The Angels of Morgan Hill (Women of Faith Fiction) (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: little colored boy, Morgan Hill, Willie Dean, Aunt Dora (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The story of a black family's move to a small all-white Tennessee town in 1947 inspires inspirational novelist VanLiere (Christmas Hope; Christmas Shoes; etc.) to expand her fictional range while trying to expand her audience. Narrator Jane Gable recalls two critical life events on the same spring day when she was nine years old: the funeral of her alcoholic father and the arrival of a black family of sharecroppers, the first blacks Jane has ever seen in Morgan Hill. Both events converge to make life harder for the impoverished Gables; Jane's mother, Fran, is pregnant, and the black Turner family, hired to work on a tobacco farm, is slighted, harassed and threatened. When the Turners' house burns down, Milo, the only survivor, is taken in by the Gables. VanLiere uses humor, memories of growing up Southern and touching moments of family unity to enrich her story of overcoming racism and poverty. Her retreat into familiar territory (another charming Christmas pageant, another holiday full of joy and sentiment) will satisfy fans of her earlier work. Author tour.(Oct 17)
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From School Library Journal

Adult/High School–In 1947, there aren't any black families in the town of Morgan Hill, TN, until the Turners arrive to help on a tobacco farm. Nine-year-old Jane Gable first sees young Milo Turner when she is on the way home from her abusive father's funeral. Although the impression is vivid, she has no idea how closely their lives will become entangled. Jane's mother, Fran, becomes friendly with Mrs. Turner and stands up against some bigoted responses from the community. When the Turners' house is set on fire, only Milo survives. His mother's dying plea is for Fran to take him in. Jane and her brother are accepting of him, but the family still has to face those who think that the boy should live with his own kind. Fran stands firm in letting him decide. The Gables' faith and friends help them weather the insults hurled their way and give them the strength to continue without bitterness. Jane's memories capture a child's-eye view of the confusing adult world. Teens looking for a warm, gentle story that also provides food for thought will find it here. Those who enjoyed Sue Monk Kidd's The Secret Life of Bees (Viking, 2002) will note some of the same qualities in this novel.–Teri Titus, San Mateo County Library, CA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; 1st edition (October 17, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312334524
• ISBN-13: 978-0312334529
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #380,278 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Look forward to reading more by this author!, February 17, 2007

By	Tracy Wade (Missouri) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is the first book I have read by this author, and I loved it. I literally cried through the last 20 pages of this book. To say that it pulls at your heartstrings is truly an understatement. While reading this book, it made me think back on a time when things were like they were described in this story. A very sad time. This is a very fast read and very hard to put down once you start reading. I am looking forward to reading more books by Donna VanLiere =)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars As A Whole It's A Good Read, June 29, 2008

By	Katrina L. Burchett "Author of Young Adult Fi... (Florida) - See all my reviews

It's 1947 and the Turners (Willie Dean, his wife, Addy and their children, Milo and Rose) are the first black family to move to Morgan Hill. The Gables (Fran and her children, Jane and John) are kind, hard-working people who don't have much. Despite the disapproval of her friend, Margaret, Fran becomes friends with Addy Turner. Tragedy strikes and Fran makes a promise to Addy that she intends to keep no matter what Margaret and other narrow-minded, prejudiced people in town have to say about it. Difficult circumstances cause Fran to question her choice for a time, but she knows that although change isn't always easy, God and His angels are always around.
To have to read the words "nigger boy" numerous times was bothersome, but it wasn't unexpected. I'm just glad there were parts in the story that made me giggle. As a whole, The Angels of Morgan Hill was a good read, and the epilogue was touching.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book made me cry!, December 11, 2007

By	Rachel Merriman (Smithville, TN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Angels of Morgan Hill (Women of Faith Fiction) (Hardcover)

I got this book last year for Christmas. My mother and I sat up and I read it aloud on Christmas night. We would sit up very, very late reading this book. We both enjoyed it and couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next. Toward the end, I had a hard time reading it because i was crying so hard. This is a great story and I'm grateful for the time my mother and I spent reading it together.