Tallgrass

A Novel

By: Sandra Dallas

Narrated by: Lorelei King

During World War II, a family finds life turned upside-down when the government opens a Japanese internment camp in their small Colorado town. After a young girl is murdered, all eyes turn on the newcomers. Rennie has just turned thirteen and until this time, life has pretty much been predictable and fair. But the winds of change are coming, and with them, a shift in her perspective and a discovery of secrets that can destroy even the most sacred things. Part thriller, part historical novel, Tallgrass by Sandra Dallas is a riveting exploration of the darkest—and best—parts of the human heart.

©2007 Sandra Dallas; (P)2007 Audio Renaissance, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishers, LLC

Critic reviews

<p>“A compelling and genuinely moving novel.” —<i>Jennifer Chiaverini, author of Circle of Quilters</i><br><br>“Sandra Dallas is a true American Voice.” —<i>Gail Tsukiyama, author of Dreaming Water</i><br><br>“Tallgrass is a must read for every American.” —<i>Former Congresswoman Pat Schroeder, President and CEO of the Association of American Publishers (AAP)</i><br><br>“A profoundly moving story.” —<i>Bill Hosokawa, author of Nisei</i><br><br>“The sweep of the Great Plains, the tensions of World War II that rift a small community and the remarkable cast of characters are all heartbreakingly real.” —<i>Margaret Coel, author of The Drowning Man</i></p>

Great book! listened while traveling by auto.

Good narration, easy listening, story with real life struggles to stay ahead.

History

Learned about the history of the the Japanese concentration camps, in a great story ! With a few twists and turns.

Well Done

This is a well told story of family, farm life, conflict, war, abuse, fear, love, support, humor, saddness, and life. I enjoyed it and wish there were more Sandra Dallas novels available.

A gentle tale; engrossing, absorbing and well read

Lovely story, well read and with a goodly amount of humour - well-researched too.

Lorelei King, as always, is an absolute champion - I just love her voice characterisations. Really lovely stuff :)

We're all the Same . . . Underneath our Skin . . .

This story of a family and a small town in Colorado during WWII that happened to be chosen for a Japanese internment camp is one that will stay with me for a long time . . . before the camp, the town seemed pretty much "normal", neighbor helping neighbor, going to church on Sunday, women quilting together, children going to school, farmers working hard in the fields . . . then everything changed . . . fear gripped everyone, a girl was found raped and murdered . . . and the towns people knew for sure it was one of those Japanese prisoners that did it . . . draft notices started arriving . . . the young men started going off to war . . . the Stroud family, trying to remain at peace with everyone around them, trying to raise their beet crop, take care of their aging grandmother who has good days and bad, sends their own son, Buddy off to fight the war . . . and Rennie, their thirteen year old daughter suddenly has to grow up too fast . . . This beautiful, sensitive tale is told from Rennie's point of view . . . at a time in history when young girls were seldom taught or allowed to THINK or reason for themselves . . . in a time of war, hate and fear when people hurt other people and when one could either choose love . . . or something far worse . . . the mystery of Susan's murder (Rennie's young friend) makes for even more angst . . . Sandra Dallas did an excellent job in writing Tallgrass . . . the interview with the author at the end did not add to the experience, however . . . I turned it off. I'd much rather stay in the moment of the story . . . savoring that.