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The River Keeper
The tragedy Callie Mae McCauley endures will forever change her simple, yet full life in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Orphaned at age eight, she must move to her Granny Jane’s, where she soon realizes the shock of what she’s seen has stolen her voice. A new neighbor and Granny Jane’s swarm of honeybees help Callie find her tongue.
She soon discovers that, although Chloe Combs may be peculiar, Miss Chloe may be her only friend when her uncles come to claim their share of Granny Jane’s land that straddles the New River. Her uncles have a plan, and they won’t let anything or anyone stand in their way, certainly not their niece Callie.
When Callie ends up in an orphanage, she knows a mountain girl can’t be held inside walls of plaster and wood. A mountain girl’s got to feel the earth beneath her feet and listen as the river makes sweet music in her ears. But time is running out for Callie to save the New River—her river—from her greedy uncles’ plan.
In this exciting novel by Sarah Martin Byrd, Callie learns a girl’s got to be leathery, or she’ll be tore to pieces by the weight of all her troubles and trials . . .
Orphaned at age eight, she must move to her Granny Jane’s, where she soon realizes the shock of what she’s seen has stolen her voice. A new neighbor and Granny Jane’s swarm of honeybees help Callie find her tongue.
She soon discovers that, although Chloe Combs may be peculiar, Miss Chloe may be her only friend when her uncles come to claim their share of Granny Jane’s land that straddles the New River. Her uncles have a plan, and they won’t let anything or anyone stand in their way, certainly not their niece Callie.
When Callie ends up in an orphanage, she knows a mountain girl can’t be held inside walls of plaster and wood. A mountain girl’s got to feel the earth beneath her feet and listen as the river makes sweet music in her ears. But time is running out for Callie to save the New River—her river—from her greedy uncles’ plan.
In this exciting novel by Sarah Martin Byrd, Callie learns a girl’s got to be leathery, or she’ll be tore to pieces by the weight of all her troubles and trials . . .
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2014
5 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Martin Byrd
6 books14 followersABOUT THE AUTHOR: Sarah Martin Byrd graduated from The Institute of Children’s Literature, West Redding, Connecticut and lives with her husband at the foot of The Blue Ridge Mountains in Elkin, North Carolina. She states: “Guardian Spirit was written for women, specifically young adults. It is a journey from abuse to healing with miracles and magic woven throughout. Even though the work is fiction, it was inspired by the true experiences of many I know.”
In the Coal Mine Shadows, the author’s first novel (not yet published), placed in the top 30 of 400 entries in The 2009 Santa Fe Writers Project. Mr. Andrew Gifford, Project Director said, “In the Coal Mine Shadows stood out as an example of excellence in the craft of writing.” The author is at work on a third novel, The Color of My Heart. Sarah Martin Byrd has also written a weekly column in a local newspaper for years.
In the Coal Mine Shadows, the author’s first novel (not yet published), placed in the top 30 of 400 entries in The 2009 Santa Fe Writers Project. Mr. Andrew Gifford, Project Director said, “In the Coal Mine Shadows stood out as an example of excellence in the craft of writing.” The author is at work on a third novel, The Color of My Heart. Sarah Martin Byrd has also written a weekly column in a local newspaper for years.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 5, 2014
Once I started, it was hard to put the book down. Callie is another strong female character.
July 21, 2017
When our librarian recommended this book for our book club, I wasn't sure what to expect.
This book, rich with historical and cultural details, was fascinating and very engaging. It's about several people who are affected by the New River flood of 1940, which is like a tidal wave moving through the valley. Families and homes are swept away, and people are blasted out of their individual crises. The mother with too many children and a slacker for a husband chooses to reduce the size of her family. The main character is being herself, going out onto a hill to watch the river, and so escapes the destruction of her family. The poignancy of one taken, one left, and the effect of not knowing the fate of loved ones because the bodies aren't recovered are perfectly portrayed. I waited for many chapters to find out just what happened to the family of the mother with too many children to feed.
Callie Mae survives the flood, and is raised by her Granny Jane, and by a neighbor, Miss Chloe, who recognizes and celebrates Callie Mae's intelligence and strength. When Callie Mae's uncles threaten her legacy and her life, Granny Jane and Miss Chloe work together to enable the little girl orphaned by the river to grow up and become one of its protectors.
This is a Christian novel, about strong women who rely on God for guidance and protection. They are not passive characters, women called to a purpose. One of our group who is not a Christian said the religious aspect didn't really bother her. That member and another one both felt compelled to reread the book immediately because they missed the characters.
Sarah Martin Byrd came to our book club meeting, shared some of her extensive research into the people and events of the time and locale, and answered our many questions. As we discussed events from the book, such as the drowning of children in large families, some of our members recalled the stories they'd heard from their parents and grandparents about the excruciating situations faced during the early part of the 1900s. The characters ring true, as does the dialect, and the story is very engaging. The tension of the mystery and the various characters who were working on behalf of the flood victims kept me reading.
I recommend this book wholeheartedly, and I recommend asking this author to attend your book club meeting.
This book, rich with historical and cultural details, was fascinating and very engaging. It's about several people who are affected by the New River flood of 1940, which is like a tidal wave moving through the valley. Families and homes are swept away, and people are blasted out of their individual crises. The mother with too many children and a slacker for a husband chooses to reduce the size of her family. The main character is being herself, going out onto a hill to watch the river, and so escapes the destruction of her family. The poignancy of one taken, one left, and the effect of not knowing the fate of loved ones because the bodies aren't recovered are perfectly portrayed. I waited for many chapters to find out just what happened to the family of the mother with too many children to feed.
Callie Mae survives the flood, and is raised by her Granny Jane, and by a neighbor, Miss Chloe, who recognizes and celebrates Callie Mae's intelligence and strength. When Callie Mae's uncles threaten her legacy and her life, Granny Jane and Miss Chloe work together to enable the little girl orphaned by the river to grow up and become one of its protectors.
This is a Christian novel, about strong women who rely on God for guidance and protection. They are not passive characters, women called to a purpose. One of our group who is not a Christian said the religious aspect didn't really bother her. That member and another one both felt compelled to reread the book immediately because they missed the characters.
Sarah Martin Byrd came to our book club meeting, shared some of her extensive research into the people and events of the time and locale, and answered our many questions. As we discussed events from the book, such as the drowning of children in large families, some of our members recalled the stories they'd heard from their parents and grandparents about the excruciating situations faced during the early part of the 1900s. The characters ring true, as does the dialect, and the story is very engaging. The tension of the mystery and the various characters who were working on behalf of the flood victims kept me reading.
I recommend this book wholeheartedly, and I recommend asking this author to attend your book club meeting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2019
I have been trying to read books about or set along the New River, the place I call home. This one would have probably only garnered 2 stars from me except that it was set in an area that I’m very familiar with and I enjoyed the way the local landmarks were incorporated into the story. There were a few parts that surprised me/warmed my heart.
While I appreciate the effort of the author to head each chapter with an applicable bible verse, I ended up skipping them about 1/3 of the way into the book. It also felt like the characters were conversing with God in every sentence, at times. I don’t have a problem with prayer (and I’m a pretty devout Christian myself) but that was a touch over the top for my taste. I was hoping for a story about the New River/conservation and felt like it was mostly a story about trusting the Lord. Both subjects are fine to write about, I was just hoping for more of one and less of the other this time.
The author also chose to write in eye dialect for the entire book (inside and outside of conversation) and I found that particularly exhausting and hard to get through. I wouldn’t read it again but I enjoyed some of the things it encouraged me to research on my own.
While I appreciate the effort of the author to head each chapter with an applicable bible verse, I ended up skipping them about 1/3 of the way into the book. It also felt like the characters were conversing with God in every sentence, at times. I don’t have a problem with prayer (and I’m a pretty devout Christian myself) but that was a touch over the top for my taste. I was hoping for a story about the New River/conservation and felt like it was mostly a story about trusting the Lord. Both subjects are fine to write about, I was just hoping for more of one and less of the other this time.
The author also chose to write in eye dialect for the entire book (inside and outside of conversation) and I found that particularly exhausting and hard to get through. I wouldn’t read it again but I enjoyed some of the things it encouraged me to research on my own.
August 13, 2021
Interesting historical fiction!
I quickly became immersed in this story and didn’t want to put it down for awhile. I do think the part of the book dealing with the orphanage could’ve been shortened; the story seemed to bog down there.
I truly enjoyed reading about places close to where I live, which is in the foothills of North Carolina.
I received this book from the publisher via net galley in exchange for an honest review.
I quickly became immersed in this story and didn’t want to put it down for awhile. I do think the part of the book dealing with the orphanage could’ve been shortened; the story seemed to bog down there.
I truly enjoyed reading about places close to where I live, which is in the foothills of North Carolina.
I received this book from the publisher via net galley in exchange for an honest review.
June 29, 2021
I like this book
I chose this book because I know the author. There are a few unbelievable situations. Things that seem impossible in real life. I would recommend the book. The local history made the book appeal to me.
I chose this book because I know the author. There are a few unbelievable situations. Things that seem impossible in real life. I would recommend the book. The local history made the book appeal to me.
February 10, 2021
Could NOT put this book down. Loved it. Can’t wait to read more of Sarah Martin Byrd.
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May 18, 2021Fabulous read since it takes place in my back yard!!!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews