Our daughter, Annika, was thrilled to find this book under the tree last year. The story is light, and a bit sentimental, but well told, and the illustrations are so very Swedish...this is a fine tale of giving for Christmas. Of course, now Annika suggests we need to have a traditional Swedish Christmas pudding, with almond, and a wish for a pony...

As a book loving family, we have many books, but few capture the warmth & beauty in the illustrations as here! Each page brings bright sunrays and . . . just BEAUTY!

My husband is Scandenavian, and we enjoy the rice pudding each year, complete with the almond hunt. What a delightful way for my girls to look forward to this tradition!

The moral of the story is so pure and honest, as Annika struggles with her own desire to do right and yet to please herself. A virtue seldom seen in our time! (Sad but true!)

An incredible book!

Even if the story were not so poignant a study in the selflessness of a young girl with her own special wish, the illustrations, worthy of consideration for the Caldecott Medal, would be reason enough to purchase this beautifully done book.

Every child has their own secret wish and Annika's is to have a beautiful black pony. According to Swedish tradition, the person who gets the almond in their Christmas pudding has a better chance of getting their wish. At ten years old, Annika has yet to find that almond. But even when she does find it, the spirit of Christmas supercedes her own desires.

The story is a lovely testimony to the greater joy found when practicing the principle "it's better to give than to receive."

This book will definitely be a lovely gift to give and receive!

This is not the kind of book I usually read. (A story about the Amish? Yawn!) It was a gift . I probably wouldn't have bought it myself. But I'm glad I read it. The book was a bit slow paced at first-like what we imagine Amish life to be - but before long I was hooked! If Ms. Lewis doesn't hurry up and write the sequel ( Abram's Daughters 2), I'll break out in a rash. I guess I'll just have to read her other books in the meantime! Did I mention there is no graphic sex, violence, or swearing? And you DON'T CARE!! There is love, mystery, happiness, tragedy, loyalty, all the ingredients of a good read. Just what I like in a book. I'm itchin' to read the next installment in the lives of Abram's daughters!

This is the first of a series about Abram's daughters--Sadie, Leah, Hannah, Mary Ruth and the baby. This book focuses on Sadie (mainly) and Leah (her reaction to Sadie's actions). I found it to be an interesting and fast read. There is something about Ms. Lewis' writing that makes me want to curl up with one of her books and ignore everything else until I am done--and then I wonder what happens after the book's story is done.

The ending of this book will make you scream for more---you really want to know what's going to happen next.

The Covenant is easily one of the best books I have ever read. I learned very much from this novel. I learned the interesting ways of the Amish, how to deal with anger, and how to keep with God. Being a Christian myself, I found it great to relate to Leah. I am hoping for another book in this series soon!

"Sanctuary" is a wonderfully and beautifully written novel that combines the talents of the celebrated Beverly Lewis and her husband, David. Although this novel did not have a very complex or lengthy plot, it still accomplished its goal of bring a lost person to the Lord.
More or less this novel was about Melissa, a young woman who lives a perfectly perfect life until her past and her present begin to clash. This clash begins to put in question her very future with her husband and her perfect life. Melissa begins to run and throughout the book, Melissa is running from something, sometimes it is people and sometimes it is God.
"Sancutary" is a very unpredictable and interesting novel that combines the values of forgiveness and hope in a very unusual and interesting story.

I have been a heavy reader since I was 12. I'm now 18 and have read tons of books. This book is one of the best books I have ever read. I'd recomend this book to anyone.

i think this book is really great. maybe even a must-read. i borrowed it from my grandma and am thinking about reading it a second time. although i don't think the main character melissa should have went back to her husband after he unbelievably betrayed her so. bye.

I enjoyed this book, but it took me awhile to get into it. It doesn't have the interest level of her Heritage trilogy, but it is interesting and I am sure in the next books to come that more mystery will be unraveled and questions answered. Basically, I felt this was more of an introduction to the series and I can't wait to read the next book to find out what happens with Rachel and Phillip.

This book had suspense, mystery, and romance all wrapped up in one! I would recommend this book to anyone! If you like Beverly Lewis, then this one you will love. If you have never read any of her books, jump right in! This is the best one yet!

I found this book interesting to read. I found myself flowing through the story with ease. The characters were very likealbe and seemingly real. I look forward to reading the sequel. Thanks Beverly.......

THis is the perfect conclusion to "The Postcard" mainly because it wraps everything up so well. There's no major drama, or mystery, like the first one. Rachel is intent on overcoming her blindness by faith, not by a powwow doctor. Philip has come to realize that there is something missing in his big-city life.

The title refers to the crossroad Philip must face in making his decision, and to the physical crossroad Rachel must face in order to move beyond her accident of a few years ago.

This is a moving tale with a great ending...enjoy!

This pair of books about a traditional Amish family and a modern man was an enjoyable read.(The Postcard and The Crossroads) Lots of human interest, a little mystery, and insight into another culture.

You will smile and take stock of your own life as you read this series, the Amish lifestyle at home, at work, at play and at church. The Crossroad holds a key to a very tragic happening and has a lot to do with all that comes after, the crossroad is one of the greatest books Beverly Lewis has written, but they are all very good. You can not go wrong buying this book, my daughters and I could hardly wait on each other to read her next book in this series. I think Beverly Lewis has the ability to create a lifelike you are there quality in her books, Great Work Beverly please do not stop giving us the pleasure of your great books. Margie B. White

These are exceptionally well written books! The story makes youfeel like you also have an Amish family as neighbors. You can learnabout a young girl's life and her many adventures with friends, school, and family. Although not everyone is facing the same dilemas as Merry ,the main character in these books, many can relate to having friendships that are worth a sacrafice. I recommend these books to everyone. It will keep you interested for hours.

When I first saw this book in the library, I was overjoyed because I love the previous novels that "October Song" is based on. Yet, as I started reading the novel, much to my disapointment, I found that each story was not very complete. The story of Katie and Dan, for example, ended when the plot was finally developing.

I have read many of Beverly Lewis's books and each has its own originality in its atempt to inform readers about Jesus' message and the Amish people. Yet, this was the first book that didn't accomplish either goal.

I am very disapointed to say that "October Song" had a very simple, predictable, and boring plot. I would only recommend this novel to anyone who has read Beverly Lewis's previous stories and would like to learn what happens next with the hope that a real sequel would soon be written and published.

This book was great but you need to read her other adult fiction books first. If you read this book first you ruin the plots to the others. I love her style and I now love the Amish. I actually went to Lancaster last summer after reading her books. It was great. I hope she continues writing. I own almost all her books.

The book seems to tie loose ends as well as continue the stories begun in the books The Shunning, The Postcard, and The Redeption of Sarah Cain. In Hickory Hollow, the first of these warmhearted tales, Katie Lapp is ready to celebrate her first wedding anniversary with her husband Dan. In the midst of this happiness though, lingers the sorrow and shame of her shunning from the Old Order Amish of Hickory Hollow where she and Dan grew up. They have found salvation in Jesus Christ and are active and content in their new Mennonite church. However, the couple is forbidden to visit with family and friends due to the "Bann"- excommunication-imposed on them for going "fancy". Katie's biggest regret is the loss of her relationship with her "Dat"-her father. Can she ever repair the damage done to her family?

In part two entitled Bird-In-Hand, ex-journalist, Philip Bradley, must learn the ways of his new faith, with the help of his wife Rachel and the community. Being originally from New York, this is no easy task. He finds that simply dressing the part and believing in the Church is not enough. He must obey the unwritten code of conduct-the "Ordnung", to prove himself truly one of "the People". After a thoughtless blunder he is determined to prove to the skeptical Moses Raber that he is not just another soul-searching "Englischer"-outsider-but has truly accepted "Plain" living.

Grasshopper Level is the last story in this collection. Sarah Cain must, with the help of her newfound faith, learn to cope with her career and the care of her late sister's five children. Raising the children Amish in an English household has not been easy. The oldest, Lyddie, is preparing for her wedding to Levi King but her fears about the welfare of her younger siblings after her marriage and the shadow of her mother's death loom over the happy couple.

The book is a delight. Each story holds you to the end and all end happily yet realistically. They give the reader an insight into a fascinating and often misunderstood way of life, It is fast paced and filled with optimism and good Christian wisdom. The characters are well developed and there is a sense of being right there with them in peaceful Lancaster County, riding horse and buggy amidst the changing autumn colors. Although you can read these stories without having read the others in the series (I did), if you plan to read the other novels, save this book for last so as not to spoil the story.

--- reviewed by Rachel for Christian Bookshelf

In this 5th book of Summerhill, the finding of the abandoned baby as well as developements between Levi and Jon all give Merry fits. The boyfriend dilemna works fine, but the solution to the baby is weak, not too believable, and deducts a lot of credibility from this otherwise good book. I hope Beverly Lewis will improve on her mystery solutions.

Okay I'd admit that finding a baby is a little overbearing but it all turned out good. A Cry In The Dark was my first Merry Hanson book I love her , and I think she should at least give Levi a chance I mean if Jon asked her out somewhere she'd say yes in a heartbeat. But after all she is only fourteen. I stayed up all night I just had to find out what happend. And my other book Catch a falling star is good to I love Merry Hanson, and I would love to see her in a little Christin movie for teenage girls. Mrs.Lewis don't stop wrighting these book they are my favorite.

Beverly Lewis is one of my favorite writers, but this time, she failed to have enought story line to fill a whole book!

Sarah Cain, 28, is a successful real estate broker living in Portland, Oregon. She is financially well off, but suffers from an unresolved guilt from a past accident which killed a little girl. She is evading, and running from her chance of happiness with Bryan.

Sarah has long been partially estranged from her only sister, 34 yr. old Ivy. Therefore, when widowed Ivy dies unexpectedly, Sarah is shocked that her will names Sarah as guardian for the five orphaned minor children.

Ivy's family is Amish, living on a large farm in Lancaster County, PA. Heavily featured in this book is the oldest child, 16 yr. old Lydia. Disciplined, dutiful and sensitive, Lydia fills in as mother until Sarah can arrive. She is biding her time until she can marry Levi King.

Sarah's selfish independence and her love of wealth and its' trappings conflict with the simple, Amish lifestyle of her nephews and nieces. Therefore, she sets about to solve her uncomfortable new status quickly by flying to Lancaster for one week, during which time she is determined to find a nice Amish home for the children.

Obviously, Beverly Lewis has a future for this fractured family, and the ending is all too abrupt and predictable, not at all like her 3 book Shunning series. That, in particular is why I gave the book only 2 stars. The material is great and it was interesting, but there was not nearly enough to fill a complete book and I was disappointed with its' lack of depth.

I've read all of Beverly Lewis' books but the Sunroom, and have loved all of them. The Redemption of Sarah Cain, I read in little over a day. I thought it was really good. I liked how the character Sarah Cain was portrayed. How she was so in love with her life and her material things, it started to make me angry. =) Once I started to get towards the end of the book, I thought there was going to be a sequel, because I didn't feel it could have ended in so little of pages left. Well this was the disappointing part for me, within the last 15 pages of the book, everything was solved. I thought the entire book had a good pace but at the end it just went so quickly. I was glad it was a happy ending though. Please don't take me wrong it was a VERY good book and really worth reading. I look forward as always to reading the next book from her.

This was another great Beverly Lewis based on the life of the Amish. I am fascinated with the Amish. This story is about Sarah Cain whose widowed sister dies living behind 5 young children and requests Sarah as guardian to raise the children. Sarah and Ivy were not raised Amish but Ivy and her husband had joined the New-Order Amish. Sarah is a big city gal with a career and must choose between her familiar lifestyle and a much different life in Lancaster County. During this time she must work through many issues that have been troubling her for years. Reading this book is further insight into the Amish lifestyle and the children is this book are enjoyable and inspirational.