4 Teachers Find More Than They Bargained for in Their Contracts Something Old, Something New by Kathleen L. Maher New York, 1840s Her father’s sudden death makes Gilda Jacobs the new schoolmaster, but to teach Christian curriculum she partners with fire-and-brimstone revivalist Joshua Blake, who learns a lesson in love. Love in Any Language by Susanne Dietze Kansas, 1870 Mary Clarence … Language by Susanne Dietze
Kansas, 1870
Mary Clarence teaches English to the children of Swedish immigrants, but when her favorite students’ widowed father, Kristofer Nilsson, is accused of robbery, she’s determined to clear his name.
In Desperate Straits by Carrie Fancett Pagels
Mackinac Island, Michigan, 1894
Desperate for work, Margaret Hadley dresses as a young man to secure a dray driver’s position. When soldiers at the fort threaten her, Mackinac Island’s newest teacher, Jesse Huntington, intervenes.
A Song in the Night by Rita Gerlach
Virginia, 1904
Karin Wiles longs to share the uplifting power of music with children. But when she seeks to improve a poorly run school and include orphans, Nathaniel Archer delivers harsh words of opposition from the school board.
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I am going to concentrate on Kathleen’s story. I have read several books by Kathleen and she always writes such wonderful, historical stories. She always does such great and careful research. The author has a way of drawing you in within the first few pages. In this story, we meet Gilda. A Jewish woman who has recently lost her father. Her father was the teacher of the school, and she desires to take over that role after his passing. However, the mayor, has other thoughts. The mayor wants his nephew to come on board. One of the things that I loved about this book is that we see a beautiful blend of cultures. Gilda’s Jewish culture, and Joshua’s Christian faith. How will this work out? Will the town accept Gilda or will they want Joshua. Will Joshua and Gilda get past their differences? You will have to read to find out.
I received a copy of this book through the author, all thoughts are my own.
Each one of these books in this collection is very well done. An interesting look at what female schoolteachers had to contend with in order to be able to teach. The one story concerning a male teacher showed the difference to be rather significant. I highly recommend this collection. I received an advance reader copy from the author. Opinions are my own.
I loved these four stories!
My grandmother was a teacher in the late 1800’s and the first one I knew! My sister, aunt, niece were all schoolteachers. I only taught in Sunday School and in my working career. Having that background I appreciated all that the teachers in these stories experienced.
Lessons on Love was realistic to me, so real that that came to life as I read. Sorrow, romance, emptiness, challenges, foreign language barriers, unemployment, depression, no work for women, strict rules are only some of the lessons in this fine book. I would love to read more stories like these.
All four are so good, it is difficult to pick a favorite.
I received an advance reader copy from the author. Opinions are my own. A review was not required.
What a lovely way to spend a few hours, losing yourself in the woes and triumphs of yesteryear.
Something Old, Something New – Kathleen L. Maher
1840 – New York
Finding herself as the sole provider for the family, Gilda is sure that she will continue teaching the children in the school her father started. However, the school board feels that a female cannot deal with the discipline in the classroom. Will she lose her position and thus her livelihood to the young man they bring in or will he teach her something she never knew?
Love in Any Language – Susanne Dietze
1870 – Kansas
Mary Clarence has been replaced by a less than desirable male schoolteacher who discriminates against the new students from Sweden. Realizing that the lack of English is one of the problems, she beings to teach these children in her parents home. The process of teaching always brings learning with it. For Mary, it is a lesson in trusting that the Lord has her best in mind.
In Desperate Straits – Carrie Fancett Pagels
1893 – Michigan
If you have visited Mackinac Island, you have seen the gorgeous Percheron horses that pull the drays and carriages around the island. Having a contract with the island, and no healthy brother to be a driver, Maggie Hadley finds herself impersonating a young male to be a dray driver, since females are not allowed. Jesse Huntington, having lost his father and all their wealth comes to be the teacher at the island school – only problem – he has met Maggie before she became Mickey. Will he keep her secret?
A Song in the Night – Rita Gerlach
Maryland – 1904
The world as she knows it is crashing around her. Karien Wiles, an accomplished pianist and music teacher, must suddenly make decisions that will affect not only her life, but also the life of her widowed mother. Will leaving Baltimore for Refuge, Virginia bring the teaching challenge she is looking for and become a place for her mother to start over?
I thoroughly enjoyed all four of these novellas. It really is hard to imagine living in a world when a woman was not allowed to do what she was good at, just because she wasn’t a man. I have to wonder how well many of us would have done in those circumstances.
This ARC was received through Barbour Publishing and NetGalley. The five star rating was not solicited. All impressions and opinions are my own.
From curriculum to mystery to family and more, each story brings unique situations. The teachers all face different circumstances and have the possibility of finding love. I enjoyed reading stories with strong willed women characters. They were determined and dedicated. Great read. I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required.