Empty Places

It is 1932, in Harlan County, Kentucky. Times are tough in the mining community, especially for thirteen-year-old Adabel Cutler's family. As they fight to survive, Adabel has to figure out her own identity while dealing with her volatile father, her dutiful sister, her defiant brother, and her mother's disappearance, which she can't seem to remember. This is a beautifully written and deeply felt coming-of-age novel by the acclaimed author of Like a River. Includes an author's note, bibliography, and archival images."Wiechman makes the interesting choice to tell Adabel's story in Appalachian dialect, and it works... well... the novel offers an unsentimental, accurate glimpse into an era's past." — Kirkus Reviews

"This is another fine work of historical fiction by the author of Like a River: A Civil War Novel (Calkins Creek, 2015). Set in Kentucky during the Great Depression, this book is written from the viewpoint of 13-year-old Adabel....Dramatic moments, such as when Adabel's younger sister Blissie reaches into a fire to retrieve a treasured doll, will have readers on the edge of their seats. Written in dialect appropriate to the time period and geographical region, the story is told through short chapters with believable dialogue and unforgettable characters.... Wiechman offers a moving look at life during the Depression, family relationships, and coal mining." — School Library Journal

"In this coming-of-age story set in Harlan County, Kentucky, in 1932, tough, spirited 13-year-old mountain girl Adabel Cutler believes she knows all about hard times... the narrative voice is colorful and authentic, and the story is redolent with rich period details." — BooklistKathy Cannon Wiechman’s second novel, Empty Places (Calkins Creek, Spring 2016) is a beautifully written and deeply felt coming-of-age novel about a coal miner’s family struggling through the Great Depression that takes place in 1932 in Harlan County, Kentucky. Her debut novel, Like a River: A Civil War Novel was published by Calkins Creek (Spring 2015) and earned a Kirkus star and the 2015 Grateful American Book Prize. She lives with her family in Cincinnati, Ohio. Visit kathycannonwiechman.com.