In 1848, sixteen-year-old Elspet looks back on her life and describes how she came to be orphaned in Scotland, went to live with relatives, and emigrated with them to a rough but rewarding existence in Canada. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Gr 4-6--To ease her boredom while her broken leg mends, 16-year-old Elspet writes her life story, from her early years in Scotland to her family's homestead in Canada in the mid-19th century. After Elspet's mother dies when she is three, her seafaring father places the girl with her uncle's family in the Scottish countryside. When her father is lost at sea, Elspet is adopted by them. Although she feels secure and happy, she strongly resists Da's decision to take the family to Canada and is unable to express her fear of moving. In Canada, the family settles on a remote homestead. The loneliness of the backwoods is relieved when neighbors settle nearby. The ship voyage is depicted as typically miserable with seasickness, filth, stench, and boredom, and the new land is properly majestic and inspiring. There are enough bannocks and bairns to give the flavor of the auld country but no real explanation of the hardships of life in northern Scotland or the reason why so many people were leaving. However, Little excels in creating characters dealing, or not dealing, with their feelings. Surrounded by unfaltering love, Elspet writes of her lingering fears and doubts about her place in the family. With their need for belonging and love, young people will identify with and understand her.Melissa Hudak, Northern Illinois Medical Center, McHenry, IL Copyright 1997 Cahners Business Information, Inc. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Gr. 4-6. Elspet Mary was three when her mother was killed by a runaway horse. Her father, often away at sea, took her to live with her aunt and uncle in a small village. By the time news reached her that her father's ship was lost at sea, her aunt, uncle, and cousins had become her cherished family, and the tiny village had become her "belonging place." Then her uncle decides to move the family to the Canadian wilderness. At the thought of being uprooted once more, Elspet, who has already loved and lost so much, experiences a whole range of emotions till she finally realizes that it is her family, not a place, that gives her a sense of belonging. This finely crafted story will captivate youngsters, but its authentic Scottish dialect may be difficult for the intended audience to tackle without help. (Reviewed November 15, 1997)0670875937Lauren Peterson From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.