Christy has captured a time and place where life was simpler in many ways, though not without its own difficulties. Love, Mary Elisabeth reminds us what it was like when people looked out for each other and there were stronger bonds between family, friends, and neighbors. We've lost a lot of that in this technological age, which has contributed to greater isolation and alienation. Thank you, Christy, for that journey back to a time of community and caring

This epistolary novel captures the sacrifices and hopes of eleven-year-old Mary Elisabeth who must go to live with her aunt’s family while her father works and her mother is in a tuberculosis sanitarium. It’s not easy being brave and kind and hopeful when she’s so far from her family. Mary Elisabeth uses letters to keep them close and to face the challenges of adjusting from city life to a rural farm with no running water, a one-room school house, bullies, fires, and bears.

My oldest and I just finished Love, Mary Elisabeth. Fantastic story, wonderful writing! We both so enjoyed sharing in the story of Mary and her family, and their sharing of the joys and sorrows of life when distance kept them apart.

Reading Love, Mary Elisabeth was like taking a walk through a sun-warmed flower garden at sunset. Everything comfortable about a whimsically relatable childhood, but with magical surprises along the way. I laughed alongside Mary Elisabeth's antics, ached with her as she faced the unfortunate realities of life, and rejoiced with her as growing pangs morphed into new mystery explained.  I especially loved reading unexpectedly perfect descriptions of childhood perspective, relating them to my own experiences, and walking with Mary Elisabeth as she navigated through her year of changes. But, truly: Mary Elisabeth reminded me of the joy of letter writing (and receiving!), encouraged me to remember the beauty of family, and described (better than I ever could) the unparalleled delight in coming home.

Love, Mary Elisabeth is a riveting account of a young girl coming of age and learning love really does hold a family together. From its tender beginning to the heartfelt climax, the author engages her readers with wit, charm, and endurance.

Love, Mary Elisabeth is an absolute treasure; the kind of story that makes you want to travel back in time. Charming, delightful, imaginative. I could hardly put it down!

In Love, Mary Elisabeth Christy Martenson has given us a delightful book full of letters much like Jean Webster’s Daddy-Long-Legs, in the heartwarming style of Arleta Richardson’s Grandma's Attic. You’ll fall in love with Mary Elisabeth immediately through her simple yet charming letters to her mama and papa.

I found Love, Mary Elisabeth difficult to put down. The story is charming! I felt like I personally knew the family, because the descriptions were so vivid. I was so caught up in the narrative that I had the desire to pray for individuals and situations.

With a keen attention to historical fact, an unparalleled ability to depict the innocence of a young girl’s displaced heart, and a seemingly innate talent for storytelling, Christy Martenson portrays the 1920’s hard times tenacity, make-do resolve, and oftentimes humorous grit of rural Americana in a timeless saga, Love, Mary Elisabeth. The illustrations add depth of detail to Christy's debut novel — making it a book to be treasured by all ages.

Love, Mary Elisabeth is a heartwarming story about a family’s survival during trying times. A fascinating read as Christy gets into the minds of the characters through letters exchanged by all three.

A story that will capture your attention and imagination and won't let them go. Love, Mary Elisabeth tells of a young girl's separation from her parents through her letters to and from them and all with such vivid prose you feel as though you're living it with her. It's a perfect blend of the best of Daddy-Long-Legs and Understood Betsy all wrapped up in one. Five stars all the way.

Love, Mary Elizabeth is sure to capture your heart from its first few letters! You will cry, laugh, and rejoice as you share the precious notes sent between a family separated by illness in the 1920s. Love, Mary Elizabeth reminded me of the Dear America books with the charm and hilarity of the Grandma's Attic series. I can't wait to see what Christy Martenson has in store for us next!

Love, Mary Elisabeth is an entertaining and original read. As a teacher who has read thousands of kids' books, I can vouch that this book was written by an extremely creative author!

Real-life tales skillfully woven into a fictional setting, these country adventures ring true to life and human nature. An innocent and joyful read.

Christy has captured the innocence and joy of a childhood spent navigating the triumphs and trials of country life that is so captivating in classics like Little House on The Prairie. I can't wait to read this gem with my kids.

I loved the warm, timeless stories set against the backdrop of another era. Mary Elisabeth would make a sweet friend for my children in real life, but since that is impossible, we'll enjoy her through the pages of this book.