This award-winning, coming-of-age gem by Jennifer Erin Valent recounts one farm family's struggle against racial bigotry in Depression-era Virginia. When Jessilyn's parents begin raising her best friend as their own daughter, this kindness toward a dark-skinned orphan triggers threats and violence. While teetering on the brink of womanhood, Jessilyn must learn to be a shining light in a dark world.
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"David & I drove to Cleveland this weekend and I picked this book from Audible.com to listen to on our drive. We both really enjoyed this book. It took place during prohibition in the south. It is a story of a family that takes a young black girl that is taken in by a white family after her parents die in a fire. It involves a christain town that shuns them and the KKK that terrorizes them. One of the thoughts I had as I was reading this--Let's intrchange gay/lesbian for the negroe. How would that read today? It was a loving christain family (the exception) that adopted Gemma into their family. hmmmmm?"
— MaryK (4 out of 5 stars)
“With expressive descriptions and credible characters…Valent shines an awareness on the racial tensions in the South in the 1930s and its impact on innocent children.”
— RT Book Reviews (4 stars)“Valent’s debut is both heartwarming and hand-wringing as it shows how one family endured the threats small and large of a prejudiced community while maintaining moral integrity…The book stares down violence and terror, making its affirmation of surprising goodness believable.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)“Kate Forbes is perfect as the hot-tempered, determined young teen. She reads with a backcountry Southern accent, conveying Jessilyn’s pain as she is shunned by adults and children, her anger and fear as she is terrorized by the Ku Klux Klan, and her joy as she finds worthwhile friends and a deeper faith. Forbes never breaks character as she keeps the suspense and intensity going in hushed, somber tones. Some scenes and words are difficult to listen to, but Forbes’ compelling narration makes it impossible to stop.”
— AudioFile“Valent has created a darkly evocative historical novel that boldly explores the divisive effects of unreasoning hatred, greed, and fear on a community already struggling with the economic and racial tensions caused by the Depression and exacerbated by the Ku Klux Klan. As these forces impact one family, childhood innocence is lost, but Valent’s characters also experience the affirmation of a deeper, more lasting faith.”
— Booklist“Forbes’ reading authentically depicts the characters’ Virginia accents; she tightens her tones and quickens her pace during scenes of threats and violence…She is especially adept at portraying Jessilyn’s father, a thoughtful man whose soft-spoken words suggest the iron will that fortifies his faith in justice and equality. An evocative historical novel.”
— Booklist (audio review)" I might even go so far as to give this on 4.5 stars. It had a similar feel to "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "The Secret Life of Bees" along with some nice inspirational quotes comparable to "I'll Watch the Moon". Basically, this book was a nice mix of a lot of different books that I really like. It was a great story and had some uplifting and humorous moments despite the heavy topic at hand of the KKK and life in the south during the 1930's. As Brook already mentioned, it is nice and clean and I would recommend to anyone looking for a nice coming-of-age story. This would be a good one for our book club. "
— Meagan, 2/20/2014" listened to this one on a long road trip with my wife. Coming of age story about a young girl of 13 in the South. Good plot and characters, Christian values, moral lessons about racial prejudice and KKK terrorism. "
— Dave, 2/17/2014" Free kindle book that I really enjoyed!! "
— Danielle, 1/26/2014" I thoroughly enjoyed this book about life in the South and the relationship between two friends that was tested by the beliefs of the time. "
— Mandy, 1/22/2014" Beautifully written story in a genre that sometimes feel flooded and stretched thin. "
— Shannon, 1/13/2014" Great book written in the South in the 1930's when racism and KKK were in full swing. Love the main character in the book and her attitude. Super easy read... "
— Sally, 1/12/2014" Two girls growing up together, one white, one black. This book takes place in 1932, in a segregated South and it is a Christian book, but not overly preachy The characters are very real and you wait for the Klu Klux Klan to be caught. "
— Melinda, 12/15/2013" One of the best books I have ever read! This book leaves you longing for the next book in the series. Highly recommended! Great series too...all 3 books are 5 stars***** "
— Angie, 11/15/2013" Good Christian fiction. And the author is the niece of one of my co-workers! "
— Sherrylroberts, 11/5/2013" This book was so good and touching. It is full of human compasion and stading up for what is right, showing that not everyone is heartless and cruel in regards to slavery. "
— Carrie, 3/24/2013" What a wonderful but by a new Author. Life was so different in the 30's from what we know today. We have it too easy. "
— Dennis, 2/13/2013" Great book! Set in the 1930's in the South with a 13 year old girl as the main character. One long summer changes her life in so many ways she could never have imagined. Her Family's Farm is struggling even before tragedy hits and she finds out real fast what the KKK stands for. "
— Rene, 1/13/2013" I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if the main character didn't annoy me so much. If she had just told her parents what was going on, I feel that a lot of her problems wouldn't have been so terrible. "
— Sara, 12/16/2012" This was a fast read and was actually really well written. I would love a sequel but it doesn't seem to be set up for one. Christian writer so it's clean and has a great message. "
— Brook, 10/29/2012" Great read! The author did an excellent job of providing vivid details that helped me visualize what was happening throughout the story. You have to admire the spunk of the young characters. I highly recommend this book. "
— Terry, 9/8/2012" An enjoyable read. The main character acted a little too stupidly at times for me, but other than that I really enjoyed it. Told the story of the fallout after a family (mother, father, daughter 12-13 yrs) during the 30's who took in a black girl after her parents died in a fire. "
— Jacquie, 7/28/2012" Really good book. Quick easy read. One of those ones you can finish in a day. It keeps you reading until your done with it. "
— Pat, 7/13/2012" I would have given this book 7 stars if I could have! "
— Stacia, 3/8/2012" Interesting book. Serious subject matter. I didn't like the religious parts. "
— Margie, 11/16/2011" Dear. Touching. A well written piece that would be suitable for those as young as middle schoolers. "
— Phyllis, 11/5/2011" This book was reminiscent of To Kill a Mockingbird, but not quite as well written. "
— Angie, 11/3/2011" Good one to pick up! "
— Amy, 7/23/2011" Good story. Interesting characters. Not beat you over the head preachy. "
— Lesli, 7/7/2011" I truly enjoyed this book. It truly paints a good picture of what prejudice existed in southern Virginia. It was full of intrigue and was laced with historical accuracy. I look forward to it's sequel. "
— Paula, 6/14/2011" I really liked this book! It was very suspensful, and kept me on my toes! I loved it:) I can't wait to read the next two in the series! "
— Kayla, 6/13/2011" I think I read this book in about 4 days - I couldn't put it down. Now it's time to dive into the second and third books and I can't wait to see what happens! This story was pretty emotional but had the perfect ending! "
— Niki, 5/22/2011" A nice story about a family that gets on the KKK's bad side because they take in a black girl to live with them after her parents are killed.<br/> "
— Rachel, 5/13/2011" I really liked this book. It is a fast read and it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I didn't want to put it down. The girl in this book is a smart mouth but I loved her all the same. She learned some pretty amazing lessons...the hard way. It is a must read in my book. "
— Audra, 4/25/2011" It was a very vivid book about racism in the 1930's, told through a 13 year old girls eyes. It reminded me a little bit of "to Kill a Mockingbird" and "the secret life of bees" I enjoyed it! "
— Gwen, 4/22/2011" I liked it a lot. The story really kept moving quickly. "
— Linda, 4/13/2011" Almost done with this one. If you can appreciate that it was written in a time where congregation was accepted by some but not by others, you can really allow yourself to become immersed in the characters. "
— Xunnie, 3/27/2011" another page turner...or button pusher since I am reading it on my Kindle <br/>Reminded me a little of The Secret Life of Bees...the historical portion. Great coming of age book during one of the darkest times in our historical past. "
— Bari, 3/26/2011" Really good story about growing up in the racist south. The author shows us that the meaning of family can be very different from its traditional meaning. "
— Patricia, 3/18/2011" This book really made me think about how prejudice effected people's lives in the 1930s and how sticking to your guns can often make things very difficult. A good, quick read. "
— Anne, 3/9/2011" A good read, I finished it in two days. It was very suspenseful and sometimes I was a bit scared. The message was good. I want to read the next two! "
— Jaime, 3/1/2011Kate Forbes, winner of four Earphones Awards for audiobook narrating, is a professionally trained actress who has appeared on Broadway, in regional theaters, and with a renowned touring company. After graduating from Sarah Lawrence College, where she was active in theater, she completed an MFA at New York University School of the Arts. With this training, she launched into a successful acting career.