BOOK REVIEW: Orchard of Hope

 

Orchard of Hope cover/purchase link

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About the Author link

by: Laura V. Hilton

Dancing Word Reviewer

 

Title: Orchard of Hope

Author: Ann H. Gabhart

Publisher: Revell

ISBN: 0-8007-3169-7

Genre: Inspirational/Contemporary/Women/Fiction

 

It’s the summer of 1964 and fourteen year old Jocie Brooke is on her way to town to meet her father. The chain comes off her bike, sending her careening wildly down the hill, and when a dog runs out in front of newcomer, Noah Hearndon, both she and Noah collide, leaving her with a sprained ankle, and Noah bruised and bleeding.

 

Jocie’s father, David, the town minister, and editor of the town paper, needs to pick up his right-hand man, Wesley, from the hospital. When a tornado went through town earlier, Wesley had ended up with a badly broken leg. Now Wesley is coming home, but he’s cranky and in pain. He wonders if he’ll every work again.

 

Noah’s mother, Myra is a black activist, and she charges into town ready to shake things up. She’s just listened to the Rev. Martin Luther King speech “I have a dream” and is prepared to take her world by its horns. She just isn’t familiar with what an outspoken black person might mean to a small Southern town. Soon, her family will have more to deal with than dry ground as they try to create an Orchard of Hope.

 

Orchard of Hope is the first book I’ve read by Ann Gabhart, but I trust it won’t be the last. Orchard of Hope is the sequel to The Scent of Lilacs and I recommend you read the first book before beginning Orchard of Hope. I didn’t have the privilege and feel I missed a lot of the story as a result.

 

Jocie is a realistic character, and loveable. The faith message is expertly woven in and not preachy. The story is written in multiple points of view, so the reader is able to identify completely with all the characters. I enjoyed reading Orchard of Hope and was glad to see Jocie was friendly with everyone whether they shared her beliefs, skin color, or not. Fans of women’s fiction and coming of age stories will appreciate Orchard of Hope. Pick up your copy from any Christian book store, or order online from Amazon or Christian Book Distributors. $12.99. 412 pages.