Where Trees Touch the Sky by Karen Barnett

Where Trees Touch the Sky by Karen Barnett. Background snapshots from my own 1970s redwood experiences (with my little sister!) at Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks.

In 1923, Marion Baker works fervently with the Save the Redwoods League to protect her beloved trees. One day in her favorite grove, she meets Frank Duncan and believes him to be admiring the trees. He is. But for the axe. When Marion learns Frank is the son of the local timber baron, sparks fly. A friendship grows, then a romance, but can their shared dreams overcome the obstacles between them?

In 1972, June Turner takes a job as a park ranger at the new Redwood National Park, but finds her boss is less than thrilled to have unknowingly hired a polio survivor who uses a crutch. Inspired by her Aunt Marion, who helped establish the park, and driven by a lifetime of proving herself, June is determined to succeed at the job. Then her boss hires handsome film student Adam Garner to possibly take her place. Adam, however, becomes enamored with June, and hatches an idea to make a documentary to honor Marion’s legacy – not realizing that secrets may lie buried in the redwood forest.

A story that soars like the redwoods it honors! Rooted in author Karen Barnett‘s deep love of history and the national parks, Where Trees Touch the Sky climbs high with two intertwined stories as Marion and June inspire and influence each other. They both fall down and learn to have the courage to stand back up again, over and over, drawing that courage, that strength from the Lord and from others in their lives. Bonus props for a beautifully and realistically portrayed heroine with a disability and “outasight” 1970s references! A romantic, thoughtful, and moving novel not to be missed.

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