Deep in the marshes and bayous near Barkley Cove, North Carolina is where the “Marsh Girl” lived. The people of the town knew of her-the abandoned girl named Kya Clark, who lived in a ramshackle hut that was only accessible by water. They tried to “do the Christian thing” and get her into school but she resisted these efforts mightily until they too abandoned her to her own devices. She grew her own food, going into town only for necessities and lived off the abundance of the marsh and fish rich waters of the bayou. She traveled by boat to get where she needed to go and she taught herself about the land, the water, the flora and fauna of the bayou. It was a rich if somewhat lonely life.

Only a few people ever cracked that hard shell of Kya’s independence. One was Tate Walker who taught her to read, and shared her enthusiasm for the natural world. They spent countless hours together and he brought her numerous books on science and biology for her to read as she became more entranced with the ecosystem all around her. She used her natural talent for drawing to catalogue and capture the inhabitants of the marshes and waterways she loved. And then Tate left for college and seemingly abandoned her.

Into that void stepped Chase Andrews, the scion of one the richest families in the area. He and Kya spent time together as well until he married a more suitable young woman and Kya was abandoned again.

Then in late 1969 Chase Andrews’ body is found at the bottom of the large watch tower in the middle of the marsh and immediately the town and the police are convinced that the Marsh Girl must have killed Chase. Now, for the first time Kya must depend on others to save her own life while learning to recognize that she is not alone.

Brenda’s Rating:***** (5 Out of 5 Stars)

Recommend this book to: Everyone!

Book study worthy? Yes!

Read in ebook format.