Orchard of Hope

April 1, 2007
Set in 1964 in the small Southern town of Hollyhill, this novel chronicles the experiences of teenager Jocie Brooks, daughter of the town preacher and sister of the unmarried, pregnant Tabitha. Jocie becomes friends with African American Noah Hearndon, whose family has just moved down from Chicago. Noah's mother is adamant about achieving racial equality for her family, but age-old traditions and the prejudice of some residents present stumbling blocks to the Hearndons' acceptance by the community. Although at times a bit too predictable, Gabhart's book is still well developed and interesting in its examination of the effects of the Civil Rights Movement on a small Southern town. Recommended for all collections. The author lives in Kentucky.

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