After a friend of mine raved about Tallgrass, by Sandra Dallas, I decided to try the audio version. The reader Lorelei King was terrific. I started this one about 2 weeks ago, but since I do not drive long distances too often it took me until now to finish it.
The story is narrated by a young girl named Rennie Stroud, and the story takes place in the early part of 1942, not long after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Rennie tells the story what happened the summer she turned thirteen when the Japanese came to Ellis, Colorado to live in an internment camp known as Tallgrass. Tallgrass is less than one mile from Rennie's home and the family farm.
I loved Rennie. She is a bright and intuitive young girl who spends her days observing the actions of the people around her. Rennie’s father is much more tolerant of the Japanese people at the camps than most of their neighbors. He feels that these people have been stripped of their rights. The neighbors, on the other hand, believe it is wrong that their own sons are off to war while some Japanese roam free. When a young handicapped girl in town is murdered, the neighbors become suspicious of the Japanese camp residents. Rennie's keen eye during the investigation of the murder of the young girl to helps aid those investigating the crime.
There are several themes which evolve in this story: family bonds, friendship, loyalty and injustice. Towards the end of the story the mystery of the young girl’s death is uncovered, for a satisfying ending. This is a heart warming coming of age story. I am looking forward to the author’s next novel Prayers for Sale which will soon be released.
I listened to this on audio a year or so ago and thought it was good. I think you enjoyed it quite a bit more than me, though. My review is here, if you're interested.
I have been wanting to listen to this one for a long while. The premise is so interesting. Your review has convinced me to stop delaying! I'll try to get to it soon.
I think I have this book on my shelves at home. I can't really remember when I picked it up, and I didn't really know that much about it. Your review definitely makes me want to go pick it up now.
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I listened to this on audio a year or so ago and thought it was good. I think you enjoyed it quite a bit more than me, though. My review is here, if you're interested.
ReplyDeleteIf you haven't read Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, you might enjoy it, too.
I have been wanting to listen to this one for a long while. The premise is so interesting. Your review has convinced me to stop delaying! I'll try to get to it soon.
ReplyDeleteI think I have this book on my shelves at home. I can't really remember when I picked it up, and I didn't really know that much about it. Your review definitely makes me want to go pick it up now.
ReplyDeleteI've had this one on my shelves for a while. I came across it again the other day, and your review makes me want to pull it out!
ReplyDelete