In a small Pennsylvania town in 1968, Lynnie, a developmentally disabled young woman, and Homan, a deaf African-American man, fall in love at The Pennsylvania State School for the Incurable and Feebleminded. Determined to escape the horrific conditions at the Home, they run away and seek refuge at the home of Martha, a retired schoolteacher.

When the school officials catch up with them, Homan escapes into the woods; just before Lynnie is captured and returned to the school she gives her newborn daughter into Martha’s keeping with the words, “Hide her.”

So begins the forty year journey of Lynnie, Homan, Martha and baby Julia as each has to overcome incredible challenges.

Readers who loved The Help will find the same rich and well defined characters plus insight into the deplorable conditions at some institutions in the 1960s. Rachel Simon is the author of the book Riding the Bus With My Sister that was made into a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie. It was based on her own story of her life with her developmentally disabled sister so this topic is very near to her heart.

This is one of those books you can give to anyone who says, “I just want a good book to read.” Your book club will want to read this one!

Dedra