Whistling Past the Graveyard by Susan Crandall

 I loved watching how each of the main characters grow.  Innocent Starla faces the harsh world of unkindness and unfair and learns about the darker side of life.  Meanwhile, Eula grows to learn that there is good in the world and that she has her own life that she can live.  She has seen the dark side of life but now, she has the opportunity to see the light.  A good read.