Grenell 1934 by Lynn E. McElfresh

Marguerite Hartranft Guilford has been summering on Grenell Island for over half a century. Through the decades, she has experienced both high-water and low-water years and has witnessed periods of boom and bust. In 1934, however, two calamities coincide: the country is gripped by the Great Depression, and the river has reached its lowest level in recorded history. Consequently, abandoned cottages decay during the economic downturn, while boathouses and docks sit high and dry as the river recedes from shore. At the same time, a new generation is growing up on Grenell. Against this backdrop, 'It's up to us!' becomes the battle cry for the island's women, who band together to form the Ladies Auxiliary and build a community house. Now, they face pressing questions: Can they preserve the island's family atmosphere, or will their way of life be sold off to the highest bidder? The Thousand Islands Series Set in the sparkling blue waters of the St. Lawrence River between northern New York and Ontario, Canada, the Thousand Islands Series is the sweeping saga of Marguerite Hartranft, whose love for island life bolsters her spirit as she navigates her way through the changing social roles for women between 1881 and 1963. Grenell 1934 is the sixth book in the series.