Converting Kate

by Beckie Weinheimer

Kate was raised in the Holy Divine Church. It influenced everything from her homeschooling to her handmade clothes. But ever since her unbelieving father's death last year, she has suspected that there's more to life than memorizing scripture.

Taking advantage of their move to a new town, Kate to her devout mother's horror quits Holy Divine. She joins the cross-country team, wears shorts to public school, and even tries a traditional Christian church. As she struggles to come to terms with her father's death and her mother's unquestioning beliefs, Kate discovers there's a big difference between religion and faith—and that the two don't always go hand in hand.

Genres: Young Adult, Religion, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Contemporary, Teen, Coming Of Age

312 pages, Hardcover

First published March 15, 2007

About the author

Married 36 years

Two adult daughters.

Currently Live in NYC and Tenants Harbor ME

Have lived in Utah, Arizona, California,Iowa, Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Virginia,Florida and NYC.

Hobbies: Writing, reading, walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, oceans, oceans, oceans, shopping, movies, making cookies, gardening.

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was wonderful and so thought-provoking. Kate has been raised in her mother's strict faith, living her life according to the (fictitious) Holy Divine Church, but after her father dies and they move to a new city, Kate begins questioning the religion she once accepted as the one true way and finds her assumptions challenged and her beliefs more confused than ever.

What I really liked about this book is how much it made you ponder beliefs that we may just accept as fact. Kate, her uber-religious mother, and all the other characters are well drawn. Kate's arguments with her mother, who is terrified of Kate exploring the rest of the world because it could interfere with her beliefs, do not shy away from important issues, nor do they feel one-sided; Kate's mother is every bit as vocal about her opinions as Kate is questioning them, and while I do not sympathize with her mom's actual beliefs, I do feel a little bad for her because of the hurt she's clearly feeling.

I love the numerous friends and acquaintances Kate makes at her new school. Each of them is so different, and the interactions she has with each rings true. She grows as a person through the book, and it is in no small part because of these individuals who make her think about why she feels the way she does about things, though her upbringing crops up (as expected) now and then when it comes to her thoughts on matters.

Another thing I loved about this book is that despite how Kate feels far away from her church and devoid of a true belief system, she finds the strength to stand up to her mother and do things like attend another church in town, where the pastor encourages her to question life instead of just believing blindly. Some of my favorite parts in this book are conversations between the two of them; you really get a sense of how important the pastor's words are to her in her quest for faith.

I'm so glad I randomly saw this book at the library because it's one of the most thought-provoking books I've read in a long time and one of the better teen books out there. I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone willing to question why we believe the things we believe and think about how this affects our actions.

[Ash · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was well written and interesting, but I didn't like the message at the end.

Quick Overview: Kate and her mother are members of a cult-like church. While Kate's mother is still a strong believer in the church, Kate is having doubts and second thoughts about whether she really believes the teachings. The church created conflict between her parents and ended in their divorce. Now it is causing tension between Kate and her mother. After her father dies of a heart attack Kate and her mother move to Maine to live in her aunt Katherine's inn. Kate goes to a new school and begins to make friends. During this time she begins to break away from her "mother's church" and comes to the conclusion of her own beliefs.

I know that the overview doesn't seem to make the book sound bad. It isn't bad. I just didn't like that at the conclusion of the book Kate seems to believe that religion just restricts you to certain rules that control your life. It makes the conclusion that religion is full of hypocrites and seemed to dismiss all religions as being the same as the cult-like church she used to attend. I think that it's important to believe in something other than yourself, because sometimes you can't rely on just you. The author should have given religion a little more credit.

[Lynette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Just wonderful! I find it interesting that the bad reviews were given by religious people. I was raised Methodist, but now I am not religious at all. Why? Well, just like Kate, once you start actually thinking for yourself, you realize that religion is ridiculous and a form of control. I am MUCH happier without religion, and I still lead as good of a life as I did before - better, maybe, because I'm not doing it because I "have" to.

But hey, some people need that safety blanket. I escape to books like Lord of the Rings when the world gets too much to me - religion is just like another fantasy world. I don't begrudge people who believe, but the people who belong to these crazy cults ARE seriously disturbing. If you want to believe something that makes you happy, go for it; if it hurts others, then it is NOT good.

Anyway, I was cheering for Kate all through this book. Good for her, and good for Ms. Weinheimer.

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read Converting Kate several times now and with each reading, find a different pearl of wisdom hidden within it's pages. I have read it outloud on a long roadtrip with my partner and we both cried together over Kate's journey, seeing our own similar experiences in her "conversion." I have also read it silently to myself - slowly pondering each chapter on completion.

I always find a true mark of a great story whether on page, the movie screen or elsewhere to be one where the characters come alive in my mind and seem so real that weeks, months or years after experiencing their story I might stop and wonder what they are up to now ... I can't help but wonder what Kate is up to now.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book...I don't even know where to start. I mean, it's not something I would've found on Goodreads and went "Wow. That's something I want to read." Because it's not my normal book. I happened to have extra time one day while I was in the library and I picked it up, liking the cover. But this story is really deep.

Kate has been a part of the Church of the Holy Divine her entire life...until her father died and she began doubting what she believed in. Now she has to decide what's real.

This books has a lot of excellent points in it that it tries to get across, but let me just say that it never came off a preachy to me. It's very religious, but it has a way of delivering it in a way that's not offensive. It gives you something to think about.

What I loved best about this book is that things like this are happening every day. In the author's note, Ms. Weinheimer tells us this story is partially based on her life in a controlling church. And I love that she's sharing that story.

[Gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book was recommended to me by my friend Sara, after a conversation we had one day about different religions. I have to say, in the first quarter of the book I was a little worried that the book was going in a direction that I didn't want to read about.. But I was pleasantly surprised!

One of the main things I liked about this book, is that the main character Kate, who was pushed in to a cultish religion by her mother, was able to decide for herself that that kind of life wasn't for her. Although the main character does end up attending a different church for part of the book, I am very glad the author let Kate navigate her own way through it without getting into much of the religious details. Overall I really enjoyed this book, and was rooting for Kate to find her self in this book.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book probably at least once a year since the first time and nothing can stop me. It's a fast read not because just because it's short but because it's enthralling. As a person of unspecific but definite faith, I don't see it as anti-religious, but rather an example of open mindedness and acceptance. I think I first read this back in 2007 when it was first published, and it is one of the most mindset-influencing of my Mindset-Influence shelf. And, as a person who can empathize with Kate's particular struggle of grief, it did as usual make me cry a little. <3

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

After her father's unexpected death, Kate begins to question the conservative religious tradition that she has been brought up in. When she and her mother locate to a new town, Kate discovers new ideas, new friends, and is able to gain a sense of peace about her father's place in her life and his ultimate death.

I liked a number of things about this novel. Kate was a likable character and some of the novel's minor characters were well-drawn and interesting. However, the novel's primary focus, Kate's rejection of her traditional religious upbringing lacked subtlety. In the novel, anyone identified as 'Christian' was narrow-minded, ignorant and filled with hate. Non-Christians were liberal and tolerant. I'm sure many teens questioning their religious backgrounds do see things this starkly, but a more sophisticated view, which allowed Kate to question her beliefs while recognizing that there were good, loving aspects of the tradition she was leaving might be more realistic and helpful to teens.

I also found myself distracted by the fact that 'The Church of the Holy Divine', described as being a fundamentalist Christian church with cult-like overtones, was actually a thinly veiled version of the LDS Church. I think it might have been a more interesting and honest story if the author had been more open about this. It certainly would have provided a better context for the reader to understand the rich tradition and culture that Kate was choosing to leave behind.

[Int'l librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Religion is at the center of this book. Kate is 15 years old, her father has died, and she has just moved to Maine. She has the chance to start a new life, away from the strict rules of the religion she grew up with. At the same time, Kate's mom is working desperately to keep her in the church.

It's almost impossible to like the mom - she tries to forbid Kate to go to malls, listen to popular music, read non-religious novels, or ever go anywhere with boys.

The author is writing in part from her own experience as the member of a very strict religious faith. Weinheimer does a wonderful job of showing how hard it is for Kate to break with her traditions and her past. There are a lot of side stories to Kate's learning process, and all of the characters have their own struggles to resolve. More than anything else, "Converting Kate" seems like a very honest and heartfelt book.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate's struggles with religion reminded me of my own ongoing ones; it's sometimes difficult to accept the black-and-white of life when there's just so much GREY. Pastor Browning was a perfect example of what a servant of god should resemble; kind, open-minded, charitable, and more. We should be focused on loving a person for their soul, not by any other superfluous distinction. I find myself wanting to fall back into faith after meeting him, but then again, I completely remember why I don't when we see Kate's mother.

[bumblethunderbeast · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish there had been a book with this sort of honest faith exploration when I was a teen. Forget the shallow stereotypes and see how relationships are woven around beliefs. What is true charity? Is it love or manipulation to befriend someone to proselytize them? how do actions coincide or diverge from scriptural exhortations? and the descriptions of high school life match some of my own angst-ridden challenges. well-done!

[Josephine Mercado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, Interesting, and Surprising, this book was beyond amazing. It remains my favorite book, when I found it in the back corner of my library. I found it to be very relatable and would definitely recommend this to anyone thinking of reading it.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this book deals particularly with religion, I think it would be appreciated by any teen who finds they feel differently about a significant issue than their parents.

[Joséphine (Word Revel) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate is a character I'm going to remember for a long time to come. She is someone I'd like to be friends with if I were to meet her in real life. Most of the time I remember books for their stories and their ideas but I will remember this book for the person whose story was portrayed and whose ideas seeped through the pages.

Converting Kate is one of those books that are very unassuming when you first pick them up. I wanted to read it because the portrayal of religion and religious beliefs in fiction tends to bring a depth that doesn't get explored a lot. Somehow characters' faiths and beliefs aren't brought up much, or at least haven't been brought up much in the YA books I've picked up over the past year. That's why I've been seeking them out more intentionally and that is how I found this book right here.

When I read Converting Kate, I was surprised how multifaceted the plot and the characters were. I thought I'd just be reading a book that dealt with questioning the religious order of the (fictitious) Church of the Holy Divine and Kate grappling with her faith. I got so much more out of the book than that.

While loss of a loved one and grief are common plot lines, it felt different reading about Kate coming to terms with the death of her father. Kate's parents had been divorced largely because her father wouldn't convert into her mother's religion. I think that these circumstances gave a voice to those whose parents don't share the same faith. There's a constant tug-of-war between the parents with regards to how their children should be raised. Even if one parent accedes, that doesn't reduce the internal struggles of their children, especially when adhering to one religion over the other also feels like expressing greater love for one parent over the other.

Besides the religious aspects of Converting Kate, I also liked the exploration of how books influence our lives. If Kate's mother had her way, Kate would've only read the Bible and religious paraphernalia distributed by the Church of the Holy Divine. Kate however filled her mind with the literature that her father held so dear.

Coming from such a conservative household, Kate wasn't prepared for things that were considered evil to be commonplace in the rest of the world. Talking to boys and not to mention, being alone with one were very foreign concepts to her. Fitting in socially was a challenge, and when she came across the possibility of homosexuality actually being acceptable in society, she was overwhelmed. Her responses and thoughts on all these matters along with her questioning mind made me want to sit down with her over a cup of tea to talk about all these things that left her unsure.

Since Kate also was cross-country runner, I must say Converting Kate contained a lot of elements that get me excited when I find them in books: depth (in narrative and characterization), sports, religion, and strong friendships among the characters.

This review is also available on dudettereads.com.

[Monica Caldicott]

Kate's view of life has been pretty small - home school with her mother, church 3 times a week, no television or books other than the Bible. The Church of the Holy Divine is a powerful influence in her life - until the day her father dies and Kate begins to question her very beliefs. Divorced from her mother when Kate was 10 years old, her dad encouraged her to think for herself and, as evidence, he left her his bookshelf full of books. But now that he's gone, Kate feels like a ship lost at sea.
 
Slowly, Kate's outer shell begins to crack - a new school, running on the cross-country team, hearing a more traditional religious viewpoint from Pastor Browning. What seems to make her feel most different, however, is being close to Will. A senior who works on his grandfathers lobster boat each morning before school, Will is friendly, strong and seems capable of anything, even of making Kate into a different person. 

[Cindy Dyson Eitelman · Rating 2 out of 5]

The title is misleading--it should have been, How To Live With A Religious Fanatic...and stay somewhat sane. You pretty much know from the first pages that she's given up on her mother's religion. There's no 'converting'. She's just learning how to find a place for herself in a world where there are no predefined lines. There are no church schedules, church friends, or church code of conduct. It's all up to her.

It's an interesting book but I wouldn't exactly call it a favorite. Even though the topic was deep, some of the characters were sadly shallow.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was recommended by a good friend (also a librarian) who, also like me, left the conservative Christian religion she had been raised with. Dawn and I both often consider literature our therapy, and that's exactly what this book was for me. Beyond that, it's a great story that would interest middle school/high school girls--it's got friendship, romance, athletics, and especially major mother conflicts!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well worth reading! Someone on CCBC recommended this as a favorite of 2007, and I am always interested in stories about faith and seekers and doubters. I especially liked how Kate turned her ability to memorize Bible passages into a determination to remember favorite passages from her dad's books.

There's a lot going on in this story--grief, faith, friendship, identity. Well written!

[Romie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very emotional and touching book to read. After her non-religious father's untimely death, a young girl struggles with the beliefs in the strict religion in which her mother has raised her. She questions her faith, relationships, purpose and existence, while forming some strong and not-so-strong new relationships with friends and family.

[Pepper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book over all. Many of the under pinning philosophies are very true. Elements of the Kate's struggle reminded me of the Patron Saint of Butterflies, another awesome book. If you come from a background where many religious people look at life in a black and white fashion then take note from Kate and look through the glass darkly.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put it down. I liked the perspective of what is like to grow up isolated by religion and how the mainstream world is foreign. I also like the recognition of the mother's love, and that the child sees that even as she is rebelling against the mother's religion. Good stuff too on how to tell the difference between attraction, lust, like, and friendship.

[Ricky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good stuff, but I only bring it down to four stars because it feels a bit incomplete and there's no sequel. Neatly written, very surprising at times, and Pastor Browning's story gets pretty sad in the end.

Again, though, it doesn't really leave me with much in the way of closure. Which sucks.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH MY GOSH THIS BOOK IS COMPLTELY ADDICTING! Once again, I usually don't read this type of book, but I am so glad I started it. It's interesting, and just GREAT writing.

[Barbara Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I have read lately. Lots of issues but great hearts and good examples of friendship

[Kilana Brammer · Rating 5 out of 5]

It taught me that you can't judge people by their religion.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very interesting. It makes you wonder and keeps things going. Anyone will love it.

[Megan Albertson · Rating 3 out of 5]

"converting kate" was pretty good. i liked how the guys played opposite roles than i thought in the beginning. i love being surprised by stuff like that:)

[Cicely · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story about the trials of a young woman and her spiritual awakening.

[Mary Farrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kate is a feisty character who I enjoyed following through this story.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book...so many times. It's close to my heart in a weird way, I think probably the Maine thing and the 'youth grappling with faith and belief' thing both.