In this masterful new novel, set in 1950s North Carolina, the acclaimed author of The Road to Bittersweet and The Education of Dixie Dupree brings to life an unforgettable young heroine and a moving story of family love tested to its limits. For twelve-year-old Martha âSonnyâ Creech, there is no place more beautiful than her familyâs cotton farm. She, her two brothers, and her parents work hard on their landâhoeing, planting, pickingâbut only Sonny loves the rich, dark earth the way her father does. When a tragic accident claims his life, her stricken family struggles to fend off ruinâuntil their rich, reclusive neighbor offers to help finance that yearâs cotton crop.
Sonny is dismayed when her mama accepts Frank Fowlerâs offer; even more so when Sonnyâs best friend, Daniel, points out that the man has ulterior motives. Sonny has a talent for divining waterâan ability she shared with her father and earns her the hated nickname âwater witchâ in school. But uncanny as that skill may be, it wonât be enough to offset Mr. Fowlerâs disturbing influence in her world. Even her bond with Daniel begins to collapse under the weight of Mr. Fowlerâs bigoted taunts. Though she tries to bury her misgivings for the sake of her mamaâs happiness, Sonny doesnât need a willow branch to divine that a reckoning is coming, bringing with it heartache, violenceâand perhaps, a fitting and surprising measure of justice.
In this masterful new novel, set in 1950s North Carolina, the acclaimed author of The Road to Bittersweet and The Education of Dixie Dupree brings to life an unforgettable young heroine and a moving story of family love tested to its limits. For twelve-year-old Martha âSonnyâ Creech, there is no place more beautiful than her familyâs cotton farm. She, her two brothers, and her parents work hard on their landâhoeing, planting, pickingâbut only Sonny loves the rich, dark earth the way her father does. When a tragic accident claims his life, her stricken family struggles to fend off ruinâuntil their rich, reclusive neighbor offers to help finance that yearâs cotton crop.
Sonny is dismayed when her mama accepts Frank Fowlerâs offer; even more so when Sonnyâs best friend, Daniel, points out that the man has ulterior motives. Sonny has a talent for divining waterâan ability she shared with her father and earns her the hated nickname âwater witchâ in school. But uncanny as that skill may be, it wonât be enough to offset Mr. Fowlerâs disturbing influence in her world. Even her bond with Daniel begins to collapse under the weight of Mr. Fowlerâs bigoted taunts. Though she tries to bury her misgivings for the sake of her mamaâs happiness, Sonny doesnât need a willow branch to divine that a reckoning is coming, bringing with it heartache, violenceâand perhaps, a fitting and surprising measure of justice.