I loved the tv movie and noticed a GR friend’s review of the book. I reserved a copy from the library but didn’t want to wait so I started reading an edition from Open Library. I hadn’t realized it was an autobiographical novel.

I liked it. As I read it was the movie that I remembered. There was a lot in the book that I didn’t remember or that didn’t make it to the movie, but there was nothing in the book that wasn’t in the movie. I remembered a lot, including the names. Sara and Heather were the same. The teacher’s advice at the end didn’t change. It did feel more heartfelt in the movie than in the book, to me.

It seems really, really dated to me now, but the library still has the 1972 hardcover book in circulation 48 years later so perhaps it’s still liked/borrowed. The young teaching the old, the hippie vibe, the nature/natural world being of utmost importance, etc. etc. etc. all were definitely circa late 1960s, early 1970s. I can still see some of it striking a chord today but I’m not sure I’d recommend it to other readers. Maybe baby boomers over today’s teens unless today’s teens read it as historical fiction?

I might search for the film. Maybe it’s on YouTube or elsewhere. From what I remember 4-1/2 stars for the movie, 3-1/2 stars for the book. ( )