A Summer Secret by Kathleen Fuller
Rating: Four Stars
A young Amish teenager named Mary Beth Mullet has brothers that drive her crazy, and sometimes she just needs a place to get away and have a moment to herself. She escapes the noise and constant chores in an abandoned barn near her family’s farm—a barn she’s been told to stay away from, because it’s likely to collapse. One day she finds out she isn’t the only one using it as a hideout. Should Mary Beth reveal the truth, even though the secret isn’t hers to keep?
This book has a solid storyline and well-formed characters. Female readers at the middle-grade level will easily identify with the thirteen-year-old main character, despite the different vocabulary and lifestyle of the Amish culture. The descriptions of modern Amish life were well integrated into the story. While informative, the author’s portrayal of Amish clothing and customs set the scene in a natural way. The main character’s reliance on her faith is evident, though it does not feel forced to get a message across. This book is well written and even paced, though the plot is a bit predictable.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
