Becoming Lottie Moon

by Emily Hall

Lottie Moon is determined to break free from the predictable life of a good Baptist girl in antebellum Virginia and follow her dreams for adventure. As tensions between the North and South boil into civil war and abolitionists and women fight for their freedom, everything is starting to change. But will opportunities change fast enough for Lottie, or will she be left behind?

Follow Lottie’s transformative journey that will take her from being a young girl in 1847, who thinks church is a waste of time, to a young single woman who follows God on a missionary adventure in 1873. Immerse yourself in this captivating coming-of-age story with vivid characters and rich historical detail.

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Genres: Christian

398 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2023

About the author

Emily Hall writes stories with nuance and grace about everyday people who have become extraordinary legends.

She is fueled by cookie dough, kickboxing, and library visits. Whether it’s the Library of Virginia, historical society libraries, or story time with her little one, Emily loves reading and researching in libraries.

Emily’s latest obsession is the Baptist missionary legend, Lottie Moon. After years of researching and writing, Emily is thrilled to finally share Becoming Lottie Moon with readers.

Join in by subscribing to her newsletter at emilyhallbooks.com.

Reviews

[Debs Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this was soooo good. The author said she spent 2 years researching for this book, & I believe it! There is so much detail chronicling the famous missionaries life from age 6 - to 32 when she boarded the boat for China. We get to see her go from child prodigal to accepting the seed God put in her heart at 6-years-old. She grew up on a plantation with slaves. She was one of the most educated woman in the South as she fought to be educated the same as a boy. We go to school with her, which is where God got a hold of her. Just as she graduates, the Civil War begins. She later starts a school & then finally accepts her role as a missionary, with the book ending with her on the boat to China. It has left me wanting the continuation of the story, I'm going to have to read up Lottie's missionary life.
This book is well researched, well written & inspiring!

[cbdef · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. It took me 3 months to read. I did not realize that the book was based on an actual historical character. It was difficult for me to determine what group the author was targeting. It is classified as Young Adult, but I would be amazed to learn that any young adult was able to complete this book - it is too long and slow (~400 pages).

At times, the author appears to be appealing to young girls, encouraging them to be themselves, follow their dreams, and become independent. Although clarifying that it is a work of fiction, the author took privileges and left out the historical fact that the character did indeed marry, and was not a single independent woman of the times in the late 1800's.

There is also a very heavy religious aspect to the story, sufficiently, I think, to classify this book under that category instead of YA.

I also felt that the author ascribed words, thoughts and actions to the MC from the onset of the story (very mature and adultish) - when she was barely more than a toddler and subsequently - that were beyond what should be expected of the character, even as she ages throughout the story.

My last point is that the story covers the time period of the U.S. Civil War. Although the author does touch on it, it doesn't seem to disrupt the lifestyle of the characters to the extent that we might expect- none of the male characters who fought lost their lives or limbs. This may be historically true, and I can understand that the author wasn't using that as the focal point of the story, but it seemed to be brushed aside too easily. It certainly would have had more significant impact - physically, mentally, socially and spiritually - on all those who lived through those troubling times.

[Emily Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has the coming of age feel of a young adult book but it is a bit denser of words than what this genre typically appeals to. I wish there had been a little bit more of Lottie Moon's passion for China and her experience as a woman and feminist in a largely patriarchal denomination and society. However, the aspect that Lottie had grown up on a plantation during slavery was a new realization for me and is an interesting addition to her character.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written biography about a historical figure.