The Dropouts — Ardath Mayhar

When their parents are killed, Nick and Nita find themselves destitute. Only an uncle they've never known offers them a refuge on his East Texas farm. The culture shock is intense for Nita, but Nick takes to farming, learning how to plow with a mule, bale hale, milk cows, and tend gardens. "Mayhar's roots in East Texas are never more evident than in this lovely tale of teenagers forced to re-evaluate their lives. Poignant and moving."--Robert Reginald.