Julia's Mending

by Kathy Lynn Emerson

In 1887, when her missionary parents have gone to China without her, snobbish twelve-year-old Julia is sent to a farm in upstate New York where she breaks a leg, while it mends learns to love and accept her country cousins and heal her anger.

Genres: Fiction, Juvenile

135 pages, Library Binding

First published September 1, 1987

About the author

aka Kaitlyn Dunnett, Kate Emerson, Kaitlyn Gorton

Kathy Lynn Emerson began writing as a child: a newspaper for her dolls and then a rambling adventure series featuring characters from all her favorite television shows. In addition to contemporary, historical and time-travel romance (some written under the pen-name of Kaitlyn Gorton) and historical novels written as Kate Emerson, Kathy has written children's books, non-fiction, short stories, and historical mysteries. She won the Agatha award for mystery nonfiction for How to Write Killer Historical Mysteries. She also writes as Kaitlyn Dunnett.

Reviews

[Sunnie Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Julia's Mending by Kathy Lynn Emerson is a short story about a twelve-year-old girl who has been shipped off to her cousin's home in a small town in upstate New York when her missionary parents go off to China. Raised in a city environment, with rather rigid standards and certain luxuries, Julia is in for a rude awakening when she is plopped down in her "country cousins." Initially she wants nothing to do with either country living or her cousin's children who are approximately her same age or younger. Before you know it, mischief leads to injury with resulting broken bone and broken burgeoning trust. Inactivity, and a feeling of isolation, slowly lead to a reduction of anger and frustration and an increase in the realization of the importance of family.

A sensitive tale of historically accurate 19th century rural life. The characters are identifiable and fun to get to know. Recommended for ages 8 and up, this story will have readers exclaiming with surprise, laughing, and sometimes crying.

[Mandy Morrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

The year is 1887. Julia lives with her grandmama in New York City. Her parents, missionaries, send her to live in the small town of Liberty Falls while they are off ministering in China. She is forced to live with her cousins and nieces and nephews whom she has never known. At first, she cannot stand the unwelcoming environment, but slowly learns to get along with her fellow kin. This book is interesting, engaging, and inviting, and I loved it!

[Kim Bakos · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable story for the middle grades. I love how the theme teaches not to judge others by how they are different than you (her cousins, who she thought were country bumpkins) or the same as you (the new kid who looks more "upscale" but is a bad kid at heart), but to get to know everyone and judge them on who they really are.
The story also gives insight into what a farm life is like, which is probably eye-opening for many kids today who live so far removed from rural life.
As someone who loves to learn about China's culture, I was hoping for more than just a mention of what life was like for her parents, but isn't a criticism of the book at all, just my personal wish.
It was very neat to read at the end in the postscript that the story is based on stories that had been shared with the author about her own family, specifically her grandparents. It is cool to see her family history live on and be shared with others.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely children's book, which I still enjoying reading as an adult.

[Miss Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

gr 4+ 135 pgs

1887 New York state. 12 year old Julia is furious with her parents when they live her behind to work as missionaries in China. As if that wasn't bad enough, they send her to live with cousins she's never met instead of letting her stay with her grandmother in New York City. At first, Julia is horrified by country life and how dirty it is and her cousins seem to hate her. The only thing that makes her feel better is writing in her journal. When her journal disappears, Julia starts to regret the hurtful things she said about her cousins. Somehow she decides she must find a way to "mend" their relationship.

I think this was a good story about how hard it can be in a new place and how first appearances can be deceiving.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julia is a young girl sent to live in the country with her cousins - despite her objections - and what she learns about life is worth reading about, whatever the time period. Emerson portrays life in rural New York in the late 1880s with historical details drawn from real life events. Having read the author's grandfather's reminiscences previously, I was delighted to see that some of his encounters with local characters were woven into the story. A good read.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read it because it takes place in rural New York State in 1887.