This book is funny and sad. A girl named Mattie struggles to survive while a diesase spreads. Her mother is struggling to fight the yellow fever and her grandfather is killed by robbers. She must stay strong and her mother fleas to the farm thinking Mattie is there. She tries to keep her family reuinited and struggles to fight off yellow fever.  This book is about courage,hope and strength,also determination to fight off hard times. In the end she finds happiness,but sadness too. Through these times she learns something.