A Summer Secret

Mysteries of Middlefield #1

by Kathleen Fuller

In the Mysteries of Middlefield series, readers will be immersed into exciting mysteries and authentic Amish culture.
With a twin brother and five younger brothers, Mary Beth Mullet's house is in constant chaos. Her parents don't seem to mind the noise,but she needs a break from all the pestering and babysitting.
It's the summer before eighth grade, and Mary Beth plans to escape to her secret place as much as possible. The old barn in the neighboring field is dangerous, and her parents have forbidden her to go there, but she escapes to it as often as she can.
Mary Beth soon discovers she is not alone in the barn. Someone is living there; someone who needs help. Can Mary Beth help the stranger without losing her secret place? And what if the barn is as dangerous as her parents say it is?
Readers will identify with Mary Beth's struggles for peace and independence and be engrossed in the excitement and danger of A Summer Secret.

Genres: Amish, Mystery, Young Adult, Christian Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Amish Fiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published May 11, 2010

About the author

Best-selling author of Amish fiction. Also a wife, mother, crafter, coffee addict, football fan, and chocolate aficionado.

Reviews

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls) · Rating 3 out of 5]

About this book:

“With a twin brother and five younger brothers, Mary Beth Mullet's house is in constant chaos. Her parents don't seem to mind the noise, but she needs a break from all the pestering and babysitting.
It's the summer before eighth grade, and Mary Beth plans to escape to her secret place as much as possible. The old barn in the neighboring field is dangerous, and her parents have forbidden her to go there, but she escapes to it as often as she can.
Mary Beth soon discovers she is not alone in the barn. Someone is living there; someone who needs help. Can Mary Beth help the stranger without losing her secret place? And what if the barn is as dangerous as her parents say it is?
Readers will identify with Mary Beth's struggles for peace and independence and be engrossed in the excitement and danger of A Summer Secret.”


Series: Book #1 in the “Mysteries of Middlefield” series.


Spiritual Content- Prayers; Talks about God & trusting Him; ‘H’s are not capital when referring to God; Sawyer isn’t sure that God exists; Mentions of God; Mentions of churches & church going; Mentions of Amish beliefs;
*Note: A mention of witches and devil worshipers.


Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a form of ‘dumb’, a ‘hick’, an ‘idiot’, two ‘rats!’s, two ‘shut up’s, three forms of ‘screw’, four forms of ‘dumb’, and seven ‘stupid’s; Sarcasm; Mentions of foster homes with bad stories; Mentions of beers, cigarettes, & whippings; A mention of a car accident (barely-above-not-detailed).


Sexual Content- Mentions of crushes & cute boys.

-Mary Beth Mullet, age 13
P.O.V. switches between Mary Beth & Sawyer
268 pages

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Pre Teens- One Star (and a half)
New Teens- Two Stars (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
Older High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Three Stars
I enjoyed this one. I can’t say it was a favorite, but it was a fun light read that probably younger girls who are interested in the Amish would like better. ;)


Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...


*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this !! So unique and a great story line.

[Madisyn Carlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I despise everything Amish with one exception: A Summer Secret. This was a childhood favorite, combining good lessons with a mystery that will interest younger readers. My copy still sits on my shelf and is quite worn from all the times my sister and I read it.

I didn't read the other two books in the series, but I can attest that this one is perfect for pre-teen girls looking for clean mysteries and adventure.

*Content Warning*

Foster care, abuse, and running away are discussed. A child is abused in foster care. Injuries are gained while running away. Children lie and hide things from their parents in attempts to "do the right thing" (it is later discussed why children should tell their parents the truth and that honoring their parents is Biblical and God-honoring).

[Lena Morrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book for younger readers.

The writing is well done, the characters are believable, and the story is decent.

The mystery, however, is not very mysterious. But perhaps that is okay for the kids that read it.

[C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just ok. No real mystery or suspense. Very simplistic writing, like written for very young readers.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love YA books and Amish books, so this was perfect for me. I will be starting book 2 in the series next. They are fun, mysterious, take you away to a different life and with happy endings. Many things I love in a book.

[Jesse Bosco (joywithjesse) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was exactly what I was looking for on a sunny afternoon! The story between Mary Beth and her family, and a new stranger, really pulled me in. Kathleen Fuller does a great job at getting inside the head of a teenage girl and all of the worries and frustrations that come with having more responsibility as you mature and grow. I also really appreciated her note in the beginning about trying to represent the Ohio Amish as best as she could and meaning no harm.

Mary Beth, like most teenagers, wants to have a place that is just hers, where she can go to sort through her thoughts and feelings, and write in her journal. What she doesn't expect is that she will find more than she is looking for! The initial mystery was solved fairly quickly, but the implications that it had went on for quite a bit longer and kept me interested enough to finish this book in just one afternoon.

However, I would have liked to see more of the Amish community represented in the book, especially the family that comes in later on in the story. I typically read Amish fiction that is set in Pennsylvania, so the Ohio setting was a nice change, but without the further descriptions of the community I did feel a bit lost when it came to the "world" there. Additionally, I would have loved to seen a bit more follow up with the ending. I realize that all of this might come in the next book set in the same town, but for now I am left with the feeling of missing part of the ending.

[Lauren Fullington · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like mysteries, I recommend this to you. Mary Beth wants to escape her chores and her three brothers. She takes refuge in a abandoned old barn as her hideaway. It's where she plays, dreams, and writes in her secret diary. Her parents have forbidden to go to the barn because it's dangerous, so that why she keeps a secret. But, when she finds out there is someone else visiting her barn, she's afraid her secret will get out and afraid she's in danger. So, what will Mary Beth find, who will she find? I guess you have to read it yourself.

[Katie Brohard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe not my favorite book by my favorite author, but I am glad I kept going. The book grew on me after awhile. By the end I was as engaged as ever! I've started going through the MIddlefield books, which I've never read before, and that includes these junior mysteries and I don't want to miss anything! I am also rereading the Birch Creek books- but this time in chronological order! AND I have her new contemporary book on my to read list- So Into You. I should be set for awhile!

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a pre-teen novel, but a great reading adventure. Would also work for an elderly reader who doesn't need to track too many characters in this novel. Two young teens are bound determined to find out what's going on in the abandoned barn.

[Sarah A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun Amish mystery aimed at teenagers. Nice clear story featuring Amish families and the Yankees (English).

[Samantha Deaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was extremely good, I enjoyed every part of it.

[Stephanie Duerr · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book about keeping the faith

[Jenna Barhorst · Rating 1 out of 5]

it has a very slow start and it’s not till the end it gets interesting and it’s very boring. i never wanted to pick it up and read it. some parts were interesting

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wholesome, I liked the change of pace. It’s a series I’ve had since childhood but hadn’t read. I like that it is set within an Amish community, broadens perspective

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really fun book to read. It was very captivating. Easy read and caught your attention right off !

[Drebbles · Rating 5 out of 5]

With three brothers always in her way, thirteen year old Mary Beth longs for a place where she can be by herself for awhile and write in her journal. She finds such a place in an abandoned barn and relishes her time there but not for long. She has reason to suspect that someone else is staying in the barn. When Mary Beth and her brother Johnny find out who is staying in the barn, they have some major decisions to make.

Kathleen Fuller, author of two adult books set in the Amish Community (A Man of His Word (Hearts of Middlefield Series, Book 1) and An Honest Love (Hearts of Middlefield Series, Book 2)) has started a new series aimed at young adults and "A Summer Secret" is the delightful first book in the series. The book reminded me vaguely of the first book in the Trixie Belden series that I loved as a kid (The Secret of the Mansion (Trixie Belden #1)) and if this series is as good as the early books in the Trixie Belden series readers are in for a real treat. Readers with younger (or older) siblings will empathize with Mary Beth wanting a place to call her own where she can be by herself, write in her journal and draw. While the book is set in the Amish Community where religion and simple living play a major part, Mary Beth and her siblings are normal children, only perhaps with more chores. The book teaches readers about the Amish faith without preaching about it. Sawyer (I love that name!) provides a good contrast to the Amish life - in some ways he represents the reader as he ask questions about things like the way the Amish dress. While the book is labeled a mystery, Mary Beth and Johnny solve it pretty quickly - the book is really about keeping secrets and figuring out when and how to do the right thing for all involved.

While "A Summer Secret" is aimed at young adult readers, older readers who read the first two books in Fuller's "Hearts of Middlefield" series may want to read it since it is directly connected to that series, especially An Honest Love (Hearts of Middlefield Series, Book 2) - if you want to know what happened to certain characters in that book you'll definitely want to read "A Summer Secret".

"A Summer Secret" is a nicely done young adult novel set in the Amish community.

[Dana Rongione · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the first book of her newest series, The Mysteries of Middlefield, Kathleen Fuller introduces Mary Beth, a thirteen-year-old Amish girl who simply wants some peace and quiet away from her three pesky brothers. In an effort to escape her world of chores and boyish pranks, she turns an abandoned barn into a secret place of her own. With her food stash, her journal, and her privacy, Mary Beth finds great comfort in her hideout. There are only two problems. First of all, her father has forbidden her from going to the barn. Second, she's not as alone as she thought. Someone else is using her secret place, and this person is seeking more than just privacy.

In A Summer Secret, Fuller does an excellent job of helping the reader to understand and appreciate the Amish lifestyle. Her characters and setting are realistic, and her plot is compelling. Fuller weaves an air of intrigue around the stranger occupying the barn while at the same time giving the reader a pang of pity for the quandary Mary Beth, her main character, is facing. She also hits on some contemporary issues that are unfortunately very common in today's society.

While the ending was pretty obvious and the mystery itself wasn't intense at all, it was still an interesting read. When it comes to clean fiction, A Summer Secret meets all criteria. Though intended for juvenile readers, I believe many adults would also enjoy reading this Christian mystery. I know I did!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: A SUMMER SECRET
Author: Kathleen Fuller
Publisher: Tommy Nelson
May 2010
ISBN; 978-1-4003-1593-2
Genre: Inspirational/Amish/young adult

Thirteen year old Mary Beth is tired of boys. With three brothers, she’s tired of their pranks, smells, and irresponsibility. And she’s tired of babysitting and doing more than her share of chores. So when Mary Beth discovers an old abandoned barn, she spends her free time there—even though her dad says its dangerous and tells her to stay away. She just needs a place to call her own. A place free of chores and boys. The barn is her secret place.

Or is it? A page of her journal is bent. Her blanket is folded wrong. Someone is helping themselves to granola bars and juice boxes. And a muddy footprint and a button are discovered nearby. Who is hanging out there besides her? Mary Beth is determined to find out who, but solving this mystery could put her in grave danger…

A SUMMER SECRET is the first book in The Mysteries of Middlefield series for young adults by Ms. Fuller. I’m a fan of her Amish romances, so I was excited to see this book for my girls to read. They are already fans of Beverly Lewis’ collection of Amish young adult books for girls that came out years ago.

I didn’t think A SUMMER SECRET was up to the standards that her Amish romances are, and it kind of bored me listening to Mary Beth whine about chores and brothers—but I’m a mom with five kids of my own and I hear enough whining about both of the above every day around my house.

Mary Beth sounds like a typical teenager and her brothers sound like typical boys. Very realistically developed. But compared to her other books, rather boring. $9.99. 270 pages.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Summer Secret is a unique story about girl in a boy-dominate Amish family in Ohio. Mary Beth boy-sits (excuse me, baby-sits) her brothers and finds herself solving a mystery, which her twin brother joins her. As the eldest by four minutes, thirteen-year-old Mary Beth is expected to take the more responsibilities than her siblings and lead her brothers, but once in while, she goes to her sanctuary, an old Yankee (not Amish) barn to write and draw in her journal. Fuller keeps the reader in suspense in each chapter as she immerse us into an authentic Amish culture. One can start to question our ability to live without the internet or phone, empathize with Mary Beth's chores and duties, smile at Johnny saving her sister from her parents' shame, and wonder at how their parents can be both disappointed yet proud of them for doing what they believed was the right thing. All of the characters are real and consistent to their personalities (except the mysterious dog), and Fuller even includes a translation of common Amish words. In the end, a Yankee and an Amish family learns to work with each other without constraining each other's beliefs. While the mystery is simple and realistically solvable for thirteen year-olds without it being too threatening, the presentations of the characters are subtly thorough. For example, one of the characters recognizes "a tug inside his heart that he didn't want to deal with" and so he "[tries] not to look at her." The language might be too easy for advanced readers, but it just becomes a quicker read. Overall, the well-written book's content is appropriate for everyone.

[Londia · Rating 5 out of 5]

had the chance to read this book through http://booksneeze.com/
I have never done a book review before.
But anyways i have to say i enjoyed this book very much.
It is meant for preteens - young readers.
But even i as a parent and 30 something year old thought it was a great read.
The story is about a girl named Mary Beth a young Amish girl. who is from Ohio in the year 1885
She wants to have her time away alone from her brothers who seem to bother her and just everyday things.
As she has a hiding place which is an abandoned Barn, that she was told by her parents not to go to.
But to her it was a place to just get away.
But she thinks someone has been there other than herself her secret palce but was it so secret if someone else was there.
She becomes closer to her twin brother while trying to find out who has been at the barn.
They find out about someone who they befried and try to help.
But i can not giveaway the end because you might want to find out on your own.
You will have to get this book and find that young reader in yourself and enjoy.










Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Beth Mullet has a secret. She has been sneaking next door to the abandoned barn, to have some time away from her pesky brothers. They never seem to give her any privacy, even in her own bedroom. It isn't long however before her twin brother Johnny figures it out and in order for him to keep her secret she has to share her special place with him. She is not happy about that at all, but before she can really make up her mind what to do to change it, they make a discovery that sets them off into a secret deeper than they ever dreamed possible.

While trying to figure out who is taking her snacks, she and Johnny discover that someone is staying in the old barn too. Turns out Sawyer Thompson a runaway is hiding out there. They want to help him, but are afraid they will be in big trouble if they are caught. Sneaking out at night and sneaking food to Sawyer is very risky for two Amish kinder. A hot summer storm ends everything, and reveals the secret as the barn is struck by lightning and burns down. Horrified that Sawyer is in the barn, they tell all. What will happen to Sawyer? Is he killed in the fire? Will they ever see him again.

A die hard fan of Kathleen Fuller's Amish books, I enjoyed this story very much, it is written in true Kathleen style. Awesome story, truly a great read for anyone, especially tweens. 268 pages 9.99 US 5 stars

This book was provided for review purposes only, no payment was received for this review.

[Tomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Summer Secret centers around thirteen year-old Mary Beth and her twin brother, Johnny and Sawyer, a young runaway. Set in Middlefield, Ohio, an Amish community, A Summer Secret is the first in Fuller’s “The Mysteries of Middlefield”.

Mary Beth’s curiosity peaks when she starts hanging around an abandoned barn near her home against her parents’ wishes. Mary Beth takes a liking to the barn as it serves as a getaway from her brothers. The more she hangs around the barn, the more strange things she notices. Soon she notices her twin brother, Johnny, has been hanging around as well and pretty much for the same reason she does. Johnny simply wants to getaway from it all and the barn proves to be that place.

A Summer Secret is a wonderful read for the 10-14 year-old group. Mary Beth’s caring spirit comes through in this novel as we see the friendship between she and Sawyer develop. However, the book doesn’t delve much into the lives of some of the other characters. A Summer Secret seemed to read as some of the author’s novellas leaving the reader with many more questions than answers.

Overall, A Summer Secret offers a glimpse into the Amish community through the eyes of a curious little girl. Younger readers may not be as critical of the lack of character depth or ponder much about the rest of Mary Beth’s family and may appreciate this as part of their summer reading.

[Cherese Akhavein · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Mysteriers of Middlefield Series by Kathleen Fuller. It's a very good youth or young adult book,with no romance. You will find just a sweet look at life for a young girl Mary Beth Mullet who is trying to find her place within her family of three annoying brothers who won't leave her along,and she struggles to find a place to be alone. Now the mystery comes in when she takes refuse in a old abandoned barn her father told her not to go for fear it would fall down.
Mary Beth does not care and continues to go because it's her secret place away from her family and particular her brothers, except now her twin Johnny found her, then together they found Sawyer a Yankee (English) boy who is there same age 13 and is living in the barn. It's not long before they find out Sawyer ran away from a bad situation of foster care after his parents died, so together the siblings decide to do whatever they can to care for Sawyer in secret.
What Mary Beth does not realize is she is growing up in the process. Will Sawyer as well? Where will Sawyer end up? Will God have a hand in this and heal two hearts?
I would recommend this book.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book is written for girls between 9-12 years old. The writing is not complicated and would appeal to the preteen. The story takes place in an Amish community with a fair amount of detail about the lifestyle of the Amish. The main character is a thirteen-year-old girl and her trials of living with three brothers. She has discovered an abandoned barn away from her home that she uses as an escape to solitude.
Things get complicated when her oldest brother discovers her hideout which leads to another discovery that neither was prepared for.
The story has hints of an innocent first romance but focuses mainly on the how the discovery in the barn brings the girl and her brother into a closer relationship. I think that the overall theme of caring about other people is strong enough to provoke young readers to get this message as well as a look into the lifestyle of the Amish.
I was interested enough to read the book fairly quickly and I think preteens would find the story interesting.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book you have 13 yr old Mary Beth Mullett in a house with three brothers. She just wants some peace and quiet away from the boys. So when she finds an old abandoned barn close to home she thinks its the perfect place to hang out a place to do what she wants. Even though her parents have forbidden her to go to the barn she is drawn by the solitude. When she discovers some clues that lead her to believe that just maybe someone else is using the old barn as well she wonders if she is going to loose her secret hiding place. But figuring out the mystery leads to someone she would never have expected. Even though the mystery is solved very early in the book there is still plenty of things that make this book worth reading till the very end... This is the first Kathleen Fuller book that I have had the pleasure to read and even though it is labeled as juvenile I think young and old alike would find this book enjoyable.

[Raya Whitehouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I began reading this today. It gives you the info on certain Amish terms that are in the book, that are different than we would be used to seeing. (example: boppli means baby). It starts out in the barn, she is not supposed to be in. She is expected to drop whatever she is doing to help out her family. Mary Beth goes to the barn to escape all this.

The Amish terms are italicized to help them stand out for the readers, so you can go back to the front and look it up if needed.

This is a pretty good story. It is made for youths, but as an adult I still liked it well enough. I won't give the book away, but it has a nice and easy story line to follow. It has a nice ending, which may make you smile.

I have to say I really enjoyed reading this story, and it took me less than a day to finish reading it.

[Stacia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Summer Secret takes place in an Amish community in Middlefield, OH. Mary Beth and her twin brother, Johnny, soon discover a run away child staying in their secret hide out. The twins sneak him food and clothing keeping it a secret until they're forced to tell their parents when their hideout catches on fire.

This is an enjoyable book that is a quick read and while a little slow to start has a great climax and finishes well. I do feel this book would be better received and enjoyed by young teens or preteens, but possibly a little long for non-avid readers of that age group. The message portrayed was an excellent one, especially for the younger crowd.

Bottom line: I highly recommend this book for younger audiences, but wouldn't be my first recommendation to adult crowds.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have you ever wanted a quiet place to think and be away from your siblings..I could so relate to Mary Beth when I was growing up. Mary Beth likes to hide out in a barn on land near by. She is the oldest of 5 kids and her mom is expecting again. Mary Beth meets Sawyer-- a runaway who has been hiding out in the barn. Mary Beth and her brother do all that they can help him out and even pray for him.

Mary Beth and their brother almost get into trouble because they know that Sawyer is the barn and don't want him hurt, so they tell the truth and things have a way of working out between mary beth, Sawyer and their families.

My daughter would love to read this book

[Freda Mans-Labianca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this story!
At first I didn't know what to expect. I liked the characters, mainly Mary Beth, but had no idea what the mystery would be. When it turned out to do with an orphaned runaway, I was not put off in the least.
This story had a way of making you look at your own beliefs, and wonder what you would do in the same situation. Honestly, I bet we can all take some tips off the children in the book. We too soon forget to be good to our fellow man, and help people when they are in need. This book reminds us of what we should really be like towards each other.
A great book for any adult or young reader.