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American Pop: A Novel
by Snowden Wright"The House of Forster is built on bubbles; watching each wealth-addled generation try not to blow the family fortune and/or disgrace its name provides not only excellent Southern Gothic fun but a panoramic tour of the American Century."— Jonathan Dee, author of the Pulitzer Prize finalist The PrivilegesThe story of a family.The story of an empire. The story of a nation.Moving from Mississippi to Paris to New York and back again, a saga of family, ambition, passion, and tragedy that brings to life one unforgettable Southern dynasty—the Forsters, founders of the world’s first major soft-drink company—against the backdrop of more than a century of American cultural history. The child of immigrants, Houghton Forster has always wanted more—from his time as a young boy in Mississippi, working twelve-hour days at his father’s drugstore; to the moment he first laid eyes on his future wife, Annabelle Teague, a true Southern belle of aristocratic lineage; to his invention of the delicious fizzy drink that would transform him from tiller boy into the founder of an empire, the Panola Cola Company, and entice a youthful, enterprising nation entering a hopeful new age.Now the heads of a preeminent American family spoken about in the same breath as the Hearsts and the Rockefellers, Houghton and Annabelle raise their four children with the expectation they’ll one day become world leaders. The burden of greatness falls early on eldest son Montgomery, a handsome and successful politician who has never recovered from the horrors and heartbreak of the Great War. His younger siblings Ramsey and Lance, known as the “infernal twins,” are rivals not only in wit and beauty, but in their utter carelessness with the lives and hearts of others. Their brother Harold, as gentle and caring as the twins can be cruel, is slowed by a mental disability—and later generations seem equally plagued by misfortune, forcing Houghton to seriously consider who should control the company after he’s gone.An irresistible tour de force of original storytelling, American Pop blends fact and fiction, the mundane and the mythical, and utilizes techniques of historical reportage to capture how, in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s words, “families are always rising and falling in America,” and to explore the many ways in which nostalgia can manipulate cultural memory—and the stories we choose to tell about ourselves.
An American Requiem: God, My Father, and the War that Came Between Us
by James CarrollNational Book Award winner: This story of a family torn apart by the Vietnam era is &“a magnificent portrayal of two noble men who broke each other&’s hearts&” (Booklist). James Carroll grew up in a Catholic family that seemed blessed. His father, who had once dreamed of becoming a priest, instead began a career in J. Edgar Hoover&’s FBI, rising through the ranks and eventually becoming one of the most powerful men in the Pentagon, the founder of the Defense Intelligence Agency. Young Jim lived a privileged life, dating the daughter of a vice president and meeting the pope—all in the shadow of nuclear war, waiting for the red telephone to ring in his parents&’ house. James fulfilled the goal his father had abandoned, becoming a priest himself. His feelings toward his father leaned toward worship as well—until the tumult of the 1960s came between them. Their disagreements, over Martin Luther King, Jr. and the civil rights movement; turmoil in the Church; and finally, Vietnam—where the elder Carroll chose targets for US bombs—began to outweigh the bond between them. While one of James&’s brothers fled to Canada, another was in law enforcement ferreting out draft dodgers. James, meanwhile, served as a chaplain at Boston University, protesting the war in the streets but ducking news cameras to avoid discovery. Their relationship would never be the same again. Only after Carroll left the priesthood to become a writer, and a husband with children of his own, did he begin to understand fully the struggles his father had faced. In An American Requiem, the New York Times bestselling author of Constantine&’s Sword and Christ Actually offers a benediction, in &“a moving memoir of the effect of the Vietnam War on his family that is at once personal and the story of a generation . . . at once heartbreaking and heroic, this is autobiography at its best&” (Publishers Weekly).
American Rose
by Julia MarkusA moving epic novel about the Addis family follows the lives of a butcher, Charles, and his wife Etta, their two children, and Rose, the grandchild who must face the demands of their past.ROSE WAS BORN TO A FAMILY OF EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN.Her immigrant great-grandmother, the first Rose, a shrewd and beautiful fortune-teller, who gave abortions to make "a little extra"...Proud Etta, matriarch, lover of costly things, who kept a fine home with a firm hand...Delicate Helen, musical prodigy, who soared on her talent into madness.Now Rose-American Rose-must face up to all their lives in order to claim her own.Julia Markus, an English professor at Hofstra University, received the Houghton Mifflin Literary Award for her first novel, Uncle, which was followed by three well-received novels, American Rose, Friends Along the Way and A Change of Luck, as well as her critically acclaimed biographies, Dared and Done: The Marriage of Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning and Across An Untried Sea: Discovering Lives Hidden in the Shadow of Convention and Time. She has won a National Endowment for the Arts grant and two National Endowment for the Humanities grants. Her most recent book is J. Anthony Froude: The Last Undiscovered Great Victorian."Bickering, weeping, sulking, giggling-the Addises are vibrantly alive. Their struggles both distress and amuse us; their disappointments touch us..."--Anne Tyler, The New York Times"Moving and masterful...a novel of tremendous power and originality by one of the most gifted novelists of her generation."--Pat Conroy, author of The Prince of Tides"A story told by a writer who knows her people from the heart out...I loved it!"--Belva Plain, author of Evergreen and Random Winds
American Rust: A Novel
by Philipp MeyerAn American voice reminiscent of Steinbeck - a debut novel on friendship, loyalty, and love, centering on a murder in a dying Pennsylvania steel town
American Salvage: American Salvage (Made in Michigan Writers Series)
by Bonnie Jo CampbellNew from award-winning Michigan writer Bonnie Jo Campbell, American Salvage is rich with local color and peopled with rural characters who love and hate extravagantly. They know how to fix cars and washing machines, how to shoot and clean game, and how to cook up methamphetamine, but they have not figured out how to prosper in the twenty-first century. Through the complex inner lives of working-class characters, Campbell illustrates the desperation of post-industrial America, where wildlife, jobs, and whole ways of life go extinct and the people have no choice but to live off what is left behind.The harsh Michigan winter is the backdrop for many of the tales, which are at turns sad, brutal, and oddly funny. One man prepares for the end of the world-scheduled for midnight December 31, 1999-in a pole barn with chickens and survival manuals. An excruciating burn causes a man to transcend his racist and sexist worldview. Another must decide what to do about his meth-addicted wife, who is shooting up on the other side of the bathroom door. A teenaged sharpshooter must devise a revenge that will make her feel whole again. Though her characters are vulnerable, confused, and sometimes angry, they are also resolute. Campbell follows them as they rebuild their lives, continue to hope and dream, and love in the face of loneliness.Fellow Michiganders, fans of short fiction, and general readers will enjoy this poignant and affecting collection of tales.
American Son: A Novel
by Brian Ascalon RoleyA powerful novel about ethnically fluid California, and the corrosive relationship between two Filipino brothers. Told with a hard-edged purity that brings to mind Cormac McCarthy and Denis Johnson, American Son is the story of two Filipino brothers adrift in contemporary California. The older brother, Tomas, fashions himself into a Mexican gangster and breeds pricey attack dogs, which he trains in German and sells to Hollywood celebrities. The narrator is younger brother Gabe, who tries to avoid the tar pit of Tomas's waywardness, yet moves ever closer to embracing it. Their mother, who moved to America to escape the caste system of Manila and is now divorced from their American father, struggles to keep her sons in line while working two dead-end jobs. When Gabe runs away, he brings shame and unforeseen consequences to the family. Full of the ache of being caught in a violent and alienating world, American Son is a debut novel that captures the underbelly of the modern immigrant experience.
American Stranger: A Novel
by David PlanteA daughter of Jewish refugees searches for love and a spiritual home in this novel by the National Book Award–nominated author of Difficult Women. Brought up in a secular household on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, Nancy Green knows suspiciously little about her parents’ past. She knows they escaped Germany, avoiding the fate of so many of their fellow Jews during World War II, but the few family heirlooms they brought to the United States are reminders of a lost life that, for Nancy, remains shrouded in mystery. She seeks connection and a sense of belonging, a relationship in which she can find some sort of religious fulfillment. Unfortunately, Nancy’s first encounter is with a Hasidic man who, dissatisfied with Judaism, has taken vows to become a monk. Then, while studying English literature in Boston, she meets a Catholic boy who captures her interest, but he’s desperate to escape his overbearing mother and the clutches of the Church. After a devastating breakup, Nancy finally settles down with a husband whose background and beliefs seem at least similar to her own. Perhaps now she’ll stop yearning for something more, and trade volatility and heartbreak for a sensible, practical life. But forcing a fit—into a society, a sect, a family, or even a marriage—isn’t easy for anyone, and Nancy still has a long way to travel before she finds her true home. From an acclaimed author of both fiction and memoirs, including National Book Award finalist The Family, American Stranger is a wise and insightful story about the search for identity, and how our real lives are far more complex than our labels. “Plante . . . is always worth reading.” —The Washington Post
American Street
by Ibi ZoboiA National Book Award Finalist.<p><p> A New York Times Notable Book * Publishers Weekly Flying Start * Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year * ALA Booklist Editors' Choice of 2017 (Top of the List winner) * School Library Journal Best Book of the Year * Kirkus Best Book of the Year * BookPage Best YA Book of the Year<p> <i>American Street</i> is an evocative and powerful coming-of-age story perfect for fans of <i>Everything, Everything</i>; <i>Bone Gap</i>; and <i>All American Boys</i>. <p>In this stunning debut novel, Pushcart-nominated author Ibi Zoboi draws on her own experience as a young Haitian immigrant, infusing this lyrical exploration of America with magical realism and vodou culture. <p>On the corner of American Street and Joy Road, Fabiola Toussaint thought she would finally find une belle vie—a good life. But after they leave Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Fabiola’s mother is detained by U.S. immigration, leaving Fabiola to navigate her loud American cousins, Chantal, Donna, and Princess; the grittiness of Detroit’s west side; a new school; and a surprising romance, all on her own. <p> Just as she finds her footing in this strange new world, a dangerous proposition presents itself, and Fabiola soon realizes that freedom comes at a cost. Trapped at the crossroads of an impossible choice, will she pay the price for the American dream?
American Sycamore: A Novel
by Charles KenneyA moving novel about the devotions of friendship and the power of love to heal, American Sycamore celebrates the American experiment and the importance of giving a damn. Rob Barrow&’s devotion to the American experiment has never wavered. For forty years he has devoted his legal brilliance to advancing the essential American ideals enshrined by the Founders. Rob is the best kind of throwback—a classic American character, reserved and respectful, yet with a fierce determination to protect the people and ideas that matter most. Rob stands his ground. He does not yield to the ridicule of malign political forces, nor to the mounting challenges of aging—loss, grief, even an invasion of rogue cells. While AMERICAN SYCAMORE is Rob&’s story, it is also the story of his beloved wife Julia, an author who believes America has lost her way and seeks to understand why. It is the story of their dearest friend, Dr. Ray Witter, a battlefield surgeon in Vietnam and now the medical school dean. When we first meet Rob, Julia, and Ray in graduate school during the 1970s, they are on the idealistic mission to make things right in America. A sense of purpose animates their lives while a commitment to each other powers them through the decades strengthening their bond along the way. AMERICAN SYCAMORE celebrates what ennobles and buoys us—always welcome, but especially so in these mad times. The novel will appeal to readers of literary fiction and upmarket commercial fiction including character-driven mysteries. This is a novel for readers drawn to complex characters facing life&’s challenges with grace and the power of shared love and friendship. It is a story that unfolds on several different levels with surprising twists and turns and, ultimately, a mystery at the heart of the matter.
The American Way of Birth
by Jessica MitfordThis provocative book shows how and in what circumstances Americans give birth. It is not about the miracle of life, but about the role of money and politics in a lucrative industry; a saga of champagne birthing suites for the rich, and desperate measures for the poor. It is a colorful history -- from the torture and burning of midwives in medieval times, through the absurd pretensions of the modest Victorian age, to this century's vast succession of anesthetic, technological, and "natural" birthing fashions. And it is a comprehensive indictment of the politics of birth and national health. Explores conventional and alternative methods.
American Wife
by Jim Defelice Taya KyleThe widow of "American Sniper" Chris Kyle shares their private story: an unforgettable testament to the power of love and faith in the face of war and unimaginable loss--and a moving tribute to a man whose true heroism ran even deeper than the legend In early 2013, Taya Kyle and her husband, Chris, were the happiest they ever had been. Their decade-long marriage had survived years of war that took Chris, a U.S. Navy SEAL, away from Taya and their two children for agonizingly long stretches while he put his life on the line in many major battles of the Iraq War. After struggling to readjust to life out of the military, Chris had found new purpose in redirecting his lifelong dedication to service toward supporting veterans and their families. Their love had deepened, and their family was whole, finally.Then, the unthinkable. On February 2, 2013, Chris and his friend Chad Littlefield were killed while attempting to help a troubled vet. The life Chris and Taya fought so hard to build was shattered. In an instant, Taya became a single parent of two. A widow. A young woman facing the rest of her life without the man she loved.Chris and Taya's remarkable story has captivated millions through Clint Eastwood's blockbuster Academy Award-winning film American Sniper, starring Bradley Cooper as Chris and Sienna Miller as Taya, and because of Chris's bestselling memoir, in which Taya contributed passages that formed the book's emotional core. Now, with trusted collaborator Jim DeFelice, Taya writes in never-before-told detail about the hours, days, and months after Chris's shocking death when grief threatened to overwhelm her.And yet throughout, friendship, family, and a deepening faith were lifelines that sustained her and the kids when the sorrow became too much. Two years after her husband's tragic death, Taya has found renewed meaning and connection to Chris by advancing their shared mission of "serving those who serve others,"particularly military and first-responder families. She and the children are now embracing a new future, one that honors the past but also looks forward with hope, gratitude, and joy.American Wife is one of the most remarkable memoirs of the year--a universal chronicle of love and heartbreak, service and sacrifice, faith and purpose that will inspire every reader.
America’s New Order
by S. D. JohnsonThis is a fictional story about wealthy entrepreneur, Henry Riley, and his obsessive need to control the United States of America. Backed by his political New Order Party, are members determined to create a new society, a new order for the working class. From his three children, Henry plans to have his eldest son at the helm. Supported by their family’s private firm, NUKE Security, and a privatized U.S. military, by 2037, he will control the U.S. under unlimited unilateral power, enacting new decrees and laws, while using technological advancements to control the American people. Truth is in the fiction.
America's Test Kitchen's Cooking For Kids: 32 Recipes Kids Will Love
by America'S Test Kitchen<P>This is America's Test Kitchen's first-ever collection of recipes that are kid approved—recipes that our favorite junior test cooks (our own kids) want to make, eat, and make again. Most of the recipes are familiar menu items at family restaurants--Chicken fingers, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Thin-Crust Pizza, Classic Chicken Noodle Soup, Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies, Chewy Brownies--but they’ve never tasted so good, and better yet, you’ll know exactly what goes into every dish. <P>Each recipe features a brief Why This Recipe Works section, because it’s never too early to start learning the hows and whys of good cooking. Whether you’ve got a kid that’s permanently paused food-wise on mac and cheese, or a budding foodie that loves to mix it up in the kitchen, this collection of recipes makes cooking together fun.
America's White Table
by Margot Theis RavenA little-known tradition to the outside civilian world, "the white table" originated during the time of the Vietnam War as a symbol for and remembrance to service members held prisoner of war or missing in action. Solitary and solemn, it is the table where no one will ever sit. As a special gift to her Uncle John, Katie and her sisters are asked to help set this white table for dinner one night. When Mama explains the significance of each item placed on the table, Katie comes to understand and appreciate the depth of sacrifice that her uncle, and each member of America's armed services, may be called to give. The white table has been set across America in mess halls and at military events for almost 3o years. In thoughtful, evocative prose, Margot Theis Raven, author of Mercedes and the Chocolate 'Pilot, brings to life this ceremony of remembrance. Artist Mike Benny's intimate, detailed artwork gives a sense of meaning and shared experience. "The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation." --General George Washington
Amiga tóxica: Con ella es todo o nada
by Cecilia CurbeloPrimer título de la nueva serie TÓXICA. La vida de Julieta cambia rotundamente cuando en su camino se cruza Nicole. Niki se muestra segura, carismática, audaz, y, después de deslumbrar a Juli en el primer encuentro, se convierte en su compañera de clase y en su nueva mejor amiga. Así comienza un vínculo que se tornará intenso, y que irá asfixiando a Juli, desdibujándola, convirtiéndola en un apéndice. Y aunque las mejores amigas juran contárselo todo, Julieta sospecha que Niki le oculta algo muy grave. Ella necesita recuperarse, volver a rearmar su existencia, pero también descubrir qué es lo que está escondiendo Nicole. «Nuestra amistad es un cúmulo de sensaciones en blanco y negro. Es un contraste permanente entre la alegría y la pena. Entre la contención y el abandono. Entre la felicidad extrema de sentirme única y valiosa cuando me relata un secreto, y la angustia lacerante cuando Niki se enoja y se aleja».
Amigues en pijama
by Jacqueline WilsonDesprés de l'èxit de La meva germana és la pera, l'autora supervendes internacional Jacqueline Wilson torna amb Amigues en pijama. Tothom sap que les festes de pijames són genials. L'Amy, la Bella, la Chloe i l'Emily, les amigues de la Daisy del club secret de l'Alfabet, n'han organitzat una pels seus respectius aniversaris. Però la Daisy té un gran dilema: li encantaria fer una festa de pijames, però si la fa, les amigues coneixeran la seva germana..., cosa que sempre ha volgut evitar!
Amil and the After
by Veera HiranandaniA hopeful and heartwarming story about finding joy after tragedy, Amil and the After is a companion to the beloved and award-winning Newbery Honor novel The Night Diary, by acclaimed author Veera HiranandaniAt the turn of the new year in 1948, Amil and his family are trying to make a home in India, now independent of British rule.Both Muslim and Hindu, twelve-year-old Amil is not sure what home means anymore. The memory of the long and difficult journey from their hometown in what is now Pakistan lives with him. And despite having an apartment in Bombay to live in and a school to attend, life in India feels uncertain.Nisha, his twin sister, suggests that Amil begin to tell his story through drawings meant for their mother, who died when they were just babies. Through Amil, readers witness the unwavering spirit of a young boy trying to make sense of a chaotic world, and find hope for himself and a newly reborn nation.
Amina's Song (Amina's Voice)
by Hena KhanWinner of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Children’s Literature. <P> In the companion novel to the beloved and award-winning Amina’s Voice, Amina once again uses her voice to bridge the places, people, and communities she loves—this time across continents. It’s the last few days of an amazing trip to Pakistan, and Amina finds it hard to leave the sights, the shops, and, most of all, her family. <P> As she heads back to Greendale to start seventh grade, the experience has changed her, and she’s eager to share it with her friends. At home, though, Amina discovers her friends don’t seem interested in hearing about her trip. With everyone growing in different directions, Amina wonders where she belongs—especially after her school presentation on Malala goes sideways, leaving her feeling like nobody understands both her worlds. When Amina turns to songwriting, a boy named Nico who shares Amina’s love for music becomes a welcome new friend. <P> Will Amina find a way to remain true to herself, and to honor everyone and everything that make her who she is?
Amina's Voice (Amina's Voice)
by Hena KhanA Washington Post Best Children&’s Book of 2017 &“For inspiring empathy in young readers, you can&’t get better than this book.&” —R. J. Palacio, author of #1 New York Timesbestseller Wonder &“Amina&’s anxieties are entirely relatable, but it&’s her sweet-hearted nature that makes her such a winning protagonist.&” —Entertainment Weekly A Pakistani-American Muslim girl struggles to stay true to her family&’s vibrant culture while simultaneously blending in at school after tragedy strikes her community in this &“compassionate, timely novel&” (Booklist, starred review) from the award-winning author of It&’s Ramadan, Curious George and Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns.Amina has never been comfortable in the spotlight. She is happy just hanging out with her best friend, Soojin. Except now that she&’s in middle school everything feels different. Soojin is suddenly hanging out with Emily, one of the &“cool&” girls in the class, and even talking about changing her name to something more &“American.&” Does Amina need to start changing too? Or hiding who she is to fit in? While Amina grapples with these questions, she is devastated when her local mosque is vandalized. Amina&’s Voice brings to life the joys and challenges of a young Pakistani-American and highlights the many ways in which one girl&’s voice can help bring a diverse community together to love and support each other.
Amir and the Jinn Princess
by M. T. KhanIn this mesmerizing novel, a wealthy young boy searching for his mother teams up with a fiery jinn princess all while battling in a tournament of heirs—and trying to keep his life from changing forever. Twelve-year-old Amir is one of the heirs to the Rafiq Bricks Company, a wealthy brick kiln business in Pakistan—except he wants none of it. Seeing straight through the jeweled smiles and transactional conversations, Amir would rather spend time in the courtyard garden, where he can almost feel his missing mother&’s presence again. Amir is devastated when his baba announces plans to remarry by the end of the summer, dropping all searches to find Amir&’s mother. It&’s all a business move, just like everything else in his life. His mother was the only one who allowed him to feel normal, but the last anyone&’s seen of her was a year ago. But Amir isn&’t ready to give up yet—determined to find his mother before his life changes forever, Amir teams up with a high-spirited, wide-eyed, shape-shifting jinn princess named Shamsa. His exact opposite. The two make a deal—Shamsa will help Amir navigate the twisty and mysterious realm of jinn, and in exchange Amir must use his wits to help Shamsa win a tournament of heirs and put her on the throne. Amir and Shamsa must contend with silver-tongued tricksters and magical rivals, and a truth far more devastating than Amir ever expected.…
The Amish Christmas Matchmaker: An Uplifting Holiday Romance (Indiana Amish Brides #4)
by Vannetta ChapmanAn uplifting Amish romance from USA Today bestselling author Vannetta ChapmanWith her wedding business thriving, Annie Kauffman could never leave her beloved Amish community. So when Levi Lapp tries to convince her father to move the family to Texas to begin a new community, she must put a stop to it. Her plan? Find Levi a wife who can persuade him to stay in Indiana. But as the two spend time together, can Annie keep from falling for the handsome Amish cowboy herself?Don't miss the other titles in the Indiana Amish Brides series. A Widow&’s Hope Amish Christmas Memories A Perfect Amish Match An Unlikely Amish Match The Amish Christmas Secret The Baby Next Door An Amish Baby for Christmas The Amish Twins Next DoorPreviously published.
The Amish Farmer's Proposal
by Barbara CameronA sweet and heartwarming Amish romance where no disaster can conquer true love. Dairy farmer Abe Stoltzfus wants to propose to Lavinia Fisher, the beautiful young woman he&’s been dating, but being a traditional Amish man, he worries about how he can provide for her. Farming can be uncertain enough with weather conditions, crops not doing well, all manner of uncertainties. And after a bad summer storm and a serious injury from a rooftop tumble, Abe wants to wait until both he and his farm are back on their feet.Lavinia is relieved when Abe survives the fall, yet it seems like it&’s only the start of events that threaten their future together. But Lavinia is not only a talented Amish crafter, she&’s also the daughter of a farmer. She knows what the life of a farm wife is like and remains optimistic things will turn around. And when Abe continues to drag his feet, Lavinia makes him an interesting proposal. Will Abe be able to resist it—and her?
Amish School (People's Place Book Ser. #6)
by Sara FisherRevised Edition! Sold more than 50,000 copies in earlier editions! The Old Order Amish believe that school prepares children for the Amish way of life, for the responsibilities of adulthood, and for eternity. Most communities conduct their own schools, usually taught by Amish teachers. Sara E. Fisher, an Old Order Amish woman, taught a one-room school for seven years. This is her fascinating insider's view of a typical Amish school. Includes "Diary of an Amish Schoolgirl." This authoritative book on Amish education deals with many questions: Why do the Amish have their own schools? How are teachers chosen? How are the parents involved? What curriculum materials are used? What about children with special needs? Co-author Sara Fisher writes from her experience as an Amish schoolteacher; co-author Rachel Stahl writes from her years of extensive research.
The Amish School (1st Ed.)
by Rachel Stahl Sara FisherFrom the Book jacket: This authoritative book on Amish education deals with many questions Why do the Amish have their own schools? What goals do Amish teachers have for their scholars? How are teachers chosen? How are the parents involved? What curriculum materials are used? What about children with special ne(dsr? Co-author Sara Fisher writes from her experienceas an Amish school teacher; coauthorRachel Stahl writes from her years of extensive research.
An Amish Wedding
by Richard AmmonAnna is getting married! Amish weddings are in November, so the family has the whole summer to get ready. Between chores such as milking and haying, Anna's younger sister helps paint the house and put stamps on the invitations. Aunts and uncles arrive the day before the wedding to cook and to clear out the furniture and set up the benches usually used for church services. On the wedding morning they again arrive early, to cook thirty-five chickens and enough potatoes for three hundred people. <P> Finally, it is time. Anna, her groom, Samuel, and the wedding party descend the stairs. After Bishop Levi leads the couple in their vows and the last hymn is sung, the benches are turned into tables and it is time for the wedding meal. <P> The young narrator tells of the many activities leading up to this special day in her household and her own excitement at taking part in it. It is a time for aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and neighbors to gather in feasting, singing, and celebrating the new couple. Some of the ways are unique to the Amish, but they also reflect the joy, excitement, and fellowship of weddings everywhere.