When Mattie McAlister finds herself abandoned in small-town Texas in 1898, she must find a way to survive. Her choices are few: go to the children's home or make her own way with grit and determination. Opportunities are few, especially for a smart girl who struggles to read. She finds a place to live by agreeing to work for a poor family with seven kids and a depressed mother. Over the next few years, her positive attitude and...