Melissa Wiley

Martha is frustrated because Mum has said she's too old to be playing on the moors now, and she must have a governess. First there's Miss Norrie. All she must to do is teach Martha sewing and etiquette. But Martha's high spirits are too much for her, and she leaves in a hurry. Martha thinks that's the end of that, but then another governess shows up. Her name is Miss Crow, and Martha is sure she's going to be even worse!

This fiction based loosely on some information about Laura Ingalls Wilder's grandmother's childhood has the usual didactic references to trying to be one's best self, the incident of danger to a younger sib, yearning to find out more about the world around her (gas lighting in Boston! The visit of president Madison!) and a conflict with a teacher. A pleasant enough read.

It's 1788, and six year old Martha lives in a little stone in Glencraid, Scotland. Martha's father is Laird Glencaraid, and the life of the Laird's daughter is not always easy for a lively girl like Martha. She would rather be running barefoot through the fields of heather and listening to magical tales of fairies and other Wee Folk than learning to sew like a proper young lady. But between her dreaded sewing lessons, Martha still finds time to play on the rolling Scottish hills.

It's 1814 and Charlotte lives just outside the city of Boston. She always has something to look forward to--tending Mama's garden, visiting Papa's blacksmith shop, and embarking on her very own Scottish adventure!