Linda Sorstokke

A backwoods holler story told in multiple voices about a community in 1970 in the Appalachian Mountains. Food is scarce, hooch is plentiful and women are treated poorly. Schooling is intermittent and teachers are run off until Kate is hired and at 51 nothing ruffles her as she starts teaching in a way that the children can understand. The underlying character throughout the book is young Sadie Blue, 15, pregnant and married for 3 weeks, beaten by her husband. Kate gives Sadie Blue hope and a chance at a future if she takes it.