Annie

Ellie's People #10

by Mary Christner Borntrager

Annie wasn't raised Amish, but when her mother doesn't return from a trip, a short stay with her Amish neighbors turns into a new life. Annie finds love and security with her new Amish family, although troubles are on their way. Her new sister Lucy is jealous of the attention Annie receives, and Annie has a hard time adjusting to Amish customs. Will she always feel like an outsider, or will she finally discover her true home?

Genres: Amish, Fiction, Christian Fiction, Inspirational

168 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Mary 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.

Reviews

[Kaye Wingo · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful book

[ANNETTE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story really enjoyed it.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember seeing this in the Awana share store and since it was the first book I ever "earned" the "money" to "buy" it was super special to me.

It was my first glimpse into Amish life as well.

Reading it now, I don't like that there's not any sort of resolution between Lucy and Annie, it's just mentioned they made up because they grew out o childish aggressions. Which you know, probably realistic but still, what Lucy did to Annie and said to her when Annie herself didn't do anything is very cruel.

I do think it was a good book. I love how it was all tied together in the end

[Gale · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Trusting the Lord to Bring her Home”

This twelfth book in the series, ELLIE’S PEOPLE, introduces an unusual literary heroine: blue-eyed, blond Pearlie Mae. This eight-year-old neighbor girl lives a mile from the Troyer farm and has long been best friends with Lucy. When her Maw decides to search for her drunken, jailed husband, she drops off her daughter to stay with Troyers until her return—which proves never. For 8 years the girl, rechristened “Annie” to sound more Amish, lives with the kindly, large family—learning Amish ways, their curious words (Pennsylvania Dutch dialect) and their strong Christian morality. Unfortunately willful Lucy becomes increasingly jealous of her new “sister’s” popularity, so she plays many means tricks on her.

When Annie reaches the age of 16 she goes out to work as a live-in nanny for many years. By this time she has become as Amish as her generous hosts--even embracing their religion publicly before the Bishop. But she still misses her mother and the fact that she does not have a home of her own. This modest book presents Amish values, especially those relating to Family, Child rearing and trusting in the Lord for guidance in times of crisis. Despite the many Pennsylvania Dutch phrases this story will appeal to girls 9-16, while gently serving as an introduction to this quaintly modest subculture of rural America.
January 18, 2012

[Knives Boone · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short, wholesome book that takes place in an Amish community. An “English” (not Amish) girl has been left in the care of a sweet Amish family while her mother goes out of town for personal reasons. During the trip, her mother passed away, and Pearlie Mae is left to stay at the Amish family’s home. They change her name to be more Amish, and the book follows Annie through the next few years of her life on this community.

Apparently, this series, “Ellie’s People” is quite popular in Amish and Mennonite communities. I can see why! It’s completely appropriate for all ages, teaches some life lessons without being over preachy, and describes daily life ok an average Amish dairy farm.

I recommend this to anyone who likes simple stories with solid morals, and appreciates an author who can pull this off without being over-bearingly preachy about such topics. I would actually like to read more from this series if I ever had a chance to.

This book was won by me in a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.

[Victoria (hotcocoaandbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great way to close this series. This was the tenth and final book from the "Ellie's People" series.

Annie (her Amish name) was left with an Amish family by her "English" mom when she was eight. She had a lot of fun with their large family and especially the girl her age named Lucy. Lucy begins to feel Annie is favored as a "pet" and gets jealous. This is about Annie's life and finding where she belongs. It was well written and a beautiful story about trusting in God even in the hard times.

[Anne Dart · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story about a girl who was not born Amish but, being raised by an Amish family, becomes Amish, still wondering whether her birth mother will claim her. Her struggles are portrayed as the story of her life spins out. Heart-warming.

[Partridge Public]

Borntrager, Mary Christner PB

[The Third Place A Teen Library]

F BOR ep bk. 10

[Sue Klasing · Rating 4 out of 5]

She finished with a bang, this one was pretty good.