A Good Place — Curt Iles

Because a journey can be much more than just miles. The Wayfaring Stranger is a historical love story detailing the intertwining of the lives of two teenagers, Joseph Moore and Eliza Clark. Set in the mid-nineteenth century, the story begins with Joseph escaping from Ireland as a stowaway on a ship. At this same time, Eliza lives in the piney woods of western Louisiana in an area called No Man s Land. In alternating chapters, we learn about Eliza s life among her mysterious and isolated clan called Ten Milers as well as follow Joseph s winding journey through New Orleans and eventually into No Man s Land. Joseph is drawn toward this area because of the opportunities for freedom and land ownership things unavailable to him in Ireland. The Wayfaring Stranger chronicles Joseph s journey from being bitter to becoming better. Joseph and Eliza s lives bisect at a crucial time in the history of this area as a timber company seeks to drive out the isolated settlers. Joseph s status as an outsider tests their developing relationship and hard choices must be made. The culmination of this story features the final conflict testing this relationship. The Wayfaring Stranger also examines the juxtaposition of the lives and attitudes of the two protagonists. This contrasting and comparison of Ireland and pioneer Louisiana is woven throughout this page-turning book. Every age from teenagers on will enjoy a family-themed book.