Salt of the Earth — Pat Frank

Porter Mason's young life is shattered when his beloved father succumbs unexpectedly to a heart attack, leaving Porter and his mother penniless and deeply in debt. Porter has no idea how bad it really is until the bankers come calling. When he goes to his older brother Roy for help, he is even more shocked to find him in the same situation, along with some of his closest neighbors. This leaves the family with no way to make a living in their beloved Oklahoma, so after selling everything including his horse (and best friend), Porter, Ma, Roy, and Roy's wife, Josie, along with neighbors, Jacob and Mary, head to California to make a new start. Although it is new, it is a far cry from the way he used to live, and it takes a lot of getting used to. After a trying teenage period and serving in Vietnam, Porter prevails, becoming a successful land-owner, but never finding peace in this troubled life. As many do, he eventually finds his way home and to the happiness he deserves. Pat Frank was born in Mississippi County, Arkansas, to share-croppers, Troy and Mattie Crotts. The family eventually bought their own farm and eked out a living until Pat was twelve-years-old. Then they sold out and moved to California, living in Orange Cove and doing field labor. Pat has her own business and now lives in Hanford, California. "Salt of the Earth" is Pat's fifth novel.