Cinder Girl

Growing Up on America's Fringe

De: Holly Thompson Rehder

Narrado por: Holly Thompson Rehder

Cinder Girl sits in the rarest class of memoir—a towering literary triumph which melds searing and tragic personal history with an incredible story of resilience, hope, and civic success.

Growing up on welfare, food stamps, and Greyhound buses, Holly Thompson Rehder quit school at fifteen to help take care of her mother and younger sister after a devastating car accident. Getting married and pregnant soon thereafter, like so many other young girls caught in the poverty-cycle, Holly decided that the life she had been born into was not what she intended to give her child.

But unlike others who wind up mired in a lifetime of poverty, dysfunction, and despair, Holly used her resourcefulness, faith, and sheer stubborn American grit to fight her way out of the gutter.

Two decades later she was a successful businesswoman. And today, she is a rising political star who serves as an inspiration to young women across the state of Missouri—and indeed, the entire nation—all while never forgetting where she came from. She worked her butt off to help so many others born into seemingly helpless circumstances.

As a rare lawmaker who speaks candidly from raw personal experience, in Cinder Girl, Rehder rises above standard political prose to provide an unvarnished look inside the worst of American poverty—those living in the margins. Rehder challenges us to recall the plight of those far less fortunate, who struggle without the opportunities most of us take for granted.

©2022 Holly Thompson Rehder (P)2022 Recorded Books

Oh my heart

Just one of the most amazing stories of hope I’ve ever read in my 46 yrs of life.

Thank you Senator Rehder

I am thankful that Senator Rehder gave us this look inside of her life. I loved that you are an open book when it comes to your faith!

Heartbreaking and Gripping

This book - read by the author in an affecting accent - is one of the most powerfully moving books I've ever come across. I am sure it will stay with me for a long, long time. I can't recommend it more highly.

Intense.. Invested.. So Inspired!

❤️‍🔥WOW!
I've never gotten so invested in a book, that made my heart pound with hurt, take my breathe away, cry, make me laugh, then challenge me.. INTENSE! So well written, I couldnt put it down! Only GOD!

The final chapter (forgiveness) is my favorite💗 and something I think I'll reference back on. So moving, eye opening, and an inspiration.
#innerbeauty #treasure #challenged #testimony #strength #onlyGod

Outstanding, eye opening and life changing!!

I like my daughter (Holly's daughter in law) laughed, cried, got angry at the abusers in her life; as it brought back memories of my own abusers, I felt the hurt her heart felt from the struggle of her daughter's addiction, as I have had that same pain in my life from my son's struggles!! Thank you Holly for sharing ur memories, hurts, struggles, but most of all your victories and triumphs!! You are an amazing woman with many hats and titles u wear well. Thank u for giving others hope in their own life in knowing how God can change anyone's situation...Good job my friend!!❤️❤️ Can't wait for ur next best seller! 😉

What an emotional ride.

This story of dealing with childhood trauma and growing up in a very difficult situation is amazingly compelling. The fact that the author used those experiences to forge a strength and drive to succeed when she could have easily gone down the same road is inspirational. The author’s description of substance use disorder, with which her daughter suffered, explained that it is not a moral failing, but an illness in a way that anyone can understand. One of the best descriptions I have ever read. Thank you Senator Rehder for sharing your story with the world.

Amazing story that needs to be heard

I loved just a few miles from the author but lived completely different lives. This book helped me see that there were so many layers to the hurt that I sometimes would so easily judge. This is a heartbreaking story of how someone broke through to the other side. I want to go back to 1970-1980’s southeast Missouri and scream at those who needed to help this young lady.

Survival and Strength

I know the author and this was a hard read but so encouraging to see what she has accomplished through fierce determination and faith.

Excellent

Best book I’ve read in a while. Written beautifully. Remarkable story. I couldn’t put it down.