"The Land That Gives and Takes Away offers a portrait of Central Pennsylvania's Little Pine Valley through poetry and prose. Drawing on her own memories and observations as well as the reflections of others, Erin McCarty seeks to honor her rich heritage and share with others the beauty of the valley where her grandmother grew up which now serves as the location for her yearly family reunions.

Over the course of the collection, McCarty introduces eclectic family members, lush landscapes, and unusual incidents with a mix of solemn reflection and light-hearted whimsy. Read about secretly...