Homeschooling novels: When Sparrows Fall shows downside of Quiverfull movement

Book title: When Sparrows Fall, a novel
Author: Meg Moseley, homeschool mom and first time author
Publication date: May, 2011
Publisher: Multnomah Publishing
Where to purchase in Phoenix: Barnes and Noble, Metro Center

When Sparrows Fall is a moving story on several levels. Feeling trapped by a restrictive and rule-filled church, and by extension, her homeschool environment, Miranda Hanford lives a bit of a double life. She dutifully homeschools her children and keeps them from the public library where they may encounter fiction works and novels with ideas contrary to the church's mandates. However, she keeps the latest woman's magazine stashed under her bed to read in moments of solitude and yearning.

She has other secrets, also, and knows her pastor, Mason Chandler, can use them in emotional blackmail. Chandler has decided to move the whole congregation to another state for unrevealed reasons, and Miranda needs to find a way to disentangle herself and her six children from his control.

A bad fall on a slippery cliff gives this young widow a bit of distance from the plans of Chandler, and brings a new influence into her life. Her dead husband's half-brother, Jack Hanford, has been named guardian of the children should anything happen to Miranda, and he moves in temporarily while Miranda recovers. Through persistence, perceptive observations, and sometimes downright stubbornness, Jack begins to weave himself into the family while slowly discovering some of the hidden elements which have kept Miranda in bondage and turmoil.

The expanding scenario is similar to the structure of the Quiverfull movement which has a number of big name adherents in the homeschooling community. Women are to be submissive to their husbands and the church authorities, they are to dress plainly, and not desire the things of the world. Families are to be as big as God allows, with no purposeful birth control limitations. College for women is discouraged, as is thinking for themselves. The acceptable homeschooling practices are framed by what the church leadership approves, and there are strict regulations for nearly every aspect of life.

There is a real tension which many Christians and homeschoolers find in wanting to stay unsullied by the worldly ways, and yet live in the fullness of the riches and joy of Christ. This story brings out the struggle to be obedient to authorities and traditions when that path doesn't match the deep inner yearnings for intimacy directly with Jesus. Meg Moseley aptly describes the pretense and hiddenness which quickly surface in groups that control members' behavior by fear, guilt and shame.

The shining moments come when Miranda is able to move past her fears and embrace Christ in a new relationship of
freedom. This is a wonderful story for those who have found their church or homeschool experiences to be dry and confining due to an abundance of rules. Mosely gives example of ways the inner woundings can be healed
through Grace and Truth.

Interview with Meg Moseley, author of When Sparrows Fall

As a homeschooling mom yourself, what is your response to the Quiverfull movement?

I think the Quiverfull movement includes many wonderful people who sincerely believe they’re following a biblical mandate to have as many children as possible, but I think the theology of that is shaky at best. Bad theology seldom leads to healthy decisions.

What changes do you see within homeschooling circles?

On the positive side, I see that curriculum suppliers now offer abundant variety and the latest technology, and many homeschoolers have proven themselves academically and socially. It’s not like the early days when our curriculum choices were limited and homeschooling was given little respect. On the negative side, I see a small but vocal number of extremists giving the whole movement a bad name.

What are your thoughts about those changes?

I’m glad today’s homeschoolers have far more freedom than I had when I started teaching my first child back in 1986, but with freedom comes responsibility. Homeschooling parents, of all people, should know how to think for themselves. They shouldn’t blindly follow the latest self-proclaimed homeschool guru, especially when he’s peddling not just a curriculum but an extreme lifestyle. For instance, I’m appalled by the idea that a young woman mustn’t go to college or work outside the home, but must live under her father’s roof until she marries a father-approved suitor and settles down to birth as many babies as possible. She’ll be expected to homeschool all those children, but what kind of real education can she provide? Imagine the consequences in just a few generations.

Do you plan to do a sequel to When Sparrows Fall?

A number of readers have asked me to, but I’m working on a new novel that’s unrelated. Sometimes I miss the characters of When Sparrows Fall, but I’m completely in love with my new characters too, and I can’t wait to unveil them.

Will you be writing other novels about homeschooling?

Maybe. One idea in particular has gripped my imagination because it’s about a segment of the homeschooling population that’s almost too strange to be true, but it might have to wait a few years. I don’t want to be pegged as the novelist who only writes about homeschoolers.

Any other comments you would like to make.

When I wrote the story, I tried to show both the pitfalls and the wonderful rewards of homeschooling. Now I’m beginning to hope that I succeeded, because the book has been warmly received by people who are curious about homeschooling and by homeschoolers themselves. In case any of your readers still have any doubts, let me make it perfectly clear that I love homeschoolers. I want them to encourage them to think for themselves and enjoy their God-given freedom.

Thanks for giving me this opportunity to express my opinions on these important subjects. Readers can find me at my blog, www.megmoseley.wordpress.com, or at my website, www.megmoseley.com. My email address is meg@megmoseley.com

A review copy was provided by the publisher.

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