Harry Moon

Book: The Enchanted World of Honey Moon – Mountain Mayhem, The Amazing Adventures of Harry Moon – Inkadink, The Amazing Adventures of Harry Moon – Haunted Pizza, created by Mark Andrew Poe, Rabbit Publishers, 2016

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure

Target Audience: Boys and Girls 10-16

Subjects: Good vs. Evil, Greed, Hate, Pride, Friendship, Truth

Honey doubted that Trout had planned a challenge for them.  She’d probably forgotten about them altogether. In that case, it was up to Honey to take charge.

Summary of Mountain Mayhem: Honey is bound and determined to get her last scout badge! Last year the wilderness camp out and hike ended in a disaster with the girls giving up and going home. The main scout leader later took out most of the girls for another try, all except for Honey and her two friends. Now the assistant leader who Honey seems as completely incapable is supposed to lead the three girls through the wilderness to complete the badge. Honey is confident – confident that the only way they will get out is if she takes charge!

 

You know, disappearing ink has been used to print Sleepy Hollow’s newspaper. The news gets reported but then, over time, it disappears. No evidence. No story. It must be connected. But how?

Summary of Inkadink: As Harry digs through his backpack trying to find his phone, he finds a note instead – a note of magazine letters cut and pasted to give him a message that makes no sense. It has something to do with ink. So Harry, with the help of his sister, set out to discover who sent the note and what it has to do with the Mayor and the town newspaper – which is written in disappearing ink. The mayor plans to take action soon so Harry has to act fast if he wants to stop the mayor’s latest evil plot.

He was going to have to go to school and confront his friends – to tell them they needed to stop eating pizza from The Sleepy Hollow Slice because there was an ingredient called hateweed in it that was turning them into angry lunatics. It even sounded crazy to Harry.

Summary of Haunted Pizza: Ooey, gooey, cheesey… evil? Isn’t pizza supposed to be Ooey, gooey, cheesey goodness? Not pizza made with HateWeed – the secret ingredient the mayor is harvesting out at Folly Farm and putting into the new addicting pizza that Sleep Hollow can’t get enough of. Thankfully, it doesn’t fill Harry with hate, just gives him enough of a stomach ache to know to avoid it. So when the whole town starts filling with hate and greed to get more, it’s up to Harry, and one person who just so happens to be on a gluten free diet, to stop the HateWeed Pizza from taking over the entire world!

Notes: Each of these books are part of the Harry Moon series. There is the Adventures of Harry Moon series and The Enchanted World of Honey Moon series. The Harry Moon series has been a subject of dialogue in Christian ministry circles since it first came out. It has been marketed to Christian ministries and recommended by some of them. But others have read the series or read what the creators had to say about the series and wondered what the hype was all about. The creators do not claim to be writing an explicitly Christian series. As I read through them I concluded that they very much imitate Christian writings. They contain some phrases that are Bible verses and have morals that are Biblically correct. There are mentions of things like church, prayer or an ultimate being (referred to as “The Great Magician). There is a character, an invisible rabbit, who seems to sort of represent the Holy Spirit. Some Christians might oppose them because of the focus on magic. But that’s a concept used in many Christian fantasy books that mostly just represents the power of God working through humans, doing things that can’t be done or explained without a supernatural power. My conclusion is that the books simply lack power. They are morally good, but without those morals being clearly based on a set standard – the Bible or something that represents the Bible, it lacks power. In our culture, there is a big push to have right and wrong be left up to the individual and to have evil be redefined. So Harry choosing to “do no evil” doesn’t mean anything. Who determines what is evil and what is not?

Another interesting note is that the books never claim to have an “author”, only a “creator”. After reading Inkadink and Haunted Pizza I found that the characters were different. Honey showed an adoration and extreme respect (mixed with a bit of viewing herself as knowing more than him) for her brother in Inkadink. In Haunted Pizza and Mountain Mayhem, Honey barely tolerates him. He’s annoying to her. She also barely tolerates her parents, her friends or her scout leader. She has a disrespectful attitude towards everyone, allowing her pride to let her believe everyone else is inferior. In Inkadink the mom wrestles with letting Harry and Honey do what they need to do, but is fully aware of them leaving the house late at night to go fight evil. She knows they have a calling and as much as she wants to protect them, she willingly lets them go. In Haunted Pizza, she has no idea Harry sneaks out and Harry fears getting in trouble for doing so. And when he confesses, he does get a punishment – they are proud of him, but still punish him. In Inkadink Rabbit does nothing more than offer support. He just tells Harry that he has his back a lot. In Haunted Pizza he complains about anchovies and gives Harry key advice. Also the way they characters are shown in the drawings and described in the books varied greatly from how they were drawn in Inkadink.

Overall, I’d say these books have some good things to offer. They aren’t as powerful as they could be, but they do have some good elements. They do teach Scriptural concepts and portray the importance of standing up against that which is evil.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 3.5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

John 8:32 – Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.

1 Thessalonians 5:19-24 – Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

Thank you to the publishers for sending me free review copies in exchange for my honest opinion. I appreciate it! All opinions are my own.

Sliced Heather On Toast

China smiled. “I think that’s about to change. By the end of the week I plan to have me some sliced Heather on toast.”

“What’s that?” Joe asked.

“It’s Heather… cut down to bite-sized, humiliated pieces, then swallowed and forgotten as easily as toast for breakfast.”

Book: Sliced Heather On Toast by Lissa Halls Johnson, Focus On The Family, 1994

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 13-18

Subjects: Identity, Friendship, Family Relationships, Revenge

Summary: She’s a missionary kid who fits in… nowhere. Not in Guatemala where her parents serve, not in the United States with the aunt who has a long list of expectations for her, and definitely not on the camp bus with “Queen” Heather, the gorgeous snob who rules the teenage girls at Camp Crazy Bear. China thought maybe going to camp would be fun, but since she refuses to bow down and worship at the throne of Queen Heather, none of the campers dare to befriend her and instead join Heather in attempting to make China’s week miserable. Thankfully there are a few people not under Heather’s control: Magda, the camp cook and DeeDee, the director’s daughter. China thinks maybe she has finally found the place she belongs, but even her two friends can’t stop Heather’s plan to destroy China’s dream of finally fitting in.

Notes: Sliced Heather On Toast is the first in the seven book China Tate series about a tenth grade girl whose parents are missionaries in Guatemala. She has returned to the states to spend a summer with an aunt, hoping to find a place to fit in. She finds her place at Camp Crazy Bear and winds up staying and working in the kitchen for the summer. The series tells of the adventures she has in friendship and learning responsibility.

In this first book, China’s struggle is with a popular rich girl who has decided to hate China. China seeks revenge, only to find out it’s not as pleasant as she thought it would be. But even when she apologizes, the other girl snubs her and eventually even tries to ruin China’s chance to work at camp for the summer as well as her reputation by lying about her. The mentor type character of the series, Magda, the camp cook helps China see that she needs to show love, no matter what Heather does. She explains “When God says we should love a brother, it means we need to treat the with respect. With honor. No matter how they’ve treated us. You’re thinking of honor as Heather does. Looking up to someone as if they’re better than everyone else. That’s not what honor means. It means you see them as another child of God. It doesn’t mean you’re going to get respect and honor and kindness and courtesy in return. But that’s not your responsibility. That’s hers. God won’t ask you if Heather was nice to you. He’ll only ask if you were nice to her.” The other strong theme running through this book is China’s struggle with who she is and where she belongs. She envies Heather at first, seeing her as everything she wants to be. She even tries to not get too close to DeeDee because of the pain of having to leave the closest thing she has gotten to a true friend. She has to learn a few things about her Heavenly Father, His care for her and how things work.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Romans 12:19 – Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.

Mardan's Mark

A moment passed and then she gasped. “It looks like Mardan’s mark.”

“Like our tattoos, right?”

“I don’t understand. How can he have Mardan’s mark?” Rene frowned. “It’s exactly like ours.”

“Except that our tattoos are on the left and his is on the right.”

Rene sat back on her heels, looking stunned. “Can this mean…?”

Srilani nodded. “It can’t mean anything else.”

They stared at one another, and Rene bit her lip. “What are you going to do?”

Book: Mardan’s Mark by Kathrese McKee, Word Maker Books, 2014

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy

Target Audience: Boys and Girls 15+

Subjects: Friendship, Relationships, Truth

Summary: Captured by pirates, the royal children are taken away, but when a storm comes, the pirates abandon their precious cargo for the sake of their own lives. Thankfully for the children, they also abandon their slaves: Aldan, Linus and Sam. The seven young people begin the difficult trek home, fighting more pirates, illness, priests of the false religion and even the royal guard! Along the way, much is discovered. Princess Srilani, the oldest of the royals is used to taking the lead, but finds Aldan can be trusted to lead just as much as she can. The three slaves learn of El, the true God, the one worth worshipping. Then much to everyone’s shock, Mardan’s Mark – the tattoo proclaiming royal birth is discovered on Aldan, showing him to be the long lost, believed dead, heir to the throne of the neighboring kingdom! As if one prince wasn’t enough, now there are two princes away from their kingdoms that need to make it home alive!

Notes: Mardan’s Mark is the first in the Mardan’s Mark Epic Fantasy Adventures Series. Epic seems the right word for it. Constant battles from one thing or another, a long, difficult journey, truth to be discovered in multiple ways, relationships to be forged, enemies to be turned into friends, trust to be earned and love to be developed – it is definitely an epic journey for the characters! The spiritual element comes in the existence of El – the one true God. The royal children know of His existence and worship Him, but Aldan, Sam and Linus have to be taught of him. Then an angel appears to Aldan, confirming that El is real and that He has a purpose for Aldan. There isn’t a ton of focus on it, the characters don’t rely on El constantly or seek Him for direction or quote from a book of ultimate authority, it’s just acknowledgement that the God that is real is the one they worship.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 3/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

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

The Journey Of Wishes

“You really did it this time,” a voice said behind him. Adam whirled around. The ghost boy sat in another chair, smiling his thin crooked smile. “Everyone will hate you for sure. You need to get out and get out quick.”

“What do you mean?” Adam asked.

“What do you think, stupid?” the boy asked. “Run away. Get the train in town and get out of here. You have enough money. You can buy a ticket. But you won’t have any money left once you pay for that tractor. It will cost a zillion dollars to fix that stupid mistake. You better get out while the getting is good. Everyone hates you now. And Great Uncle Samuel will really be disappointed, especially after he made such a big deal about choosing you.”

Book: The JourneyOf Wishes

by John Bibee, Intervarsity Press, 1993

Genre: Fantasy/Allegory

Target Audience: Boys and Girls 12-16

Subjects: Family Relationships, Forgiveness, Freedom

Summary: Bitterness and resentment mixed with guilt can go a long ways towards destroying one’s life. Adam Kramer is about to find that out for himself. He is upset at being stuck at his cousin’s house while his parents are overseas because of World War II. He resents his cousins for picking on him. So he starts listening to his ghost slave and winds up wrecking his uncle’s tractor. That’s when he knows the ghost slave is right – he doesn’t belong here. So he leaves, but soon finds himself in an even worse situation, a slave to the owner of a carnival who tricks young orphans and runaways into being in debt to him and afraid to escape. The ghost slave won’t abandon him though. He continues to do all he can to make Adam’s life even worse. Soon Adam is trapped in a cage of his own making, a cage no one can help him get out of – no one that is, except the Kingson.  

Notes: The Journey of Wishes is the eighth and final book in the Spirit Flyer series. The series uses a flying bicycle to represent faith in Christ. The bicycles are made by the “Three Kings”. When a person chooses to believe in them, the bicycle arrives and will fly when they are trusting. The series takes place in an end times setting, with it finally ending at the rapture. Throughout the series, the struggle between good and evil is shown in those choosing to ride Spirit Flyers battling Goliath Industries, an organization that desires to see death and destruction. This book is a prequel to book one, telling the story many years ago of Grandfather Kramer. Like Runaway Parents, it has a hint of a prodigal son theme to it with Adam stealing money and running away, finding himself in a much worse situation than he had at home and having to go home and make amends. It is also a strong focus on freedom – how the Kingson is the only one who can truly set free the cages that bind us.

I highly recommend this book as well as the others in the series. It offers great spiritual value as well as a creative storyline and enough suspense and adventure to keep readers interested.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Romans 8:1 – There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

The Perfect Star

“I think you’re getting to an age and a place in your heart where you won’t settle for just playing the role of a princess in some cardboard kingdom in a movie of pretend. You can know the true kings and be their real child in a real kingdom that lasts forever and ever.”

“Would I be a princess?” Tiffany asked.

“It wouldn’t be quite like what I think you’re thinking,” the old woman said. “But you would be a child of the kings themselves. That’s even better than anything you could imagine.”

“But I want to be a star!” Tiffany said defiantly. “Professor Pickie said he thought I had star quality. I bet once I star in this movie, then I could be a star in Hollywood too. I could be known around t he world as a star, and at a young age! It would be perfect.”

Book: The Perfect Star by John Bibee, Intervarsity Press, 1992

Genre: Fantasy/Allegory

Target Audience: Boys and Girls 12-16

Subjects: Loss, Fear, Persecution, Second Coming

Summary: There’s a new star in the sky and it is frightening many. Some are sure it’s going to crash into the earth and destroy it. Some dismiss it as nothing. Tiffany knows it’s serious though. She is quite afraid of it! She refuses to let her fear control her thoughts though. She’s too busy trying to be a star herself – a perfect star who will get the main role in Goliath Industry’s new movie. Meanwhile Goliath has come up with a plan to deal with the Rank Blank Spirit Flyer group once and for all. And unfortunately for Tiffany, her own grandmother is one of the first victims of the new plan. As she mourns her loss, Goliath tests just how strong her loyalty really is, using her and her brother Sloan to implement their plan to do away with the Spirit Flyer group. Will Tiffany embrace the light or continue to pursue being a star for the darkness?

Notes: The Perfect Star is the seventh in the Spirit Flyer Series and the conclusion of the series’ storyline as the final book is a prequel to book one. The series uses a flying bicycle to represent faith in Christ. The bicycles are made by the “Three Kings”. When a person chooses to believe in them, the bicycle arrives and will fly when they are trusting. The series takes place in an end times setting, with it finally ending at the rapture. Throughout the series, the struggle between good and evil is shown in those choosing to ride Spirit Flyers battling Goliath Industries, an organization that desires to see death and destruction. This book concludes the battle with the return of the Kingson. It highlights the bad guys trying to kill everyone who follows the Three Kings, the manipulation of young people to get them to betray everyone and the power of God to change a life. It shows Tiffany seeking something she doesn’t even understand, reading the book that allegorically represents the Bible and listening to teaching about it even though she thinks she is opposed to it. It shows Sloan truly choosing to follow the darkness. Then it shows the joy of all those who followed the Three Kings as they attend the banquet that represents the wedding banquet of the Lamb.

I highly recommend this book as well as the others in the series. It offers great spiritual value as well as a creative storyline and enough suspense and adventure to keep readers interested.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Revelation 22:12 – Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what He has done.

The Runaway Parents

“But we’ve got to find my dad now!” John insisted. “Don’t you understand? He may be able to help her!”

“Like I told you before,” his grandfather said, “there’s a timing to things, John. We have to wait on the King’s timing. I want to find your dad, but I don’t feel peaceful about it yet, and I’m not sure why. But I think we’ll go soon.”

“I’ve waited long enough!” John cried out. “I don’t think you really care. Nobody cares anymore but me.”

John ran out of the room. He hit the front door and ran down t he steps. He kept running and running.

“I’ve got to do something,” he said to himself. “I’ve got to figure out a way.”

Book: TheRunaway Parents by John Bibee, Intervarsity Press, 1991

Genre: Fantasy/Allegory

Target Audience: Boys and Girls 12-16

Subjects: Family Relationships, Doubt, Depression, Freedom, Hope

Summary: “He’s a regular moron.” “He’s lazy.” “He’s stupid.” “He’ll never get it right.” “You’re running out of money. What an awful provider!” “You should have done this.” “You should have done that.” “What kind of man are you?” “What kind of husband and father are you?” “You’re pathetic.” “You disgust me so much I just want to throw up.” “He betrayed the kings for a bunch of money. He sold the Spirit Flyers for a few measly dollars. Where’s that money now, Mr. Deal Maker?”

Many years ago it rained for days in Centerville. In the midst of that rain came sightings of black tornados that looked like snakes. After one of them, the car of John’s parents was found destroyed by a tornado. Everyone assumed John’s parents to be dead. But they aren’t. And now, after all of these years, his mom has returned! And she says John’s dad is still alive as well! John wants to instantly go after him, but for some reason his grandfather and uncle refuse, saying it’s not the right time. Angrily, John sets off on his own. His journey isn’t easy though. His dad is working as a slave to Goliath Industries, doing demeaning jobs for them. He’s lost in his own despair, confident he has sunk too far to return home. All the labels and accusations are true. He believes he’s a failure and that John would be better off without him. John is devastated at the abandonment, allowing his heart to fill with anger at his parents. Only Kingslove can set free the father and the son. 

Notes: The Runaway Parents is the sixth in the Spirit Flyer Series. The series uses a flying bicycle to represent faith in Christ. The bicycles are made by the “Three Kings”. When a person chooses to believe in them, the bicycle arrives and will fly when they are trusting. The series takes place in an end times setting, with it finally ending at the rapture. Throughout the series, the struggle between good and evil is shown in those choosing to ride Spirit Flyers battling Goliath Industries, an organization that desires to see death and destruction. This book sort of pauses the intense battle in Centerville and focuses on just a couple of characters. It shows, yet again, a character who has walked away from their faith and ceased to trust the Three Kings, but who was never abandoned by them. At the end, the Kingson tells John and his father “No matter what you do, you will always be your Father’s son. You made many mistakes, Joe. And you may make some more. The Father and I feel great sorrow when any of our children suffer. But you’ve always had a place in the Father’s house. This is your true home and that’s never changed. All of those children who are born into his Kingdom will live with him forever and nothing can take them away from his house. Neither death nor life, neither height nor depth can separate you from the love of your Father the King.” The book also deals with the issue of judgment and condemnation as John, his cousin and his uncle all pass judgment on Joe Kramer, condemning him and refusing to offer forgiveness until confronted by the Kingson. John realizes he is guilty of one of the very things he is accusing his father of. It is partially a prodigal son story.

I highly recommend this book as well as the others in the series. It offers great spiritual value as well as a creative storyline and enough suspense and adventure to keep readers interested.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Romans 8:31,38 – What, then shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Last Christmas

Barry had always secretly thought people didn’t like him, but he had always hoped that it really wasn’t true. As he woke up that next morning, he realized his secret hopes were pure daydreams. He knew no one liked him. His old friends, the other kids at school and even his parents seem disgusted with him. And as Barry thought about it, he realized that he didn’t really want to be with himself either. He secretly wished he were dead.

Book: The Last Christmas by John Bibee, Intervarsity Press, 1990

Genre: Fantasy/Allegory

Target Audience: Boys and Girls 12-16

Subjects: Fear, Loss, Family Relationships, Persecution, Betrayal

Summary: “Peace and Safety!” That’s the new motto of ORDER, the political group created by Goliath Industries designed to get the world back on track after the world war that occurred on Halloween night. And Barry wants nothing more than to be a leader in the new ORDER. The problem is Sloan Favor. He’s not only taken Barry’s spot of #1 on the Point System, he’s taken Barry’s clubhouse and all of his gang! Barry hasn’t gone through his trials for nothing though. All the challenges he’s faced in life have taught him well how to climb to the top by hurting others. So when he is asked to torment the riders of Spirit Flyers he does so gladly. When he’s asked to betray his own family though, doubts begin to arise. How far will he really go to be number one?

Notes: The Last Christmas is the fifth in the Spirit Flyer Series. The series uses a flying bicycle to represent faith in Christ. The bicycles are made by the “Three Kings”. When a person chooses to believe in them, the bicycle arrives and will fly when they are trusting. The series takes place in an end times setting, with it finally ending at the rapture. Throughout the series, the struggle between good and evil is shown in those choosing to ride Spirit Flyers battling Goliath Industries, an organization that desires to see death and destruction. This book picks up after the war that occurred over the period of a single night at the end of the last book. Everything is in shambles and no one seems to know how to get life going again. Even school has ceased. Then a new political party steps up and is viewed as the heroes but start their attack on their opposition – including Barry’s cousins who are living with Barry’s family and even Barry’s mom when she suspects ORDER of breaking the law. It truly sets up an end-times scenario, even having an allegorical mark of the beast – a card that identifies you and makes you unable to buy or sell or do anything without it. The issue dealt with the most is the issue of fear. Barry is living in fear and allowing that to dictate his actions. Fear that he won’t live up to the example of his dead older brother in the minds of his parents, fear that he won’t be number one in the point system, fear of being attacked by Sloan and the others, fear of being looked down upon by ORDER – this fear controls everything he does until he meets the Kingson who sets him free from his chains.

I highly recommend this book as well as the others in the series. It offers great spiritual value as well as a creative storyline and enough suspense and adventure to keep readers interested.

Spiritual Content 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.

Bicycle Hills

“With my plan, we’ll get the treasure, kill points, and all the points and tokens of everyone. We’ll let everyone arrive and fight it out for the treasure. Then when they think they got it made, we use our secret weapon. That’s what you do in a war.” Sloan held up the Trag 7 unit so everyone could see. “With a few drops of blood, this thing will become a bomb,” Sloan said. “With the blood, the Trag 7 becomes what you wish it to be, the manual says. And I want it to be a bomb. We’ll bomb ‘em all.”

“Blast them to smithereens!” Tiffany shouted.

“Nuke ‘em into the next country!” shouted someone else.

Book: Bicycle Hills by John Bibee, Intervarsity Press, 1989

Genre: Fantasy/Allegory

Target Audience: Boys and Girls 12-16

Subjects: Popularity, Truth, Good vs. Evil, Freedom in Christ

Summary: The match is ignited, the flames burst up, the earthquake comes, the privacy walls are built, the children are sworn to secrecy and the games begin. Each day after school the kids and their bicycles meet at Bicycles Hills for Caves and Cobras – a war game in which teams try to “kill” each other to get the treasure – and the points in the Point System. Meanwhile, a new country club is built to distract the adults as well. All the while, the plan to enslave the entire town to the chains forever falls perfectly into place, step by step. When Halloween comes will the people of Centerville finally see just what they have chosen? Or will they continue believing what Goliath Industries says?   

Notes: Bicycle Hills is the fourth in the Spirit Flyer Series. The series uses a flying bicycle to represent faith in Christ. The bicycles are made by the “Three Kings”. When a person chooses to believe in them, the bicycle arrives and will fly when they are trusting. The series takes place in an end times setting, with it finally ending at the rapture. Throughout the series, the struggle between good and evil is shown in those choosing to ride Spirit Flyers battling Goliath Industries, an organization that desires to see death and destruction. This book is the story of a girl who doesn’t yet know the Three Kings and has truly bought in to the things Goliath Industries has taught. Her dad is one of the leading developers of the Trag 7 unit that the children plan to use to attack each other in Bicycle Hills. Amy quickly learns that any association with children who have Spirit Flyers ruins her score in the Point System and her chances to compete in Caves and Cobras. It shows how far God will go to rescue those lost in their sin though as Amy is given chance after chance to see and experience the truth. Amy is given a key to represent the freedom Christ offers. At the climax of the story it highlights how each person is given a free choice as some kids choose not to accept the rescue offered them when the worst danger comes.

I highly recommend this book as well as the others in the series. It offers great spiritual value as well as a creative storyline and enough suspense and adventure to keep readers interested.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

John 8:32 – Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.

The Only Game In Town

He opened his eyes. At first he wanted to scream, but he was paralyzed with fear. In the mirror, around his head, was a swarm of black shadowy snakes. They seemed to cover his shoulders, feasting and biting. There was a host of the leechlike serpents wrapped around the bottom of his short right leg. Daniel stared in silent horror at the reflection of himself. Daniel felt as if he were a prisoner to so many things, things you couldn’t see or fight back against. He didn’t think it was fair. The boy sighed and put the number card back in his pocket as he went back downstairs. “You can’t fight it.” He said in deep discouragement. He got on his Super Wings bicycle. “You can’t fight something you can’t see and there’s no way to win anyhow. You end up Rank Blank. An outsider and an oddball. Daniel rode to the field, feeling dead inside.

Book: The Only Game In Town by John Bibee, Intervarsity Press, 1988

Genre: Fantasy/Allegory

Target Audience: Boys and Girls 12-16

Subjects: Identity, Friendships, Good vs. Evil

Summary: Rank Blank! Rank blank! You’re a nobody! Worse than a nobody! You’re a rank blank! The new game in town is the point system. Everything you do is broken down into points and your rank is shown on the board in town. You can purchase point cards that show exactly how many points you have in every single category. But Daniel, new in town, is a rank blank. He has no points, no information on him at all in the system. And it’s all because of his Spirit Flyer. If he would simply give it up, he could fit right in with the other kids, he could be popular even! But at what cost? Giving up the Spirit Flyer means he is giving up on the Three Kings and allowing the darkness to try to snuff out the light inside of him. But if he doesn’t, he will never fit in. And being an outcast in a new town is pretty much the worse thing Daniel can think of.

Notes: The Only Game In Town is the third in the Spirit Flyer Series. The series uses a flying bicycle to represent faith in Christ. The bicycles are made by the “Three Kings”. When a person chooses to believe in them, the bicycle arrives and will fly when they are trusting. The series takes place in an end times setting, with it finally ending at the rapture. Throughout the series, the struggle between good and evil is shown in those choosing to ride Spirit Flyers battling Goliath Industries, an organization that desires to see death and destruction. This book introduces a new character, a boy who moved to town for his mom to work for Goliath Industries’ factory. Daniel’s mom does not approve of his Spirit Flyer, nor does his sister. And apparently neither do the kids of Centerville. Daniel arrives right in the midst of Goliath Industries’ attempt to start controlling the children and adults through the point system. Everyone wants to be first and will do the things it takes to be first. Just like book two, it shows a character who has placed their faith in the Three Kings and is taking steps to walk away from it. The motivation for Daniel is acceptance from others. He has to make the choice to pursue what really matters, something more lasting than popularity. At the end, Susan tells Daniel “They may call us names and things, but let them. We won’t melt. We belong in the Kingdom of the Kings. We don’t have to play by the rules of the Point System either. It isn’t the only game in town. Royal love is more powerful than anything because it comes straight from the heart of the Kings.”

I highly recommend this book as well as the others in the series. It offers great spiritual value as well as a creative storyline and enough suspense and adventure to keep readers interested.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Romans 8:31,38 – What, then shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Toy Campaign

“I could help you put the instruments on your bike,” she offered.

John nodded quietly as if agreeing. But then a frown crossed the boy’s face.

“But we need to go get the toys in the dump first,” John blurted out. “They belong to me.”

“Can’t you just forget about those dumb toys for a little while?” Susan asked.

“You just don’t like the idea that I found them first,” John accused. His eyes suddenly went into little angry slits. “You want them for yourself. Well, I’m going to get back what belongs to me, and you won’t stop me.” With those words, John strode into the house, slamming the door behind him.

Book: TheToy Campaign by John Bibee, Intervarsity Press, 1987

Genre: Fantasy/Allegory

Target Audience: Boys and Girls 12-16

Subjects: Greed, Selfishness, Good vs. Evil

Summary: Toys! Tons of toys! And all his! When John went deeper, he met someone who promised him tons of toys. They’re all his for the taking. Except, well, the Spirit Flyer doesn’t seem to approve. Not that it matters since John won’t ride it any longer anyway. His greed is getting the better of him though. As the new toy store opens in town and toys are promised to all the children, Susan knows something evil is occurring, but how can she convince a town who’s eyes are blinded by greed? Can she save John and the rest of the town before their own greed destroys them? Mrs. Happy and Goliath Industries will do their best to make sure she fails!

Notes: The Toy Campaign is the second in the Spirit Flyer Series. The series uses a flying bicycle to represent faith in Christ. The bicycles are made by the “Three Kings”. When a person chooses to believe in them, the bicycle arrives and will fly when they are trusting. The series takes place in an end times setting, with it finally ending at the rapture. Throughout the series, the struggle between good and evil is shown in those choosing to ride Spirit Flyers battling Goliath Industries, an organization that desires to see death and destruction. At the end of the first book, the rest of John’s family received Spirit Flyers. John went into the “deeper” world, meaning he was able to sort of see a spirit realm and interact with the demon-like characters. Now he is believing what he was told there – that a mountain of toys belongs to him – as long as he stops riding his Spirit Flyer and trusting the Three Kings. It’s a look at how secure our salvation is. John stops trusting, and the demon-like characters tell him he wasn’t good enough, that his chains are not broken. The truth is that he picked up broken chains and is choosing to wear them, but he was never abandoned or rejected by the Three Kings.

I highly recommend this book as well as the others in the series. It offers great spiritual value as well as a creative storyline and enough suspense and adventure to keep readers interested.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

John 10:28-29 – I give them eternal life and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father who has given them to me is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.

Luke 12:15 – Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

Witch’s Mark

 Em’s eyes flashed with anger. “Let me repeat what I told you last week. I said that God is real, and if you don’t watch what comes out of your mouth, He just might show you how real He is. And now He has.”

Em’s head whipped toward Megan. “And now He has!”

Megan looked back at Em with the same shocked look. “You think it’s Sam? God sent us back in the past because of Sam?”

Book: Witch’s Mark by Sarah Norkus, West Alden Publishing, 2016

Genre: Historical Fiction/Adventure

Target Audience: Girls 14-19

Subjects: Salem Witch Trials, Time Travel, Faith in God, Bullying, God’s existence

Summary: Enough is enough! Subtle bullying, insults, threats, vandalism – it all just builds up until Josh, Tim, Emily and Megan find it extremely difficult to not retaliate. Sam and her boyfriend Kyle identify themselves as witches and can’t stand the faith that Em and the others live out. Things are about to escalate though. Both groups are going on the senior class trip to Massachusetts. That’s hours together in the same bus. When they arrive, Kyle finally makes it physical, starting a fight with Josh and Tim. As he does, Em feels that same sensation she has felt twice before, the sensation of being yanked out of this time into the past. This time Megan and Sam experience it too. The three of them – one of whom openly claims to be a witch, wake up in Salem in 1692, right in the midst of the witch trials!

Notes: Witch’s Mark is the third in the series about a teenage girl who travels back in time to help rescue others and learn to increase her trust in God. In this one, Em and Megan get a chance to reach out to Sam in a way they couldn’t do in their own time. Sam has no choice but to listen when she finds herself dependent upon Em and Megan and other Christians. There is also a question of God’s will as Em and Megan wrestle with a very tough decision that will change their entire lives. The book definitely has suspense but no graphic violence. It does a great job making the spiritual elements the entire focus of the book.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Romans 1:18-20 – The wrath of God is indeed being revealed from heaven against every impiety and wickedness of those who suppress the truth by their wickedness. For what can be known about God is evident to them, because God made it evident to them. Ever since the creation of the world, his invisible attributes of eternal power and divinity have been able to be understood and perceived in what he has made. As a result, they have no excuse;

Thank to the author for providing me with a free review copy of this book! I greatly enjoyed it! This review reflects my own opinions.

Toward A Secret Sky

“I knew that ‘crackin’ was a synonym for ‘super’, but all I could think of when I heard the word was  the girl from Culloden falling to her death. I didn’t know yet that there were worse things that cracking your head open. Much worse.”

Book: Toward A Secret Sky by Heather Maclean, Blink 2017

Genre: Speculative/Supernatural

Target Audience: Girls 16-18

Subjects: Angels, Demons, Romance, Loss, Love, Sacrifice

Summary: …And alone again. It seems Maren is destined to live a life of misery and loneliness. No father, no friends, now her mom dies and she is sent off to live with grandparents she has never met in an entirely different country. It seems she won’t have too much trouble making new acquaintances though. There’s her grandparents who seem thrilled to have her even though Maren’s understanding was that they didn’t want to know her or her mother. There’s Jo, the girl from school who takes Maren under her wing, teaching her Scottish slang and how to stand up to the school bully. There’s Hunter, the girl who also lost her parents – to the same organization Maren’s parents worked for. And then there’s Gavin – the super hot guy who just so happens to be not human. As Maren attempts to settle into her new life, she quickly learns nothing is as she once thought. Angels and demons are very real and in a constant intense battle over humans. Her parents worked for an agency fighting against the evil side. And angels can be the object of every girl’s dream… and demons can be the object of every girl’s worst nightmare.

Notes: Toward A Secret Sky is the first in the series. It releases April 2017. It is continuing the trend of assigning human characteristics to supernatural beings and giving them romances with humans. Falling in love with humans is forbidden, yet God created the angel in such a way so as to desire romance. The angel is not a being as described in the Bible, but an ordinary human with wings and some supernatural abilities. It certainly doesn’t follow any sort of theological soundness. One character describes him very well when she says “”Angels don’t hate anyone. You probably just have him so mixed up, he doesn’t know what to do with himself – because he’s definitely not supposed to love you, either. So he threw a big, bad tantrum and stormed off. He’ll show up again, especially if something happens in your town. Who knew angels were so much like kindergarten boys?” Maren has some very messed up theology as well – theology that is not corrected anywhere in the book. One example is that she implies salvation by keeping the ten commandments. She says “I knew lying was a sin, a commandment even. But it wasn’t going to hell after I died that worried me. It was going there beforehand.” Another example is a reference to purgatory – thinking she is there. She hints are reincarnation when she says “What had I done in a past life to deserve so much heartbreak in this one”.  

The book contains much violence – the dreams Maren has are very disturbing in particular. Some of it is pretty graphic. There is also a close call with rape.

The theme is sacrificial love. One character willingly gives up their life for another. The blurb on the back concludes with “Along the way she discovers the great truth of love: that laying down your life for another isn’t as hard as watching them sacrifice everything for you.”

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 1/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

1 John 3:16 – This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

John 15:13 – Greater love has no man than this: that he lay down his life for his friends.

Matthew 22:30 – At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.

Matthew 10:28 – Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Blink is an imprint of Zondervan, a subdivision of HarperCollins – their mission statement can be found here: http://www.harpercollinschristian.com/mission-and-values/ 

Thank you to the publishers for providing me with a free review copy of this book. My opinions are my own.