Although Cross Creek was written for a general audience, it is especially appropriate for modern young adults, who are bombarded by suggestions that happiness comes from material possessions and self-indulgence. The people of Cross Creek own very little, many of them not even the land on which they live, but Rawlings makes it clear how rich they are and how much she has learned from them.

In her chapter “The Evolution of Comfort,” Rawlings describes her own situation in terms that should amaze her young readers. She is grateful that her house has a faucet; she could have been carrying all of her water. As for baths, she has an outside shower; she describes graphically how cold that experience can be in the winter. The other facilities are also outside. When she has enough money, she finally installs indoor plumbing, but the tone of the chapter is humorous. Obviously, physical comfort is a minor consideration when compared to the important things: that she is doing what she wants to do, living among interesting and basically good people, in a setting of breathtaking beauty.

The values that are important at Cross Creek have nothing to do with what one has or what others think. Instead, each individual lives by a personal code of conduct. Having herself rejected a highly sophisticated society, in which people are often governed only by appearances, Rawlings appreciates the independence of her new neighbors; like herself, they make their own decisions and then live by them. Even though she thinks that the Widow Slater is foolish for not having her children inoculated, Rawlings admires her refusal to bow to the opinions of others. Similarly, even though young Tim’s refusal to allow his wife to work causes additional hardship for the family, Rawlings sees his pride as admirable. The self-respect of the poorest of these people accounts for their integrity as well. One of the most touching stories in the book is the story of Mrs. Bernie Bass, who refuses Rawlings’ offer of free milk for her children. In order to keep her self-respect, she insists on paying for whatever she is offered, and she pays her debts scrupulously, a few pennies at a time.

Although they are proud and independent, the people of the Creek never turn their backs on friends in trouble. When the local drunk is missing, they all take part in the search to find him. At the time of the big freeze, it is her neighbors who save the grove for the author.

In Cross Creek, Rawlings writes honestly about her own shortcomings. For exam-ple, although she is kindhearted, often she is not sensitive to the feelings of those around her. When Rawlings sees a problem, she is too willing to offer a solution, as she does when she tries to hire Tim’s wife, not understanding that he considers it his own responsibility to provide for his family. Similarly, she jumps to conclusions. As a result, Rawlings insults her neighbor and friend Tom Glisson, not once but twice. When he forgives her, then forgives her again, he is not only showing her the depth of a real friendship but also teaching her that friendship is based on mutual trust, which does not allow judgments based on appearances.

In the chapter “Residue,” Rawlings again writes about the difference between what people may appear to be and what they really are. All those individuals mentioned in the chapter might be called “losers”; however, in each of them, there are some noble qualities, which are recognized by the community. Obviously, the acceptance and the tolerance...