Brightest and Best

Thoroughly enjoyable!

I'm still enamoured with Amish fiction, and was intrigued when I realised that this story dealt with an issue in American history which brought Americans in conflict with the Amish. The Amish want to avoid conflict, but despite the slowly becoming spunkier teacher Margaret and Ella's determination to help her community's chidren get the education they deserve, the English in authority are stubborn, narrowminded so and sos. I liked how Amish values are explored and how being Amish affects a child's entire day, just as being a practising Muslim/Christian/Jew does, so of course education is an issue. 

I was rooting for Margaret despite the fact that her new found spunk threatened her potential fiancee, and Ella who faces a heart-wrenching decision near the end of the book. I smiled with delight at little Gertie's innocence, how she doesn't realise that she is a highly gifted young (6 year old, I think) artist in a community who need to be shown that art can be woven into Amish life and isn't all about encouraging idol worship, and I loathed all of those pompous so and sos who couldn't see and didn't care for how important the Amish having their own school was. I was impressed at the lengths the Amish teen David went to further his education despite the fact it went against his step-father's wishes, and was highly creeped out by the mysterious goings thefts Lindy had to endure. Don't worry, the culprit is found by the end.  

Beautiful and Best reinforces my view gained through fiction that the Amish really do eat pie and cookies every day, and their community spirit is strong in the face of danger to their values. I'm glad that the law changed for them and others in the US – and here in Europe too, since I thought that the Amish had always taught their own children. The concept of them going to English school never crossed my mind. The end manages to be a happy one thanks to a series of unexpected events. Apparently this is 3rd in a series of books, but I didn't feel like I was at a disadvantage for this being the first book which I'd read.

Go back in time in "Brightest and Best" to 1918 to the county of Geauge in Seabury in the state of Ohio, where Seabury School District runs both Amish and English schools in the surrounding area.

Nora Coates, English school teacher at the one-room schoolhouse in rural area of Seabury, called a meeting with the English and Amish representatives of the parents committee to inspect the one-room schoolhouse of the needed repairs and to have these desperate repairs done for the start of school in September.

During the meeting, the one-room schoolhouse suffers more repairs when the roof collapses inward.

With the one-room schoolhouse unsafe, it sealed the determination in the superintendent's mind to close the one-room schoolhouse and add all of the Amish and English children to Seabury Consolidated Grade School, with enforcing English laws onto the Amish families.

With changes being enforced, what will the Amish families do?

I am loving this story; I had know idea or never thought of the Amish having trouble with starting their own school back in the day. I love when I read a book and the author's writing details takes and makes me feel like I am apart to the story.

Thank you, Olivia Newport, for bring this story to light even if it is fictional. Find me some more untold stories, I'd love to read them.

I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. No money was exchanged. This is my honest review in my own words.

It's 1918 and as the end of WW1 approaches the one room schoolhouse of the small Amish community in eastern Ohio is decidedly dilapidated, and the teacher fears for the children's safety.  as she invites the fathers of her pupils to assess what's needed to make it safe for th new school year a structural collapse makes it clear that the building is beyond repair.  It soon transpires that a new teacher will also be needed, to replace  the current one, who will marry before the start of the new school year.   The local authorities refuse to provide any funds for a new building and take the opportunity of the problems facing the Amish to insist that their children attend the Seabird Consolidated Grade School with English children until they reach the age of 16.   This causes multiple problems for the Amish community who are united in their distress about the plan.  The book follows the saga of the decision to educate the Amish children with the English, focussing particularly on the Wittmer family and Emma Hilty who is shortly to marry Gideon Wittner, a widowed father of three.  This story offers an interesting view on life in the early twentieth century from both Amish and english perspectives. It is full of likeable [and particularly dislikable] characters, tackles relationships between the communities at many different levels and is a really good read.  Alongside the worries about the children, we read about discrimination, bullying, and vandalism alongside loyalty, caring and humanity.   This is an easy and engaging read which demonstrates a real understanding of the difficult issues encountered between two communities with sometimes very different values, who struggle to live amicably alongside each other.  Many thanks to Barbour Books who made a copy of this book available for review, via Netgalley.
Also reviewed athttp://www.shelfari.com/books/38620139/Brightest-and-Best-(Amish-Turns-of-Time)/readers-reviews andhttp://hadenetics.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/brightest-and-best.html

Brightest and Best is the third installment of the Amish Turns of Time series. I have really enjoyed this series and this book did not disappoint. A great historical Amish story.
5 stars.

The battle for balance between one’s religious freedom and submission to the law is a timely one. This plot could easily be set in contemporary society, but Olivia Newport’s newest novel Brightest and Best (Shiloh Run Press) takes place in 1918 Ohio. Based on a conglomeration of historical accounts, this third book in the Amish Turns of Time series follows the events set in motion after the disrepair of a rural one-room schoolhouse.  Rather than rebuild, the superintendent tells the Amish community that they will need to send their children to the consolidated school in the nearby town, leaving the parents frustrated at his arrogant dismissal of their concerns related to their religious beliefs and practices. When they prayerfully decide to take matters into their own hands, the results are more staggering than they could have foreseen. In the midst of the unrest, two unlikely women are called to take a stand for what’s right – and in the process they may each be forced to give up more than they wanted.

Sure to be a favorite among fans of the series, Brightest and Best is a much less heavy read than the first two books – perhaps because the conflict comes from outside the community rather than inside.  It also differs from its predecessors in having less of a vignette feel to the chapters and more of a connected-story-moving-the-plot-along structure. While it does not have as many humorous situations as Meek and Mild (Andrew driving the Model T, anyone?), Brightest and Best does provide plenty of opportunity for smiles.  Margaret’s attempts to find a word for the Amish situation besides “problem”, for example, and Ms. Newport’s way of making each new attempt appear subtly on the page will bring grins as well as a break from gritting one’s teeth in frustration at the town officials!

As always, Olivia Newport’s words are beautifully crafted and her plot intriguing.  Emotion-tugging subplots serve as the perfect backdrop for themes like sacrifice, courage, and enduring love.  A little mystery is even thrown in as well. Above it all rings the overarching message that everyone in today’s world needs to hear – it is wise and beneficial to learn to see life through someone else’s eyes.

Although many characters make up the playbill for Brightest and Best, a few stand out vividly from among the pack. The Amish teenager who will do anything to continue his schooling. The young widower suddenly thrust into a leadership role. The schoolteacher who refuses to cater to injustice. The fatherly uncle who would have made a good secret agent. The bride-to-be bookworm asked to give her community more than she ever planned. Readers will wish these characters were their own neighbors and friends, so rich are their personalities.

Bottom Line: Brightest and Best is a fitting novel in light of current events, but it is also a truly enjoyable read.  Subtle humor, endearing characters, and an inspiring story all combine together to ensure its place as a top pick for both historical and Amish fiction fans.

Brightest and Best earns a grade of 5 out of 5 stars!

I just finished Brightest and Best by Olivia Newport which is an Amish Turns of Time novel (Book Three).  The story takes place in Geauga County, Ohio (Seabury) in 1918.  Ella Hilty is twenty-six and still lives at home.  Her mother died when she was a tween.  Her father has just remarried and Ella is no longer needed at home (what a fine how to you do).  Ella, though, has fallen for widower, Gideon Wittmer.  Gideon has three children (Tobias, Savilla, and Gertrude or Gertie).  Ella loves to read.  She goes to the library and checks out an armload of non-fiction books frequently (not supposed to read English fiction novels).  Gideon asked Ella to accompany him to visit the local school.  The teacher, Nora Coates asked some of the parents to visit to see the condition of the school.  Unfortunately, the school starts falling apart while they are inside.  While they are waiting to hear about the building of a new school, Nora gets engaged.  Now they have no teacher and no school.  The local schoolboard superintendent, Mr. Brownley has no intention of building a new school.  He wants to incorporate the children into the new progressive consolidated schools in town.  The children will be bused in to attend school (and take art, music, and other subjects that the Amish do not approve of).  

Margaret Simpson is recruited to help convince the Amish that the new schools are in their best interests.  Margaret is the teacher of first grade at the consolidated elementary school.  Margaret was not acquainted with the Amish ways or customs, which did not help her cause.  When Mr. Brownley is not happy with Margaret’s slow progress, he takes matters into his own hands.  The Amish are going to have to fight for what is best for their children.  Ella gets caught up in the middle since she is the most educated Amish person in their area.  If Ella does end up teaching the children, will she be able to get married?  What sacrifices are Ella, Gideon, and the rest of the families willing to make for the sake of their children and their beliefs.  

Brightest and Best brings up an interesting topic—Amish education.  The Amish only believe in educating their children through the eighth grade (which is just wrong).  I started reading this book and did not want to stop.  It is very engrossing.  Olivia Newport fictionalized the account of the Amish fight to educate their children the way they wanted.  She provides some great information at the end of the book (the actual history).  I give Brightest and Best 5 out of 5 stars.  This book captures your attention from the very beginning and holds it until the last page.  Olivia Newport did a wonderful job writing this book.  I think Brightest and Best is her best book yet!  I have only given a small summary of what happens in the book.  There is also a compelling mystery (which is easy to solve), romance, influenza epidemic, and a female carpenter (unusual for this time period).  

I received a complimentary copy of Brightest and Best from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  The review and opinions expressed are my own.

The year is 1918 and WWWI is about to end in Europe, also the deadliest pandemic flu is running rampant. The officials in a small town in Ohio are not focused nationally, but have decided to make it their mission to make all the local Amish students attend the local school, and not allowing them to leave school at 15 as they do in their faith.
There is a young couple Giddeon Wittmer, who is a widower and about to be married to Ella Hilty, and their lives are about to be thrown into turmoil over their beliefs. The story is about the strength of wills against the beliefs of religion.
This is one story where you really don’t root for the Government and the people behind it using it as a crutch. What they do to these people, will have you shaking your heard. Ms. Newport really drew me into the story, and I held firm on which side I was on.
You have to wait until almost the last page of the book to see how things are to turn out. A really great read that makes you think, and want more.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Shiloh Run Press, and was not required to give a positive review.

I love the way Olivia Newport weaves real history into her historical novels. She has taken a post World War I issue and brought it to the attentions of many who probably didn't know the issue even existed--the rights of the Amish to practice their beliefs and to educate their children as they see fit. There isn't much "romance" in the story but that doesn't detract from the highly readable novel she has produced. 

Brightest and Best pits power-hungry men against a peaceable community of men who are trying to prove their manhood by pushing people around who won't fight back. Their aspirations for more and better cloud their sketchy judgment and make them do things that in other times they wouldn't dream of doing. They were practicing a form of racism that is still just as hateful as any found today. At the base of any racism is a feeling of superiority over another race and as God has told us so many times, there is no Jew, no Greek, no Gentile, no Hebrew, no distinctions among any men. 

Ella lives with her father and step-mother, but she loves Gideon and his children. All she wants is to marry Gideon, love his children, and make more with him. First they go through many trials to get there--their community school falling apart, unjustified arrests, having children removed from their homes, beatings, burglaries, and then fights in court. 

I love the way Olivia writes and how she develops her characters, settings, and plot pacing. It is a book that is hard to put down and one that engages the reader intimately into the warp and woof of the story. Very definitely Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and a new one-room school house that teaches real values. 

My thanks to Shiloh Run Press for allowing me to read and review this book.

Not like other Amish books. A well written book based on the history of Amish schooling. The readers will enjoy this story where two very courageous women stood up for their beliefs. The Amish fathers and the local school officials had quite the task to find a solution for educating all the children. Very enjoyable story.

If it isn't bad enough that the Amish have a one-room schoolhouse in desperate need of repair and the schoolteacher is marrying which means that a new teacher must be secured quickly, the entire roof collapses on the Parent Committee as they examine the school to determine what repairs must be made.   I love that the author, Olivia Newport, has researched the struggle the Amish experienced in seeking their religious freedoms in educating their children and used it as a theme for this book in the series.   It reminded me a great deal of my own grandmother, who was born in 1901 and was only allowed to attend school through the eighth grade as only rich children could afford to go to one of the regional boarding high schools in Virginia.   She wanted to go to school so badly that she was allowed to attend the eighth grade twice so that she would not have to quit that year.  Some of the Amish young people in this story have a great desire to learn, even though their parents have plans for them to remain at home after 8th grade to learn the trades of the parents or become homemakers in the case of the young girls.   This book truly took me back in time to another period and certainly a trying one for many, Amish and English.   I worked as a public schoolteacher for 14 years and wonder if students today truly appreciate the opportunities for learning they have in our public schools.          I rate this book 5 stars and highly recommend it to readers of both Amish and historical fiction.
      I received a copy of this book from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Brightest and Best of all of Olivia Newport's books so far!

I have been a fan of Olivia Newport's writing for several years.  Her sensitive portrayals of Amish life are not the not the typical 'Amish romance' -- there is much more depth to the books.  The Brightest and Best is her best book yet, in my opinion.  The questions raised include "what constitutes education and how is it obtained?", "personal wishes versus community need", "church and community vs the state"...

Other reviewers have described the plot very well, so I will not.  But, I urge you to read this book in a quiet place where you, too, can enjoy the characters and ponder the questions it raises.

Thank you to Barbour books and Netgalley for a time-limited ebook copy; the opinions are my own.

I sometimes feel like Amish books tend to be the same story. But this book brought a new, fresh feel to an Amish story. I appreciated the real characters and the trials they face. I appreciated the realistic situations, the slight humor and the wonderful characters. A great read this fall!

I loved this book. Raw, whole hearted devotion to stand up for religious and cultural beliefs, too often lost in today's society.

Truly a fantastic book! Better than most Amish fiction, the historical issues and setting made the characters more real and relevant. Historically insightful, well developed characters and plot, real issues, and strong presentation of Amish values all make this book a must read. And by the writing, I bet all of this authors books are just as good!

Enjoy this author.  She always gives her readers a great story.

Another great book