Somewhere to Belong

Daughters of Amana #1

by Judith McCoy Miller

Johanna Ilg has lived her entire life in Main Amana, one of the seven villages inhabited by devout Christians who believe in cooperative living, a simple lifestyle, and faithful service to God. Although she's always longed to see the outside world, Johanna believes her future is rooted in the community. But when she learns a troubling secret, the world she thought she knew is shattered and she is forced to make difficult choices about a new life and the man she left behind.

Berta Schumacher has lived a privileged life in Chicago, and when her parents decide they want a simpler life in Amana, Iowa, she resists. Under the strictures of the Amana villages, Berta's rebellion reaches new heights. Will her heart ever be content among the plain people of Amana?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Christian, Amish, Romance, Fiction, Historical

370 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2010

About the author

Judith McCoy Miller is an award-winning author whose avid research and love for history are reflected in her bestselling novels. Judy and her husband make their home in Topeka, Kansas.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't wait to read this book. I live in Amana and I am a direct descendant of the leader Christian Metz who told our group in Germany to come to America and settle in New York first and then finally in Iowa.

I think she she did a great job of telling how it was back in the communal days of Amana. Yes, they were strict but that's just the way it was. Everybody helped each other out.

Just to make clear, we are not Amish as one reviewer might think we still are. Never was and never will be. The names are similar, we came over to America for our religious beliefs and the Amish are very religious but they do not have the modern conveniences like we do. They still use the horse and buggy and simple clothing, we do not.

I hope after reading this people will want to come and visit our seven villages that make up the Amana Colonies and see the history for yourself in the museum, our homes, church and our crafts that we take pride in.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daughters of Amana #1

Johanna Ilg has lived her entire life in Main Amana, one of the seven villages inhabited by devout Christians who believe in cooperative living, a simple lifestyle and faithful service to God. Although she's always yearned to see the outside world, Johanna believes her future is rooted in the community. But when she learns a troubling secret, the world she thought she knew is shattered and she is forced to make difficult choices about a new life and the man she left behind.

set in the 1800's, this story is about two women. The first one has lived in the environment all her life and she's prim and proper. The second comes at the age of sixteen, is as mischievous as they can get. But the women develop a strong bond that stays with them throughout good times and bad. The residents of Amana village are of the Mennonite people, similar to the Amish. The story is told drom Johanna and Bertha's point of views. Both women uncover family secrets that make them question where they belong. I found this book intriguing.

#FreeKindleBook

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Johanna decides to marry Carl, after her trip to see Chicago and her birth mother, Louisa--her mother's sister. Berta decides to follow God's lead for her life, after trying to do it her way and making a mess of her life and learning of her parents' mistakes.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somewhere to Belong, by Judith Miller, is one of my favorite books. This is the story of a young woman named Johanna, who lives in one of the
seven Amana villages in Iowa. (Look it up, online, Amana colonies)
The Amanans were Pietists, believing in communal living, hard work, and
humility, plain clothing. I greatly enjoyed the structured lifestyle, the prayer meetings each day of the week,
plus 2 on Sundays, and their shunning of the outside world's influences. Almost like the Amish, but I think
more strict in many ways. Well, Johanna learns a troubling family secret, and begins wondering if she really
belongs in Amana.
Berta is another younger woman, who comes to Amana to live, her family uprooting themselves from Chicago's
ritzy lifestyle. She has a difficult time adopting the Amana way of thinking, and their way of life. Berta also learns
a distressing family secret, which cause her to wonder if she will ever be content to stay in Amana, also.
These two young women form a friendship, and this book is a very good, inspiring story of how they grapple with
changes, secrets revealed, and eventually, choosing how they'll deal with all of that. The story has a strong theme
of biblical values, faith, family, and perseverance. from Wiki: Today, the Seven Villages of Amana are a tourist attraction known for its restaurants and craft shops.
The colony was listed as a National Historic Landmark in 1965. I looked forward to reading Somewhere to Belong, each day. I do recommend this book
to anyone who likes Christian historical fiction.

Romans 10:8-13; John 3:16-21

[alina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good I actually started crying! I love simple books so much. I hope to read more by this author.

I just learned that this series was based off a real place in Iowa! I bought this book at a thrift store and upon finding this book so pleasant and realizing that this is accurate historical fiction makes me want to get the other books so much more!

My only thing is why don’t we get to find out the ending of Bertha and Rudolph?? I’m so sad, I wanted them to be together so bad!

[Susan Hollaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've never read a Judith Miller novel, you've missed a great read. Judy has yet again woven a story that once you pick up her book, you’re hooked. You won’t want to put it down until you’ve consumed the whole thing! Remember the coffee commercial … good to the last drop? Well, this book is MORE than good! It’s soooooo good! Once again, her history is impeccably researched, her story extremely well-written, and her descriptions make you feel as if the book is literally unfolding before your very eyes and you’re there. Once you start this book, you’ll want to read continuously until the very last drop. Oops… I mean page.
I’ve never been to nor was I familiar with the Amana Colonies in Iowa, but since reading this book, these historical communities and museums have been added to my “places to visit wish list.” I’ve had a wonderful experience in Amana so far; it makes me want to actually walk where people of the time and place Judy created her story around lived.
I really enjoy historical fiction, especially during the 1800’s and early 1900’s, and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Even if historical fiction is not the first shelf you seek out at the bookstore, you will enjoy this book. Don’t think for a moment that a story about a place and time of a plain people with a simple lifestyle, routine ways, cooperative living, and faithful service to God will be less than exciting or predictable. Au contraire! Get ready for some wonderful “I did NOT see that coming” moments.
Somewhere to Belong is the first in Judy’s Daughters of Amana series and I can’t wait to read the second. Alas, it’s not scheduled to release until September of 2010. But I’ll be waiting. In the meantime, get your hands on this book and be prepared to sit a spell because you will be enthralled. And don’t forget to mark your calendars so you can be sure and be first in line to get the second of her books in the Daughters of Amana series entitled More Than Words.
One last note, every time a Judith Miller book comes into our house, my 14 year old daughter is eyeing it like a lion eyes fresh meat. But it was MY turn to read Judy’s book first this time. Once I finished it, I handed it to her and said, “You can read it now.” Swoop! It was out of my hand in a heartbeat. She’s devouring it and saying, “This is soooooooo good.” My response? “I KNOW!”

ABOUT THE BOOK
Despite living her entire twenty-one years in Main Amana, Johanna Ilg has always been intrigued by and wanted to see the outside world. However, she has continued to stay in Amana believing that Amana is where she must belong. That is, until a secret is revealed that changes everything about the world she thought she knew. Where does she truly belong? She must confront her family and find out the answers to her questions. Will she break her mother’s heart to seek these answers?

Intertwined, is a story of the newest member of Main Amana, Berta Schumacher, a worldly girl with parents who desire a simpler life in Amana, for reasons she can’t fathom. Berta does not share this desire to live such a life as her family and she makes that clear as she openly rebels against the ways of Amana and its people. Will her heart ever soften to the ways of these plain people or will she continue to live a life of rebellion and discontent?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Judith Miller is an award-winning author whose avid research and love for history are reflected in her novels, many of her novels have appeared on the CBA bestseller lists. Judy and her husband make their home in Topeka, KS. Please visit Judy’s website to find out more about her and her books. www.judithmccoymiller.com

[Margaret Metz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this a couple days ago and will get a review up on my blog soon. It was a different book than I expected in more ways than one. I was really pleased with it.

I will confess I'm not the biggest fan of Amish fiction. It's not because it isn't well-written or the stories don't grab my heart either. I just find that a lot of them either have sad endings or tend to leave you hanging at the end without knowing what will happen with the main character and their love interest. I'm not a big fan of that. I love trilogies where we follow characters from one book to the next ~ but I like to tidy up at one main character's love interest before you move on so I have my happily ever after. lol Then you can focus on their next adventure - a secondary character... whatever comes next.

This book wasn't what I expected. The main focus isn't a romance ~ though there is a very touching and satisfying romance (don't worry). It's a book about two girls ~ one from the Chicago and one from Amana. One who is rebellious and doesn't believe anything is more important than having fun and making herself happy. The other has always been the obedient daughter, but is curious about the outside world and longs to see what exists beyond her borders. One who couldn't care less about God and prayer meetings and one who relies upon Him.

These two opposites are thrown together because one, Johanna, is responsible for training the other, Berta. Neither realized how close they would become or the struggles they would both go through.

The author does an excellent job painting the character of these girls, neither perfect but both endearing in their own ways. The journey they make is one that is at times funny, sad, humbling, and inspiring. It is a story that shows one child turning to a responsible young lady, and a young lady turning into a woman. It's also a story of friendship and the impact those relationships can make ~ in more ways than one. It's a story of families. And then it is also a story of romance. The great romance of our Heavenly Father with all of His children - and of romance between husbands and wives, and men and women.

This is a great book.

[Amanda Morgan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Award-winning historical author Judith Miller tends to write her books in a series of three novels featuring a common family or location. Her newest novel, “Somewhere To Belong” kicks off her Daughters of Amana series.
Initially, I chose this book because of the proximity of the setting. I love going to Amana, I love eating and shopping there, I find it a nice little getaway close to home.
However, how boring it is made out to be in the year 1877, as depicted in this book. Miller’s historical accuracy, I’m sure, cannot be argued with. She prides herself on her historical research. She tells about how the various villages of Amana live communally, with a strong work ethic and Christian faith-based lives.
Miller resides in Topeka, Kansas, and decided to write about Amana after numerous friends visited and told her about their experiences. She wanted to tell the story of Amana and try to differentiate the Colonies from the Amish.
She talks about how all the women wear only dark calico skirts and caps, they wake early to work in their designated area of the village, then each night they go to worship. Worship also occurs two or three times some days. It sounds as if the villagers did nothing but work and worship, which perhaps they did.
When Berta, a teenager from Chicago, moves to Amana with her mother and father, she fights the customs of Amana tooth and nail. She doesn’t care if she fits in and she doesn’t have any interest in their hard work and worship. She is assigned a 21-year-old mentor, Johanna, and their families share the same home.
Johanna’s task of mentoring Berta is a difficult one. Berta stands out by initially dressing in a showy pink silk skirt and by talking to the menfolk during mealtime. When Berta befriends the milk delivery boy, Rudolph, she discovers there is more to life in Amana than work and worship. Finally, there is fishing with Rudolph, his friend Carl, and Johanna on Sunday afternoons.
While Berta is slowly adjusting to life in Amana, Johanna has a crisis of her own that causes her to want to wander outside their community. Johanna’s mother fears Johanna will decide she doesn’t want to return to Amana, leaving the family like her older brother did for the big city of Chicago. While Johanna assures the family she won’t leave their way of life for good, that seems to be indicative of the common fear among the elders in the village.
I can’t decide if this novel is uninteresting because there is little to no action, or if it is supposed to be uneventful, with more focus on the way of life in 1877 showing how driven the villagers were. If the reader is not familiar with Amana’s modern way of life, they are not going to recognize how historically significant this story is, and how people like these characters paved the way for villagers today.
I think I would have given up on this book about halfway through, had I not had significant investment in the fact that I’ve actually visited the places the author talks about throughout the book. I guess I’m not going to be a fan of the up-and-coming “bonnet book” genre, as the publisher defines this book.

[Camille · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhere To Belong by Judith Miller


I graciously received the entire Daughters of Amana series from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for a review. I am under no obligation to write a positive review, just an honest one.

Somewhere To Belong is the first book in Judith Miller's series, The Daughters of Amana.

While similar to the Amish in some ways, this book is set in one of the Amana colonies and follows Johanna Ilg, who has always lived in the Amana colonies. It is also period fiction, which I adore.

Johanna's life changes when Berta Schumacher arrives in the colony with her family. Berta is a rather spoiled young woman from Chicago who absolutely detests the decision of her parents to move to the Amana colony.

Johanna is put in charge of helping Berta acclimate to the life in the Amana colony and the rules of the colony. But Berta has no desire to fit in. She wants to do things her way. She doesn't want to give up her fancy clothes and dress plainly. She doesn't want to give up chasing boys. She doesn't want to wake up early and attend to her assigned tasks in the kitchen. As she keeps getting herself in trouble, Johanna is also blamed for Berta's poor behavior.

But beyond that, Berta spikes the hidden desire within Johanna to see the outside world. Though she is quite sure Amana is the place for her to remain, she still wants to see the world before settling down.

Will Berta find a way to fit in with the Amana colony? Or will a huge family secret tear apart their family, pushing Berta further into rebellion? Will Johanna get to see the outside world as she dreams, or will her parents refuse to allow her to do so? And if she does venture forth, will she ever care to return?

Read Somewhere To Belong to find out!

Just as the title hints, this story is about two young women who are trying to figure out where in life they belong. Both are sure of where they should be, Berta back in the outside world, and Johanna, in Amana, but each discover family secrets that could threaten to tear everything apart.

Each girl also teaches the other lessons, and each makes changes along the way.

It's an interesting story of growth and change set in a quaint town, both like and unlike the Amish. For those who enjoy period fiction and/or Amish fiction, this is a great exposure into another plain culture, and their ways of cooperative living.

I highly recommend reading this book.

4.5 out of 5 stars!

[Yiya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somewhere to belong tells the story of two young women that come together when the Schumachers move to Amana from Chicago, where they have lived a life of comfort and luxury; looks, things, trips to the mall and self gratification were taken for granted. They meet the Ilgs, who have lived in Amana since it was established. Johanna Ilg is assigned the task of helping Berta Schumacher to understand the Amana way of living and her role in the community. But Berta does not fit in, and she keeps trying to get her parents' attention; after all, she was told the family would be in Amana for some weeks, not for good. Johanna and Berta do not have an easy time together, but they learn valuable lessons, like the awareness of one's work and how it affects other members of the community - a true lesson of unselfishness and responsibility; or how forgiveness and understanding can be the most valuable assets in life. Everything will test their faith, but Johanna explains that it is just getting stronger. Overall, a certainty of who we are, a certainty of life and a dependence on God are developed throughout the story.

The author uses a very interesting writing technique. One chapter, it is Johanna telling the story; the next one, it is Berta. This makes the story much more intriguing, as the reader is able to see how one character's decisions affect the other, and a sort of compassion and empathy between them is developed little by little, despite being so different. It keeps the reader wanting to discover what unexpected surprises the next pages keep. What Johanna and Berta have in common is that their families have kept secrets and they must decide whether to be selfish or see the issue from another point of view when the true facts are known. Both young women learn that we all go through difficult situations, but it is better to face the problems and not to run away from them; also, we must be prepared to live the consequences of our choices, and that of others.

I enjoyed this book so much, that I have been researching some about the Amana Colonies. There are many things we can learn from the Amana people, and I was thrilled to know that they are open to visitors.

I will definitely be reading more of Judith Miller. I can't wait for the next book in the series to be published!

Bethany House Publishers gave me a complimentary copy of the book for review, but this does not bias my opinion on the book nor on the author.

[Rachel Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story follows two different girls, both searching for somewhere to belong. Johanna has lived in Amana her entire life, but has always longed to see the outside world, especially Chicago where her brother lives. Berta's family has just moved to Amana to try a simpler life, but Berta has no interest in learning how to coexist within the rigid structure of the community. Berta and Johanna are thrown together as Johanna much teach Berta the rules of their society. Both girls work within the communal kitchens, feeding their community three meals a day. Everyone also attends prayer services every night, which doesn't seem to leave them much free time, yet Berta manages to get into constant trouble, though she tries to do better as her relationship with Johanna evolves.

This book is written in first-person viewpoint, which allows the reader to see the lives of both girls. This technique was interesting at first, but after awhile it kind of grated on me, as I'd much rather have read the entire book from Johanna's POV. Berta's constant need for adventure and mischief grew old, while I liked watching Johanna struggle to try to get Berta to adapt. Also, even though each chapter heading listed the girl's name so that you knew whose viewpoint you were in, I still managed to get confused, so this wasn't really the best technique.

My only other complaint was the setting. I assumed at first that this was an Amish book, and even after finishing it, I still wasn't sure it wasn't. Only after reading a few comments on line did I realize that the Amana community is completely different. I also had no idea what time this was set in. Based on the way Berta is dressed in the very first scene, I would have guessed this was a historical book, but this wasn't made clear, nor did I have any idea what year it was, or even where in the world this place was until later in the story.

Still, the author told a good story that drew me in from the very first scene, and I enjoyed the book overall.

[Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up at just the right time: I needed an easy read, but one that was unpredictable and didn't have a clear conclusion.

This was the second book in a row that I read part of it from the perspective of an 'antagonist', or at least someone who is an unlikable person. In this book, that person was Berta. Again, it was interesting to see things from her perspective, and I did see some insight into her actions, though her complete disregard to anything proper (when she started playing croquet) was almost unbelievable. Her character was very well done, though, and I did like how her storyline ended. It wasn't the most satisfactory, but anything happier would have bordered on unrealistic.

I also liked Johanna's character. I was glad to see her not hate her restrictive lifestyle, even when she spent time with Berta. I also liked seeing the uncertainty with Carl, because I didn't actually know what would happen. Since Berta came to love Johanna, it wasn't hard for me to love her. And, since I'm sure I would have the same reaction to Chicago (if not more so), I did relate to her. (eventually)

The setting of Amana kept my attention and was interesting, but I can't say I'd like living there. Sometimes it seemed entirely too legalistic and socialistic. The practice of releasing all of one's assets once one enters Amana seems pretty unbiblical to me. And the legal system of requesting permission for doing anything--like punishments for someone under your charge--is kind of questionable, as well. But no one's perfect, and I don't have reason to believe that's not how it was. Yes, it was interesting. I did like Johanna's attitude toward God.

Oh, one other nice little detail that was just the cherry on top: the German. ;)

[Christy Trever · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhere to Belong by Judith Miller is the first book in the Daughters of Amana series. Johanna Ilg has always been the ideal daughter for her parents in Amana, Iowa. Living on a religious commune that focuses on work and prayer is often a austere existance, and Johanna has long desired to see the world outside of their small community. When Berta Schumacher moves to Amana, she's in for a rude awakening. The spoiled and petted daughter of a Chicago doctor and his wife has been forced to give up her big city life for the hard life in Amana because of her out of control ways. Johanna is both intrigued and angered by Berta, especially after the elders force her to teach the young woman about their community. Berta is free-spirited and has no understanding of the rigid life of rules of the town, despite who it hurts. The two girls become friends, despite their differences, and both just may have something to teach the other. While this book is ostensibly a romance, it is in truth a novel of friendship. Berta and Johanna are both of the cusp of womanhood (Johanna more so), and are both incredibly sheltered. It's only through their leaning on each other and God that they will be able to manage the terrible secrets their families have been hiding from them. I hope in the next novel Miller demonstrates more of the Amana lifestyle and introduces characters outside of the kitchen. But I look forward to reading about what Berta is up to next!

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the late 1800's in a communal village, we find Johanna Ilg, a young woman who is devout in her faith, and looked upon as a suitable young lady to help train a new member into their village. Johanna is not so sure about this, once she meets Berta Schumacher. Berta is an only child who has been pampered and catered to all her days, living in a communal village, and having to work is something Berta rebels against strongly. The things she manages to get into is amazing. She is a trouble maker with a capital "T" and keeps Johanna on her toes.

She also makes Johanna realize how much she would like to see the outside world before she settles down and perhaps marries. Her parents worry that she will not return, just as her older brother did not. An incident where Johanna finds out that her family has not been totally honest with her, shakes her faith, causing her to act on her decision to see the outside world. Will she return to Amana? How will she handle this new and devastating truth? Will Johanna find love in the outside world, or back in her familar home village? This story is a very different story, it is similar to Amish books, in the faith aspect, but the communal living is a new concept for this reviewer. I enjoyed the story very much and look forward to more books in the Daughters of Amana series. 364 pages $14.99 US 4 stars



This book was provided by Bethany House for review purposes only.

[Wendi · Rating 2 out of 5]

In the Amana Colonies in 1877, two very different young ladies are about to learn more than they ever bargained for. Johanna Ilg is hardworking, faithful and responsible. Her only unfulfilled desire is to visit her brother in Chicago and see the world beyond the borders of her village. Yet her parents are deadest against it and she longs to understand why.

Thrust into this strange new world when her parents suddenly gave up all their possessions and move to the colonies, Berta Schumacher is angry and full of mischief. After learning her father is a philanderer, she sets out on a path of self-destruction that will have lasting consequences.

Somewhere To Belong is intended to be a story of forgiveness. Unfortunately, the novel missed the mark for me. There is a great deal of concentration on the character development of the irritating and devious Berta. Besides Berta, the novel is so filled with characters who are constantly lying and deceiving each other, that the little attention that is given to the Word feels insincere and flat. I would have liked to have read more about the beauty of Amana and its people. Instead I was left with the impression that the people were liars, gossips and a bit cultish, which I know was not the intent.

I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Jae Roth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Johanna and Berta are two very different young women. Johanna is a life long resident of the Amana colony and a model of young womanly behavior. For this reason she is chosen to help newcomer, Berta, to adjust to the communal, collective, God-centered life of the Amana colony after having lived her life as the daughter of a prominent Chicago physician. And to say the spoiled and selfish Berta is not happy about her new living arrangements would be a gross understatement.

Set just a few years after the Great Fire of Chicago, this historical novel is an example of a good inspirational book. Spirituality is present, woven through the fabric of the story without seeming overbearing or in your face. The only problem I had with this story, why I didn't give it 5 stars, is that the character of Berta was thoroughly unlikable for far too long in the story. More than half-way through and I still wanted to put aside the pacifistic, loving world of Amana and slap that girl silly. Even reminding myself she was very young didn't help. Miller handled Berta's transformation well. Often in such a book there is a lightening bolt moment when the character changes radically and conveniently. Berta's transformation was slower and had it's moments of backsliding. Her world was shaken a part and then a serious event occurs that is believable as the catalyst for her change.

This is an excellent departure from the usual Amish setting of the Bonnet novel.

[A J Hawke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somewhere To Belong by Judith Miller is a well-written novel with well characterized people, and compelling conflict. The seven villages of the Amana colonies in Iowa are not well known by most people. This book opened up a world that I was not familiar with from a region that is not often written about.

More than a historical novel, this is also a coming of age story of two very different girls. Johanna Ilg has lived her whole life in Amana, and Berta Schumacher who has lived a privileged life in Chicago before being transplanted to Amana by her parents. In addition, is the haunting of secrets and the impact of family.

The life in Amana may resemble the Amish but this was a different society. Based on historical facts, the story is not so much about the communal living as the lives of two very different girls and their reactions to that lifestyle.

Whether one agrees with the lifestyle of the Amana or not, this story is still of interest in revealing a time and place in American history and two young girls decisions as they are exposed to the conflicts of growing up in the midst of that world.

Just as Judith Miller gave us in The Carousel Painter, we have here a good read.

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somewhere to Belong is the first time I have heard about the Amana Colony and I was really looking forward to traveling back in time and enjoying the peace and tranquility of this community. While life in Amana was exactly what I was expecting, the story that Judith Miller told, far exceeded my expectations. I have a couple of Judith’s books prior to this one and I have always enjoyed her writing, but Somewhere to Belong really captured my heart. Johanna and Berta were two young women from very different worlds who, surprisingly, had a great deal in common. Their lives intersected at the exact moment they needed each other.

While I could not relate to the desire to live the way those in the Amana Colony lived, this book did remind me how wonderful it is to be home. We all want to feel at home and we all have different ways in which we want to live and this book served to remind me how much I appreciate the idea of home. This is a warm story and full of Christian inspiration. It is a relaxing and fast read that proved very difficult to put down. The next book in the Daughters of Amana series, More Than Words, is releasing soon and I am very excited about returning to Amana.

Judith Miller is becoming one of my favorite authors because of her warm and interesting storytelling. I highly recommend Somewhere to Belong. It is a real delight.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a free download for my nook. I tend to like Amish novels, and I could tell by the cover picture that this was not about Amish, but along the same lines. It turns out it is about two girls in the Amana Colonies in Iowa, which were cooperative living communities settled by German Lutherans in the 1800s and early 1900s. The people of Amana dressed "plain" and lived simply and communally, several families to a house. The village leaders assigned each person a job... working in the gardens, with the animals, in the kitchens (which fed the whole neighborhood each meal, as there were no kitchens in their houses,) in the fabric factory. It was a very interesting look at a community that I hadn't heard of. A nice little story about the two girls, although the story of the younger girl (sorry, I don't remember the names, as I finished reading this a few weeks ago,) felt incomplete. My biggest complaint is that the book provided little to no background information about the setting... as I began to read, I was confused about what type of community this was, so I ended up looking it up online. More information was revealed as the book went on, but without having looked it up, I believe I still would have been a bit unclear on the concept. Perhaps just a one page introduction containing the information that I provided above would have been helpful.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I should be upfront and mention that this isn't the sort of book I normally go out of my way to read, but it was a free Kindle book offering and, hey, free is good. The book follows two young girls living in the Amana colonies in the 1870's. I researched the Amana colonies after reading this and found them interesting from a historical perspective. They were seven towns in Iowa, founded by a Christian German sect. They were completely communal towns, everyone ate together, everyone was assigned a job by the elders and worked to support the community. The two girls in the book work in the kitchen, preparing three meals a day for about 50 colonists. I can't imagine having every minute of my day completely decided by elders. It was eye-opening as to how little power (read that, none) young unmarried women had in that community. And they were constantly being harangued and nagged endlessly by the older women in the colony. I just wanted to yell, "Shut up, bitches!" which probably gives you an idea of how successful I would be in a rigid communal community. While the story is somewhat sweet, I honestly found it to be a bit of yawner, even though several quite mature topics are covered, such as infidelity and birth out-of-wedlock.

[Radella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Johanna has lived in the Amana Colonies in Iowa all of her life. Berta is newly arrived in the colonies and is used to the good life in Chicago, and is not at all happy about her new life. Johanna is tasked with showing Berta what is expected, and welcoming her into the community. Neither is happy with the situation, but Johanna does her best to help Berta understand not only her job in the kitchen, but how their life reflects their belief. Through love, betrayal, secrets, and hard work, the two become friends. They each learn what is important in life, and how to forgive.
Miller does an excellent job of capturing the feeling and essence of the Amana Colonies. They are somber people, but not without their enjoyments. They were not perfect, but they were devoted to their lifestyle and their belief in God. The characters are realistic, and behave as if they were real. It really doesn’t have a lot of action, but the book is moved along by Berta’s impulsive decisions and Johanna’s desire to help keep things running smoothly. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

[Leica]

I finished this book today. I read it on my Kindle in about 5 days or so and really liked the story line. It has piqued my curiosity about the community of Amana. I will definitely read the other books in the series. The story was uplifting in that the main characters, Berta and Johanna have big decisions looming in their lives and learn to trust God's leading with their futures. The backdrop of the community and how it works and supports all members was very interesting; All things working together in cooperation for the good of the community and under God's shepherding. This is a very hard to accomplish goal because people want their own way and often that goes against the grain. Berta finds out the hard way that always wanting her own way is not what God wants for her. Johanna learns that the big world outside the confines is not all as good as it seems on the surface and can be to much and to confusing. Excellent insight into a community organization and the working of a plain society.

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a hard time with this book, it takes place in the Amana colonies. I am unfamiliar with this religion (the author does not even explain what religion this is) and so was confused why any one would want to join these people. Also, it said that being single was better then being married, however it was not forbidden. One of the girls was punished for not keeping the other girl in line~ seems unkind. I wished the author explained more about the religion.

The story is about two young women. One has lived in Amana her whole life, and the other has just moved there from Chicago. It goes through several months of various happenings of the girls.

I think I would have liked the book better with more explanation of the community. It is also book one in a series as the ending of this book does not explain what happens to one of the girls. I dislike having to read another book to find out the conclusion.

[Janalyn Voigt · Rating 4 out of 5]

What does it mean to belong? Judith Miller explores this question in a story set in the Amana Colonies of 1877. Two very different girls find themselves thrown together. Level-headed Johanna takes rebellious newcomer Berta under her wing and teaches her to embrace life in Amana. This task proves difficult. Each girl grapples with family problems, potential betrayal and life-changing decisions. Will Johanna and Berta surrender their pains and dreams to God and find the courage to truly live?


Compelling characters and believable situations coupled with skilled writing make SOMEWHERE TO BELONG an important book. I recommend it to women who enjoy stories about cloistered communities and for those who enjoy historical fiction. I also approve this book for teens because of its take on honesty, family bonding and social responsibility.


© 2010 Janalyn Voigt


*A complimentary copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher for purposes of review.

[Shari Larsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story takes place in the Amana Colonies in Iowa, in the 1890's. It is told alternately between the points of view of Johanna, who has lived her life in the community, and Berta, who has just moved there with her parents from Chicago. Berta is only 17, and making the adjustment to a new way of life is very difficult for her. 21 year old Johanna is assigned to train her to help with the kitchen duties and to help her learn the rules of the community.

The two girls seem to be complete opposites, but soon become friends, especially when both discover family secrets that make them question where they belong.

I really enjoyed this book, and I learned a lot about the religion and culture of Amana. I want to read the rest of the books in the series also to learn more about this way of life.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm giving this a 3.5 or so, it was quite an enjoyable read for me. I have read one other book about the Amana colonies, although I had never heard of them before that first book. Sort of Amish, but a bit more progressive and open to things, they lived a self-sustaining life first in New York and then where this book takes place, in Iowa. This is the tale of a girl that lives in one of the Amana colonies, Johanna, her family (she still lives with her parents, but one of her brothers has died and the other left for Chicago and married, rejecting the colony and it's communal lifestyle). Johanna is tapped to mentor Berta Shumacher, a girl who moves to the Amana colonies with her parents from Chicago, and has trouble adjusting to their new way of life. Perhaps I was in the mood for this type of book, for I really enjoyed it!

[Andrea Stoeckel · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's the story of two young women looking for "Somewhere to Belong". Miller has again given us a fictional glimpse into a historical reality. The Amanas were a communial group of utopianists who lived together in areas all over the country. They lived apart to keep focused on God. But they allowed some interaction with the outside world, and didn't cut off ties if one left the group.

This is the story of one woman, Johanna, who grew up in the community, and Bertha, who came there when her father accepted a job as the community doctor as he brings his family into the group from Chicago. Johanna dreams beyond the farms and into the "real world". Bertha can't give up and become part of the community.

The resulting story is a struggle to become women looking for home, and although set in the historical past, the struggkes with faith, family and identity are still quite relevant.

[Amber Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as I can recall this is the first Judith Miller book I have read.
The book was 364 pages, and I managed to devour it in 2 days.

I read another book not too long ago about the Amana colony so when I saw this one at
the library I was drawn to it.

This book was an easy read, wonderful flow. I enjoyed how the author wrote from 2
points of view. It really did help the understanding of inner conflicts and feelings for
each of the girls. I found the way it was done was not confusing or hard to follow.

The story even has even made me stop to reflect on myself and how I could do better for God.
I am looking forward to reading the rest of this series.
I have gone ahead and put a reserve on the other 2 books at the library.

[Mayda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don’t confuse the residents of the Amana village with the Amish; they are not the same. Though they share some similar beliefs and habits, there are also distinct differences. In this work of historical fiction, author Judith Miller gives us some background into understanding the workings of the people of Amana. Johanna has grown up at Amana, but Berta has been thrust into the community as a teenager. Johanna has been assigned to help acclimate Berta to life there. But in the midst of both their struggles with this task, Johanna discovers a life-changing secret. The first in a trilogy, the author has set up a thought-provoking story with engaging characters. She has also achieved a good balance between presenting a good story while maintaining a Christian overview.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in the series "Daughters of Amana" was excellent. I am definitely going to read more by Judith Miller, starting with the next book in this series, titled "More than Words" (More Than Words). Only issue with this book, for me, were the plot twists...perhaps more time could have been spent on backstory and character development, and the new twists couls have been spread out through the series. I have yet to read the rest of the books however. I am excited to get the next one!