Somewhere to Belong by Judith Miller

~Daughters of Amana~

Back Cover:

Johanna Ilg has lived her entire life in Main Amana, one of the seven villages settles by devout Christians who believe in cooperative living, a simple lifestyle, and faithful service to God. Although she's always longed to see the outside world, Johanna believes her future is rooted in Amana. But when she learns a troubling secret, the world she thought she knew is shattered. Is this truly where she belongs?

Berta Schumacher has lived a privileged life in Chicago, so when her parents decide they want a simpler life in Amana, Iowa, she resists. Under the strictures of the Amana villages, her rebellion reaches new heights. Will her heart ever be content among the plain people of Amana?

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHST?

I have to say, that I'm not one that would pick up an Amish type book. (this is not an amish book, but has similarities) But I thought this one was really good.

You have a girl (Johanna) that has never seen the 'outside' world, but has longings to travel. But she also knows that she is expected to do what her people have done for generations.

Berta, Knows of the outside world, but has been thrust into the life of Johanna...With everyone wearing the same clothing, in the same houses, with the same type of decorations. And on top of that, she is now expect to wake up @ 5 in the morning to work in the Kitchen under the tootalege of Johanna Ilg. She doesn't know if she can make it to when she's an adult, and able to leave Amana...all she can seem to do, is get in trouble, which isn't that bad to her way of thinking, because the punishment for that is, Your banned from Prayer Service everynight, and Church on Sunday...

Johanna has a lot of work to do, with trying to get Berta to conform to their ways. She and Her Boss(the head of the kitchen) both realize that for Berta to get banned from services, would make her happy, so they try to keep her troubles from the elders...Only thing is, they stress telling the truth. But what happens when Johanna realizes that her parents have been keeping a life changing secret from Her? And will she be able to quell this urge to see the 'outside' world?

To the FTC and whomever else it may concern, I received this book Bethany House Publishers. In return, I have promised to review the book but have been given the freedom by Bethany House to give my honest opinions whether they be positive or negative.