The Parting

October 1, 2007
Beloved bestselling inspirational author Lewis kicks off The Courtship of Nellie Fisher series, dishing up her usual sort of Amish meal. Amish teen Nellie Fishers grief over the death of her sister, Suzy, in a drowning accident is just beginning to heal. It helps that Caleb Yoder has asked her to be his girl, and wedding bells ring in her imagination. Her baked goods shop also provides solace. But change blows through her Pennsylvania Amish community, threatening to divide families and thwart her newfound romance. Other storylines are set up: Rosanna King seems unable to have children, but is promised a forthcoming baby by a woman who has many; Nellies father reads forbidden scripture and becomes intrigued with salvation by grace. Amish dialect is used judiciously throughout, and although some items (like an old journal) seem like tired clichs, Lewis creates the tension necessary to get the series started. Some Christian readers will wonder about a theology that finds Suzys death and a crop failure part of Gods plan, and there may be confusion for readers unfamiliar with the Amish about the boundaries of Rumschpringe (rumspringa, or the running-around period for some Amish teens). Lewis has a gentle narrative style, however, and her fans will line up for this latest fictional slice of Amish life.

Starred review from September 1, 2007
This new Amish series from the author of the "Annie's People," "Abram's Daughters," and "The Heritage of Lancaster County" series introduces us to the Fisher family, mourning the death of their youngest daughter, Suzy. They believe her untimely death was the result of her dabbling in the outside world. Suzy's sister, Nellie, shoulders the guilt, having been distracted by her own romantic dreams of Caleb Yoder on that terrible day. As in her other novels, Lewis creates a vividly imagined sensory world in which readers can almost smell the pumpkin cookies that Nellie bakes in her shop. And her well-drawn characters speak with authentic voices as they struggle to cope with grief and questions about their traditions and relationship with God. Essential for public library and Amish fiction collections. Lewis, who was born in Pennsylvania Dutch country, now lives in the Colorado Rockies.

Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.