Thirteen-year-old Rachel Sheridan’s father, a missionary physician, and her mother, a teacher, who cared for the Kikuyu and Masai in Tumaini (East Africa), die from influenza in 1919. Rachel is taken in by her unpleasant neighbors, the Pritchards, whose daughter, Valerie, has also died. They force Rachel to visit Valerie’s grandfather in England—masquerading as Valerie— to secure his estate for them. But Rachel bonds with Valerie’s grandfather, eventually tells the truth about her identity, works toward becoming a doc tor, and returns to Tumaini to rebuild the hospital. Whelan’s research notes and a bibliography are provided. 2000 National Book Award (Young People’s Literature) for Homeless Bird . hc