Katy
Content: A pure story of strong character, simple faith, and a loving family. Trade paperback. 192 pages.
Author: Mary Evelyn Notgrass
Age Level: 8 and up (or a read-aloud for all ages)
Price: $7.50
About Katy
Katy Porter likes to climb trees, play with her sister, and ride bikes with her brother. The Porters are a close family. They are brought even closer through a family vacation, a surprise in the middle of the night, and an important decision that will affect them all.
Katy is enjoying her summer break from school when her parents tell her that they are thinking about homeschooling in the fall. Katy likes being an average girl and is afraid that being homeschooled will make her too different from everyone else.
Katy’s parents will have to decide soon. This summer could bring a big change for the Porter family. Whatever they decide, it has already brought a big change in Katy’s heart, for she is learning that being different might be okay after all.
Katy is a pure story of strong character, simple faith, and a loving family.
About the Author
Mary Evelyn Notgrass is a homeschool graduate who lives and works with her family in Gainesboro, Tennessee. She is the director of a dramatic society for homeschooled children and has written several historical dramas.
What Readers Are Saying
- Review from Considering Homeschooling. .
"Dear Mary Evelyn, My mom and I have been reading your book, Katy. (My brother listened too!) It has been really fun. We just finished it. We want to know if you can continue to write books about Katy. We would like to hear more! I'm 8 years old, and we home school too! It was nice to read a story about a little girl who loves the Lord." (Ohio)
"My daughter and I read Katy just before beginning our adventure in home education at the end of August. We thoroughly enjoyed the book and read it daily over about a one week period. Not only did we look forward each day to find out what would happen next in the story, it was so helpful in getting our minds prepared for what we were about to begin. I would recommend this well-written, engaging book to all. " (Texas)
"We have read Katy and LOVED IT!" (Kentucky)
"[M]y nine year old daughter is busy reading [Katy] and seems to be very inspired that a fellow homeschooler wrote and illustrated it. [Mary Evelyn] is an amazing author and artist!" (Texas)
A Review of Katy
"Katy is a safe and happy story set in a world of wholesome, fun and warm family relationships. Written in the classic style of the much-loved Milly Molly Mandy and Little House on the Prairie stories, Mary Evelyn Notgrass’ story is unencumbered by an author’s need to pander to popular culture.
"Young readers will relate to Katy’s childhood experiences, like playing make-believe with siblings and friends, the disappointment of not earning a swimming patch and the simple pleasures of a visit to grandparents. Good role modeling is abundant, yet natural and never delivered with a lecturing tone. For instance, Katy restrains her first impulses in speech and action, and she checks with Mom before doing something for which she does not have specific permission. Siblings love and encourage each other, Dad prays and plays ball, Mom comforts and teaches Katy to sew, and parents ask for and grant forgiveness following a minor argument.
"Wound through the story is a pending decision whether to homeschool. Katy’s parents give ear to the children's feelings while reserving to themselves the final decision.
"Mary Evelyn Notgrass’ simple black and white illustrations complement the storyline’s unaffected innocence. Katy makes a great addition to a family’s bookshelf."
Derri Smith, Sweet Home Press