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Miracleville
AniOCOs faith is tested when her mother is paralyzed, her younger sister starts having sex and questions arise about the identity of AniOCOs father."
- GenresYoung AdultChristian
252 pages, ebook
First published April 1, 2011
1 person is currently reading
63 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 24, 2016
Mini Review - Lovely story. Very Catholic, well done. About a teen girl going through the usual questioning of her faith. Set in the pilgrimage town of St. Anne de Beaupre, Quebec. The family has a mother and eldest daughter who have the Faith and the father and youngest daughter who do not. I had a few issues with the theology but regardless for a secular book it presented the Faith and faithful in a moving story. I quite liked this. Read it in one sitting.
April 9, 2011
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
My Summary: Ani (named after Saint Anne) has always been the 'good' daughter - she's religious, responsible, and takes care of her out-of-control younger sister Colette. Ani's always been content with her life in the tiny town of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre - she's happy running the family's souvenir shop with her parents and comfortable knowing that she can always rely on her faith.
That is, until the accident.
Soon Ani's life is turned upside-down, and she has no idea what to do anymore - she's losing her grip on things, facing obstacles she never dreamed she'd be up against. Even worse, the people she thought she knew are starting to seem like complete strangers - her mother, her younger sister, and even her father are not who they appear to be.
My Thoughts: This was a wonderful coming-of-age story, and the element of religion really tied it together nicely! As someone who grew up in a moderately religious household like Ani's, I was able to easily identify with Ani's feelings about what was going on around her. The way she felt trapped in her tiny town was also easy to relate to, and I loved the Canadian element of the story! Members of my family have actually made the pilgrimage to Sainte-Anne, and it was great getting a glimpse at the feelings of the locals. I also loved the debate over miracles between Ani and her dad - it was interesting to see how vastly different people's views could vary on the topic (I, for one, am a believer!).
Mrs. Polak's writing is smooth and easy to follow, and there are enough plot twists to keep you flipping pages to find out what happens next. Her imagery and descriptions of the beautiful buildings in Sainte-Anne made it easy to picture the town and follow Ani throughout her journey.
And what a beautiful book! The cover is simple but stunning, and sure to catch your eye.
Final Thoughts: Miracleville was a lovely read, and I'm so glad I got the opportunity to do so! I definitely recommend it to teens who are coming of age and unsure how religion can work within society and culture nowadays. It would make a great Easter gift!
My Summary: Ani (named after Saint Anne) has always been the 'good' daughter - she's religious, responsible, and takes care of her out-of-control younger sister Colette. Ani's always been content with her life in the tiny town of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre - she's happy running the family's souvenir shop with her parents and comfortable knowing that she can always rely on her faith.
That is, until the accident.
Soon Ani's life is turned upside-down, and she has no idea what to do anymore - she's losing her grip on things, facing obstacles she never dreamed she'd be up against. Even worse, the people she thought she knew are starting to seem like complete strangers - her mother, her younger sister, and even her father are not who they appear to be.
My Thoughts: This was a wonderful coming-of-age story, and the element of religion really tied it together nicely! As someone who grew up in a moderately religious household like Ani's, I was able to easily identify with Ani's feelings about what was going on around her. The way she felt trapped in her tiny town was also easy to relate to, and I loved the Canadian element of the story! Members of my family have actually made the pilgrimage to Sainte-Anne, and it was great getting a glimpse at the feelings of the locals. I also loved the debate over miracles between Ani and her dad - it was interesting to see how vastly different people's views could vary on the topic (I, for one, am a believer!).
Mrs. Polak's writing is smooth and easy to follow, and there are enough plot twists to keep you flipping pages to find out what happens next. Her imagery and descriptions of the beautiful buildings in Sainte-Anne made it easy to picture the town and follow Ani throughout her journey.
And what a beautiful book! The cover is simple but stunning, and sure to catch your eye.
Final Thoughts: Miracleville was a lovely read, and I'm so glad I got the opportunity to do so! I definitely recommend it to teens who are coming of age and unsure how religion can work within society and culture nowadays. It would make a great Easter gift!
June 20, 2011
Ani and her sister, Collette, help their mother in their religious souvenier shop next to the Basilica of St. Anne in their small Quebec town. (The Basilica of St. Anne de Beaupre really exists.) They trade in miracle oil, crucifixes and other religious items they sell to the pilgrims who come to pray to St. Anne. Their mother is very religious, and Ani shares her devotion. Collette, on the other hand, is really not interested; boys and popularity are more important to her. When their mom is injured in an accident and a long held secret is discovered, Ani's faith is tested to the breaking point.
At first I found the story tedious, perhaps because there is a bit too much time spent explaining the religious basis for the town and the Basilica. But, the story eventually kicks in and I was propelled toward the end. There were shocking events and heartwrenching scenes, all leading to a realistic and fitting ending. Although not the best book I've read this year, it was interesting to learn about the story and culture of this small town in Quebec, the characters were believable and the plot kept me turning pages to discover how they would react to their changing situations. All-in-all a pretty good read.
At first I found the story tedious, perhaps because there is a bit too much time spent explaining the religious basis for the town and the Basilica. But, the story eventually kicks in and I was propelled toward the end. There were shocking events and heartwrenching scenes, all leading to a realistic and fitting ending. Although not the best book I've read this year, it was interesting to learn about the story and culture of this small town in Quebec, the characters were believable and the plot kept me turning pages to discover how they would react to their changing situations. All-in-all a pretty good read.
March 5, 2013
Miracleville is a great story to read. Monique Polak explains the difficulties a teenaged girl is going through. Ani the main character lives in a small town, where everyone know everyone. She is faced with a truth she didn't know about, with her sister's ADHD, and with feelings she's never had before. She find out a priest that she had a crush on is her biological father. Her mother gets in a terrible accident that leaves her paralyzed from the waist down. her little sister colette is having sex with a boy that doesn't care about her and colette has fallen in love. Ani is going through problems she can't handle all on her own. Many teens can relate to Ani in that she is responsible and mature in one way or another. Her parents own a souvenir store that both her and her sister work in. At first Ani seemed like she haas a normal life until the truth came out about her biological father and when the right time was to confront her mother about it for not telling her for years. She found ou some things about her mother thnat she didn't hunk het mom would've done. For example,having smoked when she was younger, having sex before marriage, and not telling her boyfriend at the time she was pregnant with Ani because her boyfriendd wanted to become a priest. Ani felt lied to and sad. She is also very religious and throughout the book she is trying to find god in all of this and also trying to figure out if she believes in god or not. throughout the book she questions her faith a lot and in what she believes or not. One very important event which was her mothers accident and whether she was ever going to be able to walk or not is the main reason why she questioned her own faith. Aniis Catholic so is her mother her father and colette aren't. The book at first seems to explain too much about religion but then thats the main idea of the book religion is a very important aspect of Ani's life. This book also seemed very realistic a small town in Quebec.
March 25, 2011
"And that's when I realize that maybe it's true that the real miracle isn't when someone throws away their crutches or stops being paralyzed. Maybe the real miracle is way simpler than that. Maybe the miracle is not giving up. Maybe it's staying hopeful even when you're not sure how thing will turn out".
The quote above neatly sums up the story about Ani and her family living in the small town of Sainte-Anne-de Beaupre where pilgrims come year after year seeking miracles. When her mom is suddenly paralyzed in a freakish accident, the whole family's, no... the whole town's faith is tested, in very different ways. Ani's mom, once steadfast in her Catholic faith, seems to grow despondent and bitter. Then with the help of long lost friends, she regains some semblance of normalcy once again. Yet, these same friends, one a priest, another a paraplegic, one a herbalist, rock Ani's comfortable, easy world.
This delightful novel mixes modern-day issues and problems with age-old beliefs about miracles and faith. Ani, her parents, and her wild sister, Colette, all falter at some point, some longer than others, but come back around to the stability and consistency that only true faith can provide.
Thank you to Librarything, Monique Polak, Leslie Bootle, and Orca Book Publishers for this ARC of this timely YA novel.
The quote above neatly sums up the story about Ani and her family living in the small town of Sainte-Anne-de Beaupre where pilgrims come year after year seeking miracles. When her mom is suddenly paralyzed in a freakish accident, the whole family's, no... the whole town's faith is tested, in very different ways. Ani's mom, once steadfast in her Catholic faith, seems to grow despondent and bitter. Then with the help of long lost friends, she regains some semblance of normalcy once again. Yet, these same friends, one a priest, another a paraplegic, one a herbalist, rock Ani's comfortable, easy world.
This delightful novel mixes modern-day issues and problems with age-old beliefs about miracles and faith. Ani, her parents, and her wild sister, Colette, all falter at some point, some longer than others, but come back around to the stability and consistency that only true faith can provide.
Thank you to Librarything, Monique Polak, Leslie Bootle, and Orca Book Publishers for this ARC of this timely YA novel.
January 17, 2014
This story takes place in a small town in Quebec that revolves around religion, specifically St. Anne and the Catholic faith. Ani and her family run a souvenir shop that sells relics to all the pilgrims that come through seeking healing. While Ani tries to be pious and devout, her world comes crashing down when it's her own mother who is in need of healing. As Ani struggles with her faith, she also finds out some secrets from the past and she enters a summer of finding herself and making faith personal.
The story was unique but not all that interesting. I never connected with Ani's character and I felt that the setting and the supporting characters were a bit contrived. Not really a book for my tastes, although it did portray a realistic picture of a teenager struggling with growing up and learning about life.
The story was unique but not all that interesting. I never connected with Ani's character and I felt that the setting and the supporting characters were a bit contrived. Not really a book for my tastes, although it did portray a realistic picture of a teenager struggling with growing up and learning about life.
May 31, 2015
This book is in a genre all its own: semi-risque Catholic YA. Maybe it hasn't been well read because it attracts the attention of a very small and distinct audience. I guess I am a part of that audience. I live very close to the Canadian border. I could visit the place where this book is set. I think though this would be a good book for anyone to read because people don't seem to understand Catholics. They put them in the same category with fundamentalists. Anyway, this was a good YA read even if you don't read it to understand Catholics. I mean there's no theology in the novel; the MC just happens to be a devout Catholic. I don't think I've read any fiction novel where the MC is a devout Catholic or even a devout Christian. Maybe that means I am a very secular reader when it comes to fiction.
July 5, 2011
Recommended for gr. 7-12. The reading level seems more middle school, but the main character is age 16 and the subject matter gets a little more high school. Good Catholic girl Ani helps with the family business, a souvenir store in a town known for a saint's miracles. Her younger sister, Colette, has ADHD and is much less inhibited in her words and actions than Ani. One summer their mother is paralyzed in an accident, a strangely familiar priest comes to town, Colette becomes sexually active and Ani questions her faith.
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March 23, 2012This novel was clearly well-intentioned. It speaks to inclusiveness, involves an inter-faith couple, forgives past mistakes and has a positive representation of religion. I see the merits of such a book and I think turning a story of a tragedy into a feel good coming of age tale does take some doing.
That being said…. it just didn’t do it for me. The characters were over the top, the dialogue wasn’t natural enough and one plot point was very very icky.
It was a noble attempt that others will enjoy but I think my qualms with religion may have tainted my reading of it.
That being said…. it just didn’t do it for me. The characters were over the top, the dialogue wasn’t natural enough and one plot point was very very icky.
It was a noble attempt that others will enjoy but I think my qualms with religion may have tainted my reading of it.
August 19, 2011
Good book - entry into a family's life - see a bit of conflict / resolution... A few tears. Slow at times (considered not finishing). Book of hope.
July 18, 2012
Faith, secrets, and family are the themes of this book.
November 13, 2016
What a great little find. Great story about faith and hope.
February 16, 2024
a sweet coming of age story :) (also a little biased because canada)
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews