Run, Girls: A Memoir of an Appalachian Family in Crisis

Book Awards & Accolades

IPPY Book Award Winner – Gold Medal (Inspirational Memoir) Kirkus "Get It!" Recommendation Literary Titan Book Award – Gold Illumination Book Award – Silver (Christian Living/Inspiration) Readers' Favorite Award – 5 Star About the Book
Run, Girls: A Memoir of an Appalachian Family in Crisis
by Jenny Cafaro

In this raw and unflinching memoir, Jenny Cafaro lays bare the inspiring story of her harrowing upbringing in the Appalachian foothills of Kentucky. Raised by a determined mother and a violent stepfather, Cafaro brings readers deep into a world marked by poverty, domestic abuse, and emotional scars that run generations deep. She reveals her faith honestly — not from a pulpit, but from the trenches of real life.

From the first page, Run, Girls refuses to sugarcoat. Instead, Cafaro tells the truth—the hard, often heartbreaking truth—through scenes that feel both cinematic and intimate. In one unforgettable moment, a shotgun blast transforms a wall into a flurry of shredded wallpaper—chaos made strangely beautiful, like much of her childhood.

Despite the darkness, what shines through is the resilience of a family fighting to survive. Cafaro’s mother, wielding hammers against rodents and bravery against bullets, emerges as a true warrior figure—gritty, flawed, and unyielding. The children, especially the four daughters, face the unthinkable yet cling to each other and to slivers of hope.

Cafaro’s prose is direct, emotional, and deeply rooted in place. Her Appalachian voice is strong and clear, guiding readers through scenes of violence, grit, and occasional grace. Though often heavy, the memoir is balanced by moments of laughter, love, and a stubborn belief that better days might come.

Run, Girls is not for the faint of heart—but for readers who crave real stories of survival, faith, and perseverance, this memoir delivers.

Praise for Run, Girls
"I couldn’t put it down! I finished the entire book in a day and haven’t stopped thinking about it since. Some of Jenny’s struggles hit close to home—and gave me hope that healing and happiness are possible. 10/10."
— Amazon Reviewer

Kirkus Reviews: "Get it!"
“A gripping, unfiltered, and courageously candid portrayal of a family of four girls and their mother escaping domestic violence.”

Literary Titan – ★★★★★
“An eye-opening, real-world saga. Cafaro’s self-determination and faith shine through, proving that chains can be broken—even the ones we’re born into.”