A gripping story of a determined and kind young person.
By Susan Koehler ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 8, 2023
Dahlia Harrell, a 10-year-old girl from the Appalachian town of Lothian Mill, is living in difficult times. Her family’s house has burned down and they are struggling to make ends meet as tenant farmers. Dahlia is envious of her classmate Rosie Blevins, who seems to have everything. Then her brother Charlie is diagnosed with scarlet fever.
Dahlia’s spirits are lifted when her beloved uncle Ennis, a traveling musician, arrives with his banjo. He plays at the Harvest Festival and is later accused of stealing from Rosie’s father’s hardware store. Dahlia is sure there must be another explanation. Koehler’s middle-grade novel is a powerful story of family ties and inequality, as Dahlia is forced to grapple with adult problems in an unpredictable environment. Despite its brevity, the novel is full of warmth and offers a message of forgiveness. Dahlia’s story is a reminder of the strength of family in the toughest of times.
Check on Amazon Check on Barnes and Noble Check on Powells
Pub Date: April 8, 2023
ISBN: 9781947536173
Page Count: 210
Publisher: Turtle Cove Press
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2023