Customer Reviews

Family Tree

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am a teacher, and I research my own family history. I loved this book. Children who feel cut off from their past will relate to Tyler's uncovering of her own past, and any child (or adult!) will love the well-woven story of Tyler's determination, courage, and eventual compassion.

I liked this book because it kept my attention. I like to read about the Amish. This book is from the viewpoint of an outsider. It touched many different topics; it was not just a one-theme story. I recommend it to everyone who likes realistic fiction.

Tyler's father has raised her with so much love and goodness that she has never pushed him for answers about her dead mother or his past. That changes with a school assignment about family trees. As Tyler uncovers her family history, readers are given many ideas regarding family values, immigration, what makes up America, tolerance, and the feelings people have about their heritage. The characters are very interesting and well-drawn; the plot moves quickly and pulls one along. A sequel would be delightful!

As a mother who screens everything her 11-year-old daughter reads, I try to always check for accuracy in fiction written about different culture groups. I've read the adult novels about the Amish by Beverly Lewis and enjoyed them, and we've visited Amish communities in both Pennsylvania and Missouri. It irks me when I read otherwise well-researched books that get fundamental Amish practices wrong - for example, when authors write about faces on Amish dolls, or put electric lights in an Amish home. "Family Tree" by Katherine Ayres has written a very believable book about a shunned Amish man who bringing up his daughter in English community, and his daughter's subsequent search for her roots. Ayres' treatment of her subject matter is both sensitive and carefully-researched. It's a real shame that only paperback copies are available now from Amazon resellers, because this book should never have been out-of-print. I'm truly glad my daughter feels the same way about the book. In her words,

"The book, 'Family Tree' by Katherine Ayres, was lovely.

"When eleven-year-old Tyler finds out that her entire report card will revolve around her Family Tree project for school, she knows she will fail for sure. Then Tyler finally finds out why she has no family besides her mom who died in a car crash and her dad. She is crushed as she learns why she has no TV and why she knows how to cook and why she seemingly has no grandparents: she's Amish. However, once Tyler's father tells her yet another secret of her past, Tyler sets out to mend her broken family with the help of her friend, Casey.

"This book is wonderful, heart-warming and perfect. I would recommend this book to anyone who might be Amish, have family problems or just loves a rich and warm novel, like me. My favorite part was Tyler's adventure in kindergarten when she had a teacher that smelled like flowers so Tyler had thought she lived in a meadow. Then, she had wanted a mother because her own had died, so she got in trouble on purpose to get her dad to talk to her teacher. Afterwards, she asked her dad if he had liked her and her dad, figuring what was going on, called the teacher to tell her the real reason that Tyler had gotten into trouble. I liked it because it was sweet and funny how Tyler thought her kindergarten teacher and father might get married if she got into trouble and got them to meet each other.

"I would give the book four stars: one star for the characters, one star for the plot, one star for the writing and one star for keeping me hooked."

I bought this book at a used book sale, thinking it might be good for my 5th grade daughter. However, before I gave it to her, I started reading it myself and I couldn't put it down! The story of how Tyler's class project leads to a discovery of her roots and the relatives she never knew will have you eagerly reading to the satisfying conclusion. The information on the Amish culture is very interesting, but the best thing is the believable and likeable characters, starting with Tyler herself. Making peace with the past opens the door to a new future for Tyler and her father, Jakob. My 8th grade son--a reluctant reader--recently read the book, and he also enjoyed it. Tyler's tale with appeal to both girls and boys alike.

This story was nominated for the California Young Reader award last year, and I read it to my 6th graders who loved it. They were always anxious to hear the next chapter, and hated to see me put it down. It is a very heart warming story! I plan to read it again to my new class.

I found thies book loving,and warm.The charters are unforgetabel.Ther's Tyler and her Papa Jakob.Along with Tyler's friends Casy and Sissy.But when Tyler learns of her Amish relitives She rites to her Uncel Levi,and descovers a family. I do hope ther's a part TWO!!