Gideon's People

by Carolyn Meyer

Jews don’t eat meat from a pig. Amish don’t wear buttons. But two boys from extremely different cultures discover how similar they really are. “The story is fascinating as an in-depth examination of two disparate cultures that--the boys discover--share many of the commonalities of the human experience; it’s also a great coming-of-age novel, inhabited by people who may dress and speak differently from many readers but whose actions are entirely understandable.”-- Kirkus Reviews

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Jewish

297 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 1, 1996

About the author

Carolyn Meyer is as versatile a writer as you will find. Along with historical fiction and realistic novels for young adults she has written nonfiction for young adults and books for younger readers on topics as diverse as the Amish, the Irish, Japanese, Yup'ik Eskimos, a rock band, rock tumbling, bread baking, and coconuts. And ten of her books have been chosen as Best Books for Young Adults by the American Library Association. In her most recent historical novels she has dealt with the young lives of Mary Tudor, Princess Elizabeth, Anastasia, and Isabel of Castilla, Spain.

Reviews

[Phylisha Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful story told from the viewpoint of to young men close in age who are Amish and Jewish. It is also a coming to America for a better life story as well. While the story emphasized the difference between the two cultures, it also highlighted the similarities (the importance of family, shared responsibility and obedience to family. Good book.

Just reread this book by Caroline and I am even more impressed by the message in this story. This book should be required reading starting in junior high, because goodness knows we certainly need to be teaching our kids about tolerance, acceptance and equality toward others!







it is also

[Shannon]

DNFd at page 56/chapter 4

[Emily]

This book uses skillfully compared the immigrant Jews during the first part of the 19th century and the Amish. The author shows both the similarities and differences that these two groups of people have. It also shows how friendships can be developed between people of different backgrounds. Gideon and Isaac find ways to help each other and develop a bond as they are faced with challenging situations.

[Dina R · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to read this for school (in 7th grade) and although I learned a lot about the amish culture and way of life, I felt the book was more of a history textbook than an entertaining novel. So I though it was okay...

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great lessons about tolerance and informative about other cultures. I'll be interested to see how well the students respond to it. Especially since it's our interdisciplinary unit.

[RuthW · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of the most contrived plots ever written.

[Wendopolis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting, but felt unfinished

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting book about the beliefs of Jewish and Amish culture. I liked this story.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters had unique personalities.