A young woman of about twelve years of age living on her own would be a matter of concern in our culture, even though her living by her wits makes for entertaining reading. If Greater Dunitsa were a little less civilized, worse could be done to her than Sharpnack's schemes to force her to leave the area. It may be worth reminding younger children that Gypsy Rizka is a fantasy of clever tricks meant to entertain rather than depict real life. Young adults are likely to recognize the folktale background of the novel and have little difficulty recognizing that Rizka leads an idealized existence.

The novel is a seductive tale of a girl's managing to always outwit her antagonists, and it appeals, as folktales tend to do, to wish fulfillment. In a society of grownups who threaten to step on her, Rizka manages to trick the...