A Simple Spring

Starred review from February 27, 2012
Lauer follows A Simple Winter with a beautiful tearjerker. Sadie King sings to keep her siblings’ spirits up after the tragic deaths of their parents. In the midst of her rumspringa, the time when Amish youth are allowed to explore the outside world, Sadie struggles between her faith and her growing conviction that God meant for her to do something with her gift. As Amish, she wouldn’t be allowed to perform in public, even in a church, but she can’t bear the idea of leaving her family and friends. When she meets Mike, the local Englisher doctor’s son, she realizes music is not the only thing pulling her away from Lancaster. Sadie’s path to self-discovery is poignant and tender, even sad. It’s clear which heart-wrenching decision Sadie will make, but it’s hard not to hope for that fairy tale “happily ever after.” Agent: Robin Rue, Writers House.