I agree wholeheartedly with the excellent reviews of this book, but this particular edition (2008 hardcover) is an awful edition. It looks like a photocopy of a paperback (the photocopied pages being much smaller than the page area in the book) with an ugly hard cover slapped on it. I am so disappointed in the quality of this product.

This wonderful book is a must read for your Christian daughters. It will encourage them in the things that are most important.

I ordered two copies of Stepping Heavenward, one for a friend's 18th birthday and one for myself. I was please to receive the book in time for the party and in great condition. It was such a joy to pass on this book because it is one of those that changed my life. It speaks to all ages and I have heard men speak highly of it, too. It is the fictional journey of Katherine, written in journal entries, beginning on her 16th birthday until old age. But it is really about the Christian walk, being made into the image of Christ. When I first read it I could identify to the younger Katherine, and then I read it a couple years later and got something new from it, so I now have my own copy and look forward to sitting with my old "friend" once again!

This book really helped me see how to be a woman of God and how hard it was to be a woman a few hundred years ago. Definitely recommend for any woman of God.

Stepping Heavenward is one of my favorite books. I read and re-read it periodically. I have also bought unpteen copies to use as gifts for Christian friends, particuarly teen-aged girls. Why? Sometimes it is so difficult to see spiritual growth in our own lives, while those around us are saying, "Wow, that girl is really growing spiritually!" It is this concept that is so beautifully expressed in this book. The central character is really discouraged, feeling she's not progressing at all. But those around her see her love, caring, and spiritual empathy. It's a great book. I really love it!

Stepping Heavenward is a very encouraging book on
living the Christian Life according to the Bible.
A very great help to me.

If there's anything this book does, it's to help you think eternally. It makes you realize how petty and insignificant are our troubles and how great and important every little mundane thing is that's done for Christ. "More Love to Thee, O Christ" is Prentiss's lifelong prayer, and after I finished this book, I felt compelled to draw closer to my Savior through His Word and prayer. The surprises at the end contribute to the book's powerful message.

I read this book when I was 13 years old and am now 53. I am still inspired by it. I have an antique copy that was given to my great great grandmother in 1904. I just got it out to re-read (after 40 years I still remembered it)and also found that it was still available today! Amazing. I didn't know it was a classic, and am so excited to see that so many others were as impressed as I was (and still am) by this amazing diary of a woman's life. Interesting, realistic, heartbreaking, and inspiring.

I read this book after it was highly recommended by a good friend. I was told that it's a picture of a Godly woman and a girl whose life I should mold mine after. I was sorely disappointed. If you want to know how to live a Godly life then read the Bible. I gave this book back to my friend and told her it was a waste of my time. I'm sorry, but I still feel that way...

An excellent book, deeply encouraging. To see Katy grow in godliness and in love for God's glory is inspiring. The change between her first entry and the final entries is astounding. To see this young girl so unsure in her walk with God transformed into a woman who willing places her life and her family's lives in God's hand...truly a work of God.

This book would make a wonderful gift for any girl (I'd say 11+) seeking to grow in God but I would encourage mothers and fathers to discuss the book with their children as I do have a few concerns in which I'll list briefly.

Throughout the book there are a few people who, from descriptions given and various interactions with them, do not appear to be the Lord's even though they claim to be. Despite this they are never given any kind of Gospel message simply because they sat in a pew on Sunday and were baptized as an infant. It is distressing to see that while Katy grew to love the Lord more she seemed unable to see the precarious state some of the people she interacted with were in. "Many shall call me 'Lord, Lord' on that day..."

We must always balance grace with truth, but if our loved ones are straying away from God we have a duty to go to them concerning it. It is out of brotherly love that one asks "Where are you with the Lord?" Sitting in a church doesn't save you and having water sprinkled on you (or even being dunked in it) will not save you if you are not truly the Lord's. We're called to examine ourselves and our brethren lest we find ourselves deceived by our own sin. Katy seemed more than willing to examine herself (which is wonderful) but in some cases was unwilling to help those around her examine themselves and that's a shame, a very dangerous shame.

I have read this book three and a half times.... the half was because the firstt time I ttried to read it I justt couldn'tt get into it! The writting style was challenging and tthe conttentt seemed slow... butt tthe second time and on I coldn't putt itt down. I was deeply challened in my relationship witth God wattching Katie's relationship witth God develop and mature as she grew into a woman. Appropriate for all ages - butt if you start itt and dont't like it... putt it down and try again in six montths. Worked for me!

PS Sorry my tttt buttton is messed up and leaves a slew of tthtem every ttime its pressed. :)

Stepping Heavenward is a truly thought provoking book. The book is made up of journal entries written by a woman in the 1800s. In the entries, Katherine talks about her daily activities, personal feelings, and her walk with the Lord. It was amazing to see how her relationship with God progressed and strengthened over the more than 20-year period. This book made me examine my own walk with God. One of the most inspirational parts of this book is that Katherine offers her children, husband, and entire life to the Lord. After reading about how she praised God for all the trials that she had to endure, I began having a different outlook on the obstacles that I face.

If you are a Christian woman in need of a real heroine, who shares your desires, hopes, struggles, and fears, you will find it in Katy, the character of Mrs. Prentiss' book, Stepping Heavenward. I was so despondent of all the heroines in literature, who seem to have little to no real relationship with Christ. However, this book answered my plea and then some. I will read this over and over. Stepping Heavenward will meet you whereever you are, Christian woman! If you are sixteen, twenty-five, or eighty. This book lays the female Christian heart on the line, and does so with stunning accuracy and detail to Biblical doctrine. You will laugh, cry, be convicted, comforted and reminded over and over and over that we will be in His Kingdom because He died for us, and no other reason! And that in this present world there is hope, and sanctification will happen because He is so diligent to see to it!