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Dust Between the Stitches
Addy Meyer wants to teach children in a one room school house in Colorado during the 1930's Dust Bowl. Black Blizzards, the Board of Education, and bank president overwhelm her. Addy falls in love with the orphans her grandfather adopted, and her students, but vows to guard her heart against Jess Dettmann, who has a suspicious past. Foreclosure on grandpa's homestead threatens the security of all of them. Creating a quilt from Grandma's stash pile serves as a way for Addy to cope, but eventually leads to help and justice for her family. Despair, dust and drought weave through the Great Depression and Dust Bowl producing a fabric on which vivid threads of hope appear. Will Addy save the farm, her job, and her heart on the Colorado ranch?
205 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2016
181 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Cleo Lampos
19 books18 followers I was born in Colorado, but raised on farms in Iowa and Wisconsin. My father died when I was three years old, leaving my mother with my five year old sister and seventeen year old brother. Within a year, my brother joined the Navy, and a few years later, my mother remarried. When I went to Fort Atkinson High School in Wisconsin, it was my eighth school.( New students in my classrooms always got special attention from me.)
After graduating from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a major in elementary education and a minor in library science, I taught in a Chicago suburb for two years. There I met and married Vernon Lampos and taught one more year before settling down to raise three children. When my son entered first grade, I attended St. Xavier College in Chicago, earning a Masters Degree in Learning Disabilities while working in the LD/BD Clinic as a diagnostician. Returning to the work force after ten years, I experienced all the classic "new teacher" mistakes. Reading my book, Teaching Diamonds in the Tough, you will realize the challenges that I faced while teaching 20 years in the district described as "an urban school in a suburban setting."
My husband and I have always belonged to a local church and been active in its programs. I have taught Vacation Bible School, written the preschool curriculum for an urban church, told missionary stories for Children's Church, co-authored plays, and spoken at homeschooling and women's meetings. Presently, Vernon and I garden for Share the Harvest, help with Pantry Kitchen, conduct Kids Konnex, and volunteer at Bibles for Missions Thrift Store. I collaborate with the Worship Planners in our church. Our ten grandchildren keep us busy.
As a writer, I have had numerous magazine articles published in Lookout, Teachers in Focus, Evangelizing Today's Child and others. In 2011, I received the Honorary Genesis Award for Young Adult for Year of the Locust, an historical fiction story of a boy on the orphan train. I have written curriculum for Urban Ministries/Chicago, contributed to Writing So Heaven Will Be Different, and published a family friendly book on Alzheimer's Disease, Grandpa's Remembering Book. I have been a member of a writer's group for twenty years, and also attend the group at our local library.
After graduating from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a major in elementary education and a minor in library science, I taught in a Chicago suburb for two years. There I met and married Vernon Lampos and taught one more year before settling down to raise three children. When my son entered first grade, I attended St. Xavier College in Chicago, earning a Masters Degree in Learning Disabilities while working in the LD/BD Clinic as a diagnostician. Returning to the work force after ten years, I experienced all the classic "new teacher" mistakes. Reading my book, Teaching Diamonds in the Tough, you will realize the challenges that I faced while teaching 20 years in the district described as "an urban school in a suburban setting."
My husband and I have always belonged to a local church and been active in its programs. I have taught Vacation Bible School, written the preschool curriculum for an urban church, told missionary stories for Children's Church, co-authored plays, and spoken at homeschooling and women's meetings. Presently, Vernon and I garden for Share the Harvest, help with Pantry Kitchen, conduct Kids Konnex, and volunteer at Bibles for Missions Thrift Store. I collaborate with the Worship Planners in our church. Our ten grandchildren keep us busy.
As a writer, I have had numerous magazine articles published in Lookout, Teachers in Focus, Evangelizing Today's Child and others. In 2011, I received the Honorary Genesis Award for Young Adult for Year of the Locust, an historical fiction story of a boy on the orphan train. I have written curriculum for Urban Ministries/Chicago, contributed to Writing So Heaven Will Be Different, and published a family friendly book on Alzheimer's Disease, Grandpa's Remembering Book. I have been a member of a writer's group for twenty years, and also attend the group at our local library.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 6, 2016
I received this book from the author for a fair and honest review. I feel that this is the most honest review that I can give any book that I have read in a while! The book is great! I enjoyed every word. There was not anything that was out of normal for a book about the 1930's Depression period. No sex, which I enjoy in a book!
The book told the story of Addy a new comer to the Dust Bowl Depression to live with her Grandpa George and his two young adopted young'uns from the Orphan Train from New York. Along with Grandpa, Riverlyn, and Billy, Addy meets Jess a preacher who lives in their log cabin and helps out on the farm.
Addy is hired to be the teacher in the one room schoolhouse down the road from the homestead. She teaches the children from first grade up to eighth grade. She does have some problems with the older boys who do not want to learn until the father of one of the boys tells her that the boys need to pass the eighth grade test or she will lose her job. She makes a deal with the boys by playing a baseball game, if the boys win, they don't need to work, but if her team wins they need to study and pass their test! The boys lose the game and have to buckle down and learn their lessons!
I enjoyed learning how the people in the valley came to the rescue of Grandpa and helped him save his farm and pay the bank the money he needed to keep his farm.
The story was a family friendly story, bible based and god inspired and well written, I will look for other books written by this author. I truly enjoyed this story, especially the section about the quilts of the depression period. Very interesting!!
The book told the story of Addy a new comer to the Dust Bowl Depression to live with her Grandpa George and his two young adopted young'uns from the Orphan Train from New York. Along with Grandpa, Riverlyn, and Billy, Addy meets Jess a preacher who lives in their log cabin and helps out on the farm.
Addy is hired to be the teacher in the one room schoolhouse down the road from the homestead. She teaches the children from first grade up to eighth grade. She does have some problems with the older boys who do not want to learn until the father of one of the boys tells her that the boys need to pass the eighth grade test or she will lose her job. She makes a deal with the boys by playing a baseball game, if the boys win, they don't need to work, but if her team wins they need to study and pass their test! The boys lose the game and have to buckle down and learn their lessons!
I enjoyed learning how the people in the valley came to the rescue of Grandpa and helped him save his farm and pay the bank the money he needed to keep his farm.
The story was a family friendly story, bible based and god inspired and well written, I will look for other books written by this author. I truly enjoyed this story, especially the section about the quilts of the depression period. Very interesting!!
June 7, 2020
This book... where do I begin. It was a good book. I enjoyed it, I did! but, there were problems galore. The writing seemed to be juvenile and chip-chopped.
Here are just some of the problems I saw.
1) Addy, claims to not believe there is a God, to praying to God, back to not believing there is a God.
2) The synopsis of the book claims that Jess has something "bad" in his background that might drive Addy away. Really? That was the problem? Really....?
3) One minute Jess doesn't want Addy to know his "secret" and then the next he is talking about it with her like she knew about it all along.
4) Addy is alone with Jess going somewhere and then later in the book has a realization that she is going to go alone with Jess somewhere. Really??
5) The romance made no sense at all. Not in a worldly way; which I appreciated, but it also didn't make sense in a Christian way.
Here are just some of the problems I saw.
1) Addy, claims to not believe there is a God, to praying to God, back to not believing there is a God.
2) The synopsis of the book claims that Jess has something "bad" in his background that might drive Addy away. Really? That was the problem? Really....?
3) One minute Jess doesn't want Addy to know his "secret" and then the next he is talking about it with her like she knew about it all along.
4) Addy is alone with Jess going somewhere and then later in the book has a realization that she is going to go alone with Jess somewhere. Really??
5) The romance made no sense at all. Not in a worldly way; which I appreciated, but it also didn't make sense in a Christian way.
November 17, 2016
I liked this book, I did; it’s just that it could have been so much better. It also could have been more honest. The synopsis I read when I requested this book said nothing about it being a very religious book. It was about the Dust Bowl and people surviving the depravation it wrought. Here, see:
Addy Meyer wants to teach children in a one room school house in Colorado during the 1930's Dust Bowl. Black Blizzards, the Board of Education, and bank president overwhelm her. Addy falls in love with the orphans her grandfather adopted, and her students, but vows to guard her heart against Jess Dettmann, who has a suspicious past. Foreclosure on grandpa's homestead threatens the security of all of them. Creating a quilt from Grandma's stash pile serves as a way for Addy to cope, but eventually leads to help and justice for her family. Despair, dust and drought weave through the Great Depression and Dust Bowl producing a fabric on which vivid threads of hope appear. Will Addy save the farm, her job, and her heart on the Colorado ranch?
Absolutely no indication of its religiousness, and, yet, hardly a page is free of religion. I find it hard to believe that people, even people in such dire conditions as the Meyer family in Colorado, wove religion into almost every conversation that they held. It’s just not natural, or normal, or usual. I would have liked to have been informed that this was the case before deciding whether I wanted to read the book. Maybe something like: Addy Meyer, a highly devout and faithful young woman, wants to teach children . . .
The story itself is sweet. The Meyer’s family pulls together to make their way through crisis after crisis. The bank is calling in payment on the farm, Addy is getting paid in script, not cash, and the bank president, who is also the head of the school board, doesn’t play fair. She’s very a very rigid personality, and suspicious of men. Then, there’s Jess, a former preacher who lost his church because he wouldn’t do what the church board wanted. He’s a good man who wants to help everyone in any way possible. He was my favorite character. He’s handsome, smart, caring, compassionate, and capable. Nothing throws him. Oddly, as the preacher, his expressions of religion are far fewer than the rest of the characters.
I would call this a middle school book. The writing is slightly amateurish. The characters are either all good or all bad, with no shades of gray. The bank president is all bad, obviously, as is the sheriff. The Meyers, Jess, the people of Hooverville, and most others are positively angelic. Again, not very realistic. I think this book could have told a wonderful story, one that included more history of the period (Why did feed sacks come in colors and patterns that could be used for clothing? How did these people who didn’t have money to buy food buy gas and tires and whatnot for their trucks?), one that did more to the show the strength of this family and how they faced living with so little. I mean, with no money coming in, how did they always have plenty of food? Some words used are anachronistic.
I wanted to love this story. Instead, I found it incredibly disappointing. I was given a copy of this book as a gift from the author.
Addy Meyer wants to teach children in a one room school house in Colorado during the 1930's Dust Bowl. Black Blizzards, the Board of Education, and bank president overwhelm her. Addy falls in love with the orphans her grandfather adopted, and her students, but vows to guard her heart against Jess Dettmann, who has a suspicious past. Foreclosure on grandpa's homestead threatens the security of all of them. Creating a quilt from Grandma's stash pile serves as a way for Addy to cope, but eventually leads to help and justice for her family. Despair, dust and drought weave through the Great Depression and Dust Bowl producing a fabric on which vivid threads of hope appear. Will Addy save the farm, her job, and her heart on the Colorado ranch?
Absolutely no indication of its religiousness, and, yet, hardly a page is free of religion. I find it hard to believe that people, even people in such dire conditions as the Meyer family in Colorado, wove religion into almost every conversation that they held. It’s just not natural, or normal, or usual. I would have liked to have been informed that this was the case before deciding whether I wanted to read the book. Maybe something like: Addy Meyer, a highly devout and faithful young woman, wants to teach children . . .
The story itself is sweet. The Meyer’s family pulls together to make their way through crisis after crisis. The bank is calling in payment on the farm, Addy is getting paid in script, not cash, and the bank president, who is also the head of the school board, doesn’t play fair. She’s very a very rigid personality, and suspicious of men. Then, there’s Jess, a former preacher who lost his church because he wouldn’t do what the church board wanted. He’s a good man who wants to help everyone in any way possible. He was my favorite character. He’s handsome, smart, caring, compassionate, and capable. Nothing throws him. Oddly, as the preacher, his expressions of religion are far fewer than the rest of the characters.
I would call this a middle school book. The writing is slightly amateurish. The characters are either all good or all bad, with no shades of gray. The bank president is all bad, obviously, as is the sheriff. The Meyers, Jess, the people of Hooverville, and most others are positively angelic. Again, not very realistic. I think this book could have told a wonderful story, one that included more history of the period (Why did feed sacks come in colors and patterns that could be used for clothing? How did these people who didn’t have money to buy food buy gas and tires and whatnot for their trucks?), one that did more to the show the strength of this family and how they faced living with so little. I mean, with no money coming in, how did they always have plenty of food? Some words used are anachronistic.
I wanted to love this story. Instead, I found it incredibly disappointing. I was given a copy of this book as a gift from the author.
November 22, 2017
I have not read too many pieces of fiction that deal with the
Dust Bowl era of the West.
This was a welcome change of pace for me. I already enjoy historical fiction, and this book has it in spades. What I find really interesting is how well the author uses her own family's history including boxes of letters spanning the years from 1930 to 1942. From these family heirlooms and legends, the author has crafted a wonderful work of fiction that places you right there in Colorado, on the edge of disaster, amidst people struggling for their lives. A nearly forgotten slice of history becomes alive.
Addy Meyers has just moved to Colorado from Topeka, Kansas to live with her grandfather and help him raise two young adopted children. Addy's grandmother had just died recently and her grandfather was getting older and struggling to keep his homestead in the black. So with that in mind, she took a commission to teach in the local one room schoolhouse. She hoped to help pay the bank note with her salary. Addy didn't know her grandfather very well, since her mother didn't visit him very often. But she was willing to help the family.
Jess Dettmann was also in the area for his own purposes. He owned dragline equipment and helped area farmers irrigate their fields and build storage cellars, something that was especially important during this time of drought. Addy discovered that he rents the cabin on her grandfather's property so she doesn't trust him at first. Men in her mother's household were dishonest, rude, and took advantage of her. However, over time she sees Jess as a person that was willing to help her grandfather and others, so she gives him a chance to build a friendship.
This author writes so well that I felt I was part of the family, living on a small homestead growing sugar beets, irrigating the farm, and being part of the small community, especially in the school. It helps that I had a grandmother who taught in a one room schoolhouse, that I'd lived for awhile in sugar beet country, and had a grandfather who dug his own irrigation ditches with his equipment. I've heard the stories and for that reason love historical fiction tales like this one.
There's also a touch of politics, issues that caused division among people in the area, bullying, matters of faith, the struggle to find hope and overcome discouragement. Here you beging to understand a depression era point of view. How did they survive? The book is loaded with poignant moments. It really touched my heart and fired my imagination. If this is something you would enjoy I highly recommend it.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a review, positive or otherwise. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Addy Meyers has just moved to Colorado from Topeka, Kansas to live with her grandfather and help him raise two young adopted children. Addy's grandmother had just died recently and her grandfather was getting older and struggling to keep his homestead in the black. So with that in mind, she took a commission to teach in the local one room schoolhouse. She hoped to help pay the bank note with her salary. Addy didn't know her grandfather very well, since her mother didn't visit him very often. But she was willing to help the family.
Jess Dettmann was also in the area for his own purposes. He owned dragline equipment and helped area farmers irrigate their fields and build storage cellars, something that was especially important during this time of drought. Addy discovered that he rents the cabin on her grandfather's property so she doesn't trust him at first. Men in her mother's household were dishonest, rude, and took advantage of her. However, over time she sees Jess as a person that was willing to help her grandfather and others, so she gives him a chance to build a friendship.
This author writes so well that I felt I was part of the family, living on a small homestead growing sugar beets, irrigating the farm, and being part of the small community, especially in the school. It helps that I had a grandmother who taught in a one room schoolhouse, that I'd lived for awhile in sugar beet country, and had a grandfather who dug his own irrigation ditches with his equipment. I've heard the stories and for that reason love historical fiction tales like this one.
There's also a touch of politics, issues that caused division among people in the area, bullying, matters of faith, the struggle to find hope and overcome discouragement. Here you beging to understand a depression era point of view. How did they survive? The book is loaded with poignant moments. It really touched my heart and fired my imagination. If this is something you would enjoy I highly recommend it.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a review, positive or otherwise. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
January 31, 2018
I read this book as I was simultaneously teaching middle schoolers about the Great Depression and they were reading Esperanza Rising; the parallels between the two were excellent.
The historical period was addressed from the perspective of those living in Dust Bowl Colorado as well as those passing through. Cleo Lampos did a great job making geographical connections and I felt I learned something as I read her story. The story was slower paced than I am used to reading, but that actually felt right, similar to the way storytelling happened in the Little House books. Life doesn't have an agenda, it simply unfolds. I appreciated that aspect of the story, that while there was a definitely plotline, it didn't feel rushed or too forced. I suppose that is also where faith entered the story. When lives are focused on trusting God for provision and direction, they can't be rushed and the direction isn't as certain as we would like to believe. My only real hangup was the relationship between Addy and Jess. It felt rushed and I think it would have better fit the story to be hinted at, particularly due to everything else Addy was adjusting to. But if I was able to connect with the majority of the other characters and relationships, this is well written.
I hope that Lampos continues to write, particularly this style of fiction where the focus is simply narrating a story and showing how not only circumstances, but also faith, might impact our own stories.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The historical period was addressed from the perspective of those living in Dust Bowl Colorado as well as those passing through. Cleo Lampos did a great job making geographical connections and I felt I learned something as I read her story. The story was slower paced than I am used to reading, but that actually felt right, similar to the way storytelling happened in the Little House books. Life doesn't have an agenda, it simply unfolds. I appreciated that aspect of the story, that while there was a definitely plotline, it didn't feel rushed or too forced. I suppose that is also where faith entered the story. When lives are focused on trusting God for provision and direction, they can't be rushed and the direction isn't as certain as we would like to believe. My only real hangup was the relationship between Addy and Jess. It felt rushed and I think it would have better fit the story to be hinted at, particularly due to everything else Addy was adjusting to. But if I was able to connect with the majority of the other characters and relationships, this is well written.
I hope that Lampos continues to write, particularly this style of fiction where the focus is simply narrating a story and showing how not only circumstances, but also faith, might impact our own stories.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 23, 2019
With so little knowledge of the dust bowl of the 1930s, I was intrigued to read this book. I enjoy reading historical fiction not only for the story, but to learn a little history along the way. And with this one being based on the author’s own family letters; I knew I could trust Cleo Lampos to shed some light on a time of desperation and despair. And that she did.
A young woman, Addy, bravely moves to dust bowl Colorado to live with her grandfather, help with the children her grandparents adopted, and teach in a one-room schoolhouse. The hardships she endures are accented with small joys, such as family dinners. (Beware, this book will make you want to whip up a batch of homemade biscuits, and brew a pot of good coffee.)
Throughout the story, Addy makes squares for a quilt. Each square represents someone she meets along the way. As the daughter and granddaughter of quilters, I found this to be a warm touch to weave throughout the story.
Showing the struggles and challenges of the dust bowl, the importance of family and neighbors, the type of family meals to be had, the creation of a quilt to commemorate the place and time, the faith to rely upon during hard times, and even a little love story thrown in, make for an all-around good story, and good read. This is an enjoyable book that I recommend wholeheartedly.
A young woman, Addy, bravely moves to dust bowl Colorado to live with her grandfather, help with the children her grandparents adopted, and teach in a one-room schoolhouse. The hardships she endures are accented with small joys, such as family dinners. (Beware, this book will make you want to whip up a batch of homemade biscuits, and brew a pot of good coffee.)
Throughout the story, Addy makes squares for a quilt. Each square represents someone she meets along the way. As the daughter and granddaughter of quilters, I found this to be a warm touch to weave throughout the story.
Showing the struggles and challenges of the dust bowl, the importance of family and neighbors, the type of family meals to be had, the creation of a quilt to commemorate the place and time, the faith to rely upon during hard times, and even a little love story thrown in, make for an all-around good story, and good read. This is an enjoyable book that I recommend wholeheartedly.
November 12, 2017
I received this book as a ARC. Cleo Lampos is a new author to me and I will love to read more books by her.
This story takes place in Colorado in 1938. It is a powerful moving book, I for one kept a tissue in my hand to dap at my eyes from time to time. That has historical facts and she makes you feel like you are right there, feeling the anguish and frustration that her characters are feeling and what the people that lived back then must have felt.
Addy Meyers moves in with her grandfather and the children, Billy and River Lyn, that her grandparents adopted. She also meets Jess Dettman who stays in a cabin on her Grandfathers farm. Addy takes on the job of teaching in a one room school. And she runs in to three tough eighth graders who think they don't need to learn anything. Until she makes a deal with them that if they win the baseball game then she will quit if she wins they will start learning.
She falls in love with the
Addy comes a cross her Grandma's stash of scrap fabric and the Sunbonnet Sue and Overall Sam Patterns and starts to make a quilt that helps her deal with Black Blizzards, the Board of Education and the Bank President.
This story takes place in Colorado in 1938. It is a powerful moving book, I for one kept a tissue in my hand to dap at my eyes from time to time. That has historical facts and she makes you feel like you are right there, feeling the anguish and frustration that her characters are feeling and what the people that lived back then must have felt.
Addy Meyers moves in with her grandfather and the children, Billy and River Lyn, that her grandparents adopted. She also meets Jess Dettman who stays in a cabin on her Grandfathers farm. Addy takes on the job of teaching in a one room school. And she runs in to three tough eighth graders who think they don't need to learn anything. Until she makes a deal with them that if they win the baseball game then she will quit if she wins they will start learning.
She falls in love with the
Addy comes a cross her Grandma's stash of scrap fabric and the Sunbonnet Sue and Overall Sam Patterns and starts to make a quilt that helps her deal with Black Blizzards, the Board of Education and the Bank President.
November 2, 2017
I received a free copy, but I am voluntarily reviewing this book. With that being said, I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars! I love this book! The plot was woven together beautifully. I will definitely read this book again!
Throughout the whole book, one of the characters is making a quilt out of fabrics that are keepsakes, or were given to her, etc. and she is putting together the pieces to make a quilt of memories so that she can remember this time and these people whose have touched her life.
The story woven together the way God weaves our lives together. The scenes from the black blizzards, to dust pneumonia, to the heavy drought, to the plots of proud bullies, to friends made and strangers lending a helping hand, this story is about life. The good and the bad and how God is with us and provides for us if we just have faith and believe in Him.
It also reminds me of Exodus 14:14 - “The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” (ESV)
I can’t say enough about this book. You have to read it!!
Throughout the whole book, one of the characters is making a quilt out of fabrics that are keepsakes, or were given to her, etc. and she is putting together the pieces to make a quilt of memories so that she can remember this time and these people whose have touched her life.
The story woven together the way God weaves our lives together. The scenes from the black blizzards, to dust pneumonia, to the heavy drought, to the plots of proud bullies, to friends made and strangers lending a helping hand, this story is about life. The good and the bad and how God is with us and provides for us if we just have faith and believe in Him.
It also reminds me of Exodus 14:14 - “The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” (ESV)
I can’t say enough about this book. You have to read it!!
August 12, 2019
Addy has lost her mother, her grandmother, never knew a father, but moves in with her grandfather and two orphan train children during the Colorado Dust Bowl Years to become a school teacher. The cast of characters includes a displaced pastor, dozens of people living in a Hooverville shanty-town, a greedy banker, a country school with belligerent older boys (including the son of said greedy banker), scraps of fabric and a quilt already started.
Among the dust, sand, failed crops, and heartache blossoms a young schoolmarm, who remembers the wisdom of the grandmother she lost: What you are comes out in the heat of difficulty. Also her grandfather: Everything you dream about is on the other side of your fears.
The book includes Questions for Book Clubs and a description of "The Quilts of the 1930 Dust Bowl Era," one for each chapter. The author's introduction also includes background information about the irrigation ditches featured in the story.
Among the dust, sand, failed crops, and heartache blossoms a young schoolmarm, who remembers the wisdom of the grandmother she lost: What you are comes out in the heat of difficulty. Also her grandfather: Everything you dream about is on the other side of your fears.
The book includes Questions for Book Clubs and a description of "The Quilts of the 1930 Dust Bowl Era," one for each chapter. The author's introduction also includes background information about the irrigation ditches featured in the story.
August 18, 2019
An historical fiction, Dust Between the Stitches recounts life in Colorado during the Dust Bowl days. After her Grandmother’s death, Andy Myers leaves Kansas to journey to Colorado to help her Grandfather tend his farm and assist with the two children they adopted from the Orphan Train. She is determined she will not have another loss in her life and sets about to find a way to help pay the taxes on the farm. There she meets Jess. Together, they struggle to save the farm as the bank tries its best to take the land that has water access.
Another story weaves behind the scenes. Uncovering two quilt blocks in her Grandmother’s sewing box, she decides to finish the quilt of Sunbonnet Sue’s by using fabric and scenes that have significance in her life.
As a quilter, I really enjoyed the secondary story as much as the first. It is a great novel and I would recommend it for anyone who has an interest in American history and/or vintage quilts.
Another story weaves behind the scenes. Uncovering two quilt blocks in her Grandmother’s sewing box, she decides to finish the quilt of Sunbonnet Sue’s by using fabric and scenes that have significance in her life.
As a quilter, I really enjoyed the secondary story as much as the first. It is a great novel and I would recommend it for anyone who has an interest in American history and/or vintage quilts.
August 6, 2020
I chose this book for several reasons, I love history, I'm a quilter and I have read several books about the 1930's Dust Bowl Era and have seen movies. I enjoyed the book it was interesting, maybe a little slow in a few spots.
The characters were well defined. Addy Meyer taught school in a one room school house. I found the history during that time period was well described. The community worked together to solved all their problems. I especially like the story where everyone helped digging up the beets, selling them to pay off the mortgage at the bank. Digging beets was something new to me, so I also learned something. We had a garden but we never grew beets.
In this story we were right in the middle of the Great Depression where people had to 'made do with what they had.' This is an outstanding story, it had a Bible theme, I didn't find it over powering. A good fast paced, easy to read story.
The characters were well defined. Addy Meyer taught school in a one room school house. I found the history during that time period was well described. The community worked together to solved all their problems. I especially like the story where everyone helped digging up the beets, selling them to pay off the mortgage at the bank. Digging beets was something new to me, so I also learned something. We had a garden but we never grew beets.
In this story we were right in the middle of the Great Depression where people had to 'made do with what they had.' This is an outstanding story, it had a Bible theme, I didn't find it over powering. A good fast paced, easy to read story.
October 15, 2017
Dryland Farm Life During The Great Depression and Dust Bowl
This is a wonderfully written account of life during the very difficult Dust Bowl and Great Depression. It is a realistic glimpse into the daily life, despair, hope and unfairness of that era. Part if the story is the constructing of a quilt. The end of the book has a nice section of quilts of the period and their history. I only wish the author had included some recipes of the era as well! Not only has the author captured the history perfectly, but the human interest story captured me immediately. The characters are more than believable as are there motives and emotions. I will be finding more of this author’s work to read. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to share my honest review.
This is a wonderfully written account of life during the very difficult Dust Bowl and Great Depression. It is a realistic glimpse into the daily life, despair, hope and unfairness of that era. Part if the story is the constructing of a quilt. The end of the book has a nice section of quilts of the period and their history. I only wish the author had included some recipes of the era as well! Not only has the author captured the history perfectly, but the human interest story captured me immediately. The characters are more than believable as are there motives and emotions. I will be finding more of this author’s work to read. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to share my honest review.
November 16, 2017
This is a beautifully written, moving story. There are plenty of great reviews describing the storyline, so I won't do that. From a non-American perspective, it offers a lovely slice of history woven into a touching and personal tale. However, I was not expecting it to be so deeply religious, and did find that element somewhat off-putting. Regardless, a solid 4* read for me. I received a free copy and have voluntarily reviewed it.
July 30, 2018
While this book is not my preferred genre, I really enjoyed it. This is the sweet story of a family’s struggle to survive the hardships of 1938’s dustbowl. Compiled from research and stories from the author’s own family, it is a delightful tale based on history. The book is filled with religious references, with which some readers may not be comfortable. I received this book free and chose to make a voluntary, unbiased review.
September 21, 2017
This is a wonderful depiction of the struggles of farmers and ranchers during the dust bowl years. It's an inspirational sweet romance centered around the struggles of a family against the difficulties of nature, government policies and unscrupulous banks. The family leaning on God in trying times was inspirational. I loved this book.
December 1, 2017
What a great storyteller! This is such a vivid description of a family caught up in the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. One may read of what constitutes a family and who reaches out as a friend to help a neighbor. Perfect title for this book; I'm still burrowing out from the sand and dirt! I received a free copy of this book from the author and I voluntarily present this review.
March 5, 2021
A very intriguing and heartwarming story
An excellent story of life in a time when many families weren’t able to support their family due to both economic and weather conditions. The author has written a most enjoyable story.
An excellent story of life in a time when many families weren’t able to support their family due to both economic and weather conditions. The author has written a most enjoyable story.
December 3, 2021
Understanding life in the depression.
A look at depression life for a mid class rural family. Enhanced by their insight into the lives of those around them who are even lower on the economic scale. Excellent book.
A look at depression life for a mid class rural family. Enhanced by their insight into the lives of those around them who are even lower on the economic scale. Excellent book.
September 28, 2022
Dust between the stitches.
Wonderful heart warming story.The ending brought tears to my eyes. For once the little man won.Hallelujah!!!!!!! So sick of the rich and powerful always winning.
Wonderful heart warming story.The ending brought tears to my eyes. For once the little man won.Hallelujah!!!!!!! So sick of the rich and powerful always winning.
May 9, 2021
A style of resilience in its own way
I kept on seeing how many pages I had left and did not want it to end
A definite page Turner
Thanks for sharing!!
I kept on seeing how many pages I had left and did not want it to end
A definite page Turner
Thanks for sharing!!
March 27, 2022
Read This
Not only was the story entertaining, this book is educational. I liked reading about what was cooked. Heartwarming. I recommend.
Not only was the story entertaining, this book is educational. I liked reading about what was cooked. Heartwarming. I recommend.
February 12, 2017
Cleo is a new author to me but I’ll be looking for more of her books! “Dust Between the Stitches” was wonderfully written with rich history. If you enjoy historical fiction, you will enjoy the author’s attention to detail.
The character’s learn to live, love, and trust God in a deeper way while going through the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. Cleo doesn’t shy away from telling us the truth of what happened during that time, and I’ll admit I was sometimes moved to tears over the struggles that so many went through. But through it all was a thread of hope, knowing that God was ever present.
I highly recommend this book!
The character’s learn to live, love, and trust God in a deeper way while going through the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. Cleo doesn’t shy away from telling us the truth of what happened during that time, and I’ll admit I was sometimes moved to tears over the struggles that so many went through. But through it all was a thread of hope, knowing that God was ever present.
I highly recommend this book!
November 17, 2016
Dust. This book opened my eyes to some of the events that happened to our people during the 1930's and the "Dust Bowl " age. I didn't know too much about this time in history except the photos I researched for my class. This book shed a little information on what people went through at that time. The story was exciting and funny. Jess was a good gentleman and I loved how he handled people around him. I was happy he got to show Addy how much he cared for her and her family. Bullying never pays! Nice read.
January 5, 2017
This is a story of one Colorado family’s struggle to defeat the bank’s bullying tactics of auctioning off farms for pennies on the dollar, in the dustbowl. And how one teacher can make a difference in the lives of her students. Cleo is a wonderful writer. The way she weaves quilting into the story is clever and insightful. She vividly brings the past to life. The characters are so real that you can feel their emotions. And the romance between Addy and Jess is really sweet. This novel was a delight to read, as are all of Cleo’s novels.
December 18, 2021
This was a sweet and easy read. It certainly describes the Dust Bowl in an easy way for young readers as well as adults. I gave it a five star rating because I simply enjoyed reading it. Another book that covers the area of The Depression and The Dust Bowl is The Four Winds by Kristen Hannah. This book is just as good but is more in line with adult readers. Both books are excellent.
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