Wishing on Dandelions: A Maranatha Novel

by Mary E. DeMuth

Book Overview

Maranatha's mother abandoned her, a neighbor boy abused her, her best friend has left for college and God has remained elusive. Can she sort out the past so she can trust in the future? This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1576839532
• ISBN13: 9781576839539
• Release Date: January 2006
• Publisher: NavPress Publishing Group
• Length: 357 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.6" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Will keep the reader turning pages to see how Natha deals with the various obstacles that life throw

Can you trust God once more after your life has been broken? It doesn't happen overnight, as 17-year-old Maranatha Winningham learns in this well-crafted story. WISHING ON DANDELIONS is a follow-up to WATCHING THE TREE LIMBS, in which Maranatha is abused by a young neighbor. In the opening pages of Mary DeMuth's latest novel, the reader learns that Natha's best friend Camille has left the small town of Burl, Texas, for college. Natha, meanwhile, plunges into her senior year of high school. Because both her parents are dead, Natha lives with her father's brother. Since his stroke, Uncle Zane moves much slower and, while never much of a conversationalist, talks even less. Natha's home life is in turmoil when Uncle Zane marries Georgeanne, who has her own ideas about how the household should be run and in what part of town to live. Throughout the story, Georgeanne tries to build some sort of a relationship with Natha but often ends up crossing some imaginary barrier and offending the teen. Then Violin Charlie, the son of a judge who lives in a better area in Burl, invites Natha to the Homecoming Dance. Georgeanne pitches in and takes Natha to purchase a new pink dress, building a bit of good will. Ultimately, Georgeanne has plans to move the entire family to this better part of town, which throws Natha into a panic as she wonders if she will be able to leave the protection of the house she has always known. The abuse from the past comes roaring back into Natha's life. One day she rides her bicycle to a property where she likes to think. A man named Jake Gully confronts her about trespassing and then offers her a ride into town. When she gets into his truck, he takes off away from town and acts suggestively toward her. Natha manages to escape and reports the incident to the police. Miss Nichols, the assistant district attorney, pressures Natha to testify against Gully. After being convinced that he will be freed without her testimony, a reluctant Natha finally agrees to take that big step, as friends and family gather to support her throughout the trial. WISHING ON DANDELIONS will keep the reader turning pages to see how Natha deals with the various obstacles that life throws in her direction. DeMuth has written an emotionally-charged novel that will help others grow in their own faith relationship. --- Reviewed by W. Terry Whalin

Excellent sequel

Wishing on Dandelions is the sequel to Watching the Tree LImbs. It continues the story of Maranatha, the young girl we met in the first book. A victim of childhood sexual abuse, Mara is a tenager now and living with her Uncle Zane. Georgeanne Peach, who was hired to take care of Uncle Zane after his stroke, takes over and before Maranatha relizes what has happened, Georgeanne has fired Zady and talked Uncle Zane into marrying her. Georgeanne hates the old home that Mara has come to love and wants to move to a new house across town. With too many changes, coming too fast, Maranatha wonders if God really cares for her. Sexual abuse of children is on the rise, and it's all too often the subject no one talks about. There are many Maranatha's whose story has never been told. Mary DeMuth brings it out in the open in a beautifully written tale that captures the reader from the beginning. Wishing on Dandelions is a story of love, redemption, and healing that will speak to many. If you liked Watching the Tree Limbs, you will want Wishing on Dandelions.

Wonderful sequel!

This book continues the story begun in Watching the Tree Limbs as Maranatha, now seventeen, still struggles to deal with her past and discover her place in the world. As in the first book, nuggets of insight shine as jewels, like the exchange between Maranatha and Zady about obedience and trust in God (pp. 266-67), which spoke deeply to me in a time when I needed it. The author doesn't shy away from the hard questions of our faith--and yet the story goes on to answer the questions in the best way it can, in a style that's deep and rich and lyrical. Not for the fainthearted, perhaps--DeMuth plunges right through some stereotypes of race and denominationalism--but a gorgeous reminder of how far-reaching is the redeeming hand of our Savior.

Another winner from Mary DeMuth!

After reading Watching the Tree Limbs by Mary DeMuth, I couldn't wait to get my hands on her next novel. Now that I've read it, I can only say that it was well worth the wait. DeMuth is unarguably one of the more gifted writers to grace any bookshelf in years. Picking up with Maranatha's story where she left off at the end of Watching the Tree Limbs, the author re-introduces the characters in such a way as to make the reader happy at being reunited with dearly beloved--if a bit eccentric--old friends. And from first page to last, DeMuth succeeds in making us cheer for Maranatha, as she struggles to overcome the demons of her past and fears of the future. May the saga of this little Texas town and its so-very-real inhabitants continue through the writing and publishing of many more books!

Wonderful sequel to Watching the Tree Limbs

Wishing on Dandelions is another amazing work of art by the author, Mary DeMuth. The prose is beautiful, the story is riveting, and I loved the entire novel. The characters are so real. Some parts were so funny they had me rolling and other parts had me on the edge of my seat. I loved Watching the Tree Limbs, but I think I love Wishing on Dandelions even more. I love how the author shows true Christianity in her stories through the love that is shown to Maranatha by the people who care about her. I also loved the honest portrayal of merely religious people and their stifling ways. They are often the people who stunt the growth of new and struggling believers. Oh, and the tension between Maranatha and the two Charlies was fantastic, and the racism issue very realistic. Plus, the reluctance Maranatha exhibited in regards to helping put the "bad guy" in jail is very typical of abuse victims. They are SO afraid. Totally believeable. Georgeanne and the uncle are so classic--as is their relationship. I loved watching them grow emotionally by occasionally popping from behind their protective walls to show affection to Maranatha the only way they knew how. And I loved Camilla's quirky poem ministry to Maranatha. Great stuff! You have to read the story to get my meaning there. The long and short of this review is...I don't want the series to end. I want to see Maranatha get married and deal once again with the issues that will arise when she makes those sacred vows and bears children. I hope the publisher agrees! Highly recommended!