Hide Behind the Moon

Summerhill Secrets #8

by Beverly Lewis, Chris Ellison (Illustrator)

Merry's Amish friend Rachel asks for help with her Rumschpringa, the period in her teen years when she can experiment with the outside world and modern life before deciding to devote herself to Plain living

Genres: Christian, Amish, Fiction, Christian Fiction, Contemporary, Audiobook, Teen

144 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1998

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Beverly Lewis, raised in Pennsylvania Amish country and both a schoolteacher and an accomplished musician, has been an award-winning author for over a dozen years. Her acclaimed novel, The Preacher's Daughter, was a 2006 Quill Book Award finalist in the romance category. Her books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including USA Today and The New York Times. She and her husband, David, live in Colorado."

Reviews

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was okay. I liked Rachel's curiosity in this story. She tried new things for herself. I enjoyed seeing her and Merry together in this story. I also liked that Merry was there her when she needed her. I didn't like the ending, though.

[Kathryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

These are quick listens (getting closer to two hours each as the series winds down) and I enjoy the narrator, the setting, the main character. The plots, however, are just getting wonkier as the series goes on. Jon went skating with Rachel in the last book, and yet when he saw her in this one, he had to be introduced as if they were strangers? And the alliteration plot is just over the top ridiculous at this point.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the last one in the series, but I liked it. I like how the love triangle seems to be going the way I want it to and look forward to reading the next one.

[Virginia Shea · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lighthearted, compelling book that explored faith, freedom, and identity. I especially loved how strongly Merry’s faith was portrayed!

Rachel’s startling transformation added an edge to the story, which made it emotionally gripping, though the ending felt a bit rushed and leaves lingering questions.

Despite the abrupt resolution, it strongly pulled readers forward to see what unfolded next in the series!

[Arjaye-Rose Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another great book in this series. I wondered how things were going to go with Rachel and her running around period. Throughout the book I wondered if she’d follow Levi’s footsteps and maybe become Mennonite. I won’t spoil it by telling you more about what happens.

[Donna Bagby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed this series. The author has really made the story interactive. The narrator has distinctive voice preferences.
The part that I liked best was when Mary wanted to try English high school and teen clothes (Rumspringa).

Hide Behind the Moon
Summerhill Secrets, Volume 2, Book 3
By: Beverly Lewis
Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert
Hide behind the moon
Overall: 5 out of 5 stars Performance: 5 out of 5 stars Story: 5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed: 08-03-23 own

[Karina (Karina's Christian Reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Number of pages: 105

Genre: Amish fiction

Series: Summerhill Secrets #8 (Should be read in order)

Age recommendation: 13/14+

Summary: Rachel Zook is tired of Amish life. It is her time for Rumspringa, but she still hasn’t really gotten the taste of an Englisher’s life. So, she enlists the help of Merry to get some Englisher clothes and even take her picture! It’s starts off so simply, but her plans quickly escalate to crazier and crazier ideas.

My thoughts: I really don’t like the plot of this book. I mean, it might be realistic, but in my mind it’s like Rachel just *POOF, * goes crazy! There is no indication in any of the other books that Rachel is unsatisfied with her Amish lifestyle, in fact, everything points to her loving it very much and never wanting to change from the way she’s been brought up. Rachel’s character changes so much in this book and I really don’t like it. I also don’t like that a new love interest is introduced for Jon. (Seriously, why is there always that one guy in every single book series that all the girls have a crush on, only he ends up loving the main character who also likes him. Come on writers, be original!)
I appreciate that Merry tries to be a good friend through it all, and even though she’s not perfect, she does her best to do what God wants. I probably say this about every book in this series, but it’s true- I find Merry to be super realistic and relatable; if she were a real person, I would be her friend.

My personal rating: 3.5/5 stars because I really don’t like how Rachel acts in this book.

Link to review: https://karinaschristianreads.wordpre...

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Literally read this on less than a day..maybe 3 hours and I have to say I loved it, but felt it was a bit rushed at the end, usually Lewis slowly moves into the ending, this time it felt abrupt, there was closure of a sort, but not at all what I am used to from Lewis.
In this series we got to see Rachel Zook acting like a proper Amish girl, in this one, she turned into the complete opposite and not only scare Merry by her actions, terrified me, which is not easy.
It appeared early on the there might be a relationship potential between Rachel and Jon, but then all of a sudden the old Rachel is back and no mention of Jon is ever relayed in the end..very confusing.
On to the next book in the series, gotta see what happens next

[Jennifer Robb · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short look at the Amish custom of rumschpringa in a fictional setting. While I understand that doing things your Amish parents would not approve is part of rumschpringa, I don't like that the non-Amish teen is hiding things from her parents as she tries to be both a friend and a steadying influence to her long-time Amish friend.

[Niyah E3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!!! I've read the whole series (WHICH BY THE WAY WAS FANTASTIC) and this was probable my favorite one!!!!!!!!!!!

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

good

[Megan Rang · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a favorite from this series.