This book was written by my mother, so I plead guilty to a slight prejudice, but can also speak about the circumstances behind the writing of the book. My parents were docents at the Fielder Museum in Arlington, Texas, where they moved to retire, and my mother, a retired teacher of writing and English, became fascinated with the story of the family who had built the house that served as the museum. The Fielders were literally a pioneering family in Central Texas, and the book is written through the eyes of a character based on Mattie Fielder, (the wife of James Fielder, who trained as a lawyer, but Mattie felt it unfit, so he became a banker). Much of the history and culture in the book come straight from the history of the area. The book, written for young adults, but enjoyable for all ages, takes readers through Mollie's life and times, and paints a portrait of the early life of this state. I highly recommend it (despite the fact that she raised me!)