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Snowbirds
Secrets Were a Way of Life.
But Secrets Have Gone Too Far …
Every year, Lucy waits eagerly for the arrival of the “snowbirds,” the Old Order Amish who come trundling into Florida on buses from the north, bringing Lucy’s best friend Alice, with whom she’s spent every winter she can remember. This winter is different. At sixteen, Alice is in the middle of “Rumspringa,” a season in which Amish teens try out forbidden temptations, in order to get them out of their system. Lucy is part of a different sect, in which teens aren’t allowed such bold experimentation, and she’s fighting to keep up as Alice races from one wild party to the next. Then, one night after just such a party, Alice vanishes. Wracked by guilt, Lucy knows that she should have been watching out for Alice, but instead, she was kissing Faron, an Older Order boy shunned by his society. Now, Lucy plunges into a search for her best friend—while also hiding her own secret, which could put her in even more danger.
But Secrets Have Gone Too Far …
Every year, Lucy waits eagerly for the arrival of the “snowbirds,” the Old Order Amish who come trundling into Florida on buses from the north, bringing Lucy’s best friend Alice, with whom she’s spent every winter she can remember. This winter is different. At sixteen, Alice is in the middle of “Rumspringa,” a season in which Amish teens try out forbidden temptations, in order to get them out of their system. Lucy is part of a different sect, in which teens aren’t allowed such bold experimentation, and she’s fighting to keep up as Alice races from one wild party to the next. Then, one night after just such a party, Alice vanishes. Wracked by guilt, Lucy knows that she should have been watching out for Alice, but instead, she was kissing Faron, an Older Order boy shunned by his society. Now, Lucy plunges into a search for her best friend—while also hiding her own secret, which could put her in even more danger.
265 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2017
7 people are currently reading
835 people want to read
About the author
Crissa-Jean Chappell
8 books150 followersCrissa-Jean Chappell was born in Miami and now lives in Brooklyn, New York. Her debut young adult novel, TOTAL CONSTANT ORDER (HarperTeen) is a NYPL Book For The Teen Age and a VOYA Perfect Ten. Chappell’s second novel, NARC (Flux Books) is currently optioned for film. MORE THAN GOOD ENOUGH (Flux Books) is a Florida Book Awards medalist, which Kirkus calls, "compelling and emotionally nuanced." Chappell's newest YA novel is SNOWBIRDS (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers). “…an engrossing mystery,” School Library Journal. Next up: SUN DON’T SHINE (Fitzroy Books, spring 2024). She holds a PhD and MFA from the University of Miami and has taught creative writing and cinema studies for over fifteen years. When she misses South Florida, she talks to the parrots in Green-Wood Cemetery.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
January 1, 2017
Snowbirds is a lyrical, highly compelling story that makes you feel like you are right there in Lucy's world. This is a story about the love between friends and family and also about the value of individuality and staying true to oneself. Chappell paints a nuanced portrait of Amish life that illuminates without either judging or romanticizing. This is the first 2017 book I've read, but I already know it will be one of my favorites for the year.
May 10, 2017
“Her friend giggles. She’s got a million rubber bracelets stacked up her arms and rainbow streaks in her hair. Maybe I’d dress like that, if I lived in their world. They’re like me and Alice. The same, but different.”
The summary of Snowbirds immediately had me hooked. After reading only a few words from the inside of the dust jacket, my eyes were popping out of my head. I grabbed the book off the library shelf and ran to the checkout counter (well, as much as you can run in a library, anyway).
I just love when young adult books decide to focus on less popular ideas, when they aren't following the same trend as every teen fantasy novel trying to be the next Throne of Glass. So you can imagine how excited I was when I learned this book was about a girl living in an Amish-Mennonite community in Florida. As far as unique plots go, Snowbirds was awesome.
As someone who grew up hearing stories about my dad's childhood in a Mennonite community, I was already familiar with some things (I know Mennonites play a lot of volleyball, lol), but I learned new information, too - like "Rumspringa" is a time when Amish teenagers are allowed to do whatever they want - party, drink alcohol, wear "English" clothes, and hook up with other Amish teens on Rumspringa.
Lucy's best friend Alice is an Old Order Amish and on her Rumspringa. Lucy, tired of doing laundry, helping her dad build furniture, and burning dinner all the time, agrees to sneak out with Alice to a Rumspringa party. There, Lucy meets Faron, an ex-Amish who has been shunned, and loses track of Alice. The next day, Alice has gone missing.
I'm not a big fan of the "searching for a missing person" plot I've read before - I think it quickly grows old - and if I could pinpoint where Snowbirds went wrong, it was towards the middle, when Lucy decided to leave home to search for Alice. The plot started lagging and details about the Amish community weren't focused on as much. It began to feel like any old coming-of-age contemporary.
Also, I thought the romance between Lucy and Faron was unnecessary. I didn't love Faron's character, and the only reason he seemed to be around was because he had a car. I would have preferred if Lucy traveled cross-country alone, or with someone who actually added to the plot. Faron's presence felt like an intrusion during a time when Lucy had more important things to be thinking about than a cute guy.
I really enjoyed the beginning of this book, as Lucy battled her conflicted emotions; her uncertainty about being baptized in a week and becoming Amish for the rest of her life, her longing to go to college to learn about the ocean, and her frustration at the rules she grew up with - why could Lucy have electricity but Alice, an Old Order Amish, couldn't watch television or own a phone or drive a car?
“The Lord doesn’t care if my head is covered. Or if my dress is too short. It’s just a bunch of rules that somebody made up.”
As Lucy stepped outside of her tiny community into a whole new world, she slowly began to discover herself. Her journey really was a beautiful, personal, and touching one. I'm glad I read it.
January 6, 2017
SNOWBIRDS by Crissa-Jean Chappell is a contemporary young adult drama set in the world of an Amish community in Pinecraft, Florida. The book sheds light on an otherwise secretive and mysterious society and offers an unprejudiced look at this way of life, one that I knew very little about prior. It was both educational and a reminder that the details of peoples’ lives are often just details. Deep down, everyone has the same wants, needs, and desires. The story is told by Lucy, a young Beachy Amish-Mennonite on the cusp of baptism, an event that will bind her to the church forever. When Lucy’s best friend, Alice, an Old Order girl from a stricter Amish section in Maine, goes missing, Lucy has to make a decision. Will she do whatever it takes to find her friend, even if that means going against the grain?
Crissa-Jean Chappell’s writing is the real star of this novel. Her command of words is astounding, so much so that the book has a strong poetic feel to it. The use of metaphors and imagery certainly characterize her overall style, but it really is the closing sentences of each chapter that add the magical touch. These final thoughts, the ones that button up each section, tend to convey messages in more artistic and less blatant ways. Consequently, in this sense, the story is very beautiful to read.
Overall, despite Lucy’s confines, this novel is quite exciting and adventurous. However, though the plot is engaging, I would have loved a bigger payoff at the end of the story. There is so much buildup in locating Alice and wondering whether she is actually alive that the conclusion, though logical, is slightly anticlimactic. With that being said, SNOWBIRDS is still a diamond in the rough and will firmly appeal to avid readers.
Review originally posted on YA Books Central: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yaficti...
Crissa-Jean Chappell’s writing is the real star of this novel. Her command of words is astounding, so much so that the book has a strong poetic feel to it. The use of metaphors and imagery certainly characterize her overall style, but it really is the closing sentences of each chapter that add the magical touch. These final thoughts, the ones that button up each section, tend to convey messages in more artistic and less blatant ways. Consequently, in this sense, the story is very beautiful to read.
Overall, despite Lucy’s confines, this novel is quite exciting and adventurous. However, though the plot is engaging, I would have loved a bigger payoff at the end of the story. There is so much buildup in locating Alice and wondering whether she is actually alive that the conclusion, though logical, is slightly anticlimactic. With that being said, SNOWBIRDS is still a diamond in the rough and will firmly appeal to avid readers.
Review originally posted on YA Books Central: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yaficti...
March 18, 2017
I received this book through Goodreads First Reads.
The story was an interesting look inside the world of the Amish culture, something I have not read about before. I really wanted to make some sort of connection with Lucy, to sympathize more with the way she was brought up and her search to find her friend Alice. However, I found something off putting about her, it was hard for me to really care about her situation. It also didn't help that I felt the same way about the majority of the main characters. Even with that flaw, I still enjoyed the book for what it was.
The story was an interesting look inside the world of the Amish culture, something I have not read about before. I really wanted to make some sort of connection with Lucy, to sympathize more with the way she was brought up and her search to find her friend Alice. However, I found something off putting about her, it was hard for me to really care about her situation. It also didn't help that I felt the same way about the majority of the main characters. Even with that flaw, I still enjoyed the book for what it was.
December 21, 2016
4.5 stars actually. Another great book from a favorite author. Full review to come on Lisa Loves Literature soon.
February 23, 2017
A new look at the Amish - not your typical "bonnet" fiction. Lucy is Mennonite, and befriends an Old Order Amish Girl named Alice who visits Florida during the winter months. It was news to me that the Old Order Amish from Maine would travel to Florida for part of the winter. When Alice is 16, she enters "Rumspringa" a period of experimentation and freedom when the Old Order test their wings (and wildness) before joining the church. Lucy's sect does not participate in Rumspringa, and she experiences envy and sadness over her friend's choices. After one party, Alice disappears, and Lucy is wracked with guilt because she was talking to a shunned boy named Faron, and not with her friend. The bulk of the story is how Lucy struggles with her feelings for Falon, her own doubts about the church and evolution, and her search for her friend. Some of the writing style is a little choppy.
March 8, 2017
Thanks to Merit Press for sending me an advanced copy of this book. I think the main problem with this book was the characters. They're either stereotypes or in one minute out the next (ex. Crystal.) Lucy should've grabbed my sympathy, but instead I found her whiny and under developed as a character. This is one of those books where you can't wait for it to be over, because it just seems to drag, making the small range of pages magnify.
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February 5, 2017Love this cover so much! SNOWBIRDS is an unexpected, fascinating window into the Amish world. Friendship and faith are powerful themes of this beautifully written novel. For anyone who has been curious about what it's like to grow up in an Amish community, this is an excellent contemporary YA novel that will leave you deeply satisfied with the ending. FRTC.
March 29, 2017
Snowbirds I grew up in Amish country in Northern New York, an area of both strict ordnungs more liberal Mennonites, so the topic of this book intrigued me the moment I read the back. The story is mainly set in Pinecraft, a community in Florida that consists of both Amish and Mennonite residents. "Snowbirds" are those Old Order Amish that come south for the winter, temporarily joining the Florida community.
The story is told by Lucy Zimmer, a young girl in the Mennonite community. Unlike the Mennonite communities I am familiar with, her group embraces the long dresses and prayer caps of stricter groups. But unlike the Amish, her dresses are pastel instead of dark blues and blacks. Her community is allowed more mainstream living, including electricity, phones, cars, etc. But unlike the Amish, they do not embrace rumspringa.
Lucy's best friend is Alice, a member of the Old Order community. She is in the middle of her rumspringa and that puts a bit of chasm between the two girls. Alice is embracing the freedom of rumspringa and Lucy is left trying to keep up. But after an argument, Lucy finds herself with a boy she should never be with, an Old Order boy who was shunned by his community. To make matters worse, while Lucy is with Faron, Alice disappears.
This is such an interesting story. On one hand, it is a bit of a coming-of-age story as Lucy struggles with her own ideology and dreams. She has been struggling for a long time, caught between wanting a life outside of Pinecraft and the beliefs she has grown up with. Her quest to find Alice teaches her so much about the outside world and about herself. In the end, it has been an eye-opening experience that Lucy probably needed in order to find her place in the world. On the other hand, the story is a mystery... what happened to Alice? No one else seems to care besides Lucy and she is loyal and brave, determined to find answers, even if those answers may change how she looks at the world.
The story is told by Lucy Zimmer, a young girl in the Mennonite community. Unlike the Mennonite communities I am familiar with, her group embraces the long dresses and prayer caps of stricter groups. But unlike the Amish, her dresses are pastel instead of dark blues and blacks. Her community is allowed more mainstream living, including electricity, phones, cars, etc. But unlike the Amish, they do not embrace rumspringa.
Lucy's best friend is Alice, a member of the Old Order community. She is in the middle of her rumspringa and that puts a bit of chasm between the two girls. Alice is embracing the freedom of rumspringa and Lucy is left trying to keep up. But after an argument, Lucy finds herself with a boy she should never be with, an Old Order boy who was shunned by his community. To make matters worse, while Lucy is with Faron, Alice disappears.
This is such an interesting story. On one hand, it is a bit of a coming-of-age story as Lucy struggles with her own ideology and dreams. She has been struggling for a long time, caught between wanting a life outside of Pinecraft and the beliefs she has grown up with. Her quest to find Alice teaches her so much about the outside world and about herself. In the end, it has been an eye-opening experience that Lucy probably needed in order to find her place in the world. On the other hand, the story is a mystery... what happened to Alice? No one else seems to care besides Lucy and she is loyal and brave, determined to find answers, even if those answers may change how she looks at the world.
January 19, 2018
Snowbirds is a look inside the Amish culture in the community of Pinecraft, Florida. As told through the eyes of Lucy, a teenager on the verge of a big decision - whether to be baptized and stay in the Amish community she grew up in or to go her own way. A very coming-of-age book but through a different scope than most of us are probably used to.
I don't know about you, but I honestly did not know much about the Amish way of life. So almost everything in this book was new to me and it was a little hard for me to relate to Lucy because of this. But her story was interesting. When her best friend Alice goes missing while on vacation in Florida, Lucy suspects something more is going on then Alice just running away. But in a community where people keep their secrets close to the chest, no one is willing to help her. No one but Faron, an outcast who was shunned from his community up north. Along the way while looking for Alice, Lucy ends up discovering just who she is outside of her community and then has to deal with the repercussions of doing so.
A new author with a new kind of story for me and I enjoyed this detour from my normal reading. I don't normally take on many coming-of-age stories but this one was sent to me and I'm glad that it passed my way. I would definitely be interested in checking out more from this author.
I don't know about you, but I honestly did not know much about the Amish way of life. So almost everything in this book was new to me and it was a little hard for me to relate to Lucy because of this. But her story was interesting. When her best friend Alice goes missing while on vacation in Florida, Lucy suspects something more is going on then Alice just running away. But in a community where people keep their secrets close to the chest, no one is willing to help her. No one but Faron, an outcast who was shunned from his community up north. Along the way while looking for Alice, Lucy ends up discovering just who she is outside of her community and then has to deal with the repercussions of doing so.
A new author with a new kind of story for me and I enjoyed this detour from my normal reading. I don't normally take on many coming-of-age stories but this one was sent to me and I'm glad that it passed my way. I would definitely be interested in checking out more from this author.
March 14, 2017
You can also find this review at The Reader and the Chef. Huge thanks to the publisher for the review copy in exchange of an honest opinion.
There are so many positive things about this book. For starters, the cover is just gorgeous, I loved it since the very first time I set my eyes on it! The story is unique along with its characters. And it was a book that hooked me, for I could not stop reading it!
What I liked:
This is my very first time that I've read a book that talks about the Amish community. I thought that it was fascinating to read about them. Before this book, I knew very little about them and now I feel a little bit more aware of their lifestyles and how they even have different beliefs within their community.
I really liked the main character. Lucy feels an odd one out within her community despite respecting it and living accordingly. I think it's amazing that she dreams and tries to purchase a career even though it is not very acceptable. She also proves to be a good friend when she goes looking for her friend Alice after she disappears mysteriously and without notice. Lucy is obliged to break many rules along the way to achieve her purpose and doing so, disturbs the quiet life that she is used to.
Snowbird's storyline is captivating. It is a combination of friendship, loyalty, beliefs, family values, and risks. There was also a wonderful relationship between Lucy and her father. Even though Lucy's dad is strict about their Amish community and lifestyle, he comes through for Lucy constantly in his own way even though he finds it hard most of the times because it goes against his beliefs. In my opinion, I think that was one of the strongest topics and loving gestures inside this story.
What didn't do it for me:
There were some parts of the story where Lucy seemed a little off character, but other than that I thought it was great.
Final Verdict:
Snowbirds was a very enjoyable read for me and sooner than I expected, I was done reading it making it a fast read. It was wonderfully written and the story kept me hooked until the very last page. I recommend Snowbirds to all readers out there looking for a book that takes them through a journey of self-discovery, love, determination, and insight to different cultures/lifestyles.
There are so many positive things about this book. For starters, the cover is just gorgeous, I loved it since the very first time I set my eyes on it! The story is unique along with its characters. And it was a book that hooked me, for I could not stop reading it!
What I liked:
This is my very first time that I've read a book that talks about the Amish community. I thought that it was fascinating to read about them. Before this book, I knew very little about them and now I feel a little bit more aware of their lifestyles and how they even have different beliefs within their community.
I really liked the main character. Lucy feels an odd one out within her community despite respecting it and living accordingly. I think it's amazing that she dreams and tries to purchase a career even though it is not very acceptable. She also proves to be a good friend when she goes looking for her friend Alice after she disappears mysteriously and without notice. Lucy is obliged to break many rules along the way to achieve her purpose and doing so, disturbs the quiet life that she is used to.
Snowbird's storyline is captivating. It is a combination of friendship, loyalty, beliefs, family values, and risks. There was also a wonderful relationship between Lucy and her father. Even though Lucy's dad is strict about their Amish community and lifestyle, he comes through for Lucy constantly in his own way even though he finds it hard most of the times because it goes against his beliefs. In my opinion, I think that was one of the strongest topics and loving gestures inside this story.
What didn't do it for me:
There were some parts of the story where Lucy seemed a little off character, but other than that I thought it was great.
Final Verdict:
Snowbirds was a very enjoyable read for me and sooner than I expected, I was done reading it making it a fast read. It was wonderfully written and the story kept me hooked until the very last page. I recommend Snowbirds to all readers out there looking for a book that takes them through a journey of self-discovery, love, determination, and insight to different cultures/lifestyles.
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May 6, 2019I thought thois book was very interesting. It was hard to get into, but after the first couple chapters, I started to really enjoy it.
March 8, 2017
I love this book as a YA novel because it manages to be interesting and inspiring all at once, with an interesting premise and amazing characters. The plot revolving around an Amish community provides an instantly eye-catching twist, but the treatment of the characters as normal teenagers who challenge institutions makes them incredibly understandable. I adored that the main character, Lucy, was brave and deeply valued sisterhood. Every character was given nuance and genuinely considered as a human being, which made the plot compelling. Underneath even the romance points, there was a gritty reality that lead me to respect the deep thought Chappell put into making this book positive in terms of message and motive. I greatly enjoyed reading it (and finished in maybe three sittings), and would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to read a YA book that defies any stereotypes of the genre both in character and plot.
October 19, 2017
I'm a huge fan of Chappell's and I love getting to read new books from her. Her latest is a thrilling mystery set against an Amish backdrop. It's a new world that I haven't really read much of and Chappell does a good job of introducing the Amish way of things without it being too infodumpy. Lucy is a great character trying to find her way in the world while dealing with the constraints of being Amish and wanting more for herself in life. Even if you're not Amish, I feel like a lot of readers will relate to Lucy's predicament in one way or another. There's a nice, slow, realistic romance between Lucy and a shunned Amish boy Faron, and I loved their interactions together because they both have a lot that they are holding back from each other; it takes most of the book before they really trust each other enough to really reveal everything. Overall, I highly recommend this book (and Chappell's others).
August 13, 2017
Fantastic read by inspired author. More than a slice-of-life of closed societies from YA POV with mystery woven into the narrative. Perfect combo for me - YA + detective/mystery element. I hadn't given much thought to differences and prejudices within Amish culture. This story is told entirely from the inside of a teen Mennonite who loves many things about her life but wants to be sure she is following a path true to her being.
July 21, 2021
Buku ini saya beli beberapa tahun yang lalu pada bazaar Big Bad Wolf di Makassar. Setelah terlantar begitu saja disudut kursi dirumah akhirnya lewat tantangan readathon #17 buku ini saya baca juga. Namun saking banyaknya kegiatan ( dan juga karena tidak bersemangatnya saya membaca buku ini) sehingga ketika kegiatan readthon #17 berakhir saya belum selesai membaca bukunya. Bukunya baru selasai terbaca setelah dua minggu raedthon berakhir, namun tetap saya akan tulis reviewnya yang mungkin akan mengandung banyak spopiler, soalnya banyak istilah yang harus dijelaskan, dan terus terang istilah-istilah itu juga baru saya kenal lewat buku ini. Sampai-sampai saya nyari digoogle apa itu Amish dan Rumpsringa.
Well let's begin ...
Tokoh utama cerita adalah Lucy dan Alice remaja berusia 15-16 tahun. Keduanya berasal dari keluarga single parent. Lucy tinggal dengan ayahnya, seorang tukang kayu yang pekerjaannya membangun gazebo kayu bagi orang-orang kaya di Sarasota- Florida, California. Ibu Lucy meninggal setelah melahirkan Lucy. Karena hanya berdua, maka Lucy menjadi satu-satunya tenaga andalan ayahnya untuk membantunya. Demikianlah sehingga Lucy lebih mahir menggergaji, mengamplas, mengecat dan pekerjaan pertukangan lainnya ketimbang memasak atau menyulam. Jauh dilubuk hatinya dia ingin seperti ibunya yang diceritakan ayahnya yang katanya pandai menyulam, tetapi dia tidak memiliki "tangan seperti itu" kata Ayahnya. Sementara itu sahabatnya Alice hanya tinggal dengan ibunya. Ibunya selalu berkata suaminya bahwa sudah tidak ada, telah meninggal "long time ago".
Cerita ini berlatar belakang kehidupan komunitas sekte Kristen yang dikenal sebagai orang Amish. Orang Amish adalah komunitas kristen yang terkenal karena pembatasannya terhadap penggunaan peralatan modern, seperti mobil, telepon bahkan membatasi penggunaan listrik. Mereka hanya menggunakan listrik dalam bentuk batrei misalnya untuk senter dan aki untuk traktor yang membantu mereka menjalankan usaha pertanian namun selain itu mereka tidak memakainya, bahkan untuk penerangan rumah mereka memakai lilin atau pelita. Semua hal-hal modern yang terlalu "memanjakan diri” itu, bagi mereka terlalu duniawi. Penampilan dan cara berpakaian mereka juga sangat patuh pada aturan ketat. Wanita selalu memakai tutup kepala yang berbentuk mangkuk yang disebut prayer kapp dan baju dress warna polos tidak ada motif diatasnya.
Kaum pria berpenampilan memelihara jenggut/jambang dengan pakaian kemeja polos dan celana panjang yang dikaitkan pada suspender karena mereka bahkan dilarang memakai ikat pinggang. Dengan penampilan demikian maka tentu saja sangat mudah untuk mengenali mereka ketika bertemu.
Alice dan Lucy sering merasa risih ketika berada disekitar orang-orang yang mempertanyakan penampilan mereka.
Novel diberi judul "snowbirds". Snowbirds adalah adalah orang-orang yang bermigrasi dari bagian utara Amerika pindah ke negara bagian Florida pada musim dingin. Mereka bermigrasi untuk menghindari musim dingin yang terlalu dingin dan tinggal di florida yang lebih hangat selama beberapa bulan. Mereka akan kembali ke utara setelah salju-salju kembali mencair dan udara kembali hangat. Snowbirds ini pada umumnya adalah mereka yang dari sekte Amish, yang tentu saja tidak akan berdaya menghadapi musim dingin dengan suhu dibawah nol tanpa teknologi pemanas ruangan dan hanya mengandalkan kayu bakar. Alice adalah salah satu dari snowbirds yang ikut bermigrasi ke florida bersama ibunya.
Alice dan Lucy selalu menghabiskan musim dingin di Florida bersama-sama. Mereka sudah seperti bersaudara. Kali ini Alice datangke Florida pada usianya dimana dia memasuki masa yang disebut rumpsringah. Masa ini adalah masa dimana remaja dari kaum Amish boleh melakukan hal-hal yang dilarang agama. Pada masa "pencobaan" ini mereka boleh minum alkohol, berpesta dengan teman-temanya yang juga menjalani rumpsringa, memakai pakaian yang mereka senangi, singkatnya membaur dengan dunia. Diakhir masa rumpsringa anak-anak ini harus memilih apakah dibabtis dan bergabung kembali dengan komunitas menjadi Amish selamanya atau memilih dunia luar yang berarti menolak dibaptis. Mereka yang menolak bergabung kembali dengan komunitas akan disingkirkan (shunned), terputus dari keluarga mereka, bahkan dianggap sudah meninggal, sudah tidak ada lagi.
Kembali ke Alice dan Lucy. Alice adalah gadis yang sudah bosan dengan situasinya, dia ingin menjadi artis, dapat memakai pakaian yang disukainya. Alice bertemu seorang remaja pria (Tobias) lewat permainan online. Kemudian Tobias mengajak Alice ke sebuah pesta, tentu saja Alice dapat pergi ke pesta karena dia dalam masa rumpsringa. Sementara itu didorong oleh intuisinya sebagai seorang sahabat, Lucy tidak membiarkan Alice pergi sendiri. Dengan diam-diam meninggalkan rumah untuk menghindari ayahnya, Lucy pergi bersama Alice ke pesta tersebut.Di pesta mereka terpisahkan. Alice bertemu Faron, seorang remaja pria yang menarik hatinya. Sementara itu Alice terakhir terlihat bersama Tobias. Singkat cerita keesokan harinya ibu Alice mengatakan bahwa Alice belum kembali sejak semalam. Alice hilang setelah pesta itu, berbagai kabarpun tersiar ada yang mengatakan Alice meninggal, ada yang mengatakan dia kembali ke Utara dan telah mengambil keputusan untuk tidak dibabptis. Polisi tidak berhasil melacak kemana Alice menghilang. Ketegangan dimulai ketika Lucy yang didorong rasa bersalahnya, tidak menjaga Alice, berusaha mencari jejak kemana menghilangnya sahabatnya itu. Lucy kembali mendatangi tempat pesta dan menemui orang-orang yang dianggap melihat Alice malam itu. Tobias, teman pria Alice, yang terakhir bersama dengan Alice malam itu juga tidak diketahui jejaknya. Lalu menyusul kemudian ibu Alice juga ternyata sudah kembali ke utara meskipun musim dingin belum berakhir. Bersama dengan kekasihnya Faron kemudian meninggalkan rumahnya untuk pergi mencari sahabatnya Alice.
Plot yang diberikan diawal cerita terasa sangat lambat dan tidak menarik. Cerita baru mulai menarik dibagian sepertiga akhir cerita ketika Lucy sudah sampai di kampung halaman Alice untuk mencari jejak dimana keberadaan sahabatnya itu. Faron harus menahan rasa malunya ketika harus menemui orang-orang yang telah menganggapnya mati. Orang-orang yang mereka temui tidak mau berbicara pada Faron. Faron tidak bisa duduk bersama mereka. Lucy heran mengapa orang-orang yang berpenampilan "spiritual" sama sekali tidak memberikan pengampunan pada yang bersalah, terlebih lagi Faron masih muda dan tentu saja masih membutuhkan bimbingan. Menurut Lucy, semua orang berhak mendapatkan kesempatan kedua, tidak peduli berapa besar kesalahannya. Tuhan tidak akan peduli dengan warna apa pakaianmu, bagaimana caramu berpakaian atau bagaimana penampilanmu, Tuhan melihat hatimu dan caramu memperlakukan sesama. Lucy mempertanyakan aturan-aturan man-made yang seolah-olah lebih penting dari pada bagaimana menjadi sesama manusia untuk siapa saja.
Hal lain yang menarik dari plot cerita dalam Novel ini adalah tentang bagaimna Lucy memperjuangakan haknya untuk mendapat pendidikan sesuai dengan apa yang diimpikannya. Lucy mencintai laut dan ingin belajar diuniversitas "to study the ocean". Ayahnya menganggap bahwa pendidikan itu hanya untuk mendapatkan pekerjaan Lucy sudah punya pekerjaan di rumah membantu usaha Ayahnya, Lucy tidak perlu pendidikan lagi. Lucy diam-diam melamar beasiswa untuk melanjutkan pendidikannya, bagi dia pendidikan itu lebih dari sekedar mendapatkan ijazah/keterampilan untuk bekerja. There is so much more than that.
Well begitulah yang saya bisa share. Bagaimana akhir cerita? Bagaimana nasib Alice yang menghilang? Apakah Lucy akan mendapat jawaban kemana menghilannya sahabatnya? Apakah Lucy akan dapat menlajutkan sekolahnya? Silahkan pembaca membaca sendiri ya.
#readathon17
#latereview
Well let's begin ...
Tokoh utama cerita adalah Lucy dan Alice remaja berusia 15-16 tahun. Keduanya berasal dari keluarga single parent. Lucy tinggal dengan ayahnya, seorang tukang kayu yang pekerjaannya membangun gazebo kayu bagi orang-orang kaya di Sarasota- Florida, California. Ibu Lucy meninggal setelah melahirkan Lucy. Karena hanya berdua, maka Lucy menjadi satu-satunya tenaga andalan ayahnya untuk membantunya. Demikianlah sehingga Lucy lebih mahir menggergaji, mengamplas, mengecat dan pekerjaan pertukangan lainnya ketimbang memasak atau menyulam. Jauh dilubuk hatinya dia ingin seperti ibunya yang diceritakan ayahnya yang katanya pandai menyulam, tetapi dia tidak memiliki "tangan seperti itu" kata Ayahnya. Sementara itu sahabatnya Alice hanya tinggal dengan ibunya. Ibunya selalu berkata suaminya bahwa sudah tidak ada, telah meninggal "long time ago".
Cerita ini berlatar belakang kehidupan komunitas sekte Kristen yang dikenal sebagai orang Amish. Orang Amish adalah komunitas kristen yang terkenal karena pembatasannya terhadap penggunaan peralatan modern, seperti mobil, telepon bahkan membatasi penggunaan listrik. Mereka hanya menggunakan listrik dalam bentuk batrei misalnya untuk senter dan aki untuk traktor yang membantu mereka menjalankan usaha pertanian namun selain itu mereka tidak memakainya, bahkan untuk penerangan rumah mereka memakai lilin atau pelita. Semua hal-hal modern yang terlalu "memanjakan diri” itu, bagi mereka terlalu duniawi. Penampilan dan cara berpakaian mereka juga sangat patuh pada aturan ketat. Wanita selalu memakai tutup kepala yang berbentuk mangkuk yang disebut prayer kapp dan baju dress warna polos tidak ada motif diatasnya.
Kaum pria berpenampilan memelihara jenggut/jambang dengan pakaian kemeja polos dan celana panjang yang dikaitkan pada suspender karena mereka bahkan dilarang memakai ikat pinggang. Dengan penampilan demikian maka tentu saja sangat mudah untuk mengenali mereka ketika bertemu.
Alice dan Lucy sering merasa risih ketika berada disekitar orang-orang yang mempertanyakan penampilan mereka.
Novel diberi judul "snowbirds". Snowbirds adalah adalah orang-orang yang bermigrasi dari bagian utara Amerika pindah ke negara bagian Florida pada musim dingin. Mereka bermigrasi untuk menghindari musim dingin yang terlalu dingin dan tinggal di florida yang lebih hangat selama beberapa bulan. Mereka akan kembali ke utara setelah salju-salju kembali mencair dan udara kembali hangat. Snowbirds ini pada umumnya adalah mereka yang dari sekte Amish, yang tentu saja tidak akan berdaya menghadapi musim dingin dengan suhu dibawah nol tanpa teknologi pemanas ruangan dan hanya mengandalkan kayu bakar. Alice adalah salah satu dari snowbirds yang ikut bermigrasi ke florida bersama ibunya.
Alice dan Lucy selalu menghabiskan musim dingin di Florida bersama-sama. Mereka sudah seperti bersaudara. Kali ini Alice datangke Florida pada usianya dimana dia memasuki masa yang disebut rumpsringah. Masa ini adalah masa dimana remaja dari kaum Amish boleh melakukan hal-hal yang dilarang agama. Pada masa "pencobaan" ini mereka boleh minum alkohol, berpesta dengan teman-temanya yang juga menjalani rumpsringa, memakai pakaian yang mereka senangi, singkatnya membaur dengan dunia. Diakhir masa rumpsringa anak-anak ini harus memilih apakah dibabtis dan bergabung kembali dengan komunitas menjadi Amish selamanya atau memilih dunia luar yang berarti menolak dibaptis. Mereka yang menolak bergabung kembali dengan komunitas akan disingkirkan (shunned), terputus dari keluarga mereka, bahkan dianggap sudah meninggal, sudah tidak ada lagi.
Kembali ke Alice dan Lucy. Alice adalah gadis yang sudah bosan dengan situasinya, dia ingin menjadi artis, dapat memakai pakaian yang disukainya. Alice bertemu seorang remaja pria (Tobias) lewat permainan online. Kemudian Tobias mengajak Alice ke sebuah pesta, tentu saja Alice dapat pergi ke pesta karena dia dalam masa rumpsringa. Sementara itu didorong oleh intuisinya sebagai seorang sahabat, Lucy tidak membiarkan Alice pergi sendiri. Dengan diam-diam meninggalkan rumah untuk menghindari ayahnya, Lucy pergi bersama Alice ke pesta tersebut.Di pesta mereka terpisahkan. Alice bertemu Faron, seorang remaja pria yang menarik hatinya. Sementara itu Alice terakhir terlihat bersama Tobias. Singkat cerita keesokan harinya ibu Alice mengatakan bahwa Alice belum kembali sejak semalam. Alice hilang setelah pesta itu, berbagai kabarpun tersiar ada yang mengatakan Alice meninggal, ada yang mengatakan dia kembali ke Utara dan telah mengambil keputusan untuk tidak dibabptis. Polisi tidak berhasil melacak kemana Alice menghilang. Ketegangan dimulai ketika Lucy yang didorong rasa bersalahnya, tidak menjaga Alice, berusaha mencari jejak kemana menghilangnya sahabatnya itu. Lucy kembali mendatangi tempat pesta dan menemui orang-orang yang dianggap melihat Alice malam itu. Tobias, teman pria Alice, yang terakhir bersama dengan Alice malam itu juga tidak diketahui jejaknya. Lalu menyusul kemudian ibu Alice juga ternyata sudah kembali ke utara meskipun musim dingin belum berakhir. Bersama dengan kekasihnya Faron kemudian meninggalkan rumahnya untuk pergi mencari sahabatnya Alice.
Plot yang diberikan diawal cerita terasa sangat lambat dan tidak menarik. Cerita baru mulai menarik dibagian sepertiga akhir cerita ketika Lucy sudah sampai di kampung halaman Alice untuk mencari jejak dimana keberadaan sahabatnya itu. Faron harus menahan rasa malunya ketika harus menemui orang-orang yang telah menganggapnya mati. Orang-orang yang mereka temui tidak mau berbicara pada Faron. Faron tidak bisa duduk bersama mereka. Lucy heran mengapa orang-orang yang berpenampilan "spiritual" sama sekali tidak memberikan pengampunan pada yang bersalah, terlebih lagi Faron masih muda dan tentu saja masih membutuhkan bimbingan. Menurut Lucy, semua orang berhak mendapatkan kesempatan kedua, tidak peduli berapa besar kesalahannya. Tuhan tidak akan peduli dengan warna apa pakaianmu, bagaimana caramu berpakaian atau bagaimana penampilanmu, Tuhan melihat hatimu dan caramu memperlakukan sesama. Lucy mempertanyakan aturan-aturan man-made yang seolah-olah lebih penting dari pada bagaimana menjadi sesama manusia untuk siapa saja.
Hal lain yang menarik dari plot cerita dalam Novel ini adalah tentang bagaimna Lucy memperjuangakan haknya untuk mendapat pendidikan sesuai dengan apa yang diimpikannya. Lucy mencintai laut dan ingin belajar diuniversitas "to study the ocean". Ayahnya menganggap bahwa pendidikan itu hanya untuk mendapatkan pekerjaan Lucy sudah punya pekerjaan di rumah membantu usaha Ayahnya, Lucy tidak perlu pendidikan lagi. Lucy diam-diam melamar beasiswa untuk melanjutkan pendidikannya, bagi dia pendidikan itu lebih dari sekedar mendapatkan ijazah/keterampilan untuk bekerja. There is so much more than that.
Well begitulah yang saya bisa share. Bagaimana akhir cerita? Bagaimana nasib Alice yang menghilang? Apakah Lucy akan mendapat jawaban kemana menghilannya sahabatnya? Apakah Lucy akan dapat menlajutkan sekolahnya? Silahkan pembaca membaca sendiri ya.
#readathon17
#latereview
February 26, 2017
I liked being able to learn a little bit about a culture/religion/way of life not my own. I also liked a glimpse into an unfamiliar side to a very familiar or touristy Florida.
February 22, 2017
Amish girls and Live Action Role Play games -- how can you not be intrigued? Lucy dresses plain, but she's no pie-baking quilt maker. She makes gazebos with her widowed Dad while dreaming of studying the ocean. Every year she looks forward to the migration of Old Order Amish, including her bff Alice, from up north to seaside Sarasota. But this year Alice is on Rumspringa, and she's gone a little wild. Then she goes missing and Lucy sets out to find her. Reading this in winter, I loved the references to mangoes and parrots and other tropical images. And I am always up for a story about a subculture that I don't know much about.
February 18, 2017
#bookaday Rumspringa, Old Order and Mennonite Amish, friendship, love, secrets, mystery, Florida and Maine. Lots of interesting dynamics and plot features, but the dialogue lacked identity and the narration was distancing. I did not develop a friendship with Lucy the way I tend to do with most first person young adult narrators.
February 14, 2017
4.5 stars. Review coming soon
March 7, 2017
I received a free copy of this book through the Goodreads Giveaways program.
Snowbirds is a different view of the Amish than most Amish books I've read that sweetly cover the issues facing Amish youth. This one delves into the POV of Lucy who longs to go to college and not do the "womanly" chores that her father wants her to learn as a 16-year-old. Her friend, Alice, is one of the snowbirds who comes down from Maine to Florida every year to pass the winter. Alice is bound and determined to run away from her old order rules. I'm not a Young Adult so I'm not necessarily the right market for this book, but I'm rating it a star higher than I normally would've because it goes beyond the regular stereotypes of the Amish.
Snowbirds is a different view of the Amish than most Amish books I've read that sweetly cover the issues facing Amish youth. This one delves into the POV of Lucy who longs to go to college and not do the "womanly" chores that her father wants her to learn as a 16-year-old. Her friend, Alice, is one of the snowbirds who comes down from Maine to Florida every year to pass the winter. Alice is bound and determined to run away from her old order rules. I'm not a Young Adult so I'm not necessarily the right market for this book, but I'm rating it a star higher than I normally would've because it goes beyond the regular stereotypes of the Amish.
June 3, 2017
Lucy, belongs to the Mennonite Amish, they have more relaxed rules than the old order Amish from up north. Alice, Erin’s best friend comes with her mother and other old order Amish to Florida yearly. Old order teens have a time of Rumspringa, where they live free of rules before making a life commitment to remain Amish. Alice persuades Lucy to go with her to a Rumspringa party on the beach, the girls go their separate ways after the party and Alice turns up missing. Lucy feels responsible for not looking out for Alice but will not break confidence and keeps secrets
February 9, 2017
sNOw thank you! Thanks anyway. Boy did I dislike this book. Sad. Full review at Forever Young Adult.
March 31, 2017
*I received this from a Goodreads giveaway*
This book was so intriguing I never wanted to put it down. It's different, thrilling, sweet, sad, and everything in between. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This book was so intriguing I never wanted to put it down. It's different, thrilling, sweet, sad, and everything in between. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
August 4, 2021
This is a young- adult book with a serious message, or at least a warning. THe story was of a sect of Mormons of which I had never heard. The characters are too predictable. the antics not surprising,
the results are as appropriate for a YA book.
Thises are better qualified reviewers.
;The disappearance of her friend will send a Mennonite girl on a journey of discovery. The story is competently told, in plain, straightforward prose--befitting the subject matter and narrator Lucy's character... This novel will...find readers." --Kirkus Reviews
"Snowbirds is a thoughtful young-adult novel about friendship, rebellion, and the consequences of all the little choices we make. An ideal read for those looking for a nuanced look at the difficulties of growing up and breaking free from a world that has been so instrumental in shaping one's identity." --Foreword Reviews
"If the only things you know about the Amish you learned from TLC, you might want to check out this amazing new novel pronto ... it’s perfect for the gal who loves to explore new cultures." ― Brit + Co
"The book sheds light on an otherwise secretive and mysterious society and offers an unprejudiced look at this way of life ... .Crissa-Jean Chappell’s writing is the real star of this novel. Her command of words is astounding ... the book has a strong poetic feel to it. The closing sentences of each chapter ... add the magical touch ... .The story is very beautiful to read." ― YA Books Central
“A beautifully written novel … .Through SNOWBIRDS, Chappell gives her readers the opportunity to lessen the difference and stigma surrounding Amish, and other religious communities. She allows her readers to find commonalities between themselves and others. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking to understand that everyone is human, regardless of their race, faith, and traditions.” ― Teenreads
“Subtle interactions within the close-knit communities build suspense and keep readers on their toes. Many readers will relate to Lucy's attempts to find her own identity. A good choice for fans of Sara Zarr, this absorbing mystery will fit in well in higher-level middle school and reluctant high school reader collections." ― School Library Journal
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the results are as appropriate for a YA book.
Thises are better qualified reviewers.
;The disappearance of her friend will send a Mennonite girl on a journey of discovery. The story is competently told, in plain, straightforward prose--befitting the subject matter and narrator Lucy's character... This novel will...find readers." --Kirkus Reviews
"Snowbirds is a thoughtful young-adult novel about friendship, rebellion, and the consequences of all the little choices we make. An ideal read for those looking for a nuanced look at the difficulties of growing up and breaking free from a world that has been so instrumental in shaping one's identity." --Foreword Reviews
"If the only things you know about the Amish you learned from TLC, you might want to check out this amazing new novel pronto ... it’s perfect for the gal who loves to explore new cultures." ― Brit + Co
"The book sheds light on an otherwise secretive and mysterious society and offers an unprejudiced look at this way of life ... .Crissa-Jean Chappell’s writing is the real star of this novel. Her command of words is astounding ... the book has a strong poetic feel to it. The closing sentences of each chapter ... add the magical touch ... .The story is very beautiful to read." ― YA Books Central
“A beautifully written novel … .Through SNOWBIRDS, Chappell gives her readers the opportunity to lessen the difference and stigma surrounding Amish, and other religious communities. She allows her readers to find commonalities between themselves and others. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking to understand that everyone is human, regardless of their race, faith, and traditions.” ― Teenreads
“Subtle interactions within the close-knit communities build suspense and keep readers on their toes. Many readers will relate to Lucy's attempts to find her own identity. A good choice for fans of Sara Zarr, this absorbing mystery will fit in well in higher-level middle school and reluctant high school reader collections." ― School Library Journal
Read more
May 5, 2018
Crissa-Jean Chappell's "Snowbirds" was one of the most fascinating and great YA books that I've read in a long, long time. Chappell's two main characters are Lucy Zuckerman (from Pinecrest, Florida), a Memninites (a Liberal branch of the Amish people; and Alice Yoder from the mountains of Northern Maine, and an Old World Amish (the more conservative branch), whose community arrives in Prinecrest every year. (Thus the title "Snowbirds."
We meet Lucy and Alice at the end of the summer when they are about 17-years old, a time for when girls and boys of that age in the Old World sect are allowed to take a year in the rite of Rumsprings, a time for these older teens to take part in life outside the their life of the Amish people to so that they can choose whether they want to remain Amish for the rest of their lives or take part in a baptism, and thus remain Amish for the rest of their lives.
The girls have been best friends for all of their lives...we learn that Alice was somewhat jealous of Lucy for having a more liberal lifestyle, i.e. allowed to go to the beach, going to school longer than the girls in Alice's sect do....The book begins when Lucy meets Alice when the buses from Maine arrive--and Alice has decided to take on her rite of Rumspring, i.e. going to parties, drinking, etc. While Lucy whose Father had chosen a more conservative lifestyle for living the Memonite rules....It is Alice who opens the "idea" of freedom to Lucy...Meeting boys, parties, drinking, but all along Lucy's main rebellion has been visits to the library--trying to be allowed to go to college to study the Ocean....When Alice arrives in Pinecrest, she has in her procession a cell phone and an I-pod....Something that Lucy never knew of or wanted before....Throughout Chappell's novel we watch as the girls stay loyal to each other as Alice disappears and Lucy is forced into Alice's freedom to help her friend....
Definitely a book for the age 16 and up...A book of loyalty, friendship and risks. Chappell's "Snowbirds" is a wonderful and needed book in the YA genre and very important in today's world, which I think have given Young Adults too much freedom.
We meet Lucy and Alice at the end of the summer when they are about 17-years old, a time for when girls and boys of that age in the Old World sect are allowed to take a year in the rite of Rumsprings, a time for these older teens to take part in life outside the their life of the Amish people to so that they can choose whether they want to remain Amish for the rest of their lives or take part in a baptism, and thus remain Amish for the rest of their lives.
The girls have been best friends for all of their lives...we learn that Alice was somewhat jealous of Lucy for having a more liberal lifestyle, i.e. allowed to go to the beach, going to school longer than the girls in Alice's sect do....The book begins when Lucy meets Alice when the buses from Maine arrive--and Alice has decided to take on her rite of Rumspring, i.e. going to parties, drinking, etc. While Lucy whose Father had chosen a more conservative lifestyle for living the Memonite rules....It is Alice who opens the "idea" of freedom to Lucy...Meeting boys, parties, drinking, but all along Lucy's main rebellion has been visits to the library--trying to be allowed to go to college to study the Ocean....When Alice arrives in Pinecrest, she has in her procession a cell phone and an I-pod....Something that Lucy never knew of or wanted before....Throughout Chappell's novel we watch as the girls stay loyal to each other as Alice disappears and Lucy is forced into Alice's freedom to help her friend....
Definitely a book for the age 16 and up...A book of loyalty, friendship and risks. Chappell's "Snowbirds" is a wonderful and needed book in the YA genre and very important in today's world, which I think have given Young Adults too much freedom.
May 30, 2017
3.5 stars. I gave this book 3.5 stars because it was about an Amish girl trying to choose either to do what she wants or have a good reputation in her Amish community. Lucy meets a shunned Amish boy named Faron and she slowly falls for him. but then everything comes to a halt when her best friend Alice goes missing and Lucy feels responsible. The plot was good all the way through this point but when Lucy decides o go looking for Alice the plot line starts to lag a little. There is no real trying to find an answer, people or things just seem to give it to her without her even asking. There's no discovery or action, just answers. Overall, I probably won't read it again just because I felt that most the characters were underdeveloped and the story tended to lag.
October 4, 2017
This coming of age story set in Pinecraft, Florida peeks into the secretive world of the Amish whether Old Order or Beachy Amish-Mennonite. (Who even understood the difference?) It's told through the life and heart of a teen girl straining to be set free from religious and familial expectations. It has all the pathos, wonder, enchantment and tension of true teenage life with the secretive Amish element added to the mix.
The clipped sentence structure initially felt breathless but eventually, one grew accustomed to the rhythm of the prose.
I am grateful to author Crissa-Jean Chappell, publisher Merit Press and Goodreads First Reads for having provided a free copy of this book. Their generosity, however, did not influence this review - the words of which are mind alone.
The clipped sentence structure initially felt breathless but eventually, one grew accustomed to the rhythm of the prose.
I am grateful to author Crissa-Jean Chappell, publisher Merit Press and Goodreads First Reads for having provided a free copy of this book. Their generosity, however, did not influence this review - the words of which are mind alone.
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June 3, 2019Every year, Alice goes to visit her best friend Lucy in Florida, and travels along with a throng of other Amish people to spend the winter in the south. This year is different, however, because Alice is in the middle of her Rumspringa, which is a period in every Amish young person’s life when they experience forbidden temptations and decide whether or not they will continue to adopt the Amish lifestyle. Lucy is part of a different sect, and struggles to keep up with Alice as she bounces around from party to party, living it up. Then one day, Alice vanishes, and Lucy blames herself for not keeping a closer watch on her friend instead of making out with the adorable Faron, who was shunned by his family and community. Will Lucy be able to find Alice before it’s too late?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2017
3.5 stars. I picked up this book purely based on the cover. When I learned it was, in fact, Amish teen fiction, I considered putting it back. I'm glad I gave it a try, though, because I ended up really enjoying it. I learned a bit more about the Amish/Mennonite communities, particularly Rumspringa and shunning. It was interesting enough to recommend.
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