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The Year of Jubilee
The Year of Jubilee is a lyrical coming-of-age novel set against the backdrop of the turbulent South in the early 1960s.
Stifled by tragedy, thirteen-year-old Grace Mockingbird yearns to escape her mother's controlling, grieving hand and find her voice in a small Kentucky coal mining town. A tragic family loss has driven a wedge between Grace and her mother, who seems to be silently punishing Grace by withholding her love. Grace does penance in every chore while doubting she'll ever earn her mother's forgiveness.
But change arrives with the hot winds of summer as the frequent clashes of the civil rights movement play out not only on the Mockingbirds' new television but also in their town, and Grace must decide what she believes amid the swirling, conflicting voices even of those she loves.
Then her younger brother and best friend, Isaac, becomes seriously ill. With the world as she's always known it shifting around her, Grace must journey past her own fear and through pain to bring healing to those who need it as she tries to save the one person dearest to her.
Stifled by tragedy, thirteen-year-old Grace Mockingbird yearns to escape her mother's controlling, grieving hand and find her voice in a small Kentucky coal mining town. A tragic family loss has driven a wedge between Grace and her mother, who seems to be silently punishing Grace by withholding her love. Grace does penance in every chore while doubting she'll ever earn her mother's forgiveness.
But change arrives with the hot winds of summer as the frequent clashes of the civil rights movement play out not only on the Mockingbirds' new television but also in their town, and Grace must decide what she believes amid the swirling, conflicting voices even of those she loves.
Then her younger brother and best friend, Isaac, becomes seriously ill. With the world as she's always known it shifting around her, Grace must journey past her own fear and through pain to bring healing to those who need it as she tries to save the one person dearest to her.
363 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 18, 2023
27 people are currently reading
3794 people want to read
About the author
Cindy Morgan
22 books43 followersCindy Morgan is a wife, mother, and singer/songwriter. She has recorded eight records, had twenty number-one songs, and has won nine Dove Awards over her career, including her most recent Dove Awards for 2008 Songwriter of the Year and 2008 Country Song of the Year for "How You Live," the song she wrote for Point of Grace. Cindy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
July 3, 2023
I loved this book! It definitely drew me in from the first page. Honestly, I didn't expect it to be as heavy as it was. And although it was heavy, it was also deep, and I loved it.
Set in small town, traditional southern Kentucky, a family walks through hard times when a series of events take place that puts pressure and strain on everyone in the home, as well as on the relationships in the home. The main character, Grace, a young teenager, is trying to navigate all of the changes around her, within her, and in those around her. Prior to their world being shaken, the Civil Right Movement begins to impact their own small town, where people are forced to decide which side of the line they were going to stand on, with the Klan making it clear things in the small town will not change to accept integration. I really loved how the author incorporated how that movement impacted this family at such a difficult time in their lives. That was well done.
This book was just so well written. It dug into the reality of family. What families go through, the hard things life brings, pain, shame, unforgiveness, and how easy it is for people to pull away from each other during hard things. And how kindness and acceptance and community can bridge the gaps. It's a good book for the soul that you'll probably shed a few tears while reading.
It was clean, and faith based. Don't skip the authors note in the back! It will make the book more meaningful. I don't think I've ever teared up at an authors note, but this one sent me for an unexpected trip for my box of tissues.
Set in small town, traditional southern Kentucky, a family walks through hard times when a series of events take place that puts pressure and strain on everyone in the home, as well as on the relationships in the home. The main character, Grace, a young teenager, is trying to navigate all of the changes around her, within her, and in those around her. Prior to their world being shaken, the Civil Right Movement begins to impact their own small town, where people are forced to decide which side of the line they were going to stand on, with the Klan making it clear things in the small town will not change to accept integration. I really loved how the author incorporated how that movement impacted this family at such a difficult time in their lives. That was well done.
This book was just so well written. It dug into the reality of family. What families go through, the hard things life brings, pain, shame, unforgiveness, and how easy it is for people to pull away from each other during hard things. And how kindness and acceptance and community can bridge the gaps. It's a good book for the soul that you'll probably shed a few tears while reading.
It was clean, and faith based. Don't skip the authors note in the back! It will make the book more meaningful. I don't think I've ever teared up at an authors note, but this one sent me for an unexpected trip for my box of tissues.
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October 15, 2024I love this book that captures the early 1960s. This is a story about family, failure, and faith that is written authentically. It's southern literature that deals with racism and other difficult topics, and at the heart of the story is a girl who is becoming a young woman. What she learns about the consequences of deceiving others is a great lesson for us all. I highly recommend "The Year of Jubilee."
April 6, 2023
First of all thank you Tyndale House Publishers, Netgalley and, of course, Cindy Morgan for the ARC of 'The Year of Jubilee'.
Now my honest review of this book:
I loved it. It was beautiful and painful. I cried two times while I was reading this book and that's a shock because I don't cry over books, but with this...it was necessary to cry.
Grace, in so many aspects, can be an example to follow. She was trying to stay strong, to believe, to have courage and that is very brave.
The story was very realistic, a lot of people can feel the emotions that this book tries to give you, maybe because they lived these same situations or only because they are captured by the reality of this book.
I loved the fact that not all the people in these pages have a happy ending. Someone is still broken and that's ok, life is hard and we need God.
Another aspect that I love was the way Grace and the other people of Jubilee live the faith in God. It represents that we are humans and having faith is a journey. So relatable.
Also this book talks about the social revolution of African Americans in the 60s situated in the Unites States. I am very ignorant about this topic so it was really important to know a little about this and I cannot imagine the life that these innocent people had to live.
Overall I really love this book. 5 ⭐ for sure.
I hightly recommended this book to everyone who want a strong read and to everyone who lose a relative and try to believe. Yes, God sees you. [Remember: 2 Kings 20:5]
Now my honest review of this book:
I loved it. It was beautiful and painful. I cried two times while I was reading this book and that's a shock because I don't cry over books, but with this...it was necessary to cry.
Grace, in so many aspects, can be an example to follow. She was trying to stay strong, to believe, to have courage and that is very brave.
The story was very realistic, a lot of people can feel the emotions that this book tries to give you, maybe because they lived these same situations or only because they are captured by the reality of this book.
I loved the fact that not all the people in these pages have a happy ending. Someone is still broken and that's ok, life is hard and we need God.
Another aspect that I love was the way Grace and the other people of Jubilee live the faith in God. It represents that we are humans and having faith is a journey. So relatable.
Also this book talks about the social revolution of African Americans in the 60s situated in the Unites States. I am very ignorant about this topic so it was really important to know a little about this and I cannot imagine the life that these innocent people had to live.
Overall I really love this book. 5 ⭐ for sure.
I hightly recommended this book to everyone who want a strong read and to everyone who lose a relative and try to believe. Yes, God sees you. [Remember: 2 Kings 20:5]
May 12, 2023
Wow! I am beyond impressed with Cindy Morgan's first novel. I'm longtime a fan of her music, but had no idea she was writing a novel. The storyline was right up my alley, though: a small town in Appalachia during the Civil Rights era and a young girl, Grace, who is dealing with a lot. Her social-climbing mother is a little distant, her older sister isn't very friendly to her, and her much-adored younger brother becomes quite sickly. Then there are the prejudices in the town where even the pastor of the church Grace attends thinks the white man is superior.
Grace has a good heart and makes many friends throughout this tumultuous summer, including a teacher new to her school who realizes Grace's potential and encourages her to express herself with the gift of a journal.
This book just moved me and had me tearing up at times. It is a lovely coming-of-age novel and perfect for fan of "The Help" or "The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek".
Thank you to Netgalley and Tyndale House Publishers for the ARC edition of this novel.
Grace has a good heart and makes many friends throughout this tumultuous summer, including a teacher new to her school who realizes Grace's potential and encourages her to express herself with the gift of a journal.
This book just moved me and had me tearing up at times. It is a lovely coming-of-age novel and perfect for fan of "The Help" or "The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek".
Thank you to Netgalley and Tyndale House Publishers for the ARC edition of this novel.
January 28, 2023
What a lovely book. I loved the way this author writes & captivates the audience with the characters and their stories. She did a remarkable job at making character feel like a “real” person.
This book zoomed in on two major life events for the young girl Gracie. I wish she would have picked one: either the civil rights movement or her brother’s sickness. I felt like they were both so extreme, and she tried to tell them both well, but it left me wanting more of both. So this book is a great set up for a series, if you ask me!
I don’t read many books with a child - well, more like teenager - as the storyteller/main character. That was a different approach, since I really wouldn’t call this a YA novel.
Either way, this book was very sweet & very well written IMO. It’s a Christian book & wasn’t cheesy at all. It was well done!
This book zoomed in on two major life events for the young girl Gracie. I wish she would have picked one: either the civil rights movement or her brother’s sickness. I felt like they were both so extreme, and she tried to tell them both well, but it left me wanting more of both. So this book is a great set up for a series, if you ask me!
I don’t read many books with a child - well, more like teenager - as the storyteller/main character. That was a different approach, since I really wouldn’t call this a YA novel.
Either way, this book was very sweet & very well written IMO. It’s a Christian book & wasn’t cheesy at all. It was well done!
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September 1, 2022Happy to endorse this book!
April 11, 2023
When I saw that Cindy Morgan had written a fictional book, I had to read it. This book is set in the early 1960s with the civil rights movement as a backdrop in a southern Kentucky town. It is a coming of age story of a young fourteen year old girl who has a dysfunctional family and a little precious brother who is very sick
The author has a beautiful prose that is so easy to read and absolutely lovely. I'm not gonna lie, though. It was a hard book for me to read. The story matter was heavy. I bawled my eyes out crying. The author really brought the emotion into the story. I felt as if I was there, during that time, going through her struggles with her. So, that shows how amazing the author is..
I recommend this book to anyone who loves southern women's fiction and coming of age stories. But keep the tissues nearby.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher, and this is my honest opinion.
The author has a beautiful prose that is so easy to read and absolutely lovely. I'm not gonna lie, though. It was a hard book for me to read. The story matter was heavy. I bawled my eyes out crying. The author really brought the emotion into the story. I felt as if I was there, during that time, going through her struggles with her. So, that shows how amazing the author is..
I recommend this book to anyone who loves southern women's fiction and coming of age stories. But keep the tissues nearby.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher, and this is my honest opinion.
July 27, 2023
Have tissues handy! Beautifully written, with echoes of 'To Kill A Mockingbird' whispering on every page.
March 23, 2023
I enjoyed Cindy Morgan's music, so when I learned she had written a fiction novel, I requested a copy to review. I was hooked from the start. The wide range of topics covered in this book amazed me.
The story was told from the perspective of Gracie, a fourteen-year-old girl with whom I identified. This coming-of-age story is emotionally charged and action-packed. It gives readers a front-row ticket to historical events as they unfold in a little American community in Kentucky in 1963.
Readers may sense Gracie's sorrow in 1963 as she tries to understand her brother Isaac's illness and the civil rights movement. She caught glimpses of it on TV and in Miss Adams' life, where she is helping the cause.
Through her characters, the author demonstrates how to love your neighbor and when to stop punishing yourself for past mistakes and instead march on to freedom. One character says to the other, "To forgive is to release a prisoner only to find out it was you."
"We don't always have a choice about what happens to us, but we always have a choice about how we respond," teacher, Miss Adams says to Gracie.
The KKK, segregation, loss, family strife, coming-of-age, a very ill family member, faith healers, and racism are among the topics that may be upsetting to some readers given the historical period.
This is a deep, thought-provoking novel that pulls at your heartstrings, makes you feel the agony of the past, and then makes you look around with a sorrowful, yet hopeful heart, at what's happening in the world today.
I valued the natural spiritual thread that runs through genuine characters who confront these challenges as best they can.
This is not an easy book to read because it deals with difficult issues, but it is a gripping story that leaves the reader with a lot to think about. This is an engrossing novel that I couldn't put down. It would be an excellent choice for your book group.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. 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.”
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/
The story was told from the perspective of Gracie, a fourteen-year-old girl with whom I identified. This coming-of-age story is emotionally charged and action-packed. It gives readers a front-row ticket to historical events as they unfold in a little American community in Kentucky in 1963.
Readers may sense Gracie's sorrow in 1963 as she tries to understand her brother Isaac's illness and the civil rights movement. She caught glimpses of it on TV and in Miss Adams' life, where she is helping the cause.
Through her characters, the author demonstrates how to love your neighbor and when to stop punishing yourself for past mistakes and instead march on to freedom. One character says to the other, "To forgive is to release a prisoner only to find out it was you."
"We don't always have a choice about what happens to us, but we always have a choice about how we respond," teacher, Miss Adams says to Gracie.
The KKK, segregation, loss, family strife, coming-of-age, a very ill family member, faith healers, and racism are among the topics that may be upsetting to some readers given the historical period.
This is a deep, thought-provoking novel that pulls at your heartstrings, makes you feel the agony of the past, and then makes you look around with a sorrowful, yet hopeful heart, at what's happening in the world today.
I valued the natural spiritual thread that runs through genuine characters who confront these challenges as best they can.
This is not an easy book to read because it deals with difficult issues, but it is a gripping story that leaves the reader with a lot to think about. This is an engrossing novel that I couldn't put down. It would be an excellent choice for your book group.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. 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.”
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/
March 21, 2023
This review by librarian Christine Barth first appeared in the March 2023 issue of Library Journal.
Thirteen-year-old Grace Mockingbird hasn't thought much about the differences between Black and white people in her rural Kentucky coal-mining town -at least not until her teacher mentions integration coming to the South next year.
Although Grace's father has Indigenous heritage, her mother is mostly concerned with keeping up appearances and belonging to the women's social group whose members' husbands often wear white KKK hoods on the weekend.
Over the course of one unbearably hot and tumultuous summer, Grace's impoverished life is turned upside down by personal family tragedy and the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement. Each member of the Mockingbird family must decide what the right path is and if miracles are possible.
VERDICT: In her adult fiction dbeut (a semi-autobiographical novel) singer/songwriter Morgan (How Could I Ask for More: Stories of Blessings, Battles, and Beauty) highlights the hardscrabble life of the 1960s working poor. Fans of classic coming-of-age stories such as To Kill a Mockingbird or A Tree Grows in Brooklyn will enjoy this unflinching tale of an American family longing for a "Year of Jubilee," where debts are forgiven and captives set free.
Thirteen-year-old Grace Mockingbird hasn't thought much about the differences between Black and white people in her rural Kentucky coal-mining town -at least not until her teacher mentions integration coming to the South next year.
Although Grace's father has Indigenous heritage, her mother is mostly concerned with keeping up appearances and belonging to the women's social group whose members' husbands often wear white KKK hoods on the weekend.
Over the course of one unbearably hot and tumultuous summer, Grace's impoverished life is turned upside down by personal family tragedy and the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement. Each member of the Mockingbird family must decide what the right path is and if miracles are possible.
VERDICT: In her adult fiction dbeut (a semi-autobiographical novel) singer/songwriter Morgan (How Could I Ask for More: Stories of Blessings, Battles, and Beauty) highlights the hardscrabble life of the 1960s working poor. Fans of classic coming-of-age stories such as To Kill a Mockingbird or A Tree Grows in Brooklyn will enjoy this unflinching tale of an American family longing for a "Year of Jubilee," where debts are forgiven and captives set free.
October 19, 2025
A true 5 star. This book should have way more traction than it does. The author did a great job at portraying the south during segregation working its way towards integration… all through the eyes of a 13 year old who loves deep, is rooted in her faith, and quite frankly, is wise beyond her years.
May 29, 2023
I really enjoyed this sweet story. I remember enjoying Cindy Morgan as a singer years ago specifically on Amy Grant’s Songs from the Loft and now am appreciative of her as an author. I flew through this book at the beach and enjoyed her descriptions of the time period.
February 2, 2023
A book that I had to chew on before writing a review. A coming of age story that will tear your heart out.
Grace she is 13 years old as the summer begins. She is not looking forward being stuck at home away from her favorite teacher and around her mother. Little does she know that this summer will change everything about her and her family.
I loved this book, maybe I could relate to Grace or because I grew up in the 60's. For whatever reason I am looking forward to Morgan's next novel.
Grace she is 13 years old as the summer begins. She is not looking forward being stuck at home away from her favorite teacher and around her mother. Little does she know that this summer will change everything about her and her family.
I loved this book, maybe I could relate to Grace or because I grew up in the 60's. For whatever reason I am looking forward to Morgan's next novel.
May 3, 2023
The Year of Jubilee by Cindy Morgan.
This was the story of Grace Mockingbird’s thirteenth year in the small town of Jubilee, Kentucky. It was set in the 1960’s in the heart of civil unrest in the south. Grace deals with the pain of having a fractured relationship with her mother, the prolonged illness of her younger brother and the disturbance of civil unrest.
This novel was written beautifully. The author tackled many difficult subjects very realistically. It was an emotional read that drew the reader in.
There were times when I didn’t like the choices Grace made or the way her mother or sister treated her. Her father, however, was exemplary in his love and affection for her. I appreciated how the author used the epilogue to tell us the end of the characters I had come to know.
If Ms. Morgan authors another book, I would definitely read it. Readers who enjoy coming of age fiction, southern fiction, or stories about the fight for civil rights would enjoy this book. I am grateful to the publisher via netgalley for the complimentary arc in return for this, my honest opinion.
This was the story of Grace Mockingbird’s thirteenth year in the small town of Jubilee, Kentucky. It was set in the 1960’s in the heart of civil unrest in the south. Grace deals with the pain of having a fractured relationship with her mother, the prolonged illness of her younger brother and the disturbance of civil unrest.
This novel was written beautifully. The author tackled many difficult subjects very realistically. It was an emotional read that drew the reader in.
There were times when I didn’t like the choices Grace made or the way her mother or sister treated her. Her father, however, was exemplary in his love and affection for her. I appreciated how the author used the epilogue to tell us the end of the characters I had come to know.
If Ms. Morgan authors another book, I would definitely read it. Readers who enjoy coming of age fiction, southern fiction, or stories about the fight for civil rights would enjoy this book. I am grateful to the publisher via netgalley for the complimentary arc in return for this, my honest opinion.
October 30, 2023
Coming of age story. Civil rights movement/Klan. Physical Illness and broken relationships. The author deals realistically and relatable with each of the themes. The characters are portrayed well as they deal with situations. Readers who enjoy Southern women fiction and coming of age stories will not want to miss this. I read a library copy of the book and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.
April 21, 2023
The Year of Jubilee by Cindy Morgan is a thought-provoking novel with an undertone of sadness.
Written from thirteen-year-old Grace Mockingbird’s perspective, this moving story of life in small Kentucky town is incredibly engrossing. Grace is devastated by her younger brother and best friend Isaac’s illness. Her older sister Sissie is causing the family problems with her unexpected rebellion. While their parents are at the hospital with Isaac, their Aunt June stays with them and provides minimal yet loving supervision.
In the midst of their family’s turmoil, the civil rights movement comes to the forefront as the local Ku Klux Klan becomes more active. One of Grace’s teachers is instrumental in introducing Grace to her neighbors who just happen to Black. For the first time in her life, Grace finally finds unconditional friendship but will there be a price for and her family to pay?
With a subtle undercurrent of faith, The Year of Jubilee is a poignant novel that is beautifully written with relatable characters. Grace easily captures the reader’s heart. All of the characters are extremely well-drawn and vibrantly life-like. The small-town setting springs vividly to life as do its residents. The storyline is engaging and provides an intimate peek into the Mockingbird’s household and the tragedies they have experienced. Cindy Morgan brings this heartfelt novel to an uplifting, realistic conclusion.
Written from thirteen-year-old Grace Mockingbird’s perspective, this moving story of life in small Kentucky town is incredibly engrossing. Grace is devastated by her younger brother and best friend Isaac’s illness. Her older sister Sissie is causing the family problems with her unexpected rebellion. While their parents are at the hospital with Isaac, their Aunt June stays with them and provides minimal yet loving supervision.
In the midst of their family’s turmoil, the civil rights movement comes to the forefront as the local Ku Klux Klan becomes more active. One of Grace’s teachers is instrumental in introducing Grace to her neighbors who just happen to Black. For the first time in her life, Grace finally finds unconditional friendship but will there be a price for and her family to pay?
With a subtle undercurrent of faith, The Year of Jubilee is a poignant novel that is beautifully written with relatable characters. Grace easily captures the reader’s heart. All of the characters are extremely well-drawn and vibrantly life-like. The small-town setting springs vividly to life as do its residents. The storyline is engaging and provides an intimate peek into the Mockingbird’s household and the tragedies they have experienced. Cindy Morgan brings this heartfelt novel to an uplifting, realistic conclusion.
February 21, 2025
Wow!! I’m at a loss for words for this book. I bawled like a baby, but loved every minute of it. What a story of how God uses our pain, sufferings, and losses to mold and shape us. I can’t recommend this book enough!
“There had been no way around the pain, only through it and to the other side, which had led us here.”
“There had been no way around the pain, only through it and to the other side, which had led us here.”
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July 13, 2023A great debut. Touching coming-of-age story. I really liked it.
August 24, 2023
A beautiful story of family and community relationships.
September 9, 2024
Simply put...a beautiful novel.
May 3, 2023
Cindy is quite a writer. Truly one of the best books I've ever read. Have a hankie or tissue for the last few chapters. The tears ran down my face as I sobbed. I'm so glad I made the journey.
July 13, 2023
The Year of Jubilee had all my favorite elements - a southern setting, tinged with faith, both sad and redemptive. Many Christian novels and Southern novels portray all the "bad guys" as 100% bad and all the good guys" as 100% good. The endings are all perfectly sweet like a Hallmark movie. It is easier I think to make a Christian novel seem "better than real life." Cindy did a masterful job of portraying both the beautiful and the broken in 1960s rural Kentucky. Her characters felt like real people, with real problems and real joys. The ending was my favorite part - not everyone got a "happily ever after." I knew Cindy was a remarkable lyricist and musician from our work together lifetimes ago. Now I will add she is a gifted and poetic novelist.
November 26, 2023
What a beautiful story full of heartache and hope. I first heard of Cindy Morgan years ago when she did a concert at my church with Travis Cottrell. I have loved her music since then and was intrigued to see she had written a novel. This one left me in tears but was ABSOLUTELY worth the read!!
November 24, 2024
3.5 - There were parts that I really liked, but I felt like it went on too long.
April 2, 2023
I don't know that I connected the dots between Cindy Morgan the author and Cindy Morgan the singer/songwriter when I requested this book, but it was neat to do so as I started reading!
Morgan writes incredibly well (fitting, given her 9-to-5 [as it were!] job), and this book was a thoughtful, powerful, moving read. She takes a long, hard look at a long, hard era--vestiges of which we still see today--and brings it to life in a new and unique way, including notably featuring a teen MC. It thankfully doesn't read as YA fiction, though YA readers would still gain a good deal from reading it; it is firmly set in adult fiction, dealing with tough topics and offering no easy answers--but pointing to Christ in all things.
Of course, as a reader from the North who also wasn't alive in the 60s, lol, it's easy to make inferences on things I don't really know and can't accurately speak to. It sometimes felt like both conservatives and liberals were painted with a broad brush, and I did have to remind myself there are good, God-fearing people on both sides of the political aisle. lol! And that was one good takeaway (of many) from this read. It's all too easy to let a political stance try and encroach on gospel truth, and I think all readers could use this as a kickstarter for conversation both about the '60s and present day.
Fans of T.I. Lowe's Under the Magnolias and Kimberly Brock's The Lost Book of Eleanor Dare will especially enjoy this read. Readers of Kathryn Stockett's The Help will, I think, find this a refreshing alternative.
4/5 stars.
I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Morgan writes incredibly well (fitting, given her 9-to-5 [as it were!] job), and this book was a thoughtful, powerful, moving read. She takes a long, hard look at a long, hard era--vestiges of which we still see today--and brings it to life in a new and unique way, including notably featuring a teen MC. It thankfully doesn't read as YA fiction, though YA readers would still gain a good deal from reading it; it is firmly set in adult fiction, dealing with tough topics and offering no easy answers--but pointing to Christ in all things.
Of course, as a reader from the North who also wasn't alive in the 60s, lol, it's easy to make inferences on things I don't really know and can't accurately speak to. It sometimes felt like both conservatives and liberals were painted with a broad brush, and I did have to remind myself there are good, God-fearing people on both sides of the political aisle. lol! And that was one good takeaway (of many) from this read. It's all too easy to let a political stance try and encroach on gospel truth, and I think all readers could use this as a kickstarter for conversation both about the '60s and present day.
Fans of T.I. Lowe's Under the Magnolias and Kimberly Brock's The Lost Book of Eleanor Dare will especially enjoy this read. Readers of Kathryn Stockett's The Help will, I think, find this a refreshing alternative.
4/5 stars.
I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
February 11, 2023
I read this courtesy of Tyndale House and Netgalley. This novel was more than I expected. Grace was so relatable and had great character building. I felt like I connected with her and her family. I loved this novel!
January 18, 2023
Thank you Edelweiss and the publisher for the opportunity to review this ARC. The following review is my own opinion. I just loved this book! From the very first page I was hooked. Cindy's writing style keeps you engaged in the story throughout the book. Grace's journey during the 1960's in Kentucky was heartbreaking yet full of hope and love. All the characters played vital roles throughout the book which speaks to how valuable each and every person is in this world and should not be taken for granted. The overarching theme: Forgiveness. There needs to be more of this today and in the future. I would recommend this any adult or YA reader.
December 6, 2023
I have mixed feelings about this book. It was pretty heavy and depressing. The ending, however, does offer hope! Set in Kentucky, 1963, a time of turmoil.
I did enjoy some of the characters. They are full of hidden strengths. Aunt June was a favorite, and so was Constance. Grace undergoes the most transformation. She grows up admist the tragedies in her life.
The lesson I took away from this book is to make your life count. Isaac touched so many people in his short life. I pray that I do the same.
I did enjoy some of the characters. They are full of hidden strengths. Aunt June was a favorite, and so was Constance. Grace undergoes the most transformation. She grows up admist the tragedies in her life.
The lesson I took away from this book is to make your life count. Isaac touched so many people in his short life. I pray that I do the same.
December 27, 2022
I received an arc copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it. I so enjoyed this book and look forward to more by this author. Gracie is a young teen growing up in 1963. The book is told by her. I was thinking it might be more of a young adult book but it was not at all. Reading about those difficult times and the tragedies her family endured really made you think. I highly recommend this book.
July 19, 2023
A story of a young girl Grace and her family in the south in the 1960s. I liked the premise but the author takes anything and everything that could happen and dumps it in this novel — dying brother, Ku Klux Klan, protests, evangelist, poor African American families, mean schoolmate, cancer, Martin Luther King, whittling, orphans, preachers, I don’t know the list goes on!. Needs a bit of editing and polish / too trite for me.
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