Where the Lilies Bloom

by Bill Cleaver and Vera Cleaver

Book Overview

An award-winning novel about the resilience of the human spirit, the power of duty, the fragile relationship between humans and nature, and the sacrifices we make for family. Mary Call has promised her dying father to keep her brother and sisters together forever in their home in the Great Smoky Mountains, and to never to take any help from strangers. She is determined to keep her word--and her pride. No matter what. At first she is sure she can manage...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0064470059
• ISBN13: 9780064470056
• Release Date: September 2001
• Publisher: Harperteen
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.29 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 4.2" x 7.0"
• Age Range: 13 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 8 and higher

Customer Reviews

One of the best books I've ever read.

I love this book! It's so well-written and the descriptions make you feel you are there. The characters are believable, and their problems are huge. This is a story of endurance and the courage to keep a promise made, no matter how difficult things become.

Beautiful story

This book transfixed me like no other has for a long time. The story alone is one that pulls in the reader; how will these four children survive against the odds? Very little money, no adult to help them, and they are trying desperately to live up to promises made to their late father before he died. But it's the language, the writing that really captivates the reader. The voices are so strong; you can hear Appalachia in every utterance; the cadence is so real. I was with this family -- in particular 14-year-old Mary Call -- for the entire journey, sharing their small victories, aching along with their profound sadness. Mary Call is a strong character; with her steely determination she is a force, a great role model for young girls. I would highly recommend this book to young readers. It's an absolute treasure.

Excellent and brilliant

I read this book the first time when I was a child. I remember seeing the movie and being fascinated by the life of the mountain people - so far removed from my suburban life. The struggles, bravery and ingenuity of the Luther kids is amazing and touching. I think this book is geared to young teens, but I don't think it can be appreciated by most of that age. It is so sad to read the many reviews from the 12 and 13 year old kids here who "hate it" and who suggest books of the likes of Harry Potter instead. Perhaps once they have expanded their intellect somewhat they might be able to appreciate and understand it's beauty and brilliance.

5 stars!

This is a must read book. Mary Call is a fighter against all odds...against Luther Call, against the state that wants to split up her family, against death, against poverty, against uncertainty. In the long run she learns the beauty of the gentleness of her more "simple minded" sister. This book makes you think about life and death and poverty and innocence and love. It is a wonderful picture of rural Appalachian life and of the struggles of growing up poor anywhere.For girls, it teaches "can-do" through Mary Call's example of strength against adversity. May also have appeal to people interested in "wildcrafting" (herbs, roots).

superb, absolutely great!

I am reading, "Where the lilies bloom" at school, and I think it is one of the best books I have ever read. I have read some reviews by people on here who have read this book also and hated it. I don't see how they could hate it. It's about four really poor children whose father eventually dies, and their mother already dead. They have to struggle to keep their father's death a secret, and stop their dreamy 18 year old sister from marrying a so-called "villain". I think this book is really well written, and I hope others who read it share as much enthusiasm as I do. Thanks!

A touching and dramatic story about a family's trials.

There are many books that describe hard, mountain life in the Appalachain region, but above all,Where The Lilies Bloom, is a definate favorite of mine! The reason why I like this book is because it's so down-to-earth and realistic. To me, I think everyone should read this book because it shows real family strength during many situations which seemed inescapable. Some things about the book that I liked were the way Mary Call showed strength, bravery, and dedication in keeping the promises she made to her "papa", Roy Luther Call, and the authors' description of life in the Appalachain region. I like those features because throughout the whole book, those two remained constant. Even though Roy Luther's death brought on a variety of problems, Mary Call bore them all without showing signs of fatigue or despair. She always tried to think each situation through and keep it all under wraps. When a situation was formed. I liked the authors' description because they were so vivid and life-like, it seemed to me like I was eavesdropping on the Luther family problems the whole time I was reading about them. However good I thought the book was in general, there were a few parts I didn't like as much as others. For example, I think that at the part where the roof caved in, the fox should not have been there. I feel as if the fox drew too much attention to itself, and not the problem at hand. If the fox had not been added, I think the part would have went smoother. As a whole, I think the book, Where The Lilies Bloom, os a classic that should and probably will be handed down through the generations! I give it two thumbs way, way up!