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about the book
When an impoverished school district loses its accreditation and the affluent community of Crystal Ridge has no choice but to open their school doors, the lives of three very different women converge:
Camille Gray–the wife of an executive, mother of three, long-standing PTA chairwoman and champion fundraiser–faced with a shocking discovery that threatens to tear her picture-perfect world apart at the seams. Jen Covington, the career nurse whose long, painful journey to motherhood finally resulted in adoption but she is struggling with a happily-ever-after so much harder than she anticipated. Twenty-two-year-old Anaya Jones–the first woman in her family to graduate college and a brand new teacher at Crystal Ridge’s top elementary school, unprepared for the powder-keg situation she’s stepped into.
Tensions rise within and without, culminating in an unforeseen event that impacts them all. This story explores the implicit biases impacting American society, and asks the ultimate question: What does it mean to be human? Why are we so quick to put labels on each other and categorize people as “this” or “that”, when such complexity exists in each person?
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my thoughts
Community. Compassion. Empathy. Love. This world needs more yet can these things truly be achieved without understanding (or at the very least, a desire to understand)? I think not.
No One Ever Asked glows with rich, multi-layered authenticity and diversity. I found myself relating to each of the three main characters in at least a small way yet also learning from each struggle, situation, and background. As a white woman born and raised in a county that is 97.6% Caucasian (yes, that is the official percentage according to census.gov), insights from fiction (and online friends) are invaluable to my understanding of diverse cultures and backgrounds.
We don’t understand one another’s struggles because we don’t ask. We assume. We label. We circle the wagons when we should be opening doors and tearing down walls, ceilings, and stereotypes. I highly recommend this story to everyone! No One Ever Asked has earned a permanent place among my all-time favorite books and in my reader heart.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.
about the author
Award-winning author, Katie Ganshert, graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Madison with a degree in education and worked as a fifth-grade teacher for several years before staying home to write full-time. She was born and raised in the Midwest, where she lives with her family.
When she’s not busy penning novels or spending time with her people, she enjoys drinking coffee with friends, reading great literature, and eating copious amounts of dark chocolate. You can learn more about Katie and her books by visiting her website or following her on social media.
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also available
Do you live in a culturally diverse area?
If not, how do you learn about other backgrounds and experiences?
Faithfully Bookish 
I don’t know, but I was raised as an Army brat and grew up with every nationality and every form of mixed marriage you can think of. I feel blessed to have been raised the way I was – that no one person, regardless of race, was any better than anyone else. There are good and bad in all races and to group a person according to the color of their skin is absolutely ridiculous in my opinion. You shouldn’t be judged by the color of your skin any more than you should be credited with great achievements for something an ancestor did. We must all stand on our own merits and love one another as equal.
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Well, Beth, this sounds like a good book. Your comments prompt me to suggest that you move into a neighborhood where you are in the minority. I do, and I agree with the army “brat” above, there are good and bad in every race and creed. We shouldn’t feel ashamed of our color, we should however, keep telling people of all religions about Jesus Christ being the ONLY way to Heaven. In love and compassion.
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The big city about 10 minutes from me is 77.9% Caucasian. My county is 92.2%. Such a difference only 10 minutes apart!
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I think we’d have to drive at least an hour to find a higher level of diversity.
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Thanks for the review, Beth! I love Katie’s books, and this one sounds so intriguing and eye-opening.
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Yes, exactly!
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Katie, I clicked over to your post with hesitation. I just received this book (and Life After) in the mail this week and have been sssooooo looking forward to it. I had my fingers crossed that you’d say it’s as good as I’m anticipating. And you did. YAY! I’m a teacher in a rural community much like you described, but less than two hours north of me is a school that was unaccredited and students were bused to neighboring districts…and I live in Missouri, which is where Katie’s story is set…so I wonder if her story is based off that experience. To paraphrase one of my favorite characters in literature, Atticus Finch says we can’t know someone until we’ve walked in their shoes. I love when books open our eyes to others’ struggles and perspectives, change our thinking and, as a result, become part of who we are. Can’t wait to start No One Ever Asked.
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Amen! Enjoy the stories, Karen!
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Oh, man. Everything I’ve been hearing about this book makes me want to read it. Of course, I think Katie had me at the title.
Such A Good Title!
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Absolutely! Get your hands on it, Barbara. Your reader heart will thank you!
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Wonderful review, Beth! Katie’s book sounds like a must read!
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Thank you, Caryl! Absolutely!
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