When the Dikes Breached

http://www.renaud-bray.com

http://www.renaud-bray.com

A powerful coming of age story grounded in historical fact, When the Dikes Breached is a new YA novel by award-winning author Martha Attema.February 1953, a spring tide combines with a strong northwestern storm, causes devastating flooding in the southwestern part of the Netherlands, parts of Belgium, France, England and Scotland. When the dikes breach, the floods not only unleash death and destruction for sixteen-year-old Klara van Burgh and her large family but unearth a dark family secret.In this small island community, steeped in tradition, the Church controls the lives of citizens, who live by strict rules and a social class system. Klara, destined to marry the son of a prestigious farmer, reads poetry and longs for far away shores instead of becoming a farmer's wife. During the flood, Klara and her sister are rescued by a fisherman, and she discovers that class doesn't matter. Her heart belongs to him. After many months, the family returns to the island to rebuild their farm and prepare for Klara's wedding. But Klara feels trapped and needs a plan if she hopes to lead her own life.