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Julia's Hope (Wortham Family #1)
by
Leisha Kelly
Like countless others in 1931, Samuel Wortham lost his job. And he lost his wife's inheritance, their home, and much of his self-respect. Samuel, his wife, Julia, and their two young children hitchhike from Pennsylvania to Illinois in hope of work. Caught on the road by a sudden storm, the Worthams take shelter in an abandoned farmhouse out of desperation.
Feeling oddly at...more
Feeling oddly at...more
Paperback, 320 pages
Published
April 5th 2012
by Fleming H. Revell Company
(first published December 31st 2001)
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My 5-star rating is more for the spiritual backdrop and development of this book than for great writing skill or a well-conceived plot. It's a light read with a solid foundation.
I don't know if I can explain this very well -- I so admired the true Christian spirit embodied in these characters, and how they realistically lived out their faith amid life's challenges and hopes. That perspective was absolutely refreshing to me. No misguided theologies here, such as Pollyanna sunshiny everything-is-s...more
I don't know if I can explain this very well -- I so admired the true Christian spirit embodied in these characters, and how they realistically lived out their faith amid life's challenges and hopes. That perspective was absolutely refreshing to me. No misguided theologies here, such as Pollyanna sunshiny everything-is-s...more
This was a sweet little book in the Christian genre. Takes place during the Depression and follows a family with two children that has lost everything - job, home, and any means of support. They begin hitchhiking to a cousin's home in Illinois for the promise of a job, only to find disappointment at the end. They find shelter during a rainstorm in an abandoned farmhouse, then try to locate the owner to get permission to stay there if they fix up the place. What results is a story of kindness and...more
Set in 1931 Illinois, "Julias Hope" is a heart warming and very emotional based story of Samuel and Julia Wortham as their story revolves around a faith deeply rooted in trusting God's providence in the worse of times.
Stripped of their home, their savings and the material possessions of their former live, Samuel and Julia find hope in the form of an abandoned farm and its former resident, Emma, despite the steep resistance of town members who quickly judge them for having worse intentions.
I trul...more
Stripped of their home, their savings and the material possessions of their former live, Samuel and Julia find hope in the form of an abandoned farm and its former resident, Emma, despite the steep resistance of town members who quickly judge them for having worse intentions.
I trul...more
This is a solid start to a new series by Leisha Kelly, a new author. I liked the way Kelly wrote the book, alternating chapters between voices - mostly told through the eyes and voice of Julia and Samuel Wortham. I also liked the seed of hope and how Leisha Kelly planted it within Julia, one of the main characters, and watered it and grew it in Julia and in Julia's family. It made me think about hope, the reality of it and what it can look like if we just give ourselves to hope, if we just choos...more
Not a bad book, for the genre. The time is the Great Depression, and the Wortham family is hoping for a new life when all plans fall through. They stay in an abandoned farmhouse, and this night leads them to a home and a future and a new family. It's a Christian fiction book but not as obviously preachy as many. Some of the characters are almost too good to be true, but when I think about it, I know people who would do all of the things people did in this novel, so it isn't unrealistic. There ar...more
Storyline follows a family who, unfortunately, are experiencing the Depression era in the worst way, jobless and penniless, and wandering the midwest searching for a safe place to stay with their children. I really enjoyed reading this book so much, I read the next two books in the series. The Wortham family lives from day to day, finding ways to feed their family, and unexpectedly finds a home to live in and eventually making it their home. Great story of commitment, faith, family, and commitme...more
Sep 28, 2008
Stacy
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Gail
Shelves:
books-we-own,
christian-fiction
First in the Wortham Family series by new-to-me author Leisha Kelly. This is good old-fashioned Christian fiction at its best, at least for me. Sweet, charming, quaint, old-fashioned, simple, heart-warming. No action, just lots of details about life and faith.
The premise - the Wortham Family (father Samuel, mother Julia, children Robert and Sarah) have lost everything in the Great Depression, including their home in Harrisburg PA and their entire life savings. They leave with the barest of essen...more
The premise - the Wortham Family (father Samuel, mother Julia, children Robert and Sarah) have lost everything in the Great Depression, including their home in Harrisburg PA and their entire life savings. They leave with the barest of essen...more
It was a good read. I am not a fan of books where each character tells the story like in this book. I prefer chapters where you don't have to wonder who "I" is. While the story was good , it was a little unbelievable even for fiction. My biggest complaint though is the abrubt end of the book. The transition to the sequel is not there. I would really rate it 2 1/2 stars. I will read the rest of the series if I get them for free but its not worth buying.
Julia and her family find an angel in the form of an elderly woman in the days leading up to the Depression. They help take care of each other and bring the woman's farm back to life. It's a good read with a lot of Christian references. The book is set in the Midwest. The author gives information about the time period through the characters and descriptions of life. I didn't know it was the first in a series. I would definitely read the others.
Book #1 This whole series (Wortham Family Series) remains one of my favorites. The order after this book is Emma's Gift, Katie's Dream. There is another series by Leisha Kelly that has these same characters--also very good, called the Country Road Chronicles: Rachel's Prayer, Rorie's Secret and Sarah's Promise (haven't read the last one yet). I love Leisha Kelly's style. She makes you really feel like you know the characters!
This was pretty good. It is a quick, simple read; kinda like mind candy. Set during the depression, it follows the lives of a family as they struggle to survive, after losing everything. They run into people that fear and distrust them; as well as a few that are willing to bless them. The plot isn't complex and neither is the dialog, but the message is clear. Trust in the Lord and He will provide. This a good "Feel Good" book.
This book was told in first person style but each chapter the author changed the person who was telling the story. Even though it helped you to see how each main character was affected by what was happening and what they were thinking, it was a little distracting for me. I kept having to check the top of the page to see who was telling the story.
Her books are very simple. They are set in the times of the Great Depression and then go on from there. I like books that give me an idea of what life would have been like at different times. They are realistic. I enjoyed the first few and have her last two to read.
I first read this book about five years ago. The story stuck with me and I would think about it periodically. However, the title didn't stick so it took me a while to find it to re-read. Very enjoyable story of the importance of faith and hope.
Apr 11, 2007
Marilyn
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Inspirational fiction
Shelves:
inspiration
I enjoyed this book very much!!
It has a clean fresh approach!! The only four letter words were hope, love, and pray. It tells a story of a much simpler life where hard times were approached with trust in God and neighbor helping neighbor. The characters were based on the hard working, church going type of people our Christian ancestors were who settled in this great country of ours and made it as great as it is today. I only wish we could go back to a time when we lived life with the same outlo...more
It has a clean fresh approach!! The only four letter words were hope, love, and pray. It tells a story of a much simpler life where hard times were approached with trust in God and neighbor helping neighbor. The characters were based on the hard working, church going type of people our Christian ancestors were who settled in this great country of ours and made it as great as it is today. I only wish we could go back to a time when we lived life with the same outlo...more
I wasn't certain I would enjoy a book set during the Great Depression, but this is truly outstanding. The title is well-chosen, for Leisha Kelly shows us what hope -- and God's love -- can do in even the direst of circumstances.
It was a good book about surviving through the depression in America. It was good to be reminded of how bad people had it back then. It makes our problems feel so much smaller. It is a 'Christian' novel but it doesn't throw religion at you - it just is their way of life. I have the next book in this series ready to start.
I had a hard time with the slang used during the depression. But the characters in this book sure made due with very little. It was OK. The author seemed to talk about the same thing over and over again
Almost finished with the Christian book about the depression and the sharing and love of neighbors - very heartwarming & makes one grateful for all the things we have today that we take for granted.
I have read all but one of Leisha Kelly's books and they are excellent. She was tragically killed in a car accident last year. I will miss her unique and wonderful way of storytelling!
julia was a woman of faith and hope.After reading i learnt that having hope can push one to another level.thanks to the great hearted Emma Graham who save them.
This was a good story about a couple who lost everything, but made do with the simple things of life. It is about neighborliness and kindness.
This is the first of a series. It is such a good book. Julia and Samuel are a great couple who face great challenges with faith and love.
This is a wonderful book of faith, hope, courage and perserverence . Will definitely read the next book in the series.
Jul 24, 2012
Shelby
marked it as to-read
Like Wicked, I started this book but never finished it, but from what I saw it was a really good book. Just need to restart.
Really liked this series. I have read the series twice in the last 3 or 4 years. I feel like you can learn from the characters.
This book is the start to an awesome series. Very well-written. Very faith based. Has you on the edge of your seat emotionally.
Good book to pick up and read easily. Characters are likable and the Depression-era setting is interesting.
Here again...Leisha Kelly is a brilliant writer. I lived in this book!
I enjoyed it. Simple farm story, simple characters. I would recommend.
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aka L.A. Kelly
A resident of Clayton, Ill., Kelly authored 11 books, including the best-selling historical fiction series centered around the Wortham and Hammond families—published by Revell/Baker Publishing Group. Her most recent book, The House on Malcolm Street, was published by Revell in September 2010.
Kelly, who home-schooled her two children, served as children's ministry director and youth m...more
More about Leisha Kelly...
A resident of Clayton, Ill., Kelly authored 11 books, including the best-selling historical fiction series centered around the Wortham and Hammond families—published by Revell/Baker Publishing Group. Her most recent book, The House on Malcolm Street, was published by Revell in September 2010.
Kelly, who home-schooled her two children, served as children's ministry director and youth m...more
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Jan 20, 2008 12:56pm