Unless you’ve been living under a rock (or intentionally sticking your head in the sand) you know that even in this day and age, racism is still alive and well. And not only is it still alive, apparently it’s thriving in Missouri.

Due to loss of accreditation, the brown South Fork school children will be bussed into the affluent white neighboring schools. And this upsets just about EVERY adult in the book.

Camille, the PTA mom, is concerned about safety because of a recent shooting in the South Fork neighborhood and assumes that will automatically happen in Crystal Ridge just because brown people will be there; Anaya, a 22 year old teacher who wanted to give back to her South Fork community has to teach at Crystal Ridge instead, and ends up neglecting the teaching/coaching of the rich white students because they don’t need the help-they’re rich and white; Jen, a new mother who just adopted seven year old Jubliee from an orphanage in Africa, wants her to go to school with children who look like her, but is stuck at Crystal Ridge since South Fork closed.

This book was so eye opening. There’s a particular scene with Anaya and her old cooperative teacher and his new student teacher, and her coop teacher tells his aid, “Anaya was the best student teacher I’ve ever had, you have big shoes to fill.” And this was considered a micro aggression by Anaya. She felt the scratch. I had no idea that reference would be considered offensive and had to google it (still haven’t found the implications, would like to understand the reference if anyone knows).

But by far, the BEST part of this book was the author’s note at the end, when she gives recommendations for further reading and podcast “Pass the Mic”.
This was a Spiritual Fiction book, so it was a watered down version of reality, but I still recommend it to anyone living in the United States Of America.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

What a timely book. This was a great book because it really gave different perspectives on the same situation. I was particularly drawn to Jen who has an adopted daughter from Africa given that I work in adoption and we are strong advocates for making sure that adoptive parents really understand what raising a child of a different race is going to be like. What they need to think about, what talks they need to have with their children, hair and skin care etc. I've already recommended this book to several people that I work with and that I know who have adopted transracially.

Given the racial tensions going on in our country today this book couldn't have come at a better time. People really need to take a look at themselves and what drives them to do or say the things they do. Camille learns her lessons the hard way, even Anya the new teacher at the all white school learns some valuable lessons about how stereotyping people can be used to create fear. This book is full of the complex issues surrounding race in America. This book should be read by everyone.

As a former teacher, this book was right up my alley! Throughout my teaching career, I had the opportunity to work at many schools, and the inequities that exist between the students and schools are astounding. As a teacher, you really get an inside look at the inner workings of the school community, and they are not always positive. There is often a lot of politics, drama, and socioeconomic inequity that you are exposed to. I thought the author did a phenomenal job of highlighting this throughout the story. The way that she wrote was raw, honest, and thought-provoking. This is one of those books that I wish everyone was forced to read, especially those who think that teachers have an easy job. I also really loved the multiple perspectives in this story. Stories with multiple points of views are my favorite, as I feel like this allows readers to get a more objective, holistic view of a story because it isn't one-sided. I have already recommended this one to my teacher friends, and this is one of those underrated books that I will work to put on more people's radar! Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I think this book is beautifully and bitterly truthful and realistic. By the end, Camille goes through far too much for it to actually seem plausible, but I think her character serves as the vessel through which the other characters and the readers really get to walk a mile in someone’s shoes. Her journey to an awakening she didn’t even know she needed reached all of the characters where they too have flaws. It will help readers identify situations where they might have reacted the same way and understand why that’s not ok. At the end the author talks abt the real story that sparked this novel and mentions the real school was mostly black and brown kids and I wish that had been part of her novel. Systemic racism isn’t solely a black and white issue. However, in this country it is still sadly the main focus and occurs far too often and has for far too long, so I can understand why that was the novel’s focus. Unfortunately, my children’s school is having a sort of uprising of close-minded people at the moment and I wish I could make them all read this book. It’s not about “those people” or “them” as the book references, it’s that we are all people and the best lessons in life are not learned in a classroom most days—no matter how affluent the area of the school—the best lessons in life are the ones we learn from each other, from accepting diversity of all degrees and through these interactions, that is where we truly learn the most vital lessons of humanity.

No One Ever Asked⁣⁣
Katie Ganshert⁣⁣
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Wow, just wow. This book...this book is raw, devastating, and wonderfully told all at the same time. ⁣⁣
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The book is told from the perspectives of the 3 main characters. Often times, in multiple voice books, I find myself really drawn to one character and not the others. That was not the case here. I was equally drawn to their stories. ⁣⁣
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This book tackles the hard issues involved when 2 schools integrate together. It’s not pretty. I felt like the author did a great job exploring multiple issues that arose, but I don’t want to talk to much about them for fear of giving anything away. I picked this book on a whim and I am so thankful I did!⁣⁣
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I received this book from Netgalley and the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.⁣⁣
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No One Ever Asked was an intense and extremely thought-provoking novel that authentically dealt with issues prevalent in society today, such as struggles with adoption, racism, classism, teen shootings, and sexual harassment. The storylines followed three different women as their lives intersected through their various levels of involvement in the affluent Crystal Ridge community and school district. The author was not afraid to make her readers uncomfortable in a good way discussing topics that are relevant and divisive in society today. I would recommend this book to others!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from WaterBrook & Multnomah through NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

Do you ever read a book that absolutely captivates you, but you don’t actually like it? That was this book. It was uncomfortable to read, not because the author wrote poorly, but because it was so relevant and so well-written. Katie Ganshert’s No One Ever Asked dived into issues of race and prejudice and social inequity without batting an eye, and she did it well enough that it was troubling to read even in contemporary (Christian) fiction.

The worst part of this novel is that it is set in the present day. Ganshert shed light on issues of ongoing racial disparity and discrimination, social justice, poverty, privilege, and inadvertent ideology. In closing, it was a tale of hope, respect, forgiveness, and the remarkable ability to overcome tragedy and injustice.

Our cast of characters (many of whom I did not like at all) came from different backgrounds, with lives intersecting amidst tense socio-economic-political situations – and it was, dishearteningly, based (or stemmed from) recent events in the US. Each character struggled with issues of faith, issues of conscience, and issues in their relationships. Each had a very narrow view of how things should be and the stumbling to accept change or walk in forgiveness or expand perspective – and recognize that everyone is living a flawed and imperfect life despite their backgrounds – was a common thread.

This emotionally charged drama was a very real reminder presented in make-believe that we are so much more than the colour of our skin. It was also, for myself, the reminder that being a white female in today’s society, living a fairly comfortable life, means that I am privileged enough to never, ever truly know the struggles that still exist – today for other races. It was a novel that was at times disheartening, infuriating, and filled with promise.

(Bonus points to the author for including accurate details on how living with Type 1 diabetes is life-altering, but not the end of the world. A small segment, but we could relate to the poking and the bleeding and the counting and the questions…)

I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley with thanks to the author and/or publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is a well thought out novel that slowly gives the reader ideas of what is to come. The more I read, the deeper my appreciation of how the sensitive subjects of race and misconceptions can change lives. I have vague memories of desegregation in the South. The news showed one scared looking girl clutching her books while walking up the steps to a high school. There were crowds of people and police and she looked so alone. I was only ten at the time so I didn't really "get" what was going on. This book is based on a real life situation in St Louis in 2013.

The characters, both black and white, are well developed. Their problems and reactions are believable. My emotions as I read ranged from empathy to outrage. No One Asked Me is a book that can change how people look at life and the issue of fear or acceptance.

I received an Advanced Reader's Copy from Waterbrook Multnomah through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.
#NoOneAskedMe #NetGalley

Wow . . . Just wow. Ganshert pens yet another emotionally moving, grippingly-real story. I can honestly say I have never read another book quite like No One Ever Asked.

Split between the point of views of three different women in vastly different worlds, this book kept me engrossed in the story throughout every page. Each character is so incredibly realistic you can't help but empathize with and relate to them. I think Jen's storyline was probably my favorite, as adoption is a subject very close to my heart, but I also very much enjoyed Anaya's and Camille's stories.

Ganshert deals with a very real and touchy subject - racism. And while she definitely doesn't shy away from the nitty-gritty details, she handles them with incredible tact and grace without downplaying or excusing them. This book is far from painless, yet I am incredibly glad I read it. It opened my eyes to so much and gave me an even greater understanding of racism and the other issues touched upon in this book.

All in all, No One Ever Asked is an incredible novel to add to your library. Highly recommended!

CONTENT NOTE: Recommended for ages 18+ due to mature themes

Katie Ganshert is one of my must read authors. Her stories are thought provoking and timeless. Her characters are complex and real.. Her writing is first rate. Five Stars.

When an impoverished school district loses its accreditation and the affluent community of Crystal Ridge has no choice but to open their school doors, the lives of three very different women converge: Camille Gray--the wife of an executive, mother of three, long-standing PTA chairwoman and champion fundraiser--faced with a shocking discovery that threatens to tear her picture-perfect world apart at the seams. Jen Covington, the career nurse whose long, painful journey to motherhood finally resulted in adoption but she is struggling with a happily-ever-after so much harder than she anticipated. Twenty-two-year-old Anaya Jones--the first woman in her family to graduate college and a brand new teacher at Crystal Ridge's top elementary school, unprepared for the powder-keg situation she's stepped into.

There isn't much I can say about No One Ever Asked that hasn't already been said, but I will say that this truly is an amazing read and should be read by everyone! This book really makes you stop and think. While reading I found myself thinking about how people, including me, do actually label others based on how they look and who they are. It was an absolute eye opener and I feel so blessed to have had this opportunity to read this book!

Thanks to #NetGalley for the ARC of #NoOneEverAsked
Pub Date: 03 Apr 2018

This book gave me (a white Canadian woman) insight into racism in today's America.

On the surface Katie Ganshert's book, No One Ever Asked, is about the closing of a school district due to insufficient student enrollment. Consequently, the students are bused to the adjacent school district to continue their education. What this novel is really about is racism in America today. Ganshert's narrative reveals how the privileged, white soccer-moms are actually racist, although they are the first to deny it. But the tour de force of her writing is how she describes the insidious racism encountered by Afro-Americans everyday of their lives and the various mechanisms they use to survive the hatred and discrimination that never ceases.

Story like this remind me of the struggles that still exist in our country with regards to education. I recommend this book to anyone who likes Educated, this story will grab you and hold your attention until the end.

Enlightening! No One Ever Asked, by Katie Ganshert explores theme of rasiscm, segregation, the myth of the perfect family and touches on the #metoo movement. Well developed, flawed characters and a contemplative storyline leads the reader to explore their own beliefs, motives and prejudices. Would make a wonderful movie, I’m talking to you @reesewitherspoon!

Prejudice, discrimination, and racism infuriate me and it burns me inside to hear stories about it. For the life of me I can’t understand why it all still exists today, after all these years of education and awareness. Our children are taught about it in school and are taught that everyone should be treated equal, that the color of your skin does not matter, where you live and how much money you have shouldn’t matter, and that everyone should be kind and respectful. Yet so many of their role models; parents, teachers, guardians; do not follow these same rules and are demonstrating that the opposite is true. It is no wonder that so many young children, tweens, and teens feel confusion, terror and anger. Novels such as this are great reminders that the world we live in is still in a time that the color of your skin does matter, and that prejudice, discrimination, and racism are very real. This was a fantastic read filled with powerful messages and raw emotion. Perfect book club read that will prompt heartfelt discussion and revive awareness.

When the South Fork school district loses its accreditation, the school district has to provide solutions--one of which is busing students to the Crystal Ridge district, a top-tier district in an affluent community. Camille Gray, PTA supermom in Crystal Ridge, is worried about how having students with low academic performance and troubled backgrounds will affect her three kids and the other kids in the Crystal Ridge district--but she insists it's not about race. At the same time, her marriage of twenty-plus years is falling apart. All Camille wants is what's best for her family.
Jen Covington, who has recently adopted a daughter from Africa, wants to make sure her daughter has a diverse class and despite living in the Crystal Ridge district is considering enrolling her daughter in South Fork. When South Fork kids are allowed to enroll in Crystal Ridge, Jen sends Jubilee to a Crystal Ridge school, but just getting her daughter a black teacher isn't enough to help her navigate the ins and outs of being a new mom to a daughter who is different, and taking a job as the high school nurse doesn't fill that gap in her heart that she thought being a mom would fill.
Anaya Jones wanted to follow in her father's footsteps and teach at South Fork, but with the district a mess, she accepts a position teaching second grade and coaching high school track in the Crystal Ridge district., knowing all the while that parents like Camille Gray don't want her people--including her high school age brother--in their district.
As their lives intersect, all three women will come to see that they have much to learn about life and about each other.

DANG! This is the first book I've read by Kaite Ganshert and it blew me away. This book is so thought-provoking and heartwrenching. I loved seeing how each woman made good and bad choices; they just felt so real and so very human. I loved the message that they (and others) are more than just one bad choice and that learning and changing are possible. This book serves as a great reminder that we need to be really careful about judging people and situations because there are usually so many more factors and details than we realize. I read this by myself but I will definitely be recommending it to my book club because this is the sort of book you definitely need to talk about with others.

This is one of my picks for the best of 2018.

I read an ARC via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.






This is my

This eye opening book dealt very well with many sensitive subjects. It was fast paced and held my attention. I highly recommend this book.

The synopsis of the book certainly intrigued me but I was definitely not prepared for the absolute ride that this book would take me on! I read the majority of it in one day...yup, a single day, I was so immersed in the storyline and characters that I honestly could not put it down.


Each of the three main female characters - Camille, Jen and Anaya were so well developed, flawed and interesting. I was interested in each of their stories and how they all interlinked. It's rare to have a book where there's multiple perspectives and I really enjoy all of them, so Ganshert did a fantastic job on this aspect.


The three women are brought together through the integration of students from the failing school district of South Fork - where the students are primarily black - and the prestigious district of Crystal Ridge which is predominantly white and middle class. The proposal and eventual integration of students causes heated debate and tension, which in turn makes the characters face their own prejudice and privilege.


The book deals with a number of really important and relevant issues such as racism, social class divide, segregation, infidelity as well as adoption and more.The representation of these issues felt so current and like the author did a lot of research and was well educated whilst writing. I feel like Ganshert approached these issues head on and unapologetically, with a lot of integrity too which I really respect her for.


The book also has a focus on family, in all it's various shapes and sizes which is central. The bond between a mother and her children, between a sister and brother, even estranged parents and their children, there's so much diversity in that regard that there's something every reader will be able to connect to. There's an emotional pull there that is undeniable.


The climax of the novel - which is hinted at earlier in the novel but not explicitly revealed, was shocking and kept me gripped. As you read the story you feel the tension and momentum building, which then results in a strong ending. I think the story ends in a realistic way, which makes sense and is also satisfying.


Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book, I've not read any of Katie Gansherts other work but I'll definitely be on the lookout as she is truly gifted. No One Ever Asked is a book I can definitely see myself re-reading and one I would really recommend to anyone seeking a powerful and thought provoking story.

This was such a great read! I haven't read anything by Katie Ganshert before but this came highly recommended by some of my reading friends and it did not disappoint. It was such an engrossing novel that covered so many hard but important topics that anyone that lives in this country could relate to. She was able to portray the characters with such great detail that I could connect with them and really see things from their perspective. it was a story of challenges but also hope. There was tension that built over the course of the story and it kept me totally engaged. I highly recommend this book. Thank you to Netgalley and WaterBrook Publishing for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book sucked me in immediately. Coincidentally I read it just after reading a similar book, Class by Lucinda Rosenfield. Socioeconomic levels and how they affect education is a subject that knows no end. I appreciated the story being told from many points of view.