When the dire financial situation of the Alcott family forces Louisa's mother to take a job away from home, Louisa bemoans her new responsibilities of running the household in her mother's absence, complaining that she will have no time for writing. Yet, the drudgery-­filled summer that Louisa anticipated is quickly turned on its head when George, an escaped slave, seeks refuge in the Alcott's house, with a slave catcher hot on his trail. As Louisa balances her duty to her family with keeping George safe, an unexpected romance blooms between Louisa and an old friend. Meanwhile, a murder shakes the community, and Louisa investigates the crime in order to protect her loved ones. Based on the life of Louisa May Alcott, MacColl's latest seamlessly weaves fact and fiction together, and she handles many challenging issues, such as the conflict between philosophical principles and the obligations of supporting a family, with deft and grace. Fans of historical fiction will relish this glimpse into the storied life of the pioneering author.

Gr 7 Up-Readers are immediately drawn into Louisa's 19th-century world as her mother departs for work in the city and Louisa discovers a runaway slave, named George, hiding outside the Alcott home. The teen capably manages the various conflicts in the novel: money struggles, her relationship with her father, George's safety, and romantic tensions between her and her distant cousin, Fred. Unsavory characters like Fitch, who is a slave catcher, and a disreputable woman named Miss Whittington, bring additional tension to this plot-driven novel. As she did with Always Emily (Chronicle, 2014), MacColl creates a strong sense of place, both in time and with her presentation of the physical environment. Her fluid incorporation of the transcendentalists and their movement aligns well with her attention to the novel's setting. Although conflict and intrigue ensue, with protecting George and solving a murder, Louisa's character unfortunately remains static. VERDICT Though light on character development, MacColl has created a page-turner that satisfies. Hilary Writt, Sullivan University, Lexington, KY