So
here I was, not knowing anyone. Zooming around about an eight on the
Moronic Mood-o-Meter. Dr. Shrink had given me this lame rating system
for my moods, one to ten. One being in the depths. Ten being zooming all
over the place. I’m supposed to try to stay at about five. She said
that this trip would be a challenging time for me, blah, blah, blah. No
kidding. A whole new family. Everyone was probably thinking I was a
trouble maker. And with Stephanie practically like a sister to Aunt
Carol’s kids.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Target Audience: Girls 13-18
Subjects: Blended Families, Sibling Relationships, Friendship
Summary: A whole fall break away from horses? Her mom and stepdad had been doing great with vacation choices but this is ridiculous. Of course, it wasn’t their idea. Everyone in the extended family is coming on this cruise to celebrate Stephanie’s grandmother’s seventy-fifth birthday. So not only is Diana stuck without horses, she’s also stuck spending the whole time with people she doesn’t know. For someone who doesn’t get along easily with people, this is sheer torture. Why couldn’t they have just let her go stay with her dad like she wanted to? Stephanie is worried too. She wants so bad for her cousin and stepsister to get along, but she knows it won’t be easy. Lauren and Diana both have strong personalities and don’t back down easily. Stephanie really has her hands full this time!
Notes: This is the third in the Sisters In All Seasons series. The series is about two sisters who are part of a blended family. Both have parents who have divorced. Diana’s mother has married Stephanie’s father. Both of their other parents are still around and in the picture, although not as much. The sisters are extreme opposites in personality and interests. Diana’s focus is on animals – she finds people hard to deal with due to her lack of effort to “fit in” and her willingness to say exactly what she thinks at any time. Stephanie’s focus in on people – animals scare her. Stephanie’s weakness is trying so hard to get along with anyone that she doesn’t always say no to things she knows she should – whether it be to Diana or friends.
In this book, Stephanie and Diana are to the point where they get along a little bit better, but more relatives are now thrown at Diana that she is expected to get along with – and she is not okay with this.
The spiritual emphasis in this book comes in one line from Stephanie’s Grandma in a conversation with Stephanie. Stephanie shares about some of her struggles with Diana and Lauren and Grammy tells her that “God has given us others to love. Life is relationships and what we make of them.” The Bible does put a huge emphasis on relationships with others. It does not say it is life – it says Jesus is the life. But it is the second greatest commandment.
Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 1/5
Reviewer: J:-)mi
Matthew 22:36-40 – "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
John 1:4 - In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
John 14:6 - Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with a free review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I appreciate it!
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment