Book Review: Life with Lily

When I first heard about Life with Lily, I was told it was appropriate for 8-12 year olds.  I was pretty sure my boys wouldn't be terribly interested, but the cover and the fact that Lily is six kept me thinking that I wanted to try this out with Trina, also six, even though she is younger than the suggested range.

From the publisher:

Book 1 in the ‘Adventures of Lily Lapp’ series.

Lily is six in this story, just starting first grade in a one-room schoolhouse in upstate New York. Her parents are busy building a farm, and soon animals join the family—Jenny the cow and Chubby the miniature horse. A baby brother arrives, too, which Lily has mixed feelings about. (She wanted a sister!) Aside from a mischievous friend like Mandy Mast, Lily is happy at school and even happier at home.

Trouble is brewing at the schoolhouse and change is on the horizon for Lily and her family.

About the author:

Suzanne Woods Fisher lives with her family in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has one husband, four children, one son-in-law, a brand new grand-baby, and a couple of dogs. She graduated from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California.

Suzanne has contracts with Revell for six more books about the Amish, both fiction and non-fiction. She is also the host of “Amish Wisdom·” on toginet.com, a weekly radio program featuring guests who are connected to Simple Living. 

Visit her website to find out more about Suzanne.

My thoughts:

Well, this hasn't worked out quite as well as I hoped as a read-aloud for Trina.  Trina thought Lily looked really cute and nice, but it is taking a bit of effort for her to get into hearing the story.  So I've been reading it on my own, and I plan to try it as a read-aloud in another few months.  I think she will love it, but maybe that 8-12 age recommendation was a bit more accurate than I assumed.

I think the book is fabulous.  Lily is curious and intelligent and simply a lot of fun.  I am reminded of reading other book series' about bright, inquisitive little girls from times past -- books like Little House in the Big Woods, where Laura is around the age of Lily in this book.  Only Lily is present-day.

This is a series I will continue.  And as we get past the first few chapters, I suspect Trina is going to change her tune.  Or once the weather cools a bit and cuddling up for a story has more appeal. 

You can visit the LitFuse Blog Tour page to see what other people thought of this adorable book!



“Based upon Kinsinger’s own childhood, it’s reminiscent of the Little House on the Prairie books.” —Romantic Times


Celebrate with Suzanne and Mary Ann by entering their contest and RSVPing to the “Life with Lily” Facebook Author Chat Party on 10/16!

Two fortunate winners will receive:

• Either the new Kindle Fire or new Nook HD
• Signed copy of Life with Lily for you and a young reader in your life.  by Melanie Dobson

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 15th. Winner will be announced at the Life with Lily Author Chat Facebook Party on 10/18. Connect with authors Suzanne Woods Fisher and Mary Ann Kinsinger for an evening of book chat, Q&A about Mary Ann’s Amish childhood, trivia, and fun! There will also be gift certificates, books, and other fun prizes!

So grab your copy of Life with Lily and join Suzanne and Mary Ann on the evening of the October 16th for a chance to connect with the authors and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the books – don’t let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 16th!

Disclaimer:  I received this book through LitFuse.  No other compensation was received.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own.