A lyrical novel about a day in the life of a young pioneer girl growing up on the Dakota prairie is now available in aKnopf Paperbackedition. This widely praised and beautifully crafted tale deftly evokes the vast expanse of the American West, the hardships faced by pioneer families, and the strong bonds of family and community.

Ever since the first grade, <b>Jennifer Armstrong</b> knew that she would become an author. She loved making up stories and sharing them with others. Her family treasured books and this led her to become an avid reader of all types of fiction. It was no surprise when she chose to study English and American Literature at Smith College in Massachusetts. <br><br>Armstrong is the author of over 50 books for children from kindergarten through high school. Best known for writing historical fiction, she has also been successful in <br>creating picture books, easy readers, chapter books, young adult novels, as well as nonfiction.<br><br>Armstrong, who grew up outside of New York City, now lives with her husband, Jim Kunstler, and their three dogs in Saratoga Springs, New York. Kunstler is also an author, and he ser