Crossing the Tracks by Barbara Stuber

Crossing the Tracks is a story about a girl named Iris whose father doesn't seem to care about her anymore. He owns a shoe shop, so he cares a great deal about footwear and having the right pair of shoes for every occasion, and he's dating a woman Iris can't stand, but he doesn't seem to notice Iris other than her getting in the way.

One day, she finds out that he's sending her off to live with a doctor and his mother, neither of whom she had met before, and be a caretaker for the doctor's mother. She boards the train with the perfect shoes for the occasion, stiff as they may be, and exits the train barefoot.

Over the summer, she learns a great deal about herself and the people around her. She helps a girl she can't stand, and gains a new interest in an old friend.

It's a good story, and as it is focused around a doctor's household, there are some of the most hilarious remedies for ailments I've ever heard of.

The story is sad at times, but not a downer. There is love, but it is not strictly a romance. Happiness, but not clownish. Overall, it's a great mix, with good storytelling and fantastic characters. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

I'm not Barbara Stuber, nor did I write the book for her.

-Kj