Books On Board
series Reading Order

Amish Beginnings Books in Order

3 Books
2015 – 2017 Published
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Reading order
01
Anna's Crossing
Anna's Crossing
2015
Amazon
02
The Newcomer
The Newcomer
2017
Amazon
03
The Return
2017
Amazon

The Recommended Reading Order

To experience the full journey of the early Amish settlers, you should read the Amish Beginnings trilogy in its original publication order. The narrative flows chronologically, beginning with a perilous Atlantic crossing before transitioning to the hardships of building a community on the Pennsylvania frontier.

  1. Anna's Crossing (2015) — Set in 1737, the story follows Anna König and a group of Amish families during a grueling 83-day voyage from Germany to the New World aboard the ship Charming Nancy, where she clashes with and connects with the ship's skeptical carpenter, Bairn Bauer.
  2. The Newcomer (2017) — Begins immediately after the ship lands in Philadelphia, tracking Anna, Bairn, and their community as they navigate the challenges of establishing a life in the untamed Pennsylvania wilderness.
  3. The Return (2017) — Jumps 25 years into the future. It focuses on Betsy Zook, an Amish woman taken captive during a raid, and features Tessa Bauer, the daughter of Anna and Bairn.

Chronological and Order Details

Although The Return leaps forward a quarter of a century, the chronological sequence aligns exactly with the publication order. Reading the third book first is not recommended because the characters and family lines established in the first two novels directly influence the events and romantic conflicts in the finale.

Spin-offs and Connected Universes

While Suzanne Woods Fisher is well-known for her popular contemporary Amish fiction series, such as Stoney Ridge Seasons, The Bishop's Family, and The Inn at Eagle Hill, the Amish Beginnings trilogy is a standalone historical series. There are no direct spin-offs, sequels, or crossovers linking these 18th-century characters to her modern works.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the best reading order for the Amish Beginnings series?

The best order is the publication order: Anna's Crossing, followed by The Newcomer, and concluding with The Return.

QIs the ship in Anna's Crossing based on a real vessel?

Yes. The story is inspired by the historical 1737 voyage of the merchant ship Charming Nancy, which carried early Amish and Mennonite immigrants to Philadelphia.

QCan I read The Return as a standalone novel?

While it features a new central protagonist (Betsy Zook), The Return is closely tied to the first two books through key recurring characters and their children, such as Bairn and Anna's daughter Tessa. It is best enjoyed after reading the first two books.

QAre there any sequels or spin-offs to this trilogy?

No. Suzanne Woods Fisher has written many other Amish series, but they are set in modern times and do not connect to the 18th-century timeline of Amish Beginnings.

QWhat historical period does the series cover?

The series begins in 1737 during the initial immigration period and extends through the French and Indian War era, roughly 25 years later.

QWho are the primary couples in the series?

The first two books center on the romance between Anna König and Bairn Bauer. The third book features a complex love triangle involving Betsy Zook, her betrothed Hans, a Native American man named Caleb, and Bairn and Anna's daughter Tessa Bauer.