Review: Maggie Again & Giveaway

Summary: Maggie is a typical up-beat rural teenager who, in 1926, must leave her idyllic Indiana farm home when her father accepts a once-in-a-lifetime business opportunity in New York’s financial district.

In New York, she soon has some very special challenges. First, she must deal with the loss of her three teenage friends, including her boy friend, who disappeared during an attempted trip to visit her. When they finally reappear, the year is 1984, and Maggie is 74 years old while her three friends are still teenagers. Later, when she returns to her farm community, it is 1926 again and, except for her three friends, neither her parents nor anyone else knows she has been away for 58 years.

Maggie has some unique adjustments to make. And with the help of her teenage friends, she concocts some even more unique ways of dealing with them. -- www.maggieagain.com

A few months ago I offered to read and review MAGGIE AGAIN by John D. Husband for Online Book Publicist Lisa Roe, but it ended up taking a little while for this book to arrive at my house. I'm so glad it finally came because this book was definitely worth the wait. It was such a charming, heart-warming read. It's one of those books that people of all ages will love -- not only did I enjoy it, but I'm pretty sure that my parents and grandparents would like it too.

This is the second book about "time travel" that I've read in the past few weeks; however, I don't want to make it sound like this novel is book about science fiction. MAGGIE AGAIN tells the story of Maggie, a 16 year old girl is forced to move away from her idyllic home in Indiana to New York City so her father can fulfill his dreams and work on Wall Street. As a child who moved a lot for my father's job, this book really struck a chord with me. I, like Maggie, always felt it was especially difficult to leave my friends and start over in a new place.

To add to Maggie's discontent, her three best friends from Indiana go missing on their way to New York. Maggie's family spends lots of time and money looking for the boys, but eventually comes to the conclusion that they are dead; and she is forced to move on. From this point on, her life takes a series of downward turns. I think every reader will feel sympathy for Maggie and what could have been for her.

The story jumps to 1984 when Maggie, who now goes by Margaret, is 74 years old and ready to retire from her insurance job. The reader learns that Margaret has had a somewhat difficult life and therefore has become somewhat "cynical." Much to her amazement and joy, the three boys (who she thought were dead) arrive in New York City. After she spends months helping them acclimate to the big city and all the new inventions, they decide to venture back to Indiana. After they arrive back "home," it's 1916 and Margaret is transformed back into "Maggie again!" Maggie and the boys decide that they need to "re-do" past events so that her family never leaves Indiana for New York.

I wasn't quite sure what to think of Maggie and her story -- I think I was trying to figure out the time-travel aspect. This book had a few twists and turns and definitely kept me guessing until the very end. At times, I even found myself wondering whether the entire story was some sort of dream sequence.

I loved the underlying messages within this story about love and friendship and taking advantage of second chances. This book definitely had a nostalgic feel to it, and I just felt all "warm and fuzzy" after I was finished reading it! If you are looking for a nice pleasant read, I suggest checking out MAGGIE AGAIN.

If MAGGIE AGAIN sounds like a book that you would like to read, it could be your lucky day! I have an extra copy of this book that I'd like to share with one of my readers. Just leave a comment on this post with your e-mail address if you want to be considered. To double your chances, mention this giveaway on your blog with a link back to this post. This contest is open to citizens of the United States and Canada only. I will be taking entries until Friday, July 11th at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Also reviewed at:
Age 30 - A Year of Books
Blue Archipelago
Books Love Me