Where's The Applause?

Louise F. Burnham could have been lost in the cracks. Born into an abusive, neglectful family, Louise unknowingly holds onto sanity with song, nature, and the gentle teachings of her grandfather, a full-blooded Huron Indian who introduces her to her spirit guides. When he dies suddenly, Louise's home life only worsens, and she runs away, her mother shrugging her off. Only ten years old, she's sent home, only to withstand more abuse at the hands of her mother and her half-brothers. Foster homes are no better. Eventually she leaves for good, only fourteen, rattling in an empty car on a train to Billings, Montana. In Where's the Applause? Louise shares her painful, inspiring story in her four-year-old voice, her six-year-old voice, and her ten-year-old voice, from child to young adult. She creates a life for herself, with a steady job, friends, and even fun. But when she finds herself a single mother in the mid-60's, anxiety and fear begin to cloud her vision and she wakes in panics. Is the craziness of her childhood catching up with her? Through her own courage and a particularly dedicated and gifted therapist, Louise triumphs. “Where's the Applause?” is the story of a girl who endures a most horrifying childhood and creates a family for herself and a legacy of care for others. 

- Jane Dodge