Book Review - Courting Miss Amsel

I usually enjoy historical fiction, and this book is no exception. Courting Miss Amsel by Kim Vogel Sawyer deals with the topic of women's suffrage in addition to the requisite romance.

Edythe Amsel is the new teacher in Walnut Hill, Nebraska. Her teaching methods are at first considered outlandish and inappropriate by many of the town's citizens, but as the school year progresses and the children are excited about going to school at least a few of the parents are beginning to reconsider their initial opinions. This changes when Miss Amsel wants to take her older students to hear Miss Susan Anthony speak about women's suffrage.

Kim Vogel Sawyer's writing style is engaging and this story draws the reader in to the town of Walnut Hill. However, I wasn't as caught up in this story as in her last story, In Every Heartbeat. The only real antagonist in this book is public opinion against changing techniques in teaching and women's suffrage, although one of Miss Amsel's students does provide a challenge as well. This does provide enough motivation to move the story along, but just barely. Overall, the story is interesting but is not a nail-biter by any stretch. Just a good summer read.

I received a copy of this book to review from the publisher, however the opinions expressed are entirely my own.