"Ja": Hard Times, Good People

by Kurt D Thelen, Kelsey Thelen Klages (Illustrations)

In depression-era rural Michigan, life was inextricably linked to the fields, farm animals, creeks and woods that framed the landscape. Rhythmic seasonal cycles warmly brought rebirth and sunlight in the spring, but also brought ice and darkness in the winter. The day to day context of the times may seem harsh relative to today’s technologically advanced, more comfortable living conditions. Nevertheless, through a rigid adherence to faith, strong family bonds, and reliance on hard physical labor, two neighboring children willfully forged a life triumphant to the times.

276 pages, Paperback

Published October 6, 2016