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The Growing Rock
Papa is a good liar—he can tell a fib all the way from Ripley to Nashville to calm everyone down or make a situation seem better, including the Great Depression. But the day he promises fourteen-year-old Caroline that everything will be okay when he leaves the farm to find work elsewhere, she isn’t so sure. After all, her favorite brother George told her something similar not long ago. And no one has heard from him since.
Caroline has to believe George will come back. Otherwise, she won’t have the strength to do her share of the work while looking after her sickly little sister Phoebe and telling her hopeful stories about the Growing Rock that magically grows every summer. But as time moves on, Caroline feels more and more discouraged. When tragedy occurs that threatens to break the large family apart even more, will Caroline give into the hopelessness that has consumed Mama?
The Growing Rock (Harvard Square Editions), by debut author Susanna Lancaster, depicts the Great Depression era in a fresh light with striking historical details and transports readers of today to the world of 1937. Intended for early Young Adult readers, the book explores complex family dynamics and significant cross-generational themes.
Caroline has to believe George will come back. Otherwise, she won’t have the strength to do her share of the work while looking after her sickly little sister Phoebe and telling her hopeful stories about the Growing Rock that magically grows every summer. But as time moves on, Caroline feels more and more discouraged. When tragedy occurs that threatens to break the large family apart even more, will Caroline give into the hopelessness that has consumed Mama?
The Growing Rock (Harvard Square Editions), by debut author Susanna Lancaster, depicts the Great Depression era in a fresh light with striking historical details and transports readers of today to the world of 1937. Intended for early Young Adult readers, the book explores complex family dynamics and significant cross-generational themes.
197 pages, Paperback
Published December 12, 2017
3 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 15, 2018
I definitely recommend this book to readers of all ages. You can tell that the author did her research of the time period while writing this book. It's a very authentic story of a young girl and her family around the time of the Great Depression. I felt for all the characters and their struggles. This book served as a good reminder for me of what my grandparents and great-grandparents endured.
October 14, 2018
Definitely recommend this book. It’s a great way to escape from today’s time back to the Great Depression. It’s a great read for anytime. Would not be able to put down the book.
September 1, 2017
Rating: 4.5/5
Genre: Upper Middle Grade/YA Historical Fiction
Recommended Age: 12+ (some slightly mature scenes, but nothing outrageous)
I was presented with a free copy of this book by the author in exchange for a review. This did not sway my decisions in any manner.
Papa is a good liar—he can tell a fib all the way from Ripley to Nashville to calm everyone down or make a situation seem better, including the Great Depression. But the day he promises fourteen-year-old Caroline that everything will be okay when he leaves the farm to find work elsewhere, she isn’t so sure. After all, her favorite brother George told her something similar not long ago. And no one has heard from him since.
Caroline has to believe George will come back. Otherwise, she won’t have the strength to do her share of the work while looking after her sickly little sister Phoebe and telling her hopeful stories about the Growing Rock that magically grows every summer. But as time moves on, Caroline feels more and more discouraged. When tragedy occurs that threatens to break the large family apart even more, will Caroline give into the hopelessness that has consumed Mama?
The Growing Rock (Harvard Square Editions), by debut author Susanna Lancaster, depicts the Great Depression era in a fresh light with striking historical details and transports readers of today to the world of 1937. Intended for early Young Adult readers, the book explores complex family dynamics and significant cross-generational themes. – Goodreads.com
When I was a little girl I was obsessed with anything Little House on the Prairie and anything from that time period or setting because it was such a great series for children to grow up with. I read everything I could about that region and then slowly grew out of that phase. I never realized how much I would enjoy revisiting a book that could very easily fit into my favorite childhood genre, even though they are definitely set in different time periods. And I never thought I’d read a book that would make me want to read Little Women so much. But this book did! Not only was it a wave of nostalgia for me, it was a very incredible book to read. The characters were developed so well without it feeling drawn out. The characters became very realistic in this book and you could feel their emotions with them, which makes it hard to hate any one of them for their faults. The plot was also very well developed and the story never lagged or dulled in any areas. The writing was excellent and it was a truly captivating story.
The only cause of concern I had was that the story does tend to skip around a bit with the timeline, making it a little confusing at first to orient yourself to the pacing. I also had a little trouble with the font at times in the flashback scenes, but nothing was illegible. I’m just not able to read fancy fonts sometimes. However, those are my only complaints about this wonderful book!
Verdict: Overall, I was amazed at how much I loved this book. It kept me engaged and it brought back moments of nostalgia. It was a quick, fun read that reminded us all that growing up isn’t easy, sometimes it can be very difficult at times, but that things do come full circle in the end. This very sweet story would be perfect as a light read for any upper middle grade or YA reader or even an adult. Make sure to purchase this book when it comes out December 12, 2017!
Genre: Upper Middle Grade/YA Historical Fiction
Recommended Age: 12+ (some slightly mature scenes, but nothing outrageous)
I was presented with a free copy of this book by the author in exchange for a review. This did not sway my decisions in any manner.
Papa is a good liar—he can tell a fib all the way from Ripley to Nashville to calm everyone down or make a situation seem better, including the Great Depression. But the day he promises fourteen-year-old Caroline that everything will be okay when he leaves the farm to find work elsewhere, she isn’t so sure. After all, her favorite brother George told her something similar not long ago. And no one has heard from him since.
Caroline has to believe George will come back. Otherwise, she won’t have the strength to do her share of the work while looking after her sickly little sister Phoebe and telling her hopeful stories about the Growing Rock that magically grows every summer. But as time moves on, Caroline feels more and more discouraged. When tragedy occurs that threatens to break the large family apart even more, will Caroline give into the hopelessness that has consumed Mama?
The Growing Rock (Harvard Square Editions), by debut author Susanna Lancaster, depicts the Great Depression era in a fresh light with striking historical details and transports readers of today to the world of 1937. Intended for early Young Adult readers, the book explores complex family dynamics and significant cross-generational themes. – Goodreads.com
When I was a little girl I was obsessed with anything Little House on the Prairie and anything from that time period or setting because it was such a great series for children to grow up with. I read everything I could about that region and then slowly grew out of that phase. I never realized how much I would enjoy revisiting a book that could very easily fit into my favorite childhood genre, even though they are definitely set in different time periods. And I never thought I’d read a book that would make me want to read Little Women so much. But this book did! Not only was it a wave of nostalgia for me, it was a very incredible book to read. The characters were developed so well without it feeling drawn out. The characters became very realistic in this book and you could feel their emotions with them, which makes it hard to hate any one of them for their faults. The plot was also very well developed and the story never lagged or dulled in any areas. The writing was excellent and it was a truly captivating story.
The only cause of concern I had was that the story does tend to skip around a bit with the timeline, making it a little confusing at first to orient yourself to the pacing. I also had a little trouble with the font at times in the flashback scenes, but nothing was illegible. I’m just not able to read fancy fonts sometimes. However, those are my only complaints about this wonderful book!
Verdict: Overall, I was amazed at how much I loved this book. It kept me engaged and it brought back moments of nostalgia. It was a quick, fun read that reminded us all that growing up isn’t easy, sometimes it can be very difficult at times, but that things do come full circle in the end. This very sweet story would be perfect as a light read for any upper middle grade or YA reader or even an adult. Make sure to purchase this book when it comes out December 12, 2017!
September 12, 2017
A startlingly beautiful coming of age story, set during the depression. Caroline, 14 going on 60, is set to take care of her family farm; while her father goes looking for work, while her older brother is missing, while her older sister disappears every day and night, while her younger sister is sick, and her mother refuses to leave her room.
This novel throws hardships at Caroline without relief. But, she is resilient, determined, focused, and the soul of her family. With her imagination she soothes and rebuilds, she endures. The title of the novel refers to a rock on the family property that Caroline tells tall tales about, specifically about fairies that live below the rock and cause it to grow when they give birth in the spring.
Caroline's tale is brutally honest and completely raw. With an ever ominous presence, the novel leaves you worried for our heroine.
Read more at www.onemamassummer.weebly.com/bookrev...
This novel throws hardships at Caroline without relief. But, she is resilient, determined, focused, and the soul of her family. With her imagination she soothes and rebuilds, she endures. The title of the novel refers to a rock on the family property that Caroline tells tall tales about, specifically about fairies that live below the rock and cause it to grow when they give birth in the spring.
Caroline's tale is brutally honest and completely raw. With an ever ominous presence, the novel leaves you worried for our heroine.
Read more at www.onemamassummer.weebly.com/bookrev...
April 5, 2018
The Growing rock was a great book. I recommend this book to pre-teens and young adults whom simply would love the non-fiction setting and beautiful narrative that the author displays. This book takes you on a journey were little Caroline hopes and believe that her family will come back together after some misfortunate. Caroline being this motherly figure somehow believes that the rock in the backyard bonds her and her family. Faith, Love, and Pereservance, little Caroline struggles to deal with so many changes. However that little rock maybe just bringing this family a little more than an urban myth. Great story.
February 5, 2018
This is a heartwarming story that depicts life in the South during the Great Depression. The struggles told here are real, and older readers can fully relate to this simpler, yet difficult, time in America’s history. Young adult readers, the intended audience, will gain an understanding and appreciation for a time when families had few materialistic possessions and luxuries. Forced to face life’s struggles and heartaches at an early age, Caroline warms the readers’ hearts as she stresses the importance of family unity in the midst of hardship.
December 12, 2018
I can't believe it's been YEARS since I last read a book from start to finish. I'm so ashamed. The surprising part is that this one was so outside of my normal go-to genre of fantasy/romance. Less than 24 hours and this beautiful story is fully absorbed. I encourage all of my wonderful bookworms to check this book out! It is so wonderfully written. I felt like I was in Ripley, TN during the 1930s. Such a wonderful story about how life starts the transition from a child's fairytale into the reality of this world. I think everyone can find a little bit of themselves within these characters and maybe even a little more. This author is wonderfully talented and I can't wait for her next book!
July 27, 2017
This tender story of a family torn apart during the Great Depression will leave readers cheering for the indomitable spirit of Caroline as she struggles to understand the flawed and wonderful characters who make up her world. Unflinchingly honest and heart wrenchingly lovely, this novel reminds us that the past is hauntingly familiar when a skillful storyteller pulls back the curtain for us. A stunning debut and an author to follow with eager anticipation.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews