Mary Mae and the Gospel Truth

Sandra Dutton

Sep 2013 · Sold by HarperCollins

About this ebook

Ten-year-old Mary Mae loves to sing hymns with her Granny, go to Sunday School, and learn about trilobites. She has lots of questions about how the earth looked millions of years ago. Trouble is, Mary Mae’s mother thinks it's wrong to believe the world is that old. Mama believes God created it six thousand years ago and she believes that nobody should teach Mary Mae otherwise. When Mary Mae starts taking her questions to church, asking how God created the earth in six days or how eight people could take care of animals on an ark, Mama puts her foot down: homeschooling. Mary Mae must decide where her loyalties lie: with science and Miss Sizemore, with God and Mama, or somewhere in the middle.

Ratings and reviews

This story really resonated with me. Growing up we didn't go to church until I was five years old. Then my mom became a Christian and everything changed. It is difficult to understand where science and the Bible meet. A lot of people say that you can't have both but I believe the Bible backs up science. In the story I felt like Mary Mae when so many people were telling me one thing and my mind was always asking questions. I remember my own son asking our pastor when the dinosaurs were on earth. I personally like my husband answer to the problem that the earth can't be as old as scientist say it is. My husband says God could have made it as certain age to start with. This was a fun look at how strong some people feel in their religious beliefs. I was never offended because it was never a put down. Well written and a book I look forward to putting on my shelves at school.

About the author

In addition to teaching English at the college level, founding her own literary magazine, River City Review, and exhibiting her paintings, Sandra has published several books including Dear Miss Perfect: A Beast’s Guide to Proper Behavior with Houghton Mifflin, described by Kirkus Reviews in a starred review as “a witty collection that entertains while subtly conveying information.” Dutton was born in Springfield, Missouri, “Gateway to the Ozarks,” and has lived in Louisville, Kentucky. She has two grown sons and lives with her husband in Maine. You can visit Sandra Dutton at www.MaryMaeandtheGospelTruth.com and www.SandraDutton.com.