When I started reading Crossing the Tracks the first thing I learned was that it takes place in Kansas. I thought that was great since I don’t read very many books that take place in my home state. The second thing I learned was that the mother of the main character, Iris, dies when Iris is young, not so great. I wasn’t sure how well I’d like this book, but I kept reading. It didn’t take long for me to be rooting for Iris, eager to find out what would happen to her next. Just like Iris, I made assumptions about the other characters, assumptions that turned out to be wrong.
Crossing the Tracks reminds me of the book The Secret Life of Bees. Although there are many differences between the two, both feature teenage girls, Iris and Lily, living with just their fathers, from whom they are estranged. Both girls are taken in by another family, where they discover what the bonds between family members can be. Iris, like Lily, must confront and accept her ghosts before she can move forward with her life.
Barbara Stuber’s writing is evocative and, at times, lyrical. Her imagery captures the turmoil that Iris goes through, allowing us to experience her inner struggles.
Please join us at Corinth Library on June 12, from 2:00-3:30 for author Barbara Stuber’s multi-media presentation about her novel Crossing the Tracks, a story for all generations. We will explore the timeless themes raised in the book, discuss how we might have handled the tricky situations that arise, do a book-related crossword puzzle, and view slides of the specific artworks that inspired the characters, scenes and plot of her novel. Author Barbara Stuber is also a docent at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Registration is not necessary.