"Delicious wit, quirky characters, [and] the colorful intrigues of daily life" make Fairacre America's favorite English village (Jan Karon, #1 New York Times-bestselling author).

The English village of Fairacre may appear idyllically peaceful to passersby, but those who live among its shady lanes always have problems to untangle. When a terrible rumor emerges-that the Fairacre School is to be closed and the children bused to nearby Beech Green-the village is up in arms at once. The schoolmistress, Miss Read, suffers agonizing indecision at the prospect, and her situation is made worse when her infants' teacher decides to leave and the short-tempered Mrs. Pringle becomes more contrary than ever.

"Affectionate, humorous, and gently charming... Sometimes funny, sometimes touching, always appealing." - The New York Times

"Miss Read reminds us of what is really important. And if we can't live in her world, it's certainly a comforting place to visit." - USA Today