Waiting on Wednesday: Child of the Mountains

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Child of the Mountains

by Marilyn Sue Shank

Published by Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: April 10, 2012

It's about keeping the faith.

Growing up poor in 1953 in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia doesn't bother Lydia Hawkins. She treasures her tight-knit family. There's her loving mama, now widowed; her whip-smart younger brother, BJ, who has cystic fibrosis; and wise old Gran. But everything falls apart after Gran and BJ die and mama is jailed unjustly. Suddenly Lydia has lost all those dearest to her.

Moving to a coal camp to live with her uncle William and aunt Ethel Mae only makes Lydia feel more alone. She is ridiculed at her new school for her outgrown homemade clothes and the way she talks, and for what the kids believe her mama did. And to make matters worse, she discovers that her uncle has been keeping a family secret—about her.

If only Lydia, with her resilient spirit and determination, could find a way to clear her mother's name . . .
(image and Summary from Goodreads) 

Another amazing sounding debut novel. I am drawn to books set in Appalachia and to find a young adult book set in Appalachia makes me so happy. In college, my focus was American Lit with emphasis on Appalachian Studies. I didn't read a lot of young adult Appalachian lit, so I am always looking for new titles. If you have any recommendations, please let me know in the comments. Thanks!