In the year 1921 life was challenging, but times were
especially hard for Leona and her family who had recently lost their
mother. At ten-years-old Leona is just
one of six siblings. With her mother
gone, her father is unable to provide and care for his children, the youngest
of whom is just a baby. With nowhere to
turn, he takes them to the Brooklyn School and Home for Destitute
Children. At first Leona believes it
will be just for a short while.
Expecting her father to collect them any day, she’s always on the lookout
for his return. But he does not come
back and eventually, one at a time, her siblings are gone. First her fourteen-year-old brother runs away
in hopes of finding a job. Next, with
the opportunity of becoming a nurse, her older sister leaves as well. Eventually her other siblings are adopted,
leaving just Leona and the baby.
Determined to hold on to her last remaining family thread, she’s
devastated when, against her will, she’s put on an orphan train to Texas,
leaving her baby sister behind.
Author Beverly Stowe McClure is a skilled story-teller. As with all her books, she writes with a
depth of emotion that helps readers connect instantly with her characters. With a page-turning plot and a story which
begs to be discovered, A Family for Leona is a book which rises to the
occasion for fans of her work and will certainly draw new fans who will come to
want more from this exceptionally talented author. Recommended for home and school libraries A
Family for Leona is a wonderful book that will speak to the hearts of
readers of all ages.
LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org
