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A Northern Light

by Jennifer Donnelly

 

Review by Annie Yu

 

A Northern Light

by Jennifer Donnelly

It is 1906 and Mattie, a sixteen year old is working hard to help her father with their struggling farm in the North Woods. Her mother died and her brother deserted them so Mattie is taking care of her younger sisters. She is too busy at home to write her stories so instead she has a word she must use every day. I usually find historical fiction very boring but this book is very good. All the characters were very interesting and the way the author describes the North Woods is beautiful. I like that isn't just historical fiction since the story has a mystery, first romance and also Mattie has a dream: to go to college in New York City and become a great writer.