Louisa loves the solitude of the Nebraska prairie and feels secure with her loving pioneer family.She idolizes the doctor's wife, Emmeline, who comes from New York City. But Emmeline cannot adjust to the harsh pioneer existence, especially the loneliness, and finally goes mad. 1986 Best Books for Young Adults (ALA)Best of the 80's (BL)1986 Boston Globe'Horn Book Award Honor Book for Fiction1986 Children's Book Award (IRA)1985 Golden Kite Award Honor Book for Fiction (SCBW)1986 Judy Lopez Children's Book Award1985 Golden Spur Award (Western Writers of America)1986 Best Books for Teens (NY Public Library)1985 Western Heritage Award1986 Society of Midland Authors Award