Top Pick and 5 star rating from Night Owl Reviews – “The author held my attention from the very first page until the very last word. If you’re an Amish novel reader, this is one series you should definitely consider looking into.” By reviewer, Diana CoyleJudith Hershberger wonders what her life would have been like had she been born into an English family instead of an Amish one. Would she be … she be happier with the freedom to obtain more schooling as an English young woman instead of being limited to only an eighth grade Amish education?
In Judith’s Place, the second book in the Dreams of Plain Daughters Series, schoolteacher Judith Hershberger yearns to learn more despite the educational restriction imposed on her because of her Amish upbringing. Wanting more than an eighth grade education, she puts off joining the Amish faith. During her rumspringa, she’ll be able to obtain her high school diploma without being shunned. Her father is afraid Judith will leave their Amish community if she passes the GED test. He knows she’s unhappy that Amish women are expected to follow a certain path in life.
When a non-Amish college student, Eliza Dunbar, observes Judith in her classroom, a friendship between the two young women develops. Eliza gives Judith the nudge she needs to study for her GED test. Eliza wonders what it would be like to switch places with Judith to live a simple life without electricity and other modern conveniences. Judith envies Eliza because she is free to attend college.
Jacob Weaver finally gets the courage to ask Judith to go with him to a Sunday singing. Like Judith, he wants to do something that isn’t allowed in their Plain community. Jacob wants to get his driver’s license so he can drive a truck to make the deliveries for the lumberyard. He needs to earn enough money to buy his own small farm. But even though it sounds plausible, Jacob feels stress with trying to learn to drive a truck instead of a buggy. Once he accomplishes this, Jacob plans to become baptized and join the Amish church.
Will Judith decide to stay in her Amish community or will she decide to leave in order to attend college? Will Judith’s friendship with Jacob influence her as she finds her place?
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Enjoyed the characters that went with the storyline.
I enjoyed this follow up to a family who suffered the loss of wife and Mother – a tremendous tragedy in an Amish family. Judith’s love of teaching and learning was balanced by her dislike and ineptness as a cook. How will her sister ever get to set up her own home when Judith’s homemaking skills are so poor that her younger brothers tried to run …
I always enjoy reading about Amish life. This book is very insightful as well as intriguing. It was a delightful diversion in my day!! Thank you!!!!
I am fascinated with Amish books and this book was no exception.
This author has written some great stories and this one kinda continued the saga of a family living the simple life.
With all the chaos going on in our (Englisher) world…I so enjoy the peace I get when I read these stories. Makes one long for the plain life.
This entire series of four books is wonderful. Judith’s Place had some interesting twists and turns. Very realistic.
It showed love not like you would think.it was very gentle and sweet. The trust that they showed to each other .
If you love reading Amish books you will love this one. Looking forward to reading the other 2 in the series.
It made me think how easily we think another should act without knowing the real thought in their background. Faith does count — very much.
I enjoyed reading this clean story. A romantic relationship does NOT have to be dirty and twisted to get readers. I loved how you brought the characters faith in GOD into the story.
Good Christian fiction.
I started this book two times and almost got halfway through it, but I stopped, something I rarely do. There is a lot of Amish fiction out there today, so I think most readers are pretty familiar with the customs of the Amish. It seemed like that was the whole point of the book: to educate me about Amish culture. I was mildly curious about what …
I love this story and how their faith was strengthened by events. I have read the one just preceding, so was able to follow along with the family members mentioned, but not present.
I had trouble getting started with this book.
Slow moving. A lot of characters thoughts were described and didn’t need to be.
I just couldnt finish it. Story did not flow well.
Great story about the Amish faith and people.
I have read many Amish books. this one seemed more like an Amish primer than a “story”, though it did have a storyline. I liked it, mainly because I like Amish books, but it was pretty good. Needs a proof-reader though.
A little different from my usual amish books