The Blue Car

by Sandy Hill

The sun shines brightly in a cloudless sky on the day that a blue car pulls up to young Sarah’s home. Two men, aided by her father, hustle her mother away without a word, leaving a stunned Sarah staring after them. Thus begins Sarah’s journey into a world of secrets, a world of great responsibility and little guidance. Along the way, “The Blue Car,” set in western North Carolina in 1952, explores when to keep a promise and when to break it, and whether people can really change. Book club discussion questions included.

Genres: Fiction

158 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 30, 2014

About the author

Sandy Hill is a former newspaper editor who lives in North Carolina with her husband, also an author. She has drawn on her knowledge of tae kwon do, figure skating, strength training and journalism for some of her novels. Her Bernese Mountain Dog figures in several of her cozy mysteries.

Reviews

[Shawnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well that was a nice suprise. I picked this book because it fit for a reading challenge. I enjoyed the setting in small town 1950s. The themes were deep, and I was satisfied with the ending. The author packed a lot into 158 pages. The writing style is simple but that seemed to help convey the emotional topics as seen through a 13-year old girl's POV.

[Jakky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an easy, really enjoyable read. When bad things happen to young girls, usually, they get compounded by the innocence and fears of the child, as well as by adults who disbelieve or discredit the child, especially in the 1950s... In the interest of avoiding spoilers, I will simply say that I enjoyed the read on many levels.

[jimtown · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Blue Car is a compassionately written coming of age story. In it we see how conflicted Sarah is while trying to do the right thing and make good decisions. She's thrust into the role of 'woman of the house' before her thirteenth birthday when her mom is taken away to get better.

A lot happens as the months that her mom is away drag on. Luckily Sarah's family turns out to be pretty helpful and supportive. When it matters most, they all pull together to get the secrets out, and solve the problems that come up. The Blue Car rings true and was hard to put down.

[Kathy Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written for tweens

Simplistic and juvenile. Written for ages approximately 10 -13. Couldn't finish. Just alot of childish banter between siblings, father and a few ther adults . The 1950s story was centered around mom taken to mental hospital.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving story

This is a story that will have your emotions on a roller coaster. A definite read. It will tug your heartstrings.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

It all started when Sarah's mother was taken away n a blue car. She needed help that only a mental institution could give. Her family missed her terribly and things changed a lot for them. Sarah had to be her mother's substitute and take care of her younger sister as well as cleaning for the entire family. Something happened to shake up Sarah's life and she felt lost without her mother to console her.
An intriguing story with good life lessons.

[Rita Mahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent coming of age story. A pre-teen girl and her older brother and younger sister witness their mother being forcibly taken away to a mental hospital. Forced to take on the role of homemaker and authority figure as her father lives away from home for most of the week proves to be quite wearing. Add into that a child predator and needing to keep a horrible secret concerning her best friend . The comfort and understanding that only a mother can provide is sorely missed.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah's mother was taken away n a blue car. She needed help that only a mental institution could give. Sarah was a pre-teen, Mark is brother, and little Annie saw the blue car take their mom away. So Sarah had to take care of Annie and do housework. Then Doc Compton, who is the vet in their small town let Sarah ride a horse. And then.....

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off "trigger warning" is for this book regarding a sexual assault/battery. This book showed courage, strength, determination, growth, friendship, and bonds. The characters were realistic and likeable. This is a story that needs to be read by many to see, feel, and hear what these things do within a family and a town. Read during March of 2021 during the ongoing Corona Virus Pandemic.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Initially, this might seem like a story for young teens, but the material is actually a bit mature for that age and might be better suited for older teens, at least. This isn't a spoiler exactly, but there is an assault that is described without gruesome details. The bravery and wisdom of the characters are inspiring and worth the short, surprising read.

[Jettiep Parrish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written

I really enjoyed this story and feel that a lot of thought went into writing it. Good mostly from a 12 year old girls view when her world is turned I end when her mother becomes ill.

[Charlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of growing up

Really enjoyed the characters, especially Sarah, who tells the story. She faces some difficult situations. In the end, things are not the same as before, but they are good.

[Alan Willoughby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had mixed feelings about this book since it brought back an almost eerie reproduction of my childhood. I also had a mother who was institutionalized while I was quite young and the book, while well-written, brought back too many bad memories. Their ending was much better than mine unfortunately so I felt a bit cheated. But all in all a good read I would recommend to others.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m so glad I picked this free book! It was simply written but posed some interesting decisions that I think most people have been faced with. A major theme is when to keep a secret.

[Sunni Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent from start to finish!!

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Thoughtful and important.

[Janci · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing did not hold my interest. I wonder if this is a YA book?

[gojenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice story of family & things changing. I liked that even the "bad" guys were shown to be good too. Easily read in one day.
Quite a few typos and wrong words - needed better proofreading.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The realistic portrayal of a family with mental illness.