Sally

2018 Bronze Winner in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards, Semi-Finalist in the 2018 William Faulkner––William Wisdom Writing Contest, 5 Star Readers' Favorite, IHIBRP Reviews Recommended Read

In 1968, at 109, Sally, born into slavery, was the oldest and only African American resident of the old-folks home where Alice worked as a nurse. Was it a coincidence that Alice and Sally shared the same last name? Drawn to Sally, Alice sat at Sally’s bedside and listened as the feeble woman related her past. Each night, Alice returned home and journaled about it. In doing so, she discovered something profound.

Decades later, after Alice’s death, Michelle moves into her grandmother’s house and finds the journals in the attic, along with a picture. On the back, it says, “My ancestor, Sally Ann Barnes, 1858 to 1969.” Michelle finds herself engrossed in Sally’s life. When the journals end abruptly, Michelle sets out on a mission to find out all she can about Sally, interviewing anyone left alive who knew her. The quest brings up more questions than answers. Just when Michelle thinks she has come to a dead end, she uncovers the most startling fact of all, the reason her grandmother was so captivated by this woman, the secret her grandmother took with her to her grave.

This book was inspired by the life of Sally Ann Barnes, 1858 to 1969, whom the author met in 1961.