Maggie's Story

By Dandi Daley Mackall and TurtleMe

Maggie's Story Maggie Dale is stuck at a dead-end job in a podunk town in rural Ohio. Her life is on the fast lane to nowhere, until a stranger named Joshua comes to town and shows her that she can be... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1414309783
• ISBN13: 9781414309781
• Release Date: March 2006
• Publisher: Thirsty
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.8" x 1.0" x 4.8"
• Age Range: 13 to 20 years
• Grade Range: Grade 8 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

Perfect for the modern day girl

This book is a perfect read for people who find it hard to read the Bible. Mackall makes it easy for people to understand the life of Jesus. You also get to see the story through the eyes of Maggie. In the Bible you don't hear much about Mary Magdalene. So it is nice to see the story from her point of view. This book shows what Maggie went through and what she might have felt when she first saw Jesus (Josh).

The vulnerability she brings to this biblical character is compelling

Author Dandi Daley Mackall creates the scene for a modern-day Mary Magdalene to walk today's streets, face contemporary society's struggles, and finally be confronted with Jesus. While Mackall imaginatively fills in the missing spaces where the Bible doesn't, she is careful to draw on what scripture does reveal. It is known that Mary Magdalene, along with other women, did travel with Christ and the disciples as Jesus taught the people. Mackall also cites several scripture references upon which she based some of the events of her story. Fact: according to Luke 8, Jesus did cast out seven demons from Mary; Mary was by the cross at Jesus's crucifixion; Mary was one of the first to go to the tomb and find it empty; and Mary was the first to see the resurrected Christ (John 19-20). Readers will appreciate how Mackall tells Maggie's story with all the internal angst, grit and realism of a young woman who has been neglected, discarded, rejected and fallen away from "normal" society. Maggie, a waitress at a local bar, is tough, wizened and cynical. During her shift, she can handle whatever is thrown her way. Once home (home being a dingy second-hand apartment), Maggie looks for an escape and every night finds it through several hours of male companionship and a mix of alcohol and drugs. Despite her inner hopelessness, she forces herself to compose heartfelt letters to "Chance," her aborted son, confessing and pleading pathetic words that erupt from her broken heart. Then one day, a friend tells Maggie about a man she has met. Unlike other men from Maggie's past, Joshua (Jesus) changes the lives of those who hear him for good. Maggie is skeptical but inwardly is drawn to Josh. Wrestling between guilt and fear, Maggie forces herself to take the plunge of faith and follow Josh. Maggie learns and listens, and is forgiven. Soon, Maggie joins other believers who have given up their livelihoods to join Josh's crusade. They take on the state of Ohio, traveling from city to city to preach the Gospel, heal the sick and rebuke the pharisaical religious folk. Every reader knows how the story ends. Josh is summarily executed while Maggie and the other disciples scramble to make sense of his death. The final scene poignantly wraps up the biblical story of Christ's resurrection and how his appearance to Maggie (Mary) readied her to go and tell his story to the world. Mackall does an admirable job of getting inside Maggie's heart and mind, and the vulnerability she brings to this biblical character is compelling. --- Reviewed by Michele Howe

AMAZING!!

This is an amazing, and ming boggoling story about the life of Jesus. Some of the reviws for this book say it was unrealistic and that it couldnt have happened. I am 18 and this story showed me the real depth of our fathers love, and forgiviness. I think this is a must read for any teenager who wants to better understand God.

Amen To the Last Review! Fantastic!

Edgy, but with a heart. An unusual take on Mary Magdalene. Thought-provoking and ultimately a book which echoes the heart and soul of true Christianity.

Fantastic

He heals the sick and feeds the poor. He raises the dead and has charisma that attracts people to him from all walks of life. Those in his inner circle believe he is the Son of God. This is not Jesus Christ; instead this is Josh Davidson. Christ never came to earth as claimed by those in the first century, but now God sends his Son to protect and preach to the masses. Maggie is a sinner who uses sex, drugs, and alcohol to dull her pain. She once tried suicide but failed and now just tries to numb her anguish. When Josh's path crosses hers, she walks away from him, but then returns to him as she is drawn to him and his message of forgiveness. Maggie becomes a devoted follower preaching with him in Ohio. She knows deep in her heart that Josh forgave her sins even if she cannot forgive them herself. Yet she is the one who sees him first when he rises from the dead and when the time is right she will be one of hiss followers to spread his message. Although this book is aimed at young adults, older readers will enjoy reading Maggie's story immensely. Everything that happened to Jesus happens to Josh in the twenty-first century. Josh's message spreads around the world rather quickly because of advanced communications, which also means he is a threat to the powerful. Maggie represents a modern day Mary Magdalene as Dandi Daley Mackall makes the case that the Son of God could have come at any time and attracts the same followers and detractors. MAGGIE'S STORY will be cherished by readers. Harriet Klausner