--- title: "Waiting with Elmer: Historical Fiction for Families with Teens" description: Leslea Wahl reviews a historical novel with a good message that families with teens can enjoy reading together. image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20240726%20LWahl%201.png --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/waiting-with-elmer-historical-fiction-for-families#) [BOOKS](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/books) # Waiting with Elmer: Historical Fiction for Families with Teens Jul 26, 2024 8:30:00 AM  |  by [Leslea Wahl](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/leslea-wahl) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20240726%20LWahl%201.png) *Leslea Wahl reviews a historical novel with a good message that families with teens can enjoy reading together.* --- ## [Waiting with Elmer ](https://www.amazon.com/Waiting-Elmer-Deanna-K-Klingel/dp/195056004X/) by Deanna K. Klingel    ![Waiting With Elmer](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20240726%20LWahl%20Waiting%20With%20Elmer.jpg?width=880&height=1360&name=20240726%20LWahl%20Waiting%20With%20Elmer.jpg)   ## Review:  I’ve read several stories by this author and have always enjoyed them, so when I came across this book, I was excited to check it out. I had no idea what the story was about when I began reading and, honestly, continued to be unsure even when I’d gotten fairly far into the book. There was almost a mystical element that I couldn’t quite figure out which kept me turning the pages.  [*Waiting with Elmer*](https://www.amazon.com/Waiting-Elmer-Deanna-K-Klingel/dp/195056004X/) is the story of a boy named Willy. Young Willy has endured a traumatic childhood and has been abandoned by his father in the town of Waitnsee. The tale is set during the Great Depression and follows Willy’s path as he navigates his childhood and teen years with the help of an unusual second family and the mysterious Elmer.  This book shows the simplicity of the time yet also highlights the racial and economic difficulties of those years. I really like the added element of Boys Town, a place in Nebraska I’ve often heard about. The book could be a great supplement to a study on this time period.  Willy is a very likable character, and the reader roots for him as he discovers his faith, and the path God is calling him to follow. If you’re looking for an enjoyable historical fiction for teens with a good message, this might be one to check out. [*Waiting with Elmer*](https://www.amazon.com/Waiting-Elmer-Deanna-K-Klingel/dp/195056004X/) is available in paperback or in a Kindle version.    ![null](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20240726%20LWahl%20%20BOOK.png?width=1080&height=1080&name=20240726%20LWahl%20%20BOOK.png)   ## Summary:  Abandoned by his father in the unusual town of Waitnsee, Willy is burdened with a terrible secret. Lost in life with no family that he can trust, the homeless men of the Union Mission become the family he needs. These homeless and hungry men, particularly the aged and legless Elmer, help Willy to put aside the pain of his secret and find a new way of looking at the world around him. The light of the cross on the Mission's roof, and the wail of trains that passed nearby on a regular basis, become anchors for Willy as he endures prejudice and poverty — and learns the power of forgiveness — while discovering his true calling in life. Set in Middle America during the Great Depression, during that period when the country was recovering from World War I while preparing for World War II, Deanna K. Klingel brings to life that awkward era of American History honestly and unapologetically.    Is this a book you'd like to read? Share your thoughts with the Catholic Mom community! You'll find the comment box below the author's bio and list of recommended articles. --- Copyright 2024 Leslea Wahl Images: Canva ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fwaiting-with-elmer-historical-fiction-for-families%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fwaiting-with-elmer-historical-fiction-for-families%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fwaiting-with-elmer-historical-fiction-for-families%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Waiting%20with%20Elmer%3A%20Historical%20Fiction%20for%20Families%20with%20Teens) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fwaiting-with-elmer-historical-fiction-for-families%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fwaiting-with-elmer-historical-fiction-for-families%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Leslea Wahl](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/Contriubutors/LESLEA%20WAHL.jpeg) ### [Leslea Wahl](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/leslea-wahl) Leslea Wahl is an award-winning author of Catholic teen adventurous mysteries. She lives in beautiful Colorado with her family. Leslea believes one way to encourage teens in their faith is through positive messages and Catholic values, embedded in great stories. She is excited to share her reviews of some incredible Catholic books, all of which have received the Catholic Writer’s Guild Seal of Approval. Find her online at [LesleaWahl.com](http://www.LesleaWahl.com). ## Related Blog Articles [ Books for Catholic Kids: The Treasure with a Face Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/books-for-catholic-kids-the-treasure-with-a-face) [ Family Fun with the Saints Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/family-fun-with-the-saints) [ Wrap Up Your Christmas Shopping with Books! Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/wrap-up-your-christmas-shopping-with-books) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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