Title: Stopping to Home
Author: Lea Wait
Genre: Children's Historical Fiction / Early American Literature / New England Coastal History
Edition: 2001 First Edition (First Printing)
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Set against the vivid backdrop of 1806 in Wiscasset, Maine, Stopping to Home is a moving historical novel that captures the resilience of the human spirit through the eyes of a child. Eleven-year-old Abbie Chambers and her four-year-old little brother, Seth, find themselves suddenly orphaned after their mother succumbs to smallpox and their seafaring father vanishes at sea. With no place left to go, the siblings find a temporary haven with Widow Chase, a young woman struggling to retain her own home and land following her husband's recent passing.
Abbie and Seth must quickly adapt to the demanding realities of New England coastal life. Amidst the daily chores, the constant longing for news of their father, and the looming political tensions of the era—including British maritime impressment and smallpox threats—the makeshift family forms an unbreakable bond. Author Lea Wait draws upon meticulous research to deliver an authentic, comforting, and educational portrait of hardships, hope, and the true meaning of belonging. Stopping to Home is an excellent read-aloud story for families to enjoy together.
Author Lea Wait (1946–2019): An American author celebrated for her detailed historical novels for young readers and her engaging cozy mystery series for adults. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, she grew up in a family deeply steeped in the love of books, later earning degrees from Chatham College and New York University. Before turning to full-time writing, Wait built a successful career in corporate management at AT&T and established herself as a respected antique print dealer. Her personal life heavily inspired her fiction; as a single parent, she proudly adopted four daughters from various Asian countries, fostering a deep personal belief that every child deserves a loving place to belong. Her literary debut, Stopping to Home, achieved widespread acclaim, earning the distinction of being named a Notable Book for Children by Smithsonian magazine.
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Condition*: Near Fine/Very Good. Dust jacket: Light edgewear. Quarter-bound green and beige cloth cover boards. Pages are clean, undamaged, and complete.
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