Opulence, Kansas

by Julie Stielstra

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4	2	3,441,658	(5)	1
When Katie Myrdal�??s father is found dead in his Porsche, everything she thought she knew about her family is shaken. Her uncle Len and his wife Maggie�??relatives she barely knew existed�??show up at the funeral and offer an escape for the summer to their Kansas farm. Katie abandons her Chicago Gold Coast high-rise life to land beneath the wider skies of the prairie. Grappling with loss and disillusionment, Katie must forge new skills and new friendships in a small town called Opulence, a town holding secrets and riches she will need before she can go back home."Opulence is complete with heartache, romance, conflict, and resolution. Unpredictable events exhilarate the reader with delightful developments." -Carmaine Ternes (librarian, author, presenter, & book r… (more)

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The author beautifully renders life in the central Plains seen from a young urban woman arriving to stay aunt and uncle. The relationship between the young woman and a young man she meets rings authentic. Opulence should reverberate among young readers. The supporting characters stand out for dimension of character, inviting interest on their own merits. Perhaps we will see another novel from one of their points of view. If so, looking forward to it. (

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forestormes | Dec 25, 2022 |

While the start is grim, what follows is a delight, a heart warming story of a girl finding herself through interacting with others. By doing so, she's able to get past her anger at her dead father, reconnect with her mom and find friendship and more with a talented, but wounded boy. (

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sennebec | Jun 13, 2021 |

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thingScore 92

If you know a YA reader who needs some hope and likes a little romance with a feel-good ending, I highly recommend this book. While reading it, I kept thinking of someone I know who will love it. And isn’t that the sign of a good book? When you can’t wait to share it?

added by JulieStielstra | editWindy City Reviews, Barbara Belford (Dec 21, 2020)

I couldn't put it down. The author wove a complex yet believable plot that included devastating human experiences-- yet it warmed my heart over and over. Wonderful character development and wise handling of difficult human emotions. Excellent read for all ages!

added by JulieStielstra | editAmazon Customer Reviews, Judith Banker (Sep 6, 2020)

A superbly crafted, inherently interesting, and thoroughly 'reader friendly' novel for ages 13-18, "Opulence, Kansas" by Julie Stielstra is an exceptional and unreservedly recommended addition to middle school, highschool, and community library YA Fiction collections.

added by JulieStielstra | editMidwest Book Review - Children's BookWatch (Sep 1, 2020)

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High Plains Book Award (Finalist – Young Adult – 2021)

J. Donald and Bertha Coffin Memorial Award (Fiction – 2022)

Midwest Independent Publishers Association (Gold, Young Adult Fiction – 2021)

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Kansas NEA Reading Circle Recommended Book (Senior – 2021)

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When Katie Myrdal�??s father is found dead in his Porsche, everything she thought she knew about her family is shaken. Her uncle Len and his wife Maggie�??relatives she barely knew existed�??show up at the funeral and offer an escape for the summer to their Kansas farm. Katie abandons her Chicago Gold Coast high-rise life to land beneath the wider skies of the prairie. Grappling with loss and disillusionment, Katie must forge new skills and new friendships in a small town called Opulence, a town holding secrets and riches she will need before she can go back home."Opulence is complete with heartache, romance, conflict, and resolution. Unpredictable events exhilarate the reader with delightful developments." -Carmaine Ternes (librarian, author, presenter, & book r

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