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256 pp.
| Abrams/Amulet
| September, 2018
|
TradeISBN 978-1-41973-132-7$16.99
(3)
4-6
Odds series.
The Odds' (The Mighty Odds; Against the Odds) quirky superpowers are getting stronger, and none too soon: classmates who all mysteriously received high scores on a test are suddenly exhibiting out-of-control behavior, all apparently tied to Auxano Labs. In its third installment, the humorous series--punctuated as usual with cartoons, articles, and blog posts--picks up speed, and characters show welcome development.
(4)
YA
Mennonite teen Lucy looks forward to the annual visit of her Amish friend Alice. But this year, Alice is exploring life outside the Old Order during Rumspringa, and Lucy grows envious of Alice's temporary freedom. When Alice disappears, Lucy leads her own investigation. This culturally sensitive novel offers a glimpse into Amish and Mennonite communities, though it's a relatively predictable mystery.
220 pp.
| Abrams/Amulet
| May, 2017
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4197-2308-7$15.95
(3)
4-6
Fans of the equally offbeat predecessor The Mighty Odds should be eager to learn the backstory of the main characters' strange superpowers, which involves an ill-intentioned lab testing a drug on rabbits--and on Amish teens during their Rumspringa. The often funny mission to rescue several people locked up by that lab is punctuated with drawings, news articles, and sometimes boorish middle-school dialogue.
313 pp.
| Harcourt
| September, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-0-544-00013-1$16.99
(3)
YA
Katie (The Hallowed Ones) was shunned by her Amish community after the rise of vampires. When she and her "English" (non-Amish) boyfriend Alex find other survivors, Katie--who's already compromised her values--balks at their new allies' (somewhat implausible) bioengineered defense against the creatures. This unusual vampire story raises questions of faith, ethics, and science while offering a glimpse into Amish culture.
396 pp.
| Hyperion
| July, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4231-5153-1$16.99
(3)
YA
Amish Eliza, sixteen, leaves the comfort and familiarity of her "plain" life to spend her rumspringa ("a period of independence" for teens) exploring the marvels of a modern lifestyle. While she experiences technology, romance, and heartache for the first time, she also discovers the strength of her heritage and the importance of being true to one's self. This bildungsroman offers both a unique and a universal perspective.
32 pp.
| Good
| November, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-1-56148-639-7$16.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
P. Buckley Moss.
In his fourth gentle adventure, Reuben, a young Amish boy, is fascinated by the flight of hot-air balloons over his family's farm. When a balloon lands near his property, Reuben and two of his friends get to take a thrilling ride. The story is slight but pleasingly illustrated with unfussy paintings of rural farm life.
(2)
4-6
Illustrated by
Charles Geer
&
Charles Geer.
This reissue retains the original interior art but has new cover art by Kevin Hawkes. Sorensen, who excelled at providing a glimpse of family life, gives readers a sympathetic and appealing portrait of Esther, an Amish girl being sent to public school--and into the wider world--for the first time, against the wishes of her father.
Reviewer: Terri Schmitz
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
December, 1955
(3)
K-3
A short and straightforward text describes the cooperative efforts of an Amish community as the men construct a new barn in one day. Washed in earth tones, the pen-and-ink art successfully conveys the huge scope of the project.
40 pp.
| Atheneum
| May, 2001
|
TradeISBN 0-689-82623-0$$17.00
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Pamela Patrick.
An Amish boy describes the way that he cares for his family's horses and the work that the animals do on the farm. When his father decides that they need another horse, the boy gets to accompany him to the auction. The story, sprinkled with dialect, and attractive artwork offer an interesting look at Amish life. Glos.
40 pp.
| Eerdmans
| September, 2001
|
TradeISBN 0-8028-5207-6$$17.00
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Bill Farnsworth.
The author celebrates the life of the Pennsylvania Dutch in seventeen poems. Accompanied by handsome oil paintings that feature scenes of nature, the verses emphasize the connection between the people and the land. Because almost all of the free-verse poems have a similar sound and structure--two or three stanzas composed of short lines with many adjectives--they become a bit tedious when read all at once and will be best appreciated when experienced individually.
40 pp.
| Farrar
| March, 2001
|
TradeISBN 0-374-33905-8$$16.00
(2)
1-3
Illustrated by
David Small.
The Journey records a trip to Chicago for Amish Hannah. Double-page spreads set in Chicago, paired with entries from Hannah's diary, alternate with wordless spreads depicting the home that Hannah has left behind--Amish scenes both suggested by the diary entries and visually paralleling the preceding city scenes. The pictures effectively convey the idea that the way we see things depends on where we're coming from.
Reviewer: Susan P. Bloom
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
March, 2001
40 pp.
| Atheneum
| February, 2000
|
TradeISBN 0-689-82622-2$$16.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Pamela Patrick.
Although the quality of the artwork is inconsistent, both the illustrations and text provide an interesting glimpse into the life of the same young Amish narrator of An Amish Wedding. Lizzie has daily chores and helps with spring planting, summer haymaking, and autumn canning but also has fun with other Amish children. Much information is included in the text, but an author's note offers additional facts about the culture.
32 pp.
| Atheneum
| October, 1998
|
TradeISBN 0-689-81677-4$$17.00
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Pamela Patrick.
Anna's little sister describes the preparations for and celebration of Anna's wedding day. The narrator mentions a few customs whose significance is not fully clear to the reader, such as the bride stepping over a broom and wearing a black cap for the wedding, but overall the picture book offers an interesting look at a traditional Amish ceremony. The artwork is a bit uneven: some characters look almost photorealistic, while other figures are rather sketchy.
32 pp.
| Little
| September, 1998
|
TradeISBN 0-316-96887-0$$15.95
(3)
1-3
Illustrated by
Bernie Fuchs.
In this story about the barn raising that follows a destructive fire, Yolen's text, rich with metaphor, captures the spirit of community that flourishes among the Amish. Eight-year-old Matthew, the narrator, hopes that Papa will consider him big enough to help. The expressive oil paintings offer compelling images of the farm and the Amish people. Author's note appended.