What do you like about this book?

[Karlee]

I think it is very heartwarming and inspirational. People might not have this same opinion but i would encourage people to read the riveting book.

[Janet]

Hello to all readers of Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorensen. I have read all the reviews and found them to be very diverse and interesting.

I have researched MMH extensively because I do make pure maple syrup in Edinboro Pennsylvania, the town where Virginia Sorensen lived from 1952-1957 when she wrote this book.

In addition, I have created Hurry Hill Farm Maple Museum (hurryhillfarm.org) which highlights a room "Miracles on Maple Hill - where the seasons take on new meaning." The room references the people, places, and artifacts from the book. If you are interested in MMH, take time to visit.

fyi A couple of assumptions that have been made in the critiques I've read. Here are the facts.

The character of Dale, the father, a pow: this character was based on a real WWII POW, Rev. Leonard Hoganboom, who, with his wife and two young sons was missionary in the Phillipines. The entire family was imprisoned for three years. He later was the Presbyterian minister in Edinboro at the same time VS and her husband attended church there, although they were not members. Rev. Hoganboom was a good friend of VS and she used his character and his pow experiences in the book.

Harry-the-hermit, was a real hermit, and in fact, most characters were based on real people here in Edinboro. I have a picture, for example, of the wooden carved chain, that Joes claims Marly could put her head through!

After reading the original manuscript of MMH at the Kerlan collection in the Andersen Library (U of Minn)I have verified what I have said all along - that VS believed in always telling the truth about things and getting it right. Read her Newbery acceptance speech - Hornbook 1957. VS made maple syrup with Harvey Kreitz, the local sugarmaker and in the original manuscript, she penned corrections e.g.: changing the word sap to syrup and vice versa to get it right.

I always tell people who visit that I can teach you the "science" of making maple syrup, but you must read Miracles on Maple Hill to know the "art" of making maple syrup. You can learn to make syrup by just reading this book - it is THAT true to the process. When the peepers peep in spring - the season really is over.

If you like VS and/or MMH, please take time to visit - Virginia Sorensen said in an interview re: Edinboro "I want to live here forever." And since you have read the book, I will give you a copy of a free book mark that she gave out at a book signing of Miracles on Maple Hill in Erie at the Erie Bookstore owned then by the Cantrell's.

Janet Woods
Edinboro Pa

[Mike]

A moving book of a different time, it speaks of people who care for each other and help with the healing we all need.

[Hn]

كتاب جميل

اعجبني التطرق للبيئة والمزرعة وانواع النباتات تعاقب الفصول وتغيراتها
العلاقات الاسرية بين افراد الاسرة انفسهم وعلاقاتهم مع افراد مجتمعهم