Published: 2020
Author: Heather Webber
Genres: Magical Realism, Fiction, Contemporary, Romance, Fantasy, Mystery, Womens Fiction, Southern
Audience (Grade Levels): Grades 11-12; Adult
Number of Stars: 5-Stars
Goodreads Link: South of the Buttonwood Tree
Triggers: Abandoned infant, family secrets, domestic conflict
Review By: Sara Tripp
Publisher’s Summary
Blue Bishop has a knack for finding lost things. While growing up in charming small-town Buttonwood, Alabama, she’s happened across lost wallets, jewelry, pets, her wandering neighbor, and sometimes, trouble. No one is more surprised than Blue, however, when she comes across an abandoned newborn baby in the woods, just south of a very special buttonwood tree.
Sarah Grace Landreneau Fulton is at a crossroads. She has always tried so hard to do the right thing, but her own mother would disown her if she ever learned half of Sarah Grace’s secrets.
The unexpected discovery of the newborn baby girl will alter Blue’s and Sarah Grace’s lives forever. Both women must fight for what they truly want in life and for who they love. In doing so, they uncover long-held secrets that reveal exactly who they really are–and what they’re willing to sacrifice in the name of family.
Review
I absolutely loved this book! One of my top 10 favorites of all time! I loved the southern charm and strong family connections. The stories of Blue and Sarah Grace are so relatable. We all face challenges with our family members and sometimes our family name. Blue’s sweet nature keeps you rooting for her happy ending all the way through. Sarah Grace is the girl you want to see grow to be self confident and to see her own worth. This story kept you guessing until the end. I love a book I cannot predict the outcome of until the last page! The magical realism expressed in this story is subtle, it’s more charm and faith rather than magic. I listened to this as an audio book and the narrators were perfectly chosen! Their voices brought these characters alive.
Classroom & Curricular Connections
- ELA / Literary Analysis: This novel serves as a beautiful study of dual-perspective storytelling, voice development, and narrative pacing. High school students can analyze how the author weaves two distinct character tracks (Blue and Sarah Grace) into a unified climax.
- Social Studies / Cultural Regionalism: The story provides a rich backdrop for discussing southern culture, small-town dynamics, and how regional geography influences community values and class expectations.
- SEL (Social-Emotional Learning): The narrative strongly connects to themes of identity, self-worth, and family legacy. It serves as a great tool for helping older teens navigate the struggle between parental expectations and establishing their own authentic path.
Readalikes
- How to Walk Away by Katherine Center
- A Good Neighbor by Therese Anne Fowler
- The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins
- Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen
- The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods
