The Woman Who Found Her Voice: A Tale of Transforming

"Once upon a time, long, long ago, feudal lords ruled and serfs and peasants worked the land. In that time, there was a place, and in that place, there was a valley through which a winding river flowed." This is the beginning of a magical, hopeful fable for adults about a woman named Maria. She begins a journey of self-discovery and transformation after she loses her family to the Great Fever and is unable to protect a young runaway serf from being recaptured. As Maria rails against life's unfairness and her inability to make a difference, a hawk appears. This magical hawk enables Maria to take two different animal forms: a wolf and a turtle. She gradually learns valuable lessons about life from each animal during her challenging journey, including when to "do" and when to "be." In the end, Maria literally regains her voice and develops the ability to speak up for what she believes in a way that inspires others to action, rather than alienating them. This is an excellent gift book, for yourself or a friend.