worse, on her second day on the farm she falls through the hay hole in the barn and breaks her leg. At first, Julia has only one wish—to be rescued. But as her broken leg mends, so does her attitude. Her anger and frustration slowly subside and she begins to understand the importance of family.

Reading level 4.9