Abraham

Abraham by Jennifer Beckstrand is the second novel in The Petersheim Brothers series. Alfie and Benji Petersheim are eight year old twin brothers who are tired of sleeping in the cellar. They were excited when their plan to marry off their brother, Andrew worked. Unfortunately, their mother turned Andrew’s bedroom into her sewing room so she could have a place to escape from Mammi (I don’t blame her). So, the twins have turned their attention to Abraham. Abraham seems smitten with Emma Wengerd so the twins come up with a plan to get the pair together. Abraham is a delightful story. Alfie and Benji manage to get themselves into numerous scrapes. Of course, it falls onto big brother, Abraham to assist these mischievous twins. I thought the characters were developed and realistic. They each had insecurities like Abraham’s shyness and how he would put himself down. He had such a kind heart and is a thoughtful man. The twins are going to have their work cut out for them matching their shy brother with the lovely and outgoing Emma. It is going to be a bumpy ride especially with Perry in the picture. Jennifer Beckstrand’s descriptions allowed me to envision the story and characters. I could just see the twin’s grandfather being pushed into the woods in his wheelchair. I could tell that he was having the time of his life. I believe the twins are what is helping the grandfather recover from his stroke. I love the inclusion of Bitsy Weaver. She is my favorite character (I wish I had half her gumption). I was tickled that the author included her in this series. It was interesting to learn about some unique variety of chickens (Emma loves her chickens) like the Silke and their colorful eggs. Abraham is well-written with steady pacing. I did not want to put down this engaging story. I laughed so often while reading this charming tale. Abraham can be read on its own, but I highly recommend Andrew. I cannot wait to read Austin. I have a feeling that the twins are still without their much wanted bedroom and will have to find Austin a mate next. Abraham is an enchanting story with exotic chickens, wily lads, meddling Mammi, a bothersome boy, a skinflint store owner, and peanut butter problems.

I love this book! With even more wit and laughter that we enjoyed in The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill, Jennifer Beckstrand brings us The Petersheim Brothers. Andrew, Austin, and Abraham are known as the Peanut Butter Brothers for their peanut butter business, the best anywhere. And who doesn’t love peanut butter? The characters are a blast and very well defined by their conversations and actions. The plot is as intricately woven as a pair of 9-year old twin Amish boys can make it while trying to bring romance into the life of their 22-year-old brother. They successfully married off Andrew with as much mayhem as could be imagined. How much harder could it be to marry off Austin and Abraham? Austin knows and likes lots of girls. Abraham? He’s shy and doesn’t even talk to girls! They must get Abraham first, since their Mamm always says to do the hardest job first. The brothers’ grandfather “dawdi” had a stroke. His care is too much for their grandmother, Maami, so they moved in with the family. With all the room rearranging, the twins lost their bedroom and are sleeping in the cellar with the bugs and spiders, which unlike most little boys, they do not like. They decide to get Abraham married off to Emma, since they see him watching her a lot. Their first scheme is to care for a chocolate Labrador retriever abandoned when a neighbor moved away. Mamm won’t let them have a dog, so they hide “Tintin” in the woods, make a shelter for him, and get a donation for his food. If Emma sees Abraham walking the dog, she will want to talk with Abraham and they will become friends, right? If only it were that easy. Emma likes the attention she gets from the boys at gatherings and singings and isn’t ready to settle down with just one. Abraham surely wouldn’t be the one, because he is so quiet and boring. At least until the twins try to act as if Tintin has gotten into her exotic chicken run. She loves and raises exotic hens. The first time she has to address the dog’s behavior, the boys leak real tears and beg her to not tell their Mamm. Abraham has to go find out what the dog did. He knows quite a bit about chickens as he is learning to care for animals the Amish way, without becoming a vet. They talk about the chickens and other things, but Emma doesn’t want him to talk to her anywhere else. Finally, she suggests they can be friends, but will she keep up her end of the friendship? I didn’t really like Emma that well at first as she seemed too shallow – wanting attention without the responsibility, wanting friendship but not willing to give it. I do like Abraham, perhaps because I know those same self-doubts and lack of confidence. I absolutely adore the twins, and enjoy Abraham’s Mamm and Bitsy Weaver, who helps the twins. It took a crisis that cost Emma and her sister Lizzy their jobs, the Peanut Butter Brothers one of their bigger accounts, and Abraham a broken heart to shake up the plans of the twins and set the tongues of other young adults wagging. Abraham did all he could to make it right for Emma and Lizzy, but who will set his world right? This wonderful good novel of Amish family and community is an amazing read. I highly recommend it for those who appreciate close Amish families, LOL humor, the escapades of nine-year-old boys, and the potential for gentle, sweet romance. From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from CelebrateLit, and First Reads and this is my honest review.

Still waiting for Austin. The twins are what makes these books fun.