I loved this book just as much the second time around! What an epic tale! Avi captures the persistence of a teenage girl with ease. I love that Charlotte realizes that what she has always known about her status and the requirements of a young lady are completely arbitrary and that she must lead the life she wants to lead, no matter the expectations of others. Avi navigates class, race, and gender well and offers an inspiring story as context for those discussions. My favorite part is when Charlotte has her own Mulan moment and cuts her hair off in the storm in one fell swoop, recognizing that propriety will simply get in the way. Charlotte is quite the inspiring heroine, a role model for perseverance, honor, and bravery.