The story is told by Katy Thatcher, the young daughter of a small-town physician whose heart is softened by a local boy with a mental condition disabling him from speaking.

In a starred review, Publishers Weekly praised Lowry for her ability to "[balance] humor and generosity with the obstacles and injustice of Katy's world to depict a complete picture of the turn of the 20th century".

[1] On behalf of School Library Journal, Ellen Fader highlighted how "Lowry excels in developing strong and unique characters and in showing Katy's life in a small town that changes around her as the first telephones and automobiles arrive.

"[2] Booklist's Gillian Engberg wrote, "Lowry's graceful, lively prose is dense with historical details that, although atmospheric, sometimes focus more on Katy's lifestyle than her story.

But Lowry still manages to create an appealing character in the curious, unusually compassionate girl, layering her story with questions about how families shape lives and the misunderstandings that can lead to heartbreak.