The Children of Main Street

Title: The Children of Main Street
Author: Merilyn Howton Marriott
Major Themes: Family
Synopsis: Will Katie’s need to help children mean the end of her marriage?

Only occasionally does a book grip me as The Children of Main Street did. By the time I finished chapter 10 I had made three predictions about the ending. Two were accurate—but it took till the very end of the book, after much drama, to resolve those issues. One thing I appreciated about this book is that it was a women’s fiction book without being a romance.

Katie is a family counsellor. After years of working hard, she owns her own clinic. She has a wonderful husband—but has never been able to have a baby. Instead, she pours herself into her clients. One hurting child or parent after another come through her doors for help.

Then, another little child comes along with big hurts and no one to care for her. Katie has to help her, but will helping this child mean the end of her marriage? And can she continue to help people when she has to face dishonesty, neglect, and violence?

There were a lot of hard things in this book; murder and suicide and rugs and unfaithfulness. Some of the stories have happy endings; some don’t. Through it all, Katie had to learn to trust God with everything. She and her husband have some big lessons to learn together, as well. This book is not an easy read; there are many rather horrible stories. However, God’s love shines through Katie and touches the people who allow it to. This story is told in first person, which, to me, makes it even more real.

WARNING: See last paragraph. Not a book for children or young teens.