Life in an Amish Community

School Library Journal

Gr 6-10-This book covers much of the same ground as Jean Kinney Williams's The Amish (Watts, 1996). Like that title, it explains who the Amish are and why they have chosen to live apart from the rest of society, eschewing modern technology. Well-documented passages relate information on the sect's history; education, worship, and marriage practices; daily life; interaction with "Englishers" (their more worldly neighbors); challenges relating to pacifism; and current social and economic problems. Wagner's book, however, is packaged more tightly with smaller type and frequent subheadings organize the six chapters. The author also uses many more sources, which are listed in chapter notes and in an extensive annotated bibliography. Primary sources are quoted throughout the text and in sidebars, offering everything from a bookmobile librarian's perspective on the group's reading habits to an excerpt from an Amish mother's diary. In the introduction, the author begins by assuming readers believe that "-a culture that embraces the old and familiar seems odd," but this is a minor quibble. Most of the material is presented objectively and provides welcome insights. Wagner refers to a number of communities throughout the country, mentioning similarities and differences. Adequate black-and-white photographs appear throughout.-Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.