New Life

"I don't know what the it is you're talking about." "Why, I asked Jesus to be my Savior. That's what the guy was talking about the whole time. Didn't you hear Peggy?" "But- what does that mean?"

Book: New Life by Dorothy Martin, Moody Publishers, 1957

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 12-15

Subjects: Relationships with family, Non-Christians, Salvation, Divorce

Summary: Peggy knows a couple of religious people. The next door neighbor who takes advantage of her by under paying her for babysitting and accuses her of being bad just because she doesn't attend Church. Then there's that strange family of immigrants her dad invited over once. And there's a girl from school, but if Peggy talks to her, then her best friend will be mad at her because of jealousy. So when her brother goes and gets religious she isn't interested. But she needs something. Her family life seems to be spiraling out of control. Her mom is mad about everything and her dad is out of a job. Then there's her snobby little sister that she never sees who is going to come visit for the holidays. Where can Peggy turn for answers?

Notes: Ouch! This book is painful! Peggy is a character you can definitely sympathize with. The neighbor is so incredibly rude to her, it really does make Christians look pretty bad. The author does an excellent job making it real though. Some Christians are hypocrites. We can't base a decision as big as where to spend eternity on what others do though. It's about Christ rather than His followers. The book shows it's age, especially in talking about whether or not the kids know anyone who has been divorced - it's alot more common than it was in 1957. But it's message is still strong. It could do a better job explaining the Gospel. The characters are a bit confused by it but just accept it. This is the first in the series The Peggy Books. It was originally titled A New Life For Peggy in the 1957 printing.

Recommendation Scale: 3

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Matthew 5:16 - Let your light shine before all men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.