This book seemed to be more of a YA or younger book, and I kept that in mind as I read. The author is Old Order Amish, so that is why I decided to read it. It's a sweet, innocent read, as it should be for youngsters, but it does give an authentic idea of what being Amish is like on a day-to-day basis. It rings more true than most of the Amish fiction I've read. This is book 1 of a series. ( )

(Warning: Review may contain Spoilers--Read at your own discretion)

What worked for me:

I sympathized with Lizzie comparing herself to her sisters and other girls and feeling that she comes up wanting. I also sympathized with her wanting a husband.

I could understand Lizzie's fear of unknown situations (such as leaving home to work as a maud, meeting new people at church or school, etc.). I can even understand not wanting to talk about them to a certain extent--there are some people (especially as teens) who don't understand that what's easy for them might be hard for someone else--but certainly there must be one person Lizzie could find who could be trusted to help talk her through some of this.

Mrs. Glick being willing to follow her husband to a farm in a new town even though it wasn't her first choice. I think it shows how much the Glick parents love each other and how they support each other.

I do think Mr. & Mrs. Glick were right to not allow Lizzie to continue working at the egg grading--not so much because she attracted the attention of a man, but because she didn't seem to understand what she'd done wrong to attract his attention and why that wasn't the best thing to do. Yes, it is a period of "running around" for the Amish youth, but you still want your child to make wise choices and not put themselves in the path of potential harm.

What didn't work for me:

Hearing about how the parents liked Emma more than Lizzie in almost every chapter. (or at least that's how Lizzie feels about it)

Hearing about food and Lizzie's weight in almost every chapter.

People seem to expect Lizzie to know things that they don't tell her--like how to wash the diapers so they don't get tangled and how to act around men. (I agree with another reviewer who said if you feel your daughter is old enough to go out and work a job, then you also need to teach her what to look out for as she leaves your home to go out into the world).

I'm also a bit surprised that her family hasn't figured out that Lizzie will tune out their talks/lessons if they drone on too long. Lizzie seems to do better at "figuring it out" if she can ask questions and have them answered in a few short sentences or if you get to the point and lay out your argument succinctly and logically.

Lizzie doesn't seem to recognize when to ask for help or sometimes even how to ask for help.

The ending seemed a bit abrupt--we had to read through umpteen pages of Lizzie wondering how she would find her husband only to have it stop with her interested in Amos but Stephen being interested in her.

Lizzie's attitude sometimes just stank--she seemed to want to dictate to her parents rather than do her chores and do the jobs they wanted her to do--sometimes that attitude came out of fear but instead of sitting down and talking through her concerns/fears with her family or a trusted relative, she just keeps on going down the same path--it's like she doesn't learn.

There's a bit of an inconsistency for me in the fact that Lizzie doesn't want to be hired out as a maud to work in other family's homes, but she desires to be a waitress at a restaurant. I don't see how it's much different except maybe she'd be home when not working rather than staying in a room at another family's house. She'd still have to deal with other people and meet new people so it's not like waitressing is going to change that aspect of a job.

There's also a bit of inconsistency in that Emma seems to find her "future husband" right away (shortly after she turns 16)--I'm not quite sure how she knew this boy before or how she knew he was "the one" since that's not explained. But that doesn't seem to be the norm and though the parents seem okay with it for Emma, they encourage Lizzie to not settle on any one boy that quickly--seems like a mixed message. ( )

I didn't like it - I waited a long time for book 1 and read it and will give 2 and 3 away instead of reading them.

This was the story of Lizzie and her family. She was 15 when the story began and 16 when it ended. There was nothing interesting enough in this book for me to want to read the next 2 to see if she finds love.

Very disappointed. ( )

This story seemed to meander along with no real rhyme or reason but there was something about this book that just grabbed me. I enjoyed the story, even if I did want to grab Lizzie and shake her a few times. ( )

Running Around and Such by Linda Byler
4 STARS

Running Around and Such is supposed to be written by someone who is Amish. So with that knowledge it makes it seem more real.
Lizzie Glick is the main character and its her telling the story. I had a real hard time caring about her. She is overweight,lazy and wants fancier stuff than the simple plain ways. Lizzie also talks back to her parents. She reminds me of me at times.
Lizzie is 15 at start and her older sister is almost 16 and can start dating and going to sings.
Emma is the oldest girl and is good at everything. She likes to cook,sew and willing to work hard and has strong faith. What I usually think of about the Amish women. So I judge Lizzie harder because she does not measure up for me.
Lizzie is selfish and always think that the others are picking at her. She uses food to calm her in stressful times.
Lizzie is trying to understand how finding the right man to marry that Gods wants for her.
Its a simple story with a lot more details of dailey life as a young female teens Amish life.
This is a very clean read that anyone can read and enjoy.
I will read more about Lizzie in the next book. I was given this ebook to read in exchange for honest review.
09/04/2012 PUB Open Road Media imprint Good Books ( )