Manufactured Witches by Michelle Rene

He's a young man riding the rails and hoping to find work here and there.  He's an orphan.  He knows riding the train can be dangerous but he has no choice.  He has no animal to ride.  He barely has enough to feed himself.  When he gets off at this town that looks to be big enough he might get a job, he finds a young girl chained to a tree outside a store.  He asks her why she's there.  She doesn't want to speak but he's persistent.  She says her father says she's a witch and she won't get to leave the tree until she changes her behavior.  He think that's awful.

Black Rose Writing and the author shared her book with me for revew (thank you).  It has been published and you can grab a copy now.

It doesn't take long before the young man has made enemies.  He's not sure how he's going to help the young girl when a negro woman comes up and offers her shelter.  She also offers it to the young man.  They both accept, the chain is broken and the girl goes to the wagon.  Her father shows up and says he'll come to retrieve her, she can't just steal his daughter.  She says she's not stealing her, she offering her sanctuary.  He doesn't believe her.

She takes the two back to her home and they meet the other residents.  Most are young children.  They are not really witches, they just have a power of some kind that others don't and that's why they get labelled that way.  The lady that took them home can control weather.  They use their powers where they are needed.  Every one gets fed and has a place to sleep.  Nat doesn't have a secret power but he gains one before the end of the story.

This was a very good read.  It's about odd people becoming a team and working together to make a home.  When it comes to stand off with town's people, they don't run.  They have a few truths to share with them, too.

It's a bit sad but it's also hopeful for the future and they all love each other.  They'll make it and I'm glad.