48 pages • 1 hour read
Where the Lilies Bloom
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Summary and Study Guide
Overview
Where the Lilies Bloom (1969) is a middle-grade historical fiction novel written by married authors Vera Cleaver and Bill Cleaver. The couple collaborated on stories and novels for middle-grade and young adult readers throughout their life, believing that writing for adolescent age groups was a meaningful endeavor. They often wrote about realistic settings and themes, exploring the intricacies of human nature.
Where the Lilies Bloom is their most famous work. It is a coming-of-age novel set in North Carolina that highlights the struggles and resilience of the Luther family as they fight to stay together, understand one another, and live off the land they cherish. The novel features depictions of poverty and its challenges, as well as themes of family loss and orphanhood.
This study guide refers to the 1969 published novel, located on Internet Archive.
Plot Summary
Set in a rural valley nestled within the Appalachian mountains, Where the Lilies Bloom is told from the first-person point of view. Mary Call Luther, the 14-year-old narrator and protagonist of the novel, has to take care of her family as her father, Roy Luther, becomes increasingly ill. She looks after her sisters, Unlock all 48 pages of this Study Guide Plus, gain access to 8,900+ more expert-written Study Guides. Including features:
