In the 1960s, Edenville, North Carolina is full of rules. Sagging under the weight of racism and segregation the small community finds itself at a dangerous tipping point. Eleven-year-old Betty Grafton believes the world is fair. She knows there are worse places to live than Edenville. Unaware of the wars waging around her, she spends her days patting horses in the field and running errands for … errands for her mother. The world she doesn’t see, full of turmoil and unrest, is hiding just below the surface. One day, she has no choice but to see what’s been right in front of her all along.
Alma knows where to walk. She knows who to talk to and which fountain she can drink out of. Her mother, Winnie, spares no opportunity to remind her how dangerous it is to be a little black girl in the South.
When a chance encounter puts Betty face to face with the peril that exists in her own hometown, everything she knows turns upside down. The world isn’t as fair or safe as she’d imagined. Her family is the Klan. Her friends are the enemy. And nothing makes sense anymore.
Although the world demands they stay apart, Alma and Betty forge a secret friendship. One that could cost them their lives.
The Edenville Series:
Book 1: Flowers in the Snow
Book 2: Kiss in the Wind
Book 3: Stars in a Bottle
Book 4: Fire in the Heart
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WOW. I loved this seriously good book. It is a must read. You won’t be sorry.
This Historical fiction got to my heartstrings. It was a period of time when I was in elementary school. I had heard bits and pieces of what went on in the South at that time. The characters are very captivating. I ended up buying the rest of the series. Excellent author!
Precious sweet book. It was so realistic about this grandmothers story growing up in the Deep South as I was growing up in the North.
Just a pleasure to read
This was such a great story
I loved this book. I learned alot.
This is a book that is meeting a need in our time.
What a great view into the dysfunction of the small town and the children caught up in the silent war of hatred. But love wins although the scars linger.
I was raised during this era. I appreciated how it gave different perspectives of what it was like during that time. Some worked so hard to keep people separate, but love is the force that draws us together every time.
What a great read! I love the characters. Tragic but uplifting at the same time. Realistic.
Should be required reading in the school systems.
Very timely.
I loved the characters! Although it wasn’t my usual kind of reading I enjoyed this book very much! The ending was unexpected!
Well written.
Excellent portrayal of small southern town run by the Klan in the early 60s. Very powerful – I had to put it down a couple times to draw a deep breath and resume the story after I had calmed down.
Wonderful story. I highly recommend everyone read this. It is so appropriate right now with all the race issues right now. Insight into the characters is well done. Heartwarming and eye opening.
Loved this book! It did bring years to my eyes. I remember some of the horrendous treatment of blacks in the 1960’s. There were riots and police were using fire hoses on black people. Such cruelty. Read this book!
Great book from reflective experience. An great read for children and young adults that may not understand why so many social injustices are rampant within our society. Especially helpful to demonstrate how this perspective is ingrained in a societies thoughts and what it took to break out of the cycle.
So relatable in today’s world of unrest. Why are we still fighting the same prejudices decades later? Loved this book, such a tender story of love and friendships.
Very timely with bv what’s going on in the USA.
A good historic read. Very enlightening.