| Title | : | Six Weeks to Yehidah |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0984651705 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780984651702 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 170 |
| Publication | : | First published August 2, 2011 |
Annalise was ten then, old enough that she’d begun thinking about grown up things, like picking her own clothes out for school, yet young enough, still, to indulge in fanciful imaginings of enchanted trees and talking hills. Her best friends were the clouds that canopied her village and the verdant hills that hosted her most precious and outrageous dreams."
As spunky young Annalise travels from one adventure to another, she learns ancient wisdom traditions and gains deeper and deeper insight into herself and her world. Eventually she must make the most important decision she's ever faced -- whether or not to return to the self she has always known.
Six Weeks to Yehidah Reviews
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There’s a scene in Melissa Studdard’s delightful Six Weeks to Yehidah in which 10-year-old Annalise enters a portal to another world through an ancient petroglyph. Six Weeks to Yehidah is a true portal as well, a wide-open door into enlightenment through expert storytelling.
I read the book in one sitting, charmed by its characters and pleased by the wisdom threaded through its pages.
“There is no then. There’s only a chain of nows, a translucent yellow character named Bob tells Annalise as she begins her adventure above the clouds. The girl has, after a flooding accident, entered a colorful land “with new rules.” Yehidah, according to Rabbi David A. Cooper, is “the soul level most connected with the source of awareness” and means “unity.” Here is a place, the author tells us, where we may “find that our differences are not so great after all.”
Our young heroine encounters a wild mix of characters on her journey: among them, two companion sheep, Mimi and Mabel; a disharmonious orchestra on Acoustic Island; a Native American mother and son; a wild monkey she must learn to control. Her first “welcome” to the new land comes from Hagski, a frumpy mess whose harangues are filled with literary references to other heroic journeys. Hagski’s alarming appearance is soon followed by the gentler voice of Me Anyou and the appearance of Annalise’s personal guide Bob, who says he is “a manifestation of Me Anyou like all of us are.”
Six Weeks to Yehidah deserves to become a contemporary classic. There aren’t many well-written books out there teaching this kind of vital spiritual wisdom to middle-schoolers. And it’s a most welcome addition to the library of anyone, of any age. -
Six Weeks to Yehidah, and the story of Annalise of the Verdant Hills, is one of those rare books you will always treasure. As you delve fully into the story, dwell within the story beside Annalise as one of her guardian angles, you will experience a quickening of flesh and spirit, Spiritual Goosebumps. As Annalise discovers the depths of her being, so will you. As Annalise travels through heaven, so will you. As Annalise begins to awaken to the nature of her truest self, the truth, so will you. Annalise's story is more than enthralling, it is enlightening, it is your deepest held heart memory awakening to the light of creation itself, wisdom incarnate, words coming alive and giving life. I promise you will not stop reading until the very end. You will want to savor every word, every moment, and every adventure in its deep held wisdom. And you will wish to share the story with others, with your children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren from one generation to the next. Delve deep. Awaken. Be.
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Six Weeks to Yehidah is the story of Annalise, a young girl who enters a wondrous dreamscape. With the company of two very special friends, she takes a journey and meets a variety of intriguing and highly entertaining characters. Ultimately, it is up to Annalise to solve the greatest riddle of all: why she’s here, and what it all means. Her each step towards this answer is both delightful and thought-provoking. Six Weeks to Yehidah is a must read for any young person who knows there is more to life than what is right in front of our eyes.
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Six Weeks to Yehidah is a spiritual delight, a page-turner fantasy that takes its readers on a journey not to be missed. Melissa Studdard makes a brilliant debut in this young adults’ novel with memorable characters, powerful scenes, and intimacy rather than spectacle. The story is intelligent and compelling, a must-read for spiritual literature fans of all ages – refreshingly original, haunting, and heartfelt. This exceptional voyage with the heroine, Annalise, is delightfully childlike but remarkably adultlike at the same time as Annalise’s mature intelligence enables her to understand and interpret her own personal truths, as well as relationships and interconnectedness among all people (Importantly, Yehidah means “unity” in Hebrew).
Like Dorothy in Oz, like Alice in Wonderland, and like Gulliver in Liliput, Annalise’s journey takes her into a strange and inexplicable realm where answers to timeless questions are discovered. In the wonderland of clouds, Annalise meets a cast of characters from which she learns how to see light and goodness in others – pivotal on the route to learning how to love.
Following in the great tradition of all fantasy literature that has a message, Six Weeks to Yehidah is classified as young adult literature, but it is rooted in profoundly spiritual symbolisms and meanings, which shine for older readers. In other words, while there is much to delight young readers in the wondrous tale of a young girl and her two (talking) sheep companions, there is also much for adult readers to reflect upon.
Studdard skillfully weaves into her the text a kind of word play reminiscent of Lewis Carroll, the magic of Oz, and a touch of Peter Pan (especially as Annalise, like Wendy, must make the decision to remain or to return home). More than Alice, Dorothy, or Wendy; however, Annalise is compelled by the message that returns with her. Within this book, one also finds hints of various world philosophies and theologies: Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, New Age, and Hindu as the author probes universal truths. Melissa Studdard has written a story that has all the best qualities of a classic and much, much more. -
In Six Weeks to Yehidah, author Melissa Studdard gives her readers a rollicking account of a young girl’s adventures in a magical “other-where.”
After 10-year-old Annalise and her two pet sheep, Mabel and Mimi, are caught in an unexpected flash flood, they awaken to find themselves transported to a place above the clouds. Here they meet a number of strange and wondrous beings, from Bob, a man made of light, to Hagski, a nasty bag lady who likes to make rules, to a shaman named Tony and his wise mother Kàna. Here, too, they find that animals talk and musical instruments sprout from the ground like corn. Annalise visits islands and special gardens and a tunnel through the ocean, all the while learning lessons about herself and the nature of the universe. In the end Annalise must decide whether to remain in her wonderland of serenity and adventure, or to return to her life on earth bearing an important message.
Combining the clever word play of Lewis Carroll, the delightfulness of the Oz books, and the philosophical underpinnings of C.S. Lewis and the Buddist Bodhisattva, Six Weeks to Yehidah is a tour-de-force of excellent writing and startling imagination, and a gentle exploration of the interconnectedness of all things. -
I'm usually pretty leery of people who throw around the words "brilliant" or "instant classic" when they talk about books; however, in the case of Melissa Studdard's debut novel those descriptions are apt and inescapable. This isn't a genre I read very often--usually because I find it tedious or too fantastic for its own good. However, "Yehidah" sidesteps those traps in favor of a fresh story and believable characters drawn from friendly--and familiar--archetypes. The fact that there is a positive message of unity ingrained in the story is a bonus.
A major plot point reminded me of the British TV critical darling "Life On Mars," but "Yehidah" is still a refreshing, original work.
I'll read this book to (and with) my daughter as soon as she's old enough. I hope she finds Annalise's world above the clouds as enchanting as did I. -
Melissa Studdard is an author who needs no introduction. Of her many diverse talents and endeavors, Melissa serves also serves as a professor, editor, critic, and talk show host. But among the highlight of her many accomplishments is her award-winning children’s novel, Six Weeks To Yehidah.
I cannot recall the last time that I have read a children’s novel—but to hold this book in my hands and indulge in the wonderment of these pages awoke my inner child and reminded me of how I came into writing in the first place—how I used to write stories about a little Indian girl named “Dark As Night” before I ventured into poetry. I wondered if Melissa’s book had been published in my youth how it would have inspired and influenced my own writing. I can envision my child-self carrying the book with me at all times as I was prone to do with the books I love, which cultivated into my adult habits of dog-earing pages, highlighting text, and making my own careful notations in the margins. I always say that if you find a book in my home that has not been scribbled in by my hand, it is either a book I have not yet read, or a book I did not enjoy. Needless to say, Six Weeks To Yehidah is marked so heavily that it is barely distinguishable that I only recently received it. These are my marks of love and adoration.
“Always remember, that the most beautiful and authentic worlds are within your very own self, and you can always find them.”
The story of young and adventurous Annalise weaves a tapestry through her fantastical journey through mystical realms.Melissa’s surrealist settings and quirky characters are reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland, but with a deeper philosophy. The reader swings with Annalise through states of dreaming/wakefulness, fantasy/reality, and physical/spiritual realms. In the end, Annalise discovers that there is very little that separates these states of being. Melissa’s use of language and metaphor trapezes the reader through the wonderment of child-like innocence and curiosity that ultimately reveals ancient wisdom and prophecy. She merges cultures and belief systems from around the world and throughout history alongside her creatures of make-believe. The story is laden with prophetic symbolism and reference from The Tibetan Book of the Living and Dying, Bodhisattva, Golden Ratio, and the sacred geometry of mandalas, yantras, and labyrinths. The story is filled with portals, realms, gates, and unraveling mysteries.
For children, the book serves to awaken the kind of curiosity and soul seeking through wonderment and fantasy which ultimately manifests a palpable understanding. We need more literature for our youth that invites diversity, tolerance and altruistic harmony:
“All religions have similarities and that these are the real truths. The differences among them, those things that people fight over, are not the deeper truths.”
For adults, not only does this story awake the innocent, free-spirited child within—but I believe it also validates the role that many poets and artists strive to fulfill without judgment or condemnation.I have long felt that artists and writers are the prophets of modern day. In the past, people would be institutionalized for their beliefs and revelations that did not fit into society’s segregated ideologies. But the artist found the loophole of proclamation through fantasy and creation; uninhibited expression.
“In art, we can present our truths as fantasies without having them questioned. It allows us to share our ideas.”
Ultimately, Six Weeks To Yehidah is a book for children and a book for the child within. It is literature such as this that endorses an open and expanding spirituality through fantasy that has the capacity to unite all cultures into a supreme state of reality. -
(Copy received free through the Goodreads First Reads giveaway.)
I wanted to like this book much more than I actually did, but while it succeeds on a certain level, overall it just wasn't to my taste.
I admit that based on the description given here on Goodreads, I wasn't really sure what to expect from this book. The comparison that's made in the book's blurbs and endorsements is to the Wizard of Oz, but I felt that was somewhat misleading. For one thing, Oz had something important that this book doesn't: the Wicked Witch. In Six Weeks, there's very little conflict of any sort, and thus (to my mind) not much of a plot. Annalise travels through a surreal, disjointed dreamscape, meeting one character after another, (nearly all of whom are kind and helpful, except for a couple who barely qualify as irritants), and she learns one thing after another without ever really making much in the way of mistakes or being in any sort of danger (physical or emotional) from anything. I found that I wasn't able to connect with Annalise on an emotional level the way I wanted to, because her character felt flat, as if she were just there to be the cutout for the reader to view the events through -- just the vehicle of the story, and not the one driving it.
I think the message of the book is a worthwhile one -- the interconnectedness of everything and everyone, with aspects heavily influenced by Buddhism and similar spiritual practices -- and it works well enough on a purely allegorical level. (I could certainly see the book being used by parents, for example, to introduce children/preteens to Buddhist/new age concepts for discussion.) Reading it mostly as a story, though, I found it somewhat dull and overly preachy. I would recommend it to readers who can appreciate the spiritual concepts it presents without needing it to be more than that. -
Definition
Yehidah – The highest plane of the soul, in which one can achieve as full a union with God as is possible…
Summary
While outside playing, young Annalise of the Verdant Hills finds herself far away from home in a mysterious land of clouds. She’s joined by her two sheep friends, Mabel and Mimi, who suddenly find they can talk. Together, they meet captivating people, visit new and enchanting lands, and have adventure after adventure, all the while discovering new truths about the world around her and also herself. This journey of self-discovery leads Annalise to face the most important decision of her young life. Should she stay among the clouds or find her way back home to her mother and the world that awaits her new knowledge?
Thoughts
What a fun and delightful read! Melissa Studdard does a wonderful job incorporating important and pertinent life lessons in a way children can relate to and adults can understand. This book has so many great insights. It’s written in such a fun, magical way that its young readers will enjoy each and every page.
As an adult (and favorite auntie and soon mama-to-be), I love that both parents and children can read this together and discuss so many different important themes in our live. It lays the groundwork for discussion on so many levels. The ending is beautiful. I found myself shaking my head in agreement as I read her words. If only society could truly take away the same lessons that sweet Annalise has discovered.
Many reviewers have called Six Weeks to Yehidah a classic, and I agree. This is definitely a book you’ll want for your child’s library. Overall, this is an enchanting read for the young children in our lives. They’ll enjoy it, and you will too.
-I give Six Weeks to Yehidah 3.5 stars.- -
Read this review and more at
http://funsmartreviews.blogspot.com/
When I started this book, I expected a simple story about a little girl with talking animal friends that grows up to get everything she wanted. The End. Boy, was I wrong! This book is so much more! You meet Annalise, who soon finds herself in a land that can hardly be named. She is taken many places, all the while finding her way through obstacles, and meeting people or rather, beings. Annalise learns about the person she really is, and her connection with the world around her. Like any good story, this one ends with a twist; the surprises aren't over until the end.
I will admit, sometimes I had to take this book a chapter or two at a time, since it has such a deep dose of philosophy, which you sometimes have to let sink in. But, by all means, do not let this scare you away. In fact, by the end of the book, there is almost a calming feeling about it, and you feel like Annalise, with your mind opened to thoughts that will keep surfacing long after you have finished the book. This is why I would definitely recommend this book to anyone; pre-teen to adult.
Really, I couldn't finish this review without putting in a good word for the author. Melissa Studdard sent me this book to review on my blog, and she has been so kind since. I am so glad that I can meet people like her in my blogging, and I would be happy to review any book for anyone (contact information is available at my blog). That being said, whenever I review a book for someone, the opinions in that review are mine, and I am not told to write a certain thing.
So, if you are looking for a unique book that will open your mind to new thoughts, give Six Weeks to Yehidah a try! -
Six weeks to Yehidah is one of those books that have different messages for different readers. If you are a little kid you may enjoy the fantasy and the amazing world created by Melissa. Also you might find helpful lessons on it, because it has a lot of things that would help children through some paths of childhood.
As for an adult (or a young adult like me) the book is a lovely book about self-discovery and about getting the wisdom to live a full life. It helps us to remind a lot of the things we forgot as we grow up. It also has messages that are important for all no matter how old we are.
Annalise is a ten-year-old girl in a world where sheep can speak and you travel from cloud to cloud. Passing a series of test she learns a lot about tolerance, love, friendship, help others and the things that make us different and equal at the same time.
At first sight you can see that Melissa got her inspiration from some classic stories. There are little words or passages, which you may feel similar, but she has an original way to write the story in an simple language and with a character that feels modern and who is easy to relate with.
The idea that we have to be tolerant with different religions and with different point of views is one of the high points of the book. Is one of the things you have to really capture from the pages and take to your day by day.
One of the things that I came up with was that this book presents the perfect opportunity for adults and kids to read together because in my opinion their different points of view about the book will help them to have a more wide sight of the story.
(I recieved a copy of this book as part of the blog tour presented by Sage at Sage's Book.) -
Six Weeks To Yehidah is a fantastical journey containing so much wisdom and insight. I can see why this is an award winning novel. This book has so many levels to it and you can read and enjoy it from any of them. At it's base it is a fun and spectacular fantasy story, containing lively worlds and creative characters. This book also has an immense amount of depth and if you choose to let it, it will really get your brain churning.
The world building is wonderful and very enjoyable. You can easily picture the places Annalise visits. They are magical. The main character, Annalise, is so full of life and I easily fell in love with her character. Annalise begins to connect and grow in a way that allows her to see and experience things as they really are. She is no longer limited by how things seem to appear. She is taught many worldly lessons as her journey progresses and your heart will sing right along with her as she learns them. This story unfolds a little at a time, which is something I liked about it. It is not one you have to fully understand from the very beginning. You will be immersed in it regardless. When you do realize the reason for this girl's journey it does not hit you like an 'ah ha' moment. It is merely a growth in the story line that enables the reader to expand their perception of it. To me, the point of Six Weeks To Yehidah is the progression of the journey and what you can gain from it.
“Always remember, that the most
beautiful and authentic worlds are inside your very own self, and
you can always find them.”
This is a story that should be shared with all. It will warm your heart and bring tears to your eyes. I highly recommend sitting down and taking this story in. -
Reading Six Weeks to Yehidah, the debut novel by Melissa Studdard, one cannot help, but be reminded of a few other books. In fact, the more I read, the more I began to formulate a recipe in my minds-eye:
Directions: Take pen and paper and add the following:
A half tablespoon of The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
A pinch of Alice and Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
A sprinkle of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
A smidgen of The Odyssey by Homer
A dash of A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engleta
A teaspoon of The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
A squeeze of Buddha: A Story of Enlightenment by Deepak Chopra
Mix vigorously and pour onto the page. Now read.
Six Weeks to Yehidah is definitely different, and like the Chronicles of Narnia can be appreciated on many differently levels. Adults will see the deeper layers the book offers, while YA may simple enjoy it as fun fantasy. I will caution, it is one of those book that if you give up on it too soon, you will miss a real treat.
The overriding theme of the book is self-discovery, and I applaud the author for tackling such a difficult message. There are too few of these types of books out there for young people to read. Luscious narrative fill the 170 pages, and adventures abound. If you take the time to read this novel you will be rewarded twofold.
I want thank Sage at Sage's Book Tour for the opportunity to read and review this book. -
Where to begin. At the beginning of the book i felt or thought that i might be reading a children's book. But i soon realized that i as the reader was meant to travel with Annalise in her adventure. To take the journey with her, to awaken parts of me, to grow, and understand as she did how beautifully all things in our world are connected. Annalise has some very weird and silly experiences as she travels beyond that makes you think at first that what you're reading is children stories. However as you look deeper and understand the wise teachings of the characters she meets, you understand they are being said to teach the reader to see things in life as they really are or might be, and to understand that our earthly lives have robbed us of true sight. I found myself pondering a lot about what each character was trying to teach Annalise and how in some way i needed to learn them as well. This book is a very spiritual book, not the kind that preaches the bible or preaches any religion in particular but spiritual in the way that it takes you on a journey to find your true self, the you that is connected to the world as a whole energy. It surely will make you question the way you see things around you.
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Melissa Studdard's joyfully written "Six Weeks to Yehidah" takes us into ten-year-old Annalise's magical dreamscape where thoughts become things and light manifests in sparkling colors that live and breathe and speak.
An inquisitive child by nature, Annalise prefers the woods and fields to staying indoors. So when she finds herself on a grand adventure with sheep that learn how to talk, she is more than ready to explore each new wonder than to worry overly much about the strange and happy world that rises up around her as she skips from cloud to cloud.
While the book is categorized as "young adult," it might be more suitably labeled as "children's literature" based on its dialogue and plot. Even so, the book is filled with deeply spiritual symbolism and tongue-in-cheek hero's journey references that adults will enjoy while reading this well-crafted story to their children.
Like the classics that have come before it, "Six Weeks to Yehidah" will delight readers of all ages, each finding something new in it every time they rediscover Annalise's story. -
When I first began reading "Six Weeks to Yehida", I found myself thinking of the beloved classic, :The Wizard of Oz". Soon it became apparent there was much of "Alice In Wonderland" within the pages. Then, as I read even further, it became very clear this book had much more meaning and combined the world of Fantasy with our own reality.
It is my opinion, this book should be read by educators to their students and parents to their children. I rarely make a statement such as this, but it is my honest opinion this book deserves to be made into a movie for it will bring viewers the delight of fantasy along with wisdom.
Melissa Studdard has excelled in creating a book for both the young and old alike. Her play on words, imagination and understanding of the human psyche jump from each page.
So if there are any movie producers out there - you'd be wise to contact this very talented author before someone else learns of the book. You'd have a certain box office success with this one. -
Annalise of the Verdant Hills is a young girl with a super sized imagination. The fascinating visuals and sounds she conjures up in her mind lead her on a magical journey. Annalise travels to a variety of places beyond her wildest dreams with her sheep, Mabel and Mimi. What starts off as an amusing adventure quickly turns into an array of invaluable life lessons.
Six Weeks to Yehidah is an enchanting and refreshing story that enlightened me in ways I never expected, and I easily adored Annalise and her carefree, yet energetic spirit. Melissa Studdard didn’t waste any time tossing Annalise into a whirlwind adventure where she tackled many tasks set before her. The numerous characters that Annalise encounters are colorful and dwell in diverse environments and realms.
I definitely think this book is suited for readers of all ages. I am looking forward to rereading Six Weeks to Yehidah with my 8-year-old daughter. -
In "Six Weeks to Yehidah," Melissa Studdard takes the reader on a spiritual journey through the eyes of Annalise of the Verdant Hills. In "Yehidah," “the hold of imagination” becomes as persistent as reality,” and Annalise discovers that the journey to discover one's self is also the journey to understanding the human (48). Despite her young age, Annalise shows the reader the meaning of universal acceptance, encountering strange creatures on her journey but ultimately discovering that people are all “connected...like the strands of a web, each to the other, body to body, mind to mind, heart to heart” (155). With whimsical characters and scenes, the novel calls forth comparisons to "Sophie’s World", "K-PAX," and "Alice in Wonderland," but strikes a unique and refreshing note with Studdard's enchanting attention to detail and message of love for the self, and the world.
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Six weeks to Yehidah is a quick, easy and a fun read with some good messages in there, like acceptance of others and patience among others, the young generation would greatly benefit from this story, and learn some things along the way. It is a story of told through the eyes of Annalise, who enters a magical land with her two sheep and they meet different cast of characters from very annoying, to charming. I enjoyed Melissa Studdard’ delightful writing style and a her great imagination in writng this book. Six Weeks to Yehidah is a must read for any young person, and can be enjoyed by adults as well, and is a treasure to keep.
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I really enjoyed this book. I reminded me of Alice in Wonderland, with many fantastical tales and allegorical characters. The pace was good and the characters were fun and interesting. I really enjoyed the story and could see younger audiences really loving it, too.
I listened to the audio version of this book and really enjoyed the narration. The narrator really brought out the character's personality and really good vocal range. And the fact that she sung the songs really helped. (P.S. Listen to any of the songs on 3x speed. I recommend the first one with the sheep 'baa'ing)
Great book to share with the whole family.
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.** -
I found the book to be written very beautifully, it was simply not my cup of tea. It lacks a central plot and driving force behind the story, instead the character "falls" into every situation. The other reviews that compare it to "Alice in Wonderland" are spot on! See full review here:
http://appraisingpages.com/2012/09/06... -
Goodreads Summary
"The thing you would notice most was the rain, how the rain fell and fell and never seemed to stop. The sky was constantly swollen with it, then birthing it, swollen, then birthing again, and the hills, like greedy babies, suckled up all that rain. They shone and glistened green as the backs of frogs on bright green lily pads.
Annalise was ten then, old enough that she’d begun thinking about grown up things, like picking her own clothes out for school, yet young enough, still, to indulge in fanciful imaginings of enchanted trees and talking hills. Her best friends were the clouds that canopied her village and the verdant hills that hosted her most precious and outrageous dreams."
As spunky young Annalise travels from one adventure to another, she learns ancient wisdom traditions and gains deeper and deeper insight into herself and her world. Eventually she must make the most important decision she's ever faced -- whether or not to return to the self she has always known.
My Thoughts
Six Weeks to Yehidah is wonderfully written, I have to say that first, the words in this book were such a delight, I consumed them completely. Melissa Studdard has a whimsical prose with a great deal of wit and maturity; she captures readers easily and completely. Growing up, I was a huge fan of Enid Blyton. The woman could write with such flourish and originality, her stories inspired me, and I have never felt so touched by a storyteller in a long while. Six Weeks to Yehidah was great because Melissa Studdard literally became my adult Enid Blyton figure, she is so talented. I can see why the responses to Six Weeks to Yehidah are so positive, I loved it!
Annalise is the perfect young protagonist for her inquisitive nature and smart mind, Mable and Mimi, her sheep, offer a great enhancement to the adventure. I liked that they could talk above the clouds, the magic and overall ingenuity captured me. Six Weeks to Yehidah could be a good read for anyone. There is a religious element to the story, I won't ruin it for anyone, but in no way did it interfere with my enjoyment or the book's progress. I laughed, reflected and relished the journey from start to finish; there isn't a way to dislike Six Weeks to Yehidah. If you haven't read it, find yourself a copy, I suggest it. Previous readers have compared this to works such as Wizard of Oz mainly because the concept of a journey is the same. There are a lot of contrary and absurdly peculiar characters in almost every page. Enid Blyton was a great author for all she brought to fiction. I believe that Melissa Studdard has all the makings of similar greatness. -
Review: Six Weeks to Yehidah by Melissa Studdard
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Six Weeks to Yehidah by Melissa Studdard is a middle grade book essentially about theology and the meaning of life. The protagonist is ten year old Annalise who wanders away in the rain even though her mother said to stay near the house and goes on an incredible adventure with her two sheep Mabel and Mimi. On her adventure of self discovery Annalise learns so very much about herself, her purpose, and about the wonders of life.
Even though this novel is written for children 8-12 years old, thinking back to myself at that age, I’m not sure most children at that age would understand some of the abstract concepts. I do think Ms. Studdard does a good job in using vocabulary appropriate, I wonder if the intangible theories would be within their grasp. I did appreciate that for the most part Ms. Studdard doesn’t delve too much into any one religion, unlike C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe which has a very Christian basis.
I rated Six Weeks to Yehidah a 3.5 out of 5 stars as I did like that this was a very thought provoking children’s novel that parents and children could read and discuss together. But I felt parts of it dragged a bit as I had figured out what had actually happened to Annalise about 20 pages in and was waiting for it to all play out. I try not to reveal too much about specific plots in my reviews as to not giveaway too much to potential readers.
I would have liked for there to be a bit more discovery about the similarities and differences that different religions have about a belief in a higher power or G-d. I liked the quote by Rabbi David A. Cooper at the beginning of the novel, but think it may be too sophisticated for 8-12 year old children. Perhaps there could have been a discussion guide at the back of the book discussing this quote and main topics in the book as a starting point for parents and children.
I was also sent an e-copy of the guided journal companion My Yehidah which I glanced through, but would have found it more useful if it was an actual printed version. I liked the idea of having a guided journal for interested children to use as a way of digesting the very abstract concepts brought up throughout Six Weeks to Yehidah.
Both Six Weeks to Yehidah and My Yehidah by Melissa Studdard (the journal is illustrated by Cheryl Kelley) are available now.
~Jaclyn~ -
AudioBook Review:
Overall: Stars: 4 Narration: 4 Story: 4
A curious mix of children’s fantasy stories, Alice in Wonderland, Chronicles of Narnia and The Wizard of Oz, Melissa Studdard has crafted a lovely story perfect for middle-grade readers (or in this case, listeners).
Annalise is 11 and a dreamer, she loves to sing to the clouds and imagine herself in the stories her mother reads to her. Despite her very tender age, Annalise is grappling with the questions we all have: why are we here and what is our purpose. And she explores the question and gleans answers in the company of her two sheep friends, Mimi and Mabel.
Full of lessons and learning all brought gently to the forefront in a wild mix of characters and lovely prose that often is mixed with rhyme and song, Annalise is learning and exploring those parts of life that lie deep within, and aren’t always visible. Heavily laden with lessons that are intrinsic components of the thoughtful life; touching on themes that range from self-determination, choice, love, family and the circular nature of life and the interconnectedness of all beings. While the concepts are deep and still can confuse and confound adults, Studdard presents the building blocks of initial thought with grace and clever imagery that will enchant younger readers as they travel along Annalise’s journey.
Narration in this story is provided by Karen Krause who deftly manages to add nuanced inflections, subtle tone and pacing changes and a smile in much of her delivery that makes the listen intriguing and entertaining. I love her voice and clear delivery, not too fast or slow with moments taken to just wonder at the lovely word pictures that Studdard has created.
Unlike any other stories I have reviewed, this story is fun and intriguing while carrying what is ultimately a life-altering decision at the end: Annalise is a wonderfully developed character with a thoughtful and imaginative interior life, never losing that wonder and curiosity of a child even as many of her reflections and conclusions are solidly old soul.
This book stays with you for the sheer beauty of the writing and world, and the messages within, giving both children and adults an experience that leaves them richer for the listen.
I received an AudioBook copy of the title from the narrator for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility. -
This is a very unusual sort of book, at least compared to what I normally read. I don't read a lot of literary fiction, I prefer a straight-forward kind of story, but I found this book very thought-provoking. I couldn't just read it as a story, I had to think deeper about what the author was trying to say or what she seemed to be saying. This is the sort of story that what you see in it depends on what you bring to it. For example, when Annalise first enters the world above the clouds she runs into a hag named Hagski who starts running her through a bunch of nonsense rules about rules. When I read this I immediately thought of government red tape and how so much of the good that government agencies could do becomes pointless because of all the paperwork and requirements that must be met. I have a feeling that a teenager reading this would see something very different.
I especially enjoyed the section about the Utopia Falls and how the people there have learned to let go of the need for power or money or pride, and see no one as more important than anyone else. Annalise learns that silence is all around us and that much can be learned just be being still and listening and the satisfaction of a job well done. This is a book worthy of much thought and discussion both in and out of the classroom.
For those looking for the opportunity to jot down some of their own thoughts and ideas based on Annalise's experiences as well as their own, there is a journal that complements the book. There are beautiful illustrations to color as well as prompts for writing about one's own thoughts and feelings about different aspects of Annalise's experience, such as really listening to something rather than just trying to get a noise to stop.
I recommend both these books for those who want to look at the world in a new way, see things you've never noticed before and enjoy the beauty that surrounds us. -
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This book took me completely by surprise. In fact even though I just finished this book a few hours ago I think I'm going to have to go back and re-read it because there were so many elements at work in the novel.
I know one thing though that while this book is classified as a young adult novel and centers around a 10 year old little girl I think that the book could easily work as an adult novel regardless of the 10 year old heroine Annalise.
In her novel Six Weeks to Yehidah Melissa Studdard created a wonderful novel in which Annalise learns, grows and explores and engages in in miraculous ways. While the novel is short at only 170 pages long it felt like a much longer novel because of all the things I got to experience along side Annalise as she herself grows as a person.
For me I found that Annalise was just the sweetest character I've "met" in a long time and I couldn't help love her Melissa's story telling ability is amazing. I loved the world she created and her way of describing what was happening in the story was extremely well done and while I was reading it was as though the book itself was coming alive.
Over all this was a great YA read that is written simply enough for younger readers to grasp but not so much that the older reader grows bored. I do have to warn you though that the book has a strong spiritual theme so if that isn't your cup of tea I would pass on this one. However, if you don't mind it I highly suggest getting your hands on a copy. I know my review is short but trust me on this, it's so worth the read.
*I received a free copy in exchange for my free and honest review. I was not compensated in any way and all thoughts and opinions expressed therein are my own.
