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Ellie's People #1
Ellie
Ellie Maust, an Old Order Amish girl growing up in the early 1900s, wishes she could wear bright dresses like her English friend, Missy, and face cream and perfume like their fancy Amish hired girl, Susie Glick.
As Ellie helps to care for the new babies in her family, milks cows, and learns to can and garden, she strains against her father’s strict ideas and wonders what her future will hold. Along the way, she has adventures, including a sleepover at her English friend’s house and a runaway buggy ride.
When Ellie’s family moves to a new farm, she must take on even more chores and responsibility for her younger siblings. But attending Sunday night singings with the young people in her community and beginning a courtship with kind, gentle David Eash fill Ellie’s days with contentment.
When tragedy strikes her family, Ellie must find a way to go on. Finding comfort in her Amish faith and her community, Ellie blossoms into a young woman who dedicates her future plans to God.
Book 1 of the Ellie’s People: An Amish Family Saga series.
The nine books of the Ellie’s People series, beloved classics among young and old readers in Amish and Mennonite communities, are now available for today’s reader. Author Mary Christner Borntrager grew up Amish and based her novels on events in her Amish childhood. Fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie series will love learning to know spunky Ellie and her friends and family.
What’s new in the Ellie’s People series:
Pennsylvania Dutch glossary at the end of each book
A sample chapter from the next book in the series
Language and examples updated for today’s readers
As Ellie helps to care for the new babies in her family, milks cows, and learns to can and garden, she strains against her father’s strict ideas and wonders what her future will hold. Along the way, she has adventures, including a sleepover at her English friend’s house and a runaway buggy ride.
When Ellie’s family moves to a new farm, she must take on even more chores and responsibility for her younger siblings. But attending Sunday night singings with the young people in her community and beginning a courtship with kind, gentle David Eash fill Ellie’s days with contentment.
When tragedy strikes her family, Ellie must find a way to go on. Finding comfort in her Amish faith and her community, Ellie blossoms into a young woman who dedicates her future plans to God.
Book 1 of the Ellie’s People: An Amish Family Saga series.
The nine books of the Ellie’s People series, beloved classics among young and old readers in Amish and Mennonite communities, are now available for today’s reader. Author Mary Christner Borntrager grew up Amish and based her novels on events in her Amish childhood. Fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie series will love learning to know spunky Ellie and her friends and family.
What’s new in the Ellie’s People series:
Pennsylvania Dutch glossary at the end of each book
A sample chapter from the next book in the series
Language and examples updated for today’s readers
194 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1988
5 people are currently reading
372 people want to read
About the author
Mary Christner Borntrager
21 books22 followersMary Christner Borntrager was born to Amish parents near Plain City, Ohio. Her Ellie’s People series is based on her childhood and youth among the Amish. The books bring authentic Amish stories to life for readers interested in Amish fiction and also real depictions of Amish life. Her Ellie’s People novels have sold more than half a million copies and are treasured classics among the Amish and Mennonites.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
August 24, 2020
Ellie goes through the ups and down of her growing up years and even though she’s Amish, her experiences are no different than yours or mine. She struggles to fit in, questions authority and tradition, and compares her life to those around her. But through all these stages, she learns more about herself, her family, and her Amish culture.
In this short book of just 163 pages, Ellie grows from a young girl just starting school to a woman with a family of her own. I wish there had been a better balance between her younger school-age days and her older teenage and beyond years. A good portion of the book covers those younger days in detail with very few time jumps, while her teenage years are sometimes summed up in a sentence or two. It was a noticeable difference in the story-telling and had me thinking that I was missing out on the full journey from child to adult. Although I think the greater emphasis on childhood days was meant to show how her younger years helped shape her into the woman she becomes, I would have appreciated a consistent flow.
The imbalance also left me feeling that this was two different stories for two different ages. In my opinion, this could have, and perhaps should have, been written as two books. By breaking this into two books, Borntrager could have framed each story appropriately and further fleshed out the storyline in areas where it is currently lacking. Younger readers appreciate and relate to Ellie’s childhood days while older readers better relate to seeing Ellie mature and grow into her role as a wife and mother. The shift into Ellie’s adult years gives a different mood to the story. I am reminded of the Little House on the Prairie series and how it ended with Laura’s marriage. Wilder knew that to go further would have changed the tone and spirit of the novels from carefree and innocent to mature and responsible.
In spite of its flaws, it was a good portrayal of Amish life and a pleasant read.
In this short book of just 163 pages, Ellie grows from a young girl just starting school to a woman with a family of her own. I wish there had been a better balance between her younger school-age days and her older teenage and beyond years. A good portion of the book covers those younger days in detail with very few time jumps, while her teenage years are sometimes summed up in a sentence or two. It was a noticeable difference in the story-telling and had me thinking that I was missing out on the full journey from child to adult. Although I think the greater emphasis on childhood days was meant to show how her younger years helped shape her into the woman she becomes, I would have appreciated a consistent flow.
The imbalance also left me feeling that this was two different stories for two different ages. In my opinion, this could have, and perhaps should have, been written as two books. By breaking this into two books, Borntrager could have framed each story appropriately and further fleshed out the storyline in areas where it is currently lacking. Younger readers appreciate and relate to Ellie’s childhood days while older readers better relate to seeing Ellie mature and grow into her role as a wife and mother. The shift into Ellie’s adult years gives a different mood to the story. I am reminded of the Little House on the Prairie series and how it ended with Laura’s marriage. Wilder knew that to go further would have changed the tone and spirit of the novels from carefree and innocent to mature and responsible.
In spite of its flaws, it was a good portrayal of Amish life and a pleasant read.
July 31, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed this book because it brings alive the history of Amish people and their culture. In this book, you follow Ellie and her family through several events in their lives, such as an Amish funeral and wedding, and moving day. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning about different cultures.
July 12, 2008
This was a lovely book, and appropriate for all ages. The ONLY reason I did not give it five stars was all the spanking in the first third of the book. I'm vehemently against it, so it may stand out more, but having grown up just down the road from the Amish and knowing them, they are not THAT violent. They,too, prefer gentle communication, though some do resort to the violent alternative...it's NOT the norm.....this book made it appear as if it was.
It also resulted in an absolute fear of her father...the interpersonal relationships were somewhat interesting.
Because of my respect for the Amish, and the lack of books available such as these, I do feel it safe for my children to read, as long as I share with them that not all families (including the Amish) are like that.
There is a difference between respect and dictatorship.
It also resulted in an absolute fear of her father...the interpersonal relationships were somewhat interesting.
Because of my respect for the Amish, and the lack of books available such as these, I do feel it safe for my children to read, as long as I share with them that not all families (including the Amish) are like that.
There is a difference between respect and dictatorship.
June 10, 2009
I have read this series so many times. My mother accidently sold my first set, but bought me the set I own now a few years ago.
These books helped to increase my interest of the Amish. Borntrager was raised Amish and become a Mennonite later on in life. She portrays both faiths in an objective light, and walks the readers through many of the debates young Amish people have with their faith and with the world around them. All of the books in this series are relatives of Ellie. All are interesting, and some are tear-jerkers (particularly Daniel, Sarah, and Reuben).
These books helped to increase my interest of the Amish. Borntrager was raised Amish and become a Mennonite later on in life. She portrays both faiths in an objective light, and walks the readers through many of the debates young Amish people have with their faith and with the world around them. All of the books in this series are relatives of Ellie. All are interesting, and some are tear-jerkers (particularly Daniel, Sarah, and Reuben).
May 15, 2016
It was a nice insight into the word of the Amish. At first as I was reading it, I looked down on Ellie's father's ways, as well as the Amish's ways as a whole. But in the end I appreciated their commitment to hard work and sticking the "Lord's ways". In the end Ellie was better for it. It was a good book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2014
Stay tuned--Herald Press is bringing back the Ellie's People series! The series sold more than half a million copies before going out of print. The first book in the series, Ellie, releases in August. Anyone who wants to weigh in on front cover designs for these new editions, leave a comment here.
September 6, 2021
Good, clean book. Goes by way too fast in my opinion though. Literally goes from age 6 to a married woman with 4 kids within 170 pages.
April 30, 2018
an easy reading enjoyable book for the times when you just want to relax.
July 4, 2022
Awesome book
July 24, 2022
Series of Amish relatives and lives
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September 20, 2023Love it
March 10, 2015
What would it be like to be Amish? Everything you wanted to know you could see through the eyes of a young girl named Ellie. Ellie Maust was born into an Amish home. Her life was very sheltered until she entered the first grade of school. Her experience at school wasn’t a very good one. She was made fun of because she wore a cap, black stockings and spoke with a German dialect. Her Amish up bringing had made her a target. On top of that, her daily chores were also proving to be a challenge. Ellie was older now and she had a lot to learn regarding her role on the family farm. Every day was a busy day in the Maust house, especially Saturdays. The list of things to do was extensive. Lamp chimneys needed washing and filled with kerosene. Stoves needed polished, pots and pans needed scrubbed. Baking, hair washing, bathing and shoe polishing were just a few of the other items on the list. Growing up Amish had its burdens and responsibilities, but it could also be very rewarding. Ellie did make a friend in Missy. Missy had a disability but that didn’t stop her from being a good friend. Ellie was even allowed to have Missy over for a sleepover. This was Ellie’s chance to shine. Her knowledge of how to care for her siblings and the farm animals was better than she thought. She showed Missy what to do and Missy was impressed and was an eager student. Ellie’s father was leery of Missy because she was English and wore a bright colored dress. But when he noticed the brace on her leg and her willingness to learn, it helped to soften his heart. Ellie continued to strain against her father’s strict ideas and wondered what her future would hold. Author Mary Christner Borntrager has created a wonderful series for young readers. If you are a fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House series then you will love learning to know spunky Ellie and her friends and family. This story takes place in the early 1900’s. Parents and teachers can utilize this series in a home or classroom environment to open up dialogue about history, the Amish and what life must have been like during this era. Borntrager grew up Amish and based her novels on events and experiences from her own Amish childhood. This easy to read story will intrigue and engage readers of all ages.
August 2, 2009
While it is interesting to read books written from an Amish perspective, I've noticed that this series has its problems. For starters, it needs a better editor, since I found numerous misspellings and typos littered throughout the pages. ("Forbidden fruity" and "kerosine" being among them.)
Second, the few books from this series that I've read suffer from a lack of timeline indication. The main character can be 6 for the first 3 chapters, be 7 in the fourth chapter, and I don't find out until halfway through chapter 5 that she's now almost 13. I'm giving arbitrary chapter numbers here, but the point still stands. While the books are meant to show a character growing up, they don't give the reader much of an indication as to how much time passes between chapters. Sometimes it's obvious, other time it really isn't.
This book is the first of the series, and I read a later one before this. Perhaps it's just me, but the author's quality of writing goes down in later books. This book spoke in clearer language than "Sarah" did, didn't throw in quite so many German words (or their translations... five times a chapter), and while it had many of the same themes (death in the family, an unpleasant helper around the house), I felt this book handled them in a much better way.
These books are hard for me to get ahold of, but despite their problems, I wouldn't mind readingthe others, if I can. They're quick reads, somewhat educational for those who would like to learn about the Amish from an Amish perspective, and a good way to kill a few hours.
Second, the few books from this series that I've read suffer from a lack of timeline indication. The main character can be 6 for the first 3 chapters, be 7 in the fourth chapter, and I don't find out until halfway through chapter 5 that she's now almost 13. I'm giving arbitrary chapter numbers here, but the point still stands. While the books are meant to show a character growing up, they don't give the reader much of an indication as to how much time passes between chapters. Sometimes it's obvious, other time it really isn't.
This book is the first of the series, and I read a later one before this. Perhaps it's just me, but the author's quality of writing goes down in later books. This book spoke in clearer language than "Sarah" did, didn't throw in quite so many German words (or their translations... five times a chapter), and while it had many of the same themes (death in the family, an unpleasant helper around the house), I felt this book handled them in a much better way.
These books are hard for me to get ahold of, but despite their problems, I wouldn't mind readingthe others, if I can. They're quick reads, somewhat educational for those who would like to learn about the Amish from an Amish perspective, and a good way to kill a few hours.
November 26, 2008
This book is about an Amish girl growing up near a normal city and she learns that it is very hard to not want dolls, beautiful dresses, purfume, etc... because the Amish culture does not have all those things and are 'worldly" things to the Amish. She learns later in life that her dad was protecting her from those things that could harm her but he was not trying to be mean to her because he loved her very much and wanted whats best for her.
I just re-read this whole book yesterday and I love it!!! I completely recomend it! (even though its not very big and it looks kiddish, I still learned from it :)
P.s this is a totally Christian base book just FYI
I just re-read this whole book yesterday and I love it!!! I completely recomend it! (even though its not very big and it looks kiddish, I still learned from it :)
P.s this is a totally Christian base book just FYI
August 21, 2008
selain bahwa buku ini memperkenalkan saya kepada komunitas 'amish' di amerika...gaya tulisan yg deskriptif di buku ini berhasil bikin buku ini salah satu jendela saya untuk mnegintip dunia di luar yang saya kenal..
kalo soal ellie dan komunitasnya..hhmmm jadi pengen liat sendiri d..apa iya ya sebegitu anti nya mreka terhadap modernitas..??dan apa trus mreka salah atau tidak normal karenanya..???jangan-jangan justru saya lah yang selama ini jadi korban modernitas....
kalo soal ellie dan komunitasnya..hhmmm jadi pengen liat sendiri d..apa iya ya sebegitu anti nya mreka terhadap modernitas..??dan apa trus mreka salah atau tidak normal karenanya..???jangan-jangan justru saya lah yang selama ini jadi korban modernitas....
July 13, 2014
This book would be good for a pre-teen girl to read if she wants to learn a bit about what an Amish girl's life may be like. It was cute. It focuses mainly on Ellie's childhood and the friend she makes who is an "Englisher." Her father is very worried that the world will take a hold of her. The book quickly jumps through her courting years and into her adulthood. I will read the rest of the series just as well.
March 26, 2012
I liked it pretty well, I usually like reading about the Amish Old Order. It was a little slow for me, but I stuck with it. It was kinda cool to watch her grow up, and I really liked the one babysitter lady...the one who made Ellie's father mad.
June 20, 2015
Rebecca, North River patron, June 2015, 4 stars:
First book in a series. Very light reading. Amish fiction. Follow main character, Ellie, from a little girl starting school to a woman with her own family. A nice, pleasant read.
First book in a series. Very light reading. Amish fiction. Follow main character, Ellie, from a little girl starting school to a woman with her own family. A nice, pleasant read.
December 21, 2015
Interesting life of an Amish girl. Writing isn't the best, so be prepared, if your the type of reader who is sensitive to that, but the story moves and connects and it's a quick read. I read it once when I was younger, and enjoyed it again now as an adult.
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October 11, 2007Borntrager, Mary Christner PB
January 21, 2008
Amish fiction is the greatest.
June 25, 2008
I loved this book and series when I was a young reader! Good, clean reading for all ages.
January 13, 2009
Very Cute!!!! I really enjoyed these books. They were quick but inspiring.
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February 26, 2010F BOR ep bk. 1
September 27, 2010
i thought it was a very good book and you learn about the amish and it's like a biography but it's realistic fiction
May 16, 2011
I got this book for my seventh birthday and I loved it! Funny that's my name. Huh? But really you should read this book it is a good book!
July 6, 2013
I liked it. A good read about Amish life as are all the books she wrote.
June 20, 2014
This was my second time reading this book, and I still really enjoyed it. It was a nice glimpse into Amish life.
July 25, 2014
I found it for sale at the Seekonk Library. I read this growing up and enjoyed it then so decided to reread.
July 27, 2014
I read this entire series when I was in junior high, I am guessing the year! But I remember really enjoying them. Must find to read again!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews