Skye’s Final Test

“Joey Klingerman’s coming again? Why are you sorry?”

‘Cause I have a slight problem with him, that’s all,” she said weakly.

“A problem?” Chad asked.

“Joey bugs her to death!” Morgan put in her two cents’ worth.

Book: Skye's Final Test (Keystone Stables, No. 6) by Marsha Hubler, Zonderkidz, 2005

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Target Audience: Girls 14-19
Subject: Adoption, Foster Case, Special Needs, Showing love to others
Summary: As far as Skye is concerned, the summer is ruined from pretty much the beginning. The class they’re doing for special needs kids for the second summer in a row includes a boy with Downs Syndrome who will not leave Skye alone. He’s proclaimed her his girlfriend and loudly announces his love for her to anyone who will listen. He causes Skye no end of embarrassment in front of her friends and interrupts her at just the perfect wrong times – even in front of the popular kids from school! If that’s not bad enough, Skye is the one assigned to work with him every day! This is going to be one miserable summer if something doesn’t change!
Notes: In this story, Skye is the once again turning around and serving someone else. She’s a Christian and no longer the troubled orphan who came to the Chambers foster program. This time it’s not another tenable girl, but a young boy that Skye is trying to reach out to, one that she can’t stand. Mom C. encourages Skye to show God’s love to him, Morgan and Mom C. encourage her to turn to God for strength. Instead, Skye keeps trying to do things her way – and fails – over and over – until she starts letting God change her heart.
One thing to note is that at this point the series is not showing the character growing. They hint at events that happened that don’t fit the timeline within the rest of the series and there is no mention of any of the others who have been with the Chambers. It makes it so each book is complete in itself, but doesn’t fit together as a series as well. However, the spiritual issues are very much covered in this book as with the others in the series. This is the sixth book in the Keystone Stables series. Also note that this the first six books in this series were republished under new titles - the series name stayed the same but the individual books were retitled.
Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5
Reviewer: J:-)mi

1 Peter 1:22 – Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.

Whispering Hope

Wanda shot another sour look at Skye, more hateful than the last. “Horse breath,” she growled. Skye gave Wanda a forced smile and sent up a quick prayer. God, I’m going to need You big time with this one.

Book: Whispering Hope (Keystone Stables) by Marsha Hubler, Zonderkidz, 2007

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Target Audience: Girls 14-19
Subject: Adoption
Summary: And the newest foster child is Wanda, a knife branding pool shark from the gang in the next town. Nightmares, smoking in the barn and a determination to get the attention of the boy Skye likes. This is gonna be one long year is Wanda doesn’t come around! She’s not the only rebel around though. The Chambers have gotten a new horse – a wild one. Skye and Chad have taken some classes in horse whispering and are attempting to convince him that he really does want to let people get close to him. Will either of these rebels come around?
Notes: In this story, Skye is the once again turning around and serving someone else. She’s a Christian and no longer the troubled orphan who came to the Chambers foster program. Another teen girl comes to live at the Chambers and Skye and Morgan have to reach out and show her that God loves her and so does everyone in the house. It also covers the issue of teen crushes again. Skye is still only thirteen so when she sees someone else making a move towards the boy she is not dating, but wants to date someday she struggles with jealousy. One thing to note is that at this point the series is not showing the character growing. They hint at events that happened that don’t fit the timeline within the rest of the series and there is no mention of any of the others who have been with the Chambers. It makes it so each book is complete in itself, but doesn’t fit together as a series as well. However, the spiritual issues are very much covered in this book as with the others in the series. This is the seventh book in the Keystone Stables series. Also note that this the first five books in this series were republished under new titles - the series name stayed the same but the individual books were retitled.
Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5
Reviewer: J:-)mi

Job 24:13 – "There are those who rebel against the light, who do not know its ways or stay in its paths.

Darien's Rise

As they rode through the forest, Kyle wondered, "Where is this place? Have I stumbled onto some strange section of Odyssey?" They splashed through a small brook and emerged into an open field. Something in the sky caught Kyle's attention: a brightness more luminous than any full mood he had ever seen. He looked a second time, not believing what he was seeing. The sky held two moons. One was large and white, the other nearly half the size and slightly more orange. "I'm not in Odyssey anymore." he thought.

Book: Darien's Rise, by Paul McCusker, Tommy Nelson Publishing 1999
  (Kindle version)
(Book) (Audio episodes)  
Genre: Allegory
Target Audience: Boys and Girls 12+
Subject: Response to God's Call
Summary: Kyle and Anna crash through the boards in an old house and find themselves in a new land called Marus. Here they discover they have special gifts and have been called by the Unseen One for a purpose. They arrive in the midst of a power struggle between the current king and the one called by the Unseen One to be the next king. They align themselves with the future king and use their gifts to help him. But all is not easy, temptations and danger abound in this new land. And how will they ever get home again?
Notes: This is a series from Adventures in Odyssey. Kyle and Anna are residents of Odyssey. This story is also allegorical in that it is an allegorical telling of the story of King Saul and King David. The story begins after Saul has begun to feel threatened by David and continues until Saul's death. Some parts of it are very emotional or intense and so I recommend it for 12 and up. It is also a pretty thick book for young readers - 186 pages. Also, this has recently been turned into an audio drama by Focus on the Family and aired with other Adventures in Odyssey episodes. In conclusion, this is a very well done story. It is a fascinating way to look at stories of the Bible and challenges kids to see how God has chosen them and ask them to question whether or not they are willing to serve Him with their gifts.
Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5
Reviewer: J:-)mi

Acts 13:22 – After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.'

Opportunity Knocks Twice

Her eyes were closed, the lids beautiful, translucent and glowing in the soft light. Then she opened them slowly, gazed at him, and they leaned into another kiss, this time longer and sweeter, promising more to come. Then she nuzzled her face into his neck, and he squeezed her tighter against him, wanting nothing else, wanting to be nowhere else in light than right here, right now. “How can I resist this? And why would I want to?”

Book: Opportunity Knocks Twice (Brio Girls) by Lissa Halls Johnson, Focus On The Family Publishing/Tyndale House Publishers, 2002

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 13-21

Subjects: Sex, Attraction, Dating Relationships, Friendship

Summary: Two hot girls – how’s a guy supposed to pick? Jessica’s got the body, man does she have the body! And she’s easy. She’ll give a guy the touches, the physical stuff. But Hannah? There’s just something about her… she’s hot too, but she says she won’t date. Won’t even accept a ride home from school! But what’s inside shines through so brightly Tyler can’t help but be seriously attracted to it. His group of female friends since elementary school and his mom really hesitate to see Tyler get all caught up in Jessica again, but they’ve never liked her. Tyler knows she has some good qualities the girls can’t see. But is the correct question really which girl should he date? Or maybe the question is a bit more complex than that… Tyler had better figure it out soon or he’s going to have not just two, but six females mad at him!

Notes: This book is the third one in the Brio Girls series, a series put out by Focus On The Family about five friends as they go through their last two years of highschool. Each book boldly addresses a major question that Christians might ask about faith and following God. These books don’t make light of the struggles or give pat answers. It shows very realistic characters wrestling with God. I highly recommend all of the book in this series! This book deals with not just the issue of dating, but overall attraction and how a godly guy should treat a girl. Tyler is a very normal teenage boy with all the attraction to girls that comes with it. He dreams of going far physically with hot girls. But his faith calls him to a higher standard. He has to figure out what it means to be a godly guy and how to treat the girls he likes.

Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

2 Timothy 2:22 – Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Teamwork at Camp Tioga

Jonathan’s the only hearing-impaired camper we have this year. We always plan to have at least two deaf children, but the other deaf boy who wanted to come had to have his tonsils out last week. Jonathan’s parents decided to send Jonathan anyway. They told me he’s used to being alone. He’s only eight, he hates girls, and I hear he’s a rascal.”

Book: Teamwork at Camp Tioga (Keystone Stables, No. 4) by Marsha Hubler, Zonderkidz, 2005

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Target Audience: Girls 14-19
Subject: Adoption
Summary: “Master of Disaster” seems to be a slightly better term for this little boy than just “rascal”. If he’s not causing his horse to take off because he’s determined to ride English style on a Western trained horse, he’s throwing firecrackers into the campfire or he’s running away and disappearing or he’s starting a food fight. And this delightful little boy is all Skye’s responsibility! She’s the one who connected with him, who he occasionally listens to and she’s one of the few people on site who knows sign language. If Jonathan wasn’t enough trouble, there’s Chad – the boy Skye really likes. All of a sudden, Skye isn’t the only girl who likes him and she’s no longer sure Chad likes her as much as he likes this new girl!
Notes: In this story, Skye is the one turning around and serving someone else. She’s a Christian and no longer the troubled orphan who came to the Chambers foster program. She and her friends go to work at a camp for special needs kids over the summer. Skye has to learn how to keep loving when someone continually rejects your love and continually disobeys what you tell them to do. Basically, she has to show the same love to a little kid that the Chambers showed to her. But it’s not an easy lesson. The book shows just how hard it is to keep going when you feel you aren’t making a difference. It also covers the issue of teen crushes. Skye is only thirteen so when she sees someone else making a move towards the boy she is not dating, but wants to date someday she struggles greatly with jealousy. In the end she has to learn to not throw away a friendship for a supposed reason for jealousy. And she is challenged multiple times by her sister to not lose focus. She’s not supposed to be here for boys, she’s supposed to be here to serve. The spiritual issues are very much covered in this book as with the others in the series. This is the fourth book in the Keystone Stables series.
Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5
Reviewer: J:-)mi

Galatians 5:13 – You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.

Andi Unexpected

“This is it!” He wrote on the first page, THE CASE OF THE FIRST ANDORA. And under that he added, BOGGS AND CARTER INVESTIGATIONS. He grinned. “We’ll list all our clues in here and solve the case.

Book: Andi Unexpected (An Andi Boggs Novel) by Amanda Flower, Zonderkidz, 2013

Genre: Mystery

Target Audience: Girls 10-14

Subjects: Prayer, Death of a loved one, sibling relationships, friendship

Summary: Andi’s parents are gone, died on one of their many scientific expeditions. Thankfully, their aunt is quite willing to take Andi and her sister in. And even more wonderful, there’s a new friend with just as much of a curiosity as Andi who lives next door and when she starts cleaning the attic of her new home, she discovers a mystery just waiting to be solved! Behind an old wallpapered over door is a trunk with a doll and some baby clothes in it. The trunk is labeled Andora Bogg – Andi’s name! No one seems to know much about this distant relative but Andi and neighbor are determined to find out. No mystery is going to hold down these two detectives!

Notes: The first in the Andi Boggs series, Andi Unexpected introduces the characters, sets up the conflict between Andi and her older sister and builds a friendship between Andi and her neighbor. It shows two young girls struggling, not only with the death of their parents, but with the inadequacies left by their parents’ focus on scientific discoveries rather than them. There is very little spiritual elements to be found in the story. They do attend church, but there is not discussion of why it’s good to do so, Andi’s just going to meet someone there that might help solve the mystery. There is also a mention of prayer, but Andi says she stopped praying the day her parents died. Then at the most suspenseful part of the story, Andi tosses up a prayer again and this time gets what she wants, but there’s no recognition of that.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 1/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Psalm 69:13 – But I pray to you, O LORD, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation.

Thank you to Booksneeze for providing me with a free review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Beetle Bunker

He let the meaning behind his words sink in: We know what you’re doing. We know when you’re doing it. And we know whom you’re doing it with. It seemed Uncle Heinz had connections they hadn’t even imagined. Much bigger than phone calls from the neighborhood spy.

Book: Beetle Bunker (The Wall), also by Robert Elmer, Zonderkidz, 2006

Genre: Historical Fiction

Target Audience: Boys and Girls 11-16

Summary: Sabine is crippled, but her fight with Polio has only served to make her stronger. Living in East Berlin in 1961 life is hard, but when the Wall goes up, Sabine knows she and her family must get out. Of course everyone demands that she stay out of the escape attempts, but she refuses. Sabine knows the value of freedom and is willing to risk her life to not only escape herself, but help others escape as well.

Notes: In The Wall series, Robert Elmer takes a young boy and a young girl and places them in the midst of some of the worst places to live during this time period. Sabine is pressured to join the Junge Pioniere - the young Communist group, but refuses, knowing that it is not what she believes in. The focus of the book is history, but there are some spiritual elements as well - like Sabine and her mom wanting to keep their Bibles even though those aren't on the approved reading list, or their belief that God has them in East Berlin for a reason.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 2/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

2 Corinthians 3:17 – Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Smuggler's Treasure

So what am I doing here? She asked herself, feeling a pang of shame. Am I the only one who understands how big this is? She watched her mother for a moment longer and it became pretty clear. It was all up to Liesl. 

Book: Smuggler's Treasure (The Wall) by Robert Elmer, Zonderkidz, 2006
 

Genre: Historical Fiction
Target Audience: Boys and Girls 11-18
Subject: Family history/secrets, taking a stand vs. obedience to parents
Summary: Liesl does NOT want to turn in another boring report that says the same things as everyone else. She wants to write about the war and the wall, but she wants something personal, a story. Her mom has one but won't share. Liesl is pretty determined though. She isn't content with status quo living on the correct side of the wall. She wants to make a difference. She smuggles Bibles across the border, joins a protest group, crosses the border on her own, and makes phone calls to America. She will find out what the big family secret is, no matter what the cost!
Notes: In the last book, the character had a tough time deciding anything, second guessing herself continually. Liesl on the other hand could use some second guessing. She acts first, then thinks later. Simple obedience to her parents or complete honesty or trusting what she knows is right would go a long ways towards keeping her out of trouble!
This is the 3rd book in The Wall series. Each book deals with the next generation. It begins with the story of Erich and his mom in the first book. The next one deals with a much younger sister and her struggles to escape. This 3rd one deals with the daughter of that younger sister who lives in the safest situation of any of them, but isn't content there. This series presents a picture of what life could have been like for children living on either side of the wall through different time periods.
Recommendation Scale: 5 for history, 1.5 for spiritual issues
Reviewer: J:-)mi

1 Peter 5:10 – And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Child Of The King

Jothan did not hear the dark words that floated behind the leaves, whispered on the wind. Learn well, Jotham. For the moment you will carve in wood, and Magnus will be your master. But someday you will carve my will on the hearts and souls of men. And you shall be great like your father...no, greater, for you shall not turn from me!

Book: A Child of the King by Bill Bright and Marion R. Wells, New Life Publications, 2001


Genre: Allegory
Target Audience: Boys and Girls 13+
Subject: Salvation
Summary: Beautiful, amazing, talented. That's how to describe Jotham and the work he creates. Working as an apprentince under a master wood carver, Jontham has so much potential. He has two good friends that are always there ready to encourage him. What more could he want? A father, that's what. Jotham has always dreamed of having a father. So when the people of the book share with him about being adopted by the King, Jotham sets out for the border desiring to find salvation. Will he make it? Will his two good friends stop him or find salvation themselves? Will what is beyond the border be what was promised or will it leave him still empty inside?
Notes: A true allegory, these authors weave the story of Jotham, Alfric and Gwyneth in amongst danger, suspense, promises, lies, watchers, faithful advocates and the presenting of the Gospel message and a few key elements of living as a child of the King. The story is complex and well done. There is an explanation in the back that identifies what the allegorical elements represent and how to truly be saved. The characters in this book are upper teens or young adults. The book contains a complex enough plot to make it appropriate for older teens.
Recommendation Scale: 5/5
Reviewer: J:-)mi

John 1:12-13 - Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

Danny Orlis On Superstition Mountain

“They come for the papers! I didn’t want to tell about them, but they made me! They beat me until I tell! And now they are coming to get them!”

Book: Danny Orlis on Superstition Mountain by Bernard Palmer, Moody Press, 1955

Genre: Adventure

Target Audience: Boys 12-18

Subjects: Missions, Salvation, God’s Will

Summary: Danny is so looking forward to being home for the summer and being out on the lake again! Just as he starts to settle in, a surprise visitor shows up desperate for his help. His aunt is a missionary in Mexico and is working with an unreached people group that don’t yet have the Bible in their own language. Some of the locals have gotten aggressive and started making threats against the missionaries. It’s become too dangerous for his aunt to travel back alone or for her and the other missionary and missionary’s daughter to stay alone. Reluctantly Danny, along with his friend, agree to spend their summer in Mexico assisting. When they arrive, they quickly learn there’s a lot more going on than they thought – and it’s a lot more dangerous than they thought. Soon Danny and the others are on the run for their lives!

Notes: Danny takes everything back to Christ. He is continually living his faith, stopping and praying, and witnessing to those around him! He holds his friends accountable to their faith, encouraging them to follow Biblical principles. He reaches out to and shares the message of salvation with his enemies, fearful of their dying without knowing Christ. In this book, he is shown as a very normal teenager, wanting to spend his summer enjoying his favorite activities at home with his friends. He fights hard against going to help, but can’t ignore the voice inside him telling him this is what God wants of him. There’s also a focus on Bible translation and a scene that shows the power of having the Gospel in one’s own language. I highly recommend these books for young boys! The adventure keeps the story moving, although no where near as intense as it does in modern books. It's simply an enjoyable story!

Also, this book is only one of the 94 books in the series. Some are published through Back To The Bible and Moody Press, some by Tyndale and some the publisher is unknown. Wikipedia has a list of all of them: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Orlis_series

Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Romans 10:13-17 –"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

Danny Orlis Makes the Team

“What’s the matter?” Danny asked. “What’s wrong?”

“That was Woody Blackburn,” Larry said softly, reluctantly. “He was in the reformatory when I was. He just got out a month or so ago.”

“What did he want?”

For a long while Larry was quiet. Then he said, “They tried to make me promise not to tell, but I didn’t. Woody, and that older guy who was with him have figured out a scheme to mop up the money by betting against Iron Mountain when we play Spring Creek. And – and they tried to get me to agree to throw the game!”

Book: Danny Orlis Makes the Team by Bernard Palmer, Moody Press, 1956

Genre: Adventure

Target Audience: Boys 12-18

Subjects: Crime, Salvation, Forgiveness, Greed, Showing Love To Others

Summary: It’s so great to be back home on the Lake of the Woods, but school is starting back up soon and Danny’s parents really want him to go off to a school far away. He won’t be back home again anytime soon. There are good reasons of course – his cousin needs his support. But why can’t his cousin just switch schools and come here? Resigned, Danny heads off to school, but his cousin needs him more than Danny imagined! An ex-criminal, Larry is trying to live a moral life but some don’t believe the change in him. Some old friends and some new enemies all intend to push Larry as far as they can. If Larry gives in to any of them, he’ll be right back in the reformatory, but the pressure is strong!

Notes: Danny takes everything back to Christ. He is continually living his faith, stopping and praying, and witnessing to those around him! He holds his friends accountable to their faith, encouraging them to follow Biblical principles. He reaches out to and shares the message of salvation with his enemies, fearful of their dying without knowing Christ. He’s an ordinary high school boy playing football and hanging out with friends, but his real focus in life is his relationship with Christ. I highly recommend these books for young boys! The adventure keeps the story moving, although no where near as intense as it does in modern books. It's simply an enjoyable story!

Also, this book is only one of the 94 books in the series. Some are published through Back To The Bible and Moody Press, some by Tyndale and some the publisher is unknown. Wikipedia has a list of all of them: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Orlis_series
This book is also published under the title The Final Touchdown by Tyndale in 1989.

Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come!

Ryun's Story

Book: Degrees of Betrayal: Ryun's Story by Jeff Nesbit, areUthirsty (Tyndale House Publishers), 2004




Genre: Realistic Fiction
Target Audience: Boys and Girls 16+
Subjects: Betrayal, Dating relationships, under-age drinking and smoking, Multiculturalism
Summary: "Ryun, I don't think there's anyone - or anything - that's out of your reach on this planet. Not one single thing. But that's almost a curse for you instead of a blessing." Those words from Ryun's soccer coach proved to be true in ways Ryun would never have imagined. He knows what he wants and he goes after it. He knows he's invincible. Nothing can stop him. But his willingness to betray his girlfriend, his family, anyone does have consequences. Does that mean that the car accident Sierra was in is all Ryun's fault? Read Degrees of Betray: Ryun's Story to find out.
Notes: Ryun's story is part 2 of the Degrees of the Betrayal series. "Betray comes naturally - where you stand will determine who's to blame, but there's always more than one side to the story". And so Degrees of Betrayal examines the same story from 3 perspectives: Sierra's, Ryun's and Kenzie's.
Recommendation Scale: 4.5
Reviewer: J:-)mi

The Caves That Time Forgot

Book: The Caves That Time Forgot by Gilbert Morris, Moody Publishers, 1995



Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Adventure/Futuristic
Target Audience: Boys and Girls 13-17
Subject: Teaching people new skills vs. teaching them God's way: love
Summary: Which is easier to do: teach someone how to build plows and bow & arrows OR teach them to treat people with love and kindness? The Seven Sleepers, especially Dave are about to learn the hard way that while it's definitely ALOT easier to teach new technology to people, it's not nearly as important as teaching the ways of Goel (the allegorical figure representing God in the series). Join Dave and the other six as they travel to the land of dinosaurs and cavemen in an attempt to win another people group for Goel and save them from the Dark Lord.
Notes: The lesson of this story is on keeping the right focus. Dave finds it easy enough to show the people how better weaponry or farming skills will help them, but when they want to use the new skills and tools to go kill the neighboring tribe, he realizes that Goel was right when He told them that those things wouldn't matter. What matters is teaching Goel's way of thinking to the people, and that is love for others rather than revenge or boasting.
The Seven Sleepers series is Science Fiction in that it is futuristic. It is not meant to be fantasy. It is meant to be realistic fiction set in the future, but it seems like fantasy most of the time! The story takes place after the earth has been almost destroyed by nuclear warfare. What's left has been genetically changed and messed up. All sorts of strange creatures and people exist now that didn't before. Whether it be giants, dinosaurs or something else, most of "Nuworld" is strange and seems like something that could only exist in fantasy. The sleepers are 7 children who were placed in sleep capsules right before the war began, then the capsules opened 50 years later to this genetically altered world.
Recommendation Scale: 4
Reviewer: J:-)mi

Lucy Doesn't Wear Pink

 Book: Lucy Doesn't Wear Pink by Nancy Rue, Zonderkidz, 2008
  

Genre: Realistic Fiction with a touch of sports focus
Target Audience: Girls 11-14
Subject: Growing up, blindness, friendships, racism, abuse of a friend by their parent, education and learning disabilities
Summary: "I wish Aunt Karen would move to Australia because she is nothing like my mom". Years ago, Lucy's mom died in an accident that left her dad blind. Now it's just her, her dad, and their four cats. But life is great. Her dad may not be able to see with his eyes, but he doesn't miss a thing. And Lucy has a good friend that lives right next door. And then there's soccer. Lucy is teaching her friends at school how to play and someday she'll be a star soccer player. But Aunt Karen wants to ruin it all! She shows up with horrid pink frilly clothes that she expects Lucy to wear. She drags her to the mall. She forces her to eat at weird places. She's mean to the cats. And worst of all, she wants to force Lucy to come live with her instead of with her dad. She's convinced that just because her dad is blind, he can't be a good parent. And maybe what she hates the most is that Aunt Karen doesn't want her to be like her instead of like Lucy's mom. When they get a new teacher for the "dumb" class at school and he is even interfering with their soccer! And if that's not bad enough, JJ and Januarie are having trouble with their parents and JJ may not be able to play soccer with the rest of the group! What lessons can the book of Ruth teach Lucy that will help her through all of this?
Notes: Meet Lucy, an 11 year old tomboy who wants to be a soccer star, doesn't comprehend the whole "boyfriend" thing, desperately wants to avoid being put into a bra by her aunt, and who doesn't fit in at school because she's not Hispanic and almost everyone else is and she's in the "dumb" class even though she's smart, because soccer is much more worth pursuing than spelling.
Lucy Doesn't Wear Pink is the story of how a few kids making the right choices, help fight racial discrimination, deal with a kid who is being abused, and unite a town. Lucy's nanny reads her stories from the book of Ruth and helps her see how it applies to her own life.
This is an extremely good story, one that captivates you, one that's hard to put down. You feel the character's excitement or pain. The characters are so real, just living their life, making choices, good and bad and dealing with the consequences.
Recommendation Scale: 5
Reviewer: J:-)mi

Ruth 2:12 -  May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge."