On Snowden Mountain by Jeri Watts
Published by Candlewick Press on September 10th 2019
ISBN: 0763697443
Pages: 208
Goodreads

This historical fictional novel takes place during WWII. Twelve year old Ellen faces many challenges. Her father has left to fight in the war and her mother is suffering from severe depression. Ellen contacts her aunt to help them. They go to her aunt’s home in the mountains of Virginia. There is no electricity or running water. Life is much different than what Ellen and her mother were used to in Baltimore. Ellen meets and becomes friends with a classmate who faces his own set of difficulties. There are many touching moments in this well written story that deals with family, friendship, mental illness, domestic violence, and alcoholism. The characters and the plot are very well developed. Although, this story takes place in the 1940s the issues are contemporary. I highly recommend this exceptional book for grades 4-6. Reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish