Country Girl by the Creek - Linda Habeck

Pauline is almost sixteen and the oldest of four children. When their papa has to go away to look for work, life gets hard at home. So in addition to helping mamma at home, Pauline takes a job in town.
She is hoping to get a teacher's certificate and get a teaching job after she graduates in the spring. After meeting a boy new to the area, things change for Pauline.