Before Dorothy

Long before Dorothy visits Oz,her auntEmily Galesets off on her own grand adventureleaving gritty Chicago behind for Kansas and a life that will utterly change herin this transporting novel from New York Times bestselling author Hazel Gaynor. Chicago1924: Emily and her new husbandHenryyearn to leave the bustle of Chicago for the promise of their own American dream among the harsh beauty of the prairie. But leaving the city means leaving EmilyΓÇÖs beloved sisterAnniewho was once closer to her than anyone in the world. Kansas1932: Emily and Henry have established their new home among the warmth of the farming community in Kansas. Aligned to the fickle fortunes of naturetheir lives hold a precarious and hopeful purposeuntil tragedy strikes and their orphaned nieceDorothylands on their doorstep. The wide-eyed child isnΓÇÖt the only thing to disrupt EmilyΓÇÖs world. Drought and devastating dust storms threaten to destroy everythingand her much-loved home becomes a place of uncertainty and danger. When the past catches up with the present and old secrets are exposedEmily fears she will lose the most cherished thing of all: Dorothy. Bursting with courage and heartBefore Dorothy tells the story of the woman who raised a beloved heroineand ponders the question: what is the true meaning of home?