Reviews

Light Comes to Shadow Mountain by Toni Buzzeo

lottie1803's review

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

4.25

stephchem's review

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3.0

Cora wants to bring electricity to Shadow Mountain, a small mountain town of Eastern Ky. Many obstacles stand in her way. I felt the portrayal of Eastern Ky was well done and I liked the characters. The book however did not keep my attention. The pace was uneven and parts were much too long. If I struggled to sustain attention, I wonder how a middle schooler will do. In the authors note it was mentioned that Cora was initially meant to be a character in a children’s picture book. There is more story than a picture book would allow but I think it would have been much better had it been tightened up.

ewhaverkamp's review

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3.0

I should have loved this book. It is the history I love. Takes place in the mountains I love. It was just blah. I wanted to like it. I can't explain it but it just didn't have a spark. I feel like it was almost there. For one it took me forever to get in to it. If it takes me that long then I pity the students. They won't stick with it.

sarayadawn17's review

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adventurous emotional informative inspiring lighthearted reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Cora is a determined 11 year old living in the rural Kentucky mountains in the late 1930s. She is whip smart and encouraged by her teacher to learn as much as she can. This leads to Cora’s fascination with electricity and her fight with her friend and cousin to convince their neighbors and even her mom of the value of electricity. Light Comes to Shadow Mountain is a beautifully crafted story with well developed characters that show the strength and resilience of people, especially children. Cora is a strong willed role model for young girls, proving they can do anything they set their mind too. Beyond a beautiful story, Buzzeo creates a factual story that teaches readers about life in the Kentucky mountains and how important the Rural Electrification Act was. This is a heart warming and wrenching story as Cora’s family faces real struggles by not having electricity and overcomes them through will and modern medicine. I highly recommend this story.

luciferlibrarian_93's review

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Squeeeeeee I love middle grade historical fiction. Using the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 and eastern Kentucky/Appalachia as a backdrop, the author manages a heartfelt story about empathy, change, understanding, community, and familial love. 5 billion stars ⭐️
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emileereadsbooks's review

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I always appreciate middle grade fiction that takes me to a new time or place. While I have visited Appalachia before in a book, this story felt as fresh as it did familiar. 

The struggle in this community to hold onto to their way of life while also embracing advancement and the ease modern conveniences can bring was powerful and would lead to some great conversations with other readers (of any age) about the benefits and detriments that technology can have.

One thing I love about his book it is feels appropriately written from the perspective of a middle grade girl. Her language and logic felt true to that age and therefore appropriate for middle grade readers. She had to fall under the authority of adults and was made to see their perspectives even when she didn’t agree with them.

This is a book about family, friendship, a way of life, and learning what to hold fast to.   I think it is appropriate for middle grade audiences and is an enjoyable read for any age.

Content Note: depression, grief,  fire/burns, childbirth, premature baby, domestic violence

Thank you to Holiday House for the digital copy. All opinions are my own. 

jaelikes's review

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3.5

Kit Kittredge in rural Kentucky with higher stakes drama and a mother nearly as infuriating as the dad in Dead Poets Society

margonicolson's review

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

asealey925's review

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hopeful informative lighthearted medium-paced

4.25

bruhnette's review

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adventurous hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

 I really enjoyed Light Comes to Shadow Mountain. The author, Toni Buzzeo, takes readers to the mountains of Kentucky in 1937. President Roosevelt recently enacted The Rural Electrification Act to bring electricity to remote areas such as the mountain area where 11-year-old Cora Mae Tipton lives with her family. When Cora first learns of the REA, she wants in. She wants electricity both at home and school so she can read and write after the sun goes down and also so life will be easier for her weary mama. However, it's her mama who's the most against bringing electricity to Shadow Mountain. She's worried it will ruin their way of life which has remained the same for generations. Will Cora ever be able to change her stubborn mama's mind?

This is a story full of family, friendship, and determination. It also teaches about history in an engaging way.

Huge thanks to Holiday House / Peachtree / Pixel+Ink, and NetGalley for a review copy of this wonderful book!