Appalachia

Recently I have been doing some work in McCreary County, KY one of the poorest counties not just in the state but in the nation.  McCreary County rests in Southern Kentucky right at the border of Tennessee in the Appalachian Mountains. Having been there and seen the deep, multigenerational, persistent poverty it's still hard to describe to people what it is like.  It is hard to explain why some people can't wait to leave and other's stay for their lifetime.  Appalachia is not just a place it is a way of life.  Whenever I can't find words I always turn to books.

Cynthia Rylant, born and raised in Appalachia has written many books about her growing up in this culture, however none has ever spoke to me the way that Appalachia: The Voices of Sleeping Birds has.  This will now be my go to book for finding the words to tell people about this amazingly beautiful yet very poor part of the country.

Rylant tells us that the people of Appalachia are "more used to tress than sky" and that "mountains came up so close to them and blocked their view" so they just stay where they "know for sure how the sun will come up." She goes on to describe coal mining and how even when people do go off to become something else, they always come back to the mountains.  She describes the houses, inside and out, including the sounds and smells you will encounter in the kitchen.  She tells us how people who live in Appalachia are shy to outsiders but will still be friendly, even more so when they become familiar with you.

"Most of them are thinkers, because these mountains inspire that, but they could never find the words to tell you of these thoughts they have."

This beautiful text paired with the paintings of Barry Moser, also a native of Appalachia make this book a true work of art.  His paintings convey the very emotion of the Appalachian culture and tell more of the story Rylant was writing.

If you have ever been to Appalachia or just want to better understand the culture this book is a must.

Happy Reading!

Laura