Before the Lark

Irene Bennett Brown

#BeforetheLark

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About Before the Lark

 

Embark on a captivating journey through 1888 Missouri with twelve-year-old Jocey Royal as she discovers the power of friendship, courage, and self-acceptance amidst her personal struggles.

Haunted by the taunts and isolation she faced in school due to her harelip, Jocey finds solace in books. Convinced that she will never find a true friend and desperate to escape the constant ridicule, Jocey yearns for a life where she doesn’t have to face another person. Living with her hardworking grandmother, Jocey’s longing for a fresh start leads her to formulate a daring plan—to build a farm in Kansas, a place where she believes she can finally find solace and freedom from torment. Convincing Gram to accompany her, Jocey sets off on a journey into the unknown.

However, life on the farm proves to be more challenging than Jocey imagined. Doubts begin to plague Jocey, yet, amidst her struggles, she starts to unravel the beauty of human connections and the potential for genuine friendships, even with her harelip. Could it be that her unique condition holds unexpected possibilities?

Experience the heartfelt transformation of a young girl as she learns to open her heart and embrace the world around her. 

Praise

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“Brown’s Jocey is a plucky heroine whose personality, shaped by her handicap, is adeptly revealed. Portraits of both the land and the people are finely crafted.”
ALA Booklist 

“A deeply moving story of tenderness and grit.”
–St. Louis Dispatch 

“A vivid, integral setting along with a rich, cliff-hanging plot, totally engrosses the reader and makes for a very enjoyable reading encounter. Excellent!”
–Maine Cooperative Evaluation Progress

“Readers are not likely to forget Before the Lark–an encouraging story about personal courage.”
–The Reading Teacher

“A sensitive story with winsome characters. You’ll want to cheer at the ending!”
–Ohio Valley Libraries