A Tiny Piece of Blue by Charlotte Whitney
A Tiny Piece of Blue is ideal for readers who enjoy emotionally charged historical narratives that blend family resilience with suspenseful undercurrents. It offers both heartache and hope amid adversity.
A Tiny Piece of Blue by Charlotte Whitney #BookReview #5Stars #HistoricalFiction #GreatDepression #FoundFamily @CWhitneyAuthor
Book Details
A Tiny Piece of Blue: A Novel by Charlotte Whitney
Published by She Writes Press on February 18, 2025
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 334
Source: Received from the author or publisher for review.Rural Michigan, 1934. During the throes of the Great Depression, thirteen-year-old Silstice Trayson finds herself homeless, abandoned by her parents after a devastating house fire. Nearby, aging midwestern farmers Edna and Vernon Goetz are pillars of the community, but when do-gooder Edna takes up Silstice’s cause, Vernon digs in his heels, displaying his true nature as an ornery curmudgeon.
Theirs is a quiet-seeming community, but danger lurks beneath the bucolic façade. With so many youngsters leaving home to make it on their own, child trafficking has grown rampant, and Silstice and her two spirited young brothers soon find themselves in the sights of a ring of kidnappers that’s exploiting local children into forced labor—and worse. Meanwhile Vernon finds himself at risk of losing everything.
Narrated by Silstice, Vernon, and Edna, A Tiny Piece of Blue sets the customs and traditions of rural Michigan against a backdrop of thievery, bribery, and child-trafficking—weaving a suspenseful yet tender tale that ultimately winds its way to a heartwarming conclusion.
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My thoughts on A Tiny Piece of Blue
A Tiny Piece of Blue by Charlotte Whitney delivers a moving and suspenseful historical novel set against the harsh realities of the Great Depression.
In rural Michigan in 1934, thirteen-year-old Silstice (Silly) Trayson is left to fend for herself after a house fire leaves her homeless and abandoned by the very parents who should be protecting her. I’ve heard stories of the heartbreak families went through during the Depression. I found this story’s parents to be incredibly unlikable and self-centered. I’m not sure their actions would have been any different in prosperous times.
Survival is no small feat, especially in a world where desperate times have given rise to ruthless dangers. As Silly struggles to navigate this unforgiving landscape, she crosses paths with Edna and Vernon Goetz—an aging farm couple whose lives become intertwined with hers in unexpected ways. While Edna has a heart as big as the sky, Vernon is more than happy to keep his distance, his stubbornness acting as both a shield and a flaw.
But what starts as a simple story of survival and “found family” soon takes a dark turn. The author doesn’t shy away from the grim realities of the era—child trafficking, corruption, and a town where not everyone is as they seem. The alternating perspectives of Silly, Edna, and Vernon create a rich, layered tale full of tension and warmth.
As a 4-H kid myself, I enjoyed reading about the important role 4-H played in that era. I loved it when the girls insisted on joining the beef program. While I participated in some of the home ec programs, my heart soared when I was in the show ring with my cattle. That aspect of the story certainly resonated with me.
“A Tiny Piece of Blue” is defined by its balance.. The book doesn’t just focus on hardships; it also highlights resilience, kindness, and the unexpected bonds that can form in even the direst of circumstances. The conclusion is so deeply satisfying, reminding readers that hope can bloom in even the harshest of seasons.
This one is perfect for you if you’re drawn to historical fiction, mixing heartbreak with healing and suspense with tenderness.
I was fortunate to receive an early ARC of Charlotte Whitney’s heartwarming tale. This review is my honest opinion of the book.
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About Charlotte Whitney
Charlotte Whitney grew up in Michigan and spent much of her career at the University of Michigan directing internship and living-learning programs. She started out writing non-fiction while at the University and switched to romance with I DREAM IN WHITE. A passion for history inspired her to write THREADS A Depression Era Tale chronicling the stories of three sisters on a farm during the throes of the Great Depression. She lives in Arizona, where she loves hiking, bicycling, swimming, and practicing yoga.
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More Charlotte Whitney novels I’ve reviewed
The Unveiling of Polly Forrest
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Wonderful review, Gina. I enjoy historical fiction and seeing this set in Michigan makes me want to read it even more. Abandoning a child is terrible, but I like that she finds a family, even though times are tough. Thanks for bringing this one to my attention, Gina.
For some reason it really resonated with me. It’s going in my to be re-read pile.