The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

I love learning about the history of the Appalachian mountains and the unique people who lived there. The history is rich and contains such fascinating folk tales. The people who lived in the mountains during the first half of the 20th century lived totally separate lives from the rest of the United States. Reading even fictional tales based off of these men and women are such interesting reads.

In The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson, Cussy Carter, a 19-year-old Kentuckian, is a proud member of the Pack Horse Library Project. As a librarian in the Appalachian hills, she travels on her loyal mule to bring books, magazines and newspapers to the people living in the poverty stricken land. The 1930s is a difficult time for all of America, and this includes Cussy's home. Her patrons are the poorest of the poor, and many are hungry for both food and literacy. Books and knowledge help the people find a shining hope and the information they need to create better lives for themselves and their families. Racism flourishes in the hills as well and Cussy is a victim to this evil. Cussy is the last of the Blue People, a rare genetic mutation in her family that causes a person's skin to be blue in color. Many people treat her harshly believing she is of the devil or simply of lower class than themselves. Cussy is pushed away by many in the town and is ridiculed at her workplace. She has the second worst route and some patrons are terrified of being touched by her blue hand. Yet Cussy's kind nature help others see her as a normal human and they in turn treat her with respect. The story of Cussy Carter is both uplifting and heartbreaking, displaying the trying reality in the Appalachian hills for a woman of color.

I found myself fully invested in Cussy and her life as a Pack Horse Librarian. She is not just a likable character but also one that I couldn't help but find myself cheering for. She is kind and considerate of her patrons, always willing to go the extra mile to insure their comfort is taken care of first. She makes daily sacrifices for her dear father, an ill miner whose lungs are struggling to keep him breathing. Many of the supporting characters are inspiring and do a fantastic job of creating an interesting plot with surprising twists and turns. I highly recommend reading this book to anyone who wants an inspiring, historical fiction novel.

~Abigail C.