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1952, Greece. Elinohori, a mountain village on the northern part of the Peloponnesus, far removed from civilization. Nine-year-old Maria lives here with her mother, bossy aunt, grandmother and pet dog. Father was a WW II casualty, as were most of the other men in the village. Therefore, her unmarried aunt has little hope of finding a husband and is in disgrace in the eyes of tradition. Livin... More

1952, Greece. Elinohori, a mountain village on the northern part of the Peloponnesus, far removed from civilization. Nine-year-old Maria lives here with her mother, bossy aunt, grandmother and pet dog. Father was a WW II casualty, as were most of the other men in the village. Therefore, her unmarried aunt has little hope of finding a husband and is in disgrace in the eyes of tradition. Living centers around picking grapes and making bread.

When Uncle Dimitri, in America, offers to have Maria live with his family, the women agree that Elinohori offers Maria no opportunity. Soon she is on her way to America. This is the story of Marias passage from her home and family and orthodox Greek tradition to a strange family, strange school, language and way of life.

Girls will bond with Maria from the beginning of the bookcrying with her and smiling with her through a variety of girl experiences that transcend miles and time. From the first, the reader sees her as strong, observant, intelligent, sensitive, introspective and brave, yet looking to her mother for direction. Her mother knows the reality of their situation and lovingly nudges Maria into a new world of hope and personal possibility.

We smile at Marias joy and befuddlement about such things as taking a shower; skyscrapers; elevators; hot dogs and mustard and ketchup; cookies and her first snowstorm. And we appreciate her problem solving abilities as she wills her mind to work like a high-powered magnet, pulling in vocabulary at home and at school because she knows that mastering English is the key to friendships and success. She will meet the children who mock her accent and play vocabulary tricks on her on their own ground! Eventually, one special youngsters animosity, aroused by Marias growing popularity and determination, is defeated and replaced by friendship and admiration.

In her new home, Maria finds the love of her uncle and aunt. Above all, she finds a friend for life, a friend with whom to share all her hopes and fearsa white Samoyed, Petie.

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