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
I read the whole book in one day, I just couldn’t put it down until I got to the end!
great book
Readable story that needs better proofreading.
Loved this book!! Sad commentary on how blacks were treated back then, but I loved all the characters!
Enjoyed the book a lot. Kept me on the edge of my seat to see how all the characters made out. The civil right movement is something most of us have learned about but feeling like you know the people involved made it much more real!
I just loved this book and could not put it down. History and growing up in the south in the 1960 was a great story. I would recommend everyone to read this book.
The best book I have read in years….great characters, great story…
Wonderful insights into life in a small southern town during integration. Also a good introduction into the family’s back stories
It was hard to put down this book. A tragic time in our country’s history was very well portrayed in this novel. The characters will not be forgotten any time soon. I had never before seen a book on this subject that could help children get through a trauma that was beyond their power and coping skills to change.
This was one of those books that is so sad and you want to just quit reading it but it is also poignant and inspiring so you keep going
Not my usual read, but I couldn’t put it down! So realistic about happenings when the KKK were prominent in the south.
This book was well written and I had a hard time putting it down.it was a wonderful romantic book.
A learning experience. Great blending if cultures.
Although I grew up in the time period that this book was written, I lived in a smatll town in Ohio and never faced the problems that came with segregation. This book tells the story in a wonderful way that highlights people of character both black and white. There were some surprises along the way, and I didn’t want to put this book down until …
Did not hold my interest
Had a hard time getting into the book so I finally put it down. I’ll try again another time
Beautiful story that brought tears to my eyes.
A book that had a kind of: To Kill a Mockingbird sort of feel in that it provided a view, in a story form, into how different characters thought and felt about segregation at an ugly time in US history.
This book is based in the 1960 era with segregation and Klu Klux Klan were active. Wonderful friendships form during a very stressful times for 3 teens who didn’t see color as an issue.
This book was thought provoking. The history was excellent and the characters kept you spellbound. It was not what I expected but so much more. I read it in one sitting. I would highly recommend this book.