Motorcycles, Sushi & One Strange Book

Saturday, June 26, 2010
Which is worse? Living with the dad she thought was dead or living with a bipolar mom who only has two phases: in-bed, and no-bed.

Book: Motorcycles, Sushi & One Strange Book [Real Life] by Nancy Rue, Zondervan, 2010
Motorcycles, Sushi& One Strange Book (Real Life)
Genre: Realisitic Fiction
Target Audience: Girls 13-18
Subject: Mental Disorders, Relationship with Parents, Word of God, Friendships
15 year old Jessie lives in Atlanta with her bipolar mom. Life is hard, but it is all she has ever known so it seems normal. When a tragedy puts her mom in the hospital the bipolar is discovered and Jessie is sent to live with her dad in Florida while her mom gets the help she needs. The problem is that until a day ago she did not even know her dad was alive. Her world may be strange, but it is comfortable and familiar. So she makes a determination: Toss out her ADHD meds and use her disorder to drive her dad crazy enough to send her home. Can she survive living with this dad and her half-sister until then? Will a strange book that seems to speak directly to her make a difference?
Notes: As usual, Nancy Rue has done an amazing job! Jessie’s life is portrayed as very difficult, but in reality, it is all too common in today’s world. Children living in broken homes with parents who aren’t getting the help they need, whether that be because of an illness like Bipolar Disorder or a drug problem or lack of time to devote to their children due to work, is not at all unusual. Many teens can find themselves relating to Jessie and her life. Another strong point is that even though it is very realistic, it isn't dirty. There aren't things that would be worried about younger teens reading. The spiritual aspect comes in a book Jessie finds that is a Bible in a modern paraphrase, but goes beyond that to actually supernaturally speak directly to them. Nancy Rue, in the back of the book, writes about how the Bible really is like this in our lives, even if it doesn’t answer direct questions like this book sometimes seems to, it does give us direct guidance for our lives. Jessie finds challenge, comfort, encouragement and wisdom from God through her reading of the book, just as the Bible does for us.
I highly recommend this book!
Recommendation Scale: 5
Reviewer: J:-)mi



 
Thanks to Zondervan & Nancy Rue for sending me a copy of this book to review!

Hebrews 4:12 – For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

1 comments:

Nancy Rue said...

Thank you for this great review! Nancy Rue

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