An enjoyable book with a good lead and plenty to say on certain spiritual matters and beliefs.
Plot
Rebecca is the youngest daughter of David and Ellie Eash and she's proving to be just as headstrong as her mother, but she's mature and a wonderful person to be around. When love for someone outside the Amish faith and loyalty to her family and church conflict, she has to choose which way to go. Follow her on her journey as she seeks to find the path she should take.
Morality
Both Amish and Mennonites are - for the most part - very concentrated on the things of God and helping those in need, even if they go about it in different ways. Rebecca is a hard worker and a person who wishes for peace all around. She even prays for the grace to be able to treat someone well whom she detests. What is wrong is clearly portrayed as such, and good is rewarded. A character asks forgiveness for his previous actions and the request is granted in good will.
Spiritual Content
The Eashes are Amish. Their friends, the Millers, are Mennonites. This causes some conflict; Rebecca prays for wisdom and eventually makes the choice she believes is right according to Scripture. The Bible is read and quoted. Prayer plays a large part in the tale. A couple "powwows" - events of the gift of healing - take place; there are mixed feelings about the practice. There's a little church-membership-switching done with the belief that it's the will of God. James, Rebecca's love interest, is ordained and later fulfills a dream of being an evangelist.
Violence
A girl's arm catches in a clothes-wringer. A child dies of allergies. A barn catches fire (no one is hurt). Rebecca gets into an accident and receives some injuries.
Drug and Alcohol Content
It's passively mentioned that an Amish boy and two Mennonite boys were caught drinking.
Sexual Content
There is innocent and correctly-approached interest between Rebecca and James.
Rebecca went on a date with a boy she detests (only because she felt bad for saying "no" so many times) and mentions that he tried to kiss her.
Crude or Profane Language or Content
None.
Conclusion
"Ellie" carries you from childhood to a little past motherhood. "Rebecca", on the other hand, takes a much closer look at the life of an Amish girl in her twenties. The tale is less rushed year-wise and gives us an over-all plot and struggle.
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