The Promise of Unbroken Straw - by Ken Steele (Hardcover)

About the Book

1944, Oklahoma. With their family farm on the brink of ruin, Paul's life takes an unexpected turn--but newfound fortune comes at an unimaginable cost.

Book Synopsis

"[An] epic coming-of-age story." -- Kirkus Reviews

2025 Oklahoma Book Award Winner

1944, Oklahoma. With their family farm on the brink of ruin, Paul's life takes an unexpected turn--but newfound fortune comes at an unimaginable cost.

In rural Oklahoma, 13-year-old Paul wrestles with more than the typical burdens of adolescence. With a struggling farm, Allied boots marching through Europe, and whispers surrounding his mother's death, life feels anything but simple. But when an unexpected windfall saves them from poverty, Paul discovers that wealth brings complications he never imagined.

Paul's rags-to-riches move to Tulsa thrusts him into a world of private schools and sprawling mansions, where he and his brother face bullies, a distant father's impossible expectations, and the weight of devastating loss. Haunted by guilt and buried secrets, Paul's journey spans decades as he searches for forgiveness and a way to bridge the chasm between himself and the father he never truly knew.

Multi-award-winning and praised for its unforgettable characters, The Promise of Unbroken Straw is a journey of heartbreak, secrets, and redemption.

Dive into this coming-of-age tale, perfect for fans of Kristin Hannah and William Kent Krueger.

Review Quotes

"A work of nostalgic, emotionally charged Americana in which readers of historical fiction can lose themselves and emerge with a deeper understanding of family struggles, loss and redemption." -- Kirkus Reviews

--Kirkus Reviews

"The author eloquently conveys the maturation of Paul as he evolves in an age where a world war rages, calamity surfaces with alarming frequency, and sorrow is an all-too-familiar feeling. This endearing [novel] proves more than satisfying in its depth and emotional range." --RECOMMENDED US Review of Books