Poor Is Just a Starting Place

“Poor Is Just a Starting Place,” published by Holiday House, was released May 2005. It recounts the story of a young girl growing up in the back hills of Kentucky during the Great Depression. Artie Wilson’s family is dirt poor, but she is rich in one thing—determination.

This historical fiction novel for middle graders/young adults is based on Leslie’s grandmother’s life—born and raised in Grayson County, Kentucky. Many of the scenes sprang from tales she and her brother told, and incidents shared by old-timers in the area. The places—Buck Creek School, Caneyville and the two churches really do exist, as do the spring they used to draw water from and the lay of the land on the old home place.

Kirkus Review says: “...Wyatt sets the stage for a quick-fix resolution, but instead offers a realistic and satisfying ending… A fine addition to the Southern Literature Genre.”

Booklist Review says: “...written with spare beauty, this first novel tells a moving story of ‘love and hurt and hope all wrapped up together.’...The honest detail is memorable.”

School Library Journal says: “Wyatt has created an accurate portrayal of life in the South during this period...This book has a lot of heart.”

Core Collection for Children and Young Adults says: “...Relationships between family members are well drawn, and Artie’s growth in understanding life’s challenges, realistic.”

Poor is Just a Starting Place is available on amazon.com