Title: Snowbirds
Author: Crissa-Jean Chappell
Published: January 18th 2017
Secrets Were a Way of Life.
But Secrets Have Gone Too Far …
Every year, Lucy waits eagerly for the arrival of the “snowbirds,” the Old Order Amish who come trundling into Florida on buses from the north, bringing Lucy’s best friend Alice, with whom she’s spent every winter she can remember. This winter is different. At sixteen, Alice is in the middle of “Rumspringa,” a season in which Amish teens try out forbidden temptations, in order to get them out of their system. Lucy is part of a different sect, in which teens aren’t allowed such bold experimentation, and she’s fighting to keep up as Alice races from one wild party to the next. Then, one night after just such a party, Alice vanishes. Wracked by guilt, Lucy knows that she should have been watching out for Alice, but instead, she was kissing Faron, an Older Order boy shunned by his society. Now, Lucy plunges into a search for her best friend—while also hiding her own secret, which could put her in even more danger.
What I liked:
This is my very first time that I’ve read a book that talks about the Amish community. I thought that it was fascinating to read about them. Before this book, I knew very little about them and now I feel a little bit more aware of their lifestyles and how they even have different beliefs within their community.
I really liked the main character. Lucy feels an odd one out within her community despite respecting it and living accordingly. I think it’s amazing that she dreams and tries to purchase a career even though it is not very acceptable. She also proves to be a good friend when she goes looking for her friend Alice after she disappears mysteriously and without notice. Lucy is obliged to break many rules along the way to achieve her purpose and doing so, disturbs the quiet life that she is used to.
Snowbird‘s storyline is captivating. It is a combination of friendship, loyalty, beliefs, family values, and risks. There was also a wonderful relationship between Lucy and her father. Even though Lucy’s dad is strict about their Amish community and lifestyle, he comes through for Lucy constantly in his own way even though he finds it hard most of the times because it goes against his beliefs. In my opinion, I think that was one of the strongest topics and loving gestures inside this story.
There were some parts of the story where Lucy seemed a little off character, but other than that I thought it was great.
Final Verdict:
Snowbirds was a very enjoyable read for me and sooner than I expected, I was done reading it making it a fast read. It was wonderfully written and the story kept me hooked until the very last page. I recommend Snowbirds to all readers out there looking for a book that takes them through a journey of self-discovery, love, determination, and insight to different cultures/lifestyles.
