Kate's Turn

Kate #1

by Cheri J. Crane

Sixteen-year-old Kate, chafing under the old-fashioned restrictions of the Mormon Church, travels back in time and learns from her great-great-great-great-grandmother what it really means to be a Latter-Day Saint.

Genres: Lds Fiction, Young Adult, Lds, Time Travel, Church, Fiction, Historical Fiction

355 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Berkley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! It reminded me of Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites, but without the whole "save the ancient world" stuff. I loved to see Kate's change after the coma, and it made me think about what I can do to be better. Am looking forward to reading the next book in the series!!

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am very selective about the LDS novels I read/like, but I enjoyed this series. I read it right after high school, and it was just good timing for me, as I was making decisions about what to do with my life. I think I could relate to Kate in a lot of ways, and that's why I liked the book. It's not like the series was great literature, but I appreciate when I can connect with characters and make changes for the better in myself and my life because of reading a book. Maybe if I read them again, I'd think they were cheesy, but I guess that's what stages in life are all about! :)

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Part two was much more interesting and it seemed to pick up the pace alot more. I became pretty attached to the characters and it made me cry... Kate's experience is definitely one to remember!! It makes me want to know all of the stories of my ancestors and read their journals.
Great read!! I'm thrilled it is a series!

[Cami · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! If you're looking for a testimony booster or you simply need some uplifting reading, this is the book to read! I finished it in about a day and a half, couldn't put it down.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I spoke in sacrament meeting a few weeks ago, and in my talk I mentioned that I love to read. Well one of the members in our ward brought me this book, and the rest in the series because she loved them so much. I was touched by this gesture, and put aside my other reading to read these books. This is not a book I would have picked up on my own. I love reading doctrinal, and inspirational based church books written by church leaders. Religious fiction of any denomination is not really my speed. It's hit or miss for me. While I enjoyed this book, it didn't hold my attention as I hoped it would. I also cringed a bit at the very judgmental approach to the main character. There were many moments that got under my skin, but all in all, the premise is no terrible. 16yr old rebellious Kate goes along with her family on a vacation, gets in a car accident, and has a lengthy coma dream about her ancestors. She ends up changing her ways. The end.

[Kristen Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great LDS novel about true changes of the heart.
Kate has been Mormon all of her life, but now that she's a teenager, she is starting to chafe under all of the "rules" that come with following the commandments. She rebels against the Church and her family, especially her mother. She wears revealing clothing, swears like it's a new vocabulary, and is in a serious relationship with a boy that only wants one thing from her. When Kate suddenly finds herself in a life-threatening situation, her ancestors may be the only answer to her salvation.

[April Hudak · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautifully touching

Re-read recently. Still as beautiful as the first time I read it. Still made me cry too. Now plan to re-read the whole series. Great for the women in your life- both young and old.

[Jaclyn H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved most of this book but there were parts in the first few chapters, I really disliked. I especially liked Kate's "dream/experience" with the pioneers and how it connected her with her ancestors.

[Alyse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Has a definitely different plot line!

[Maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Looking at the cover of the book that my friend had loaned to me, I felt myself wince inwardly. "This has got to be way old and way cheesy!" I thought. But then I started reading it and couldn't put it down! I'm really surprised that it took me in the way it did, but this book had a certain power in it. I loved the idea of a rebellious teenager who changes her ways after getting to be a part of her ancestors' lives and experiencing their hardships and faith. I love reading about "the olden days" and I enjoyed the characters of Molly and Colleen very much, especially because they are Irish! (Tee hee.) This book has a very good message and doesn't shy away from discussing and portraying death and other difficult things. I usually don't like a lot of LDS fiction because it just comes across as trite and "skim-the-surface-y," but this one was decent. There were some annoying punctuation and structure issues, but they weren't to hard too ignore because I liked the story so much.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another book that I just inherited from my parents, a book that I had read back in high school. I still enjoyed it and the topics it raised, but the actual writing is not breath taking. I know that since it is fiction, it does not have to be realistic, but I found it strange that we could have sections where the narrator/main point of view were the people in Kate's dream/vision. It was interesting to see what they were thinking, but for some reason it bothered me.

It is a book about an LDS girl who is making decisions against the beliefs and standards of the Church. Her parents force her to attend a family vacation, and she vows that she will make everyone miserable. A tragic accident occurs, the results of which allow Kate to rethink the way she has been living her life.

Some of the book is written in the perspective of Kate's mother, and I appreciated the portrayal of how incredibly differently a teenage girl and her mother can view the exact same incident.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Believe it or not, book reports can actually be good for something. One of my friends had to give an oral book report to my class in 6th grade on this book and I thought it sounded so interesting that I found it at the library and thoroughly enjoyed it. I really enjoy Crane's writing style and am constantly checking to see if she has come out with anything new.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was excellent. what its basically about is a rebellious teen named kate. she runs into misfortune and goes into a coma. while shes in the coma, she travels the plains with her great great great great grandmother and the other pioneers. she learns alot and realizes she needs to be better. i would definately recommend this book

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me cry. It was so said when her Grandma Colleen died. I thought it was cool how Kate found the secret bottom to the trunk. I was really happy that Kate and her mom got everything worked out. Another great thing about this book is that it has no bad language. I like that in a book.

[Jodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I reread this book this week, and I was really impressed again. I had forgotten how much I really enjoyed this book. I am so impresed with how the author really gets in entire perspective of not only the young woman, but her mother. Now, being a mother, I can relate to both sides of this story. Great read!

[Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually read this book and the rest in its series when I was junior in high school. I LOVED it then and still enjoy it today. It is a quick read and is a lower reading level. Sometimes books (even though directed towards a younger market) written in a lower reading level drive me insane, personally. I loved the pioneer part of this book the most.

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love LDS books out plain but this one hit me hard. I am Young and this book really opened my eyes to what I could become!!!This book warms the heart and strengthens the testimony. All young LDS women and girls should read this book.

[Rachi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book for youth readers. I read it growing up and found it inspired me to try to act more in accordance with gospel teachings. Kate is a funny and likable character, to whom you will find yourself not only relating, but growing attached to.

[Johyne' · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book as a teenager. It really held my interest.

Kate is a troubled young woman, making plenty of bad choices, who has a chance to turn her life around when she has a strange experience. . .

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book around 12 years old. It stuck with me.
I really liked it. It's about a rebellious teen who gets into an accident and dreams about her ancestry and lives the life they did.
When she woke up she wondered if it was all a dream.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is too much rebellion and tragedy in this book for me. I often felt frustrated and angry after spending time reading it! It did have great insight into the life of a pioneer, and how their struggles matter to us today.

[Danica is Booked · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Lds Fiction is a genre that I adore. I love Cheri J. Crane's writing style and I also love the message of this book. A must read for all. Everybody can change and this book will show you that.

[Jayme · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series will always hold a special place in my heart. Cheri J. Crane really understands how many LDS youth feel and how hard it can be to be strong in the world today. These books were so realistic to me and I appreciated that. :)

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series was very good. Ages 12-18 give or take. A LDS girl who makes choices different than her upbringing and her path back.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when I was in Jr. High and remember loving it!

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was awesome. I encourage people including girls.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this book when I was a teenager and I finally got around to reading it. I enjoyed reading this book.

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not great literature but a hard-to-put-down story about a confused, rebelling, misunderstood teenage girl and her struggling parents.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Kate's Turn series. One of my all time favorites!

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author is my mom's cousin's wife...so it's fun to read a book by someone I know :)