Miracles on Maple Hill

by Virginia Sorensen, Joe Krush (Illustrator), Beth Krush (Illustrator)

Marly and her family share many adventures when they move from the city to a farmhouse on Maple Hill. Her father is recovering from being a prisoner-of-war. The small town and the varied happenings and activities of country life help them to recover from past unhappiness, and bond more closely as a family.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Childrens, Middle Grade, Classics, Young Adult, Historical

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1956

About the author

Virginia Louise Sorensen (February 17, 1912-1991) was an American writer. Her role in Utah and Mormon literature places her within the "lost generation" of Mormon writers. She was awarded the 1957 Newbery Medal for her children's novel, Miracles on Maple Hill.

Sorensen was born in Provo, Utah in 1912, and it was her family's own stories that influenced her early novels of the American West.

Reviews

[Toni]

I am not at all surprised that this book won the Newbery Medal in 1957: besides having a pleasant pastoral narrative and lyrical dialogue, Miracles has an engaging, young, at times naive main character. Marly is most admirable in her search for miracles and especially in her discovery that she can create her own miracles. I rejoiced along with her when the sap first rose in the trees and when "the twigs turned to lace" and when her daddy started feeling better after everything that had happened to him in the war.

I also enjoyed the focus on sibling relationships. Marly and Joe come to understand one another better as they learn to celebrate their differences. Their relationship is not perfect at the end of the story, but it is improved. This portrayal of brother and sister is more true-to-the-life than a perfectly devoted pair of siblings. I also thought that the father's experience with PTSD was a realistic consequence of postwar life. The end of WWII created some problems as it destroyed others.

I would recommend this middle-grade book to anyone interested in a story about miracles and family.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the kind of book I was afraid I was in for when I decided to read the Newbery books. The truth is that it was and it wasn’t. A white family, looking at the world, saying, “Oh gosh,” and “Oh golly,” facing issues like the son staying out too late and wondering where he is, facing how to get the big maple sugar crop in before it ruins, and lots and lots of “You can’t do that; you’re a girl.”

But it was also more. Dad was thought killed after time in a war camp, but he returns home, safe but scarred. Marly, the ten-year-old daughter, doesn’t listen to all the warnings about girls being unable to do things. Moving to the country heals. The family develops a deep friendship with an elderly couple nearby. The couple is warm and loving, but does not come across as overly false.

The details about maple sugaring are fun and new. The family heals, and reading about that process feels good. Yes, there are (sorry) sappy parts, but they, too, feel part of the time in which the story was written. Refreshing, somehow.

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sixty years after it was first published, Virginia Sorenson’s Miracles on Maple Hill remains as fresh as it was when it was first released in 1956. How is it that I had never even heard of this Newbery Award-winning book until it was an Amazon Daily Deal?

In a time of Iraq- and Afghanistan-induced PTSD, modern readers will completely identify with 10-year-old Marly, her shell-shocked former POW father, Dale, and her patient but overwhelmed peace-keeping mother, Lee. Lee hopes that moving into her own grandmother’s farmhouse, Maple Hill — “Up here, there’s all outdoors!” Grandma used to say — will help Dale heal and end the sullenness, tiredness and flashes of temper that have bedeviled the family. And it’s no spoiler to say that Maple Hill transforms the family and its dynamics. Hey, it’s right in the title! But the novel is never cloying, and readers — young and old — will adore every bit. Highly, highly recommended!

[Aura · Rating 3 out of 5]

We had an hour to spare in the evening, and this very old Newbery (1956!) has been lying around for some time a la the sister unit, so we read it in one sitting and promptly went to bed. That is not a reflection on the quality of the book, necessarily. We have been tired. But this is the kind of book after which you can rest peacefully in bed, which recently we have been considering a good thing.

So are we going to talk about the plot? Well.

We're not sure what the plot is, exactly. We could start with blabbering something like "this is a story to warm the heart," which is a nice thought on wintry days, but marketing-blurb talk is cheap, so we won't. We could say it's about a family going to a lovely woodsy farm called Maple Hill - which is the premise of the novel, but what's the plot? What's the progression? The overarching conflict?

We are not sure. Things just happen on Maple Hill; the characters don't do things because they're compelled to make choices based on changing circumstances, but because it's the kind of thing they normally do. The novel is a fleeting snapshot of a forgotten lifestyle in seasons, sometimes saccharine-sweet, sometimes still and spare. Amid the vigorous heart-warming, the father's struggle with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder surprised us. So did the sinuous thread of sexism, although this was 1956.

Still, we found no plot.

Reading this, however, is like reading a chapter from the Laura Ingalls Wilder books, or eating syrup. And it's cloying but harmless, tender yet distant, reflective though quaint. We didn't love it, or even like it that much really, but we might think of it when we content ourselves with cheap store-bought syrup because we never lived that world and never will. And probably at some point - because we do have a heart sometimes, we swear - we will pick up an old family photo album and admire how all the rough bits are fondly yet vigorously smoothed over by glossed surfaces and laughing color.

Or we might reread this book. Same thing.

[Loretta · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finished it last night. The only word that comes to mind to describe what I thought of it is “sappy”, which ironically fits because throughout the book the author talks about syrup.

Again, not sure how or why this book received any awards. 😕

[Linda Lipko · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 1957 Newbery medal winner is a delightful, slow walk into a time when old fashioned values were the norm -- a time when children were polite; a time when children respected parents; a time when neighbors helped one another; a time when there was less focus on "me" and more focus on "us".

Yet, the book is timeless in addressing issues that are still with us today. Marly's father returns from the war, while the specific war isn't mentioned, one can assume WWII. Marly's father was a POW and is deeply emotionally tramatized with post tramatic stress.

Leaving the city life behind, the family moves back to the family home in rural Pennsylvania. They arrive during the time when the maple sugar is flowing from the trees. A gentle neighbor friend shows them the joys of capturing the maple and processing it.

While the book is corny and perhaps some would say hokey, I enjoyed it for the wonderful message of the healing powers of nature and the joys of life simply embraced when leaving behind the chaos of a frantic life style. (

[Lexy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in school when I was little and I read again today and I thought it was a very good

[Marla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite quote from this book:
"When you have done a great many good things, you forget to speak of them. It is those who do very little who must talk of it."
-Henry in Miracles on Maple Hill

[ladydusk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Own.

We read this for a long time and it was really lovely but we only read a little at a time during Morning Time and it felt like it took forever. But it was good.

[Esta Doutrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sweet story to listen to with the children.

[Davis Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of the more snooze-worthy entries in the Newbery canon. It's a VERY old-fashioned story; so old-fashioned in fact that I couldn't help but hear the character's voices in crackled Brady Bunch or Gilligan's Island tones. It's just that slow-moving and just that old-fashioned. The details of nature on the hill were nice, but got flowery and sappy at times (both of those adjectives correspond to two very important nouns used throughout the book). The resounding premise is "don't let anything drag you down because you're a girl". OK. Not memorable.

[HanjingW_C2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a simple and sweet book, but I got captured by it from the start. The theme of family really stood out to me. Mary's whole family moved into a mountain just to help her dad heal. The fact that they care so much about him that they would sacrifice their lives for him deeply touches me. Also, the relationship between Mary and her brother is pretty relatable to me. They fight but still care deeply for each other, just like me and my brother.

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this many years ago and couldn't get past the heaviness of the first few chapters. It didn't seem appropriate for a children's book. BUT I kept hearing good things about it and am glad that I gave it another try.

Yes, the beginning is heavy, but it sets up the stage for the "miracles" that will need to happen to bring healing to Marly's family. It is a beautifully told story and I loved the gentle way it teaches kids that though life can be hard, it can also be very good.

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was annoyed with the tone, but really liked the atmosphere... if that makes any sense. Three stars just because it's a classic.

The general vocabulary and dialogue was not great. The voices of the kids annoyed me. Especially the way they bragged and tacked "... and everything!" on to every other sentence. Though I don't know if I was annoyed at the voices because it was an audio book or if it's the actual content.

I guess we're supposed to be delighted with the innocence and beauty of it all. But I've come to expect more from children's books. It needs more than just a nice setting to impress me. It needs to do more within that setting.

I don't understand why the kids are so excited over sap being boiled into syrup. Besides for the fact that it's sugar, what about the process captures their attention and makes them so energetic? The adults are mystified in the same way. Too unrealistic.

Newbery Medal winner in 1957.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I loved most about this book were descriptions of the wild, wonderful natural world. The author is gifted in describing things in a way that made me feel like I was seeing them for the first time. Although the plot is quite simple, it really stirred me how the family is revitalized by their connection to the goodness of people and the beauty and wonder of nature. The outdoor adventures that Marly and her brother had also reminded me a lot of my own childhood. Joe was a bit of a brat sometimes (and he said “shut up” too much), but I loved Marly. She was a real kindred spirit in many ways. I especially love her compassionate nature. In summary, I found this book absolutely darling and, as the title would imply, even quietly magical.

[Kate Howe · Rating 5 out of 5]

03/22/21
I enjoyed this book even more the second time around! It's filled with so much goodness and lovely characters without feeling saccharine.


This was such a delightful and cozy winter audiobook with so many elements to love. I enjoyed getting to see a family persevering through a hard season, enjoying a slower pace of life in the countryside, and relishing in all the different plants and wildlife seen throughout the year. I wish I could visit Maple Hill. The only reason it’s not five stars is that I found the protagonist quite whiny and annoying. She was devastated that her parents didn’t want to let a family of mice live in their house and was a little too weepy for my liking. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[Charlene Intriago · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a 1957 Newbery award winner. Dad (Dale) has returned from being a POW in WWII. The mother (Lee) thinks a summer spent at Lee's parent's house in the country outside Pittsburgh will help her husband readjust. Ten year old Marly is excited to go; twelve year old Joe is not too sure. This is really a heartwarming story about what they all discover during their summer and the subsequent year they spend on Maple Hill. For Marly - it's all about the miracles. She sees them in everything.

[pearl ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahh, I love this book! This was my second time reading it, my first time being in 4th grade, and it was still a favorite this time around.
I love the way Virginia Sorensen captures the beauty of spring, and maple sugaring, too. Also, Joe reminded me so much of my older siblings and exploring our woods, and when we go on vacation. XD The end was adorable, and I loved it. <3
If you haven't read it, I'd totally recommend reading this cute MG historical fiction novel!

[Catie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One I remember reading as a child, and thinking it was a bit boring. Now as an adult I loved it. The full cast audiobook is fabulous and well worth the listen!

#MiraclesOnMapleReadalong hosted by Kate Howe for Middle Grade March 2021

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a simple, warm feel good book about family, friends and seeing all the small miracles that make life special. I highly recommend it :)

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little syrupy-sweet, but nice.

[Kerstin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Newbery Winner 1957

Such a darling story! A father comes home from WWII where he was a prisoner of war and has trouble re-adjusting to home life. So the family moves into grandma's old cabin in the country. Here they start a new life full of discoveries of the beauty of the seasons, working on the land, making maple syrup, finding new neighbors and friends, and most of all, healing.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book to read. I was reminded of my own childhood full of family and friends, helping each other, day in and day out whenever we needed each other. Days of family meals and holidays, sharing in the work and the play. It also reminded me of the books I read as a child with heartwarming tales of close family relationships.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I savored this read, it did not disappoint. Touched my heart. Just beautiful.

[Anna Patterson]

After reading this, I want to visit a maple farm. This book gave me “White Christmas” vibes because the setting was quaint and the problems were of the everyday sort and resolved with candor.

[Esther Bouchillon · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at page 127. (Chapter 8). I was pre-reading this for my daughters as a possible read aloud or assigned reading book. As a mom of 3 daughters I don't want to keep this book on our shelves. The story so far has been fairly boring and I there have been way too many instances of gender stereotypes. This paragraph finally made me DNF the book: "For the millionth time, she was glad she wasn't a boy. It was all right for girls to be scared or silly or even ask dumb questions. Everybody just laughed and thought it was funny. But if anybody caught Joe asking a dumb question or even thought he was the littlest bit scared, he went red and purple and white. Daddy was even something like that, as old as he was." Normally I'm a fan of older children's lit but 1956 really comes through and the story didn't have enough redeeming qualities to overlook the terrible stereotypes that don't fit with today.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marly is enthralled by her mother’s stories of visiting her grandmother’s farm on Maple Hill where there is all outdoors to play in. But will Maple Hill work its miracle for her father, withdrawn from his family and quick to anger after his wartime experiences? Rereading after many years, I found this a bit old-fashioned, but a beautiful celebration of life in the country in all its seasons, including the detailed descriptions of the hard work and rewards of maple sugaring.

“This was why Mr Chris loved sugaring time. Now she knew it. He loved not only spring coming and the warm fire and the good tastes and lovely smells, but cutting wood and hanging buckets and gathering sap and watching the slow change from plain watery sap to the deep amber of the finished syrup. And he loved the work itself.”

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Told over the course of year, this is a story about the miracles of nature observed by ten year-old Marly whose family moves from the big city (Pittsburgh) to Maple Hill. It starts with maple syruping and ends with maple syruping.
Give this one to those who like stories about the great outdoors, farming or gardening. Or who simply want to learn what life may have been like for their grandparents or great grandparents.

[Jason · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book my freshmen year of high school and failed the test on it. Why did I, a scholarly student, fail a multiple choice test over a book I had read? Because I thought this book was boring. I had no business reading this book, but our school library was embarrassingly small, and I had not yet learned that it was okay to abandon a bad book.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most readers have that one book that just sticks with them, I am fortunate to have two. This is one. (The other one is Little Joe Otter by Thornton W Burgess) My Mom and I read this together when I was in elementary school. I absolutely love it. It is actually a miracle that I found it because I couldn’t remember the title or author. I need to find an older copy because this newer one seemed to be missing a chapter or two that I loved.