A girl, about 12 years old, her family picks fruit (migrant workers) and she longs for a house to li

I have been looking for this book for years. It is a pre-teen book I read in the mid-70's when I was about 10. The girl, age 10-12, in it lives with her family in a tent, they are migrant fruit pickers in the U.S. She only gets to attend school occasionally and has no friends because they constantly move around. She dreams of living in a "real" house and does finally get to live in one. It seems to me that the house was in a swamp? I could be getting two books mixed together on that. Thanks for any help!

Perhaps "The Velvet Room" by Zilpha Keatley Snyder? Take a look at this link and see if it brings up any memories...

http://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/2012/05/03/retro-review-the-velvet-room-by-zi...

Sounds like a book by Lois Lenski. I'm not sure exactly which one it would be, though. Maybe Judy's Journey?She wrote several books about sharecroppers, life in the 30's, etc.

The plot sounds like a Lois Lensky book to me to me also. It's been awhile since I've read it, but Cotton in My Sack sounds sort of like what you are looking for, but the family are migrant cotton pickers.

Louis Lensky also wrote a book called Strawberry Girl. Strawberry Girl is set in Florida, and if I remember correctly, the family lived near a swamp.

I think I've read this book as well, so I'll be checking back to see what you come up with.

This sounds like Blue Willow by Doris Gates. I loved that book growing up.

Yes! Wisewoman, you are right, it is Blue Willow! I am ordering it from my library now. Thank you!

Thank you everyone for your responses!

Doris Gates also wrote Little Vic, a favorite from childhood.

Happy to help. Enjoy :)

I too thought of Blue Willow, but there was no tent. I'm glad you found it again - the longing for a "real" home is really strong in Janey.