The following version of the book was used to create this study guide: Conn, Bobi. In the Shadow of the Valley. Little A Publishing, New York, 2020. Kindle AZW file.

In the Shadow of the Valley is the memoir of Bobi Conn, who was born in a poor region of Kentucky and grew up in brutal circumstances. She recalls the struggle to find her place in the world and to cope with the effects of the violence for years into adulthood. The book, strictly from Bobi's point of view, makes it clear that the author was damaged by the violence endured as a child. However, she grew into a woman capable of giving love to her own children. Ultimately, she escaped the abject poverty that plagued people of that region.

Bobi was the oldest child and only daughter of her family. Her father was injured on the job and spent years making it seem the injury was worse than it was in an effort to get on disability. He was brutal and violent even before the injury and spent a lot of time ranting about the officials, doctors, and lawyers who were part of the system that was out to get him. He consumed copious amounts of drugs and alcohol. When drunk or high, he often became violent with Bobi, her mother, and her brother Junior. Though Bobi often felt protective toward Junior, she admitted that she sometimes took out her frustrations on him because he was the only person younger and weaker than she. Her mother was ineffective and could not stand up for herself against her husband's brutality. She also could not stand up for her children. The only bright spots in Bobi's life were her paternal grandparents, the woods around her home, and books. She spent a lot of time with Granny who showed unconditional love. Ultimately, it was Granny taught Bobi how to love her own children. Bobi excelled at school, though her father constantly berated her that the A's were not A+'s.

When Bobi's mother finally made the break from the abusive relationship, she moved with Bobi and Junior to the nearby town where they continued to struggle against abject poverty. She and Junior both dealt with negative peer pressure and Bobi felt she never fit in, even though she was incredibly intelligent and participated in accelerated programs. As a high school senior, Bobi learned her mother and her new husband were moving to a neighboring county. Bobi wanted to live with her boyfriend James instead but her mother refused to allow Bobi to live with a man out of wedlock. She agreed that Bobi could stay with James only if they married, and they did. The marriage was doomed, weighed down by financial hardships and uneven expectations as Bobi set out to earn a college degree while James failed out and could not hold a job. They eventually divorced. Bobi was later involved with a man named Jacob when she discovered she was pregnant. He said his family would accept the child only if he and Bobi were married, and Bobi again rushed into marriage. Her son Orion was born in a ramshackle house in a holler, and Bobi remained home for a time before returning to college. Jacob did not support her decision which led to a divorce.

Over the next few years, Bobi earned an undergraduate degree. However, she always felt the struggle to fit in and did not understand what was expected of her in social situations. She later gave birth to a daughter, Rose. Rose was still very young when Granny died. Bobi realized that she should have learned a lot of things from Granny, but that time was past. When her Papaw Conn was dying a few years later, Bobi asked him to talk about his past. When he declined, she accepted his decision, bemoaning the fact that she had missed the chance to hear and write about those stories. Over the years, Bobi saw her father fall deeper into drugs, followed by Junior. Both men lost custody of children to the foster system, and both went to jail. Bobi completed a graduate degree and found herself finally earning a sold middle-class paycheck. She cited her greatest achievement as being able to raise her children to understand they were always safe and loved.