The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

From the Paperback:
At the turn of the nineteenth century on a tobacco plantation in Virginia, young, white Lavinia, who was orphaned  on her passage from Ireland, arrives on the steps of the kitchen house and is placed under the care of Belle, the master's illegitimate, black daughter. Lavinia learns to cook, clean, serve food, and cherish the quiet strength and love of her new family.
   In time, Lavinia is accepted into the world of the big house, caring for the master's opium-addicted wife and befriending his dangerous yet protective son. She attempts to straddle the worlds of the kitchen and big house, but her skin color will forever set her apart from Belle and the other slaves.
   Through the unique eyes of Lavinia and Belle, Kathleen Grissom's debut novel unfolds in a heartbreaking and ultimately hopeful story of class, race, dignity, deep-buried secrets, and familial bonds.

"What the color is, who the daddy be, who the mama is don't mean nothin'. We a family, carin' for each other. Family make us strong in times of trouble. We all stick together, help each other out. That the real meanin' of family."

A friend at work has been telling me about this book for years. When she finally brought her copy I wasn't convinced that it would be as great as she claimed, I was wrong. Once again, I have felt more for a fictional character than is reasonable. I read this book in a day. Lavinia just crawls right into your heart with her naive mind, open heart, and unfailing loyalty. How could you not love this freckled girl with fire-red hair?
  This book is exactly what the back claims, "heartbreaking and ultimately hopeful." I've been reading an abundance of sad books recently, and while this had some sadness in it, the story was ultimately about family and loyalty. The author skirts around most of the more violent scenes (thank goodness) but you still know exactly what happened.
   If you like The Help by Kathryn Stockett you need to read this book. It grabbed my attention faster than The Queen of Palmyra by Minrose Gwin, I had no trouble getting into this book.