Turkey Red by Esther Loewen Vogt

~Saturday Stories~

I wrote this review a while back, so its format is different than usual.

“Was it true they had left the good life in Russia in order to settle in this lonely, wild new land, as Jake had said? Maybe she didn’t understand it, but hadn’t Papa and the other church leaders prayed about it?  And hadn’t God led them here?”

After the Mennonites emigrate from Russia in 1877, Martha finds herself in Kansas. And though now they are free from religious persecution, other problems abound. Snakes, Indians, fires, blizzards are all dangers Martha and her family and friends encounter quite often. Was it worth it to come here at all?

Martha struggles to understand why the Mennonites came to America, leaving what seemed like a good life in Russia. Also, she wonders if she can be friends with another girl, who is not a Mennonite. Throughout Turkey Red Martha learns that God is with them wherever they are and accepts Jesus Christ.

Genres: historical, Mennonite. For those 13 and under. Issues dealt with: different denominations in the church, emigration. 

“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.”  Genesis 28:15a (NIV)

For more on Esther Loewen Vogt visit the Goodreads page.