This book has been reviewed by Thriving Family, a marriage and parenting magazine published by Focus on the Family. It is the second book in the “Emily” series.
This book has been reviewed by Thriving Family, a marriage and parenting magazine published by Focus on the Family. It is the second book in the “Emily” series.
Around 1925, 13-year-old Emily Byrd Starr is an orphan living on a farm with her Aunt Elizabeth Murray. Emily is obsessed with words, which extends to reading the dictionary and endlessly writing in notebooks she calls Jimmy-books because her cousin Jimmy gives them to her. Cousin Jimmy is mentally challenged, but he is Emily’s staunchest supporter and offers her valuable insights and guidance. The story spans about four years as Emily has various experiences and develops friendships with schoolmates, Perry and Teddy. Her best friend is Ilse. Emily champions Teddy’s artistic ability so he can attend Shrewsbury, a school. In the end, Ilse, Perry and Emily also go to Shrewsbury, although Emily must live with Aunt Ruth. After graduation, Emily is given a chance to go to New York to develop her writing career. Instead, she chooses to return home.
The book expresses a Christian worldview and mentions God. Some ideas are quirky, though, such as when Emily’s Aunt Janey vows never to wear a silk dress until all the world’s heathens are converted to Christianity. Emily goes to prayer meetings but says she doesn’t agree with Aunt Ruth’s view of God because Aunt Ruth thinks God punishes her enemies. Aunt Janey walks every day in God’s light and shines because of it. Emily becomes discouraged with her writing and thinks about quitting. She says that the Bible expresses everything so well, there is no need for her to write anything. On a beautiful night, Emily is moved by nature and prays to God to make her worthy of the beauty.
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Aunt Elizabeth and Aunt Ruth are Emily’s role models. Aunt Elizabeth says God’s ways are mysterious. She argues against a sermon she hears, disagreeing that there is good in Buddhism. Cousin Jimmy encourages Emily to get an education and tells her to work things out with her aunts.
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