The Sanctuary Tree

Keeping Days #3

by Norma Johnston

At the beginning of her sophomore year of high school, in 1900, and with her grandfather dead, her father ill, and close friends moved away, Tish Sterling enters into a time of painful and unsettling transition

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens, Historical

219 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1977

About the author

Norma Johnston was born in Ridgewood, New Jersey, USA, the only child of Marjorie (Pierce), a teacher and Charles Eugene Chambers Johnston, an engineer. She read voraciously--especially mysteries, to which her family was addicted. She was ducated at Ramsey public schools and Montclair State College, later studied acting at the American Theatre Wing and elsewhere, and received a teaching certificate from Montclair College. She was actress, director, designer, stylist, retailer, teacher, counselor, entrepreneur, preacher, editor, ... and in between all her other careers she was the author of more than 70 novels, mainly gothic romances for teens. She become a a full-time writer in 1973.

Johnston also wrote under the pseudonyms of Nicole St. John, Pamela Dryden, Lavinia Harris, Kate Chambers, Catherine E. Chambers, Elizabeth Bolton, and Adrian Robert.

Reviews

[QNPoohBear · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third book in the Keeping Days series follows Tish and her family through the last half the year 1901. With the loss of her beloved Gramps and her beau Kenneth moving away, new teachers, new assignments and family obligations, Tish is worn thin. This time Tish can't even turn to her writing because she believes the magic is gone. When she needs a friend the most, her friends turn on her, not understanding that she's grown up a lot in the last year and moved beyond the emotional level of her peers. She feels no one understands her except Ken and he has enough trouble worrying about his own family. Only when someone holds a mirror up to Tish to view her own behavior can she examine herself and discover what really matters in life. This book is very similar to the first one in tone and plot. Tish was excessively annoying in this book and even though I remember feeling that way at her age, I felt bad for everyone else instead of sympathizing with her. There is also a lot of religious philosophy and Christian teachings throughout the book. The voice of the character still doesn't sound like a teenager and I am still not wild about this series.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

7/2014 Interestingly enough, I liked this one better this time through. The umpteenth time. Yep, Tish is annoying, the whole scene with Kenneth is enough to gag the proverbial maggot, and I can't quite wrap my head around the part where if all the Sterling men go to Harvard, Pa talks like a hick half the time. Still, I love it and do see more growth in Tish than I recognized before.

6/2010 Tish is annoying in this book. So painfully self-absorbed, even when she claims to be aware of and dealing with the self-absorption. But she's annoying and it's painful in such a real way that the only lingering irritation I'm left with is that prize milquetoast Kenneth. Um, which is to say that I love this book even though my teeth are on edge throughout.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Add me to the list of people who loved these books as a kid, and reread them from time to time. This was the first in the series that I owned; as an adult I collected the others from used book stores. The historical voice is well done; I agree with everyone who says that Tish is self-absorbed. I get annoyed at the way she discusses her Writing in this book. Possibly I see too much of myself at 15?

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been fun re-reading this series as an adult that I loved as a kid...although I had forgotten how irritating the main character can be. I'm hoping it improves in the next book in the series! I honestly can't remember.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book #3 in the Keeping Days series. I like this series a lot. The time is 1901 and the place Yonkers, NY. Tish Sterling, the main character, is a 14 year-old girl in a large family. She struggles with her faith, love, and the problems that face teenaged girls everywhere and through-out time. Her boyfriend, Ken, moves away. Her mother and aunt go to the farm of her beloved grandfather, who died in the last book, to clean it up to sell and Tish, whose emotions are boiling inside, cannot cope with them on the outside. Even the things that mattered to her in school last year aren't important anymore, which brings her friends to think that she is "stuck-up". The book s filled with incidents that make a whole story.

[Barbara Mader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half stars? I felt embarrassed for Tish in this book, but she's genuine and believable, and she is dealing with a some real issues. I find it completely believable she gets stuck in this rut of psuedo-aware self-absorption. And I keep comparing her to Betsy Ray, and truth is, Betsy doesn't come out looking too good. Am I starting to dislike Betsy??

[laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved these books when I was a teenager. I've found them again since I'm moving every book I've ever owned out of my parents' house. Amazing. I need to check and see if they're still in print so I can get new copies.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

These first four books cover a relatively short time period, but you can still see Tish maturing and learning more about herself. Yes, she is annoying -- but in a perfectly appropriate way for her age group. It fits. And she really does learn from her experiences.

[Vicki Jaeger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still waxing nostalgic with this series. Oh to be 15 and feel everything SO DEEPLY...To be honest, I can't tell if I like this series on its own merits, or if it just reminds me of my childhood. In any case, a great book.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book from the trilogy that I always remembered - I knew it was something about a tree. If it hadn't been for my book reports from junior high, I doubt I ever would have rediscovered them. I'm looking forward to a re-read.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone want to sell this great series to me??

[Elizabeth]

The sequel to Glory in the Flower -- more Keeping Days.

[DeAnna · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVE this series, but Tish is really annoyingly self-absorbed in this one. If I didn't love the series so much, this might have gotten downgraded to 2 stars.