“Clabe and Leora Wilson are salt-of-the-earth types, raising their family in rural Iowa as tenant farmers. Parents of ten children, three that died as young children, they try to scratch out a living. Despite not having a lot of money, they possess an ability to work hard and raise a beautiful family. The story picks up when World War II is breaking out, and each of the remaining five boys want to join the service and represent their country.
“This true story is told from a series of family letters compiled by Clabe and Leora’s oldest grand[daughter], Joy. While Leora is one of the principal letter writers, their sons, daughters, and their spouses also exchange letters throughout the war. In order to not give away military secrets, the letters are censored before being sent home to Clabe and Leora.
“As each son departs, the others have to pick up the slack doing the farmwork. The family’s dream is for Clabe and Leora to eventually get a small house and piece of property of their own. The boys (young men) repeatedly send part of their paychecks home to help their parents realize their dream. Tragically, one of the boys goes missing after his plane goes down. The rest of the family is optimistic that he may be held as a POW and will eventually be able to come home at war’s end. The parents and kids continue to exchange letters as they attempt to lift each other’s spirits through life’s uncertainties.
“Through it all, Leora continues to push forward in her resilient manner and eventually Clabe and Leora are able to buy a place. Throughout the war, they hope that one day their entire family will be reunited again.
“As if they hadn’t already experienced enough heartbreak, two other sons are killed while flying during the war. Despite some of the tragic events of this story, I would not describe this as a depressing book. It is more a reflection of the American spirit as the family perseveres despite their many hardships and tragedies.”
Pete Springer
“I’m a retired elementary teacher (31 years) who will always be a strong advocate for children, education, and teachers. My favorite thing to do as a teacher was to read to my students, and now I’m following my heart and writing children’s books for middle grades.”
Thank you to Pete Springer for this kind review. You may get better acquainted with him through his website.
Here’s a blurb, a short video, and reviews of Pete’s fascinating book about his decades of teaching, They Call Me Mom.
Hooray for Pete. I just read Mark’s review too!
Thanks, GP!
A wonderful review of your book Joy. You must be pleased.
Thank you, Darlene. I’m blessed and humbled by it all.
Love, love, love Pete’s review! Accolades well-deserved, Joy! ❤️🥰❤️
Thank you, dear Vicki! Would you believe Leora’s Letters has 195 ratings? This is so amazing and humbling.
I’m not one bit surprised. Not one bit. xo, dear one! 🥰
Leora must be over the moon watching all this. xx
She certainly would have enjoyed it! Thank you, Annette.
Love this review by the amazing Pete Springer!
Thank you, Wynne!
Congratulations on your book’s continued success, Joy. I just read Mark Bierman’s review of Leora’s Letters last night. You must have a lot of family pride in knowing that you come from such good stock.
Thank you, Pete. I’m grateful for those who’ve gone before, especially for their faith, tenacity, and resilience.
A great review, Joy. Congratulations
Thank you, John!
😁
Excellent review of Joy’s wonderful book, Pete! Reading Leora’s Letters was life-changing. I’ll never look at politics the same way again. A heartfelt congratulations to Joy.
Liz, you’re such an encouragement!
🙂
Leora’s Letters is a wonderful book, and certainly deserves this great review. Congratulations, Joy.
Thanks for your encouragement, Tim!
Congrats, Joy, on this wonderful review!
Thank you, Lauren. I’m amazed and humbled, but it’s so welcome.
Pete always does good reviews, and this one is in his sweet spot, I think.
Thank you, Jacqui. I’m so grateful and humbled.
Pete, your review of “Leora’s Letters” Is exceptional. What impressed me about Joy Neal Kidney’s book was that the everyday life of Leora’s farm family continued on even when interrupted by the horrors of war. The grieving became interwoven with their daily chores. They had to eat. They had to take care of their animals. They had to be strong for one another. I love this: “…I would not describe this as a depressing book. It is more a reflection of the American spirit as the family perseveres despite their many hardships and tragedies.”
Thank you both for these thoughtful comments!