A Tiny Piece of Blue
A Novel
by Charlotte Whitney
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Pub Date Feb 18 2025 | Archive Date Not set
Caitlin Hamilton Marketing & Publicity, for She Writes Press | She Writes Press
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Description
Rural Michigan, 1934. During the throes of the Great Depression, thirteen-year-old Silstice Trayson finds herself homeless, abandoned by her parents after a devastating house fire. Nearby, aging midwestern farmers Edna and Vernon Goetz are pillars of the community, but when do-gooder Edna takes up Silstice’s cause, Vernon digs in his heels, displaying his true nature as an ornery curmudgeon.
Theirs is a quiet-seeming community, but danger lurks beneath the bucolic façade. With so many youngsters leaving home to make it on their own, child trafficking has grown rampant, and Silstice and her two spirited young brothers soon find themselves in the sights of a ring of kidnappers that’s exploiting local children into forced labor—and worse. Meanwhile Vernon finds himself at risk of losing everything.
Narrated by Silstice, Vernon, and Edna, A Tiny Piece of Blue sets the customs and traditions of rural Michigan against a backdrop of thievery, bribery, and child-trafficking—weaving a suspenseful yet tender tale that ultimately winds its way to a heartwarming conclusion.
A Note From the Publisher
Advance Praise
"...an affecting coming-of-age tale....the author viscerally captures the deprivation, hunger, and despair suffered by many during the height of the Depression. An addictive drama with moments of engaging excitement and an admirable young female hero."
—KIRKUS REVIEWS
“Weaving in mystery, despicable villains, struggle and suspense, A Tiny Piece of Blue is ultimately a story of hope and redemption."
—BONNIE BLAYLOCK, author of Light to the Hills
“A fantastic addition to fiction set during the Great Depression and to the triumphant spirit of those who survived"
—ANN HOWARD CREEL, author of The Whiskey Sea and While You Were Mine
“Both shocking yet heartwarming, A Tiny Piece of Blue reminds us that mercy and forgiveness are always within reach.”
—BETTY WEBB, author of Lost in Paris and The Clock Struck Murder
Available Editions
EDITION | Paperback |
ISBN | 9781647428365 |
PRICE | $17.99 (USD) |
PAGES | 336 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Another 5 star from me!
I loved loved this book. So wonderful that I just finished it.
Kind of a weird name for a girl but I loved her instantly. Just a girl trying to make it in this ol world and loving the changes in her that ppl like Edna and Vernon offers her.
There were places that I wanted to cry and times I wanted to smile. Edna is /was a wonderful character.
I truly wanted to smack her real mom that is. Such a selfish woman! I couldn't believe it.
I applauded the girls for the amazing strength they had and Vernon too. My heart went out to him and the girls.
I did NOT like Doris the librarian. She was a bitter old woman that liked to stay nasty and greedy. That's all I'll say.
This book is an adventure in itself. A lite bit of everything to keep u turning the pages and to leave you thinking about these awesome characters long after the book is finished.
I didn't want this story to end. It will touch your heart deeply as it has done mine.
I love that this story offers hope and eventually love.
I highly recommend it.
My thanks for a wonderful story. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
I received a copy of the book "A Tiny Piece of Blue" from Netgalley. The book takes place in the Depression in Rural Michigan. it is seen through the eyes of three characters. Silstice "or Silly" Edna, and Vernon. Silstice comes from a very poor family. The Trayson's are considered "trashy" by the townspeople.When the father leaves the Trayson children are are kicked out of their home and moved all over. Silly is taken in by the kind woman Edna. Vernon does NOT want the girl there and protests loudly. he is furious when one of his valuable stamps is missing from his stamp collection. As the book goes on Silstice is still at the home of Vernon and Edna. Vernon is a curmudgeon who has made life difficult for his wife and the unwelcome boarder. As the book goes on Silstice becomes a very good farmhand hoping this will change Vernon's mind about staying there. When a tragic death occurs Vernon has to try and change his ways to keep the farm going.
Silly talks Vernon is also taking in her sister Alberta to help run the farm. They are also dealing with some evil characters in the story who are causing problems to the Trayson girls and Vernon and other siblings of the Traysons. there is a child abduction ring where kids are coming up missing which adds to the drama of this book. I liked this story very much. I found myself rooting for a happy ending for the characters. Well written book. I would give this book a 4.5.
This is a fantastic book! It made me emotional, and pulled on my heartstrings. It had so many good themes and the writing was great! I loved the characters and the character development. I think this is a great read
Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!
During the depression, Silstice was turned out by her parents. Thankfully, she was taken in by the 4-H leader. What follows is a remarkable story about the power of love, loss, and how lives can be changed by even the smallest kindness.
I loved this book so much. Curmudgeonly Mr. G turned out to be my favorite character with his skimpy ways and his big heart. All of the characters were both humorous and lovable, with the exception of the back-stabbing librarian. :)
I highly recommend this book for an uplifting tale about the bonds of family, whether blood relation or not.
Many thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book
This book overflows with heartwarming relationships and pieces of wisdom woven seamlessly throughout the narrative. Each character feels vividly alive, with the protagonist, Silstice—or “Silly”—being particularly memorable. Silly’s journey is one of resilience, and the depth of her emotions and experiences truly pulls you into the story, making you feel every high and low as though you’re right there with her.
Set against the harsh backdrop of the Great Depression, the story begins with Silly’s world turned upside down after her parents abandon her following a house fire. She finds a lifeline in her 4-H teacher, Edna, who, along with her gruff husband, offers her a temporary home. Edna’s kindness shines through, but when Edna passes away, Silly faces the daunting task of finding a way to stay. Her determination and courage are inspiring
There are so many heartwarming relationships and words of wisdom sprinkled throughout this story. The characters are all richly crafted, especially the protagonist, Silstice (Silly), and most of them are very likeable. The writing is such that you can put yourself right in the story and feel every emotion and every hardship that Silly goes through.
This story takes place during the Great Depression. Silly was only 13 years old when her parents abandoned her after their home burned down. Her 4-H teacher, Edna, showed her many kindnesses when she allowed her to stay with her and her crotchety husband for awhile. But when Edna died, Silstice once again needed to be very persistent and persuasive in order to continue living there.
This is a story of resilience and a stark look at what living through the Great Depression was like. It is sad at times, funny at times and gripping from start to finish. I give my highest praise to this 5-star book. Thank you, NetGalley and She Writes Press for the opportunity to read this amazing book.
An excellent read! The writing is well done and flows easily. Nicely balanced between environmental & personal details, inner dialogue and dialogue. The character development is wonderfully done, not just the main characters but the supporting ones as well.
This book is a great example of remembering the struggle of the Great Depression and how it affected everyone, bringing out the worst or the best in people. It was a heartwarming story set in misfortunate times with the reminder that kindness & hope changes lives in so many different ways.
Have already recommended and will continue to.
Thanks for the read!
I love historical novels, however, this book put me right into the setting. I was heartbroken and filled with love all at the same time. This story show the good and bad sides of family life and the graciousness of strangers. I loved the perspective of the characters. This was such a nice afternoon read.
I was asked to review this, and I decided I would check out the first chapter and then put it in my tbr pile as I had many others to read and review. Instead, I was up most of the night reading it because I could not for the life of me put it down. The characters, the writing, is flawless. The reality of being a homeless child and during the Depression showed some hard truths. The people that went to church every Sunday but then were okay with a teenage girl living outside in the winter with no food and no shelter had me so angry. But probably because it was so truthful even now. This story was wonderful from beginning to end. Heartwarming without being sappy.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this wonderful book. What a marvelous and why isn't she on everyone's lips?
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