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Plain Girl
An Amish girl, Esther feels like "one black bird against the sky" in her plain clothes. So when she's forced to attend public school she's terrified. She fears the new world she must enter, fears the way she sticks out next to other kids, and--most of all--fears she may do what her brother run away and join the sinful but great wide world she's only just discovering.
176 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1955
About the author
Virginia Sorensen
23 books21 followersVirginia Louise Sorensen (February 17, 1912-1991) was an American writer. Her role in Utah and Mormon literature places her within the "lost generation" of Mormon writers. She was awarded the 1957 Newbery Medal for her children's novel, Miracles on Maple Hill.
Sorensen was born in Provo, Utah in 1912, and it was her family's own stories that influenced her early novels of the American West.
Sorensen was born in Provo, Utah in 1912, and it was her family's own stories that influenced her early novels of the American West.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
October 28, 2022
Esther, a young Amish girl, begins to question the beliefs, traditions, and values of her people. Through her own experiences she sees the similarities between all peoples and learns to lean on her beliefs and values to guide her in making wise choices. This started off as a rather unremarkable story that grew to be a gratifying read with a nice perspective on faith, family, and friendship.
November 27, 2011
We just finished this book. It turned out to be quite a different children's chapter book, than I expected. I was expecting this little Amish book to be a sweet story about a sweet Amish girl, who learns to stick up for herself and her way of life when forced to attend public school.
Instead it raised some pretty heavy questions about what the Amish believe is right or wrong. Esther is exposed to "the world" and realizes that many people in it, and things of it, are pretty nice. The main story is centered around her older brother Dan who left "the plain way" meaning their Amish society, and the practice of shunning towards him as a result.
The father is showed as very strict, even cold and mean.
No relationship or closeness is shown between Esther and her mother.
Reading this did give a good opportunity for me and my girls to discuss a parent's role over their children. The difference between personal beliefs and God's commands as recorded in the Bible.
I mean there are some pretty whacked out beliefs The Amish had in this book, but many would lay the same claim to Christianity.
I gave it a 2 out of 5 because the book gave a confusing message: Esther goes behind her parents back by helping her brother out, and plays a forbidden game of jacks at school, and sneaks Christmas presents to her friend, even though the Amish don't exchange gifts. Of course all these "forbidden" practices seem completely wierd and harsh to our family.
But the message seemed to say that: some things you just can't explain or make your parents understand, so don't try, just do it in secret.
That was rather strange in a children's book.
As a Christian parent trying to raise children to, not shun the world, but to live counter to the worlds standards, that is not the message I want my children to hear.
But I will say that it showed the good things about living in a simple Amish community,in terms of how they helped each other, and how in many ways families that love each other are alike.
Esther in the end realizes, that as she grows up she is going to have to make the choice in what life she chooses to live. A more "modern way" of Amish living, or traditional. I too want my children to make their own decision out of personal conviction, placed by God, not out of fear of rejection.
To me it was a rather heavy, somewhat unsettling message to put in an illustrated chapter book meant for elementary-aged children.
Instead it raised some pretty heavy questions about what the Amish believe is right or wrong. Esther is exposed to "the world" and realizes that many people in it, and things of it, are pretty nice. The main story is centered around her older brother Dan who left "the plain way" meaning their Amish society, and the practice of shunning towards him as a result.
The father is showed as very strict, even cold and mean.
No relationship or closeness is shown between Esther and her mother.
Reading this did give a good opportunity for me and my girls to discuss a parent's role over their children. The difference between personal beliefs and God's commands as recorded in the Bible.
I mean there are some pretty whacked out beliefs The Amish had in this book, but many would lay the same claim to Christianity.
I gave it a 2 out of 5 because the book gave a confusing message: Esther goes behind her parents back by helping her brother out, and plays a forbidden game of jacks at school, and sneaks Christmas presents to her friend, even though the Amish don't exchange gifts. Of course all these "forbidden" practices seem completely wierd and harsh to our family.
But the message seemed to say that: some things you just can't explain or make your parents understand, so don't try, just do it in secret.
That was rather strange in a children's book.
As a Christian parent trying to raise children to, not shun the world, but to live counter to the worlds standards, that is not the message I want my children to hear.
But I will say that it showed the good things about living in a simple Amish community,in terms of how they helped each other, and how in many ways families that love each other are alike.
Esther in the end realizes, that as she grows up she is going to have to make the choice in what life she chooses to live. A more "modern way" of Amish living, or traditional. I too want my children to make their own decision out of personal conviction, placed by God, not out of fear of rejection.
To me it was a rather heavy, somewhat unsettling message to put in an illustrated chapter book meant for elementary-aged children.
December 29, 2019
Beautifully written, with engaging characters. Esther really comes alive. The issues she faces are real, and portrayed in realistic complexity. There's humor, and drama, and even disobedience (secrets & lying).
It's just so engaging: by the end I even came to emphasize with Father a little.
That was difficult though as I firmly believe that he should have given Esther some guidance on how to deal with the other schoolchildren, *how* to remain aloof while still being courteous... but maybe he didn't know and couldn't figure it out himself. And I don't agree with the part of the Bible that he chose to quote, about the water fountain being a metaphor saying that people cannot be bad and good at the same time. Of *course* they can! Nobody is perfect!
Home-schooled children, and immigrants, and those who need to learn of their perspectives, will benefit from this look at someone who comes from a different culture.
Sorensen's Newbery book, Miracles On Maple Hill, is also about issues that are deeper and more complex than what was explored by most children's stories written back in the day. I will look for more by her.
It's just so engaging: by the end I even came to emphasize with Father a little.
That was difficult though as I firmly believe that he should have given Esther some guidance on how to deal with the other schoolchildren, *how* to remain aloof while still being courteous... but maybe he didn't know and couldn't figure it out himself. And I don't agree with the part of the Bible that he chose to quote, about the water fountain being a metaphor saying that people cannot be bad and good at the same time. Of *course* they can! Nobody is perfect!
Home-schooled children, and immigrants, and those who need to learn of their perspectives, will benefit from this look at someone who comes from a different culture.
Sorensen's Newbery book, Miracles On Maple Hill, is also about issues that are deeper and more complex than what was explored by most children's stories written back in the day. I will look for more by her.
August 25, 2019
Cute, for what it is: a very short chapter book. I wanted a little more character development, but I suppose there wasn’t room. I would recommend this one over Sorensen’s Miracles on Maple Hill. It's definitely a useful way of exposing young children to cultural diversity within America -- go Sonlight!
October 4, 2023
There is some fantastic depth to this book. In many ways Virginia Sorensen was ahead of her time, dealing in her stories with complex and richly layered varieties of human emotion that some authors would think too abstract for children to appreciate.
In Plain Girl, we see the multidimensional struggle that Esther goes through as she begins to see more of the world apart from her family's deep, settled Amish history. Esther has been indirectly burned by the outside world once before, when her older brother Dan left the Amish community to experience the "real world" on his own. Dan's departure left a terrible void in Esther's family's existence, but her brother also gave her some pertinent questions to consider for herself: What harm could wearing buttons do to a man's soul? Why was it morally wrong to ride in automobiles, or to take advantage of modern technology that could significantly expedite the farming process, upon which the entire Amish way of life hung?
When Esther is forced by the law to begin attending a public school, she worries that she, like Dan, might be tempted by the "evil" outside world and stray from the life that her parents have given her. Secretly Esther is excited about the prospect of attending school, but an important part of herself wants to dislike it, in deference to her father.
Esther finds that the school experience is not a bad one, though, and right from the start she gains a friend named Mary, a girl who sits in front of her and smiles at her and writes little notes to Esther to encourage their growing friendship. Mary is a typical outsider, who wears fancy clothes and plays games with her friends, but her kindness makes Esther begin to wonder how such a friendly, inclusive girl could possibly be bad. How could friendship with a nice girl like Mary lead her to stray from her family's Amish beliefs?
As so many thoughts swirl in Esther's confused mind, her brother finally makes his return. Dan's time away from the Amish community has given him valuable experience and provided him insight that he never could have attained had he not left, and his newfound wisdom helps Esther to eventually realize that while there are many good, beautiful things about the outside world, she will never have to truly abandon her Amish roots to experience the positive things about the world at large.
As poignant and thoughtful as ever, author Virginia Sorensen has crafted a lovely gem of a book that has all the inherent decency of a timeless literary creation. I love this book, and I think that the striking metaphors about cautiously moving out into a world that can be increasingly hostile for decent people of any belief system, Amish or otherwise, make for a deeply relevant reading experience that shouldn't be missed by anyone who loves honest, thoughtful books. I would give two and a half stars to Plain Girl.
In Plain Girl, we see the multidimensional struggle that Esther goes through as she begins to see more of the world apart from her family's deep, settled Amish history. Esther has been indirectly burned by the outside world once before, when her older brother Dan left the Amish community to experience the "real world" on his own. Dan's departure left a terrible void in Esther's family's existence, but her brother also gave her some pertinent questions to consider for herself: What harm could wearing buttons do to a man's soul? Why was it morally wrong to ride in automobiles, or to take advantage of modern technology that could significantly expedite the farming process, upon which the entire Amish way of life hung?
When Esther is forced by the law to begin attending a public school, she worries that she, like Dan, might be tempted by the "evil" outside world and stray from the life that her parents have given her. Secretly Esther is excited about the prospect of attending school, but an important part of herself wants to dislike it, in deference to her father.
Esther finds that the school experience is not a bad one, though, and right from the start she gains a friend named Mary, a girl who sits in front of her and smiles at her and writes little notes to Esther to encourage their growing friendship. Mary is a typical outsider, who wears fancy clothes and plays games with her friends, but her kindness makes Esther begin to wonder how such a friendly, inclusive girl could possibly be bad. How could friendship with a nice girl like Mary lead her to stray from her family's Amish beliefs?
As so many thoughts swirl in Esther's confused mind, her brother finally makes his return. Dan's time away from the Amish community has given him valuable experience and provided him insight that he never could have attained had he not left, and his newfound wisdom helps Esther to eventually realize that while there are many good, beautiful things about the outside world, she will never have to truly abandon her Amish roots to experience the positive things about the world at large.
As poignant and thoughtful as ever, author Virginia Sorensen has crafted a lovely gem of a book that has all the inherent decency of a timeless literary creation. I love this book, and I think that the striking metaphors about cautiously moving out into a world that can be increasingly hostile for decent people of any belief system, Amish or otherwise, make for a deeply relevant reading experience that shouldn't be missed by anyone who loves honest, thoughtful books. I would give two and a half stars to Plain Girl.
August 20, 2018
This is an oldie but goodie that I can't believe I've never read! It's a deceptively simple story about Esther Lapp, Amish girl who is forced by law to attend the local schoolhouse. As the only Plain child there, she feels overwhelmed and out of place. When a pretty blonde girl befriends her, Esther feels guilty—not just for disobeying her father's order not to fraternize with her classmates, but also for the other questions that have been swamping her mind for the first time. PLAIN GIRL is a lovely little coming-of-age book that touches on issues of faith, family, and finding out what you really believe and who you truly are. I loved it.
November 22, 2018
I LOVED THIS BOOK! I honestly wasn't sure how I'd feel about this one, but it was great! It showed the difference of the Amish and others. I loved how there was romance, but it was a side point. I'll be looking for more of Virginia Soresen's work!
September 2, 2024
My mother read this to me at age 10 when I was in bed ill. This year while my 94 year old mother was in bed I re-read it to her.
May 16, 2009
A few goodies from this book:
* "She was taught always to return one kindness with another. Or perhaps even with two."
* "Always, her whole life, Esther had learned what kindness was. It was to think of others before yourself. It was to think of their comport before your own."
* "Whenever she made a good prayer she felt peaceful afterward. Every prayer she had ever made for a good and necessary thing had always been answered."
* Esther is an Amish girl who has to go to public school because of Pennsylvania compulsory law. She is the only Amish child there. She feels out of place because of her dress. She is truly befriended by a sweet little girl that doesn't care that Esther doesn't "fit" in.
* This is not a "have to" read book, but there are definitely things you can talk with your children about. And because I, like the characters, belong to minority religion, I would like to talk to my daughter about some of the issues this book brings up.
* "She was taught always to return one kindness with another. Or perhaps even with two."
* "Always, her whole life, Esther had learned what kindness was. It was to think of others before yourself. It was to think of their comport before your own."
* "Whenever she made a good prayer she felt peaceful afterward. Every prayer she had ever made for a good and necessary thing had always been answered."
* Esther is an Amish girl who has to go to public school because of Pennsylvania compulsory law. She is the only Amish child there. She feels out of place because of her dress. She is truly befriended by a sweet little girl that doesn't care that Esther doesn't "fit" in.
* This is not a "have to" read book, but there are definitely things you can talk with your children about. And because I, like the characters, belong to minority religion, I would like to talk to my daughter about some of the issues this book brings up.
July 22, 2009
This was a really nice book written in the 50's about an Amish girl deciding about her place in the world. There was a lot to talk about in this book, it took us over a week, although it was good enough to read in one sitting by yourself.
I did think a lot of the conversations we had were over my 5 year old's head, and my 7 year old got most of them, but probably not all.
These are hard things to decide, I think. Things I still haven't figured out for myself. I like books like this that make you think.
I did think a lot of the conversations we had were over my 5 year old's head, and my 7 year old got most of them, but probably not all.
These are hard things to decide, I think. Things I still haven't figured out for myself. I like books like this that make you think.
March 11, 2024
it was cute. I would probably not read again, though. I don't really know a lot about Amish beliefs so sometimes it would - not confuse me - but like you know, make it harder to understand.
It was a book with around five pics in estimated, and the Amish level of it was minimized.
overall, a cute story. I don't want to say it was five stars, but four and a half.
It was a book with around five pics in estimated, and the Amish level of it was minimized.
overall, a cute story. I don't want to say it was five stars, but four and a half.
December 5, 2023
A sweet book. I'm sure I read this years ago, but I don't find any record of it. It felt very familiar. Noticing the original pub date, perhaps I read it as a child. Lovely illustration by Charles Geer. A chance to see two kids grow up and learn the treasure the values they've been raised with.
April 23, 2022
Read this as part of my kids' school curriculum. I loved the way the book takes us inside Esther's internal struggle. A beautiful and hopeful story.
April 2, 2016
Plain Girl is written simply and sweetly by Virginia Sorensen, author of Newbery winner Miracles on Maple Hill. This is the third book I read by Sorensen and every time I take something away from her edifying stories.
Esther is an Amish girl who must go to school per Pennsylvania law. She comes from a family who is firm on following the Amish ways, especially after Esther’s older brother Dan went “Away” after the public school exposed him to the worldly temptations. Esther starts out timid and submissive to the way she has grown up, but then she meets Mary, a girl at school who wears pink and her hair in curls. She starts to question why everyone is different as she struggles to make the choice of being friends with Mary or maintaining the Amish ways.
This book is partly about how cultures can learn to compromise and accept differences, but it is also about growing up, friendship, and family…something every culture experiences. It is was interesting to read some of the Amish customs. I recommend to fans of Virginia Sorensen and to classrooms as I think it is a good book for students to read and be more aware of the cultures that are in the world.
Esther is an Amish girl who must go to school per Pennsylvania law. She comes from a family who is firm on following the Amish ways, especially after Esther’s older brother Dan went “Away” after the public school exposed him to the worldly temptations. Esther starts out timid and submissive to the way she has grown up, but then she meets Mary, a girl at school who wears pink and her hair in curls. She starts to question why everyone is different as she struggles to make the choice of being friends with Mary or maintaining the Amish ways.
This book is partly about how cultures can learn to compromise and accept differences, but it is also about growing up, friendship, and family…something every culture experiences. It is was interesting to read some of the Amish customs. I recommend to fans of Virginia Sorensen and to classrooms as I think it is a good book for students to read and be more aware of the cultures that are in the world.
May 3, 2012
Esther's world is small and contained within her Amish community. When she witnesses some men arrive and tell her father that Esther must go to school or her father will be put in prison, she is secretly excited. She loves the idea of school and can't wait. Meanwhile her older brother has left the Amish and struck out on his own, but her strict father won't allow his name to be spoken. Esther is torn between love and admiration for her brother Dan, curiosity about the world outside, and respect for her upbringing and culture. Very well written by a wonderful author with interesting details about Amish life. 4th-6th grade.
June 4, 2017
A story about a young Amish girl in the days before they had their own private schools. Esther comes from a strict Amish group--possibly Nebraska Amish, due to the yellow-topped buggies??--and knows little about the Outside. Her parents are forced by the law to send her to school, though they fear they'll lose her to the Outside, just like they did her big brother Daniel. Esther finds a "worldly" friend, faces hard questions within herself, and comes to terms with both in the end. A nice, easy read.
July 19, 2020
I really didn't expect much from this but it held up surprisingly well. This young Amish girl tries to figure out if questioning her faith means walking away from it or if there is room to find her own voice within the traditions of her faith and family. It's for sure quaint, but the Amish culture makes it feel less so since it hasn't changed all that much and I think a lot of kids even now would relate to her journey although its particular trajectory differs from theirs. It made me want to get more books by this author.
November 29, 2014
Esther is a ten-year-old Amish girl who is forced by law to go to public school. Her older brother Daniel left the family and community a year before. She misses her brother terribly and is nervous about school. She makes a new friend and worries about taking "the first step Away." This a well-written story with wonderful descriptions. It would provide great topics of discussion for children and parents.
March 24, 2016
Interesting reading about troubles within the Amish community back in the 1950s, that is so prevalent when I lived around them and then for today.
Those who like watching those Reality shows might like to read this to understand the dilemmas of choosing which life is better, English or Amish.
Gave a little history of the Amish.
Thought about how much Pennsylvania has changed and life for the Amish has changed.
Those who like watching those Reality shows might like to read this to understand the dilemmas of choosing which life is better, English or Amish.
Gave a little history of the Amish.
Thought about how much Pennsylvania has changed and life for the Amish has changed.
March 8, 2009
I read this outloud to my 10 year old daughter. We both enjoyed it. It is a sweet story about making choices between old & new traditions and ways of life.
August 3, 2016
Sort of a slow start for me, but picked up and had a very heart warming ending! This sweet, simple book made me smile! Very enjoyable!
October 6, 2019
Gentle story of the struggle to conform or not.
March 1, 2021
Loved this book. :) There were a few parts that gave me pause because of the questionable theology, but overall, I enjoyed learning about the Amish ways. :)
Esther's father is forced to send Esther to a school, and she is the only Plain Girl there. She isn't supposed to even look at the other students. Do her schoolwork and leave. But they are also taught to be nice and polite, so when another student is nice to her, she doesn't feel it would be right to ignore the girl.
She worries that talking to the girl, writing letters to the girl, playing at recess with the girl, becoming best friends with the girl, might all be the First Step Away. She would have to make a choice - stay with the Amish, or go Away, as her brother had done before her.
I found two things quite interesting, so I had to research to see if it was true.
1. Amish make ice cream. I wondered how it was done, and they use ice when it gets freezing outside and make it in the winter. Brrrrr. :)
2. Esther drew Santa and stars and Christmas trees at school. I wondered how she felt about that. How her family would have felt about that. They don't celebrate Christmas that way. Santa and anything extravagant isn't used. This wasn't really touched on, but I also see why - it was so close to the end of the book. It might have messed with the pacing of the book. It still would have been interesting to see addressed. :)
Esther's father is forced to send Esther to a school, and she is the only Plain Girl there. She isn't supposed to even look at the other students. Do her schoolwork and leave. But they are also taught to be nice and polite, so when another student is nice to her, she doesn't feel it would be right to ignore the girl.
She worries that talking to the girl, writing letters to the girl, playing at recess with the girl, becoming best friends with the girl, might all be the First Step Away. She would have to make a choice - stay with the Amish, or go Away, as her brother had done before her.
I found two things quite interesting, so I had to research to see if it was true.
1. Amish make ice cream. I wondered how it was done, and they use ice when it gets freezing outside and make it in the winter. Brrrrr. :)
2. Esther drew Santa and stars and Christmas trees at school. I wondered how she felt about that. How her family would have felt about that. They don't celebrate Christmas that way. Santa and anything extravagant isn't used. This wasn't really touched on, but I also see why - it was so close to the end of the book. It might have messed with the pacing of the book. It still would have been interesting to see addressed. :)
February 15, 2017
Plain Girl by Virginia Sorensen was an okay read, but the lessons it taught about about fitting in and finding your place in the world were valuable. I expected this book to be super slow and boring but it was actully not that bad, but I would never read it again. Some connections I can make to this book was the fact that she was scared to go to a new public school. And I was scared to go to Junior High because I had gone to my elementary school my whole life and I was scared of the change. Another connection I can make to this book is her clothing because this summer my church group is going to trek and you have to wear that type of clothing. The last connection I can make to this book is when she was afraid that she would stick out like "one black bird against the sky" because when I was younger I signed up for dance but since I had never danced before I had to go to the younger kids class to be at my level and I was nervous but once I got there, I saw that there was quite a few kids my age. I think that the theme/life lesson was that finding our place in the world and trying to fit in can be hard and scary but we just need to not worry and push through it because it will get better in the end. Another lesson was that having true friends me more than anything and they can help thought the world of days.
April 25, 2023
This book addresses real-life issues. We are all different and wish to be accepted. We all evaluate what we have been taught and what we choose to agree with. We all dream about what our lives could be like and how far from home we want to be. This story covers an Amish girl named Esther whose brother Dan chooses to leave home and reject things he has been taught, only to discover that he values what he left behind more than the world Dan thought he wanted to live in. Esther faces fear and friendship at her new school. She dreams of seeing her brother again and questions her current and future decisions.
July 12, 2019
I reread this book from my childhood library to evaluate whether it deserved shelf space, and I'm happy to say it does. It's a lovely story chronicling an Amish girl's journey into maturity, making a friend at school, and helping her brother return home. Very appropriate for middle schoolers, it introduces the Amish culture in a gracious, respectful manner without the romantic drama that so often accompanies the genre.
August 14, 2023
“What harm can a button do to a man’s soul?”
The Amish people have rules. Rules about dress, rules about many things. This makes them different. Esther feels lonely until she begins going to school where she makes a friend and longs or her ostracised (wow big word) brother Daniel to return home. She’s confused about life in general but does eventually figure some stuff out. Ps. I HATE the dad, he’s horrible! Also I didn’t really love this book, it was just ok to me.
The Amish people have rules. Rules about dress, rules about many things. This makes them different. Esther feels lonely until she begins going to school where she makes a friend and longs or her ostracised (wow big word) brother Daniel to return home. She’s confused about life in general but does eventually figure some stuff out. Ps. I HATE the dad, he’s horrible! Also I didn’t really love this book, it was just ok to me.
April 15, 2019
**spoiler alert**
I liked the book. It talks about a girl named Esther who had to start going to school. Her brother had run away but started coming back during recess to talk to Esther. At the end, her brother came back home at Christmas Eve. That was my favorite thing in the book.
- Timothy, 10 years old
I liked the book. It talks about a girl named Esther who had to start going to school. Her brother had run away but started coming back during recess to talk to Esther. At the end, her brother came back home at Christmas Eve. That was my favorite thing in the book.
- Timothy, 10 years old
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2021
I read (and enjoyed) this book as a child, and when it was recently brought to my attention, I decided to read it again. It is about beliefs and choices: when ten-year-old Esther, an Amish girl, is sent to public school, everyone their is different. But she still makes a friend, and begins to understand why her brother Daniel left.
February 9, 2018
My favorite part was when Esther first went to school and met her friend Mary. My favorite characters were Esther because she was strong and brave and Mary because she was nice even though Esther was different because she was Amish.
-Whitney
-Whitney
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