CC's Road Home

CC 's Road Home was an interesting read. A young girl moves to her grandparents' farm after a tumultuous event. I waffled between liking and disliking her. I liked Johnny, Bud, and the grandparents the best. Depicted in 1964, the area was ripe for change and Eskine addresses those changes. The ending was good. I felt sorry for Bud and the abuse he had to endure.

Set in 1964 Eskine adds historical reference to the narrative with news events, social and political unrest details and music – lots of 60’s music. It doesn’t go unnoticed that the Beatles hit America’s shores that year. This coming of age novel boasts the story of sixteen-year-old Cicely, called CC, trapped by an unwanted pregnancy and forced to resort to a maternity home for unwed mothers, an alternative choice for girls and women during this period of history in America. But the novel also has several sub plots which add layers of richness to the story. CC’s Uncle Bud is a childlike persona due to traumatic brain injury, farmers secret misusing of DDT next to the family land even after the publication of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring; complexities of teen friendships and summer romance; failing interracial relationships, all story lines which help sustain mid novel interest. This is a rich story which makes CC’S Road Home the compelling story of a young girl’s triumph over life’s difficulties.

CC's Road home is the best book I have read this year. One surprise after another. You will not be able to put down. Leah B. Eskine is a great author and want to read more books by her. Put this on your must to read list. I know I will be reading more books by her. I would give this book a 10 plus.

Wow, loved this, After leaving her newborn half cast baby and unhappy home in New Orleans, CC arrives at her grandparents, the story revolves around the feeling of her trying to fit in, dealing with her loss and the feeling of racial prejudice. Takes the reader through an emotional journey, I really feel for this young adult,, and at the same time it deals with a very emotive time period in history, in a sympathetic way.

CC’s life is not that different from any other teenaged girl. She has a crush on a boy, a burgeoning bestie-friendship with a gal that’s showing her the ropes in her new town, and a contentious relationship with her mother.
But unlike most teen girls in rural Louisiana during the 1960’s, she is also dealing with some much more serious issues: an alcoholic mother who abandons her at her grandparents' farm; an interracial relationship; teen pregnancy and adoption; racial injustice; a family member with an intellectual disability; abuse at the hands of her mother’s boyfriend; independence and self-discovery; and finally, self-forgiveness.
If you are looking for a page-turner that ticks the box on all of the hot button issues of yesteryear and today, I recommend giving CC’s Road Home by Leah B. Eskine a read.

YA Historical Fiction is a step back in time that the youth of today need to be reading.

Set in 1964 when Elvis and the Beatles were hot, 16-year-old CC is exiled to her grandparents' farm. Her mother has all but disowned her, she's no longer attending school, and is ashamed of her past.

The farm life, however, is good for CC. She manages to make new friends and reconnect with family while finding her place in the world.

Like all teenagers, she has a lot of growing up to do that nothing but time will remedy. In order to find peace within herself, she will have to experience a few more hardships before she will see things more clearly.

With racial tensions, social pressures, and self-doubt, CC will find the courage to stand up for herself and to own her mistakes in order to grow as a person and find the home where she is happiest.

Dealing with some serious issues, this book handles teenage pregnancy, racial tension, and physical assault delicately enough for youths to read and learn from.

Leah B. Eskine's debut is a dear story that I'm sure will be cherished by many.

I enjoyed the time period (1964) of this novel - it's important for young people to have options other than contemporary settings. The author has done a good job of tackling tough topics like racism, family dynamics, and teen pregnancy, and I really enjoyed many of the characters - especially Gran, Johnny, and Uncle Bud.

There are a lot of tough things covered in this book - teen pregnancy, racism, ableism, and sexual assault. THAT said this book is amazing and emotional and just captures your attention from page one. CC is a teen facing a world she doesn't yet have the maturity to navigate easily, and watching how she handles everything will tug at your heartstrings. A great coming of age book for young and not so young adults alike.

CC's Road Home is a good young-adult historical fiction book that offers readers a glimpse of the 1960s. While the book deals with many serious issues, including racial tension, young readers will enjoy the journey with the book's main character, CC. Superbly written, Eskine captures the reader's attention from the start and doesn't let go until the last page.

Growing up and facing the past

CC is a teenage high school girl in New Orleans who made a mistake and became pregnant. She gave the child up for adoption and went to live with her grandparents on a farm. This is her story of learning to deal with that mistake. This book deals with many different subjects. In the middle of the civil rights movement of the 1960's, it deals with racism, sexual assault, teen pregnancy, alcoholism, and growing up in the 1960's.

It wasn't easy for CC growing up with an alcoholic mother and her abusive boyfriend. She knew that her grandparents loved her. She had to face some hard facts and learn to trust again. Making new friends and facing her secret when it was found out was the hardest she had to do.
She had to learn to trust people, to fit in on the farm and to give her mother another chance. Growing up is not easy, but it is something CC must do. Her story is emotional and it is happy and it is sad all at the same time.

I loved the characters, especially her grandparents that were so understanding with her. Her cousin Jimmy that looked out for her as well as her Uncle with mental challenges. Her friend Abby was a true friend and was there for CC when she needed her to be.

This was a good book, I enjoyed reading it. I think young and old alike would enjoy this book. It is suitable for YA and it is enjoyable for adults. I would recommend this book.

Thanks to Leah B. Eskine, Black Rose Writing, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy for an honest review.

The story of CC by Leah Eskine will be a YA (or any adult) classic in the future. It is set in the tumultuous 1960's south, with topics of young love, racism, environmental issues and a strong, loving family which is like many, not without its problems. The multi layers of this novel are eye opening to the era, and still relevant in today's times. I enjoyed this book which was a pre read from NetGalley and Leah Eskine. Recommend highly.

This is a great coming of age story set in the 1960's south. CC has been sent to her grandparents farm for the summer after an unwanted pregnancy and adoption of her bi-racial baby. She makes some friends and has the support of her family which helps her through this time of uncertainty filled with issues including abuse, racial tension, and rape. I enjoyed reading this and I feel the author did a very good job describing the unrest of this era in the deep South.
Interesting read and I highly recommend.

Thank you Net Galley for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest review.

CC's Road Home is charming young adult historical fiction novel set in the 1960s. There is a lot of serious matters handled within the book such as racial tensions, peer pressure, and tons of self-doublt. The main character CC is hoping to face up to her mistakes and heal from her past. I thought the setting was rich and so was the character development. The author did such a good job writing about complex issues for a young audience. It's the type of book that can be enjoyed by young and adult readers!