Christy by Catherine Marshall
ISBN: 0-310-24163-4
Marshall, C., (1967). Christy. New York: McGraw Hill
Plot Summary
Christy, a 19-year-old from a well-to-do family hears a Christian revival minister speak about his missionary work in Appalachia. Christy is drawn to his message and decides to volunteer her time and become a schoolteacher in Cutter Gap. When she arrives, Christy is overwhelmed by the poverty and ignorance of the people she meets. The locals are suspicious and unwelcoming to outsiders, and are reluctant to ask for her help. Alice, a Quaker woman, helps Christy see the goodness in the people and acceptance of their ways. There is also a young minister David Grantland, another outsider, and Dr. Neill MacNeill, an agnostic who has lived in the mountains. She learns about the people’s customs and way of life, and learns to appreciate them all. As time passes, Christy and the people form relationships, and she begins teaching the children, and some of the adults. Christy also grows closer to the young pastor and doctor.
Critical Evaluation
A heart-warming story. God and Christian themes are a tenet throughout, but are not the main focus. Rather, the actions and attitudes of many characters are guided by their faith, but are not managed or controlled. Superstitious individuals also prevent this from becoming a overly moralizing Christian novel. The atheist doctor is also not reviled, but treated with respect and understanding. His reasons for his lack of faith are convincing, and while not agree with, are accepted. If the religious tones are too much, glancing over them is sufficient and will not ruin or lessen the story. Alice’s Quaker ways are calming, and even non-Christian readers will find themselves supporting her quiet and peaceful views. The characters are what make Christy a memorable novel. Their plights, concerns, and successes are celebrated by the other townspeople and readers alike, as it is easy to become invested. The simple, daily lives of the Appalachian people were mundane to those living them, but are written with a sincere interest that turns them into interesting accounts of very different lives. There is moonshining, feuding, and killing, but also hard workers, loving families, and lasting friendships. In the end, what you believe in is not as important as how you live your life.
Reader’s Annotation
Christy, a young woman from an educated family goes to the very poor Appalachian Mountains to be a teacher. Her relationships with the locals, including the pastor and doctor, change all their lives.
About the Author
Catherine Marshall’s first book, Mr Jones, Meet the Master came about after her husband’s death when she needed to support her small family. Due to its success, Marshall decided to write A Man Called Peter, her husband’s biography. It remained on the New York Times bestseller list for fifty weeks. She then turned to novel writing and wrote Christy. The novel is partly based on her mother’s experiences teaching in Appalachia before her marriage. Her books have been translated into thirty-five languages and sold over eighteen million copies.
Catherine Marshall was born in Tennessee to a reverend and his wife. She graduated from Agnes Scott College and married a minster named Peter Marshall at twenty-two. Marshall wanted to be a writer, but devoted the next years to being a wife and mother. She contracted tuberculosis and was confined for over two years while she recovered. Just twelve years after they were married, Peter Marshall died of a heart attack. Left a poor widow, Catherine Marshall decided to compile and edit her husband’s sermons into a book. It was a success and she continued to write. Ten years after her husband’s death, Marshall remarried. Her second husband was Leonard LeSourd, editor of Guideposts. Marshall died in 1983 at 68.
Genre
Christian/Historical Fiction
Curriculum Ties
Appalachian History
Booktalking
Imagine a young woman leaving all that is familiar, and going to Appalachia. A beautiful place, but one with poverty and little knowledge of modern ways.
Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 8th grade
IL: 9th grade and up
Challenge Issues
I do not foresee any challenges. But if there were I would have my Defense File ready.
In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for book inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a book is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the book fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire book was read, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have read the book and either enjoyed or disliked the book and why.
Why Included
I read Christy for the first time several years ago and it stayed with me. It is a lovely book and one I reread.
Others in the Series
N/A
References
Peter Marshall Ministries. (2013). Legacy. Retrieved from http://www.catherinemarshallministries.com/legacy/catherine-marshall/
ISBN: 0-310-24163-4
Marshall, C., (1967). Christy. New York: McGraw Hill
Plot Summary
Christy, a 19-year-old from a well-to-do family hears a Christian revival minister speak about his missionary work in Appalachia. Christy is drawn to his message and decides to volunteer her time and become a schoolteacher in Cutter Gap. When she arrives, Christy is overwhelmed by the poverty and ignorance of the people she meets. The locals are suspicious and unwelcoming to outsiders, and are reluctant to ask for her help. Alice, a Quaker woman, helps Christy see the goodness in the people and acceptance of their ways. There is also a young minister David Grantland, another outsider, and Dr. Neill MacNeill, an agnostic who has lived in the mountains. She learns about the people’s customs and way of life, and learns to appreciate them all. As time passes, Christy and the people form relationships, and she begins teaching the children, and some of the adults. Christy also grows closer to the young pastor and doctor.
Critical Evaluation
A heart-warming story. God and Christian themes are a tenet throughout, but are not the main focus. Rather, the actions and attitudes of many characters are guided by their faith, but are not managed or controlled. Superstitious individuals also prevent this from becoming a overly moralizing Christian novel. The atheist doctor is also not reviled, but treated with respect and understanding. His reasons for his lack of faith are convincing, and while not agree with, are accepted. If the religious tones are too much, glancing over them is sufficient and will not ruin or lessen the story. Alice’s Quaker ways are calming, and even non-Christian readers will find themselves supporting her quiet and peaceful views. The characters are what make Christy a memorable novel. Their plights, concerns, and successes are celebrated by the other townspeople and readers alike, as it is easy to become invested. The simple, daily lives of the Appalachian people were mundane to those living them, but are written with a sincere interest that turns them into interesting accounts of very different lives. There is moonshining, feuding, and killing, but also hard workers, loving families, and lasting friendships. In the end, what you believe in is not as important as how you live your life.
Reader’s Annotation
Christy, a young woman from an educated family goes to the very poor Appalachian Mountains to be a teacher. Her relationships with the locals, including the pastor and doctor, change all their lives.
About the Author
Catherine Marshall’s first book, Mr Jones, Meet the Master came about after her husband’s death when she needed to support her small family. Due to its success, Marshall decided to write A Man Called Peter, her husband’s biography. It remained on the New York Times bestseller list for fifty weeks. She then turned to novel writing and wrote Christy. The novel is partly based on her mother’s experiences teaching in Appalachia before her marriage. Her books have been translated into thirty-five languages and sold over eighteen million copies.
Catherine Marshall was born in Tennessee to a reverend and his wife. She graduated from Agnes Scott College and married a minster named Peter Marshall at twenty-two. Marshall wanted to be a writer, but devoted the next years to being a wife and mother. She contracted tuberculosis and was confined for over two years while she recovered. Just twelve years after they were married, Peter Marshall died of a heart attack. Left a poor widow, Catherine Marshall decided to compile and edit her husband’s sermons into a book. It was a success and she continued to write. Ten years after her husband’s death, Marshall remarried. Her second husband was Leonard LeSourd, editor of Guideposts. Marshall died in 1983 at 68.
Genre
Christian/Historical Fiction
Curriculum Ties
Appalachian History
Booktalking
Imagine a young woman leaving all that is familiar, and going to Appalachia. A beautiful place, but one with poverty and little knowledge of modern ways.
Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 8th grade
IL: 9th grade and up
Challenge Issues
I do not foresee any challenges. But if there were I would have my Defense File ready.
In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for book inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a book is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the book fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire book was read, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have read the book and either enjoyed or disliked the book and why.
Why Included
I read Christy for the first time several years ago and it stayed with me. It is a lovely book and one I reread.
Others in the Series
N/A
References
Peter Marshall Ministries. (2013). Legacy. Retrieved from http://www.catherinemarshallministries.com/legacy/catherine-marshall/
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