Winner  Silver for Young Adult Fiction  NorCal Publishers & Authors Book Awards! " An engrossing tale  and a wonderful tribute to the author's formidable grandmother, an admirable character, fully drawn.  A very engaging read ." -  Kirkus Reviews Torn from her family  in 1902, fourteen-year-old Blanche is sent away on an orphan train, landing in St. Louis, Missouri, as a nursemaid, wearing rags and sleeping in a pantry. "The Bonnet Book" is the inspiring coming of age story--based on true events--of how Blanche rises above her servitude and travels alone to adventure in the Wild West, where she's presented with the chance of a lifetime and the possibility of love--both rife with challenges that test her drive, purpose in life, and sense of self. An early example of self-determination and girl power , Blanche's story is based on the life of debut novelist Nancy Menees Hardesty's grandmother. The Bonnet Book diary and other historical items in the novel are real-life touchstones in this gripping tale of young adult historical fiction. "An engrossing and  enlightening  work. Young adult and adult readers alike will fall in love with this story." - K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorite,  5-star review #1 New Release  in Teen & Young Adult Biographical Fiction! Blog, reviews, video and more at nancymeneeshardesty.com "An engrossing tale and a wonderful tribute to the author’s formidable grandmother, an admirable character, fully drawn. A very engaging read." Kirkus Reviews "In one character The Bonnet Book truly portrays the realistic and accurate experiences of America's 350,000 orphan train riders. Author Nancy Menees Hardesty perfectly captures the independent spirit of a young American woman who, like all orphan train riders, began life with seemingly insurmountable disadvantages, but who turned those disadvantages into opportunities and prevails through hard work and unabashed persistence. A delightful read that speaks to the indomitable American spirit!" John Shontz, Project Coordinator National Making a Difference Project: The Orphan Train Saga "A wonderful story about fourteen-year-old Blanche Spencer and her experience traveling to St. Louis, Illinois, and Oklahoma between 1902 and 1911. Blanche's pioneer spirit, determination, and perseverance helped her become an independent, self-taught young lady. The book brilliantly illustrates the rugged life in the Midwest and Blanche's drive to be successful. The first chapter captured me with life in rural Illinois in 1902, and I hated to see the book end. I wanted to learn more about Blanche's life. It is a good read for all ages!" Norma Lee Hackney, PhD Director, Shawnee Hills Arts Center " The Bonnet Book is a time-travel trip that takes you on a compelling read back into American history. You will experience the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, Temperance camps, and orphan trains; meet Annie Oakley and the folks of early American small towns-all seen through the adolescent eyes of the author's grandmother, a strong Midwestern American woman. Meticulously researched and based on the original "Bonnet Book," the author's grandmother's actual diary, this book is rich with intriguing storytelling, as well as a personal journey into our fast-moving history." Diane LeBow, PhD President emerita Bay Area Travel Writers Professor emerita "Nancy Menees Hardesty shares her family history and brings us a delectable read, The Bonnet Book , about the trials of a young woman in the early 20th century. An exciting and compelling story, The Bonnet Book is an adventure tale of the author's paternal grandmother. Hardesty's attention to detail is meticulous as the story unfolds about a bustling St. Louis, Missouri, rural southern Illinois, and finding love and marriage in Oklahoma." Cheryl Ranchino Trench, Columnist Swinford Publications Nancy Menees Hardesty, born in Illinois and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, moved to San Francisco, California in 1969. Nancy spent six years researching and writing her debut novel, The Bonnet Book . She had various family journals and artifacts and the extensive help of her mother, Mary Kay Menees, who was the daughter-in-law of the book's protagonist, Bonnie Spencer. The tiny "Bonnet Book" of hat sketches and the wooden hat-supply trunk featured in the book are still in the author's possession.