Having lived in SC for 14 years I was reminded of many aspects of the Low Country life. I'm not sure why but it reminded of the Newbery winner Across Five Aprils which I liked.Maybe it was the coming of age type story. Beth Webb Hart addresses issues of faith in a non preachy, down to earth manner. ( )

DeVeaux DeLoach enjoys her privileged life on her family's 150-year-old Edisto Island plantation. But her world turns upside down when her daddy declares bankruptcy and sells their home. Now her family lives in the caretaker's cottage and works for the new owners. Can her stubborn faith give her hurting family hope for the future?

Plot Summary: What happens, When & Where, Central Characters, Major Conflicts
DeVeaux at fifteen should be enjoying all the comforts and concerns of a young women descended from blue-blood in the south. But her father has squandered their money in shaky business deals and now they have been forced to move from their Charleston home to the caretaker's cottage on the family plantation. DeVeaux is only fifty miles away from her former life, but can hardly stand to go back and endure the looks from her former classmates when they wheel into town in their beat up, muddy truck. But she does have good friends in town though, especially at her church. And she needs all the support she can get, since her father is not taking his humiliation well at all. He is prone to bursts of temper that result in scenes where things get thrown into the nearby river--even Christmas trees. DeVeaux desperately needs God's help to love her family, but how long will it take for the Lord to work things out for them?






Style Characteristics: Pacing, clarity, structure, narrative devices, etc.
The slow pace of this story allows the reader to experience the life of DeVeaux and her family in depth. DeVeaux's struggles with faith and her emotions are strong and her character is painted in very realistic colors. She has spiritual advisors and talks to God throughout the book, but the spiritual issues don't seem forced by the author at all. The setting also comes across very vividly, the details about southern society and the landscape effectively transport the reader to another place. It almost seems like another time as well, with the traditions of debutant balls and Maum Bess's talk about spirits.






How Good is it?
This book has depth and is one of those to be savored. Read it slowly to take in the lush southern setting and experience the pains of a young girl growing up in a family situation that forces her to be wise beyond her years. ( )