Oh my Stars by Lorna Landvik

Tall, slender Violet Mathers is growing up in the Great Depression, which could just as well define her state of mind. Abandoned by her mother as a child, mistreated by her father, and teased by her schoolmates (Hey, Olive Oyl, wheres Popeye?), the lonely girl finds solace in artistic pursuits. Only when shes hired by the towns sole feminist to work the night shift in the local thread factory does Violet come into her name, and bloom. Accepted by her co-workers, the teenager enters the happiest phase of her life, until a terrible accident causes her to retreat once again into her lonely shell.

Realizing that she has only one clear choice, Violet boards a bus heading west to California. But when the bus crashes in North Dakota, it seems that fate is having another cruel laugh at Violets expense. This time though, Violet laughs back. She and her fellow passengers are rescued by two men: Austin Sykes, whom Violet is certain is the blackest man to ever set foot on the North Dakota prairie, and Kjel Hedstrom, who inspires feelings Violet never before has felt. Kjel and Austin are musicians whose sound is like no other, and with pluck, verve, and wit, Violet becomes part of their quest to make a new kind of music together.

Oh My Stars is Lorna Landviks most ambitious novel yet, with a cast of characters whose travails and triumphs youll long remember. It is a tale of love and hope, bigotry and betrayal, loss and discoveryas Violet, whos always considered herself a minor character in her own life story, emerges as a heroine youll laugh with, cry with, and, most important, cheer for all the way.