A Big Year for Lily by Suzanne Woods Fisher and Mary Ann Kinsinger (Review)

Age Range: 8 and up

Paperback: 272 pages

Publisher: Revell (July 1, 2013)

ISBN-13: 978-0800721343

Lily Lapp's family has settled into their new home in Pennsylvania, but life still holds big changes and big steps for Lily. Good changes, like once again living close to her beloved cousin and best friend, Hannah. Bad changes, like a mean girl who plays tricks on her. And no change at all where Lily would most want one--Aaron Yoder sits near her in school and relentlessly teases her. Surprises are in store for Lily as she learns, with Mama and Papa's help, to manage the ups and downs of growing up Amish.

The third of four charming novels that chronicle the gentle way of the Amish through the eyes of a young girl, A Big Year for Lily gives children ages 8-12 a fascinating glimpse into the life of the Amish--and lots of fun and laughter along the way. It combines Mary Ann Kinsinger's real-life stories of growing up Amish and the bestselling writing of Amish fiction and nonfiction author Suzanne Woods Fisher. With charming line drawings in each book, this series captures the hearts of readers young and old.


My Review:

I enjoyed reading this book chronicling the journey of young Amish girl Lily as she grows up. I think it is too hard for 8 year olds to read on their own and they might need help though. The chapters are long with a lot of words. I thought the story was interesting and well written. I liked seeing what happened next to Lily and her family. They have mostly good lives. Lily has a few things that drive her crazy like Aaron Yoder who picks on her and Effie who bullies her. This is a sweet charming Amish book for the younger crowd. Recommended.





Mary Ann Kinsinger was raised Old Order Amish in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. She met and married her husband, whom she knew from school days, and started a family. After they chose to leave the Amish church, Mary Ann began a blog, A Joyful Chaos, as a way to pass on her warm childhood memories to her own children. From the start, this blog found a ready audience and even captured the attention of key media players, such as the influential blog AmishAmerica and the New York Times. She lives in Pennsylvania.

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of The Choice, The Waiting, The Search, A Lancaster County Christmas, The Keeper, and The Haven, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Suzanne is a Christy Award finalist and a Carol Award finalist. She is the host of internet radio show Amish Wisdom, which boasts 15,000 downloads a month, and a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines. She lives in California. Find out more
at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com.

Review copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Available July 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

A New Home for Lily by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher (Review)

Reading level: Ages 8 and up

Paperback: 272 pages

Publisher: Revell (February 1, 2013)

ISBN-13: 978-0800721336

About the book:

Lily Lapp is moving with her family to Pennsylvania to join a new Amish community. In this small town where changes--and newcomers--are greeted with suspicion, Lily must adjust to a new school, new friends, and Aaron Yoder, an annoying boy who teases her relentlessly. Still, there are exciting new developments, including an attic full of adventure and a new baby brother. But why, Lily wonders, can't God bring her just one sister?

The second novel in the charming Adventures of Lily Lapp series, A New Home for Lily gives children ages 8-12 a fascinating glimpse into the life of the Amish--and lots of fun and laughter along the way. It combines the real-life stories of growing up Amish from Mary Ann Kinsinger and the bestselling writing of Amish fiction and nonfiction author Suzanne Woods Fisher. With line illustrations throughout, this series is sure to capture the hearts of readers young and old.

 

My Review:

 

I really enjoyed reading this Amish middle grade book. It is the second book in the Adventures of Lily Lapp series. It can be read alone but both books are good. Depending on how well the children of the age group targeted read they might need help. It is a lengthy chapter book although easy to read and comprehend. The plot is interesting and covers many different aspects of an Amish child's life.  I look forward to reading more about Lily and her adventures.

Recommended. :)

 

 

About the Author

Mary Ann Kinsinger was raised Old Order Amish in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. She met and married her husband, whom she knew from school days, and started a family. After they chose to leave the Amish church, Mary Ann began a blog, A Joyful Chaos, as a way to capture her warm memories of her childhood for her own children. From the start, this blog found a ready audience and even captured the attention of key media players, such as the influential blog AmishAmerica and the New York Times. She lives in Pennsylvania.

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of The Choice, The Waiting, The Search, The Keeper, and The Haven, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Suzanne is a Christy Award finalist and a Carol Award finalist. She is the host of internet radio show Amish Wisdom and a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines. She lives in California.

 

 

Available now wherever Baker/Revell books are sold.

 

Review copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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Life with Lily by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher (Review)

Reading level: Ages 8 and up

Paperback: 288 pages

Publisher: Revell (October 1, 2012)

ISBN-13: 978-0800721329

About the book:

For a child, every day is a thing of wonder. And for six-year-old Lily Lapp, every day is a new opportunity for blessings, laughter, family, and a touch of mischief. As she explores her world, goes to school, spends time with her family, and gets into a bit of trouble with her friends, Lily learns what it means to be Amish and what it means to grow up. From getting a new teacher to welcoming a new sibling, Lily's life is always full of adventure.

The first of four charming novels that chronicle the gentle way of the Amish through the eyes of a young girl, Life with Lily gives children ages 8-12 a fascinating glimpse into the life of the Amish--and lots of fun and laughter along the way. It combines the real-life stories of growing up Amish from Mary Ann Kinsinger and the bestselling writing of Amish fiction and nonfiction author Suzanne Woods Fisher. With charming illustrations throughout, this series is sure to capture the hearts of readers young and old.

My Review:
I really enjoyed reading this middle grade Amish book. It will not appeal to all though. The most likely audience to me is homeschooled girls. Younger kids are going to need help reading it because of the length. Lily is a great heroine. She is not perfect. There are several life lessons that can be learned from this book including forgivness and how to get along with others. Lily faces many of the same things that regular kids face on a daily basis including a mean teacher, a fellow student who gets her in trouble, sick family, and moving. The writing is good and character development. I am glad to hear this is a series. I look forward to more of Lily's adventures. Recommended.

 

 

 

About the authors:

Mary Ann Kinsinger was raised Old Order Amish in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. She met and married her husband, whom she knew from school days and started a family. After they chose to leave the Amish church, Mary Ann began a blog, A Joyful Chaos, as a way to capture her warm memories of her childhood for her own children. From the start, this blog found a ready audience and even captured the attention of key media players, such as the influential blog AmishAmerica and the New York Times. She lives in Pennsylvania.

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of The Choice, The Waiting, The Search, The Keeper, and The Haven, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, W. D. Benedict, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Suzanne is a Christy Award nominee and is the host of an internet radio show called Amish Wisdom. She lives in California.

Available now wherever Revell/Baker books are sold.

Thank you Donna at Revell for my review copy.