Melinda Johnson

When we received this beautiful book, my 5-year old was so excited to read it. She carried it around and sat right next to me when it was time, and her first words after I read the book to her were, "Again, again!" We have read it multiple times (at least once a day) since it arrived, and she loves looking at the beautiful illustrations and hearing the words of the story. I enjoy it as well, particularly as I began to learn more about St. Casilda. I'm grateful that the author and illustrator are working to introduce some lesser-known saints to families. This book, and others by this dynamic duo, makes a great gift for younger readers.… (mehr)

When a book is able to speak into the lives and hearts of its readers, it is a good one. When it simultaneously teaches compassion and the importance of living grace to others who are different or inexplicable, it is a great one. This story does both.

I read this book with my 7 year old daughter, who found herself identifying with some of the actions of the protagonist. It allowed us to revisit a tender spot - one where she had removed something from a friend’s house - and to offer opportunity for more healing and peace. My daughter smiled brightly at the ending (while I was in tears).

For me, the simplicity of the descriptions of Tabby’s life were perfectly written for an adult to fill in the blanks of her hardships while my daughter was able to ask questions and we could talk on her level about Tabby’s life, and how many children experience similar conditions. I appreciated the sensitivity and nuance, and loved watching my daughter grow in compassion.

I am sure this will be re-read multiple times over the years by all of my children and it isn’t one that I will not mind reading aloud over and over. This may be my favorite book by Melinda Johnson to date.… (mehr)

When you start an audiobook and your children immediately pay attention, listening raptly to the story being told, you know you’ve found a good one. It may help that they had already heard “Sam and Saucer,” the first book in the series (I’ve heard a 3rd one is coming), and that they know the author’s voice and associate Melinda Johnson with the story of Sam and the sweet, energetic little Corgi, Saucer, but whatever the reason, the peaceful, happy car ride was worth it.

I enjoyed listening to this book, and I found that it more richly developed the characters introduced in the first story, but did so in a manner that the book also stands alone. I loved the depth of this book and appreciated hearing the characters’ struggles and successes in relationships with one another and with their faith. The stories-within-the-story also led to some creative thinking by my children, as they each talked about what they might write if they were the children in the book.

We appreciated the scene from Christmas, and while the children felt for Sam, they were also overjoyed at the ending, when Sam revealed that while he’d initially been disappointed, he’d learned to look at the situation from a different perspective, one that allowed him to see things from a lens of developing faith.

Another thing that the author did well was to depict the very real struggle of one of the nuns; one that many of us face in our day to day lives: That of comparing ourselves to others. Sister Anna goes so far as to “place a fleece” in order to hear from God, and she’s wisely redirected by the abbess. I felt that it was a good depiction to my children of the fact that not only do children struggle, but adults do, too, and that we’re all learning and growing in faith and love together.

My children and I all look forward to hearing what comes next!… (mehr)

***This book is now available through Audible as an audiobook. That is how I've experienced it - I haven't read the physical paper version, but would love to***

Dear Potential Listener,

I remember meeting a young woman much like the character of Lydia in this book. She about the same age, and her parents were converting to Orthodoxy. She, unlike Lydia, was “going along with” her parents’ conversion, but she had a lot of the same questions and concerns expressed by Lydia. I couldn’t help, as I listened, imagining my young friend at that time in her life. She struggled with what to say to her friends, how to relate to her parents and how to navigate the transition from childhood to adulthood. The questions that Lydia wrestles with in this book may be universal. Her insights, however, show that this character is not as superficial as some teen characters (or actual teens) might be.

Saint Lydia’s responses to young Lydia’s letters to her are thought-provoking and wise. In another review I read about this book, a reader shared that there were elements of “automatic writing” in this story - I disagree. The main character doesn’t imagine up the responses of the saint that she is writing to. The author creates the responses from Saint Lydia, providing an idea of what the interaction could have been; in the story, the teenaged Lydia never actually reads the responses from the Saint. That said, I found the interactions fascinating. It gives a glimpse of the kind of friendship one might develop with a saint or saints. I found myself wishing for a written copy so I could easily highlight and re-read some of the responses and advice that were given.

In my own life, when I’m not at home with family, I work as a therapist. My current population of clients includes those who have seen more and experienced more than most, and who need support to move forward. Lydia’s horrific experience in March of the story resonated as one that many of the people I work with have gone through. The author did a good job of letting me know what had happened without going into too much gory detail. My heart broke with Lydia, and then I sobbed with her in thankfulness for the responses of those who genuinely loved her. The depiction of love shown to her after the event shows so well how we can respond to others who have experienced trauma.

I hope, listener, that you will give yourself a chance to listen and to enjoy it. If you’re thinking of sharing it with your children or teens, it might be better to listen through first, once, just so that you know what is included. Knowing what will be “talked” about can help you consider how to talk about it with your teen if you’re listening together, or if you give it as a gift. The overall messages are spot-on. The depictions of teens and their experiences are also well-done. The best part, though, is that throughout the book, there is an encouragement for the teen (and for all of us) to pursue a relationship with God for oneself, to know His love, to grow in it, and to share it with others. There is a call to depth of life, love, and living.

I hope, listener, that you’ll enjoy this book as much, or hopefully even more than I did.

Much love, Another reader.… (mehr)