Cottonmouth And The End

"Yellowthroat, did you hear that? Isn't that amazing?" Fredrick asked, picking up his pace. 

"You must take it easy, young Fredrick. This darkness may not be trustworthy," Yellowthroat responded.

"Come quickly, child," the darkness whispered again.

Book: Cottonmouth and the End by C. S. Fritz, David C. Cook, 2014

Genre: Fantasy/Allegory

Target Audience: Boys 9-14

Subjects: The Holy Spirit, Missions, Temptation, Truth

Summary: Sometimes, temptation is just too hard to resist. When the darkness makes promises and claims to be good, Fredrick gives in. He shuts out the helper, and enters the darkness. But the darkness is a liar, a deceiver. Fredrick’s helper frantically tries to find another way in, a way to rescue Fredrick, but it’s hard to rescue someone who has decided to not listen to you, even as you remind him of the words of the One who sacrificed for you.

Notes: This three book series is promoted as “Polar Express” style books. There is text but there are also whole pages with nothing but photos. The pictures very much help tell the story. It’s almost like a picture book for older kids. The story is very allegorical. Someone familiar with the Bible can see the story of Adam and Eve facing temptation, the story of Jesus sacrificing His life for us, the story of the Holy Spirit being sent to help and guide, the story of Jesus going to Heaven to prepare a place for us, the story of satan tempting believers, and the story of the great commission. It's a great allegory for explaining the gospel message to young people. The downfall is that you have to know the Bible stories to know that’s what they’re referring to. The author does not mention anywhere in the book what the allegory is about. So readers are left thinking it’s just a nice fictional story, not that it’s based off of a real story that can change lives as much as the character’s was changed.
In this third and final book, Fredrick comes face to face with temptation. When the darkness whispers in his ear, offering good things and the character representing the Holy Spirit speaks truth, reminding him of the words of the character representing Jesus, he has to make a choice of who to listen to. Then at the end, it gives a picture of the great commission with Fredrick being sent off to tell the rest of the world about Tug.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 1/5 for the average audience, 5/5 for readers very familiar with the Bible

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Matthew 28:19-20 - Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

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

Cottonmouth And The Great Gift

Fredrick looked down at the river, confused as he remembered his parents’ last goodbye. “I have to be alone again?” he asked softly.
Tug smiled and quietly said, “No, Freddie. Not this time. I came to give you a gift. This gift is my prize possession, my treasure, my friend. He will guide you on your mission, Fredrick. In the ways I have been there for you, he will be there for you; and in the ways I have comforted you, he will comfort you. He will teach you, and ultimately, he will give you power.”

Book: Cottonmouth and the Great Gift  by C. S. Fritz, David C. Cook, 2014

Genre: Fantasy/Allegory

Target Audience: Boys 9-14

Subjects: The Holy Spirit, Missions, Temptation, Truth

Summary: Tug is back! Oh how happy and joyful Fredrick is now! But Tug isn’t staying. He’s going to prepare a place for Freddie. Fredrick is so sad, but Tug gives him a special helper who will be with him. Soon Fredrick and the helper start off on the journey to give an egg to the girl with the two different colored eyes. It will be a long, hard journey and they don’t fully know how to get there. They just trust that the river will guide them. But the journey comes with temptation. The closer they come to their goal, the more the tempter would like to see them fail.

Notes: This three book series is promoted as “Polar Express” style books. There is text but there are also whole pages with nothing but photos. The pictures very much help tell the story. It’s almost like a picture book for older kids. The story is very allegorical. Someone familiar with the Bible can see the story of Adam and Eve facing temptation, the story of Jesus sacrificing His life for us, the story of the Holy Spirit being sent to help and guide, the story of Jesus going to Heaven to prepare a place for us, the story of satan tempting believers, and the story of the great commission. It's a great allegory for explaining the gospel message to young people. The downfall is that you have to know the Bible stories to know that’s what they’re referring to. The author does not mention anywhere in the book what the allegory is about. So readers are left thinking it’s just a nice fictional story, not that it’s based off of a real story that can change lives as much as the character’s was changed.
In this second book, the character representing Jesus, sends the character representing the Holy Spirit to comfort, teach and strengthen. It also shows persevering when times get hard or tiring along the journey. And it show the importance of listening to the Holy Spirit. Fredrick makes his assignment harder by being too impatient to listen to the directions he is receiving.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 1/5 for the average audience, 5/5 for readers very familiar with the Bible

Reviewer: J:-)mi

John 14:16, 25 – And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever- But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

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

Cottonmouth And The River

“Fredrick, the river knows your pain. The river feels your sorrow. It has decided to bless you by giving you new life. It wants you to have joy.” Tug said, gingerly taking the egg in his shovel-sized hand. “It wants you to life a life not in waiting, but in doing!”

Book: Cottonmouth and the River  by C. S. Fritz, David C. Cook, 2014

Genre: Fantasy/Allegory

Target Audience: Boys 9-14

Subjects: Salvation, Forgiveness, Love, Loss

Summary: He’s so lonely. And sad. The only comfort Fredrick finds is in pouring out his sorrows to the river, the river that quietly listens, never questioning, never doubting, just running right on by. That all changes the day he finds the black egg. With it comes a friend who promises to give him joy and adventures and most of all, the companionship and caring he longs for. It comes with only one simple requirement though: don’t eat the egg. Fredrick joyfully agrees until the day the doubt comes and the sadness returns. Now he gets to see firsthand the consequences of rebellion. Will the joy ever return?

Notes: This three book series is promoted as “Polar Express” style books. There is text but there are also whole pages with nothing but photos. The pictures very much help tell the story. It’s almost like a picture book for older kids. The story is very allegorical. Someone familiar with the Bible can see the story of Adam and Eve facing temptation, the story of Jesus sacrificing His life for us, the story of the Holy Spirit being sent to help and guide, the story of Jesus going to Heaven to prepare a place for us, the story of satan tempting believers, and the story of the great commission. It's a great allegory for explaining the gospel message to young people. The downfall is that you have to know the Bible stories to know that’s what they’re referring to. The author does not mention anywhere in the book what the allegory is about. So readers are left thinking it’s just a nice fictional story, not that it’s based off of a real story that can change lives as much as the character’s was changed.
In this first book, the author covers the story of the character being offered life, rejecting it when faced with temptation, and of the Jesus figure (in this book it’s a huge monster type creature named Tug) sacrificing His life for the character.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 1/5 for the average audience, 5/5 for readers very familiar with the Bible

Reviewer: J:-)mi

John 10:10-11 – The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

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

Heir of Honor

Word, I need Your help.

He squeezed his eyes tighter.

I am not strong enough to face this. Help me.

Book: Heir of Hope (Follower of the Word Book 3) by Morgan L. Busse, Marcher Lord Press, 2015
 

Genre: Fantasy/Allegory

Target Audience: Girls and Boys 16+

Subjects: Faith, Power, Good vs. Evil, Sacrifice, Salvation, Forgiveness

Summary: Rowen is gone, taken captive by the Shadonae and Caleb? He’s still trying to figure out what being a follower of the Word even means! All he knows is that he’s banished from his own home for getting rid of one of the Shadows. When he and Nierne meet up with Lore, desperately lost without Rowen, no way of knowing how to rescue her, they join reluctantly join forces to head for Thyra where the Shadonae rule. Caleb is the one who slew Lore’s beloved master during his days as an assassin and Lore is not convinced forgiveness will or even should ever come for that offense. But he can’t deny the mark on Caleb’s hand, the mark proving him to be an Eldaran, a Son of Truth. Even so, only his need to get Rowen back and recognition of Caleb’s power to help, keeps him from revenge. In Thyra, the Shadonae as fascinated with Rowen, having believed they prevented her existence decades ago. Rather than destroy her, they seek to convert her to evil, showing her the pleasure in living for oneself instead of others. Defeating the evil that holds Thyra will take all of them using all the gifts and power given them by the Word. If one falls, they will all fall. 

Notes: The third in a series, Heir Of Honor is an allegory showing how great the love of God is for His children. The ultimate being in the story, the Word, creates man, gives them free will, then dies in their place, taking on all their evil and suffering to bring them healing from the darkness within them. Some are gifted with special powers to help the rest of the people but even they have to choose to suffer in order to bring any healing or truth. The allegory is very strong and very well written in this story. It does an excellent job painting a picture of Jesus’ sacrifice and the great love it takes to offer one’s life for another. The one drawback is that this story is also very dark with much violence and death. The theme of this story is partially a continuation of the redemption Caleb found in the second book and partly a picture of persecution and suffering and Rowen is offered great freedom and rewards in exchange for turning her back on the Word and offered much misery and pain and loneliness in exchange for continuing to follow.  

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

1 John 5:5 – Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Revelations 3:5 - He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.

Thank you to the author for providing me with a free review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I enjoyed it!

Resistance

“Bow before your gods,” the emperor repeated with more force this time. The words resonated against the walls. Kyrin drew in a slow breath and filled her lungs. No longer did her pulse thunder in her head. She lid her eyes over to meet the emperor’s, and her voice came out soft, yet strong with words never before uttered in the palace temple.
”They are not my gods… Elom in my God.”

Book: Resistance (Ilyon Chronicles) (Volume 1)by Jaye L. Knight, Living Sword Publishing, 2014

Genre: Speculative/Fantasy

Target Audience: Boys and Girls 14+

Subjects: Truth, Persecution, Family Relationships, Racism, Hope, Good vs. Evil

Summary: Twins, called out from childhood to train to serve the emperor due to their special giftings, Kyrin and Kaden dread the day their assignment will come. They have been secretly taught to worship and serve the one true God – something becoming more and more dangerous all the time. They’ve carefully avoided going to the temple and have two years left of school to get by. But when this year’s assigning comes, Kyrin gets assigned two years early! And worst of all – assigned to work directly with the emperor himself! The stress of being the emperor’s spy is draining but the day finally comes when she’s asked to choose between the one true God and the false gods of the emperor, to choose between life and death. Meanwhile, a young boy longs to be fully a part of the human race. Half Ryric – a race known for being so vicious some say they have no soul, Jace is tormented all of his life. He wants to believe in Elom but is certain Elom does not believe in him. After all, he’s been told all his life that he is worthless and has no soul. With the tragedies he’s seen, why should he believe anything different? Bitter and anguished he hides in the forest, closing himself off to all but one, the one who might just be stubborn enough to get through to him. Until tragedy strikes again.

Notes: The first in the Ilyon Chronicles, Resistance sets up the political environment – the king trying to increase his power to rule over the world instead of just one country and demanding all worship the false gods of the temple. It introduces two different sets of characters – the human twins with special giftings who have been raised in a school for most of their lives and know the truth about Elom – and the rebels hiding off in the woods, setting up a plan of resistance for all those who follow Elom and refuse to bow down to the emperor’s gods. The fantasy elements come in the different races of people that exist in the world – everything from giants to dwarfs to sort of animal-like people. There’s also mention of dragons. Then there are the special gifts that some have – like the ability to tell what others are thinking – not so much read minds as read emotions and discern truth from lies and perfectly remember everything ever seen or heard. The book does a great job with spiritual elements – it’s the whole point of the storyline. The two major threads running through the book are whether or not the twins will worship the false gods and whether or not Jace can put his trust in Elom instead of the lies he’s been told all of his life. Also of note, there is violence in the book, but it’s not overly intense or graphic most of the time. It’s a fairly safe book for younger teens to read. I highly recommend this one. It can challenge readers to consider how much they would stand up for their own faith in the face of persecution.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

John 15:19-21 – If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.

Matthew 5:11 – "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

Thank you to the author for providing me with a free review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I greatly enjoyed it!

Lily’s Church Camp Adventure

She looked at the three of them as if she already felt close to them. Lily felt as far away as if she were still at home.
I don’t get to eat with the Girlz? she though. I can’t sit by them at Bible study? I’m gonna be a jerk if I don’t hang with my cabin during free time?

Her heart took its final dive, right to the pit of her stomach.

Book: Lily's Church Camp Adventure (Young Women of Faith: Lily Series, Book 12) by Nancy Rue, Zonderkidz, 2003

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 11-14

Subjects: Friendship, Serving, Loneliness

Summary: Camp is not supposed to be the end of the world! It’s supposed to be an amazing experience! But being separated from all of her friends is ruining everything. Lily doesn’t know a single girl in her cabin and they are supposed to do every activity with those in their cabin, not the other groups. Not only that but she’s homesick. And she doesn’t feel like she has anything in common with these other girls. They seem to be the popular kind of girls – the kind Lily knows will not want anything to do with her. And even sailing, which was supposed to be her new “calling” isn’t going very well! Can anything good come out of this camp experience?

Notes: This is the twelfth in the Young Women of Faith – the Lily Series, a series of 14 books about a young girl desperately wanting to know God’s will for her life. She wants to know what her “thing” is. Everyone else seems to have one specific passion that’s also their talent. Throughout the series Lily explores many options to figure out what hers is. In this book, she thinks her “thing” is sailing, but it gets all mixed up when she goes through some friend struggles. The leader in her cabin helps her see that she needs to reach out to and serve the other girls instead of assuming they won’t like her. Lily realizes she has a lot to offer when she changes her focus.

Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Matthew 10:26 – Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant

Seal Of The King

He considered it for a moment, and realized that, whatever the reason, things were going to change. He wasn’t sure how, but he knew something was happening.

Book: Seal of the King  by Ralph Smith, Self Published, 2014

Genre: Speculative

Target Audience: Boys and Girls 18+

Subjects: Battle between good and evil, Love, Marriage, Sacrifice

Summary: It’s not just a dream! They’re not going crazy! It’s real! For his entire life David has seen visions of Aurora. Having imaginary friends is common for children, but David really saw her. All of her life, Aurora saw visions of David. And now as she frantically flees from the evil behind her, out of nowhere, David reaches out, and pulls her to safety – out of her world and into his! As they start talking and putting pieces together, they learn that they are part of a prophecy – they are destined to battle together against the evil one and defeat him through sacrifice.

Notes: It’s somewhat a typical fantasy story with the characters going on an adventure to try to defeat the evil being and having special powers to help conquer the evil. It has some unique elements though. The idea of the characters sort of seeing visions of each other all through their entire lives seems a bit different. It adds a lot to the story. Also, rather than an ordinary evil being, they seem to be actually going up against satan himself! And defeating him in one world strengths his power in the other world. The spiritual elements are strong and constant as both characters are strong believers in the Lord. The Lord even appears to them a couple of times in visions with special messages for them. The one warning I would give on this book is that the author gets pretty descriptive of the characters’ romance, particularly on their honeymoon. Other than that, I would recommend it, especially to those seeking an enjoyable story rather than suspense.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Ephesians 6:10-13 – Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 

Thank you to the author for providing me with a free review copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion. I enjoyed it!

Lily’s Passport To Paris

There was no chance to make a exit, however, because the door burst open and a skinny, middle-schoolish boy-figure bolted out into the hallway, shouting something in French. When Lily and Art both looked at him blankly, his eyes reflected a snap decision, and he hurled himself at Lily, tackling her to the ground like a middle linebacker.

“Down!” he cried in English. “Head down!”

Book: Lily's Passport to Paris (Lily Series #14)  by Nancy Rue, Zonderkidz, 2003

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 11-14

Subjects: Love For Others, Missions, Friendship, Chronic Illness, Trust in God

Summary: Wham! Lily’s trip to Paris begins with a full body slam! In an attempt to protect Lily from his angry sister who is ready to throw something, Christophe shoves Lily to the ground. The more Lily learns of Christophe and his sister, the more she longs to help. She prays and tries to point Christophe towards the God she’s coming to know more and more all the time. Christophe’s older sister, however, wants nothing to do with Lily and doesn’t want Christophe with her either. Even in the midst of all of this, Lily continues her pilgrimage to learn who she really is.

Notes: This is the fourteenth in the Young Women of Faith – the Lily Series, a series of 14 books about a young girl desperately wanting to know God’s will for her life. She wants to know what her “thing” is. Everyone else seems to have one specific passion that’s also their talent. Throughout the series Lily explores many options to figure out what hers is. In this book, she, at last, realizes what her “thing” is. Before she leaves for Paris, Sister Benedict tells her to look for the details. Let the little things in life show you how God is there and working in your life. In the midst of her own pilgrimage to find this, she helps her recently diagnosed with diabetes brother and the troubled young street boy find their details to point out God to them as well.

Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

1 Thessalonians 5:16-21 – Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good.

Rough And Rugged Lily

“Hang on!” she heard Dad cry out.

Lily groped for a handhold and her hands landed on something thing that gave under her fingers as she latched on. The van stopped spinning and slammed to an abrupt halt. Icy snow sprayed the window above Lily and then everything was quiet and still.
Lily held on tight and squeezed her eyes shut and waited for something to hurt.

Book: Rough and Rugged Lily (Young Women of Faith: Lily Series, Book 9)  by Nancy Rue, Zonderkidz, 2002

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 11-14

Subjects: Greed, Selfishness, Love for others, Family Relationships, Teen pregnancy

Summary: How selfish could Joe be? A 2 page Christmas wish list? But Lily’s isn’t much better. She just writes smaller. Art has a ton on things on his list too. Lily is counting on getting all the camping and survival gear she’ll need for the youth group camping trip. Her parents ruin that plan real quick when a single announcement. In fact, they ruin every single plan she and her brothers had for the entire Christmas season with one announcement! Instead of a huge tree loaded with gifts, making Christmas cookies, checking the mail for Christmas cards, and their other traditions, they’re going away for Christmas! Their parents have rented a cabin in the woods and the kids can only bring one game, one book and one snack. Presents? Homemade. Food? Sandwich supplies from the grocery store. Lily, Art and Joe are confident this is going to be the worst Christmas ever! But it seems, even their parents plans are going to change when they’re caught in a terrible ice storm that leaves them stranded at a school gym with a bunch of other travelers. If the kids thought it bad before, now it’s even worse!

Notes: This is the ninth in the Young Women of Faith – the Lily Series, a series of 14 books about a young girl desperately wanting to know God’s will for her life. She wants to know what her “thing” is. Everyone else seems to have one specific passion that’s also their talent. Throughout the series Lily explores many options to figure out what hers is. In this book, she wants to be an expert in wilderness survival. Her book on it doesn’t do her much good in a crowded school gym though. Her parents have decided the children are too greedy and self-centered when it comes to Christmas and want to use the holiday to strengthen family relationships and get their focus off of themselves. Lily starts the trip determined to prove to her parents she has learned the lesson so they can get back to normal. She ends with an overwhelming feeling of thankfulness for her family.  There is also a lesson about teen pregnancy in this book. One of the families stuck at the gym with them is a mom, a teenager and a little girl who they eventually learn is the daughter of the teenager. Art makes a comment that after seeing this he understands why you’re not supposed to act like you’re married until you truly are.

Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Philippians 2:1-5 – If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus

Lily Rules

I think it was a miracle that I got elected, she wrote, which means You meant for it to be. Please work on Mom and Dad so they’ll see that. And please don’t let Kresha and Reni feel left out. And please make me the best president of the seventh grade that ever was.
Lily paused to consider that last request. From what Art had said, it wasn’t going to be that hard to surpass everybody else who had ever held the office.
But I’m still going to be amazing, God, she wrote I just have to think positive.

Book: Lily Rules! (Lily Series, Book 8) by Nancy Rue, Zonderkidz, 2002

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 11-14

Subjects: Leadership, Spiritual Gifts, God’s Will, Friendship, Time Management

Summary: A prank can backfire sometimes. And that’s just what happens to the “ABC’s” as Lily calls Ashley, Bernadette, Benjamin and Chelsea – the popular kids who don’t like Lily at all. They mockingly nominate Lily for class president and Lily wins! From there, the Girlz and two boys take the whole election. The teachers and former seventh graders all assure Lily that the class officers do nothing but plan one fundraiser. Lily is not okay with that. If she’s going to hold an office, she wants to truly affect change. At first her plans seem to go well and people are pleased with what she has accomplished. But when she hurts her friends and turns a blind eye to injustice, she realizes her office needs to be about doing what is right, whether it’s the “political” way or not.

Notes: This is the eighth in the Young Women of Faith – the Lily Series, a series of 14 books about a young girl desperately wanting to know God’s will for her life. She wants to know what her “thing” is. Everyone else seems to have one specific passion that’s also their talent. Throughout the series Lily explores many options to figure out what hers is. In this book, it’s all about power and authority. When her parents try to get to truly pray about whether or not leadership is her spiritual gift and being class president is the best use of her time, she plows over all objections. She starts taking anything that goes her way as a “sign” that God wants her to do this. She ignores things like friends and parents and teachers all challenging her to reconsider. She’s completely confident she has the spiritual gift of leadership. Then, without understanding anything about what spiritual gifts actually are, she starts using the phrase to convince her friends to do what she wants, telling them they have the gift of writing, selecting music, etc.

Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

1 Corinthians 12:24-30 – But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues ? Do all interpret?