My summer with nancy

the long version

In 1945, the mother of a multi-handicapped ten-year-old named Nancy engaged Ava Lee Holly as her child's companion and teacher, a role that Ava Lee would fill each summer over three years. In this poignant story, the effects of Nancy's delayed education become apparent as Ms. Holly calls upon her innate teaching ability to find ways to expand Nancy's skills, and to help her explore and understand her surroundings. As Ava Lee tackles these challenges she also becomes acutely aware of the compensatory gifts that Nancy exhibits.