14-year-old Sarah Jane (Jay) Hunter lives on a poor dirt farm in south Alabama during the Great Depression. Her physically and verbally abusive mom rips Jay’s dress in front of everybody in the churchyard. The town mean boy ridicules Jay and her “store-bought blue underwear,” even Michael, her secret flame observes the humiliation. But Jay has Pa, who adores her and protects her from bullies—and Ma when he can, and has a loving four-year-old brother, Ezekiel to fill her heart. Pa teaches Jay to pray for her enemies, but he also has a premonition of an impending disaster. When an unusual blizzard partially destroys the family barn, Jay wonders if the legend of the Thundersnow signals further disaster. Will Jay have the courage, faith and strength to face the future, and the family secrets that swirl around her life?
Utilizing the first-person-point-of-view Sheila Hollinghead draws the reader in early with the opening incident. A loveable, spiritual and faithful character along with strong tension, conflict and mystery about her mother propels the reader forward. Although the middle of the book slowed, the ending was solid and satisfying. The author applies biblical principles to knotty life struggles. The sequel picks up where Thundersnow leaves off, however it fast forwards Jay from a 15-year-old school girl to a young adult who struggles with the traumatic outbreak of WWII, and budding romance.
Age Range: 10 and up
Genre: Historical
Series: Book 1 of 2 In the Shadow of the Ceders
2012 Self Published
Available: Amazon Barns & Noble Also ask for this title at your local library
Hi Glenn! Actually there’s a middle book, Clothed in Thunder before the one that begins in WWII, Thunder’s Shadow.
Thanks so much for your review!