Moise’s sister is one of the Amish families that has moved into our area; they live on the other side of our small town, seven or eight miles away. I’ve met Susie and the other children and also the mother, but not the brother-in-law.

There are two Amish families in my town, three more in the county 10 or 15 miles away.

I’ve stopped by once or twice a week at Moise’s brother’s farm to drop off some books and buy some cookies.

This is also a family of avid readers. They know me now, and I know almost all of their names. I get a very friendly welcome.

It is a joy to pull into the driveway and have five or six kids come running out telling me about the books they love.

I ask them what other books they might like, and they are ready for me.

They always ask me what the books cost and if they can help me or barter for them. I always tell them I am not a bookseller; I’m a book bringer.

Susie is the one who seems to be on top of the reading program, and she also offered to pay me for the books, in money or trade. I don’t want these kids to feel uneasy about the books, so I agreed to accept a necklace in trade.

I am very uneasy taking money for books.

I told them I’d take a necklace and/or a Zucchini Bread or cookies once or twice a year, and this seems both to please and satisfy them.

The boys were eager to get their hands on more Hardy Boy books; Susie and her sister wanted books about Amish girls and their lives.

I have both in my house awaiting distribution. (I don’t need any more books, thanks so much for your generosity, the farmhouse already looks like a library with no stacking staff.)

I have been trawling for special books for Amish children tailored to the ages of these kids.

I am so pleased to be their Bookman; it is satisfying and meaningful to me beyond words. I also don’t wish to overwhelm them or cross any boundaries.

I want to move slowly and thoughtfully. The Amish are surrounded by boundaries that are impenetrable on either side. That gives me comfort. I can get carried away by my own enthusiasm, and I don’t want that to happen.

I value my relationship with Mosie, it feels quite real to me.

So far, so good. They are trusting me, and I am trusting them.

Our photo agreement is holding up well. I promised to take no photos of faces from the front, and no photos at all of the children that are in any way recognizable.

I get to take photos of the farms, the horses and carriages, and some of the grownups from behind.

It’s a good deal and I’m happy with and scrupulous about honoring. “Clear off,” I should to the children today, “I’m going to take a photo of the horse and carriage!”

They all vanished.

I make sure the books are appropriate, welcome, and acceptable to the parents. I guess they are because the parents are now telling me they love to read and answer my question about their book tastes.

These families are avid readers, they just don’t buy many new things.

I’m getting Moise two Wendell Berry books and already gave him two books on our country’s history and farming here.

As I wrote the other day, I’ve invited Moise to come by the farmhouse so he can look at my blog and see every photo and post about his family. I am having great fun watching him absorb this way of communicating, we have a lot of fun.

I’m getting a complete set of the Hardy  Boy books (my favorite when I was a kid) for Susie’s brothers.

I’m looking for some books for Barbara. Two of the boys came up to the car and we traded Hardy Boy stories for a few minutes. They know their stuff. They love those books.

I love my bracelet.