KIRKUS REVIEW
Though not as well conceived as her prize winning Tomas and the Red Headed Angel (1950 winner of the Julia Ellsworth Ford Foundation Award for Children's Literature ) this story of a summer before college in the country near Stockton, California, has the earmarks of deeply and accurately realized people and places. It is too episodic in form as it tells of Cobbie Scott- musical, 17, vigorous, and at odds with her crotchety, demanding Aunt Aggie whom she is helping housekeep in order to make some money for college. Like a fussy old lady, Aunt Aggie, her worries, fears and ideas of good behaviour take a nearly 100% toll of Cobbie's time. Though Cobbie escapes to find solace in horseback riding, camping and conversation with her friends the Castlefields-an extraordinary family complete with geiger counter and sports-minded grandmother- she has a tough time bucking her aunt's will until a more mature sense of resolution brings Aunt Aggie to her senses too. Side adventures, puppy love and musical studies are well integrated to make a highly readable story of colorful, active, intelligent characters.