Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver

The author is well known for weaving into her stories themes that have relevance for conservation and society well being. There are two parallel families that the book ping pongs between, living on the same block in a small New Jersey town centuries apart. The 19th century story revolves around the emerging evidence for evolution and the growing divide that is being created between science and religion--which sounds all too modern as many GOP controlled states around the country are trying to return to an unscientific world view. The modern family is facing the realities of a torn social fabric, a social safety net with a lot of holes in it, and being penniless and homeless. There is a hopeful message contained in the story that we can all aspire to adopt.