Cheryl king's sitting on top of the world -- a book review

How do I know Cheryl King, author of SITTING ON TOP OF THE WORLD? Well, in a way, I feel as if we grew up together. But not in the way one would think. 

See, Cheryl and I did not share a childhood and have never actually met in person, but we both started our author careers with a small press called City Limits Publishing based in Nashville, TN. My first published novel, SURVIVING MIDAS, was to be published in August of that infamous year, and Cheryl's book came out a couple of months before mine. 



Right when the bottom fell out of the whole scheme. 

Right after the launch of SITTING ON TOP OF THE WORLD, CLP closed its doors. Suddenly, all of their authors (including Cheryl and I) were left in a state of limbo. We were in the middle of a promotional campaign, promising readers, family and friends alike, a book. But was there any book to be had? 

I have not been able to keep up with all of the CLP folks, but I did keep up with Cheryl on a casual basis. Cheryl, who is not only an excellent author but a lionhearted trooper, went on to self-publish her first novel and has the sequel coming out very soon! Very recently, I was privileged enough to read this first book. 

So, what is this book about anyway? 

Summary for SITTING ON TOP OF THE WORLD

June Baker was just a girl when the first bank run of the Great Depression happened, and, while she did not quite know what such a thing meant, she could tell from the adults in her life that it was not good. But no one could have prepared her for how bad it was going to be. 

First the banks dry up. Then the jobs. Then the money. Then the food. 

Too bad the bills, however, remain, and if June's parents don't do something fast, they're going to lose the farm. Even though she's but a mite, June rolls up her sleeves and dives right into helping her family. But no matter how hard they try to make ends meet, things just keep getting worse and worse. From sickness to injuries to bad crop years, it soon becomes clear that June's family will be forever changed by this Great Depression -- if they make it out of it that is. Only one hope remains for this family: work found out west that June's older brother Josey rides the rails to find. But riding the rails is dangerous business. Not everyone makes it back in one piece. 

SITTING ON TOP OF THE WORLD is a middle-grade historical fiction novel told in the voice of young June Baker. It follows the Baker family from the start of the Depression and into the depths of it. The characters are realistic and heart-warming -- which makes the pain all the more great to see what they are dealing with. I didn't quite cry in this one, but I certainly came close! 

Cheryl has definitely done her homework as it concerns the historical context of the tale. She brings you right into the story and you feel almost as if it's happening to you! I would definitely recommend this book to any reader -- especially those looking for Charlotte Mason style "living books." 

Go HERE to find Cheryl's Book SITTING ON TOP OF THE WORLD!

---