Children's Book Review: Becky

 

Book Review: Becky

Written by: Yoder, Sara J.

Publisher: Pathway Publishers

Year: 1990

Illustrations: Zimmerman, Julie

 

Becky is a children’s book written for readers approximately 8 to 12 years of age. It is a story about a young girl named Becky who lives in an Amish community with her parents and siblings. Theirs is a close-knit family that cares about and looks after one another, enjoys working together, and spends a good deal of time with other families in their tight-knit society.

The stories in the book are simplistic but well-written for the target age. They speak of the ==relationship between Becky and her family as well as the many friends she has. It discusses her love of animals and the adventures that love leads her into.

Children of all ages and walks of life will experience the Amish way of life as they read Becky. Through Becky’s experiences, they can visualize caring for the farm animals, growing and preserving their food rather than shopping at a grocery store, and preparing the fields with a plow pulled by horses instead of a tractor. They can be there in their imaginations as Becky and her friends play and learn about games Amish children play, some familiar and some they have never encountered before. Most importantly, readers will learn about the culture and beliefs that are a substantial component of the Amish world.

Becky is a terrific source of information for children at the preteen level to learn and understand about a culture and way of life that is different than their own. I would highly recommend this book for both girls and boys of this age group.