The Secret Wisdom of the Earth by Christopher Scotton
Since I read the book Christy by Katherine Marshall
as a teen I have been fascinated with the culture of the Appalachian mountain
region. I only have to read that this is
the setting of a story and I’m on board with it. It’s double good luck when the book is a good
one. This is a really good one.
After witnessing a horrific accident at their home in
Indiana, young teen Kevin and his mother
travel back to a her home, in a coal town deep in Appalachia to heal, if that
would be possible. This town is no
Mitford, the problems here are large.
The coal companies have taken to blowing the tops off the mountains to
get to the coal easier and cheaper. This
is devastating to the environment and the town is torn between selling out to
the coal company for the money or fighting.
Kevin’s grandfather is a wise man. He is calm and wise in helping Kevin face his
demons, and in letting Kevin’s mother, his daughter, grieve.
He is also well respected in the town and a force behind the opposition
to the coal company.
Kevin befriends Buzzy Fink and through and with Buzzy, Kevin
gets to know and love the area he is living in, understands what the coal
company is doing and what it means and
importantly, he starts to heal. Until
horror again visits his life and he must take the step to becoming a man. Quickly.
The story is told by adult Kevin looking back on this summer
and understanding what time and distance can show us. This was really, really, really a good read.
I recommend it highly. Highly.
That sounds intriguing. On my list. My daughter is now reading Luigi's freedom ride and enjoying it too. When she is done I will pass it to another book lover, and the story will ripple on down the line like a good book will.
ReplyDeleteWill check it out I am big into audiobooks wonder if it is available ��
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