Heartland

Addressing an unborn daughter in her memoir, which is a National Book Award Finalist, Sarah Smarsh explores her family legacy to understand "what it means to be a poor child in a rich country founded on the promise of equality." Though the audiobook is unsentimental in its examination of her family history, Smarsh's narration sounds personal and candid. Her story relies upon an imagined child that has shadowed her perspective since she herself was a child. Smarsh effectively demonstrates how the challenges and costs of breaking the cycle of poverty go far beyond money. Her lightly accented voice rarely wavers as she carries the weight of her family's story while moving toward her future. A memoir that is as insightful as it is necessary, this is a must-listen for those interested in America's growing class divide. A.S. � AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine