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A Feed Sack Dress for Sadie
The tables were already set by the time the church doors opened.
Red and white gingham cloths stretched across the boards, corners pinned with stones. Women moved steady between the church and the yard, dishes held close, voices overlapping.
No one noticed when the girl wandered off.
Across the road, the daffodils were in bloom. Bright yellow heads lifted on tender green stems. She crossed to them and crouched low, careful of her dress. After all, she felt like a princess today.
The flatbed truck eased down the road between the church and the child.
“Look there,” Geraldine said.
The passenger door opened.
The flower slipped. The stem snapped clean.
One small shoe remained behind in the dust.
Sadie Lockhart grew up on the Lockhart farm, a place where silence was expected and usefulness was the closest thing to affection. Hidden deep in the hills, she was raised far from the world, and the Lockharts made certain no one knew she existed.
Because Sadie had been stolen.
Years pass, and the child who learned to survive becomes a woman known for something very different. In a small town in The Glens, Sadie earns quiet respect for the way she works, the way she helps without being asked, and the steady kindness she offers others while asking almost nothing for herself.
But a life built on survival leaves shadows.
As pieces of the past begin to surface, Sadie must confront truths long hidden. What she discovers will ask her to decide whether the life that was taken from her defines her, or the one she fought to build.
Set against the stark beauty of rural Appalachia, A Feed Sack Dress for Sadie is a haunting and deeply human novel about identity, endurance, and the quiet dignity of a woman who built a life from almost nothing.
Perfect for readers who loved Where the Crawdads Sing, Before We Were Yours, and The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek.
Red and white gingham cloths stretched across the boards, corners pinned with stones. Women moved steady between the church and the yard, dishes held close, voices overlapping.
No one noticed when the girl wandered off.
Across the road, the daffodils were in bloom. Bright yellow heads lifted on tender green stems. She crossed to them and crouched low, careful of her dress. After all, she felt like a princess today.
The flatbed truck eased down the road between the church and the child.
“Look there,” Geraldine said.
The passenger door opened.
The flower slipped. The stem snapped clean.
One small shoe remained behind in the dust.
Sadie Lockhart grew up on the Lockhart farm, a place where silence was expected and usefulness was the closest thing to affection. Hidden deep in the hills, she was raised far from the world, and the Lockharts made certain no one knew she existed.
Because Sadie had been stolen.
Years pass, and the child who learned to survive becomes a woman known for something very different. In a small town in The Glens, Sadie earns quiet respect for the way she works, the way she helps without being asked, and the steady kindness she offers others while asking almost nothing for herself.
But a life built on survival leaves shadows.
As pieces of the past begin to surface, Sadie must confront truths long hidden. What she discovers will ask her to decide whether the life that was taken from her defines her, or the one she fought to build.
Set against the stark beauty of rural Appalachia, A Feed Sack Dress for Sadie is a haunting and deeply human novel about identity, endurance, and the quiet dignity of a woman who built a life from almost nothing.
Perfect for readers who loved Where the Crawdads Sing, Before We Were Yours, and The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek.
- GenresAmazon
345 pages, Paperback
Published May 11, 2026
About the author
Brenda K. Thompson
5 books37 followersI’m the Grand Prize-winning author of Alice Anyway, Ivaleena, and A Feedsack Dress for Sadie—emotionally resonant Appalachian novels exploring resilience, self-discovery, and belonging. My stories are written to be lived in, drawing readers into immersive worlds where the pages turn quickly, even as the ending is never quite desired.
My debut novel, Alice Anyway, was named the First Place Grand Prize Winner for Fiction in the 2026 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, where it also won First Novel (70,000–90,000 words) and was named a finalist in Female Empowerment. The novel became a #1 Amazon Bestseller in Women’s Historical Fiction, Historical Literary Fiction, and Women’s Literary Fiction. Readers have called my work “a gifted writer with an insight that is seldom expressed so eloquently,” and have said the writing made them reread whole paragraphs in appreciation.
In Ivaleena, set against the vivid backdrop of a traveling carnival, illusion and identity intertwine as a young woman searches for who she is beneath the performance. In A Feedsack Dress for Sadie, I turn to a more unflinching story of survival, memory, and the quiet strength required to endure what cannot be spoken.
Before writing fiction, I spent years on Wall Street and later founded Special “Finds…” Unique Property Marketing, where I learned how deeply story and place shape the way we see the world.
I now live on the North Carolina coast with my husband, Jim, where I write overlooking a wide river and the quiet persistence of wild things.
I leave my stories in your hands and am grateful for the readers who spend time with them, who carry them forward, and who share their thoughts along the way.
My debut novel, Alice Anyway, was named the First Place Grand Prize Winner for Fiction in the 2026 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, where it also won First Novel (70,000–90,000 words) and was named a finalist in Female Empowerment. The novel became a #1 Amazon Bestseller in Women’s Historical Fiction, Historical Literary Fiction, and Women’s Literary Fiction. Readers have called my work “a gifted writer with an insight that is seldom expressed so eloquently,” and have said the writing made them reread whole paragraphs in appreciation.
In Ivaleena, set against the vivid backdrop of a traveling carnival, illusion and identity intertwine as a young woman searches for who she is beneath the performance. In A Feedsack Dress for Sadie, I turn to a more unflinching story of survival, memory, and the quiet strength required to endure what cannot be spoken.
Before writing fiction, I spent years on Wall Street and later founded Special “Finds…” Unique Property Marketing, where I learned how deeply story and place shape the way we see the world.
I now live on the North Carolina coast with my husband, Jim, where I write overlooking a wide river and the quiet persistence of wild things.
I leave my stories in your hands and am grateful for the readers who spend time with them, who carry them forward, and who share their thoughts along the way.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
July 1, 2026
I loved this story; the writing style, short sentences full of impact. A very sad tale but such resilience! Had I started reading in the morning, I would have finished the same day.
May 20, 2026
Awesome
This is one of the best books I have ever read (and I read a lot). Despite her upbringing Sadie becomes a kind gentle soul who helps without wanting or needing recognition. Be prepared to cry. Such a heartwarming story!
This is one of the best books I have ever read (and I read a lot). Despite her upbringing Sadie becomes a kind gentle soul who helps without wanting or needing recognition. Be prepared to cry. Such a heartwarming story!
June 3, 2026
Wow
What a great read. Until think this will be one of the books that will forever stay with me. It touched my heart.
Mercy was kidnapped as a child at a church function. Never to return. He new parents called her Sadie after their dog with the same name. Her childhood was never easy.
I found it interesting to travel Sadie' s life journey.
This was just around great story.
Never read this author before, but I would definitely read another book by her.
What a great read. Until think this will be one of the books that will forever stay with me. It touched my heart.
Mercy was kidnapped as a child at a church function. Never to return. He new parents called her Sadie after their dog with the same name. Her childhood was never easy.
I found it interesting to travel Sadie' s life journey.
This was just around great story.
Never read this author before, but I would definitely read another book by her.
August 11, 2026
Never Judge a Book by Its (Terrible) Title
I’m not proud of it, but that was my exact thought when A Feed Sack for Sadie first crossed my radar. The title felt so completely uninspired that I assumed the writing inside would be just as flat. After all, if an author can’t even pitch a catchy hook on the front cover, why waste the time?
I stand completely corrected.
I finally caved and picked it up, and I had to eat my words within the first few chapters. Once you push past the awkward branding, the story utterly hooks you. The character work is sharp, the pacing doesn't let up, and there’s an unexpected level of heart that completely blew my low expectations out of the water.
The Verdict:
Don't let the title scare you off. It might be a total marketing misfire, but the story inside is a genuine gem.
I’m not proud of it, but that was my exact thought when A Feed Sack for Sadie first crossed my radar. The title felt so completely uninspired that I assumed the writing inside would be just as flat. After all, if an author can’t even pitch a catchy hook on the front cover, why waste the time?
I stand completely corrected.
I finally caved and picked it up, and I had to eat my words within the first few chapters. Once you push past the awkward branding, the story utterly hooks you. The character work is sharp, the pacing doesn't let up, and there’s an unexpected level of heart that completely blew my low expectations out of the water.
The Verdict:
Don't let the title scare you off. It might be a total marketing misfire, but the story inside is a genuine gem.
May 25, 2026
A Feed Sack Dress for Sadie
This was a wonderful book!
It draws you in & holds you tight.
I measure how good a story is by the emotions it brings out.
It's fantastic if it pulls you in & makes you cry or makes you laugh out loud.
A Feed Sack Dress for Sadie is a story of an innocent 5 year old & her journey of survival & resilience. And a community that eventually became her home.
I definitely recommend this book to all readers.
Jackie Smith
This was a wonderful book!
It draws you in & holds you tight.
I measure how good a story is by the emotions it brings out.
It's fantastic if it pulls you in & makes you cry or makes you laugh out loud.
A Feed Sack Dress for Sadie is a story of an innocent 5 year old & her journey of survival & resilience. And a community that eventually became her home.
I definitely recommend this book to all readers.
Jackie Smith
June 16, 2026
Unique
Willing suspense of disbelief .
Chapter 12 "The wondering always ended the same way, with the weight settling back in and no answers to set it down on.
Chapter 34 Home ... was the place she had shaped with her own hands.
Powerful story of young woman who was kidnaped and abused but rose above the adversity
Willing suspense of disbelief .
Chapter 12 "The wondering always ended the same way, with the weight settling back in and no answers to set it down on.
Chapter 34 Home ... was the place she had shaped with her own hands.
Powerful story of young woman who was kidnaped and abused but rose above the adversity
May 22, 2026
Get ready for tears
The author has introduced a character with depth and determination. Sadie grows throughout the book, shaped by many people and life lessons - many harsh. What a fantastic person grew from those lessons, and an amazing person she became.
The author has introduced a character with depth and determination. Sadie grows throughout the book, shaped by many people and life lessons - many harsh. What a fantastic person grew from those lessons, and an amazing person she became.
May 25, 2026
This was an emotional and intriguing book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Sadie proves to be a truly remarkable and resilient character. I loved Ms. Thompson's writing style. While original and unpredictable, it was easy to read, yet it contains a depth of emotion and complex characters.
May 25, 2026
The Picture On The Cover Says It All
This book is a heartbreaking read, but one I heartily recommend.
The writing is strong and it immediately drops the reader into it. One word of caution: don’t start reading if your time is limited. You will be hard pressed to put it down!
This book is a heartbreaking read, but one I heartily recommend.
The writing is strong and it immediately drops the reader into it. One word of caution: don’t start reading if your time is limited. You will be hard pressed to put it down!
June 30, 2026
Incredible!
This story was incredible to say the least! It evoked so many emotions throughout the story and by the end tears were covering my cheeks. It was so well written that I felt everything that Sadie was going through. I will remember this story to the end of my days.
This story was incredible to say the least! It evoked so many emotions throughout the story and by the end tears were covering my cheeks. It was so well written that I felt everything that Sadie was going through. I will remember this story to the end of my days.
May 16, 2026
Oh, my heart!
This story, while sad at times, also celebrates what could be considered small gestures, small kindnesses but change things in a big way. I'm so glad I spent my entire evening reading this story. It feels like a big moment to get involved in the characters in the book.
This story, while sad at times, also celebrates what could be considered small gestures, small kindnesses but change things in a big way. I'm so glad I spent my entire evening reading this story. It feels like a big moment to get involved in the characters in the book.
May 18, 2026
A Quiet Tale
A child is taken and life is hard but in its place a quiet peace exists. The story starts slow but is worth following to the end
A child is taken and life is hard but in its place a quiet peace exists. The story starts slow but is worth following to the end
May 25, 2026
oh how I cried for Sadie
Such a great story. Couldn’t put it down. The store jut gently draws you in, and won’t let go. Excellent.
Such a great story. Couldn’t put it down. The store jut gently draws you in, and won’t let go. Excellent.
June 12, 2026
Wonderful read
Heart warming . real and very emotional loved it. The little girl dressed in the feed sack is perfect for the story
Heart warming . real and very emotional loved it. The little girl dressed in the feed sack is perfect for the story
June 15, 2026
Great book!!
Don’t know what to write. I thought I only read westerns. I tried this book and really liked it. Kept me interested for the whole story. You have to read it.
Don’t know what to write. I thought I only read westerns. I tried this book and really liked it. Kept me interested for the whole story. You have to read it.
June 16, 2026
This book had me openly crying. The writing was emotional and well done. You felt all the pain of the characters. Definitely recommend.
June 25, 2026
Unusual
A well written, deeply moving story that sounds so real. I got connected to the main character and with the writing, fully understood her choices.
A well written, deeply moving story that sounds so real. I got connected to the main character and with the writing, fully understood her choices.
July 3, 2026
A different read with a great story
July 15, 2026
Worth reading
Touching, excellent read. I enjoyed this book very much. It has a depth that most fiction that I’ve read lately lacks.
Touching, excellent read. I enjoyed this book very much. It has a depth that most fiction that I’ve read lately lacks.
July 15, 2026
captivating read
This story’s beginning left such a hollow spot that was soon filled with developing strength that I couldn’t put down.
This story’s beginning left such a hollow spot that was soon filled with developing strength that I couldn’t put down.
July 26, 2026
A very compelling story of an abducted child and her life after her abductors die.
August 12, 2026
It was simple and yet so much more. It brought tears and peace. Going to read another by her.
July 2, 2026
This was a good story. I don’t like to spoil things. So all I can say is you will really like it.
July 5, 2026
wonderful story!
I feel like I lived right there with Sadie while she was growing up miserable and scared, and I held my breath when she was discovering her former life.
I feel like I lived right there with Sadie while she was growing up miserable and scared, and I held my breath when she was discovering her former life.
September 3, 2026
Heartbreaking but wonderful story
What this brave little girl went through to the ending of the love of the town. So happy I read this story.
What this brave little girl went through to the ending of the love of the town. So happy I read this story.
May 17, 2026
A Feed Sack Dress for Sadie
Great story. Easy reading and will keep you interested throughout the whole story. Shows how life can shape you. The story is worth reading.
Great story. Easy reading and will keep you interested throughout the whole story. Shows how life can shape you. The story is worth reading.
June 24, 2026
Very Moving
This was a lovely story of a girl who was torn from the only home she had known and made to live hard until left by her lonesome where she made a meaningful life for herself. This story was original and moving!
This was a lovely story of a girl who was torn from the only home she had known and made to live hard until left by her lonesome where she made a meaningful life for herself. This story was original and moving!
May 18, 2026
When she was taken she was just a little girl, and the people who took her named her Sadie. She worked hard at the house she was taking to and met a young boy who they had named Honest and they talked about running away from these people, but when Honest tried he was left in a shed for a week without food or water. When the old man died things changed for both of the kids and they had to work even harder for the woman. Sadie found different herbs and vegetation that would heal people of lots of things and started making them and taking them to the library in town. Years later she looked up Honest or I should say Horace’s name and found the story of his missing story, and got his mother’s name and called her to let her know what happened to her son. His mother sent her a news clipping that said a little girl named Mercy had been taken from her parents and named the town where she and her parents had lived. You have to read this book to find out what happened after that!!! It was a very good written book about Sadie’s life and how the story ended!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2026
Compelling story about a five-year-old girl snatched from her middle class parents during a church picnic by a moon-shine couple and taken to their cabin in Appalachian. Quickly learning to adapt to her harsh environment, Mercy is named Sadie after the dog. Also befriending her is an older boy, Honor, who met the same fate as both toil to lighten the load. Growing up she learns independence when one by one, her guardians and Honor meet their fate, leaving her to survive on her own. She becomes a loner, eventually gaining the trust of a nearby town's residents because of her healing herbs. However, in attempt to make things right, she opens herself up to her past, hoping she's not too late. Personally having taught school in the setting years ago, I found the story intriguing from beginning to end.
June 15, 2026
When I finished this book, I wasn’t sure how I felt. The writing is very simple, many of the “sentences” weren’t complete sentences, which I think is because they were supposed to reflect the way Sadie spoke. But in some cases she was well spoken. It just didn’t work for me.
How did the man get killed? How did the truck wreck? The character, April, just shows up out of nowhere and keeps coming back. Then she’s gone for a while and drives over when she reappears. Where did she get the vehicle? And would people really just accept someone like that? It just didn’t work. I expected to have to hold back tears, and I was never even close to crying. I don’t recommend this book. It’s really not cohesively written. Sad, because it could have been so good!!!
How did the man get killed? How did the truck wreck? The character, April, just shows up out of nowhere and keeps coming back. Then she’s gone for a while and drives over when she reappears. Where did she get the vehicle? And would people really just accept someone like that? It just didn’t work. I expected to have to hold back tears, and I was never even close to crying. I don’t recommend this book. It’s really not cohesively written. Sad, because it could have been so good!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews