Summerhill Secrets: Volume 1

Summerhill Secrets #1-5

by Beverly Lewis

Set in rural Pennsylvania's Amish country, SummerHill Secrets follows the true-to-life struggles and heartfelt triumphs of fourteen-year-old Merry Hanson. Preteen girls will come to love, laugh, and cry with the impulsive Merry as she encounters intriguing mysteries while also struggling to be the best she can be in God's eyes. Volume One includes the original titles Whispers Down the Lane, Secret in the Willows, Catch a Falling Star, Night of the Fireflies, and A Cry in the Dark.

Genres: Amish, Christian Fiction, Christian, Young Adult, Fiction, Amish Fiction, Contemporary

555 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1996

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

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is amazing! Me and my sister really loved these.
reread oct. 2020 - these books are the best.

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up because I was surprised to see that Beverly Lewis had written a YA series. Although I read the book in a week's time, I have to offer one criticism of Lewis' work. She writes a detailed, somewhat rich narrative up until the last 20 pages of each story. Then she rushes to the end, even offering an epilogue in some cases. I would have enjoyed the book more had she seen her hard work through until the end, rather than cobble together the climax and denouement.

[Skylar BB · Rating 2 out of 5]

inconstancy in characterization

My reaction to the ending (and anything that happened in between):

[Luciana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great christian book ! and it is exciting.

[Beth Brekke · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice edition with the 5 stories together. Appropriate stories for the target audience. The best part of books that include Amish characters is they usually talk about milking cows, so that's always good. The main character in these stories is not Amish so it doesn't bore with a lot of those details but does a good job of incorporating different people and ways of life. Some of the drama was a bit of a stretch but it usually is and I think the young adult crowd will enjoy this book and possibly learn from it.

[Debbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A friend of mine loves Beverly Lewis' books and leant me two. This novel is very Christian-oriented and aimed at young adolescent readers. The main character, Merry Hanson, goes from being extremely mature about God and respectful of the differing beliefs of the local Amish population, to ridiculously melodramatic, moody, and secretive. The story is a bit unbelievable at times, but maybe I've forgotten what it's like to be 15!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this story as I have all of Beverly Lewis books. Any time I read a novel about the Pennsylvania Amish country, I fall in love with the area and the people, all over again. I have visited this area many times, and Beverly Lewis brings her story alive with her well written descriptions and depictions. I love this author anyway, so I am biased.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed every one of these books! It’s a perfect series for spring/summer days and each story can be finished in a day which is really nice. It’s a great series for preteens and teens! I loved it!! <3

[Hope Eifert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Childhood faves 😍

[Heaven Adore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, wow, and wow! The first 5 books of Summerhill Secrets were better than I could've imagined. There was mystery, slight suspense, drama, and a hint of romance. Review to come soon!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed. Short stories. Would have loved them to have more in them.

[Emily Tharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great! It’s a good mixture of family, friends, and romance. With a little bit of Amish culture!

[Beckie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, Beverly Lewis is a wonderful author. If you enjoy reading about the Amish as I much as I do, you will LOVE this book. Whispers Down the Lane is about a girl named Merry and her school friends and how she helps them through problems with life. She is also a very good photographer. Secret in the Willows involves her Amish neighbors and someone who is vandalizing the neighbors place. She is determined to find out who did and clear her friend. Catch a Falling Star is when Merry finds out a boy she really likes likes someone else, or does he?? And who is Levi Zook, you'd have to read it to find out but this is a very good book and I won't spoil the surprise. Night of the Fireflies is where Merry who lost her twin at age 7 realizes she is no longer alone in the world and you will find out what the story is behind the fireflies. A Cry in the Dark is about and abandoned baby girl who helps to change Merry's world and gets named after her. This book is very exciting to read and you won't want to put it down.

[Jaime Aleshire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. i love the closeness of the neighbors. after all we are to love our neighbors. I love how you can see a clear contrast between the amish way of living and the english way. I enjoyed each challenge that merry hanson had to face and how she put her trust in God each time. I love her strength she had after losing her twin sister. she did not let that hold her back in life she kept plunging forward. although she missed her sister she kept her close in her heart everyday and when Godsent baby charity came along that helped merry and her family heal from the loss of mary's twin sister. this book was a great page turner for me. Kept me entertained from beginning to end can't wait to read the second one.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book from my mother-in-law, I don't know if she's trying to tell me something lol. Actually I don't normally read christian fiction and the stuff I do read is normally intense like Frank Peretti but I actually enjoyed these short little novels but I gotta be honest and say it's probably because it's about Amish people and I have this weird fascination with them however my secret is safe since they won't be reading this. If you like chipper books with a little romance and don't mind reading about the Lord then you will enjoy. :)

[Bekah · Rating 2 out of 5]

So- this was okay (I only read the first two books). The stories are aptly named with "secrets" in the title. Each story starts with "I have to tell you something but promise not to tell anyone". This tactic of creating suspense for a story drives me crazy. I just keep thinking the whole time- if you would just talk to someone all this hooplah wouldn't exist. :) Also- the wrap up of the stories are bit too tidy and unrealistic for me as well. Clean christian fiction for teen girls though. :)

[katy (taylor's version) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this and the second set when I was young, about 10ish, I think. :) I just re-read them recently, so I thought I'd give my thoughts.
I loved them, I really did. Vol. 1 was my favorite, mostly because I loved Merry and her Amish neighbors (especially the cute one, Levi) and the adventures they had. I loved the alliteration aspect. At that age I became obsessed with it too. I was pretty bad at it however... I'm glad it wore off.
However, as I get older I'm liking it less. You know though, it's a really cute book, and these first four are my favorites of the series.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer Hill Secrets

This was a very good book once again by Beverly Lewis. At first I thought it was only one book but to my dismay this book has four different books all of course of the same characters. As always the author keeps u guessing what will happen. I wish that Beverly Lewis would give a final ending to this book. I wonder if the characters will marry. what does the future hold. u are left with your own thoughts of how things will end. everyone will enjoy reading this series.

[AurorainBookland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved these books and started reading the second collection of books right after finishing this one not sure of the exact date I finished it though, I checked both collections from the libaray.

I really like some of the quotes and how there are bible verses mentioned, and Merry's prayers.

Really great books for christian teens and young adults, it might not be as exciting as some other christian books, like the ones set in modern day, but it's really good.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was five books in one. I made it through the first book and was halfway through the second. It is a young adult read and wasn't interesting enough to keep my attention as an adult, but I would thing that it would be terribly informational on the Amish lifestyle to a young adult. It is predicatable and simply written.
Started:3/10/08
Finished:3/22/08
560 pps read about 220 pages

[Desiree · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this book for a younger readers, not for adults. You might say "but it was intended for young readers!" (which it was), but I absolutely LOVE "Matilda" and that is intended for children as well. However, I will definitely still reccommend/save this book for my daughter when she is older. From a young readers point of view I would rate four stars.

[Mylinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love all of the info about the Amish but I'm starting to think Mrs. Lewis is not the best author in town. I do like the stories though. This one is about a teenage girl and I wanted to read it to see if it is something I would like my girls to read and they might enjoy. I think the answer to both of those questions is yes.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't realize this was a YA book until I read other reviews, even though I was thinking it the entire time. I love reading amish stories and this one was from the perspective of a young English girl. I did not like the epilogue page for each book at the end. Why not just finish the story instead of summing them up?

[AlixJamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My second Beverly Lewis book. This one was interesting, with the romance between Levi and Merry and Merry and Jon. I was engrossed in the stories, though some of them did seem a bit far-fetched.
Levi was a little pushy and I didn't really like Jon with his dull alliteration game. Who can't alliterate?
Otherwise this was good, and I was eager to read the sequel.

[Marty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mixed review on this book - very interested in the information on Amish and Mennonite cultures which is why I read it in the first place. Somewhat simplistic writing style. Easy read - but didn't keep me awake reading at night. I will probably read Volume 2, mainly because someone gave both to me!

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was better than I thought it would be. I really got to like Merry and all the other characters. The only this I didn't like was her attitude toward Lissa, when she was dating Jon and even a bit after they broke up. Other than that I liked it and can't wait to see what happens in Volume 2. And I am totally shipping Levi and Merry!

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this and then realized it was a Young Adult novel...or 5 novels in one. I didn't realize Beverly Lewis had written YA. But true to form I really enjoyed it, with the exception of some redundancy as possibly these stories were meant to be read as individual stories in a series and the author felt the need to put refreshers in each story.

[Courtney Marie W · Rating 5 out of 5]

These were great! It's about a 15 girl (that turns 16 in the sequel) in Amish country who has 2 guys fall for her and she tried to sort out her own feelings. It has some mystery type problems that she helps her friends figure out. She goes to public school and witnesses.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. I own it and have read it 3 itme's already and just started it a fourth time! Loved it. If you like reading about amish it's good, but if your a teen who's looking for a good book this is the one to pick!

[Nicole Gadbois · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of novellas follows the same Amish family and their "English" friends through the trials and tribulations of their lives. I find the Amish culture fascinating, and there is also a strong salvation message throughout the books.