The Penny Whistle

The Mountain Song Legacy #0.5

by B.J. Hoff

In a small Kentucky coal mining town in the late 1800s, teacher Jonathan Stuart and two girls, Maggie MacAuley and Summer Rankin, provide an entire town with a lesson about God and the gift of hope

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Christian

153 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1996

About the author

BJ Hoff’s writing is known for her historical settings, her unforgettable characters, and her lyrical prose. She is the bestselling author of numerous historical fiction series, including the Riverhaven Years, the Mountain Song Legacy, the Song of Erin saga, the American Anthem series, An Emerald Ballad series, and her newest book Harp on the Willow.

Her five-volume Emerald Ballad series was the first major work of fiction to bring the Irish immigration experience to the CBA marketplace, and the work that first brought BJ an international reading audience.

Her readers know they can expect to meet some memorable people in her novels and also know that many of those people will be immigrants; Irish immigrants particularly but not exclusively.

BJ admits to a passion for building worlds. Whether her characters move about in small country towns or metropolitan areas, reside in Amish settlements, secluded mansions, or coal company houses, she creates communities where people can form relationships, raise families, pursue their faith, and experience the mountains and valleys of life.

She’s intent on making her historical novels relevant to the present by developing characters and settings that, while staying true to the history and culture of their times, reflect many of the spiritual trials and social problems faced by contemporary readers. Her novels are meant to be stories that build a bridge from the past to the present.

Her literary awards include the Christianity Today’s Critics Choice Book Award for fiction; a Gold Medallion Award finalist; and a number of Excellence in Media Silver Angel awards. Her books have been translated into many foreign languages, and she frequently hears from her international readers in countries such as Ireland, England, Norway, and Germany.

A former church music director and music teacher, BJ writes from her home in a small town in east central Ohio. She and her husband share a love of music, books, and time spent with their family: two daughters and three lively young grandsons.

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a beautiful story of how surrendering your life to God's will is better than anything the human spirit can do. It brings hope to your would and to those around you. I love stories like this to remind me that the mundane affairs of daily life are so very important in God's eyes. And little deeds do not go unseen. It is a very quick read and even a child could understand the important message conveyed.

[Jamie Leeper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was really well written. You really came to know each character. it was a great story! Short and easy to read. Was a great story of hope!

[April Rudolph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Picked this book up at a little library and I am so glad I did. Beautiful, sad, yet sweet story about a child trying to give the absolute best present to her teacher. Loved it!

[Amber Langston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this for my book club. Wow! What a sweet little book with a beautiful message!

[SabrinaTheBookDragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is SO sweet and sad at the same time!!! It's a beautiful message that hope is always there, and we shouldn't give up!! cannot recommend it enough! ❤️🥰

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely precious book - I am not sure if it is a novella or a short story, but I am sure it is a treasure! This beautiful little hard cover book caught my attention lying on a free book table exchange at a Senior event. I picked up a number of books, but as other sisters of mine were interested in the others, I passed them on to them first, but held tightly to this one. I am so happy I did - it's the kind of book one wants to always keep, but to always share as well. I will!

It's a story of a small mining town, a country school, a young man, 'Mister Stuart', who comes there to teach and his students and experiences while there with more focus on Maggie and Little Summer. I wish the author, B.J. Hoff, was still alive to thank her, but I expect she is one of those angels who might be giving you a nudge on your shoulder from time to time to do the right thing, as Mister Stuart or Jesus would do.

[Jasmine Shadows · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has been years since I ran across a B. J. Hoff book. I had always enjoyed her books when I had read them. This little treasure was no exception. It is very short, but it has a powerful message. This little guy even had me in tears on occasion. She sprinkles spiritual lessons into the story very smoothly and appropriately. I learned after I read it that it was kind of a prequel to a series. I hope that I am able to find the series in one of my local libraries or booksellers. I enjoyed the characters as much as I enjoyed the lessons. The characters were real and believable. Even though it follows the life of a young girl this has something in it for adults to read and enjoy. It is a quick read and well worth the time.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Other reviews before me have summarized the story line and characters. Let's just say that I enjoyed this story deeply. Throughout the story I expected the teacher to disappear and was deeply moved when a different main character died. I was also deeply moved by a special surprise party. This is a special story about loving and caring selflessly. It also portrays selfcenteredness to learn from. Read it if you dare.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short story about hope from God, which Mr. Stuart both gives to and receives from his students.
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I really just wanted to know what happened to the flute, but oh well, not the point, I know.
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I thought the story would end with Maggie and Mr. Stuart getting together, and I was glad that it did not. However, I think that is the fate of the rest of the series…not the student x teacher and 20 year age gap D:.

[Liana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this book thinking I probably wouldn't like it. At first I had a hard time getting into it but the ending was very encouraging to me. I particularly loved where it said "The music of life is within you......not in the world, not in circumstances or external things......you are the instrument, and I (God) am the music."

[Monica Lit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet story of friendship, hope, love, encouragement, and giving. A wonderful book highly recommended for families. It is also a tender reminder of how much teachers can influence us and the importance of the way we respond, react, respect, and love the people in our lives.

[Mrl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a little gem that I picked up in 2009 that sort of got lost in my library. Ran across it during the COVID-19 Pandemic & found it to be very timely being a story of a teacher in a coal mining community & what brought their community together with hope.

[L.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d read this book my childhood, but just finished it for the first time as an adult. The book is well-written; it has a great storyline to teach character to young readers; and its warmth brought tears to my eyes.

[Amy Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this delightful book! It is a work of Christian fiction that will stay with me for awhile! This story teaches about hardships, loss, grief, and despair. But more importantly it displays lessons of hope and love.....the kind of hope and love that only comes from God!

[Diane Whittaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book about a small town teacher whose teaching and his students meant the world to him. Caring students who want to do something special for their teacher and how it leads to Hope and a life changing moment.

[Emma]

This is a book I have owned for many years, but never read. I finished it this morning and I must admit I had tears in my eyes. A book of values and hard life lessons learned by not only a teacher's students but himself. A fairly short but heartwarming book. I loved it.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

My second reading of this book. Beautiful and meaningful.

[Keira Swihart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. At first, it made me really sad because of the terrible living conditions of these people, but then I started feeling inspired. Just because they didn't have much, didn't stop them. What they had, they gave to those who needed it more. I felt heart warmed at the ending - I won't spoil it - but it was great. I would recommend this to anyone who is okay with feeling sad, and is ready to be warmed and inspired by the kindness of these people

[Bltfry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a gift from a friend as I was entering a serious medical chapter in my life. What an encouragement to my heart!

[Heidi Morrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent little mini book with an inspirational message.

[Krista Parks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as a child and remembered after all these years!

[Patty Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and very well written. Nice change from some of my past reads. I think it would make a great book for a young/teen lady to read.

[Susan Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this 150 page book straight through! The Penny Whistle by BJ Hoff was an engaging story about the faith, love and HOPE of a teacher, his students and the community.

[Bertina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Story of HOPE

[lori kusmierz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very touching, sincere... a beautiful story!

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful , heartfelt story full of faith and hope. It made me tear up throughout the book . Very enjoyable read. I highly recommend it, especially if you love faith base , feel good books.

[Ray Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet story!

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

favorite from today's library haul

[Janet Nitsick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful story about a little girl and her concern about her teacher's deteriorating health, especially after someone stole the teacher's flute. It is inspiring and heartwarming. I would highly recommend this Christian book. It is an easy read. I would have liked more description. For example, I would have loved to visualize how this 1890s schoolhouse looked to the main character, Maggie MacAuley. In addition, in the closing scene, the author B. J. Hoff allowed one word to tip off who Maggie would see. I would have preferred for the "one-word slip" to have been eliminated, which would have given the reader more suspense on how the book would end. However, these are minor criticisms since the endearing story moves you along and keeps your heart pumping with joy and a little sadness. God bless.

[Karith Amel]

I read this story at my grandmother's request. Overall, a sweetly told story of faith, despair, and hope. And while I wish the voice of God had not been quite so blatant (maybe this is my own bias, but God rarely speaks to me in words), my only real contention with it was the unneeded, yet predictable, afterword.