A child named Savannah [s]

[Kate]

I read this book in the mid seventies, when I was in high school. It was, I think, an adult book -- not because of sex, but because of "mature themes" for the time.

It's about a little girl whose name is Savannah (almost positive this is the right name). She is extremely neglected and very primitive. She calls urinating "making water." A woman from town discovers her and takes her into her home. I think there is conflict with her husband about taking this child in. The husband may be a sheriff, but I'm not sure about this.

[Andria]

Other than the girl's name, this sounds a lot like A Girl Named Sooner. I remember reading it in the late 70s and it really stuck with me.

[Kate]

Absolutely that is the book! Thanks Andria! I had the girl's name wrong. I'd forgotten that it was made into a movie. The woman who took in Sooner had a veterinarian as a husband. The sheriff was part of the support network for the girl.

[Andria]

You're welcome! I haven't read that book in 30+ years but that bit about "making water" brought it all crashing back to me. Isn't it funny how just the tiniest clue can trigger a memory?

[Kate]

It is funny about those tiny clues. I don't even know what made me think of that book. Thank you again!