Mothering on Perilous

In the wake of her mothers death, Cecelia Loring finds herself alone and seeking work in the rugged beauty of the Kentucky mountains. Struggling with profound grief, she unexpectedly steps into the role of caretaker for a school garden, and soon becomes housemother to a lively group of boys grappling with their own homesickness. Among them is Nucky, a boy burdened with worry about leaving his brother, Blant, to fend off the ongoing feud between the Cheevers and the Marrses over a prized piece of land. Can Cecelia create a nurturing environment that helps these boys feel at home and commit to their education? More importantly, can they together mend the fractures in her heart? Lucy Furman drew from her own experiences as a teacher and housemother at the Hindman Settlement School in Kentucky to craft this poignant tale, capturing both the beauty and the challenges of mountain life. (summary by Laura Victoria)