ISBN 9781621643685
eISBN 9781642291650
ASIN B09MZSC951
Reading this marks the tenth work I have read in the Vision Books for Young Readers Series, 7 in the currently in print books from Ignatius Press and three of the older out of print volumes. This one has been out for a few years, and I have had the eBook for a while, but had not got around to reading it yet. It is part of Ignatius’s expansion upon the original titles called New Vision Books. A few years back I did some research on the Vision Books for Young Readers and from the books I have read can state that they are great reads for teens, young adults and adults. This is an excellent read and I understand that Ignatius has several other titles in the work to expand the series. But let us return to this specific volume. The description of the book is:
“Since its world premiere in 1959, the Broadway hit (and movie) musical The Sound of Music has captivated millions of people around the world. Almost everyone knows of the aristocratic von Trapp family, the young postulant Maria who brought music back into their lives, and their harrowing escape from Hitler's evil Third Reich. But few know the incredible true story behind the musical.
In this new Vision Book, that dramatic story is at last told for young readers, based on Maria's bestselling autobiographies and Agathe von Trapp's memoir. Part epic adventure and part spiritual testimony to God's constant faithfulness, this story of the family that became one of the most beloved choirs in history is a page-turner to the very end.
Trusting in God at every difficult step, the von Trapps gradually rose to world-wide fame, finding their place in America and eventually a new identity as American citizens. The harrowing story of their many adventures and ultimate glorious success is one you will never forget!”
And the author bio states:
“Cheri Blomquist is a freelance writer and teacher with a degree in English Education and the Bible. She directs the Denim Beret Writing Program through her website Once upon a Pen. She has also written courses, articles, poems, and stories for The Old Schoolhouse and other magazines.”
The chapters in the book are:
Prologue
1. When Father Didn’t Come
2. A Heart Hardened
3. Return to Jesus
4. Coming Home to Aigen
5. Guitar-Playing Governess
6. Visit from a Princess
7. Closed Door, Opened Window
8. A Change of Destiny
9. A Surprise Performance
10. Shadow Over Austria
11. Escape to America
12. Minstrels of Ellis Island
13. The End of the Beginning
14. Home Sweet American Home
Epilogue
But What About . . . ?
Few people I know have not seen either a play version or the movie The Sound Of Music. In fact since I started reading this I have asked many, and do not know anyone unfamiliar with the popularized version of the story. This book in part sets the story straight and give us far more information on Maria, the tragedies in her early life, and of the family for many years after their escape. It was very hard to read about her early life and what she suffered at the hand of her uncle. It truly is amazing to watch the change in her after an encounter with a well-known priest. And to watch the family grow and live by faith. As I was reading this I was telling my daughters about it and both the 17 year old and the 13 year old plan to read the story. As well as their aunt in her fifties.
The story is very well written. It is deeply moving. It will inspire and challenge readers of all ages. I plan on reading all the books in this series that are in print and as many of the out of print that I can track down. This is another great book in a wonderful series. My only complaint is that only about a third of the books are available in digital formats, with my dual form of dyslexia and my son’s eye tracking issues eBooks are our preferred format. Fortunately I pick up the eBook of this one shortly after it released, even if it took me a while to get around to reading it. These books are written for a Middle Grade Readers, Teens and Young Adults in mind, but this one and the others I have read are great for readers of all ages.
I can easily recommend this book and series for any home, church, or school library. An excellent book in an amazing series!
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2023 Catholic Reading Plan!
Books by Cheri Blomquist:
Before Austen Comes Aesop: The Children’s Great Books and How to Experience Them
If I Could Go Back: Reflections of a Former Homeschool Mom
…
Books in the Vision Books Saints Biographies:
Bernadette, Our Lady's Little Servant
The Cure of Ars
Edmund Campion
Florence Nightingale's Nuns
Fr. Marquette and the Great Rivers
Francis and Clare, Saints of Assisi
Kateri Tekakwitha
Mother Cabrini, Missionary to the World
Mother Seton and the Sisters of Charity
Saint Anthony and the Christ Child
Saint Catherine Laboure and the Miraculous Medal
Saint Dominic and the Rosary
Saint Elizabeth's Three Crowns
Saint Francis of the Seven Seas
Saint Helena and the True Cross
Saint Ignatius and the Company of Jesus
Saint Isaac and the Indians
Saint John Bosco
Saint Katherine Drexel
Saint Louis and the Last Crusade
Saint Philip of the Joyous Heart
Saint Therese and the Roses
Saint Thomas Aquinas and the Preaching Beggars
Saint Thomas More of London
Vincent De Paul: Saint of Charity
Out of Print books in the Series:
Catholic Campuses, Stories of American Catholic Colleges
Champions in Sports and Spirit
Children Welcome: Villages for Boys and Girls
Christmas and the Saints
Columbus and the New World
Dear Philippine: Mission of Mother Duchesne
Edel Quinn: Beneath the Southern Cross
Frances Warde and the First Sisters of Mercy
Good Pope John b
Governor Al Smith
In American Vineyards, Religious Orders in the United States
Irish Saints
John Carroll Bishop and Patriot
John Neumann, The Children's Bishop
Kit Carson of the Old West
Lydia Longley, the First American Nun
Marguerite Bourgeoys, Pioneer Teacher
Martin de Porres, Saint of the New World
Modern Crusaders
More Champions in Sports and Spirit
Mother Barat's Vineyard
My Eskimos: A Priest in the Artic
Peter and Paul: The Rock and the Sword
Peter Claver, Saint Among Slaves
Pope Pius XII, the World's Shepherd
Rose Hawthorne: The Pilgramage of Nathaniel's Daughter
Saints of the Byzantine World
Sarah Peter: The Dream and the Harvest
St. Augustine and His Search for Faith
St. Francis de Sales
St. Gregory the Great, Consul of God
St. Jerome and the Bible
St. Margaret Mary, Apostle of the Sacred Heart
The Bible Story, The Promised Lord and His Coming
The Cross in the West
The Ursulines, Nuns of Adventure
When Saints Were Young
…
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