Bookshorts
If you or your children are interested in the Amish lifestyle, novels by Carrie Bender and Mary Christner Borntrager are for you. Bender has written two series, one for children entitled Whispering Brook Series, and one for adults entitled Miriam's Journal. Borntrager's Mandy is the ninth in her Ellie's People series. Both authors use Pennsylvania Dutch words to give authentic flavour to the story. Miriam's Journal is exactly that: a journal of her growing up, marrying and having children. She journals both the activities that happen, as well as her spiritual pilgrimage. The Whispering Brook Series has as its central character Nancy Petersheim, who experiences life both in her own community, as well as a summer spent with her sister's family in another community. All three series are easy reading and illustrate well the seemingly idyllic life the Amish lead.
Another Amish book that is well worth checking out is Rosanna of the Amish. This book has been released as the centennial edition of the story of Rosanna O'Connor McGonegal Yoder. Rosanna "was born Irish Catholic, orphaned at the age of five days, and raised by a devout Amish woman". This story portrays her life and the life of the Amish of the past century.
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