Eva of the Farm

Twelve-year-old Eva adores her family’s farm—it’s the inspiration for her poems, which are interspersed throughout this novel-in-verse from Calhoun (Avielle of Rhia). But the bad economy brings financial stress to Eva’s family, and they are in danger of losing the farm. There are two levels to the story, the first being the world of mounting bills, the threat of foreclosure, and Eva’s decision to sell her poetry in the town market, where it is received lovingly by their smalltown community. The other layer is the spiritual battle Eva fights against the “Demon Snag,” a blackened tree stump at the edge of the farm that she imagines is responsible for her family’s problems. The local Bead Woman guides Eva in a mystical journey in which Eva must decide if hope can triumph despite the threats to her beloved farm. Although Eva’s poetry is a bit too lovely to be believable, her situation will evoke sympathy, and the details of the family’s financial distress are realistically drawn. Ages 10–12. Agent: Steven Chudney, the Chudney Agency. (July)