Ordinary Miracles

by Stephanie S. Tolan

That's what Mark Filkins has always believed. But it seems as if he's also gotten a lot he hasn't asked for, like feeling that he's a slightly faded copy of his twin brother, or his parents' plan that both boys will grow up to be preachers. When he meets Dr. Colin Hendrick, a Nobel Prize-winning scientist whose research Mark's family disapproves of, Mark realizes that he can -- and should -- make choices for himself. But when Colin reveals a terrible secret, Mark knows the time has come to ask for the most important thing of all...and put his own faith on the line.

Genres: Middle Grade, Fiction, Childrens

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Stephanie S. Tolan's earliest memories involve books. Those that were read to her and those she read to herself, often late at night with a flashlight under the covers. She always thought there was a special magic in the little black marks on paper that could turn into whole worlds and real people. Born in Ohio and raised in Wisconsin, she wrote her first story in the fourth grade. It was thrilling to discover she could make the magic herself, and she decided then and there to be a writer.

Other ambitions came and went, but writing stayed on, and she majored in creative writing at Purdue University, then went on to a Master's Degree in English. Marriage and the sudden addition to her life of three young stepsons, and then a son, forced writing into the nooks and crannies, but she wrote poetry and plays for adults as she taught college English. In the mid-seventies, Stephanie began working in the Poets-in-the-Schools program in Pennsylvania. Her first group of students were fourth and fifth graders, and she found among them a new generation of intense readers, still using the flashlight-under-the-covers trick.

"They brought back to me that special reading joy that most adults, even the readers among us, have lost, and I wanted to try my hand at writing for those kids, so like myself at their age and yet so different."

The difference, she felt, was less in the children themselves than in the fast-changing world they lived in. Her writing for children and young adults, beginning with Grandpa -- And Me in 1978, has reflected that contemporary world.
Stephanie Tolan is also well known as an advocate for extremely bright children. She co-authored the award-winning nonfiction book, Guiding the Gifted Child, and has written many articles about the challenges gifted "asynchronous" children and adults face as they find a way to fit into their world. She lectures throughout the country to audiences of parents, educators and counselors attempting to find ways to meet the children's needs. Her experiences with these "amazing, off-the-charts" young people inspired the themes of Welcome to the Ark, a powerful novel about four brilliant young misfits in a world teetering on destruction.
Stephanie Tolan currently lives in Charlotte, NC, with her husband.

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good book; honest look at "cradle Christians" and very well written.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark and Matthew, identical twins, are being groomed by their fundamentalist preacher father to become ministers, as well. Lately, though, Mark, the younger by seconds, is tired of being a twin - tired of being so connected to another person and wants to strike out as an individual. His opportunity comes when he meets Colin Hendrik, a Noble prize winner in genetics. Colin will be working with the eighth grade class on a science unit and he recruits Mark to be his apprentice. But when Mark becomes close to Colin, he discovers that Colin is dying of cancer. Suddenly Mark's faith in God is shaken and it is his family who helps him through the crisis.

[Gena Lott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story about twins who move apart through diverging life paths is well written and moving. One twin, Matthew, stays true to his family values and life course for himself: being a Christian minister. Mark, the other twin, meets a famous scientist and his life is suddenly full of questions--not the least of which deal with religion, God, faith and death.
A beautiful narrative.

[Brittany Christensen]

Genre: coming of age
This book follows adolescent Mark Filkins as he looks for just one special miracle to save a new friend from a deadly cancer. While trying to reconcile science and religion, Mark ostracizes himself from his family, even his twin as he becomes friends with Nobel Prize Lauriat, Colin Hendrick. By the end of the book, Mark has learned that while science and religion don't always match up, one can have faith in the goodness of both. While nothing was lacking in character development or style, this book is an absolute bore. The plot is flimsy and tedious, and the ending is anticlimactic at best.

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kinda predictable, kinda contrived. The first 100 pages were okay and the last 40, but in-between was a little tortuous. Best parts: the scientist's understandings of God and heaven. Worst parts: lines and lines and lines of prayer and Bible quotes that didn't always contribute to the plot or character development. Wouldn't recommend; there's gotta be something better out there for youth.

[Katrina Becker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't decide if i would have loved or hated this book as a kid. Maybe some of both? Anyway, this is a rather delightful sort of make-you-think book, although it is NOT about what the Goodreads description says. It's a young-adult book about a religious family and such, and definitely fiction.

[Christopher Seifert · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good writer in need of some polish. Three stars is probably overly generous, but the book and its characters were likable enough for me to give it the benefit of the doubt.

[Kacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book with a beautiful story and message. i love it so much

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark Filkins, twin son of a minister, is suddenly having questions about his identity separate from his twin