One fateful starless night, 17-year-old Ira Wagler got up at 2 AM, left a scribb
led note under his pillow, packed all of his earthly belongings into in a little
black duffel bag, and walked away from his home in the Amish settlement of Bloo
mfield, Iowa. Now, in this heartwarming memoir, Ira paints a vivid portrait of A
mish life--from his childhood days on the family farm, his Rumspringa rite of pa
ssage at age 16, to his ultimate decision to leave the Amish Church for good at
age 26. "Growing Up Amish" is the true story of one man's quest to discover who
he is and where he belongs. Readers will laugh, cry, and be inspired by this cha
rming yet poignant coming of age story set amidst the backdrop of one of the mos
t enigmatic cultures in America today--the Old Order Amish.
