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We discovered this little gem years ago, after falling in love with two of the authors' other books: The Good Master and The Singing Tree. I was thrilled to recently discover that Bethlehem Books is bringing it back into print.

The story begins in a small village near Prague. In this village, young girls are expected to leave home and work as servants in the big city during their early teen years; returning home at the age of sixteen, with experience in all manner of household service and ready to start their own families.

Philomena is an orphaned young girl raised by her "Babushka" with the thoughtful wisdom and advice of the beloved parish priest of the village. She travels to Prague to seek employment in her aunt's household with complete confidence in her Babushka's guidance from Heaven - which comes through in surprising and often humorous ways (that generally require a LOT of patience). Her adventures and the journey to find her missing aunt make for a lovely and entertaining story for all ages.

The writing is lovely and engaging, and is greatly enhanced by the author's vibrant, spirited illustrations.

You can preview the first chapter of this book online in the Bethlehem Books' Reading Room.