Julia and Samuel Wortham are down on their luck during the Depression Era. Samuel has lost his job, their home has been taken back by the bank, and they have no money nor mode of transportation, but their feet. They begin their journey from Pennsylvania to Illinois with their two children in hopes of finding a job, a new home, and happiness.
As they journey across the land, they find prejudice and kindness, but none as precious as the kindness of dear, sweet Emma, who has taken many families under her wing and given more of herself than one could ever imagine.
Wholesome story and I was relieved to find that after book 1 there are two more books to continue the story of the Wortham and Hammond families!
Reminds me of the Karen Kingsbury Firstborn and Redemption series books. Good book.
(Heather's review) This is one of my favorite books. In fact I love all of Mrs. Kelly's books I've read and re-read them several times. Mrs. Kelly went home to be with the Lord last year and although I am glad for her, I feel a loss at knowing there will be no more books coming from her.
I am easily able to relate to the characters in this series, many of whom are developed in this first book. They are quite individual. I am all to aware of our nation's financial crisis and am drawn to this book again because I wonder if some of us are now living like the families herein. Most importantly I love how Julia and Samuel react in a very real way to the trials they come across and their reactions make me wonder if I myself would be able to react in such a godly manner or if I would cave when faced with temptation. May you be blessed as I have been if you choose to read this book.
It's a Christian fiction book so if that offends you, you may want to choose something more to your taste. Some of the themes that come up are...
the Depression, elder care in the USA, extreme poverty, choosing whether or not to sin under trial, giving, how far you can trust God, it shows a very stark difference in the way that children are reared today and how it was in the first half of the 1900's.
This was such a fantastic story! It was about a family back in the Depression Days who were totally down on their luck with no place to call home. An older widow took them under her wing and let them live in her farm house which had stood empty since the death of her husband and her subsequent move to town. I won't go any further than that because I don't want to give anything away but trust me, this is a must read book!! I look forward to reading the other three books which make up this series!