love2learn.net

This charming story, a Newbery Honor Book for 1928, has just been reprinted by Bethlehem Books. Set on the Island of Nantucket, off of Cape Cod in Massachusetts in the 1810s and 1820s, the story follows the Coffyn family in the largely Quaker community of Nantucket, and especially their daughter Dionis "Dencey". Dencey is a young girl from a proper Quaker family with a temper and a heart of gold. She befriends an outcast boy and teaches him to read in order to make up for hurting him in a fit of temper. Their friendship baffles Dencey's parents and the community but bears fruit in unexpected ways. It is a lovely story, filled with truths about faith, family and friendship. It is a little complex, though, and (as recommended by the publisher) is probably best for ages 12 and up.