The young mountain girl, Lizzie, is one of Miss Justus' best characterizations. The guests living at the nearby hotel call her Log Cabin Lizzie, which does not please her at all. But her displeasure comes from her extreme shyness toward strangers. One of them, a girl whose name is Meg Allen and her own age, sees beneath this shyness and determines to make Lizzie her friend.

Miss Justus' life has been spent among the mountain people of Tennessee whom she portrays so skillfully. Her story will prove a real treat to children of nine and ten, and especially interesting to those who are unfamiliar with the lovable Tennessee mountain folk.

Christine Chisholm's lively, colorful illustrations add just the right touch to complete an altogether satisfying story.

From the dust jacket

 

Set in the Tennessee mountains, Lizzie is the story of a ten-year-old girl who lives with her grandfather. She grows flowers in her own garden and sells them to the local hotel to save money to buy a hat, dress, and shoes from the "wish book." When her grandfather becomes ill, Lizzie unselfishly sacrifices all her earnings for his care.

"But I don't care. I don't care a mite to give up the money," thought Lizzie. She put her wish book dreams in the back of her head.

Lizzie's kindness is rewarded ten-fold as neighbors and a new, special friend rally to help make her dreams come true.

From The Good and the Beautiful edition