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Showing posts with label G-Rated Books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label G-Rated Books. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
Christian Adoption Novel Clean, Uplifting and Moving
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Lauren Bailey is tired of waiting for The One to magically appear in her life before she can make her dream of becoming a mother a reality. Only her very closest friends know that the 31-year-old first grade teacher has applied to adopt a child from China; in fact, she's been waiting to be matched with one for over a year. Since the rules dictate that she can only adopt as a single woman or as a wife of more than two years, Lauren has stopped looking for Mr. Right altogether.
Enter Joshua Avery, a goofy tech developer who's stepped in as a short-term sub for the other first grade teacher at Lauren's school. He's cheerful, funny, compassionate, successful, and...interested. As much as Lauren tries to convince herself she doesn't feel the sparks between them, she can't deny that a certain dinosaur-obsessed creator of educational apps is constantly on her mind. When she finally receives an email matching her with a child, Lauren is torn. The timing couldn't be worse. If she proceeds with the adoption, will she lose Joshua? If she prioritizes her new relationship, will her dream—what she feels is a God-given calling—of being an adoptive mother ever come true? She's having a difficult enough time getting her family onboard with the idea, let alone the new man in her life. Will she have to sacrifice her dream of adopting for her dream of finding the perfect partner? Is there some way to have both, even when it's looking like she'll get neither?
Christy Award-winning author Nicole Deese and her husband adopted their daughter from China. That experience inspired her to write Before I Called You Mine, a novel that's not just about adoption, but also about the choices we make in life, the anxieties we feel, and the ability we have to conquer them through faith in God. (It's Christian fiction, natch.) Although my experience with adoption differed greatly from Lauren's fictional journey (my husband and I had been married for over a decade and had three biological children when we adopted our newborn daughter here in the U.S.), I could definitely empathize with a lot of her feelings and frustrations. Her decisions and thought patterns didn't always seem logical to me, but I still felt a connection with her character. She's sympathetic and likable, although—not gonna lie—she got irritating and self-centered at times. Joshua, on the other hand, is completely charming, likely because he has no actual flaws except for being a little too silly. He could have used some rounding out to make him more realistic. I especially dug Lauren's kind, supportive circle of friends; their presence adds a nice found-family aspect to the novel that gives it another layer of heartwarming appeal.
Deese has a warm, engaging writing style that makes Before I Called You Mine both compelling and enjoyable. The story is predictable, sure, but it's got enough conflict going on to keep it interesting. Lauren's romance with Joshua develops over time, her adoption journey is realistically bumpy, and her dealings with her parents and sister bring up some important issues about family, adoption, and decision making. This might be spoiler-y, but I would have liked more in the story about Lauren's actual experience as a single, working mother of an older child who has been plopped into a completely foreign living situation without being able to understand more than a few words of English. That whole experience—which could be incredibly rocky—feels glossed over in the novel.
I know a lot of readers shy away from Christian novels because they often get too preachy, cheesy, or just over-the-top Jesus-y. Before I Called You Mine does have a stronger religious vibe than other Christian books I've read, but it's handled in a way that feels mostly natural and balanced. To be fair, I'm a religious person and I often have discussions with family and friends about church, scriptures, spiritual promptings, how God works in my life, etc. I like the way Deese deals with the religious aspects of the story, and I am definitely one who puts down a book if it's too preachy! This one isn't (at least not for me).
Overall, I quite enjoyed Before I Called You Mine. It's clean, heartwarming, uplifting, and faith-promoting. I cared about the characters and felt invested in their plights. There was enough going on in the story to keep me reading. Its themes resonated with me as a mother, an adoptive parent, and a Christian woman. Deese's writing style appeals to me so I will definitely be reading more from her.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other books about adoption, although no particular one is coming to mind. Help!)
Grade:
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for nothing offensive
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Before I Called You Mine from the generous folks at Bethany House in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Saturday, February 19, 2022
Upbeat MG Novel Entertaining and Empowering
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Ashley Simon-Hockheimer loves reporting the news. She's been on her school's news crew since she was in second grade. Now that she's in sixth, she should be the undisputed star of The News at Nine. If it weren't for that unfortunate decision to film a teacher doing something embarrassing, she would be the lead anchor, not cringe-y Harry E. Levin. Ugh.
Tired of watching from the sidelines, Ash and two of her friends decide to create their own show, The Underground News. They don't have a fancy sponsor to gift them sophisticated equipment like the school does, but that doesn't mean they can't make a quality program that will attract lots of viewers. All they need to make their little homemade show go viral is a big, juicy story...
When the girls stumble across a story that could have a potentially huge impact on their school and community, they can't wait to break it. While they race to verify their information, they have to contend with dodgy sources, friendship drama, and fending off Harry, who's about to steal their scoop for himself. Who will break the story first? Will Ashley finally get the chance to shine as lead anchor? Or will her nemesis steal her glory once again?
Elissa Brent Weissman's The Length of a String was one of my favorite reads of 2021. I wanted to read more from her, so I picked up The Renegade Reporters since it looked like a fun book. It is both of those things; it's also a timely story about the hot-button issue of online privacy. The novel looks at the pros and cons of tracking people's movements online, providing a perfect springboard for thoughtful discussion in a classroom or at home. It also shows the benefits of teamwork, learning from one's mistakes, and using your voice for good. While it does get a little far-fetched, overall The Renegade Reporters is a warm, upbeat read that is entertaining and empowering. I enjoyed it.
Note: I listened to this book on audio, an experience I highly recommend. The narrator, Keylor Leigh, does an excellent job. Her voice is smooth and easy on the ear. I'll definitely look for more books with her as the reader.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
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To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Wednesday, July 07, 2021
Middle-Grade Whale Tale Warm and Empowering
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Grief-stricken over the recent death of her marine biologist mother with whom she lived in Japan, 12-year-old Willa Twitchell is trying to adjust to her new normal. Now residing on an island in Washington State, she shares a loud, chaotic home with her dad, stepmom, three younger step-siblings, and a baby half-sister. The best thing about being back on Tupkuk Island is her renewed friendship with her long-time best friend Marc Mendoza, but even he is acting strangely. With her life all upside-down, Willa finds solace in the same place her mother always did: the sea.
on the sympathetic humpback. When a blue whale washes up on Tupkuk's shore, she becomes especially scared. Willa's only a small girl. How can she save the dying creature? The townspeople are talking about all kinds of inhumane solutions to get rid of its body, including blowing it up or letting it rot. Willa knows her mother would do everything in her power to save the whale; Willa intends to do the same. With Meg's help, she puts a plan into action. Will it work? And what will happen when it's time for Meg to move on with her pod? How will Willa, already wracked with sorrow, say goodbye to her friend?
Willa and the Whale, the newest middle-grade novel by husband-and-wife writing team Chad Morris and Shelly Brown, is a gentle, hopeful novel about grief, friendship, and healing. Filled with whale trivia, it teaches the reader about whales while also imparting greater life lessons. Willa is a sympathetic character, although she sometimes comes off as self-centered and victim-y. She does show growth during the course of the novel, but I still found her a little irritating. Likewise, I found the magical realism element of this book a tad annoying. It just wasn't convincing to me, which made the whole story fall a bit flat for me. Add to that the fact that there's no real plot to keep the tale focused and you can see why Willa and the Whale was a like-it-didn't-love-it read for me. I always appreciate a warm, empowering middle-grade novel; this is certainly that, even if it wasn't as satisfying as I wanted it to be.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of The Elephant's Girl by Celesta Rimington and Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly)
Grade:
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To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of Willa and the Whale from the generous folks at Shadow Mountain Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Thursday, January 21, 2021
Upbeat MG Novel More About Capability Than Disability
(Image from Amazon)
Aven Green was born with no arms. The 12-year-old is used to getting stares when she's in unfamiliar places, but she's lived in the same town for so long that no one at school or in her community gives her a second glance anymore. Her classmates see her use her feet to do all kinds of ordinary tasks—eat, turn pages in her textbooks, write, even play the guitar. No big deal. They know she can do pretty much anything they can do, even without arms.
When her dad announces that he's taken a new job as the manager of an amusement park in Arizona, Aven is not thrilled. She doesn't want to move to the desert, leave her friends behind, and start over at a new school. Doing so is just as awful as she thinks it will be. Stagecoach Pass is a grungy, derelict old place; her family's new apartment is teensy; her classmates gape at her torso and make rude comments; and Aven's taken to hiding out in the school bathroom to avoid their stares. Things start to improve when she meets two boys who feel just as outcast as Aven—Connor has Tourette Syndrome and Zion is overweight. With her friends by her side, she sets out to prove anew that challenges or no, they can do anything, even solve the mystery of Stagecoach Pass's missing owners!
A note: I listened to Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus on audio. The book is read by Karissa Vacker, whose performance I didn't love. She tended toward a Valley Girl/mean girl accent when voicing Aven and other young females, while employing a mopey/dopey tone for Aven's male pals. Thus, the girls all sounded like snots while the boys just sounded dumb. I'm an audiobook novice, so perhaps I'm way too picky about narrators, but Vacker drove me a little nuts. I got used to her after awhile, but I came close to abandoning the audio version because her voice grated on my ears, especially at first. Just sayin'.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. You?)
Grade:
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To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Saturday, December 26, 2020
Debut MG Novel a Spuderrific Read
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Potatoes have never been good to 12-year-old Ben Hardy. Now that he's living in small-town Idaho in the heart of spud country, he feels positively cursed by his least favored vegetable. A for-instance: after accidentally causing the school mascot to fall and sprain his ankle, Ben is sentenced to finishing out the season as Steve the Spud. There are only two weeks left, but that's plenty of time for all of Ben's popularity plans to go straight down the toilet. If his classmates know he's the one inside the dorky potato man suit? That's it for Ben. He'll go down forever as the nerdiest of nerds. Since that absolutely cannot happen, he vows to keep his substitute Steve the Spud act top secret. What could possibly go wrong?
la Gordon Korman, Lincoln Peirce, and Jeff Kinney.
(Readalikes: books by the authors mentioned above)
Grade:
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To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of My Life As a Potato with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Wednesday, December 23, 2020
Debut MG Novel Funny and Entertaining
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Yumi Chung's Korean immigrant parents expect a lot of her—intensive studying, perfect grades, admission to an Ivy League institution, and the pursuit of an ambitious career (her older sister is in medical school). Eleven-year-old Yumi couldn't care less about school. In fact, she kind of hates the fancy prep academy her parents make her attend. Her big dream? Becoming the next great stand-up comic. To her family, comedy is a silly hobby, a waste of time. To Yumi, it's a way to express herself and connect with people in a way she can't otherwise.
When Yumi happens upon a comedy camp for kids taught by her favorite YouTube comic, she can't help wandering in. She's instantly mistaken for an absent camper. Knowing her parents would never let her join the camp for real, Yumi assumes the missing girl's identity. Yumi's thrilled to be learning from her idol, but maintaining her lie and keeping her activities a secret from her parents is stressing her out big time. When the inevitable happens, Yumi must decide how much she's willing to risk to make her dream come true.
A debut middle-grade novel by Jessica Kim, Stand Up, Yumi Chung! tells a fun, upbeat story that's entertaining and humorous. The set-up is a little cliché with its demanding Asian-American parents and restaurant setting, but the stand-up comedy angle is one I haven't encountered before in a children's book. Yumi is funny and likable, which makes her an easy-to-root-for heroine. She and her friends act a lot older than 11, with more freedom and ambition than kids typically have at that age. This made the story feel unauthentic, making me think this novel would have worked a little better as a YA book. Still, Stand Up, Yumi Chung! is an enjoyable, empowering romp with lots of heart. I didn't absolutely love it, but I definitely liked it.
(Readalikes: A hundred titles should be coming to mind, but I'm drawing a blank. Any ideas?)
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To the FTC, with love: Another fine find
Saturday, December 19, 2020
Warm and Engaging MG Novel Entertaining and Thought-Provoking
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
When her family can no longer afford the fees at the private Islamic academy she's been attending, 11-year-old Sara Hameed is forced to attend public school for the first time. As the new girl and a Pakistani-American, she feels lonely and out of place. When her mother starts teaching a South Asian cooking class at the school, Sara's even more in the spotlight. She's not ashamed of her culture or her immigrant mom, but when her classmates snicker and criticize her family's "weird" ways, it makes her feel like even more of an outcast.
Elizabeth Shainmark's British mother has been so depressed lately that she no longer prepares meals or really engages with the family. The 11-year-old signs up for an after-school cooking class in order to gain culinary skills she can use at home. Elizabeth forms a tentative friendship with Sara when the girls become cooking partners. Although her family is not observant, as a Jew Elizabeth understands what it's like to be seen as different. Not only does she empathize with Sara's plight, but she genuinely enjoys her company and wants to learn more about her.
Even as the girls face challenges in their friendship and at home, they decide to work together to create a fusion dish that they hope will win them a spot on a television cooking show. Not only are they keen to nab the prize, but they also want to prove to their doubtful peers that people from different backgrounds and cultures can be not just teammates but also true friends. Will their unique dish wow the judges? Most importantly, can the girls show everyone just how beautifully differences can blend—not just in food, but in friendship too?
A Place at the Table by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan is a warm, upbeat novel that celebrates the individual traditions and backgrounds that make us all unique. It encourages readers to be themselves, even when that means being different from everyone around you. Not only does it offer an engaging story with sympathetic characters and interesting conflicts, but it also teaches some great lessons about friendship, family, staying true to you, standing up for others, forgiving each other, and seeking to understand other cultures instead of believing unfair stereotypes. My favorite lesson in the story is that becoming a better, less prejudiced, more open-minded person is a process. We can learn from our mistakes and strive to do better each and every day. As a religious person, I also appreciate that A Place at the Table teaches kids that religion isn't necessarily weird or fanatical—for most people, it's just a normal, ordinary part of life. Also, the way that members of the same faith practice their religion can vary widely among different communities, families and individuals. All of these elements combine to create an eye-opening, entertaining, and thought-provoking story that I enjoyed very much.
(Readalikes: Um, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
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To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Friday, December 18, 2020
MG Series Opener A Joyful Ode to the Ordinary
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Ways to Make Sunshine, the first installment in a new middle-grade series by Renée Watson, is an upbeat, positive story that is as joyful as it is empowering. Ryan Hart has been called the new Ramona Quimby, which fits. While she's a good girl who's always trying to be kinder and more compassionate, she becomes realistically frustrated with daunting situations. She's also got a mischievous side that helps make her feel authentic. There's not a lot of plot in this series opener, but that's okay. I actually love that the book portrays ordinary days with ordinary problems in the life of an ordinary family. You don't see that a lot in children's novels that star Black families—most of the ones I've read tackle slavery, racism, gang violence, absent fathers, the Civil Rights movement, etc. While there's nothing wrong with taking on those big issues, it's refreshing to find a book like Ways to Make Sunshine that depicts a typical Black family dealing with normal, everyday issues. I wish this novel had been around when my daughter, who is bi-racial and adopted, was younger. It would have helped her feel seen. I'm thrilled that kids who look like her—as well as those who don't—will all be able to find themselves in this delightful series.
(Readalikes: The Ramona Quimby books by Beverly Cleary)
Grade:
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To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
MG Novel Tells Sincere, Heartwarming Tale About the Importance of Farming, Family, and Friendship
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
There's nothing 12-year-old Paige McBride likes better than working the Idaho farm her family has owned for generations. Even with the recent death of her father, which has caused financial hardship, extra chores, and heavy sorrow, Paige is determined to keep the place running smoothly. When she learns about her mother's decision to sell her beloved land, she vows it will never happen. Not only does Paige have a foolproof plan to sabotage their realtor's schemes, but now she's got two unexpected secret weapons—a journalist who wants a hands-on farming experience and a wounded peacock of mysterious origins. Paige will use them, as well as every other trick she's got up her sleeve, to rescue the farm she loves. Will it be enough?
Wendy S. Swore's debut novel, A Monster Like Me, was one of the best books I read last year. I loved it so much that I couldn't wait to read her sophomore effort, The Wish and the Peacock. While her newest didn't move me as much as her first, I still enjoyed this poignant middle-grade novel. Paige is an admirable heroine—she's smart, loyal, hard-working, and focused. Her love for her home and family shines brightly. Young readers will enjoy the story for the funny antics Paige and her friends employ to foil the adults' actions, but what will really stand out is our heroine's dogged determination to save the things and people she loves. Paige's affinity for her land as well as the work she does on it ring with authenticity because Swore, herself, is a full-time farmer. It's not surprising, then, that The Wish and the Peacock exudes sincerity and heart. Overall, it's an empowering tale about the importance of friendship, family, legacy, and fighting for what you believe in. I enjoyed it.
(Readalikes: Um, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
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To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of The Wish and the Peacock from the generous folks at Shadow Mountain in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Monday, January 27, 2020
MG Novel Straightforward, Thought-Provoking, and Entertaining
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Twins are rare enough, but 11-year-old Minni King and her sister, Keira, are more unusual still. Children of a Black mother and a white father, Minnie's skin matches her dad's while Keira's is the same shade as their mom's. Their parents have always assured them that what matters most is that they're all part of the strong, tight-knit King Family, but that doesn't mean their unique family doesn't attract plenty of stares and ignorant comments from people in their mostly white Pacific Northwest community.
When the girls' overbearing grandmother calls, insisting Minni and Keira come stay with her in Raleigh, North Carolina, in order to compete in the Miss Black Pearl contest, Keira's over the moon. She's vivacious and gorgeous, the perfect candidate for a
Mingling in a mostly Black society for the first time in her life, Minni feels very, very white. While she struggles to define her own Blackness, she also bristles at her grandmother's constant criticism of Keira. As the sisters each experience racism, prejudice, and confusion about their mixed ethnicities, they will both learn valuable lessons about identity, understanding, sisterhood, and family.
As the white adoptive mother of a bi-racial child, I'm always glad to find books like The Other Half of My Heart by Sundee T. Frazier (who is the daughter of a Black father and a white mother). They open my eyes to issues my daughter will likely face in her life and aid me in knowing how to help her through them. While The Other Half of My Heart tackles issues like race and identity in a blunt, straightforward way, the story is also funny and entertaining enough to keep middle graders reading. The plot's a bit loosey-goosey, but the story moves fast enough to prevent it from getting dull. While the tale is predictable, I still found it enjoyable overall. I listened to this one as an audiobook and especially liked the narrator, Bahni Turpin.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other novels about being Black (or bi-racial) in a white world, including The Blossoming Universe of Violet Diamond by Brenda Woods; Black Boy, White School by Brian F. Walker; Sell-Out by Ebony Joy Wilkins; SLAY by Brittney Morris; etc.)
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To the FTC, with love: I received a free audiobook of The Other Half of My Heart through a promotion at Audible.
Wednesday, December 04, 2019
Sweet, Entertaining Story Urges Kids to Be Themselves (Even If They're a Little Different From Others)
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"It's a powerful thing to rescue something. It changes both of you."
Emma's nerves are running rampant on the night before she's to start public school after years of being taught at home. Needing a distraction, she goes with her game warden father on a call about a wild rabbit. Surprised to find a pet bunny, not a feral animal, Emma begs her dad to let her bring it home. Reluctantly, he agrees. But only until the shelter opens the next morning.
Delighted by her foster pet, Emma nonetheless longs to find a real best friend. She's never had one before and she desperately wants to know what it's like. When her efforts yield only a strange boy with special needs, she doesn't know what to do. Her bunny, Lapi, provides emotional support, but when his presence at her home is threatened, Emma fears she'll lose the only friend she has. Can she figure out how to keep Lapi and find a human BFF? Or is she stuck with no pet and only the weird kid for company at school?
I've enjoyed all of Cynthia Lord's middle-grade novels. Her newest, Because of the Rabbit, is no exception. It's not my favorite of the author's books, but it's still a sweet, upbeat story about being yourself (even if you're a little different from other people), telling the truth, and being a good friend. Because of the Rabbit is an easy, entertaining read that will appeal to animal lovers as well as kids who might be having trouble with their own friendships. I enjoyed it.
(Readalikes: A little like Rules by Cynthia Lord)
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To the FTC, with love: Another library find fine
Thursday, February 14, 2019
Empowering Middle Grade Novel Urges Kids to Embrace Their Own Unique Voice
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Being deaf has always made 12-year-old Iris Bailey feel like an outsider. Even in her own family, where some members have made the effort to learn American Sign Language (ASL) and others haven't. As the only deaf student at her school, it can be tough for Iris to understand what's going on around her, make friends, and communicate everything that's going on inside her head. She wants her voice to be heard, but that's difficult when you're a deaf kid in a hearing world.
When Iris learns about Blue 55, a whale who has to swim alone because he can't communicate with other whales, she feels immediate empathy for the lonely creature. She longs to find a way to tell him he is not alone. A whiz with radios and other tech, Iris sets about creating a welcoming song just for Blue 55. Even though he's a long way from her home in Texas, she will find a way to reach him. It will take all her smarts, all her courage, and all her determination to achieve her goal. Then, maybe, both she and Blue 55 will finally be able to connect to their peers in a world where neither one of them feels understood ...
Song for a Whale is the second novel by Lynne Kelly, who has worked as a sign language interpreter for over 25 years. It tells a gentle, sympathetic story about a lonely young lady who finds her purpose while trying to help an unusual whale (you can read about the real whale that inspired Blue 55 here). As she puts her heart and soul into the project, Iris is finally able to make herself heard. Although the tale gets bogged down with science/tech talk, it's still an interesting and unique story. Young readers may find Song for a Whale overly detailed and a little long (as did I), but if they hang in there, they'll find the novel pays off in the end with empowering, uplifting messages about family, belonging, and embracing your own special voice.
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To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of Song for a Whale from the generous folks at Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Saturday, December 29, 2018
Empowering MG Novel Urges All to See Each Other More Clearly
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
When you're in junior high, nothing draws in the bullies quite like being different. Flint would know. With a debilitating eye disease called keratoconus, he has to work harder than most just to see normally. Calling him "Squint," his middle school tormentors love to mock him at every turn, making his lonely existence even more difficult. Flint tries his best to ignore the taunts, focusing instead on the epic superhero comic book he's writing and illustrating. His goal is to submit it to a "Find a New Comic Star" contest before his eyelids thin enough to blind him completely. When he wins, Flint will finally receive the respect and friendship he craves.Flint, who always sits alone at lunch, can't quite believe it when the cool new girl sits next to him in the cafeteria. Even though she's been accepted by the popular crowd, McKell Panganiban seems genuinely nice. The more Flint gets to know her, the more he realizes that, like him, McKell has some amazing hidden talents she's reluctant to share. As the two begin to trust each other with their secret skills, they make some amazing discoveries about each other and about themselves. When a dynamic YouTube star urges them to make the most of the time they've been given, Flint and McKell realize their new friendship might just give them the courage they need to finally do the things that scare them most.
I greatly enjoyed Mustaches for Maddie, last year's heartwarming MG novel by husband/wife duo Chad Morris and Shelly Brown, so I was excited to read their newest offering, Squint. Like its predecessor, Squint is a warm, uplifting story that encourages empathy, compassion, and accepting others despite their differences. Although it deals with tough subjects, Squint remains positive without ever feeling cheesy or overly sentimental. Instead, it's a funny, engaging story that both entertains and empowers. In the same vein as Wonder, it's a book that reminds us to look more closely at each other—and ourselves—to find the hidden beauty inside us all.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of Wonder by R.J. Palacio and other MG novels about learning to accept others despite their disabilities/differences)
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To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of Squint from the generous folks at Shadow Mountain in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Wednesday, December 12, 2018
1957 Amish Novel a Sweet, Enjoyable Little Gem
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Esther Lapp loves life in her small Pennsylvania Amish community. Her days revolve around helping her parents on their farm, studying the Bible with her aunt, and socializing and worshipping with other Plain folks. Among others like her, the 9-year-old never gets mocked for her unusual lifestyle or stared at because of the simple clothes she wears.
Everything changes when community officials visit the Lapp's farm, informing them that Esther must comply with Pennsylvania's compulsory education law or else. Even though she's nervous about being out in the sinful world, Esther's excited to see what school is all about. Unlike her older brother, Daniel, she would never get herself Shunned by leaving her Amish community, but she soon finds herself amazed at all the outside has to offer! As Esther gains a new perspective, she starts to question the things she's always been taught and the way she's always lived. Trying to make sense of the two contradicting worlds in which she now lives, Esther must find her way in a strange, new existence that challenges her worldview, her beliefs, and her faith.
When I mentioned how much I enjoyed reading novels about Amish life, my writer friend Kimberley Griffiths Little recommended Plain Girl by Virginia Sorensen. Although the book was published in 1957, I'd never heard of it. A pity, because it tells a sweet, simple story that's deeper than it appears to be at first glance. It's a short novel, written for a middle grade audience, that asks some intriguing questions about tradition vs. change, faith vs. fear, tolerance vs. judgement, and forgiveness vs. anger. That might sound too "churchy" for modern MG readers, but really, the lessons Plain Girl teaches are subtle and universal ones about embracing one's own identity and not just accepting other people's differences, but also learning from them. Like Kimberley, I highly recommend this little gem of a book, which I very much enjoyed.
(Readalikes: Hm, I've never read another children's book about the Amish, so I'm not sure to what I can compare Plain Girl. Any ideas?)
Grade:
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To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of Plain Girl from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
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2026 Goodreads Reading Challenge
2024 - Elementary/Middle Grade Nonfiction
2023 - Middle Grade Fiction
2022 - Middle Grade Fiction
2021 - Middle Grade Fiction
2020 - Middle Grade Fiction
