Morris was the first Christian fiction writer I read and this the first book. I picked this up in a Christian bookshop and enjoyed it so much that I bought the rest of the series of 4. The story is set around a Christian family living in a simple rural area. It is about the various trials they experience due to death and absence of key members of the family for various reasons. I especially liked the sense of community encapsulated in the series and that everything is linked back to the strong Christian faith of the lead characters. There is also a romantic storyline running throughout which doesn't take centre stage but is another reason to keep reading. I read the series twice over the last 5 years and it has become a favourite. Recommended for anyone who wants to read something wholesome that keeps the attention. ( )

Reading about people living during the Depression gave me a new appreciation for what they went through—and made me pray that we won't be going through the same thing. ( )