The Forgotten Girl by Heather Chapman

It is 1906, and sixteen-year-old Stella's life in Durliosy, Poland, is bleak. Her only hope of surviving is to travel to America, a land of freedom and opportunity, and reunite with her brother in Baltimore. There she'll find new challenges, and perhaps, if she can put her painful past behind her, a new chance for love and lasting happiness.

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I love when book are based on real characters like this one.  This character, Stella, is based on the authors ancestor.  How cool is that?  What a special tribute to those who have gone before and paved the way for a better world for those to come.

Stella's story isn't a happy one, really.  It's full of pain, heartache and sadness, especially for one so young.  Early immigrants had such a rough time of things.  They often traded in one gigantic struggle for another by coming to America.  That is quite evident in this book as Stella chases the dream of freedom and a better life by coming to a new country, only to find herself in poverty and oppression again.  This time with no English language skills.  I felt for the plight of Stella and the many others who struggled along side her.  I am humbled by their determination and strength.

This was a good story even though there wasn't very much happy to it.  There was always the smallest little seed of hope there, which I clung to along with Stella.  Thank goodness for people like her who dared to dream of a better life.  Those of us who live now owe a lot to them.

This book is just $.99 on Amazon as of today.  That's a steal of a deal!

Content:  some peril, mild violence, kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Excerpt:

My brother shakes his head, and I see his shoulders rise. His eyes are dark, a faraway look in them. "You forget," he says, his voice growing deeper. "Poles are not welcome in America."

I wipe my cheek with my sleeve, praying Jozef did not see the tear roll down it. Not welcome? My chest feels like it is on fire, and it is as if only my rebuttal can quench it. "We are not welcome in our own country," I say, my eyes falling to the floor.

Jozef lets out a deep grunt, so deep that it rolls throughout the room, bouncing along the floorboards and between the others seated at the table. I lift my head to see his hand twist around the back of the chair as if meant to crush the wood between his fingers. "At least tell me you have not forgotten your Polish pride," he whispers, his voice cracking like a whip against a mule.


I shake my head, too angry and stubborn to say anything in reply. I do not forget. I cannot forget.

Heather currently resides in Soda Springs, Idaho, with her husband and four children. She graduated magna cum laude from Brigham Young University. Heather has worked in various administrative assistant roles and as an event planner. Heather has also worked as a piano accompanist and piano teacher on the side. She currently spends her time writing and working as a stay-at-home mother.