It's the 1880s, Noah works hard on the family farm and roams free on the Colorado prairie. One day his Aunt Dora arrives to give him some schooling. Noah doesn't think he needs it. What use is reading on the prairie? But what Noah discovers will change his life forever.

Avi is the award-winning author of more than seventy-five books for young readers, ranging from animal fantasy to gripping historical fiction, picture books to young adult novels. Crispin: The Cross of Lead won the Newbery Medal, and The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle and Nothing But the Truth were awarded Newbery Honors. He is also the author of the popular Poppy series. Avi lives outside Denver, Colorado. You can visit him online at www.avi-writer.com.

Bill Farnsworth has been illustrating books for more than twenty years. Among the many books he has illustrated for children are The Christmas Menorahs: How a Town Fought Hate by Janice Cohn, Mississippi Going North by Sanna Anderson Baker, and THE BUFFALO jump by Peter Roop. A resident of Venice, Florida, Mr. Farnsworth also has a website.

"A gentle story with a great message ... Warm, soft-edged illustrations capture the intimacy of the loving family relationships." 

-- School Library Journal

 "This quiet, thoughtful story will have a subtle appeal to children who may have resisted `book learning' themselves." 

 -- Kirkus Reviews