100 Pages A Day...Stephanie's Book Reviews

Nell was dropped at a convent in rural Pennsylvania when she was a baby. With a cleft palate and no knowledge of where she came from, except that her mother's name is Jane, Nell grows up ridiculed was believed to be developmentally disabled. When the Mother Superior tries to sell Nell to a mean farmer and his wife, Nell takes the opportunity to run away. With no real plans and no where to go, Nell procures a boat and proceeds to travel up and down rivers trying to find her way. She soon picks up handsome Britishman, Jeremy as well as a lovable river dog, Soot . Jeremy makes his way through life as a thief, but has grown attached to Nell and doesn't seem to mind her different looks and strange voice. As they travel, Nell reads the story of Calamity Jane. Once she hears that Jane is real, Nell is convinced that Calamity Jane is her mother and is given a reason for her quest as well as a destination, Deadwood South Dakota.

Set throughout the US in the 1800's, Nell's adventures showcase American history at the time. Nell is a lovable character, she is assumed to be disabled because of her cleft palate, but is very bright. She has taught herself how to read and has a good sense of what people to trust. When she finds Jeremy, they form a heartwarming and protective bond; though Nell sometimes wishes that there was more. Very reminiscent of Huckleberry Finn, Nell's adventures up and down the Mississippi introduce Nell to a variety of spectacles and people. From tent revivals and snake oil salesmen to Quakers and an understanding Doctor who helps Nell with her palate and teeth, Nell sees the best and worst of what the world has to offer. While Nell's quest to find Calamity Jane and her belief that she is indeed her mother seems fanciful, Nell's intuition always seems to be spot on that I begun to believe it myself. Overall, this was a fun adventure with some great characters and a different kind of happy ending.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.