Jesusland

by Julie Scheeres

Unknown Binding

Reviews

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reminder that not everything is as perfect as it seems. A respected family adopts two children of color, that doesn’t mean they are treating them with love and kindness. Heartbreaking truths. Important to tell these stories of racism.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read because it’s written about places I grew up-I found a lot of the abuse hard to believe-probably because it wasn’t my experience…
I thought middle and end of book was jumbled and drawn out. I lost interest and focus.
I might try to read again someday.

[aminehzak · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a challenging read, but a rewarding one nonetheless. I didn't even know that something like Escuela Caribe could legally exist. Everything I have learned about the establishment through this memoir and my own research has left me stunned. Beyond the abuse and trauma the two main characters endured at the boarding school, I feel for all of the other difficulties and torture they had gone through from childhood to their early adulthood. Everything in this book is so sad, and the indoctrination of them into Christianity didn't benefit anyone except those whose pockets became larger as a result. Some people are so abhorrent in so many ways, and the main characters did not deserve to go through what they went through.

[Janet Munger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this memoir uncomfortable but worthwhile. Having lived in Indiana for several years while attending a small liberal liberal arts college- a lot of her descriptions rang true and helped me understand more deeply some of my own experiences in that state. It's important for people to learn the stories of what many young people have to contend with when they have little power over their own destinies and adults are not protecting them. AND - If you need an antidote after reading this I highly recommend Zippy - don't remember the author- it's a memoir of a girl growing up in Indiana in the Quaker church (aka Friends Church) and it's laugh out loud funny.

[L.M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This family was well-respected in the community where they lived. The parents were considered wonderful people and were trusted by their church and school communities. I think there was some embellishment in this book and there were some things that were hard to sympathize with (we all had to help out in mom's garden, that's not abuse) but if even 10% of the things in this book were true this is sad proof that monsters walk among us and they are often well-disguised.

[Michelle Dusek · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning look at life in a suffocatingly small and racist town. There are very few books I keep the physical copies of after reading, but this book has traveled with me to each new home for the past 10 years.

[Julie Smallridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and heartbreaking memoir. Listening to the audiobook all over again for a 2nd time.

[Brayden Pudvah · Rating 4 out of 5]

It seemed interesting since it was based on a true story

[Logan Alley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated this narrative with the point of view of a sister and her adopted brother. What a wild story. Heartbreaking to see the fallout from adoption/attachment/family abuse.

[Kassandre Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the only book I have ever read more than once. It is my All Time favorite book. Julia Scheeres wrote a brilliant memoir. What I love so much is her vivid writing style. I can picture everything she described. The story takes an unexpected turn and adds another emotional layer to the book. At the end I was just devastated but honored to be able to read her story that she bared to the world.