A Smithsonian Notable Book for Children
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
"Genius." --The New York Times Book Review
A beautiful repackage marking the twentieth anniversary of the
beloved, award-winning novel that celebrates teachers and learning.
Ten-year-old Frederika (Fred for short) doesn't have much faith that the
new teacher in town will last very long. After all, they never do. Most
teachers who come to their one-room schoolhouse in remote Alaska leave
at the first smell of fish, claiming that life there is just too hard.
But Miss Agnes is different: she doesn't get frustrated with her
students, and finds new ways to teach them to read and write. She even
takes a special interest in Fred's sister, Bokko, who has never come to
school before because she is deaf. For the first time, Fred, Bokko, and
their classmates begin to enjoy their lessons--but will Miss Agnes be
like all the rest and leave as quickly as she came?