A Better Tomorrow

Janet went out to check the snake, and suddenly she knew how she would take her revenge. And soon.

Book: A Better Tomorrow (Chronicles of Courage) by Dorothy Lilja Harrison, Chariot Victor Publishing, 1997

Genre: Historical Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 10-14

Subjects: Showing love to enemies, Friendship, Trust in God, Relationship with parents

Summary: The Great Depression has brought hard times to everyone but right now Janet is feeling downright tormented! The home they are renting belongs to an elderly lady who believes children are to be seen and not heard. She won’t even let their cousins come visit on Sundays! And she’s mean to Janet’s friends, allowing prejudice to influence her attitude. Finally Janet has had enough. She’s determined to get revenge on this mean lady, but if anything goes wrong, their family will be evicted!

Notes: This is a look at some of the issues children might have faced during the Great Depression including parents working away from home for long periods of time, racism against various people groups and waiting in lines to get basic necessities at relief headquarters. The spiritual lesson in the book is loving your enemies and respecting your parents. Janet has been told multiple times to follow all of the landlord’s rules, but chooses to not only disobey, but actually play a mean trick on her. A friend challenges her, asking if her minister has ever talked about loving your enemies and encourages her to find out why the landlord is mean and show love to her.

Recommendation Scale: 4/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Matthew 5:44 – But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.