Dutton, Sandra Mary Mae and the Gospel Truth
Houghton Mifflin/Clarion/Graphia/Kingfisher 2010 134p 15.00 978-0-547-24966-7 elm/ms Families -- Fiction. VG
“ Ten-year-old Mary Mae, living with her parents in fossil-rich southern Ohio, tries to reconcile, despite her mother's strong disapproval, her family's Creationist beliefs with the prehistoric fossils she studies in school.” Written for upper level elementary and middle school students, this is a coming-of-age story for ten-year-old Mary Mae. In this title, Mary Mae, the narrator, who lives in a fossil-rich area of Ohio loves science and church. When Mary Mae’s love of fossils and science bring her to question things she was learning in school about evolution, versus what she learned through the Bible, her mother pulls her out of school to be home schooled. Mary Mae’s thirst for knowledge and searching for the truth brought questions related to both biblical issues and real science, creationism versus evolution. While Mary Mae believes in Jesus and the existence of God, she sees God as the one who does things in a different way. Since Mary’s mother is a die hard creationist who believes in all the Bible stories, her Granny helps Mary Mae through listening, being supportive, and by making up songs and playing her guitar. Granny does not discourage Mary Mae, instead she provides confidence to her as she searches for the truth and what she believes in her heart.
The author does a nice job of discussing both creationism and evolution, blending biblical versus science. Students who have Christian values and beliefs will find this title interesting. Non-religious students may get a sneak peak at both religion and science and may formulate their own ideas and questions. Realistic Fiction Forba-Mayer, Charleen
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