"The Amish Teacher's Gift"
By Rachel J. Good
About the Book:
Genre: Amish Romance
Release Date: April 24, 2018
Widower Josiah Yoder wants to be a good father. But it’s not easy with a deaf young son who doesn’t understand why his mamm isn’t coming home. At a loss, Josiah enrolls Nathan in a special-needs school and is relieved to see his son immediately comforted by his new teacher, a woman whose sweet charm and gentle smile just might be the balm they both need.
With seven siblings to care for, Ada Rupp wasn’t sure she wanted to take on teaching too. But the moment she holds Nathan in her arms, she realizes she’ll do all she can to help this lost little boy. Plus, it gives her a chance to spend more time with Josiah. Falling for a man in mourning may be against the rules, but his quiet strength is the support Ada never knew she needed. Yet with no time to court and a family secret holding her back, how can she allow herself to fall in love?
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My Thoughts:
The first impression I had, upon beginning to read this book, was that it was unique in its characters and their difficulties. It is not often that an author chooses to tackle a sensitive subject such as special needs children and even more rare to find them in Amish fiction. Rachel Good writes an informative, touching tale about a classroom and the very special children and teacher that warm your heart to the very core. As a former teacher, I am always interested in how others are able to challenge and succeed with these high needs children. I found myself thinking of former students and their challenges. What could I have done differently???
The characters are extremely well described and so realistic that you at once identify with them and walk alongside them on their unique, rocky road toward success. What on earth is success?? Well, the author does a superior job of relating how each individual in this story meets their potential through the works of a sensitive, loving teacher.
Within this masterpiece is also a wonderful love story, one that differs from the norm. Yes, the challenges and obstacles may vary, but love does win when God's plan is carried out.
Is the plot interesting? To that question, I have to answer yes. There are many unexpected roadblocks in this book. This is not a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat, rather, it makes you pause in your busy life and reflect. How can each of us make a difference in another's life? Does one being different
really matter?? Each of us has a very special place in God's plan.
Thank you , Rachel Good, for reminding me!! What a fantastic read!!
The first impression I had, upon beginning to read this book, was that it was unique in its characters and their difficulties. It is not often that an author chooses to tackle a sensitive subject such as special needs children and even more rare to find them in Amish fiction. Rachel Good writes an informative, touching tale about a classroom and the very special children and teacher that warm your heart to the very core. As a former teacher, I am always interested in how others are able to challenge and succeed with these high needs children. I found myself thinking of former students and their challenges. What could I have done differently???
The characters are extremely well described and so realistic that you at once identify with them and walk alongside them on their unique, rocky road toward success. What on earth is success?? Well, the author does a superior job of relating how each individual in this story meets their potential through the works of a sensitive, loving teacher.
Within this masterpiece is also a wonderful love story, one that differs from the norm. Yes, the challenges and obstacles may vary, but love does win when God's plan is carried out.
Is the plot interesting? To that question, I have to answer yes. There are many unexpected roadblocks in this book. This is not a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat, rather, it makes you pause in your busy life and reflect. How can each of us make a difference in another's life? Does one being different
really matter?? Each of us has a very special place in God's plan.
Thank you , Rachel Good, for reminding me!! What a fantastic read!!
This book was received as a gift. The thoughts and opinions expressed are honest and my own.
About the Author:
Rachel J. Good grew up near Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the setting for her Amish novels. Striving to be as authentic as possible, she spends time with her Amish friends, doing chores on their farm and attending family events. Rachel loves to travel and visit many different Amish communities.
Rachel is the author of several Amish series in print or forthcoming – Sisters & Friends series, Love & Promises series, and two books in the Hearts of Amish Country series – as well as the Amish Quilts Coloring Books and the contemporary novella, Angels Unaware, part of the Hope Chapel series. In addition, she has stories in the anthologies Springs of Love and Love’s Thankful Heart.
She’d love to have you visit her website, or connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and Bookbub. Rachel also enjoys meeting readers and will be doing talks and booksignings around the country this year. To find out more about Rachel and her books, you can sign up for her newsletter: http://bit.ly/1qwci4Q .
Guest Post from Rachel J. Good
Heart-Tugging Research
Sometimes as an author, stories call to you and beg you to write them. This story first tugged at my heart after I spent time with an Amish friend’s special needs child. I thought about writing a book to show how the Amish treat each child as a gift from God. After meeting a hearing-impaired teen girl with Down’s syndrome and seeing how she was encouraged to live up to her potential, the idea grew stronger. This girl later became Martha in the book.
Then at an auction, I watched a young Down’s syndrome boy help the auctioneer by delivering the goods to the bidders. His straw hat tilted a little crookedly, but with a broad smile on his face, he carefully matched items with the correct bidder. He looked so proud of himself and proud to be able to do such an important job. I sat there at the auction and jotted notes for the novel.
Once I knew the topic of the novel, I began my research by visiting Amish schools for special needs, attending auctions to support them, and touring the Community Care Center, where Amish and Mennonite children and adults with special needs get amazing help. The young man in the wheelchair who showed us around was an awesome guide. We peeked into an exercise room, a therapy room, a craft room, several classrooms, a cafeteria, and my favorite—a multi-sensory environment. This room with dark walls lit only by a small row of twinkling Christmas lights had a ball pit (with the plastic balls like some fast food restaurants have in their play areas), a plush recliner, blankets, headphones, and a hammock. Autistic children at the center found this room a great calming atmosphere. I knew this room had to have a place in the book.
I visited a teacher who taught autistic children and learned a lot about programs, therapies, and teaching techniques. After learning the cutting edge techniques she used, I was surprised to realize that the Amish had adopted quite a few of them for their classrooms. I chose a hearing-impaired boy for the hero’s son because I had a nephew with hearing problems, so I could incorporate some of the struggles he had into the story.
I wanted this series to be about the healing power of love, so each book will deal with a different type of healing. When something touches my heart like this, I always pray it will touch the readers’ hearts too.
Blog Stops
Carpe Diem, May 8
Texas Book-aholic, May 8
The Avid Reader, May 9
Among the Reads, May 9
Reading Is My SuperPower, May 10
The Fizzy Pop Collection, May 10
Lighthouse Academy, May 10
Ansel book blog, May 11
Bibliophile Reviews, May 12
Splashes of Joy, May 12
books n baubles, May 13
A Baker’s Perspective, May 13
cherylbbookblog, May 14
Maureen’s Musings, May 14
Captive Dreams Window, May 14
Blossoms and Blessings, May 15
Mary Hake, May 15
Janices book reviews, May 15
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, May 16
SusanLovesBooks, May 16
A Simply Enchanted Life, May 17
proud to be an autism mom, May 17
Jeanette’s Thoughts, May 17
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 18
Artistic Nobody, May 18 (Spotlight)
margaret kazmierczak, May 18 (Interview)
Quiet Quilter, May 19
Red Headed Book Lady, May 19
Bigreadersite, May 20
Christian Author, J.E.Grace, May 20
Simple Harvest Reads, May 20 (Spotlight)
Pink Granny’s Journey, May 21
Vicky Sluiter, May 21
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Rachel is giving away a grand prize package of a tote, an autographed copy of The Amish Teacher’s Gift, and an autographed copy of Hearts Reunited!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/cee3/the-amish-teacher-s-gift-celebration-tour-giveaway
Thank you for your wonderful review on "The Amish Teacher's Gift" by Rachel J. Good and for being part of the book tour.
ReplyDeleteLove Rachel's books and adore this goregous cover!
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Enjoyed the review.
ReplyDeleteThis book is definitely one I want. My son's was a special education student, and special needs education has come a long way in the past twenty years. Thank you, Rachel Good, for writing about this!
ReplyDelete