When the girls were small, their father, Henry Warner, an entrepreneur and land developer from New York City, had big dreams of developing a resort on what was a small tract (280 acres) of land across the Hudson River from West Point Military Academy, which became known as Constitution Island.

When the stock market crashed in 1837, their world turned upside down, landing the family in abject poverty and shattering their father's financial empire. But nothing could dampen the enthusiasm of Susan and Anna, who loved their beautiful island. To keep a roof over their heads and food on the table, both Susan and Anna worked like men, cutting wood, harvesting crops and, over time, becoming accomplished published authors, together writing hundreds of what we now know was the earliest Christian fiction. And the song "Jesus Loves Me"? Well, it was originally a poem, part of a book called, Say and Seal; it would be hard to find a more touching, tender story, shared in part by the author in Jesus Loves Me This I Know.

To say this book is a gem is an understatement of grand proportions. The truth is, this charming story was like a magnet, drawing me deeper into the life and times of the Warner girls, whose character and sweet attitudes during times of hardship are truly rare and beautiful to behold. A keeper if there ever was one.