The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

A heartwrenching look at a dark time in this country. The Depression hit hardest in the big cities and for a while, farmers felt lucky that they still had the land until a drought came, dust storms plagued them constantly and crops were destroyed. After years of this, the land had no more to give and everyone's root cellar was empty. Elsa and her two kids knew hard work and hardships from working the family farm alongside her inlaws. Her husband gone and with no work to be found anywhere she makes the hard decision to pack up and move to California. The journey there is hard enough but how they are treated once they arrive changes her forever. Once content to work hard, follow the rules, and obey the law Elsa and her fiery daughter Loreda find that they must fight for their rights because no one will. Historical fiction at its best and Kristin Hannah does an excellent job of putting us right alongside the migrant families capturing their hard work, determination, and grit perfectly. A must-read for historical fiction fans as well as those interested in battles for social injustice.  5 breathtaking stars