Maggie Elizabeth Harrington: I Live in Two Worlds

by D.J. Swykert

Maggie Elizabeth Harrington is the story of a young woman in the 1890s, whose world is a remote northern Michigan mining town, where she tries to save a pack of young wolves from a bounty hunter. A terse historical love story of a young woman’s struggle with environmental and moral issues concerning the slaughter of wolves, and the church’s condemnation of her love for a young man, are as real in today’s global world as they were for young Maggie more than a century ago.

Genres: Coming Of Age

173 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 23, 2013

About the author

DJ Swykert is a former 911 operator, and wolf expert, living in Northern Kentucky, USA. His short fiction and poetry has been published in: The Tampa Review, Monarch Review, Sand Canyon Review, Zodiac Review, Scissors and Spackle, spittoon, Barbaric Yawp and BULL. His novel, Maggie Elizabeth Harrington, won a literary competition with The LitWest Group in Los Angeles in 2002.

Reviews

[TBM Horror · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an historical-fiction novel. Sweet, tender, romantic.
Maggie Elizabeth is a thirteen years old little girl who deals with the struggles of a simple life with her father and her grandmother in a mining village at upper Michigan in late 1800's.
The plot drags the reader to a teen romance. The first words you see are “My father drowns my kittens.” Wow.
You keep on reading. As I don't want to reveal the story, I'll just advance that this young couple sticks from average people around them, with the intention of protecting a little pack of wolf puppies in the mountain, away from the hunters.
Maggie is a complex character. Her father is obviously resentful to her, blaming her for the death of her wife. Emotionally abandoned, misunderstood, lonely and introverted, this sweet lady focuses her heart and kindness on saving those animals.
This book, in my opinion, develops the plot in two main aspects. The central story, which tells us about the kids' adventure and the rocks on the way they find to accomplish their objective and, the inner, deep, sensorial and sensitive world in the mind of Maggie Elizabeth. I love how the author manages to stir together the obsession of protecting the animals and her personal storm, related to the destructive relation with her family.
"My father doesn’t say anything, but I am not surprised, he hardly ever
says anything. He just stands next to James Stetter, holding the lantern,
looking at me, but not saying anything. I am wondering if this is how the rest
of my life with him is going to be."
As a reader, you cannot get to guess if she's only looking for a way out to run away from her ghosts, guilt, resentment and hurt feelings or if her heart actually aches for equality. I can see the hard work of Swykert, trying to compose a complex character, tender, compassionate yet sharp and confident. Nothing can tear her up.
"As I comb my hair I look at myself in
the mirror. I look into my blue eyes to see what is in there, what’s inside me.
I really don’t see anything, and I think how silly this is, because I know I am
in there. I am alive; I am not empty."
You can see this book as a kind of a slow story, “waiting” for something else to happen, or you can appreciate the delicate shades of the evolution of our kind Maggie and just, enjoy the beautiful descriptions and submerge on the incandescence of this special author's writing.
I recommend this book to all those readers who don't rush to finish a book. This is a piece to appreciate, discover, trace and let the emotions flow. Descriptions are abundant, fair, fresh and sometimes, visceral.
Swykert writing is pleasurable, easy to read and perfectly correct. I needed more time than other books, so you do not only stare at the thread but try to catch all the effort from the author, which is obvious and brilliant, but it's absolutely worth it.
Different, unique, heartwarming and thrilling, this book creates a little special room in the mind of the reader. Congratulations.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of Maggie Elizabeth was not what I imagined – by reading the synopsis, I was thinking of a heroine who redefined all of history and went on to start a revolution for saving wildlife. Of course, that would be too easy 😉 What we find instead is a teenager in love and who questions and challenges why things are the way they are: like why her father drowns the newborn kittens, or why men and women sit on opposite sides of the aisle during church but not during a funeral, or why hunters want the pelt/heads of wolves.

I love how morals play such a huge role in this novel and how the innocence of Maggie Elizabeth makes her beliefs make so much sense but not to the elders in the community or her ‘practical’ friend Annie. “We all come into this world from the same place” as she refers to kittens, chickens, wolves, and humans. Or one of my other favorites about the reverend “I don’t understand why you have to make life so complicated when it’s really very easy. If you don’t harm anything, and don’t take what doesn’t belong to you…I don’t understand why you have to do all this praying and studying to get into heaven.”

As I read through, Maggie Elizabeth’s point kept making me wonder, Is there really anything/anyone we can save? and What’s the point? Not in a morbid what’s the point of living way but more-so what control do we have when human nature is consistent and people/habits of animals are difficult to change (if at all)? Such a big question to be answered, no less by a thirteen year old as she does her best to do what is right and stand up for herself.

The structure of the writing was reminiscent of a teenager, where first love and emotions reign actions and thoughts, taking risks, understanding differences in family and friends, and becoming independent. We are able to see into Maggie Elizabeth’s thoughts and are roped in to the revolving mind of a girl coming of age. At times, the repetition was distracting, however I feel it depicts that age of thinking constantly about the same people and events, replaying them in the mind to make sense and work through them.

Read Maggie Elizabeth Harrington if you like the themes of:

Innocence
Coming of Age
Young love
Sacrifice

[Scherry at The Novel Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie Elizabeth Harrington is a thirteen year old girl living in a mining town in Upper Michigan with her father and grandmother. I'm guessing the setting is in the late 1800's, but I'm not totally sure of that. The story is written in first person, mostly reading the thoughts of Maggie as she observes life around her. The story starts out with her knowing that her father is going to drown her new kittens. Her cat is allowed to live because she keeps the mouse population down, but they cannot afford to feed her annual litter of kittens. So every year Maggie's father pulls out a steel tub, fills it with water and drowns the little kittens. Although she can do nothing to stop the killing of these kittens, later in the book as she sees a she-wolf being killed for the bounty and a hunt ensue for the litter of wolf pups, also to be killed, Maggie decides to find these wolf pups first in order to protect them. Tommie Stetter helps her and as they run away to save the wolf pups, a budding romance develops.

This is a coming of age novel. It is a sweet... and sometimes bitter sweet tale of young love, forbidden love and dealing with life and death. I can understand why this book received several 5-star reviews, but I had a difficult time dealing with the lack of editing and with the repetitiveness. Hearing every thought a thirteen year old girl has, over and over again, dragged the book down a bit and it took me longer to read it than usual and I found myself skimming some of the pages due to the repetitive nature.

I do think the author is talented and I loved the historical aspect of this book. My own father was from Upper Michigan and I found the references to certain customs of the area to be right on target (and made me smile).

Overall, I'll give this a 3.5/5 but I'll round it up to 4 due to the unique way it was written. Would love to see a good editor go through this book to fix the numerous mistakes.

*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy provided by the author with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.

[Bobbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book, and I loved it! It has a second book in this series coming out soon! I have a special love and connection to wolves, and I strongly identified with this character Maggie. I think it's such a tragedy that wolves in the past (late 1800s to early 1900s) have been killed off simply because of a bad rep. The truth is not one healthy wolf has ever killed a human. Maggie finds some wolf pups during the time when a bounty was put out for killing wolves for a reward. It's the beginning of her role as wolf-protector as a young teen. It's a beautifully written book, and the description told from the protagonist's point of view is vivid and lyrical. I can't wait for the next one. Check it out.

[Oz Mikhail · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a beautifully written Historical Romance novel, the characters were well built, the world building needed some work, in my opinion. I think that this is one of those books that you just have a love hate relationship with, with some of the characters, although once you pick it up its hard to put down. Overall, its well written and likable coming of age story.
http://ozzythebookreviewer.blogspot.c...

[Reading Bifrost · Rating 4 out of 5]

www.readingbifrost.com

“I am screaming, but not out loud. I am screaming inside, quietly, and I am thinking that I will never stop screaming. I will scream inside like this for the rest of my life.”

Maggie Elizabeth grew up without a mother, only her grandmother and a cold, hard father that worked in the mines all day and drowned her kittens every summer so he wouldn’t have to feed them. Maggie Elizabeth understood why he killed the chicken every Sunday for their dinner. It served a purpose. But she can’t understand what purpose her father has for killing her kittens, or why Bernard Lemieux kills wolves. When Tommie Stetter, the older boy Maggie Elizabeth proclaims she’s going to marry one day, comes back from hunting a she-wolf and states it probably had pups somewhere near, Maggie Elizabeth decided she had seen enough death and recruited Tommie and his sister Annie to care for the wolf pups.

The story is narrated by Maggie Elizabeth, so we see everything from the point-of-view of a 13 year old girl from the 1890s, which Swykert did a surprising good job. She seems to have a timid personality, but latter on in the book you find that her true personality is only muted because of her family life. As she spends more time with the wolves and Tommie, Maggie Elizabeth’s character starts to shine through and you really seen a significant growth.

Tommie Stetter is two years older than Maggie Elizabeth and the son of the mine’s rich manager. We don’t actually see Tommie’s true character, only what Maggie Elizabeth thinks of him, until the last half of the book. I was really unsure if Tommie actually had feelings for her or if it was all just wishful thinking floating around in the mind of a thirteen year old girl’s head.

Annie Stetter is Tommie’s younger sister and Maggie Elizabeth’s best friend. Maggie Elizabeth constantly describes Annie as being practical. Annie agrees to help with Maggie Elizabeth’s and Tommie’s plans, not seeing the purpose, but does so anyway to be a good friend.

The romance was tender and touching, mostly using words and expressions instead of getting physical (although kissing is involved). Though out the story Maggie Elizabeth becomes determined to save the wolf pups, to make a difference even though she couldn’t even save her kittens from her father. It’s a good lesson about standing up for your morals and chose to listen or lead.

I do have to complain about how often things are repeated. It can be argued that the narrator is a thirteen year old girl, and they do tend to go over things until it’s completely annoying, but I think here it could have been left out of the narration.

Overall, I really loved this book. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys coming-of-age stories and to middle school/ young adults (Just be cautious about letting a rebellious 13-year-old read it).

[A. M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review delayed
So, I delayed writing this review. I read this book just under a month ago, so you’ll have to forgive me if there are some inaccuracies in my review. It wasn’t my intention to not write this review; I just got caught out with life. I’ve started to think about another book to write, and I’ve been very busy during the week. However, it’s probably better I’ve had some time to think about the book.

Originally published at A. M. Aitken on December 10, 2016.

Characters
The main character we are in is Maggie, the protagonist in the book. Maggie is most likely quite a typical teenage girl because all we hear of is how much everything affects her. She’s the centre of her world and kind of an entitled teenage girl, even though it’s set quite long ago and she comes from a pretty low-income family. In fact, her family doesn’t speak to her. As a character, I didn’t like her, she repeated herself way too much (as teenage girls do) and I felt like she didn’t understand the world she lived in.

The other characters we have in the book are Maggie’s friend Annie and her brother, Tommy. Annie has always been friends with Maggie, and she has secretly always had a crush on Tommy. Tommy and Maggie fall in love in the story, and to me, it seemed unrealistic. But we only see it from Maggie’s perspective, so we don’t know what Tommy was thinking during the story.

Themes
I guess there are a lot of themes in this book. I suppose a big theme is wolves, as Maggie does try to hide and raise four baby wolf pups. I also think the author is quite passionate about wolves. We see this with how much Maggie cares for the wolves and how much effort she goes to protect them.

Another theme is “forbidden love”. Sometimes I wonder if Tommy loved Maggie because his parents forbade him from doing so. We see this in our everyday lives, that when someone says “you can’t do that,” that’s precisely what you want to do.

Conclusion
So, this wasn’t my favourite book. I will go out and say that for Young Adult readers, you won’t like this. I mean, most people don’t like to listen to the mundane thoughts in their heads, and in this book, you have to hear to Maggie thinking and repeating and churning through her every thought. I did think it was an accurate representation of a young girl, but in saying that, I don’t know if people want to read that sort of stuff.

Note about this review
I received a copy of the book from the author for an honest review. I always try my best to balance the reviews and not favour any one person (though I may be a bit subjective when it comes to the genre).

[Vera mallard · Rating 4 out of 5]

STORY-LINE MAGGIE ELIZABETH HARRINGTON:

Maggie Elizabeth Harrington is a deep tale of growing up, facing life's questions, and protecting what you love. Maggie, growing up in a cooper mining town with her silent father and grandmother questions her life. Facing the death of 4 young wolves slaughtered for bounty, Maggie's decisions change her life. Maggie makes choices which will affect more than herself. The young man she loves will embark on Maggie's mission to save the wolves.

Grab a comfortable seat, my historical novel review of Maggie Elizabeth Harrington follows.


CHARACTERS, PLOTTING, AND DEVELOPMENT:

Primarily a historical fiction novel, Maggie Elizabeth Harrington, contains a pungent story of loneliness, growing up, questioning the status quo, environmental and moral issues. Dwykert grabs the reader with historical fact and environmental insight. As many of the same prejudices in regard to wolves/animals exist today, Dwykert's plotting highlights the plight of the wolf and the attitudes of then and now. Consequently, Maggie would be described as an animal rights activist today.

Maggie also faces the prejudice of looking above her station for love in a time period filled with class distinction. As well as questioning the teaching or lack of teachings of the church, Maggie is full of questions. Dwykert filled Maggie Elizabeth Harrington with well-rounded characters, and pacing which holds the readers attention.

In concluding my historical novel review of Maggie Elizabeth, I found a solid story of love, maturing, and animal rights; focusing on the true meaning of the value of life in regard to human or animal.



MAGGIE ELIZABETH HARRINGTON RECOMMENDATION:
STARS 4

I found Maggie Elizabeth Harrington a clean novel suitable for anyone. I look forward to more from D. J. Swykert.

FINALLY PLEASE NOTE:

Additionally, I received this book from the author and chose to voluntarily review the book with an honest historical novel review. Lastly, book reviews of any novel are dependent on the book review author’s opinion. Consequently, all book reviews on-line and on my blog, are my opinions. In addition, the ARC did not affect my voluntary historical novel review.

MAGGIE ELIZABETH HARRINGTON ABOUT THE AUTHOR/LINKS:

DJ Swykert is a former 911 operator writing fiction in the Cincinnati area. His work has appeared in The Tampa Review, Detroit News, Coe Review, Monarch Review, the Newer York, Lunch Ticket, Gravel, Zodiac Review, Barbaric Yawp and Bull. His books include Children of the Enemy, Alpha Wolves, The Pool Boy’s Beatitude, Justice in the Street, Sweat Street and The Death of Anyone. Furthermore, he is a wolf expert.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Maggie Elizabeth Harrington” is an incredible novel about a 13-year-old girl growing up in a mining town in the 1890’s and about her relationships with family, friends, a young man, and a pack of wolves. DJ Swykert has created such a uniquely beautiful, yet heartbreaking story about Maggie that awakens a variety of emotions within you as you are reading. Maggie’s mother died during her birth and she has grown up living with her father and her grandmother. Maggie’s father is a miner and a hard worker but has never been affectionate, or even talkative with Maggie. Maggie’s grandmother is somewhat softer, but also quiet and reserved like Maggie’s father. Maggie is best friends with Annie loves Annie’s older brother, Tommie, both of whom come from an upper-class family in town. When some locals decide to hunt and kill a wolf in the area for bounty, Maggie enlists Tommie and Annie’s help in locating her pups and protecting them. This is when Maggie’s “other-world” begins, where she splits her time between family and chores with sneaking out to feed and care for the wolf pups. As they care for the pups, Tommie and Maggie become closer, and venture into the experiences of first love, despite his families objections. Maggie has a secret boyfriend and a secret wolf pack, but eventually the wolves are discovered, so Tommie and Maggie run away with the wolves to protect them until they can be set free.

Something I love about Maggie is her inquisitiveness. Her inner monologue doesn’t just accept things as she should, whether it is actions or words from her father, the minister, or others in the community. Rather than accept things at face value, Maggie is very introspective and considers the reasons and meanings behind what others say and do. Her character is also very honest and believable from the point of view of a 13-year-old girl. When thinking about various people, she will consider things they have said or done and then decide to herself, “I do not think that I like him very much,” and then move on with her thoughts. Swykert’s characters are almost all very developed and complex, contributing to who Maggie is and the choices that she makes. During the novel, Maggie’s bravery, love for the wolf pups, and love for Tommie all change who she is and who she wants to be in her life. This was an outstanding coming of age story about a girl who sets her mind to protect something that she loves, and commits to it the best she can. Although I was in tears towards the end of the novel, I still loved it and cannot wait for this story to continue.


*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Stanley McShane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This powerful story of thirteen year old Maggie Elizabeth Harrington was set in a copper mining town of Michigan in 1893. Maggie Elizabeth is the daughter of a miner who lives with her grandmother and her father (who against everything that Maggie Elizabeth believes in, drowns every new litter of kittens). Her mother passed in childbirth; the father barely speaks to her, the grandmother isn't much better, and she attributes this to the death of her mother--which she considers must be her fault. So for the better part of her emotionally deprived 13 years, Maggie Elizabeth has retreated into her dream world where she thrashes out so many philosophical questions--none of which seem to have a satisfying answer. There are so many unsolvable questions in her mind. She does have a sympathetic ear in best friend, Annie, and Annie's brother Tommie (several years older), whom she secretly adores, but their family is well-to-do and they have plans for their son. When a wolf raids the chickens from another farm, the men pursue a bounty and quickly confront and dispatch what turns out to be a she-wolf, nursing wolf pups. Maggie Elizabeth is appalled to think the babies will be killed just for being wolves with a bounty on their heads and quickly enlists the aid of both Tommie and Annie. The self-talk from Maggie can remind you she is just 13 and this is just prior to the turn of the last century. This is an isolated, Victorian mining village. Partaking in the joint care of the pups, Tommie admits his love for Maggie and, therefore, vows to see the care of the pups through to their safe departure back to nature. Unfortunately, the infatuation between Tommie and Maggie Elizabeth becomes obvious, and the 4 pups are discovered as well. More unfortunately, D. J. Swykert in his deliberately endearing descriptions of the pups makes them immensely sympathetic--who doesn't melt when they look at the face of a puppy? As Maggie Elizabeth becomes tyrannical about saving the pups, so does her love escalate for Tommie as he backs her to the point of running away together with the pack. But she is only 13. This can't end well, and it doesn't in a heart-breaking, tear-jerking ending that generates disturbing disbelief. I have to remind myself--she was only 13 and these were wolves--4 of them--how else could it have ended? This couldn't have a happy-ever-after, and it breaks my heart. But was the story good? It was good and compelling; characters fleshed out. Dialogue natural. Plot--moving, emotional. Loved it/hated the ending. I was given a gratis copy of this novel for an honest review. Powerful literary offering; recommended.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes place in Michigan in the summer of 1893. Maggie Elizabeth Harrington is 13 years old. She's in love with Tommie Stetter, who is a few years older than her and the brother of her best friend, Annie. Her mother has died, so she lives with her grandmother and her father, who works in the coal mine. She's an only child and her grandmother and father hardly speak to her so she's pretty lonely. She learns about a she-wolf that's in the area that's been shot and the bounty hunters are looking for her pups. She convinces Tommie and Annie to help her find them and save them from the same fate.

This story is told from Maggie's point of view and I thought the author did a good job of writing from a 13-year-old girl's perspective. She's pretty serious due to her family circumstances and seems ahead of her years. She has a tender heart that wants to take care of and protect animals. The opening line is "My father drowns my kittens." He does that since he can't afford to feed them and she hates it but feels helpless to stop it. When she sees an opportunity to help the wolf pups, she acts quickly and deals with the consequences later.

There are other things she deals with as well: death, jealousy, love, loyalty and friendship. The part I had a hard time with was her intense love for Tommie when she was only 13 years old. At one point, they take off together to help the wolves and end up sleeping next to each other (nothing inappropriate happens, just some hard kissing on the mouth). There are real and tough consequences for their actions. The ending is realistic but doesn't wrap up in a pretty bow so it leaves a lot to the imagination. There is one part that comes full circle and I liked how that situation ended.

If you enjoy coming of age stories, this is one I highly recommend!

I received a copy of this book to review. My opinion is 100% my own.

Mel's Shelves

[RJ McGill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in 1893 Michigan, Maggie Elizabeth Harrington is barely 13 years old and has already known more heartache than most twice her age. She lives with her father and grandmother. Her mother died during childbirth. Maggie's father works long hours in the mines and does not hesitate to kill helpless kittens simply because he doesn't want to feed them.

This is a powerful story, told through the perspective of a thirteen-year-old girl. Seeing the world through her eyes invites the reader to remember a time in our own lives when we thought all problems could be solved. Nothing was too big and just because something had always been done, didn't mean it should be done. Maggie questions everything, then replays it over and over until she works it out within her own mind. She's fiercely independent, determined to make her life her own on her terms, her way. She even questions why grown-ups make Heaven so complicated.

This book is not a feel good, Maggie gets everything she's ever dreamed of kind-a-story. "Life isn't fair" plays out in full, turn of the century color as Maggie Harrington tries to save the orphaned wolf pups and love Tommie Stetter too. Maggie's connection to the wolf pups comes from deep within, more than an attempt to be politically correct. She can relate to them. She truly understands their loneliness, their fear, their need for love and guidance. It's no different than her own.

This story transcends time. Yes, it's set it 1893. But it could very well be 1993, 2023...the needs are the same no matter the era. Maggie Elizabeth Harrington is a short, fast read with a strong central character wise beyond her years. Grab a copy and a quiet corner

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Maggie Elizabeth Harrington" by DJ Swykert gets 4 stars from me. I will have to say if my 10 year old granddaughter had read this book she would give it 5 stars. The only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 is the repeating of things. I can understand the repeating because it was written from a young girl's point of view. I really loved the story and will read more from this DJ Swykert.
Maggie Elizabeth is a very lonely girl who lives with her father and grandmother. Her mother died when Maggie Elizabeth was born. Her father doesn't talk very much. Maggie Elizabeth is in love with Tommie,(the boy next door). When Maggie and Tommie find a litter of four wolves,they try to save them from the bounty hunters. This story tells of their efforts to hide and protect the wolves and how the wolves become their friends. This story is very touching and the ending is just like real life but I was hoping that it wouldn't be. I have to keep reading to see what happen it. Any animal lover or nature lover would love this tender story of love for animals and a clean love story. Yes there was talk of kissing on the lips hard and sharing of a bed but nothing is inappropriate.
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher for an honest review.

[Andreea Pădurean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie Elizabeth Harrington is a book that depicts the transition from childhood to adolescence in an original manner. The narrative style is specific to a teenage girl, Maggie Elisabeth, who is the protagonist. The reader has access to a real world seen through her eyes and to a dream world, often mentioned by the main character.

Thoughts and facts, as well as feelings, are specific to the way of thinking met among teenagers. Love and divinity are two important themes in this novel, and the perception is divided between the general view (a social perspective) and the particular view (a personal perspective).

The leitmotiv of the novel seems to be the relationship between man and animal, namely humans and wolves. The ritual of drowning cats gives a round aspect to DJ Swykert’s book, being present (in fact) at the beginning of the story and (in theory) at the end of it. This relationship might be seen as a metaphor regarding the duality of human being: these two elements represent the sensibility and the feeling, as well as the rules of the society versus the wilderness of soul.

Even though I expect an evolution of the writing style and a striking development of the protagonist in the next book, I recommend Maggie Elizabeth Harrington as a book of self discovery.

[Katie Cross · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say, this book took me by surprise. Swept me off my feet a little, and then dropped me on my head.

What Swykert really has going for him here is that he nailed a young girl's voice. I've read a lot, and I've never heard a character quite like Maggie. And his beginning? Wow. Intense. Gripped me from the get go, and never let go.

There's some definite repetition throughout the book, but it reads, for the most part, as a little girl who keeps thinking the same things. The events, characterization, and sweet love story, had me. Swykert has a very unique writing style that may be a bit under appreciated. I'm surprised that more people don't know about this book. I loved going back in time to this simple mining town. He's got his historical facts down, he understands the premises of the story and the time, and it adds a lot to the plot.

At the end of the day, as soon as I finished, (and I read as often as I could) I emailed the author and found out there was a sequel, which I started as soon as I got my hands on it. I look forward to more of Swykerts writing.

[Miranda Brock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie Elizabeth Harrington really surprised me. I haven't read many books in the historical fiction genre but the ones I have tended to focus too much on the historical aspects while leaving the actual plot and characters flat and underdeveloped. This isn't the case with this book. The historical setting, characters, and storyline blended together perfectly. Maggie Elizabeth Harrington is a wonderful coming of age story about young Maggie Elizabeth living in a mining town with her father and grandmother. She often prefers to live in her own little dream world but is pulled into a harsh reality when she stumbles upon a litter of orphaned wolf pups. Knowing a bounty Hunter is after them she saves the wolves and in doing so embarks on a journey of self-discovery, friendship, and love. D.J. Swykert does a great job! You can really picture yourself in the town of Central Mine and empathize with a young woman trying to overcome moral and environmental issues to find her place in the world.

[Chelsea DeVries · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lately, I’ve noticed I really enjoy historical fiction. Even though, it’s no surprise that this novel grabbed me by the shirt collar from the first page. It reminded me of the amazing books I couldn’t get enough of as a child, Little House On The Prairie books.

This book had all I love in a novel. A strong female lead, a girl trying to make sense of her surroundings, and a love story. Maggie Elizabeth may be 13 but because she questions everything, she’s incredibly intuitive. Did I mention that she lives in 1893? Despite that huge gap in centuries, the issues discussed throughout this novel are still relevant in 2017.

Some issues discussed thematically are animal cruelty, religious sects, the Bible, life, death, and the in-between. To read the full review as well as enter my current giveaway, please visit: https://thesmartcookiephiles.wordpres...

[🍁 katie 🍁 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full Review Here - http://anamateurslibrary.blogspot.co....

A really quick yet wonderful read about figuring out who you are in a time when you didn't have hair dye to express yourself.

[Renae · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars

A wonderful coming of age story full of ups and bumps along the way.

[Kitty Igaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so torn! I liked this book, I did. It was a cute coming of age story, sad at times (yup I was bawling when grandma died…), heartwarming at others, but man death was such a prevalent theme! This theme makes sense, considering the area and time frame, death would be a constant companion to everyone. But it is still sad ;_;

I’m glad that Tommy and Maggie are still in love even though their families are against there relationship by the end of the book. I hate reading about how people will love each other forever then boom college comes around and suddenly “we are young and apart and should live our lives”. No! Boo on you! I hate that attitude! Love is forever only when convenient, blargh. But Tommy is a man of his word and Maggie, even at thirteen, understand what her heart is saying. It’s sweet without being over done.

The wolves were also fun. Swykert gave all four pups their own personality, and the characteristics fit! The only boy wolf begins to act like an alpha with his sisters, one sister is dominant to the other two pups but still understands that bro is boss, and the final two are more members of the pack. All four work together within the pack structure but are still ultimately puppies and love to play, cuddle, hunt, and protect their human pack members. Swykert knows wolves and shows it in his writing.

Also kudos on the human characters. Maggie’s grandma and dad are both stern people, you don’t really like them that much to begin with, but slowly throughout the book readers get a better feel for them. We start to understand why her dad is so quiet and religious, working down in a dark, dangerous mine for most of his life has left a lot of room for joy and humanity. And her grandma losing so much of her family, it takes a lot out of a person to keep burying their loves ones, and she does answer Maggie’s questions and take an interest in her life but time has not been kind and Swykert does a stellar job of portraying this. Upper class, middle class, the preacher, head hunter, they are all awesomely done and highly believable. That many fleshed out characters takes work and dedication, something not seen in a lot of authors anymore.

The reason I knocked off one star was for the repetitiveness. As an adult it was annoying, but seeing as this was a young adult book, I’m thinking around middle school, that may just be how authors write for that age. It may have also had something to do with the book being narrated in first person by a thirteen year old girl. I know my thoughts get pretty repetitive… Still I’m glad I got the chance to read it, and am looking forward to the sequel which involves a love triangle between Maggie, Tommy, and one of Tommy’s friends (? I know he was mentioned in this book, I just can’t remember if he was another kid or someone’s friend…)! Who doesn’t adore a good love triangle? They tend to leave me vacillating on who should be together… Man I could make pro and con lists for love triangles!

[Caz C Cole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maggie Elizabeth is a 13-year-old girl living in a Mining Town in rural Michigan in the 1890s and she will do anything to save a pack of wolf cubs

Introduction

Maggie Elizabeth is a 13-year-old who had to grow up too fast because her mother died after giving birth to her. She lives with her grandmother and father, who works as a miner at Mr Stetter’s mine. The Stetter family consists of the parents and two children, Tommie and Annie. Annie is Maggie’s best friend and they share everything. When bounty hunters shoot a wolf, Maggie desperately needs to find the pack in order to save the little ones and Tommie has to help her. Little does she know the dangers they will encounter nor the life-changing decisions they will have to make …

Storyline

Maggie’s father only speaks when necessary. Maggie wonders if he considers she caused her mother’s death and therefore hates her. She, on the other hand, hates it when her father drowns the cat’s kittens every summer. Maggie has lots of daily chores and her only outlet is being with Annie. Maggie thinks of herself as emotion-driven and she feels Annie is the practical one. There is more: Maggie is in love with Anne’s brother Tommie and she is positive one day they will marry. In sharing her thoughts with us, the readers, Maggie gives us an insight into the harsh reality of living in a miner’s town in the late 19th century. She shows us the world of the miners, of the Reverend White who speaks of one thing and does the other, of class distinctions between families of the mine owner, the Stetters, and the miners. Most of all, Maggie has a deep love for everything living – no wonder that, when a bounty hunter wants to not only kill the adult wolf but also her cubs, Maggie feels she needs to protect the cubs until they are old enough to fend for themselves.

My Thoughts

This 13-year-old girl speaks to us. She is lonely, rebellious and has been forced to grow up too soon. Only free in her thoughts, she has so many questions that remain unanswered, and there is in her a craving for love, be it from loving parents or cuddly animals. The author has given us a unique perspective and in doing so, chosen a narrative formula that is repetitive and, even if it gives us insight into Maggie’s life, still feels a bit too mature for a teenager. The author has shown us Maggie’s all-consuming love for Tommie that is so very innocent at heart. I found it difficult to empathise with Maggie’s constant reasoning but at the same time felt sorry for the lonely girl in that harsh world. Despite the repetitiveness causing the reading experience to be difficult sometimes instead of fluent, if anything, the book gives insight into the day-to-day life of the mining community in rural Michigan around the end of the 19th century and the narrow-mindedness of the people living there which makes this young adult novel an interesting read.

Read the review on my website: https://www.bitsaboutbooks.net/maggie...