But after Grace is murdered, Mattie has some difficult decisions to make. Grace asked Mattie for only one thing: Burn a bundle of letters she had been secreting away.

When she takes a job working at the Glenmore Hotel during the summer, she meets the enigmatic Grace Brown. She’s passionate about reading, writing and learning a new word from the dictionary every day. However, she is needed on the family farm and unable to leave. Smart enough to get a full scholarship to Barnard, Mattie dreams of going to college. Jennifer Donnelly’s young adult novel, “A Northern Light,” follows Mattie in 1906 as she navigates a society that does not encourage women to take control of their lives. We don't just root for Mattie we come to understand and cherish her.'-The New York Times Book Review (September 21, 2003), Jennifer Donnelly has populated her first young-adult novel with a community of distinctive characters who ring rich and true.Mattie Gokey is full of passion and a longing to express herself. We don't just root for Mattie we come to understand and cherish her., 'Jennifer Donnelly has populated her first young-adult novel with a community of distinctive characters who ring rich and true, and grounded it in the often horrific realities of rural life a century ago.

We don't just root for Mattie we come to understand and cherish her.'-The New York Times Book Review 'A remarkable debut.'-Scott Turow, Jennifer Donnelly has populated her first young-adult novel with a community of distinctive characters who ring rich and true, and grounded it in the often horrific realities of rural life a century ago. Outstanding.'-School Library Journal(starred review) 'Beautifully written.'-Booklist(starred review) 'Distinctive characters who ring rich and true. Donnelly's characters ring true to life, and the meticulously described setting forms a vivid backdrop to this finely crafted novel.

We don't just root for Mattie we come to understand and cherish her.'- The New York Times Book Review 'A remarkable debut.'-Scott Turow, 'Riveting.'-Publishers Weekly(starred review) 'A breathtaking tale. Outstanding.'- School Library Journal (starred review) 'Beautifully written.'- Booklist (starred review) 'Distinctive characters who ring rich and true.

'Riveting.'- Publishers Weekly (starred review) 'A breathtaking tale.

A northern light novel