Sandy M’s review of Running Barefoot by Amy Harmon
Contemporary Women’s Fiction published by Amy Harmon 4 Jan 14
I’ve been reading Amy Harmon for a few years now and have loved each book. With this book, I know I will not even come close to giving the review a story like this deserves. She writes such in-depth characters and storylines that take you so deeply into the lives of those you meet but also into yourself, swirling your hopes, dreams, desires, heartache, joy and so, so much more.
Josie and Samuel are from very different worlds. Samuel is a Native American “halfbreed,” trying to live in the white world after life throws him curves no one should experience. Josie is also thrown unexpected curves and her dreams go by the wayside, and soon recalling those dreams is a dream all on its own.
They meet when both are quite young and with a few years between them. Thrown together when Josie is bullied on the school bus, they become friends after Samuel rescues her. That friendship evolves into a young love that is thrown into chaos when Samuel realizes there is too much going against them in small-town America. Once he graduates, he heads for the Marine Corps, where he grows and gains the respect he’s never known before. Josie, on the other hand, is stuck in that small hometown taking care of a family that goes on to their own hopes and dreams amid other tragic circumstances.
After a decade Samual returns home, knowing that he can now follow the path he couldn’t take with Josie before. But once he learns of her trials and how life has beaten her down in the time he’s been away, there’s more to overcome than he anticipated. Knowing he wants her a life with her just isn’t enough, and once again he leaves everything behind, all for very different reasons this time. Josie is now the one who has to grow and develop to attain everything given up years ago.
All of this doesn’t even come close to the inner turmoil, the longing, the needing, the wanting, the doubts, the everything these characters have to navigate to peace and joy, contentment and happiness, and all they have earned from living lives that turn on a dime every day. Ms. Harmon is a master at pulling on the heartstrings, bringing on the tears, and, after all is said and done, bringing everyone to the happy and satisfying conclusion you’ve hoped for since the first page.
Grade: A
Summary:
When Josie Jensen, an awkward 13-year-old musical prodigy crashes headlong into new-comer Samuel Yazzie, an 18-year-old Navajo boy full of anger and confusion, an unlikely friendship blooms. Josie teaches Samuel about words, music and friendship, and along the way finds a kindred spirit. Upon graduation, Samuel abandons the sleepy, small town in search of a future and a life, leaving his young friend behind. Many years go by and Samuel returns, finding Josie in need of the very things she offered him years before. Their roles reversed, Samuel teaches Josie about life, love, and letting go. Deeply romantic and poignant, Running Barefoot is the story of a small town girl and a Native American boy, the ties that bind them to their homes and families, and the love that gives them wings.
