Gypsy Rizka is a light-hearted novel by Lloyd Alexander

Lloyd Alexander

Lloyd Chudley Alexander was a widely influential American author of more than forty books, mostly fantasy novels for children and adolescents, as well as several adult books...

 about a girl who survives purely on her own wit.

Plot summary

Rizka is a gypsy who lives just outside of a town in a vardo

Vardo (gypsy wagon)

A vardo is a traditional horse-drawn wagon used by British Romani people .The design of the vardo included large wheels running outside the body of the van, which slopes outwards considerably towards the eaves...

and waits for the return of her gypsy father after the death of her mother. Fortunately, she has Big Franko looking out for her and the company of her cat Petzel. Throughout the story, she experiences numerous adventures helping out friends and folks in town as well as outwitting local town official Sharpnack, who will do anything to get rid of Rizka.