I really had to push myself to get through this book. It was a recommendation from Amazon and is a Newbery Medal winner. I was waiting for something to happen. The novel is written in the form of a diary and reads like a memior. The problem was that nothing exciting seemed to happen in the main character's life.
Joan is a farm girl, replacing her deceased mother as being in charge of the household duties like cooking and cleaning, taking care of her father and brothers. Her father pulls her out of school, demanding she focuses on her work rather than an education. When she asks for money (the egg money from selling the chickens' eggs, that typically goes to the woman of the household), her father refuses. Joan goes on a "strike" and as punishment, her father burns her books. Joan runs away to Baltimore.
Joan is taken in by an Orthodox Jewish family; she lies about her age and uses the alias Janet. She finds conflict with her own faith (Catholic) and city versus farm life.
There are definitely some philosophical moments, things like women's rights, intellectual and religious freedom, what makes a family, respect, financial responsibilty. But nothing happens. Nothing.
Have to say, not a book I'd recommend!
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