Lily Hills

By Patti Mobile

Life was never easy for Coral Russell, a Black woman facing prejudice with her family on Lily Hills, a rural farm in Oregon. Her husband had died before World War II, then after her sons were drafted, they were both killed overseas. After the war, Coral's daughters left the farm to pursue college educations in California. Coral was left to face perilous weather, financial challenges, and health problems on her own. Her friend Amos Matthews and his son, James, helped Coral struggle to maintain her 25-acre lily farm.

Then one rainy February morning, a little Japanese girl, Kamika Satsuma, wanders onto her land and everything changes.

Soon the lives of the Satsuma family become entwined with the Russell household as they learn how different cultures navigate through crises by working together. During a snow-riddled winter, Amos contracts pneumonia, and they are forced to hire additional help. David Jenkins, son of another farming family in the valley, is a welcome pair of strong hands. Kamika, her brother, Kenji, and their parents step in to help Lily Hills survive.

As the years pass, Coral's daughters join the families to share celebrations and obstacles, until the Vietnam War casts a shadow over them all. James, Kenji, and David are eligible for the draft, and Coral feels her world coming apart, again. How will Coral find the strength and resources to overcome each new problem? Will she be able to hold onto her family and her farm, or will everything she has worked for be taken away?

Share the journey as the families build strength, face prejudice, fight for equality, and learn to create joy as only those with loving hearts can do.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0GN5S4X8J
• ISBN13: 9798894200637
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Bright Communications LLC
• Length: 350 Pages
• Weight: 0.89 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 13 to 18 years
• Grade Range: Grade 8 to Postsecondary