It's 1936, and the Depression, in the hard scrabble hills of Kentucky. A new program is enacted via the Works Progress Administration (WPA) - the Kentucky Pack Horse Library Program. Cussy Mary gets a job delivering books to the poorest of the poor, in the hills. Cussy is unique as she is a Blue. She has a genetic anomaly causing her skin to be blue. She is treated as a "colored" and not welcome at church, town celebrations, dances, etc. Her dad is a blue, but he works in the coal mine, which hides his color as he is always somewhat coal color. Cussy loves books and enjoys delivering books and getting new clients. Her dad wants her married as he knows, working in the mines, a man may not live very long. We watch Cussy live with prejudice, love of books, and respect from many. This is worth the read and you see not only a part of life that you many not have experienced, but I had never read about a Blue.