The Coffin Quilt by Ann Rinaldi

The Coffin Quilt is the story of the feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys, which took place in Kentucky & West Virginia during the late 1870s. Based on historic accounts, this story is told from the perspective of Fanny McCoy, the youngest child in her family. Her sister runs off to marry a boy from the hated Hatfield family, and begins piecing a coffin quilt, which was used as a historical family record. Worked in dark colors, the center was stitched to resemble a graveyard, and small coffins were appliquéd around the border, with names and birthdates of family members. When someone died, their coffin was moved to the center of the quilt, and the death date was added. I found this an interesting snapshot of American history.

Ms. Cynthia (SCPL Librarian, Casselberry Branch)