Zena Sutherland from The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books felt that the novel "gives a convincing picture of the way residents of a small town help each other."

She added that the "characterization is sturdy, the structure modest but satisfying, and the writing has a smooth narrative flow.

"[2] Susan F. Marcus, writing for the School Library Journal, thought that the "Depression and its people come alive in this touching and well-crafted novel.

"[3] Publishers Weekly stated that the protagonist is "a little too good to be true" and the "setbacks Whitmore throws in are almost formulaic".

They said that despite this, "Sarah is a strong female protagonist and the well-structured story fast paced, while Whitmore's evocation of the period allows readers to share the desperation of hard-working, decent people.