Light Comes to Shadow Mountain
Welcome to my spot on the fantastic LIGHT COMES TO SHADOW MOUNTAIN by Toni Buzzeo Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours.
Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!
About Light Comes to Shadow Mountain
Cora Mae Tipton is determined to light up her Appalachian community in this historical fiction novel from an award-winning author and former librarian.
It’s 1937 and the government is pushing to bring electricity to the mountains of southeastern Kentucky. It’s all Cora can think of; radios with news from around the world, machines that keep food cold, lightbulbs by which to read at night! Cora figures she can help spread the word by starting a school newspaper and convincing her neighbors to support the Rural Electrification Act.
But resistance to change isn’t easy to overcome, especially when it starts at home. Cora’s mother is a fierce opponent of electrification. She argues that protecting the landscape of the holler—the trees, the streams, the land that provides for their way of life—is their responsibility. But Cora just can’t let go of wanting more.
Lyrical, literary, and deeply heartfelt, this debut novel from an award-winning author-librarian speaks to family, friendship, and loss through the spirited perspective of a girl eager for an electrified existence, but most of all, the light of her mother’s love and acceptance.
Back matter includes an Author’s Note; further information on the Rural Electrification Act, the herbs and plants of Appalachia, the Pack Horse Library Project, and more; and a “Quick Questions” historical trivia section for readers.
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
Review for Light Comes to Shadow Mountain
It’s 1930 in the Kentucky Mountains. Cora and her classmates are excited for “electrification”. This means radios and refrigerators, lights and longing. The adults weren’t so enthused. How would this step forward affect the landscape of their beloved land? After all, this would be a permanent change. Cora sets out to convince enough people on the mountain to sign up for electricity. This is a story of family connections, change, but most of all, love.
The writing is remarkable with fantastic detail and in-the-moment longing. The tension ratchets up between progress and staying the same – many will recognize this as a struggle that continues today.
The addition of the Rural Electrification Act, Appalachian foliage, Pack Horse Library Project, and the historical trivia section for readers were added bonuses. I loved this book and everything about it.
About the Author
Toni Buzzeo is a New York Times bestselling children’s author. She has published twenty-nine picture books for kids as well as eleven books for teachers and librarians. A former librarian and college and high school writing teacher, Toni and her books have won many awards, including a Caldecott Honor for One Cool Friend, illustrated by David Small. Endlessly enthusiastic, Toni draws on her career experiences as an elementary school librarian in crafting her books and speaking with audiences of children in schools and libraries. Toni lives in Arlington, Massachusetts.
Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon
Light Comes to Shadow Mountain Giveaway
1 winner will receive a finished copy of LIGHT COMES TO SHADOW MOUNTAIN, US Only.
Ends August 22nd, midnight EST.
Don’t miss it – ENTER HERE and GOOD LUCK to you!
Book Tour Schedule
| 8/14/2023 | @get.outside.and.read |
| 8/14/2023 | A Blue Box Full of Books |
| 8/15/2023 | OneMoreExclamation |
| 8/15/2023 | @froggyreadteach |
| 8/16/2023 | @jlreadstoperpetuity |
| 8/16/2023 | enthuse_reader |
| 8/17/2023 | gsreadingspree |
| 8/17/2023 | Two Points of Interest |
| 8/18/2023 | @dharashahauthor |
| 8/18/2023 | popthebutterfly |
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