- a girl uncovers secrets at her family’s new church, makes friends, and solves a mystery!
- one theme throughout is the rot & ruin that gossip brings
- convo: mentions deaths in the past, alcoholic drinks mentioned, brief squishy theology*, concern about a possible miscarriage, a fire scene
- language: gosh x1, stupid x2
Type: chapter book
Ages: 7-10
Author: Margaret McAllister
*This was briefly on one page and basically said doctrine doesn’t matter, just love. The point was unity–“simply love and be loved”–between Protestants and Catholics. The other religious elements throughout are kept more general.
Let me begin by saying the end is quite satisfying! I went into this book blindly, not sure about any of its details. The story never became too intense for the above age group and never strayed fully into questionable theology (something I was on guard for as it’s set almost entirely in a church and structured around various religious holidays).
Rachel’s new friends guide her through some difficult situations–especially when she overhears very rude gossip about her family–and readers see her mature throughout. Non-British children will discover various terms they don’t usually use, which makes the text that much more fun.
The main holidays worked into the story are: Michaelmas, Candlemas, Timothy and Titus, and Septuagesima. Undoubtedly, readers will learn a little something about church history in a non-didactic way. Beyond that, there is a terrifically cozy Christmas scene.
Regarding the gossip, it is occasionally throughout the entire book. Rachel overhears it a few times and struggles with being kind to those particular ladies. In the end, she is able to cross that bridge and they warm up to her. I would have liked for this change in their relationship to be developed more, but that’s not a negative.
This book would be great for girls, a gentle family read-aloud, kid artists, those who like mice stories, and anyone who loves a good secret tunnel.
The book in one word? Sweet. 🙂