The Girls of Haviland

 
by Deborah Oswald
Book Cover: The Girls of Haviland
Part of the Haviland series:
  • The Girls of Haviland

As the final months of the Great War approach, Jay McKenna’s world is irrevocably changed when she witnesses a tragic accident, the death of another girl who would have been her classmate at the esteemed Haviland Seminary For Girls. As Jay prepares to leave and step into Haviland’s hallowed halls, she’s burdened with the tragedy that unfolded above her family’s farm.

Already seen as an outsider for her immigrant roots, Jay finds herself in a school still reeling from the loss and whispers of the tragedy echoing from every corner. She’s no stranger to struggles—with three brothers on the front lines of the war and a tyrannical father at home—but her trials at Haviland will test her resolve.

Hope glimmers in the form of Florence —a fiercely spirited girl shunned for her skin color. Florence becomes Jay’s beacon, teaching her strength and resilience. Together, they navigate the labyrinths of school politics and prejudice. As they dig deeper into the tragic death, secrets emerge that could rip apart the fabric of their newfound sisterhood. Where the lines between friend and foe blur, Jay must find her voice amidst the chaos and the courage to stand up to injustice, bigotry, and her own family’s bitter turmoil.

Published:
Publisher: Hat Creek
Genres:
Historical

Tags:
historical fiction, historical fiction novels, women sleuths

About the Author

Deborah Oswald

Deborah Rafferty Oswald has a love of writing historical fiction. Her love of history began when she and her husband moved from Mahopac, New York to Brewster, New York in 1991. The former owners of their home in Brewster introduced her to Brewster Bicentennial book. She was drawn to the profiles of prominent past citizens of Brewster, two of which inspired characters in The Girls of Haviland. This led to a love of historical research about World War I, early Twentieth Century politics, reform movements, immigration, workers’ rights, and the Women’s Suffrage Movement.

Deborah is happy being a history nerd, living in Brewster with her husband, youngest daughter, and two dogs. She enjoys daily walks, reading on the beach, and hanging sheets on the clothesline to dry. Her favorite place to write is outdoors during summer vacations, where she can infuse her writing with the sights and sounds of the cardinals, hummingbirds, squirrels, rabbits, and deer who share their backyard.

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