SOLVED. 7th grade Historical Fiction memoir set in the countryside

[Ivory]

The cover was of rolling hills in the countryside with cows. In it, a teacher is an artist and paints nudes with a snake. Someone bakes a pecan pie or a fruitcake. A girl moves to the town from the city and is the new girl in class. She sends herself a fake valentine from her crush I think? These details are very vague but maybe someone can help me!

[Rainbowheart]

What year did you read it?

Do you think it was set in the UK?

[Ivory]

I read it in 2003 and it was set in America. Thanks!

[Becca]

A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck looks like a match. It's fiction, not a memoir, FYI - a memoir would be non-fiction.

[Ivory]

Becca oh my gosh, you found it! I can’t believe it I’ve been looking for ages. Yes it’s not a memoir but I remember it being written as one. Thanks so much xx