Homefront

by Doris Gwaltney

When her British uncle and cousin flee London during World War II and come to live in her family's farmhouse in Virginia, Margaret Ann is unhappy with having to share a room and having her life disrupted by a relative she hardly knows, but when Margaret Ann's brother goes off to the Pacific to fight, the cousins bond in ways neither ever expected.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Historical, Middle Grade, World War II, Coming Of Age

320 pages, Hardcover

First published June 20, 2006

About the author

Doris Gwaltney is the author of three historical novels. Her debut novel, Shakespeare’s Sister (1995), is about Judith, a fictional sister of Shakespeare whose great passion is to write and act. Duncan Browdie, Gent. (2002) follows the rise of an impoverished Scottish boy in 18th century Virginia from indentured servitude to gentility. Gwaltney’s most recent novel, Homefront (2006), is the story of two girls who come of age and become friends in the shadow of the biggest war in modern history. She passed away on December 27, 2021.

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ok so technically I didn't finish the WHOLE book, but I kinda gave up on it because it's very boring.... I also thought the plot was not very good and idk it was kinda draining. hehe

[Jessa Foley · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a clear cut plot, or intense drama and action then this probably isn’t the book for you. That isn’t to say this was a boring read, I actually quite enjoyed it. The story follows a farming family during WWII through the eyes of a 12-year-old girl who only ever wanted her own room. It’s a feel good story. The only thing I wish it had was a flash forward to a couple years in the future to see where the characters ended up. But isn’t that a sign of a good book? Wanting to continue following the characters on and on.

[Connie Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something about this book drew me to it. I don't know. I first saw this book cover (actually, not the one above, but a different one) and assumed a typical, funny teenage book about love and friendship. I turned the cover, read it, and thought the same, only thinking that it would be set in a different era. Wartimes.

But I was pleasantly surprised. There's a certain edge to this book that almost makes it hard to believe it's set in the same time as other books I've read about young girls during the 1930's and 1940's. For example, The Book Thief, That Scatterbrain Booky, etc, etc. It was hard to imagine they all were born around the same two decades.

For a small portion of this book, the way is faraway, not a worry to any. You don't even think about it, only reading as the stubborn Margaret.

A personal note: I loved Margaret. She wasn't the character I thought she'd be. She was bitter, but seemed more old-fashioned than she should've been for her age. She was like a walking Grandma Motley, but with a younger face and a bit too much of a quick-mouthed personality. It's easy to dislike her character, but somehow I managed to enjoy her so much.

You can see her changing so much throughout her book, despite the way she remains kind of... monotone. She's sarcastic and sharp, but at times vulnerable, childish and girlish too.

Towards the end of the book, everything seemed to change, especially with the arrival of Vivian, who I truly loathed.

One issue I found is how oh-so nonchalant this story seems. Even the characters can quickly become boring (Margaret Ann is one of those characters, that if you can understand, or if you can give a chance, you'll either roll your eyes at, or laugh at how long it feels you've known her). I swear, this isn't a single exclaimation mark in the entire story. When Grandma Motley suffered that stroke, everyone seemed more or less vaguely amused, than writhing in worry.

Nonetheless, I enjoyed the story so much (and I really don't know why), and I've likely read it dozens of times.

[Ruhama · Rating 3 out of 5]

Margaret Ann has been longing for her own bedroom almost her entire life. She lives on a farm in Virginia and this story takes place in the 1940s. Over the course of the next few years, Margaret Ann gains and loses a room to her self as events transpire around the world due to World War II. First, her oldest sister moves out to college, so she gets her room. But her long lost aunt and cousin come to stay from England, so she loses the room. Margaret Ann's cousin completely changes her life, as now Courtney is the center of attention, especially with her first hand knowledge of Europe, her accent and her beauty. The two coexist, but not very peaceably. Margaret Ann next inherits her brother Johnny's room when he joins the Navy. But she gains a roommate (her cousin) when Elizabeth comes back home for a while. The two hash out their difficulties and finally decide to become best friends. When the war is over, Margaret Ann actually mourns losing her cousin across the sea (though she's promised to come visit next summer).

This was an interesting view point of the second world war, though some of the information felt forced--the author wanted to make sure we didn't miss anything, I guess. Margaret Ann is a typical 7th grader, and at times I got annoyed with her drama and selfishness, which makes her all the more believable. The emotions are all real in this book, and I did enjoy watching this family's story unfold and found the ways life changed interesting, especially when the only boy of the family married a girl he met in California and gave up farming for the rest of his life. Pair this with On the Wings of Heroes by Richard Peck.

[710Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very realistic book. It portrayed exactly how it was living on the home front and having family members in the army.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical fiction with vivid characters.

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterpiece.

[Ahomrighausen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great historical fiction young adult book. The last few pages were a little to squishy for me but I could see others really liking the ending.

[Hannah Krantz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really sweet story that I enjoyed.

[Marsha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Simplistic. Perhaps young adult?

[Lisa Matheny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! I wish she had written a sequel!

[Alex Baugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Homefront begins in the summer of 1940 and the war in Europe hasn’t yet really effected the Motley family very much on their farm in rural Virginia. Older brother Johnny works on the farm with his dad, eldest daughter Elizabeth is preparing to go off to college, new 7th grader Margaret Ann will finally have a room of her own, instead of sharing one with her grandmother, and twins Paige and Polly are looking forward to finally starting school.

Margaret Ann no sooner gets settled in her new room, when it is taken away from her. Her cousin Courtney and her Aunt Mary Lee will be coming to live with the Motley family to get away from the Blitz in London, where they live. Margaret Ann is, quite naturally, resentful at losing her room to a cousin she has never met and the situation only gets worse when Courtney arrives.

Margaret Ann takes an immediate dislike to Courtney, but she’s the only one. Courtney is sweet, charming, and helpless. Everyone feels sorry for her and treats her in a very special way because of the war and because her father is off flying in the RAF. Even Bobby Holland, Margaret Ann’s best friend, seems to be falling under Courtney’s spell. And she is able to make friends with all the popular girls at school who have always ignored Margaret Ann because she isn’t a town girl.

It seems like things can’t get much worse for Margaret, but then on December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor is attacked and the United States enters the war. Elizabeth announces that she is going to marry her boyfriend Tommy Gray at Christmas just before he leaves for the army. Then, Johnny runs off to join the navy, bequeathing his room to Margaret Ann, who is racked with guilt over this. If she hadn’t complained so much about losing Elizabeth’s room, maybe he would have stayed home.

By summer, Elizabeth is pregnant and Margaret Ann’s grandmother is beginning to have very noticeable memory lapses. In late August 1941, after news arrives from England that Courtney’s father is missing in action, things really being to change. Both Courtney and Aunt Mary Lee seem to lose their zest for living. They lose their appetite and Courtney’s grades go down in school. And then Courtney does the unexpected – she asks Margaret Ann if she can speak with her about a problem. It seems Aunt Mary Lee has been crying in bed at night ever since the news came about her husband and Courtney can’t get any sleep. This, she tells Margaret Ann, is why she is failing in school. And Margaret Ann really does the unthinkable – she invites Courtney to share her room from now on. This is truly a turning point in their relationship, but hardly the end of the story.

Homefront is a well-written, believable story. The beauty of it lies not in the story of Margaret Ann and Courtney, but really in the description of everyday life in this small American community and how the war impacts the people living there. Margaret Ann is the narrator and her descriptions and observations are sharp, despite the fact that, in the beginning of the story, she can lapse into a somewhat whiny, self-absorbed voice when talking about herself. In fact, I almost put this book down because of Margaret Ann’s self-pitying attitude, but I stuck with it and I am so glad I did.

Gewaltney takes the reader on a journey starting just before the United States entered World War II all the way to the end of the war in Homefront. In this way, she has given the reader a wide window through which to observe the immediate and gradual changes in life due to the war and how people adjusted to them. But it is not always a picture of unflinching sacrifice for the war, sometimes people were asked to make sacrifices that were really not welcomed or that they just simple resented. After all, a true picture of anything would include the positive as well as the negative elements. Homefront is, then, a sad, funny, tragic and moving portrayal of an American family in wartime.

There are not as many books written about the American home front as there are about the English and European home fronts, making this is a realistic and welcomed addition to that particular theme in World War II fiction for young readers.

This book is recommended for readers age 10-14.
This book was purchased for my personal library.

[Bethany Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Margaret Ann Motley has been sharing a bedroom with her grandmother for the past five years – ever since her twin sisters were born, and she is looking forward to finally having her own room when her sister Elizabeth goes away to college. When Elizabeth leaves Margaret Ann feels sad and excited at the same time, but her excitement is short-lived. Her parents tell her that her aunt and cousin are coming from England, where World War II is raging, to stay with them on their Virginia farm. This means that Margaret Ann has to move back into Grandma’s room, so that her aunt and cousin can have a room of their own, and she isn’t happy about it. When Aunt Mary Lee and Courtney arrive, Margaret Ann’s already negative attitude gets even worse. Her cousin is a total know-it-all, who gets away with everything and seems determined to take not only Margaret Ann’s place in her family but her friends and boyfriend as well. Though Margaret Ann feels sorry about the fact that Courtney’s father is missing in action, she can’t force herself to try to befriend her cousin. It isn’t long before the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor and the US declares war. As Margaret Ann’s family and neighbors are drawn into the war in various ways, the fighting overseas begins to hit much too close to home.

Homefront is great historical fiction in that it draws you in to a very specific time and place. Gwaltney gives the reader a sense of what life was like on the home front during World War II. She also creates characters that are complex and unique. Margaret Ann and Courtney both grow and change in very realistic ways throughout the story. Margaret Ann is a character that you can’t help but root for, while Courtney is a perfectly drawn foil. Their relationship is very realistic, and it grows and changes as the girls mature. The conflicts that Margaret Ann experiences both with Courtney and in dealing with her friends’ and family’s expectations of her will be easy for most teens to relate to. The secondary characters are all realistic and well drawn and help to round out the story. Homefront is a well written story of growing up, family love and perseverance.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Homefront”
For my book review I read the book, “Homefront” by Doris Gwaltney. I enjoyed this book a lot. It was my favorite type of book, books about World War II. “Homefront” was a good story with suspenseful events. Doris Gwaltney does an amazing job at capturing the historical events of World War II and creating it into a story for younger readers to understand.
The setting of “Homefront” takes place on a farm in a little town in Virginia. The story takes place during World War II. The characters are your typical American family. The plot of the story happens because of the war. “Homefront” all starts at the beginning of World War II. The problems that happen are many but the most important ones are the life lessons learned by Margret Ann.
In “Homefront” there are a lot of characters that each “brings” something to the story. This makes the story even more interesting. Margret Ann Motley is the narrator of the story. She lives in a house with her mother Emily Ruth, her father John Motley, he grandmother Grandma Motley. Margret Ann also has an older brother John Motley, an older sister Elizabeth Motley and two younger twin sisters Paige and Polly Motley.
With all these characters your thinking how could there be more? There is though! Since at first the war effected Europe first. Margret finds out that she has a cousin, aunt and uncle living in England. Her cousin Courtney and Aunt Mary Lee Lively come to live with the Motleys while their homeland is being torn apart. Uncle Walter is in the Air force so he doesn’t go to the Motley’s. At first Courtney aand Margret Ann aren’t friends but find out they have more in common then they know
This book really expresses the difficulties of World War II from an American’s eyes. This is a good book and I would recommend it to anyone. Especially someone interested in a good read or likes stories about wars. It was an easy read with short chapters also.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! Although shelved in our library as "Juvenile Fiction", both because of it's length (over 300 pages) and the themes within this novel, I think "Homefront" qualifies more as a "Young Adult Fiction" book.

Margaret Ann, the narrator in this story, tells what her life is like on a farm in Virginia during the years of World War 2. How it affects her own life, family relationships, friends at school and her neighborhood makes for fascinating (and realistic) reading.

The author does a great job of portraying within one family the adjustments people had to make (or not make), and the resulting effects on others, when the war "overseas" begins to affect lives here in America.

Some things in the book I could see coming and some, I could not. Doris Gwaltney does such a good job with Margaret's character, I couldn't help but read this quickly to find out what happens.

It is refreshing to see an author "show" us what a young teen-age girl might be feeling and thinking and reacting (with true human responses -- no pretenses here), to the stresses of the times, her family relationships and school. Margaret Ann's life changes suddenly and drastically when she has to make room in her home (sacrificing her dreams of ever having a bedroom to herself), more than once, for family relatives displaced by the circumstances of war.

"In the middle of September, one of Bobby Holland's married brothers is drafted into the army. In the beginning of the war, married men weren't drafted, but now everybody says there's no choice.

More and more gold stars are hanging in the windows of people's living rooms. And that means a serviceman, just like Tommy G., has been killed. It means a lot of mothers and wives are crying all over the country."

This is a fast read and an enjoyable one.

[Zainab Mansoor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was totally awesome! I didn't expect it to be this good because I had judged the book based on its blurb summary, so it really exceeded all my expectations. The book was set in the 1940's, and usually I prefer to read books about the future, not about the past. However, its plot was touching and in many instances you could really relate to the main character. The book was about a girl named Margaret Ann Motley who lives her life perfectly fine until her English cousin, Courtney, comes into it. She came to live with Margaret Ann because of the war raging in London. Eventually, Courtney takes all the attention from her friends, family, teachers, and even her boyfriend. At that point, she was fed up with her cousin's drama and was ready to do something about it. However, Margaret Ann soon discovers that her brother, the only one who stood by her, has gone to the navy and that is when she realizes the pain that Courtney is going through. Courtney's father is fighting in the war too, and Courtney soon learns that her father might never come back. It is at that time in which the two cousins help each other out and go from being best enemies to best friends.
I enjoyed this book because I could really feel Margaret's frustration throughout the book and i could feel her sympathy and all her feelings as I read. I loved that about the book because it made me feel more attached to the characters and I actually got to know them. This book also had a great ending, and I really loved it. You should really read this book...you won't regret it!

[Alexa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Taken place during the time around World War 2, Margaret Ann is about to get her own room since her older sister is leaving for college. She has been waiting for this day to come for a very long time. Time passes, the war is starting, and it has only been a month since she had her own room, and goes back to sharing a room. What makes Margaret upset is that she has to give up that room to her cousin, Courtney, that she has never even met before. When she goes meet Courtney, they instantly become enemies. Courtney becomes the favorite of everybody in the house, takes Margaret's friends, and she just ruins Margaret's life. Besides Courtney now being in her life, Margaret's older brother Johnny goes off to join the navy, and she blames herself for it.
This book was better than I expected it to be. Honestly, since it was taken place before and during World War 2, I thought the language it was written in would be a little hard to understand compared to modern day today. But the way it was written wasn't hard to read at all. I enjoyed this book because of the main character, Margaret. The author, Doris Gwaltney made her very realistic, and the conflicts she goes through are also realistic. You get to feel her emotions while reading, and you would always know what she is thinking. I also believe that Gwaltney makes the reader feel sympathy for Margaret since she is going through a lot of tough situations, especially during hard times.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gwaltney's YA book tells the story of Margaret Ann Motley, who's been waiting her whole life for her sister, Elizabeth to move out so she can have her own bedroom. Unfortunately, just as Elizabeth leaves for college, their aunt and cousin move in and steal Margaret Ann's room out from under her. Courtney, Margaret Ann's cousin, has arrived in Virginia with her mother from England, fleeing World War II and its many disastrous implications for them living in such dangerous times. The battle between the two young women as they fight for position of alpha female in the household and at school with friends is funny, poignant, and bittersweet. Finally, when the US enters the war, and Margaret Ann's brother and Elizabeth's new husband both enlist, Margaret Ann and Courtney come to some understanding about each other and the many feelings they have as citizens of the world.

I really enjoy WWII era books for some reason and this book was no exception. I also liked that the book took place n a farm in Virginia, and not too far away from Fredericksburg. Living in urban sprawl, I like to read back to the simpler times when the Virginia I know wasn't even dreamed of and the Virginia the characters knew didn't exist.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Margaret Ann is 12 years old, content on her family farm in Virginia, and happy with her "boyfriend since age five". Things begin to change as her older sister goes off to college. She has shared a room with her Grandmother ever since her little twin sisters were born five years before. At last, with her sister gone, she will get a room of her own. But with World War II moving ever closer, her peace is not to last - she soon has to give the room up to her aunt and her cousin Courtney, who have fled wartime Britain for the safety of the farm. This story follows Margaret Ann as she moves from age 12, until age 16 when the war ends. Her relationship with Courtney and other family members, friendship changes, war-time rationing, the shortage of farm help, illness, new babies, even death make for an interesting and difficult period of time in her life.

She finds that she is much stronger and smarter than she realized. I love how she realizes, even as she is behaving badly, that she is wrong, yet can't seem to help herself. Margaret Ann really has to grow up, and it's written in a realistic, interesting and funny way. This was a great read.

[Taylor Geare · Rating 2 out of 5]

In Homefront by Doris Gwaltney we follow a girl by the name of Margaret Anne who is exsasperated with her Grabdmothers snoring, her two twin sisters and most everything else. All she desires is her own room. Her wish is granted when her big sister Elizabeth moves away to college, her of course getting her room. This happieness is short lived though when she learns her aunt and cousin are coming to live with them when they have never been spoken of more then once.
When expenting her cousin to be a baby it turns out she is just her age, and yet another thorn in her side. But when world war II starts, will she become her greatest friend?

Personaly, I didn't enjoy the book very much. I am a patient person but it seemed like it never reached a real climax. The main character just constantly complained about her situation. I will read a drawn out book if it is riddled with beautiful language and feeling but this disinterested me.

I reccomend this to someone who has a passion for history novels, and a lot of patience.

[Yaqueliné · Rating 2 out of 5]

I honestly thought that I was going to enjoy reading this book. Unfortunately that did not happen. The story was too bland than what the actual summary had to promise that even in times I felt bored. Maybe if it were more appealing or more exciting would I actually would like the book. The story-line lacks drama and the characters were too dull. This is not the book that you're looking for if you want to impact your life.

The only character that I did felt I connection was with Margaret Ann since I knew how she felt. When you thought your life was perfect and then everything changes in a split second, when worst of all you can't do anything about it and just let it happen. That scenario has happen to many times in my life unfortunately and I know that more will eventually will come.

Anyhow, this is a great children book to introduce them about war and how it effects the normal life of the citizens by the rationing of the sugar and such. Margaret Ann brother's joins the navy so their family is living the first experience about war, just like the other thousands of families.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Margaret is looking forward to her older sister going to college. The family lives with Grama in the family farmhouse. Margaret sleeps with Grama. Margaret is in her room 3 days when she is told to vacate for her English Aunt, coming home to escape the London Blitz. Aunt Mary Lee has a daughter, Courtney, who captures the attention of family and friends. Margaret and Courtney are the same age.

What follows is Pearl Harbor, Margaret's brother enlisting in the Navy, sister Elizabeth marrying her high school sweetheart, and his untimely death. Soon, they learn brother John has married and sends his pregnant wife to live in the farmhouse. As with big families, there are all kinds of undercurrents, and struggles. What Margaret learns is that family can extend beyond the immediate.

This is a Great read about a farm family, their awareness of the European Theater, and the shock and horror of the US entering WWII.

[Leane]

At first I thought this story was a bit slow. I didn't like the main character, and I couldn't tell if her thoughts were more in diary form or what. Courtney's character was not very well thought out either; the reader couldn't tell if she really was the villian or Margaret Ann was simply exaggerating. However, I did enjoy watching the progression of Margaret's Ann's character from selfish child to mature, helpful teenager. Also, I enjoyed the fact that she wasn't your typical small town heroine wanting to go out and conquer the world. MA was a farmer's daughter who intended to go to college, but always knew that she would come back to the farm and marry her childhood sweetheart. In a society that consistently urges young girls to push the envelope and be successful business women, it was refreshing to see a main character who was content with her position in life.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very well-written, and followed a young lady, Margaret Ann, as she grew up during the WWII era. It showed the hardship of the war, without being overly depressing, it was realistic (major characters who went off to war did actually die, or were captures, or came home), and I thought the perspective of the young girl was very life-like (she was concerned about the war and her brother fighting in it, but the story showed that life went on for those at home - Margaret Ann still got hung up on the "little" things, like being forced to share her bedroom, fighting with her cousin, sorting out how she feels about the boy next door, and dealing with her older siblings growing up and leaving their home). Overall, very well written. If I was teaching an upper elem./middle school unit on WWII, I would definitely use this book as a supplement. A great piece of historical fiction.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the start, I thought this would be like the typical teen story - Margaret Ann's cousin Courtney arrives and is an instant popular success both at school and home, while Margaret Ann finds herself left on the side. But the story becomes more interesting when Margaret Ann starts reflecting on her own behaviour and realises the source of her current problems are not wholly due to Courtney. The two girls slowly begin to accept each other. By becoming more aware and understanding of other people, Margaret Ann realised that she was happier. (Though it was funny when her grandmother, a self-centred person herself, declared that she preferred the 'old' Margaret Ann who spoke and acted frankly without much concern for others) The story is set amidst the grim backdrop of World War II, so it was interesting to read a young teenage girl's experience of it.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I was annoyed with the young characters in this book. However, as World War 2 progresses and many individuals become involved and majorly effected by the times, I saw an amazing growth within the characters of Courtney and Margaret Ann.

This book accurately captures the ANNOYING pre-adolescent spirit of rebellion and anger. Courtney, the British know-it-all, and Margaret Ann, a stubbornly selfish little bitch, eventually learn to live and love, and also to see the greater world around them. Ultimately maturity eventually comes to these characters, which is why I find this book particularly moving as a juvenile novel, as it recognizes adolescent frustration yet also offers a path to empathy and compassion.

[Mel Raschke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gwaltney uses the backdrop of WWII to mature Margaret, but does so with a subtle and deft touch, letting the character grow and develop in front of the reader's eyes at a realistic pace. The supporting characters are equally delightful, especially Margaret's grandmother, a holier-than-thou matriarch who is the perfect foil for her headstrong granddaughter. Through the gradually maturing eyes of its teen-aged narrator, we see how war both constrained and expanded their lives. People who in normal times might have lived and died knowing only the same places and families their parents and grandparents had known, find themselves forming close connections with strangers from distant places, or travel themselves to distant places, some of them never to return.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this "coming of age" story about Margaret Ann, a young girl in rural Virginia growing up during WWII. Her farming family goes through a lot of changes during this time, including the arrival of her aunt and cousin from England. Margaret Ann does not get along with cousin Courtney. I had a hard time with this relationship for a while, the typical "Courtney is perfect and everything Margaret Ann says or does is wrong". Margaret Ann's older sister gets married, her older brother joins the navy, and Margaret Ann is shuffled from room to room in the house as family members come and go, longing for a room of her own. The setting was nice and I enjoyed all the family members and seeing how the war affected each of them.

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Still waffling about my rating of this book. At times I felt Gwaltney's pacing was a bit "off." Not much time is spent developing Margaret Ann and Courtney's friendship; the changes experienced by the two girls, the events in the larger world that finally hit home, cause the changes in the girls' attitudes toward each other to happen practically overnight. And yet, that's how growing up is in the real world: something happens, either wonderful or terrible, that changes your life and you make adjustments out of necessity. Growing up doesn't happen at a smooth, steady pace, but more in fits and starts. Understood. I had to read the entire book and see the "big picture" before appreciating it--a statement that could also apply to life's events, whether cataclysmic or small.

[Mary Batten · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written YA book that perfectly captures the tone of its narrator, Margaret Ann Motley, a young girl growing up in rural Virginia during World War II. Her world is thrown in turmoil when her English cousin Courtney and aunt Mary Lee arrive to escape the bombing of London. Doris Gwaltney skillfully depicts the conflicts arising between the two cousins and Margaret Ann's struggle to resolve them. Using humor and realistic dialog, Gwaltney deftly depicts her young narrator's emotions as she works through her problems, holds fast to her values and begins to feel romantic stirrings for a young man. A moving novel.