Julia Franks is an author whose writing is deeply informed by her years spent exploring the rivers and creeks of the Southeastern United States. Her connection to the wild landscapes of the mountains is a foundational element in her work. Beyond her literary endeavors, she is a fervent advocate for greater book choice in school curricula, operating a web application designed to foster personalized reading experiences for students. Franks has also contributed personal essays to prominent national publications.
A Depression-era Appalachian farm wife is branded as a witch by her fundamentalist husband when she bonds with a USDA agent who has traveled to the North Carolina mountains to instruct regional families on how to modernize their homes and farms.