I loved this book. What a joy it was to read. I don't know if I would have picked it up on my own, but two friends who's opinions I trust recommended it so highly I checked it out from the library and gave it a try. I am so glad I did. It is such an authentic portrait of a real woman. The book is set in the late 1800s in the ruthless Arizona Territory. What a hard life. I am so used to reading about that time period on the east coast that I forget that in another part of the country life was dangerous and backbreaking. 
 At first I was a bit wary of the book, it starts right in with full force into the tragedy and reality of pioneer life at the time. We feel what Sarah feels; the terror, hope, and hardship of her life in a wagon train. Indian attacks, dangerous drifters, hungry animals, and lack of medicine all make for a disastrous experience. What is left of her family decide to turn around and go back to Arizona. Along the way Sarah has a wary friendship with the Army Captain who is leading the wagon train. It is a relationship that will span the course of her life. 
 It was an engrossing read, and I endured the ups and downs of her life right along with her. She has courage, wit, and desire to make her mind and her family's life better. As Mandy noted, it's fascinating to watch her words, spelling, and grammar improve as her education and maturity do as well.