Sophie’s Irish Showdown

“Right,” Sophie said slowly. “We’ll make everybody understand about how it’s stupid to fight over being different.” She inserted a nod. “That’s our mission.”

Book: Sophie’s Irish Showdown (Sophie Steps Up (Faithgirlz!))by Nancy Rue, Zondervan Publishers, 2005

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Target Audience: Girls 11-15
Subjects: Discrimination, Prejudice, Friendship, Love for others, Tragedy

Summary: How can you help someone who doesn’t want to be helped? When a new girl joins Sophie’s class, she and the flakes set out to befriend her. But Darbie doesn’t seem to want their friendship – or the pops’ friendship. She just seems angry at the whole world. When Sophie learns about the difficulties of Darbie’s life back in Northern Ireland, she aches to comfort the hurting young girl. But every attempt Sophie makes, just gets her pushed farther away. With a school group assignment forcing them together, the Corn Flakes have to find a way to help Darbie before they all flunk their project!

Notes: Sophie’s Irish Showdown is fourth in the FaithGirlz series, a twelve book series about a young girl in late elementary/early middle school who uses her big imagination to make movies and figure out how Jesus wants her to love those around her. In this book the focus shifts from Sophie and the bullying the popular kids have been doing, to Sophie and her friends reaching out to a hurting girl. Darbie has experienced the loss of both of her parents and plenty of war in her twelve years and lashes out at anyone in her hurt. Sophie has to learn what it means to truly love, even while Fiona gets jealous again. It’s more than just a story of Sophie reaching out to Darbie though. It’s about wanting to show everyone in school the importance of genuinely loving others instead of fighting over differences. I highly recommend this story. Also the Sophie books have been republished. #6 is republished under the title Sophie Steps Up.
Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5
Reviewer: J:-)mi

Romans 12:15-16 – Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.