After being orphaned during the influenza epidemic of 1918, eleven-year-old Lydia Pierce and her fourteen-year-old brother are taken by their grieving uncle to be raised in the Shaker community at Sabbathday Lake. Included is the author's note about the Shakers. Dear America series. Iowa Children's Choice Award 2012 - 2013. Second Chance Reading. Interest Level: 5-8 Reading Level: 5.2 ATOS Book Level: 5.6 AR Interest Level: MG AR Points: 6 AR Quiz: 141528EN Reading Counts Level: 2.7 Reading Counts Points: 9 Lexile Measure: 830.