Title: The Broken Branches
Author: Becky Villareal
Genre: Young Adult
Book Blurb:
A school project begins a journey for Sarafina Garcia that will change her life forever. In an attempt to gain a scholarship to a prestigious school, she is thrown headfirst into a labyrinth of family history that will confuse and deepen her search.
"Don't dig up old bones," was the response Sarafina received from her mother when she asked for help. What was it in the family history that was so horrible that she wouldn't discuss it? Only by delving into historical records will she solve the lingering mystery of her parentage and mend the broken branches of her childhood one last time.
My Review:
Tragically eloquent, The Broken Branches exposes the truth behind one family's struggle to hide a shameful secret.
For as long as Sarafina can remember, it’s always been her and her mama. She never thought to question it until she gets an opportunity to get a scholarship to a prestigious school. She must complete a genealogy project dealing with her family. She’s nervous because every time she asks her mama about her papa, she refuses to discuss it.
“Don’t dig up old bones,” is her mama’s response.
Sarafina decides to research it herself. The more she discovers about her family, the darker the tale becomes. Will her mama refute what she knows is the truth? When she confronts her mama, her world is turned upside down. Shocking family secrets are revealed and at the heart of it is her mama’s love. Will she return her love or will Sarafina turn her back on her mama’s shameful secret?
A beautiful story about family, faith and unconditional love. While I am used to reading genealogy in Becky Villareal’s books, this time, researching relatives unravels a dark family secret. I don’t want to give anything away, but I will say this is a powerful story every young woman needs to read. Heart wrenching, emotional story with strong female characters. Highly recommend!
My Rating: 5 stars
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Author Biography:
BECKY VILLAREAL, a grandmother of three and retired teacher, is a family genealogist, speaker, and author of multiple children’s and young adult books.
Born in Dallas, Texas in 1954 to Missionary parents, she traveled throughout the Southwest with four siblings. Though her experiences as a child, she has learned the benefit of being multicultural in a diverse society. She loves working on her family history and incorporating her skills into her writing. Becky travels throughout the country working with libraries and genealogical societies to encourage family participation in genealogical research. She also loves to read, color, spend time with her family, and help other novice writers.
Social Media Links:
Website https://beckyvillareal.com/
Twitter https://twitter.com/bvillareal
Reviewed by: Mrs. N