A parent might reach for this book when a child is grappling with the emotional fallout of a major life change, particularly the loss of a parent or a move to an unfamiliar place. This gentle historical novel tells the story of Hope and John, siblings who are orphaned in 1851 and sent to live in a reserved and unusual Shaker community. The book tenderly explores their journey through grief as they navigate strange new rules and find an unexpected sense of comfort, purpose, and family. For ages 8-12, it's a quiet, character-driven story that uses a historical lens to show that belonging can be found even after profound loss, and that home is a place where you are loved.
The 19th-century Shaker lifestyle is central and may require context for a modern child.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly with the death of parents, but the event occurs before the story begins. The focus is on the aftermath: grief, loneliness, and the process of adapting to a new life. The setting is deeply religious (Shakerism), and their beliefs inform the community's structure and the children's experience. The resolution is hopeful and reassuring, showing the children finding security and belonging, while still acknowledging the reality of their loss.
Ideal Reader
An introspective child, aged 9-11, who is processing a significant life change like a death, a move, or entering a new family situation (foster or blended). It is well-suited for a reader who appreciates historical fiction and character-driven stories about finding your place in the world.
Parent Prep
A brief conversation about the historical context (1850s America) and the Shakers would be helpful. Parents may want to explain that the Shakers were a real religious group with unique beliefs, such as communal living and celibacy, which is why boys and girls were kept separate. No specific scene is alarming, but the historical and cultural distance may require some explanation for the story to fully resonate. A parent has heard their child say, "I feel so alone," or "I don't belong here," after a major loss or move. The child is struggling to connect with a new environment or family structure and seems withdrawn or sad.
Age Experience
A younger reader (8-9) will connect most with the sibling relationship and the concrete challenges of the new rules. They will feel Hope's frustration and eventual comfort. An older reader (10-12) will better understand the complex emotional landscape of grief, the concept of rebuilding a life, and the nuances of the Shaker community's philosophy. They will appreciate the deeper theme of choosing to embrace a new future.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many contemporary grief stories, this book's unique Shaker setting provides a structured, peaceful, and unusual backdrop for healing. The historical distance allows for a gentle exploration of universal feelings, making it less raw than a modern setting might be. It emphasizes healing through community, routine, and quiet purpose.
Read plot summary
In 1851, after the death of their mother, 11-year-old Hope and her younger brother John are orphaned and sent to a Shaker community in Massachusetts. They must adapt to a strict, communal lifestyle that is foreign and challenging. Hope, in particular, struggles with her grief and clashes with the rigid rules, clinging to a locket from her mother as her last link to the past. Over time, through the quiet kindness of women like Sister Susannah and by finding a role within the community, Hope begins to heal and discovers that a new kind of family and home is possible.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Hope's locket is her most precious possession. Why was it so hard for her to think about giving it up? What did it represent to her?
2
The Shakers had many rules that are different from our lives today. Which rule do you think would have been the hardest for you to follow, and why?
3
At the beginning of the story, Hope does not feel like she belongs. What specific moments or people help her start to feel at home in the Shaker community?
4
Sister Susannah tells Hope, 'Home is where you are loved.' Do you agree? By the end of the book, where do you think Hope and John would say their home is?
