The Book Woman's Daughter by Kim Michele Richardson

 Following the success of her first book in this series and spurred on by her fans, Kentucky author Kim Michele Richardson’s second book, The Book Woman's Daughter, will arrive in stores in May. Cussy Mary, the beloved book woman, takes a backseat in this story as the protagonist is her daughter Honey Mary-Angeline Lovett.

When Honey’s parents are arrested for violating miscegenation laws, 16-year-old Honey must survive without them in the rugged Kentucky mountains or else be caught and sent away to the orphans’ home or to the House of Reform, neither a kind option. With a lawyer’s help, Honey can stay in Troublesome Creek with a guardian designated by her parents.

Blue-skinned like her biological parents and Cissy Mary because of a genetic condition called methemoglobinemia, Honey can cover up the blue with socks and gloves, as those are the only areas on her body that turn blue.  While those who know her love her, Honey is an outcast among others.

When Honey’s guardian Loretta passes away, Honey decides she must show the courts that she can take care of herself. Turns out, the old packhorse library route is to be started up again, and with Cussy Mary’s faithful mule Junia, Honey secures the job delivering books to those living remotely in the Appalachians.

The husband of one of her patrons soon proves to be the villain of the story as he not only runs Honey off his property, threatening her so she does not bring reading material to his abused wife, he also preys on two women in Troublesome Creek, one a miner working to support herself and her child after the death of her husband and the other a troubled young girl with a pet rooster.

When the state challenges Honey’s status as someone her age trying to become emancipated, the decision for Honey to be on her own or sentenced to the House of Reform until she is 21 is in the hands of a judge.

Kim Michele Richardson, best known for The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, brings history to life as she is inspired by both the “blue people” of Kentucky and the brave packhorse librarians who contributed to increased literacy levels among those isolated in the hills.

My review will be posted on Goodreads starting February 1, 2022.

I would like to thank Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for an objective review.