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
more
Can’t wait to read the other books in the series!
I love this author. Her series are great page turners.
Easy read with a good story
A strong, well-written example of the power of love and kindness to stand up to bias and hate. No one is born prejudiced, they have to be taught. We can teach instead that the only race that matters is the “human” race,
Couldn’t get into this book.
This booked shows how a questioned prejudice can open the door to loving friends who could not have crossed the drawn lines of acceptability.
I am not yet done with this book, but pretty close to finishing and I can say I will more than likely look for the next in the series. The characters are complex (nothing too deep) and give a realistic view of what it was like to live in a very racist time. Perhaps it could be a reminder how we should treat each other as the young hold no bias and …
Good but heartbreaking too. Makes you angry at times but keep reading. Worth reading how it all ends.
It really was thought provoking and made you feel like you were there
I was in my early teens during the time this book was written about but was unaware of struggle going on by the black community. I was in jr. high when our schools were integrated but their wasn’t any drama going on about it.
makes you walk in the other person’s shoes…
This book really surprised me! Was a good read. Revelant to todays and past time feeling on race relations and views about those different from one another.
Enjoyed this book very much. Easy read and kept me turning pages. Would recommend to anyone wanting an easy read and good book ..
Outstanding….couldn’t put it down!
Would like to read the rest of the books.
This author does an amazing job of showing how children raised with bigoted parents can find open minded egalitarian humanitarian values. You will love the characters and hunger for more in depth development. Prepare for tears and joyous moments along this challenging journey of friendship
I just loved this book! The character depictions made me feel like I knew them and was living life alongside of each one. It’s historical fiction at its best…a journey of life!
I read this book quickly and immediately began looking for more by this author. If you like Danielle Steele, you’ll love Danielle Stewart. Not as romantic but truly family meaningful.
A new favorite. A look into a turbulent time of change through the hearts and minds of characters brought to life in the pages of a book. I stayed until the tale was told. Couldn’t set it down.
A challenging story to read because of the subject matter. It is hard to believe people can be so misguided and evil in their thoughts and actions. The story ends very well, that is the upside and hopefully shows that the world can change.