The Sunroom

by Beverly Lewis

When I was twelve, I made a naIve, yet desperate pact with God to keep my ailing mother alive. It was the first time I'd ventured something so brazen--making a contract with the Almighty...So begins the story of Becky Owens, a talented and passionate young pianist on the verge of adolescence when she learns the devastating news of her mother's critical illness. As the daughter of a country preacher in Lancaster County, Becky knows well the significance of sacrifice, and in her bargain with God, she vows to exchange her most cherished possession for her mother's life.Hospital rules only add to Becky's sorrow--twelve-year-olds aren't allowed to visit, so Becky and her mother must share tearful smiles through Lancaster General's sunroom window. But a realization of the power of music and a lesson in unconditional love compel Becky to rethink her "deal" with God, and the sunroom becomes a place where miracles happen...

Genres: Christian Fiction, Amish, Fiction, Christian, Historical Fiction, Amish Fiction, Adult Fiction

144 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Beverly Lewis, raised in Pennsylvania Amish country and both a schoolteacher and an accomplished musician, has been an award-winning author for over a dozen years. Her acclaimed novel, The Preacher's Daughter, was a 2006 Quill Book Award finalist in the romance category. Her books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including USA Today and The New York Times. She and her husband, David, live in Colorado."

Reviews

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I've read A LOT of Lewis's books, somehow I'd missed this one. As usual, there is a strong religious tone to the book, but the story is told in first person and not from the perspective of a member of the Plain community (although, of course, there is a Mennonite family among their circle of close friends). This is the story of a 12 year old girl whose mother is diagnosed with cancer in the early 1950s. Becky Owens has to reconcile her faith with her fears for her beloved mother, and the result is, at turns, sweet and heart-breaking.

One thing that really struck me as I read is how different the life of this preteen is from that of most of today's kids. Becky and her sister are so much more innocent, and their everyday lives so much simpler without all of today's gadgets and activities. At times, I felt she was too childlike, but then I realized that she grew up in a different time and place. The contrast is pretty striking, though!

I have to say, this is one instance in which Ms. Lewis surprised me with the ending. I was pretty sure that, as usual, I knew how this was going to go from early on, but I was completely wrong!

[Rosy Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was so sweet and sad! ❤️

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I cried all through this book. It is a touching story of faith and how a young girl handles her mother's cancer. A nice read when you need a good cry.

[Sheila Samuelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5 Stars!! (Wish i could rate it 10 Stars!!)
Review:
This was my 2nd time reading this book and is till love it as much as i did when i read it the first time 10 years ago.

I love how this book is based on how the author felt and what she went through when she was 12 years old when her own mother was sick with cancer.

I cried several times during this book cause it was such a heartbreaking yet lovely story.

Can't wait to re-read more by Beverly Lewis this month!!

[Lynn M. Ludeke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

I read this short book in one sitting (a little less than 3 hours). So different from my favorite author's Amish books but I couldn't put it down. This is such a beautiful book and the last few pages had me bawling. This book touched me with its simple yet powerful message of faith and trust. I won't give anything away but I highly recommend this short but very sweet book!

[Vicki Krivak · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you love to feel what you are reading, then this book is for you. I really enjoyed this book, I didn't
want to put it down. "The Sunroom" is a bit different from the many other Beverly Lewis books I have
read but still definately worth the read. Truely a very heart-touching story. I'd definately recommend.

[RebekahAshleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Sunroom” was one of the first books that I read by Beverly Lewis. It is a short, sweet book, but also sad. This book is a bit different from most of Beverly Lewis' books. It is about a 12 year old girl and is written from her perspective. Although a little different, I still enjoyed it.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Such a sweet story.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beverly Lewis shares from her life from the perspective of a young girl whose mother is dying. It was heart warming and surprising.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Normally not my cup of tea, but this was chosen by my mom for our mom-daughter book club.
Semi-fitting since the story follows a 12-year-old girl, Becky, and her cancer ridden mother. By her faith in God, her support from family, and music Becky carries on. I think everyone knows how hard it is being a young teenager. There are a lot of things one knows, but doesn't understand. Becky has a whole different understanding of cancer than her younger sister.

Becky decides to make a plea with God at her father's church. She will give up her passion-playing the piano- in exchange for her mother to be cancer-free. I found this very interesting concept, but it makes total sense a young girl would think to do such a thing.

This book carries a lot of emotion from the start regardless if you have a loved one who has lived with cancer or not. Beverly Lewis took inspiration from her own life and penned an easy and quick read of love and faith.

[Rebekah Haas · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Each afternoon, I watched the afternoon sun slant it's rays against or fence, the shadows inching closer toward the road like bony fingers."

It's a pretty good book, but in this review, I don't want to discredit the author's experiences. It was MG, because it was told through the point of view of a young girl.

Rebekah Owen's mom has cancer, and the hospital won't let her see her. So, Rebekah cuts a deal with God: She'll give up her piano lessons, which she loves, if He will save her Mom.

Not a terrible read, but slow paced. It wasn't gripping right off the bat and took a little sinking into.

[cheryl senkar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sharing God’s Love

Many years ago I read The Sunroom and passed it on to a friend at work that had recently lost her mother. We continued to pass it around until anybody that wanted to read it had the opportunity! Shortly after, our dear friend passed away, and when I think of her, I think of The Sunroom and how this book brought so many women together. It was Lori’s idea to share it and we are all better people because of our friends beautiful heart. Ten years after Lori’s reunion with her mom, here I am reading it again. It will always be one of my favorite books and I will always remember how it brought so many women together.

[Lola · Rating 2 out of 5]

The emotions a young girl experiences when her mother has cancer.
So afraid her mother will die, the girl, Becky, makes a pact with God
that if He will not let her mother die she will give up her piano playing.
She is a talented pianist and loves to play. She doesn't tell her parents
about her pact with God and must think of things to say when they ask
her why she is no longer playing.
Becky and her sister are too young to be visitors in the hospital so they
stand outside, waving to their mother while she stands in the hospital's
sunroom window.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a difficult but compelling story of a twelve year old girl and her sister... daughters of the Pastor of their church. The diagnosis of their mother's cancer, staying at relatives homes so many weekends while mom is in the hospital and the possibility of losing her... Becky makes a bargain with God. She tries to stay strong in her faith, knowing that's what mom would want.
Beverly Lewis wrote this heartfelt story based loosely on her childhood journal entries when her mom was so sick and as she learned to trust in the Lord with all her heart.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A touching story of a 12 year old girl struggling to trust God while her mother is fighting cancer. I lost my mom to ALS and even though I was older then Becky, I could definitely relate to watching my mother suffer through a horrible disease and struggling to trust God through it all. Now that I'm a mother I can see this book through the mother's perspective as well and what it must feel like to be possibly leaving your children. I hope that whenever my time comes I can have the trust and peace Becky's mother had.

[Cheryl Licata · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short novel tells the story of twelve year old Becky Owens, a talented young pianist, whose mother is critically ill with cancer. Becky comes up with a plan to save her mother. There is a place of hope in the hospital called the sunroom in which "The light poured through the windows like a spray of God's love. The room itself seemed to reach out and draw me in like a soft embrace." Just like the sun, love, hope, and trust shine through this book.

[Jacquie · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I could do halves I would do about a 3.5. To me this story was more like something written as for a school project. Overall I really like the story line, but didn't really have many super exciting parts to me or any deeper explanations on certain things. It isn't a book that I would probably read again, but I also wouldn't discourage anyone from reading it either.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Because I love everything written by Beverly Lewis, I decided to read this short fiction book which is based off from one of Beverly's life experiences while growing up. It's tailored more towards a young teen read, but really could be for any age that understands what the word "cancer" means. It was warm, factual without being scary, and had a wonderful ending.

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is sad some chapters bothered me and I want to cry.

I almost cried reading this. I did a get a little bit emotional. It's a sad book in my opinion.
Now I just want to cry after I read it.

[Lori Inouye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Certain I have read this book in the past, I decided to read it again before donating to a local senior living facility. It's a touching story of the testing of one's faith and putting our trust in the Lord. Not an easy lesson but well told in this story.

[B · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sunroom

It was the best. I cried so hard that it was hard for me to stop. I love reading books like this one.
I know my heavenly Father's all-embracing Love...I read His word every day.

[Elizabeth Eckmeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was beautifully written and I was very surprised by the ending. I cried through the story and had to take a few breaks. I am thankful I read it. Trusting in the Lord is the only way to live!!

[Julianne Kimber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such tender faith and courage

Anyone who bas experienced the tug of faith and desperation willingness relate with this beautifully written semi- true story of a young girl who makes a desperate sacrifice in a pact with God to heal her mother of cancer.

[Amanda Rhea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartwarming!!

Love this story about love and how to lean on God and his perfect timing for every season and every person. A story of pacts and promises with God and his divine purpose in all things.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read. A 12 year old girl deals with faith as her mother is dying of cancer.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet story about a young girl and her faith and her Mother's illness. Well written by a veteran author. Things are not always as they seem

[je · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunroom

Good family book, all the trials & tribulations the family has to face are so real. Cannot imagine having to face this at such a young age.

[Elizabeth Meadows · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet heartfelt story of a young girl whose mother is fighting cancer.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christian fiction. Young girl deals with the emotional ups and downs when her mother has cancer and is told that she is dying.

[Nora Olmo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful written book clean.