Where Willows Grow

Kim Vogel Sawyer
Bethany House (2007)
ISBN 9780764201837
Reviewed by AJ Cooper for Reader Views (7/07)


Anna Mae and Harley are two hard-working parents trying to work the farm in Kansas in 1936 that they inherited from Anna Mae’s parents. It has not rained in a long time and it is harder and harder for them to produce anything of value from the farm and to raise two daughters, Dorothy and Marjorie. Harley comes up with this grand idea; he would travel all the way across Kansas to help build a castle. In the process of discovering this faraway job opportunity, he sells of the mules. He is so proud of his decision and the fact he is able to not only bring home some food for his family, but to also bring home specials treats for everyone.

Anna Mae is now left to tend to the farm with the help of the overly-friendly neighbor Jack, her long-ago boyfriend. Jack does many things to ensure that Anna Mae doubts her husband’s intentions, even going as far as hiding mail between the two of them. He also holds Harley’s paychecks so that Anna Mae has no way to pay the taxes due on the property.  Fortunately Mr. Berkley, Jack’s dad, discovers what Jack is up to before it is too late and is able to save the farm for Anna Mae. Jack is furious because he had so many plans for him and what he thinks is his new family.

Harley, in the meantime, has started his walk across Kansas to his new job. Along the way he meets the Farley family and promises to allow Dirk, their son, to travel with him for a possible job at the castle. They both are able to start work on the castle and come across many pitfalls and an accident. Harley does not send word home of the accident because he thinks Anna Mae is horribly mad at him.

I really enjoyed reading “Where Willows Grow,” and could not put it down until I had completed it. I could totally understand the desperation for survival during those horrible times of no rain in Kansas, with the dust just blowing and blowing. I felt I was part of the family and would get so mad at Jack for all of the devious things he was doing to win over Anna Mae’s heart. I was so relieved when Jack’s dad discovered his plot and stepped in to save Anna Mae. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in a little bit of Kansas history and for a touching story. I wanted “Where Willows Grow” to go on further so I could see what would happen next, and I was disappointed when the book ended.

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