Junk Pile

Junk pile by Lady BortonThis has become one of my favorite children's books. It is the story of a Jamie, a young girl in Appalachia who lives in a trailer surrounded by the junk cars of her family's junk yard. When she is taunted by the new kid in town, she decides to make him understand her and be her friend. The tale is beautifully told and the illustrations capture the emotions of the characters without being sentimental. Jamie's disabled brother Marc plays a supporting role, but his quiet inclusion in the book is a lesson in itself. This is a great read for all elementary age kids. It certainly offers a different view of the folks who live in countryside trailers throughout rural America.