The Springsweet

The Springsweet by Saundra Mitchell, published by Harcourt in 2012, is a historical juvenile fiction novel that spans 278 pages. The story follows seventeen-year-old Zora Stewart, who, heartbroken after the death of her fiancé, leaves Baltimore for the frontier town of West Glory, Oklahoma. There, she assists her widowed aunt in maintaining their homestead and discovers her unique ability to sense water beneath the dry earth, a skill that becomes vital for the settlers in their quest for survival.

As Zora navigates her new life, she grapples with the emotional weight of her past while embracing her role as a “springsweet,” advising others on where to dig wells. The narrative explores themes of love and resilience against the backdrop of 19th-century country life in the United States. Through Zora’s journey, readers will encounter the challenges of frontier living and the deep human desire for connection and fulfillment in a harsh landscape.