McKendree — Sandra Belton

“McKendree ain't a who. It's a place.” So begins this story about a group of teens who, for a variety of reasons, end up spending their summer at a lonely home for the elderly in the hills of West Virginia. “… As told by fourteen-year-old Tilara and the others, this is also a tale of tangled summer romance, an element which transcends predictability as it unfolds entertainingly through the multiple perspectives of the characters… what distinguishes this book is its honest exploration of prejudice as it exists within a culture -- and perhaps still does.” - Kirkus, starred review “… A touching coming-of-age drama set in 1948… Through the multiple perspectives of the young people, readers see that outward appearances are often deceiving. The plot hangs delicately but tenaciously -- like wisteria on a pine -- on the theme of true beauty and self acceptance. McKendree fills an all-too-often forgotten niche, and provides a good sounding board for teens who are going through a similar exploration of self.” - School Library Journal • Bank Street College of Education Josette Frank Award • Best Children's Books of 2000 • Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies