Finkbeiner
has written an interesting novel of the Depression and Dust Bowl era.
The harsh events of the time are seen through the eyes of Pearl, a
ten year old . This book is a sequel to A Cup of Dust. (You can read
my review of that book here.) While
this book reads well on its own I would highly suggest A Cup of Dust
be read before this one.
After
a devastating tragedy, Pearl's family makes the long journey from Oklahoma to Michigan to start a new life. The location change
does not alleviate the effects of the family tragedy and Pearl finds
her life changed forever.
The
first novel was a good one on the depression and its effect on family
life. This novel centers more on a tragedy and how it changes the
family. We are along with Pearl as she experiences unsettling events
and the resulting pain. There is a little about Depression era
experiences in Michigan but the novel is more a coming of age story.
Finkbeiner
reveals in an afterward that this novel is a reflection of her own
experiences visiting the southeastern Michigan farming community as a
child, riding the tractor with her Grandmother Pearl's cousin. Her
grandmother is long gone but memories remain, captured in part in
this novel. I recommend it as a good coming of age story of the
Depression era. Discussion Questions are included for use in a
reading group.
You
can find out more about the novel and read an excerpt here.
My
rating: 4/5.

Kregel
Publications, 310 pages.
I
received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My
comments are an independent and honest review.
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