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Beyond The White Fence
Katie discovers that the valley behind her grandmother’s garden is more mysterious than it seems. After tumbling into tenth-century England and encountering Saint Edith of Wilton along with her wild animal menagerie, she is helped home, wondering whether her adventure was truly real. But after Katie, her cousins, and a neighborhood friend are drawn back in time once again, she realizes her grandmother’s garden gate is a portal into faraway worlds, where patron saints are real people making real-life decisions.
Join Katie and her cousins as they mingle with Rachel and Jacob, meet Saint Mary Magdalene up close, trek across the sand with the matriarchs Naomi and Ruth, and have a nail-biting adventure with the heroic Saint Katherine of Alexandria. In seeing the richness of the family of God, they glimpse how very much they are a part of it all.
About the Author: Edith M. Humphrey is an Orthodox mother of three grown daughters and a grandmother of twenty. She teaches Scripture and theology, and she loves to play with her red cavadoodle, Angus. Edith taught for eighteen years at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and before then in various institutions across Canada and the US, while lecturing around the globe in various lay and academic contexts. Besides writing and speaking, she enjoys participating in church activities with her husband, Chris, performing piano duos with a friend, playing oboe in a community band, caring for her koi pond, and writing on topics as diverse as Scripture and C. S. Lewis. This is her first children’s book; writing it has brought her great joy!
Join Katie and her cousins as they mingle with Rachel and Jacob, meet Saint Mary Magdalene up close, trek across the sand with the matriarchs Naomi and Ruth, and have a nail-biting adventure with the heroic Saint Katherine of Alexandria. In seeing the richness of the family of God, they glimpse how very much they are a part of it all.
About the Author: Edith M. Humphrey is an Orthodox mother of three grown daughters and a grandmother of twenty. She teaches Scripture and theology, and she loves to play with her red cavadoodle, Angus. Edith taught for eighteen years at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and before then in various institutions across Canada and the US, while lecturing around the globe in various lay and academic contexts. Besides writing and speaking, she enjoys participating in church activities with her husband, Chris, performing piano duos with a friend, playing oboe in a community band, caring for her koi pond, and writing on topics as diverse as Scripture and C. S. Lewis. This is her first children’s book; writing it has brought her great joy!
212 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2021
About the author
Edith M. Humphrey
18 books20 followersEdith M. Humphrey (PhD, McGill University) is the William F. Orr Professor of New Testament at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is the author of several books, including Grand Entrance: Worship on Earth as in Heaven and Ecstasy and Intimacy: When the Holy Spirit Meets the Human Spirit. She has also authored numerous articles on the literary and rhetorical study of the Bible.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 3, 2021
Summary: A group of cousins visiting “Gramgon” and a neighbor boy have a series of adventures in which they meet their patron saints, passing through a portal just beyond the garden gate.
It all began with the fawns. Katie, visiting her “Gramgon,” spots them beyond the garden gate at the bottom of the yard. She’s been told not to go into the valley beyond, but is almost irresistibly drawn to them and passes through the gate. There are other animals including turkeys…and a peacock. She follows and discovers she is in a different time and place. She encounters Lady Edith of Wilton, the sister of King Edgar, who has chosen the life of a religious sister. While there, Edith brother is killed, and the neighbor boy, TJ, who had followed narrowly foils an attempt on Edith’s life before the two are led by the peacock to where they can see the garden gate. Katie carries and hides a feather of the peacock.
Subsequent adventures follow as cousins from Pittsburgh join Katie, who is from Kansas. Together or separately, each of the girls sees the fawns and are transported to an encounter with their patron saints — Rachel, Jacob’s betrothed, Ruth and Naomi, Mary Magdalene. Sometimes they simply learn of the faith of these saints, and sometimes there is adventure, for example, rescuing Rachel from kidnappers who would prevent her marriage to Jacob. The end of the visit to Gramgon is coming but Katie has not met her patron saint Katherine yet. Edith is the saint of the author of this work, and presumably Gramgon. One more time they are bidden beyond the garden gate, this time by chimes, only to witness Katherine’s courageous witness before her martyrdom, and glimpse the glory beyond that Katherine would enter.
They carry the peacock feather on each venture, and when the peacock appears, it is time to depart and the way back to their own time is open–and no time has elapsed. The situations they enter are dangerous and the peacock feather and the peacock represent the eyes of the Lord upon them, protecting and guiding.
This Narnia-like story is about the discovery of the saints, our communion with believers who have preceded us, whose lives may instruct us in living the life of faith. I do wonder a bit with Gramgon’s prohibition of these ventures, the whisperings of the children she overhears, and her unconfirmed suspicions. It makes me wonder if Gramgon herself has traveled beyond the gate. Does she realize that the children can only go if bidden? Does she even “cover” for the children when they are weary from ventures?
This is a delightful story, particularly as the cousins become more interested in the backstory of these saints for whom they are named. The climactic adventure, witnessing the martyrdom, is beautifully written, and to be savored.
This story reminded me of a wonderful experience a few years back when I was invited to be present as a friend was baptized and received into the Roman Catholic Church during the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. Part of the liturgy includes the Litany of the Saints in which we work through a list beginning with the Holy Trinity, Mary, the angels, patriarchs and prophets, apostles and evangelists, the disciples, the innocents, martyrs, the holy bishops and confessors, the doctors of the church, and many more, interspersed with a long list of names in each category.
With each group or saint, we bid, “pray for us.” It is prayed slowly and meditatively and takes a long time. After all, this is part of a vigil on the eve of Easter. I sat in wonder as I heard this “great cloud of witnesses” enumerated and the vision of our solidarity as we run the same race, fight the same battles that millennia of believers before us ran and fought, and now pray for us. It seemed a “thin place” where the veil between us was barely there and we were present to one another. I knew the stories of some, and wondered about those of many others.
There is something in this for all of us–children and “Gramgons” alike. Stories like this one invite us into the literature of the saints, the stories of all those who have gone faithfully before us until whatever end God had for them. It explains the attraction of the stories of martyrs. They remind us of our communion with them, the mysterious fellowship we enjoy, and that we may well be prayed for not merely by our living friends but by many in glory who are heard by the Father who watches over our ways.
____________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
It all began with the fawns. Katie, visiting her “Gramgon,” spots them beyond the garden gate at the bottom of the yard. She’s been told not to go into the valley beyond, but is almost irresistibly drawn to them and passes through the gate. There are other animals including turkeys…and a peacock. She follows and discovers she is in a different time and place. She encounters Lady Edith of Wilton, the sister of King Edgar, who has chosen the life of a religious sister. While there, Edith brother is killed, and the neighbor boy, TJ, who had followed narrowly foils an attempt on Edith’s life before the two are led by the peacock to where they can see the garden gate. Katie carries and hides a feather of the peacock.
Subsequent adventures follow as cousins from Pittsburgh join Katie, who is from Kansas. Together or separately, each of the girls sees the fawns and are transported to an encounter with their patron saints — Rachel, Jacob’s betrothed, Ruth and Naomi, Mary Magdalene. Sometimes they simply learn of the faith of these saints, and sometimes there is adventure, for example, rescuing Rachel from kidnappers who would prevent her marriage to Jacob. The end of the visit to Gramgon is coming but Katie has not met her patron saint Katherine yet. Edith is the saint of the author of this work, and presumably Gramgon. One more time they are bidden beyond the garden gate, this time by chimes, only to witness Katherine’s courageous witness before her martyrdom, and glimpse the glory beyond that Katherine would enter.
They carry the peacock feather on each venture, and when the peacock appears, it is time to depart and the way back to their own time is open–and no time has elapsed. The situations they enter are dangerous and the peacock feather and the peacock represent the eyes of the Lord upon them, protecting and guiding.
This Narnia-like story is about the discovery of the saints, our communion with believers who have preceded us, whose lives may instruct us in living the life of faith. I do wonder a bit with Gramgon’s prohibition of these ventures, the whisperings of the children she overhears, and her unconfirmed suspicions. It makes me wonder if Gramgon herself has traveled beyond the gate. Does she realize that the children can only go if bidden? Does she even “cover” for the children when they are weary from ventures?
This is a delightful story, particularly as the cousins become more interested in the backstory of these saints for whom they are named. The climactic adventure, witnessing the martyrdom, is beautifully written, and to be savored.
This story reminded me of a wonderful experience a few years back when I was invited to be present as a friend was baptized and received into the Roman Catholic Church during the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. Part of the liturgy includes the Litany of the Saints in which we work through a list beginning with the Holy Trinity, Mary, the angels, patriarchs and prophets, apostles and evangelists, the disciples, the innocents, martyrs, the holy bishops and confessors, the doctors of the church, and many more, interspersed with a long list of names in each category.
With each group or saint, we bid, “pray for us.” It is prayed slowly and meditatively and takes a long time. After all, this is part of a vigil on the eve of Easter. I sat in wonder as I heard this “great cloud of witnesses” enumerated and the vision of our solidarity as we run the same race, fight the same battles that millennia of believers before us ran and fought, and now pray for us. It seemed a “thin place” where the veil between us was barely there and we were present to one another. I knew the stories of some, and wondered about those of many others.
There is something in this for all of us–children and “Gramgons” alike. Stories like this one invite us into the literature of the saints, the stories of all those who have gone faithfully before us until whatever end God had for them. It explains the attraction of the stories of martyrs. They remind us of our communion with them, the mysterious fellowship we enjoy, and that we may well be prayed for not merely by our living friends but by many in glory who are heard by the Father who watches over our ways.
____________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
November 12, 2021
*Disclaimer: I received a promotional copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
"Beyond the White Fence" by Edith Humphrey is an extraordinary fictional novel about a group of cousins who embark on multiple adventures throughout time visiting various saints. There is suspense, comedy, and lots of fun interactions... not to mention, animals! If your children enjoy the "Magic Treehouse" series, this book is a great step-up in reading difficulty and book length.
This is a fantastic read for a variety of ages - I personally used it as a daily read-aloud for my seven- and nine-year-old sons. My nine-year-old advanced reader would have been absolutely fine to enjoy it on his own, but it clocks in around 200 pages and may be intimidating for early elementary readers. My children ADORE this book, as do I! It was a struggle for all of us to put down at the end of our reading time. We all had happy tears at the end - Ms. Humphrey beautifully summed up what the saints mean in our daily lives, as well as the importance of our Christian struggle. Do not skip the afterword, it is so well-written and speaks straight to the heart. If I had the ability, I would rate this as 4 1/2 stars; it is most certainly a gem.
This is Ms. Humphrey's first children's book, I certainly hope it will not be her last!
"Beyond the White Fence" by Edith Humphrey is an extraordinary fictional novel about a group of cousins who embark on multiple adventures throughout time visiting various saints. There is suspense, comedy, and lots of fun interactions... not to mention, animals! If your children enjoy the "Magic Treehouse" series, this book is a great step-up in reading difficulty and book length.
This is a fantastic read for a variety of ages - I personally used it as a daily read-aloud for my seven- and nine-year-old sons. My nine-year-old advanced reader would have been absolutely fine to enjoy it on his own, but it clocks in around 200 pages and may be intimidating for early elementary readers. My children ADORE this book, as do I! It was a struggle for all of us to put down at the end of our reading time. We all had happy tears at the end - Ms. Humphrey beautifully summed up what the saints mean in our daily lives, as well as the importance of our Christian struggle. Do not skip the afterword, it is so well-written and speaks straight to the heart. If I had the ability, I would rate this as 4 1/2 stars; it is most certainly a gem.
This is Ms. Humphrey's first children's book, I certainly hope it will not be her last!
November 10, 2021
This book is absolutely amazing and captivating for children (and grown-ups!:)! I read it to my 6 and 9 year old kids in the evenings. Each chapter finishes in such a way that you want to read the next chapter immediately to find out what happened next. They kept asking me to read them 'The Katie book'. It was really interesting for them to learn about saints from the perspective of the culture at the time and how it was so different compared with the times we live. The story line is about a group of cousins and siblings going back in time to different periods and learning about the saints of their own names. It also teaches children about learning to accept each other and learning to work together and appreciate each other's skills and virtues. I highly recommend it! It's a great way for children (and adults) to learn more about the lives of saints and the sacrifices they made for the love of Christ.
February 15, 2022
I loved this book! I can't wait to share this one with my Sunday Schoolers and grands. The children protagonists are visiting their grandmother during the summer when they continue to see two fauns in the mist of a field "beyond the white fence" property line. Singly, together, and in groups the children sense a calling to explore finding themselves transported to different times in Christian history. They each are able to be a part of the lives of their patron saints, causing them to understand more fully the faith of the saints and their presence in their lives. Wonderfully written--suspenseful, funny, and inspirational without being corny or pedantic. I hope Mrs. Humphrey will write more and I hope to see more beautiful illustrations by Emanuel Burke! And you don't have to be a Christian to enjoy the story!!
November 10, 2021
Beyond the White Fence is a captivating book for teens! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will recommend it to young readers that I know. The children in the story are living in the modern world yet come to experience life right alongside saints as they mysteriously travel back in time and become witnesses to the events in multiple saints' lives such as St. Edith, Rachel and Leah, and more! I love how the author helps children see that the saints were not perfect human beings who lived easy lives. The saints suffered through many struggles and temptations yet remained faithful to the Lord. The modern children in the book come to see this and are encouraged in their own faith journeys. This story has it all- time travel, saints, adventure, fantasy, and real world lessons for today!
December 29, 2024
A children’s book where the kids time travel back to meet their patron saints. Interesting to hear the history, weird to not have concern about the timeline disruption or that everyone could understand everyone else. As long as you didn't put too much energy into thinking about it, it was a four-star read.
March 19, 2025
We are called to become like children so that we may enter the Kingdom of God. Only children allowed! This children's book related important things, true myths. Children will not only enjoy it, they will be inspired by it.
April 12, 2022
My kids enjoyed this story and the stories of the saints within the book.
April 6, 2025
4.5 stars. A fun Narnia style book with biblical families, and fun that it’s set in Pittsburgh.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews