Birch Hollow Schoolmarm - Hardcover

Bender, Carrie

3.82

56 ratings by Goodreads

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0786245840 ISBN 13: 9780786245840

Publisher: Thorndike Pr, 2002

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Impatient with the constrictions of Amish life, sixteen-year-old Dora sneaks out repeatedly to meet a young man against her parents' wishes, but a serious accident makes her reconsider her life choices.

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From School Library Journal:

Gr 6-10-Written in diary form and embellished with occasional sketches, this spin-off of the Christian-fiction series "Miriam's Journal" (Herald) is set in 20th-century Pennsylvania Amish country. In the first entry, fresh-faced, idealistic Dora has turned 16 and is ready to go "rumschpringing" (running around with friends). When her parents nix her request to date the impetuous Gideon, she sneaks out repeatedly to be with him. That is her biggest sin; it is never suggested that they so much as hold hands. Dora spends the majority of the book repenting, preparing for baptism, traveling to Minnesota to teach in a one-room school, and falling for upstanding Matthew. The characters serve mainly as supports for the plot and Dora's spiritual reflection: her writing is heavily laced with Scriptures, sermons, hymns, and prayers. Bender appends lists with "Rules for Teachers," from 1872 and 1915, and "Rules for Schoolchildren," dated 1760, providing a context. Sources for all quoted material are noted as well. Italicized Pennsylvania-German phrases lend local color; they are translated parenthetically. The author has some genuine storytelling gifts. Her flare for creating truly dramatic and humorous events keeps the pages turning quickly. Flaws include a tendency toward clich when describing nature and emotions and an overuse of the word "cute." Nevertheless, conservative Christian girls searching their own souls will relate to Dora's struggles.-Wendy Lukehart, Dauphin County Library, Harrisburg, PA

From Library Journal:

Bender (A Golden Sunbeam, LJ 4/1/97) continues her depiction of Amish community life in this new series featuring characters who first appeared in the heartfelt series "Miriam's Journal." Though she is well loved, Dora, the 16-year-old adoptive daughter of Miriam and Nate Kauffman, begins to feel the need to break away from the constrictions of Amish life. A serious accident brings her to her senses. Wanting a new start, Dora accepts a job teaching in an Amish school in Minnesota, where she begins to find true contentment. Told in diary form, this old-fashioned, often sentimental tale gives a good introduction to what is certain to be a popular series. Recommended.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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