Paul Rundel: A Novel

"Paul Rundel: A Novel" by Will N. Harben is a story, set in the early 1900s, about a determined young boy named Paul Rundel in the southern mountain community of Grayson, who tackles family troubles and community problems. The book shines a light on his dreams for a better future while he deals with violence. The story starts off by detailing how Paul lives and the problems other people nearby face, like Cynthia and Silas Tye, who are worried about him. Even while dealing with bullies and a difficult home, Paul has a strong spirit. He's dealing with a lot of internal struggles and facing problems like his father's health getting worse and some community members putting more pressure on him. The focus on the characters and the setting shows themes of not giving up and the rough journey to find respect and who you are.