They Loved to Laugh (Young Adult Bookshelf) by Kathryn Worth
	List Price:   $11.95 Unit Price:   $9.56 You Save:   $2.39 (20%) ISBN-10:   1883937167 ISBN-13:   9781883937164 Publisher:   Bethlehem Books Category:   Young Adults Pub. Date:   September 1996 Pages:   254
Description/Notes
In 1831 in rural North Carolina, sixteen-year-old Martitia, newly orphaned and timid, comes to live with a large, boisterous Quaker familywhose five sons delight in teasing and laughter. Tears and laughter alternate in this novel of a young girl's growth to womanhood in the 1830's. 16-year-old orphan Martitia Howland has been transplanted into a Quaker farm family of five intimidating sons and one disapproving daughter. As Martitia runs their gauntlet, she begins to bloom. Valiantly she acquires the skills they expect of her, and discovers other gifts all her own. Her achievements earn respect in the end and more, her heart's true love.