Loved this book and the two main characters. Starla was born to teen-age parents but is being raised by her strict (and mean) grandmother. Her father works off-shore on an oil rig but comes home when he can but Starla hasn't seen her mother since she was three.
On the 4th of July, 1963 when Starla is grounded from the funnest events of the year, she runs away from home in hopes of getting to Nashville and finding her mother. Starla meets up with a nicest black woman, Eula, who has a white baby on the front seat of her car.
As the two unlikely companions make their long and sometimes dangerous journey, Starla’s eyes are opened to the harsh realities of 1963 southern segregation. Through talks with Eula, reconnecting with her parents, and encountering a series of surprising misadventures, Starla learns to let go of long-held dreams and realizes family is forged from those who will sacrifice all for you, no matter if bound by blood or by the heart.I also really liked the black school teacher who took Starla and Eula in for awhile. Her compassion and wisdom really touched me.
