I enjoyed how casual, funny, and - yes - spunky the narrator is in this historical fiction for middle graders and younger teens. There are many interesting historical details about 1871, and the fact that it starts out quickly with Georgie not believing her sister is dead is a sure hook. I enjoyed the ending, but wished a few things we presume were going to happen were actually described. 
 This reminded me of Calpurnia Tate, Moon over Manifest, and Three Times Lucky.