All She Left Behind by Jane Kirkpatrick is a historical fiction novel that takes place in 1870 Wyoming and focuses on Jennie Pickett, a single mother who dreams of becoming a doctor. I liked seeing Jennie’s sheer determination and her willingness to take life head-on, even though the odds were stacked against her. I thought Kirkpatrick did a great job of presenting Jennie’s point of view. I could really “get inside her head.” Besides being a fun read, the book is also educational; throughout the book, readers can learn more about the social climate of the Western United States circa 1870. The book moves at a nice pace, and Kirkpatrick’s dialogue and description creates a well-rounded story.