Darkness Under the Water

About this book

This gripping ultimately hopeful tale of an Abenaki-French Canadian girl in 1920s Vermont explores a dark episode in New England history. Just as the waters of a river roar through her town Molly Ballous life is riding on a swift current where change comes faster than a spring flood. As a half - Abenaki Indian half - French Canadian girl in Vermont Molly is slowly realizing that her family and others like them are being targeted by a governmental effort to rid the state of so-called "poor citizens." Not only is Molly facing discrimination but she is also haunted by the ghostly presence of her drowned older sister and her grieving mothers evasive love. Curious about her familys traditions Molly finds herself drawn to Henry an Abenaki boy whose connection to the natural world provides solace when Mollys mother tragically loses a baby and grows increasingly ill. With Henrys support sorrow gradually gives way to the joy of self-discovery and allows Molly to look beyond hardship to a future of promise.