Meg Follows a Dream: The Fight for Freedom (1844)

Sisters in Time #11

by Norma Jean Lutz

Time Period:  1844  Slavery is a growing issue in the United States of the 1840s. . .but Meg Buehler can only think about drawing. This fictional twelve year old, an aspiring artist, is frustrated when her family, much more concerned with practical living and politics, can't understand her desire to create. Especially for girls ages eight to twelve, this poignant story shares the struggles and triumphs of a girl distant in time but close in spirit-while simultaneously teaching vital lessons of Christian faith and American history. "Meg Follows a Dream" is great for a girl's personal library, or an excellent resource for homeschooling.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Childrens, Historical, Christian, Teen, Fiction, Middle Grade

142 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2004

About the author

Norma Jean Lutz’s writing career began when she enrolled in a writing correspondence course. Since then, she has had over 250 short stories and articles published in both secular and Christian publications. The full-time writer is also the author of over 50 published books under her own name and many ghostwritten books. Her books have been favorably reviewed in Affair de Coeur, Coffee Time Romance, Romance Reader at Heart, and The Romance Studio magazines, and her short fiction has garnered a number of first prizes in local writing contests.

Norma Jean is the founder of the Professionalism In Writing School, which was held annually in Tulsa for fourteen years. This writers' conference, which closed its doors in 1996, gave many writers their start in the publishing world.

A gifted teacher, Norma Jean has taught a variety of writing courses at local colleges and community schools, and is a frequent speaker at writers' seminars around the country. For eight years, she taught on staff for the Institute of Children's Literature. She has served as artist-in-residence at grade schools, and for two years taught a staff development workshop for language arts teachers in schools in Northeastern Oklahoma.

As co-host for the Tulsa KNYD Road Show, she shared the microphone with Kim Spence to present the Road Show Book Club, a feature presented by the station for more than a year. She has also appeared in numerous interviews on KDOR-TV.

Norma Jean has brought out past out-of-print novels to create a new series. These teen novels (which she likes to call "Clean Teen Reads") were published in the 1980s and 90s, yet the story lines are timeless. Sporting new titles and new book covers, these books will become part of the "Norma Jean Lutz Classic Collection" series.

Her newest teen offering is Brought to You By the Color Drab. A story of a young man living in the ghetto who seemingly was born in the wrong place in the wrong time. This is a story of redemption!

Reviews

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pre Teens- Three Stars
New Teens- Three Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Two Stars
This one was…different. Sure, there’s the character teasing our main girl, but no one has been as mean as her younger brother, Fred, was in this one compared to past books in the series. I have to comment on that fact that Fred made me so mad! He was such a little brat! I wished that all would have worked out better, but because of the rushed ending, it seemed skimmed over for a plot point that was throughout the rest of the book.



{{Official Content Review to Come.}}

[Noelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was my fav book from the sisters in time series so it has a special place in my heart 🫡

[. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Previously posted on Purely by Faith Reviews.

Meg Follows a Dream was touching… It was like I was experiencing everything that was happening in the book. I felt depressed and annoyed when Meg was teased. I was upset when no one saw her passion for art. To be honest, I was annoyed Meg’s mother had her working a little too much. I can see that in this day and time, we’re spoiled compared to families generations ago. The story-line was just amazing! In a way, I wished I was there.
Sister’s in Time reminds me of American Girl, but is so much better. This is a christian series, so there is always something from the Bible threaded throughout the books.

I listed some content below, but there are spoilers.


Content Warnings: a detailed description of a young man, a few characters tease and get teased through out the book (for an instance, kicking dirt at others), a character makes an ugly face at another, the main character’s brother constantly teases her and shows no remorse.

Some hints at romance: a female character comments about the young man’s handsome smile to another female character and remarks that she was too forward, grandmother asks if the character has any suitors at school.

This review was written in my own words and opinions.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really hated Fred and the bullying. I thought Meg was a little pathetic. It's good to "turn the other cheek" and forgive others, but her thought process is unrealistic and not something worth emulating. Standing up for yourself and your beliefs is important and the fact that throughout the majority of the book she couldn't even tell her parents the truth about how much her brother was bullying her was beyond annoying.

[Allison Koehn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cover image really bothered me as the girl is described as light haired and plain face, a typical German girl. The story is decent, nothing outstanding but informative about an interesting period of American history from a perspective that is rarely seen. Like other reviewers have mentioned, her brother is so annoying as to damper the book.

[Andressa Da Silva · Rating 1 out of 5]

I forgot how annoying this book was

[Kristina Masset · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a good read for young girls. It’s appropriate and teaches a lot. I love the history that it has. It gave me a sense of how things were at that time period. It reminds me of my grandparents and how they used to tell my sister and I stories of how it was living on a farm. I also learned a couple of german words!

Of course it bothered me to see how Meg’s family didn’t support her. I couldn’t imagine living in a time where you aren’t allowed to enjoy the things you love the most. If it wasn’t work, it wasn’t allowed!

Anyways, I wouldn’t have chose to read this book, or all the others in the series. But I’m on a mission to read all the books I have in my house before I buy more. And I’m glad I did read this one because now I can recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good read for their young girls!

[Natasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meg Buehler is a twelve-year-old girl living in the 1800's. She is very passionate about art, but her family thinks it is a waste of time. Her brother is always teasing and tormenting her, and she doesn't know how to defend herself.
Will she take a stand for what she believes and get past all the fears that hold her back from so many joys?

Meg Follows a Dream is a Christian-fiction story for 8-12 year-olds (I enjoyed it as a 15 year old, also :) ) that teaches the lessons of following what you believe, using the talents God gave you, and the damage that fear can do.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed most of the "Sisters in Time" books. This one takes place in 1844. The book is well-researched, well-written, and engaging. I'd recommend it to my children.