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Lizzie Searches For Love #1
Running Around (And Such)
A romance novel by an Amish writer, based on true experiences!
It isn't that Lizzie doesn't want to stay Amish. It's just that there is so much to figure out. Like why can't she let her hair a little looser on top? And why can't she wear shoes with a little bit more of a heel? And will she ever really just know for a fact who she is going to marry like her next-older sister, Emma, does? And how does it happen that her just-younger sister, Mandy, is going on a date before Lizzie ever has a real one? So does it matter at all if she eats one more whoopie pie? Amos seems to like her a lot when she pounds out the ping-pong games. He even asks her to be his partner in doubles. But then he asks Ruthie if he can take her home!
It has been this way Lizzie's whole life. She has too hot a temper. She hates housework and dislikes babies. She loves driving fast horses but is petrified of going away from home for a week to work as a maud (maid). Now that Lizzie is running around, will she scare off the Amish boys with her hi-jinks manners? She has certainly attracted the attention of the egg-truck driver. A scary thrill runs through her every time the worldly man comes to pick up an order, each time extending his stay a little longer. How long will she keep this a secret from Emma—and from Mamm and Datt? What will become of Lizzie? Is she too spirited, too innocent, and almost too uninhibited for a young Amish woman?
It isn't that Lizzie doesn't want to stay Amish. It's just that there is so much to figure out. Like why can't she let her hair a little looser on top? And why can't she wear shoes with a little bit more of a heel? And will she ever really just know for a fact who she is going to marry like her next-older sister, Emma, does? And how does it happen that her just-younger sister, Mandy, is going on a date before Lizzie ever has a real one? So does it matter at all if she eats one more whoopie pie? Amos seems to like her a lot when she pounds out the ping-pong games. He even asks her to be his partner in doubles. But then he asks Ruthie if he can take her home!
It has been this way Lizzie's whole life. She has too hot a temper. She hates housework and dislikes babies. She loves driving fast horses but is petrified of going away from home for a week to work as a maud (maid). Now that Lizzie is running around, will she scare off the Amish boys with her hi-jinks manners? She has certainly attracted the attention of the egg-truck driver. A scary thrill runs through her every time the worldly man comes to pick up an order, each time extending his stay a little longer. How long will she keep this a secret from Emma—and from Mamm and Datt? What will become of Lizzie? Is she too spirited, too innocent, and almost too uninhibited for a young Amish woman?
345 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2010
65 people are currently reading
534 people want to read
About the author
Linda Byler
76Ìýbooks223ÌýfollowersLinda Byler grew up Amish and is an active member of the Amish church today. Growing up, Linda Byler loved to read and write. In fact, she still does. She is well known within the Amish community as a columnist for a weekly Amish newspaper. Linda and her husband, their children and grandchildren live in central Pennsylvania.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
October 9, 2010
Why I wanted to read this book:
* It's no secret that I love books that feature the Amish way of life, so when I was offered the chance to read Amish fiction written by an ACTUAL Amish woman I immediately said yes!
What worked for me:
* The promise of a great story about a strong-willed young girl who wonders if being Amish is what she wants out of life.
*
What didn't work for me:
* Pretty much everything...the story was boring and very unimaginative.
* The author used the technique of flashback wayy tooo much!!!
* The story never really progressed. I felt like I had read forever,but I didn't go anywhere!
* Lizzie obsessed over being heavier than her sisters and the reader had to hear about her obsession in every single chapter.
* I just felt that there was no depth to this book. Maybe I'm unfairly comparing this one to other Amish fiction that I've read and for that I apologize.
Recommend? Unfortunately I would not recommend this book to friends. I barely made it through this one and it felt like a chore instead of an escape into the Amish world.
My Rating: 2/5
Because of my low rating I feel the need to post links from other blogger's who read this one and enjoyed it. Please visit this site so that you get a balanced look at this novel.
Cindy's Love of Books
* It's no secret that I love books that feature the Amish way of life, so when I was offered the chance to read Amish fiction written by an ACTUAL Amish woman I immediately said yes!
What worked for me:
* The promise of a great story about a strong-willed young girl who wonders if being Amish is what she wants out of life.
*
What didn't work for me:
* Pretty much everything...the story was boring and very unimaginative.
* The author used the technique of flashback wayy tooo much!!!
* The story never really progressed. I felt like I had read forever,but I didn't go anywhere!
* Lizzie obsessed over being heavier than her sisters and the reader had to hear about her obsession in every single chapter.
* I just felt that there was no depth to this book. Maybe I'm unfairly comparing this one to other Amish fiction that I've read and for that I apologize.
Recommend? Unfortunately I would not recommend this book to friends. I barely made it through this one and it felt like a chore instead of an escape into the Amish world.
My Rating: 2/5
Because of my low rating I feel the need to post links from other blogger's who read this one and enjoyed it. Please visit this site so that you get a balanced look at this novel.
Cindy's Love of Books
November 22, 2015
A Quickie Review
Oh, wait...this isn't about that Lizzie!
Seriously, though: The story was decent, but the ending was rather abrupt, and Lizzie herself was rather whiny and not very likable. Hopefully, future volumes will bring about a change in her character.
Score: 3/5
Oh, wait...this isn't about that Lizzie!
Seriously, though: The story was decent, but the ending was rather abrupt, and Lizzie herself was rather whiny and not very likable. Hopefully, future volumes will bring about a change in her character.
Score: 3/5
June 25, 2012
Before reading this book, I'd read a lot of very mixed reviews. Some people loved it, some thought it was okay, while others outright hated it. Thus I approached this novel with trepidation, not entirely sure what to expect, other than the fact that it was written by an Amish woman and didn't conform to the standard style of "typical" Amish novels.
Perhaps it was because I knew this book wasn't entirely standard that I was able to enjoy it, as I wasn't disappointed to find this book was aimed more at young teens than adults, and that its format and style was more in keeping with that of Laura Ingalls Wilder than Beverly Lewis. Either way, I ended up quite enjoying Linda Byler's first novel. When I started this book, I was needing something light and unchallenging as I was feeling quite stressed out about my impending wedding, so this hit all the right spots. Perhaps the lack of an overarching plot will irritate some, but I liked the fact that I could dip into this book easily and not have to concentrate too much. As well as being incredibly informative about the day-to-day aspects of Amish life, there were also some good depictions of relationships between sisters and some fun childhood stories. I never got bored with this book, even if there wasn't a suspenseful plot, and it was pretty entertaining.
But this book does have a few downsides, which stop me from rating it any higher. To start with the nit-picky stuff, this book just ended far too abruptly. I turned the page expecting a few more concluding chapters only to find a page of recipes. I know that there are two more books in the series, but even a paragraph summing up what Lizzie had learned over the course of the book would have been more satisfying than the way this book ended.
And as other reviewers have mentioned, Lizzie's whining could get on my nerves after a while, particularly about her weight and her family liking Emma more than her. It seemed a bit overdone and sometimes a little unfounded. She did eventually overcome both of these issues, and they did make her sympathetic, but sometimes I just wanted her to have some actual conflict that wasn't all inside her head. Sometimes she also seemed a bit young for her age, although at times I found myself thinking "Hmm, maybe I did act like that when I was 15", but this could be because of her Amish upbringing.
My other issue was more do with my personal feelings about the way certain characters were portrayed and how this can be construed by the reading audience. While I was able to enjoy this novel as a nearly-married twenty-year-old university student, I think it's more suited for a twelve-year-old girl. Considering my love of Laura Ingalls Wilder, Jo March and Anne Shirley, plus anything historical or old-fashioned, as a preteen, this probably would have been right up my alley. But that also makes me wonder about how I would have perceived Lizzie's parents at that age. Perhaps I'm sympathising with Lizzie too much, but I found her mother incredibly harsh. There were times when she told Lizzie off and admitted that she shouldn't have trusted her with such a responsibility at such a young age, like using the washing machine unsupervised. Even though she knew it was her fault for leaving her daughter unattended, she still criticised her daughter, and never apologised for her harsh words. There were other times when her parents seemed too quick to judge and lacking in trust for their daughter. For example, they decide that Lizzie is old enough to work outside the home and let her work at an egg plant, but then make her stop working there when she inadvertently attracts the attention of an English man. If they think she's mature enough to work outside the home, she's also mature enough to know how to deal with men. It seemed a bit bizarre to teach your daughter to work but not to warn her against attracting unwanted attention. So Lizzie is seen as being at fault here, because she didn't know that her behaviour was inappropriate and bordered on flirting. At times, I just got so frustrated with Lizzie's parents, especially her mum, for wanting her to grow up and take on new responsibilities, but not teaching her about moral issues such as how to act around men. I'm sure not all Amish families are like this, but if I'd read this book as a young teenager I might have got a bad impression of Amish parenting.
Although I had my personal issues with certain parts of the story, I would probably recommend it to girls between the ages of 11 and 13, maybe younger or older, depending in maturity and reading abilities. It would be nice to see what Lizzie gets up to in the later books, but I'm probably not going to rush out and buy them. It was relaxing and mildly entertaining to read about Lizzie's coming of age, but it wasn't exactly a gripping read, so if you're not a Laura Ingalls Wilder fan and need structure to your books, this probably isn't for you. That said, I did learn a lot about life in a very rural Amish community, running a farm and dress-making, even if I had wished this book had a more solid conclusion. 3.5*
Perhaps it was because I knew this book wasn't entirely standard that I was able to enjoy it, as I wasn't disappointed to find this book was aimed more at young teens than adults, and that its format and style was more in keeping with that of Laura Ingalls Wilder than Beverly Lewis. Either way, I ended up quite enjoying Linda Byler's first novel. When I started this book, I was needing something light and unchallenging as I was feeling quite stressed out about my impending wedding, so this hit all the right spots. Perhaps the lack of an overarching plot will irritate some, but I liked the fact that I could dip into this book easily and not have to concentrate too much. As well as being incredibly informative about the day-to-day aspects of Amish life, there were also some good depictions of relationships between sisters and some fun childhood stories. I never got bored with this book, even if there wasn't a suspenseful plot, and it was pretty entertaining.
But this book does have a few downsides, which stop me from rating it any higher. To start with the nit-picky stuff, this book just ended far too abruptly. I turned the page expecting a few more concluding chapters only to find a page of recipes. I know that there are two more books in the series, but even a paragraph summing up what Lizzie had learned over the course of the book would have been more satisfying than the way this book ended.
And as other reviewers have mentioned, Lizzie's whining could get on my nerves after a while, particularly about her weight and her family liking Emma more than her. It seemed a bit overdone and sometimes a little unfounded. She did eventually overcome both of these issues, and they did make her sympathetic, but sometimes I just wanted her to have some actual conflict that wasn't all inside her head. Sometimes she also seemed a bit young for her age, although at times I found myself thinking "Hmm, maybe I did act like that when I was 15", but this could be because of her Amish upbringing.
My other issue was more do with my personal feelings about the way certain characters were portrayed and how this can be construed by the reading audience. While I was able to enjoy this novel as a nearly-married twenty-year-old university student, I think it's more suited for a twelve-year-old girl. Considering my love of Laura Ingalls Wilder, Jo March and Anne Shirley, plus anything historical or old-fashioned, as a preteen, this probably would have been right up my alley. But that also makes me wonder about how I would have perceived Lizzie's parents at that age. Perhaps I'm sympathising with Lizzie too much, but I found her mother incredibly harsh. There were times when she told Lizzie off and admitted that she shouldn't have trusted her with such a responsibility at such a young age, like using the washing machine unsupervised. Even though she knew it was her fault for leaving her daughter unattended, she still criticised her daughter, and never apologised for her harsh words. There were other times when her parents seemed too quick to judge and lacking in trust for their daughter. For example, they decide that Lizzie is old enough to work outside the home and let her work at an egg plant, but then make her stop working there when she inadvertently attracts the attention of an English man. If they think she's mature enough to work outside the home, she's also mature enough to know how to deal with men. It seemed a bit bizarre to teach your daughter to work but not to warn her against attracting unwanted attention. So Lizzie is seen as being at fault here, because she didn't know that her behaviour was inappropriate and bordered on flirting. At times, I just got so frustrated with Lizzie's parents, especially her mum, for wanting her to grow up and take on new responsibilities, but not teaching her about moral issues such as how to act around men. I'm sure not all Amish families are like this, but if I'd read this book as a young teenager I might have got a bad impression of Amish parenting.
Although I had my personal issues with certain parts of the story, I would probably recommend it to girls between the ages of 11 and 13, maybe younger or older, depending in maturity and reading abilities. It would be nice to see what Lizzie gets up to in the later books, but I'm probably not going to rush out and buy them. It was relaxing and mildly entertaining to read about Lizzie's coming of age, but it wasn't exactly a gripping read, so if you're not a Laura Ingalls Wilder fan and need structure to your books, this probably isn't for you. That said, I did learn a lot about life in a very rural Amish community, running a farm and dress-making, even if I had wished this book had a more solid conclusion. 3.5*
October 20, 2020
I am fond of Amish books and this was no exception. The author has lived the Amish life and it showed in the realism of Lizzie’s life and family. It was a light read but very refreshing with spiritual insights and an appealing look at a teen’s angst along with joyful innocence. It was a book one but it had no conclusion which I find annoying.
November 7, 2010
Lizzie Glick is the second oldest of five children in her family. Her family lives in Jefferson County and her datt owns a pallet shop, but her datt has decided to sell the business and become a farmer. None of the family really want to move to the country, because there aren't very many Amish families living there, Lizzie's biggest worry is how her and her sister Emma will find any Amish boys to date if there aren't any, but soon Lizzie has more to worry about than boys because her mamm becomes sick and needs to be admitted to the hospital, so it falls on Lizzie and her sister Emma to take care of the house, something Lizzie hates.
When Lizzie is forced to work outside the home, she hates it, but her mam is determined to prepare Lizzie for what she will need to know when she marries. When Lizzie turns sixteen and starts "running around" she soon realizes its not as easy as it seems.
Lizzie comes off as a whiny, unhappy Amish girl and thinks that no one really likes her, but in truth she actually has self esteem issues. Her sisters are thin and pretty, while she is a bit overweight, and is also dealing with pimples! She is going thru a rebellious faze in this book, and actually I was pretty surprised at how disrespectful she was to her mamm, not something I normally read in an Amish story. Just when you think she is growing up some she reverts to her whiny ways.
The writing style of this book took a bit of getting used to, for me it took reading half of the story before I actually became interested. The way the author jumps from past to present had me re reading parts of the story just to get it! I also found a few areas where there was a few inconsistencies, for instance when Lizzie and her sister was painting at the King house, one page said the walls were old and cracked the next page said it was a new house, or when Lizzie was hanging clothes on the line, in one sentence and then in the next sentence it mentions Emma hanging them.
While we didn't get to experience alot of Lizzie running around in this book, overall it was a nice getting a glimpse of Lizzie and her family, and since I read alot of Amish stories I normally don't run into any new Amish words but I did in this book, and having the Amish glossary in the back was very helpful. The author also includes several yumtastic Amish recipes for us to try out as well.
Reading this story really reminded me of the series of books that Carrie Bender wrote a few years back.
This book is the first in the Lizzie Searches for Love Series, and while this book is written for the teen to pre-teen audience I really enjoyed reading it. I look forward to reading more of Lizzie's antics in the next book
When Strawberries Bloom, which was released in October 2010.
Even though I was provided a copy for review by FSB media (thanks Julie) it in no way alters my opinion of this book.
When Lizzie is forced to work outside the home, she hates it, but her mam is determined to prepare Lizzie for what she will need to know when she marries. When Lizzie turns sixteen and starts "running around" she soon realizes its not as easy as it seems.
Lizzie comes off as a whiny, unhappy Amish girl and thinks that no one really likes her, but in truth she actually has self esteem issues. Her sisters are thin and pretty, while she is a bit overweight, and is also dealing with pimples! She is going thru a rebellious faze in this book, and actually I was pretty surprised at how disrespectful she was to her mamm, not something I normally read in an Amish story. Just when you think she is growing up some she reverts to her whiny ways.
The writing style of this book took a bit of getting used to, for me it took reading half of the story before I actually became interested. The way the author jumps from past to present had me re reading parts of the story just to get it! I also found a few areas where there was a few inconsistencies, for instance when Lizzie and her sister was painting at the King house, one page said the walls were old and cracked the next page said it was a new house, or when Lizzie was hanging clothes on the line, in one sentence and then in the next sentence it mentions Emma hanging them.
While we didn't get to experience alot of Lizzie running around in this book, overall it was a nice getting a glimpse of Lizzie and her family, and since I read alot of Amish stories I normally don't run into any new Amish words but I did in this book, and having the Amish glossary in the back was very helpful. The author also includes several yumtastic Amish recipes for us to try out as well.
Reading this story really reminded me of the series of books that Carrie Bender wrote a few years back.
This book is the first in the Lizzie Searches for Love Series, and while this book is written for the teen to pre-teen audience I really enjoyed reading it. I look forward to reading more of Lizzie's antics in the next book
When Strawberries Bloom, which was released in October 2010.
Even though I was provided a copy for review by FSB media (thanks Julie) it in no way alters my opinion of this book.
August 29, 2010
I'm a Catholic who reads a lot of Christian fiction. Christian fiction, for the most part, is written for and by Evangelical Protestants, and reflects their faith experiences and life view. Sometimes these books contain Catholic characters, and often when they do, I roll my eyes and say "The author just doesn't get Catholicism". They may get the externals right (and sometimes not) but the meanings fly right past them, whether its because we aren't good at explaining then or because the author doesn't want to give up pre-conceived notions about us.
So, why am I talking about Catholicism when I show a photo of a book with an Amish girl on the cover? Amish fiction is a popular sub-genre of Christian fiction, but most of the authors are not Amish and hold a very different world view than do the Amish. I've often wondered if their depictions of Amish life and faith were as flawed as the depictions of Catholicism that I've read. With Running Around (And Such) (Lizzie Searches for Love, Book 1) I'm pretty confident that the depictions of Amish life and beliefs are accurate because the author, Linda Byler, is Amish. One thing I've found interesting is that she made it clear that the Amish are not one monolithic group who are all the same. The family at the center of the story moves a couple of counties away and the women have to change their hairstyles and are allowed to wear sweaters. I'd say the strength of this book is the depiction of Amish life--the clothes, the hairstyles, the houses, the schools and the fact that just like "English" girls, Amish teens want to look nice.
Unfortunately, the weakness of this book is the plot--there really isn't one. Lizzie, the main character, is coming of age. She is looking forward to being of dating age when one day her father announces they are moving to another county to buy a farm. She doesn't like farming, but Amish kids who live on farms work on farms. Also, we follow her as she works for other families in the area, and starts looking for a husband. Still, the book lacks the typical plot arc of introduction, problem, rising action and resolution. It doesn't end as much as it stops. The only conflict is between Lizzie and her parents, and there is no real resolution, but then the conflict isn't that much different than many teens and parents.
If you enjoy Amish fiction and want to read a book written by an Amish woman, you may like this one, but in the overall world of books, Running Around (And Such) (Lizzie Searches for Love, Book 1) leaves a lot to be desired. Grade: C.
So, why am I talking about Catholicism when I show a photo of a book with an Amish girl on the cover? Amish fiction is a popular sub-genre of Christian fiction, but most of the authors are not Amish and hold a very different world view than do the Amish. I've often wondered if their depictions of Amish life and faith were as flawed as the depictions of Catholicism that I've read. With Running Around (And Such) (Lizzie Searches for Love, Book 1) I'm pretty confident that the depictions of Amish life and beliefs are accurate because the author, Linda Byler, is Amish. One thing I've found interesting is that she made it clear that the Amish are not one monolithic group who are all the same. The family at the center of the story moves a couple of counties away and the women have to change their hairstyles and are allowed to wear sweaters. I'd say the strength of this book is the depiction of Amish life--the clothes, the hairstyles, the houses, the schools and the fact that just like "English" girls, Amish teens want to look nice.
Unfortunately, the weakness of this book is the plot--there really isn't one. Lizzie, the main character, is coming of age. She is looking forward to being of dating age when one day her father announces they are moving to another county to buy a farm. She doesn't like farming, but Amish kids who live on farms work on farms. Also, we follow her as she works for other families in the area, and starts looking for a husband. Still, the book lacks the typical plot arc of introduction, problem, rising action and resolution. It doesn't end as much as it stops. The only conflict is between Lizzie and her parents, and there is no real resolution, but then the conflict isn't that much different than many teens and parents.
If you enjoy Amish fiction and want to read a book written by an Amish woman, you may like this one, but in the overall world of books, Running Around (And Such) (Lizzie Searches for Love, Book 1) leaves a lot to be desired. Grade: C.
October 5, 2018
Running Around (and Such) is the first book I read by Linda Byler. I found this book in a resale shop and thought it would be interesting to read an active Amish author’s book. This book was slow and redundant with all the whining and self centeredness of Lizzie Glick. I finished it but was disappointed with the cliff hanging ending. A review was not required by purchasing the book as a used book, but I have shared my own thoughts.
November 22, 2017
Lizzie is quite the character!
November 2, 2010
I wish to thank FSB Media again for this opportunity to review books for them. I am grateful for any opportunity to get to read and be exposed to more literature.
I immediately jumped into the first book in the Lizzie Searches For Love series.
I have to admit, I was sadly disappointed.
While I believe the book was probably very true in its depictions of Amish life, the plot left everything to be desired.
Running Around (And Such) follows the main character, Lizzie, who progress from age 15-16 during the course of the novel. She is struggling after having to move to a new county where there are few Amish families.
Furthermore, Lizzie's older sister makes Lizzie feel like she is incompetent. Emma always is glad to assist her parents in any way she is asked, whereas Lizzie is more concerned with her appearances, wanting to fit in, wanting to be thinner, and has no desire to do the type of housework that she has to do all the time, especially milking the cows.
And with that, I've pretty much summarized the entire plot of the novel.
Lizzie is young, yes, but she is truly not a very likable character. She seems to whine and complain about everything, and while many teenagers are a bit whiny I feel like this goes so overboard. Not to mention she is drawn to tears by the most trivial of things that it seems almost unrealistic.
I kept reading hoping the plot would finally pick up. The back of the book blurb makes it sound as if the plot is detailed involving her struggle to decide whether she has interested in Stephen or Amos romantically, but they are probably the most minor part of the story.
Also, the book ends very abruptly. Yes, I realize it is a series, but most books that are a part of a series end less abruptly so that the novel as a whole feels like a book. I feel like when I closed the book I left off in the middle of the chapter.
Frankly, little exciting happens and it's 300+ pages of background. I plan to read the next book in the series and hope that it is more interesting than Running Around (And Such).
Perhaps my hopes were too high based on having an Amish author, or perhaps the book as a whole is a bit disappointing.
However, if you do have a lot of interest in a much more in-depth look at daily Amish life than this book is excellent at painting a better picture of day-to-day life than most other Amish novels I have read which seem to incidentally mention daily activities. Running Around (And Such) is much more detailed and that could be very appealing to those who are deeply interested in a deep look into daily Amish life.
All-in-all, three out of five stars.
I immediately jumped into the first book in the Lizzie Searches For Love series.
I have to admit, I was sadly disappointed.
While I believe the book was probably very true in its depictions of Amish life, the plot left everything to be desired.
Running Around (And Such) follows the main character, Lizzie, who progress from age 15-16 during the course of the novel. She is struggling after having to move to a new county where there are few Amish families.
Furthermore, Lizzie's older sister makes Lizzie feel like she is incompetent. Emma always is glad to assist her parents in any way she is asked, whereas Lizzie is more concerned with her appearances, wanting to fit in, wanting to be thinner, and has no desire to do the type of housework that she has to do all the time, especially milking the cows.
And with that, I've pretty much summarized the entire plot of the novel.
Lizzie is young, yes, but she is truly not a very likable character. She seems to whine and complain about everything, and while many teenagers are a bit whiny I feel like this goes so overboard. Not to mention she is drawn to tears by the most trivial of things that it seems almost unrealistic.
I kept reading hoping the plot would finally pick up. The back of the book blurb makes it sound as if the plot is detailed involving her struggle to decide whether she has interested in Stephen or Amos romantically, but they are probably the most minor part of the story.
Also, the book ends very abruptly. Yes, I realize it is a series, but most books that are a part of a series end less abruptly so that the novel as a whole feels like a book. I feel like when I closed the book I left off in the middle of the chapter.
Frankly, little exciting happens and it's 300+ pages of background. I plan to read the next book in the series and hope that it is more interesting than Running Around (And Such).
Perhaps my hopes were too high based on having an Amish author, or perhaps the book as a whole is a bit disappointing.
However, if you do have a lot of interest in a much more in-depth look at daily Amish life than this book is excellent at painting a better picture of day-to-day life than most other Amish novels I have read which seem to incidentally mention daily activities. Running Around (And Such) is much more detailed and that could be very appealing to those who are deeply interested in a deep look into daily Amish life.
All-in-all, three out of five stars.
September 23, 2010
This was the first time I've read an Amish book and I wasn't sure what to expect. I was surprised to find that except for scattered cultural references the story follows much the same path as any other book of its genre - that being a coming of age story of an adolescent girl.
Lizzie is fifteen and filled with all the same sorts of feelings any teenager would have, but added to that she's rebellious and willful - something that by definition goes against the Amish belief system. She runs into trouble with family and friends and it's usually of her own (however unintended) making. Some of the situations she gets into are funny and some not so much. But it is usually caused by Lizzie's belief that she is somehow not as loved as her older sister. I found the feeling expressed by this character to be pretty honest and insightful. What I didn't expect was this girl's food issues. Her mother was always making something sweet and rich and while her sisters showed constraint, Lizzie was usually eating too much of it. Food disorders are a serious problem and I don't feel I know enough about them to give an educated opinion about the presentation of this characters problems with food, but I had a gut reaction that her mother did not deal with it in the best possible way. Not sure though. Lizzie's self-image is that she is overweight and not very pretty. I thought it a bit odd that on the cover of the book there is a picture of a very pretty and slim-looking girl with a wide smile. I'm assuming that's Lizzie at a happy and self-confident moment!
Linda Byler has a simple, to-the-point writing style. In each chapter there is a flashback to a related current and in this way the reader is taken through the character's growing pains. I found the Amish lifestyle interesting (so very far removed from my own) and found the glossary at the back of the book useful. I think this would be a good book for any one who enjoys the coming-of-age genre and is tired of those that are the profane, serious mental health issue type books.
Lizzie is fifteen and filled with all the same sorts of feelings any teenager would have, but added to that she's rebellious and willful - something that by definition goes against the Amish belief system. She runs into trouble with family and friends and it's usually of her own (however unintended) making. Some of the situations she gets into are funny and some not so much. But it is usually caused by Lizzie's belief that she is somehow not as loved as her older sister. I found the feeling expressed by this character to be pretty honest and insightful. What I didn't expect was this girl's food issues. Her mother was always making something sweet and rich and while her sisters showed constraint, Lizzie was usually eating too much of it. Food disorders are a serious problem and I don't feel I know enough about them to give an educated opinion about the presentation of this characters problems with food, but I had a gut reaction that her mother did not deal with it in the best possible way. Not sure though. Lizzie's self-image is that she is overweight and not very pretty. I thought it a bit odd that on the cover of the book there is a picture of a very pretty and slim-looking girl with a wide smile. I'm assuming that's Lizzie at a happy and self-confident moment!
Linda Byler has a simple, to-the-point writing style. In each chapter there is a flashback to a related current and in this way the reader is taken through the character's growing pains. I found the Amish lifestyle interesting (so very far removed from my own) and found the glossary at the back of the book useful. I think this would be a good book for any one who enjoys the coming-of-age genre and is tired of those that are the profane, serious mental health issue type books.
September 7, 2012
Running Around and Such by Linda Byler
4 STARS
Running Around and Such is supposed to be written by someone who is Amish. So with that knowledge it makes it seem more real.
Lizzie Glick is the main character and its her telling the story. I had a real hard time caring about her. She is overweight,lazy and wants fancier stuff than the simple plain ways. Lizzie also talks back to her parents. She reminds me of me at times.
Lizzie is 15 at start and her older sister is almost 16 and can start dating and going to sings.
Emma is the oldest girl and is good at everything. She likes to cook,sew and willing to work hard and has strong faith. What I usually think of about the Amish women. So I judge Lizzie harder because she does not measure up for me.
Lizzie is selfish and always think that the others are picking at her. She uses food to calm her in stressful times.
Lizzie is trying to understand how finding the right man to marry that Gods wants for her.
Its a simple story with a lot more details of dailey life as a young female teens Amish life.
This is a very clean read that anyone can read and enjoy.
I will read more about Lizzie in the next book. I was given this ebook to read in exchange for honest review.
09/04/2012 PUB Open Road Media imprint Good Books
4 STARS
Running Around and Such is supposed to be written by someone who is Amish. So with that knowledge it makes it seem more real.
Lizzie Glick is the main character and its her telling the story. I had a real hard time caring about her. She is overweight,lazy and wants fancier stuff than the simple plain ways. Lizzie also talks back to her parents. She reminds me of me at times.
Lizzie is 15 at start and her older sister is almost 16 and can start dating and going to sings.
Emma is the oldest girl and is good at everything. She likes to cook,sew and willing to work hard and has strong faith. What I usually think of about the Amish women. So I judge Lizzie harder because she does not measure up for me.
Lizzie is selfish and always think that the others are picking at her. She uses food to calm her in stressful times.
Lizzie is trying to understand how finding the right man to marry that Gods wants for her.
Its a simple story with a lot more details of dailey life as a young female teens Amish life.
This is a very clean read that anyone can read and enjoy.
I will read more about Lizzie in the next book. I was given this ebook to read in exchange for honest review.
09/04/2012 PUB Open Road Media imprint Good Books
November 5, 2010
Lizzie is the second of six children in an Amish family. Her older sister, Emma, is the perfect Amish child. She loves to cook, clean, sew and do anything domestic that Mam wishes. Lizzie longs for "fancy" things such as high heel shoes and shorter dresses with ruffles. She is always feeling that Emma is her parent's favorite. She is a typical teenager dealing with her appearance and her weight while her sisters do not. Once Lizzie turns 16, she starts going to Sunday signings with Emma and meeting new friends and boys.
I really enjoyed this book! It is juvenille fiction instead of adult fiction but it was still fun to read. I found it to be easy to read and it went by very quickly for me. It reminded me of the Little House on the Prairie books which I loved as a child. I enjoyed more details of everyday Amish living from an author who is Amish herself. I am looking forward to starting When Strawberries Bloom tonight. I am hoping that this book gets more into Lizzie and her "boy problems."
A special thanks to FSB Media and Good Books Publishing for allowing me to review this book for them.
I really enjoyed this book! It is juvenille fiction instead of adult fiction but it was still fun to read. I found it to be easy to read and it went by very quickly for me. It reminded me of the Little House on the Prairie books which I loved as a child. I enjoyed more details of everyday Amish living from an author who is Amish herself. I am looking forward to starting When Strawberries Bloom tonight. I am hoping that this book gets more into Lizzie and her "boy problems."
A special thanks to FSB Media and Good Books Publishing for allowing me to review this book for them.
January 30, 2012
I am about as confused as Lizzie is. I am gonna share what another wrote since I agree and my adds to it
"the story was boring and very unimaginative" it was like a preteen book no real story.
"The story never really progressed. I felt like I had read forever,but I didn't go anywhere!" I felt as if I read it for 2 weeks and it had only been 2 days it just dragged on and on
" Lizzie obsessed over being heavier than her sisters and the reader had to hear about her obsession in every single chapter. " This got real old real fast and when they said how big she was she was not that big and really played it up (talk about body image issues)
"The author used the technique of flashback wayy tooo much!!!" EVERY CHAPTER HAD A FLASHBACK IT SEEMED
All in all the only thing this book was good for was the recipes at the end. Would I recommend it??? No way
"the story was boring and very unimaginative" it was like a preteen book no real story.
"The story never really progressed. I felt like I had read forever,but I didn't go anywhere!" I felt as if I read it for 2 weeks and it had only been 2 days it just dragged on and on
" Lizzie obsessed over being heavier than her sisters and the reader had to hear about her obsession in every single chapter. " This got real old real fast and when they said how big she was she was not that big and really played it up (talk about body image issues)
"The author used the technique of flashback wayy tooo much!!!" EVERY CHAPTER HAD A FLASHBACK IT SEEMED
All in all the only thing this book was good for was the recipes at the end. Would I recommend it??? No way
June 25, 2012
This is one of my least favorite Amish books and it's so sad because I read the last book in the series and it was good. Not great mind you but worth me hunting down the whole series on Amazon to read. I don't like the way Lizzie sees herself, she doesn't have any self confidence and is boy crazy but in all the wrong boys. I have never before heard of the Amish having issue's with over eating but Lizzie eats sweets to feel better about herself and her life. I don't care for that. this whole book has no real connection feel to the Amish at all.
January 27, 2012
This was a first book of Linda Byler's for me. She is a amish writer and so knows a lot about amish folks and how to write about them. I liked the stories that unfolded of the girls growing up. They moved from one area to another which was difficult but the family worked hard at making do with what they had and managed to live and prosper.
August 8, 2010
Title: RUNNING AROUND (AND SUCH)
Author: Linda Byler
Publisher: Good Books
May 2010
ISBN: 978-1-56148-688-5
Genre: Inspirational/Amish
Lizzie Glick is growing up Amish, and is unhappy when her father decides to give up his successful business and become a cow farmer. In spite of his family’s wishes, he sells their farm and moves to a community with few other Amish, and Lizzie wonders how she and her sisters will ever meet boys if there aren’t any.
But other things need their attention before boys. When Mam comes down with a terrible sickness and goes to the hospital, Lizzie is forced to help out to keep the house running. And when Emma (Lizzie’s big sister) is old enough to start running around, Lizzie is forced to get a job to help save money to start Emma’s hope chest.
When Lizzie turns sixteen, she learns that running around is more confusing than she thought it would be. How does she tell which boy likes her? And even more confusing, which does she like back?
RUNNING AROUND (AND SUCH) is the first book by this real-life Amish writer. I picked this book up, thinking that since I am writing about the Amish it might be beneficial for me to read. And there are some good parts, informative, mostly about the running around (toward the end of the book.)
Otherwise, all I can say is Oh, the drama! Lizzie, though in her mid-teens, is whiney, prone to crying and wailing, and selfish beyond belief. She tends to over-react to almost every situation. Since there are two other teen girls in the family there are several moments with more than one teen girls sporting attitudes. The writing isn’t exactly top-notch, there is a lot of telling, weak writing, and jumping around in time (going from current day to backstory without warning) which was quite jarring.
However, the book did get exciting toward the end, and I will be looking for book 2 (coming in October 2010) When Strawberries Bloom to learn more about Lizzie as she looks for her potential husband. Several Amish recipes and a glossary are included at the end of the book. $13.99. 343 pages.
Author: Linda Byler
Publisher: Good Books
May 2010
ISBN: 978-1-56148-688-5
Genre: Inspirational/Amish
Lizzie Glick is growing up Amish, and is unhappy when her father decides to give up his successful business and become a cow farmer. In spite of his family’s wishes, he sells their farm and moves to a community with few other Amish, and Lizzie wonders how she and her sisters will ever meet boys if there aren’t any.
But other things need their attention before boys. When Mam comes down with a terrible sickness and goes to the hospital, Lizzie is forced to help out to keep the house running. And when Emma (Lizzie’s big sister) is old enough to start running around, Lizzie is forced to get a job to help save money to start Emma’s hope chest.
When Lizzie turns sixteen, she learns that running around is more confusing than she thought it would be. How does she tell which boy likes her? And even more confusing, which does she like back?
RUNNING AROUND (AND SUCH) is the first book by this real-life Amish writer. I picked this book up, thinking that since I am writing about the Amish it might be beneficial for me to read. And there are some good parts, informative, mostly about the running around (toward the end of the book.)
Otherwise, all I can say is Oh, the drama! Lizzie, though in her mid-teens, is whiney, prone to crying and wailing, and selfish beyond belief. She tends to over-react to almost every situation. Since there are two other teen girls in the family there are several moments with more than one teen girls sporting attitudes. The writing isn’t exactly top-notch, there is a lot of telling, weak writing, and jumping around in time (going from current day to backstory without warning) which was quite jarring.
However, the book did get exciting toward the end, and I will be looking for book 2 (coming in October 2010) When Strawberries Bloom to learn more about Lizzie as she looks for her potential husband. Several Amish recipes and a glossary are included at the end of the book. $13.99. 343 pages.
December 26, 2012
Lizzie questions a lot of things about her Amish life like why can't she wear higher heels and a looser hairstyle? And most of all, why does her family have to move to a new house to become farmers? What is she going to do in a new town without a lot of kids her age? Who will she and her two sisters pair up with if there are not enough boys to go around?
Unlike many Amish stories I have read this one has a very distinct modern feel to it. Lizzie puts Clearasil on her acne that her sisters, Mandy and Emma, do not have. The girls are worried about their weight. Emma and Mandy are thin, but Lizzie is not. Most Amish stories I've read the characters don't care. They eat high calorie foods without any thought. Actually, the thought is they need to nourish themselves well for all the work they have to do.
That's what brings me to the 3.25 star rating. It was a good story. Lizzie's not your typical Amish character. She isn't happy to do all that is expected of her, including and especially being a maude. The problem is it felt too modern, like these were English (as the Amish call them) characters put in the Amish world. You know, fitting a square peg in a round hole. They didn't quite fit.
Of course, who am I to say what the Amish are really like? This may actually be more indicative of their lives than the other "traditional" stories we have read. Not having spent much time with them I cannot say I know for sure, but it would seem a little odd that this is the "real" story and the others are not accurate.
Unlike many Amish stories I have read this one has a very distinct modern feel to it. Lizzie puts Clearasil on her acne that her sisters, Mandy and Emma, do not have. The girls are worried about their weight. Emma and Mandy are thin, but Lizzie is not. Most Amish stories I've read the characters don't care. They eat high calorie foods without any thought. Actually, the thought is they need to nourish themselves well for all the work they have to do.
That's what brings me to the 3.25 star rating. It was a good story. Lizzie's not your typical Amish character. She isn't happy to do all that is expected of her, including and especially being a maude. The problem is it felt too modern, like these were English (as the Amish call them) characters put in the Amish world. You know, fitting a square peg in a round hole. They didn't quite fit.
Of course, who am I to say what the Amish are really like? This may actually be more indicative of their lives than the other "traditional" stories we have read. Not having spent much time with them I cannot say I know for sure, but it would seem a little odd that this is the "real" story and the others are not accurate.
September 18, 2010
Lizzie Glick is the youngest in the family. It seems she can never do anything right. She is always getting yelled at. Lizzie just wants to make friends and not be in rush to grow up like her two sisters, Emma and Mandy.
Lizzie’s Dat informs his family that they are moving. They are going to move to a farm and become farmers. Lizzie’s Ma is not thrilled and worries how this move with affect Emma and Mandy. Lizzie is forced to help work when her Ma gets sick and ends up in the hospital. How will Lizzie handle the pressures of going from a young girl into a lady?
Running Around (and Such) is book one in Lizzie Searches for Love series. I enjoy reading about the old country and the Amish people. One of my favorite authors who’s books feature Amish people is Beverly Lewis. When I saw that author Linda Byler had a new series focused around the Amish, I had to check it out.
Unfortunately, I didn’t care for it as much as I had hoped. I couldn’t find a connection with the characters. I slightly felt for Lizzie but not enough to sustain me throughout the whole book. At times I felt she needed to grow up and quit complaining. Other times I thought everyone was really mean towards her. There are eight of Lizzie’s favorite recipes included in the back of this book. Overall, I give this book three stars. There was a glimmer of hope in this book. I may try Linda Byler again in the future.
Lizzie’s Dat informs his family that they are moving. They are going to move to a farm and become farmers. Lizzie’s Ma is not thrilled and worries how this move with affect Emma and Mandy. Lizzie is forced to help work when her Ma gets sick and ends up in the hospital. How will Lizzie handle the pressures of going from a young girl into a lady?
Running Around (and Such) is book one in Lizzie Searches for Love series. I enjoy reading about the old country and the Amish people. One of my favorite authors who’s books feature Amish people is Beverly Lewis. When I saw that author Linda Byler had a new series focused around the Amish, I had to check it out.
Unfortunately, I didn’t care for it as much as I had hoped. I couldn’t find a connection with the characters. I slightly felt for Lizzie but not enough to sustain me throughout the whole book. At times I felt she needed to grow up and quit complaining. Other times I thought everyone was really mean towards her. There are eight of Lizzie’s favorite recipes included in the back of this book. Overall, I give this book three stars. There was a glimmer of hope in this book. I may try Linda Byler again in the future.
July 23, 2023
Running Around (and Such): Lizzie Searches for Love is the first book in a three-book series by author Linda Byler. The story is centered around fifteen-year-old Lizzie Glick and her Amish family.
This book is mainly a coming-of-age story. Strong willed Lizzie struggles to fit in and she has views and ideas that differ from her parents and her Amish upbringing.
You get a view into the Amish lifestyle as the girls bake with their mother and sew their own clothes. Included at the end of the book are Lizzie's favorite recipes from the story, like Apple Pie with Crumb Topping and Chicken Stew, which I thought was a nice touch.
This was a light, fluffy read. It was definitely 'cheesy', but I expected that. I didn't love this book, but I didn't hate it either.
The title 'Running Around' doesn't really suit the book too well, since Lizzie doesn't actually start to run around until towards the end of the book. The ending leaves the book open for the next installment in the series.
This book is mainly a coming-of-age story. Strong willed Lizzie struggles to fit in and she has views and ideas that differ from her parents and her Amish upbringing.
You get a view into the Amish lifestyle as the girls bake with their mother and sew their own clothes. Included at the end of the book are Lizzie's favorite recipes from the story, like Apple Pie with Crumb Topping and Chicken Stew, which I thought was a nice touch.
This was a light, fluffy read. It was definitely 'cheesy', but I expected that. I didn't love this book, but I didn't hate it either.
The title 'Running Around' doesn't really suit the book too well, since Lizzie doesn't actually start to run around until towards the end of the book. The ending leaves the book open for the next installment in the series.
June 21, 2016
Lizzie, the main character, reminds me of an old cow we had on the farm when I was growing up. No matter how green the grass was, Libby (the cow & notice how close it is to Lizzy...) would stick her neck through a barbed wire fence and try to eat the dusty weeds on the side of the road.
Lizzie should NEVER come visit me. She would find this old Nana not putting up with her nonsense for two seconds. She is in a single word -- a BRAT! I figure this Amish family is not Old Order. I know if I had EVER said to my parents that "I wasn't going to " ... pull weeds, milk cows, get the cows, etc. etc.
I kept waiting for her to learn something. This is not really a spoiler -- she doesn't. I don't like brats. I don't like them in real life and I don't like reading about it.
Normally I find this author's books enjoyable. I gave it three stars because her writing is fine. I just can't stand her main character. What I can't believe is I've started the next book ... but I'm skimming parts of it...let's say Lizzie/Libby is better but she is still..............
Lizzie should NEVER come visit me. She would find this old Nana not putting up with her nonsense for two seconds. She is in a single word -- a BRAT! I figure this Amish family is not Old Order. I know if I had EVER said to my parents that "I wasn't going to " ... pull weeds, milk cows, get the cows, etc. etc.
I kept waiting for her to learn something. This is not really a spoiler -- she doesn't. I don't like brats. I don't like them in real life and I don't like reading about it.
Normally I find this author's books enjoyable. I gave it three stars because her writing is fine. I just can't stand her main character. What I can't believe is I've started the next book ... but I'm skimming parts of it...let's say Lizzie/Libby is better but she is still..............
November 29, 2010
I enjoyed Running Around (and Such). The story itself is lacking here and there, but the thoughts that run through a young Amish girl’s head was fascinating to me. This book is written by an Amish writer, so I cannot question the authenticity of the story or the characters. Lizzie Glick is a girl who I sometimes liked, sometimes disliked, but always adored. She has such a sweet innocence and rebellion in her that makes her so endearing. Even her rebellious tendencies involved wearing her hair or dresses too “fancy� and it was really refreshing to read such genuine innocence.
Running Around (and Such) is part one of the “Lizzie Searches for Love� series, so there is plenty more to come about Lizzie Glick and her quest to find the perfect man (both in her eyes and God’s). Give the book a try if you enjoy reading Young Adult or Christian Fiction novels. Linda Byler has lots of insight into a seldom discussed lifestyle that I know you’ll find as fascinating as I did.
Running Around (and Such) is part one of the “Lizzie Searches for Love� series, so there is plenty more to come about Lizzie Glick and her quest to find the perfect man (both in her eyes and God’s). Give the book a try if you enjoy reading Young Adult or Christian Fiction novels. Linda Byler has lots of insight into a seldom discussed lifestyle that I know you’ll find as fascinating as I did.
January 3, 2014
I read a great deal of Amish fiction and I truly appreciate the fact that this one is actually written by a woman who is Amish herself. I believe that this lends an authenticity to this series that we don't find in all the works of fiction. I know that some readers have indicated that it was a bit boring to read, but I think that is the very "peace" that many of us admire in the Amish coming forth in the writing.
I can certainly relate to Lizzie and her high spirits. She is going through many of the same feelings that all teenagers experience. Teens need to express themselves and Lizzie is trying to do that in the confines of the Amish faith. Those readers who love horses will appreciate Lizzie's love of fast horses. She has many fears as well. As you read, think about whether or not she is much different than English teens?
I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and the publishers in exchange for my honest review.
I can certainly relate to Lizzie and her high spirits. She is going through many of the same feelings that all teenagers experience. Teens need to express themselves and Lizzie is trying to do that in the confines of the Amish faith. Those readers who love horses will appreciate Lizzie's love of fast horses. She has many fears as well. As you read, think about whether or not she is much different than English teens?
I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and the publishers in exchange for my honest review.
April 13, 2016
I am about as confused as Lizzie is. I am gonna share what another wrote since I agree and my adds to it
"the story was boring and very unimaginative" it was like a preteen book no real story.
"The story never really progressed. I felt like I had read forever,but I didn't go anywhere!" I felt as if I read it for 2 weeks and it had only been 2 days it just dragged on and on
" Lizzie obsessed over being heavier than her sisters and the reader had to hear about her obsession in every single chapter. " This got real old real fast and when they said how big she was she was not that big and really played it up (talk about body image issues)
"The author used the technique of flashback wayy tooo much!!!" EVERY CHAPTER HAD A FLASHBACK IT SEEMED
All in all the only thing this book was good for was the recipes at the end. Would I recommend it??? No way
"the story was boring and very unimaginative" it was like a preteen book no real story.
"The story never really progressed. I felt like I had read forever,but I didn't go anywhere!" I felt as if I read it for 2 weeks and it had only been 2 days it just dragged on and on
" Lizzie obsessed over being heavier than her sisters and the reader had to hear about her obsession in every single chapter. " This got real old real fast and when they said how big she was she was not that big and really played it up (talk about body image issues)
"The author used the technique of flashback wayy tooo much!!!" EVERY CHAPTER HAD A FLASHBACK IT SEEMED
All in all the only thing this book was good for was the recipes at the end. Would I recommend it??? No way
August 21, 2010
The Amish family portrayed here isn't perfect. They have their issues, which is refreshing. However, Lizzie was a completely unlikeable, whiny, annoying teenage girl. She hates everything and she doesn't like to work. She eats too much and complains that she's fat. Perhaps that's typical of teenage girls. At any rate, she just annoyed me and I didn't care about her at all. Honestly, I ended up skimming a lot of it and I can pretty much guarantee that I didn't miss much.
Running Around (and Such) is the first in a series and it will be interesting to see if Lizzie matures at all. I don't know that I would seek out the rest of the series myself. The book wasn't marketed as a juvenile fiction, but clearly it is meant for pre-teen to teen girls. The writing is simple and the characters undeveloped. Young readers who are interested in the Amish lifestyle would probably enjoy it.
Running Around (and Such) is the first in a series and it will be interesting to see if Lizzie matures at all. I don't know that I would seek out the rest of the series myself. The book wasn't marketed as a juvenile fiction, but clearly it is meant for pre-teen to teen girls. The writing is simple and the characters undeveloped. Young readers who are interested in the Amish lifestyle would probably enjoy it.
June 22, 2011
I am a big fan of young adult and Christian fiction and was excited about reading Ms. Byler’s debut novel. However, I found the book to be choppy and slow to get to the meaning of the book title, running around. It wasn’t until most of the way through the book that the main character, Lizzie, spoke about the concept.
Personally, I did not like the main character, Lizzie, one of five Amish children, who seemed much more immature than her younger siblings. Her whining and “whoa is me� tones about her life in a new community were nerve racking and I just wanted the author to get on with the story.
Unfortunately, I found the story to be disappointing due to the main character and how it skipped months at a time between chapters and did not have a nice flow. I will probably not read the next book in the series where I hope Lizzie starts acting more mature.
Personally, I did not like the main character, Lizzie, one of five Amish children, who seemed much more immature than her younger siblings. Her whining and “whoa is me� tones about her life in a new community were nerve racking and I just wanted the author to get on with the story.
Unfortunately, I found the story to be disappointing due to the main character and how it skipped months at a time between chapters and did not have a nice flow. I will probably not read the next book in the series where I hope Lizzie starts acting more mature.
September 16, 2014
I think this book would appeal more to a 14 or 15 year old than an adult. Lizzie is a 15 years old, with a strong will, hates housework and sewing, babies and loves high heels and is trying to figure out if the Amish way of life will be her choice. A lot of time is spent mentioning her weight and how she needs to slim down like her sister. The description sounded interesting....but the book is not. I found it very difficult to stay interested in it... The other thing that detracts from reading this book is the flashbacks to younger years. It seemed like every chapter had this diversion and it took away from the flow of the book. I could see maybe a young person reading this book but I was glad when it done. The recipes in the back however look yummy!
August 25, 2017
Despite previous reviews I pushed through with reading this book and I'm glad that I did. There is a lot of mention of Lizzie being overweight which at the age of 15 and 16 I think is normal for a girl to think of her appearance. Some people said it was mentioned in every single chapter but it was NOT. The flashbacks I felt were a good way to flesh the character out as well as her family. I was able to learn more about what made Lizzie tick. My disappoint in the story is that it mentions the egg truck driver and Lizzie's friend Stephen as potential love interests, well they were mentioned maybe in one or two chapters. This book in my opinion is more suited to younger people but it was still a very good story. Linda Byler does however, have better books out there.
September 4, 2010
"Running Around" is sweet story about an Amish girl coming of age. The story gives an adequate snapshot of life in an Amish community. Also interesting is the contrast between Amish and Mennonite and how they interact and differentiate from one another.
Although different in many aspects, the author has created a character with many of the same concerns as many teenagers outside the Amish community. Like most 16 year old girls, Lizzie worries about her hair, her fashions, weight gain, and boys. At the same time, Byler has educated the reader and dispelled myths regarding the Amish people.
I would recommend this book to girl between the ages of 10 and 12.
3 and half stars
Although different in many aspects, the author has created a character with many of the same concerns as many teenagers outside the Amish community. Like most 16 year old girls, Lizzie worries about her hair, her fashions, weight gain, and boys. At the same time, Byler has educated the reader and dispelled myths regarding the Amish people.
I would recommend this book to girl between the ages of 10 and 12.
3 and half stars
August 18, 2014
Lizzie glick and her family move to a small farm in a new community and Lizzie struggles in the new environment. She isn't interested in cooking, baking, sewing or any of the other responsibilities of a wife and mother, including babies. She has a hot temper and feels like she doesn't fit in and that her parents love her "perfect" sister more. She finally turns 16 and starts attending youth gatherings only to become even more confused --- "to be continued". What drove me crazy about this book is too many flashbacks that seemed to interrupt the pace of the story.
April 2, 2011
Doesn't a young adult book about Amish people written by an Amish person sound right up my alley? Too bad the book was so painful to read... The glimpse into the Amish lifestyle was interesting, but I could feel myself getting an eating disorder just reading this book. And then there's the lack of plot, and the fact that our main character was whiny and generally unpleasant for most of the book.
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