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WINNER OF THE FIRST ANNUAL PARACLETE FICTION AWARD--SELECTED BY LEIF ENGER, AUTHOR OF PEACE LIKE A RIVER Meet seven-year-old Hannah Hayes, who lives on Evergreen Drive in Wellton, Alabama. It is the spring of 1972, and in the world at large, the Equal Rights Amendment is making its way through the states, the Vietnam War continues, and the Olympics are about to be held in Munich. But Hannah's concern for the world beyond her border pales in comparison to matters more urgent for a seven-year-old---protecting her beagle Pumpkin from Ralph, the neighbor's free-spirited dog, and pursuing her dream to become a preacher. Problem is, Wellton has never had a girl preacher before, and folks don't seem too warm to the idea. Joy, innocence, and a child's unique outlook on life shine through this stunning debut novel. Full of spiritual sensitivities, Life with Strings Attached offers rare wisdom about life, mothers and fathers and daughters, and faith. "I just enjoyed the daylights out of this book. Minnie Lamberth's acute writing reads like the truth, which is the gift of all the best fiction." - Leif Enger, author of Peace Like a River "When she tells everyone she's bound for the Promised Land, 'A lot of people weren't nearly as interested,' Hannah confesses, 'as you'd think they'd be.' But we are. Life with Strings Attached holds us right to the final line, laughing at the fun stuff, bearing her burdens, and expecting--as Hannah always does--a miracle." -Mary Hood, author of How Far She Went, winner of the Flannery O'Connor Award for Short Fiction, and many other books