Dreams of Promise

Allison forced a smile. It's not that she wasn't glad, but it felt like someone had just knocked the wind out of her sails.

Book: Dreams of Promise by Melody Carlson, Bethany House Publishers, 1999

 

Genre: Realistic/Historical Fiction (historical time period, but feels like reading modern realistic)

Target Audience: Girls 13-16

Subjects: Crushes, split family issues, friendships, dealing with someone who is out to get you

Summary: Marsha wants Allison with her over Christmas, but her dad wants her to stay home with him and Grace and the others. Shirley's hatred of Allison seems to be growing. New opportunities working for the school newspaper lead Allison to a dangerous mystery that Shirley only makes worse. Allison has some important decisions to make, and no matter what she decides, someone could get hurt.

Notes: This is just an ordinary story about a highschooler living a very ordinary life. She's dealing with the whole boy-girl relationships, friendships, mean girls, befriending those in need of friends, planning surprise parties, giving make-overs, and just regular school stuff. Allison is a Christian and when she's in doubt or hurting, she knows where to turn. God or the Bible aren't exactly a major part of the story, but they are definitely there.

Recommendation Scale: 4

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Colossians 3:13-14 - Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Autumn Secrets

She turned away and sighed. No, things had definitely not turned out the way she had thought they would.

Book: Autumn Secrets by Melody Carlson, Bethany House Publishers, 1998

Genre: Realistic/Historical Fiction (the time period is 1948 but it feels a lot more like realistic fiction)

Target Audience: Girls 13-16

Subjects: Crushes, split family issues, friendships, dealing with someone who is out to get you

Summary: Allison's dreams have come true. She gets to live with her dad instead of her movie-star, but mostly absent, mom! However, life in a normal highschool with friends and family isn't as easy as she imagined it would be. She's still a teenager and still has to deal with having a crush on a popular boy that prettier girls like too. Then there's Shirley, who is a mix between a snob and a bully. At first she latches onto Allison as if they are best friends since she is new at the school as well. But when things don't go her way, she is willing to do anything she can to hurt Allison. 

Notes: This is just an ordinary story about a highschooler living a very ordinary life. She's dealing with the whole boy-girl relationships, friendships, mean girls, befriending those in need of friends, planning surprise parties, giving make-overs, and just regular school stuff. Allison is a Christian and when she's in doubt or hurting, she knows where to turn. God or the Bible aren't exactly a major part of the story, but they are definitely there. 

Recommendation Scale: 4

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Colossians 3:13-14 - Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Carpet of Bones

God where are you? What am I doing wrong?

Book: Carpet of Bones by Lena Wood, Standard Publishing, 2006

Genre: Realistic/Supernatural Fiction

Target Audience: Boys 14-18

Subject: Faith in God, spiritual warfare, the Word of God, missions

Summary: The Magdeline 5, Elijah's clan are reunited. The Stallards have made it possible to visit Japan for a missions training conference. The sword has not yet been found, although they are sure it will be. Mei is ready to participate in baptism as a way to declare her faith. There is so much to take in, but tragedy strikes causing doubts to flood Elijah's mind. Does he really have what it takes to stand strong against the evil one? How can he know for sure what God wants of him?

Notes: As deep as ever, Lena Wood greatly challenges status quo in this book. It paints missions work in an entirely different light than nearly anything I've read before. It focuses alot of spiritual warfare, how the enemy is out there waiting to distract us or take us down. God's silence for a time is even another reminder to keep the faith and stand strong.

Recommendation Scale: 5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

William Henry Is A Fine Name

Color does matter! It matters everywhere but here in this fanciful world you and Isaac Heath have created. It is high time Robert kept company with his own people.

Book: William Henry Is A Fine Name by Cathy Gohlke, Moody Publishers, 2006

Genre: Historical Fiction

Target Audience: Boys 16-18

Subjects: Slavery, God's calling, love for others

Summary: William Henry has been his best friend for all his life. But things are changing. War looms on the horizon, dogs are chasing the runaways, and his slave owning grandfather is ready to make peace with his mom and raise him to be a southern plantation owner. Robert has lived on a plantation where whites and blacks work alongside each other, both paid to do the work they do. He has grown up viewing them as equals, knowing that the world doesn't, but not experiencing that first hand. Until now. Things are different at his grandfather's. Slaves are kept in poor conditions, beaten, bought and sold. When he learns that another young boy his age who he has gotten to know, is going to be sold, the time comes for a choice. Does he follow his father or his grandfather's footsteps. Does he help Jeremiah escape to freedom or does he stand by and let him be sold? 

Notes: This is one of those "coming of age" kind of stories. Robert has lived in a sheltered world all of his life, but within a short time, all of that comes crashing down on him. Removed from the secure environment and faced head on with the issues, he has to make a choice about what to follow. A kindly minister refuses to tell him what to do, but rather teaches him how to discern God's will for himself. Robert has to make a choice, not only about slavery, but about God Himself. Some parts of this book are very violent or sad. It does do a good job showing the difficulty Christians had in deciding what to do about the issue of slavery.

Recommendation Scale: 5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Philippians 2:3-4 - 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.

Sweet Dreams

She was amazed. It all seemed natural. Sweet. In every way, a dream come true. 

Book: Sweet Dreams by Robin Jones Gunn, Focus on the Family Publishing, 1994

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 15-20

Subjects: Dating relationships, God's calling

Summary: Todd and Christy are dating, really and truly boyfriend and girlfriend now. And when they get a chance to express their feelings about each other, it draws them even closer! A return trip to Disneyland that ends the opposite of the original one two years ago, tender moments while Christy has a cold, sweet kisses exchanged, it all makes for the stuff of dreams. But when an opportunity for missions comes up, both Todd and Christy have to ask themselves what matters most: their relationship or following God's calling.

Notes: This book is tender, romantic, and SPOILER ALERT: a tearjerker! In this book, almost more than any of the others yet, young girls can look to Christy as a role model of a young woman willing to follow God no matter what. Teen girls can relate to Christy and her struggles throughout the series, but also see a character who learns, sometimes the hard way, what the Biblical perspective should be. This is the 11th book in the Christy Miller series. This series has been republished multiple times and is available in multiple forms.

Recommendation Scale: 5!

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Matthew 19:29 - And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 

A Time To Cherish

I don't take it lightly. I've been praying ever since that night we met up. The only thing that gives me hope is that God said there is time for everything. This is a time to make major choices and to stick close.

Book: A Time To Cherish by Robin Jones Gunn, Focus on the Family Publishing, 1993

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 15-19

Subjects: Dating relationships, relationships with Non-Christians

Summary: "I want to be your boyfriend". With those words from Todd, Christy saw two years of hopes being fulfilled. Todd cherishes her and his relationship with her. Everything should be great. She should be on top of the world. But Katie just entered into a relationship with someone who does not share her beliefs and is mad at Christy and not only abandoning their friendship, but also changing into someone entirely different. Christy is scared for her, hurting for her and unsure of how to respond.

Notes: This book deals with a hard issue that many teens will face - the desire to date someone who is not a Christian. Katie makes all the standard arguments about why it shouldn't be a problem, but Christy still believes it's not wise - strongly believes. How can she continue to love Katie, be friends, when something so huge has come between them? It also shows how a teen girl might go about a dating relationship in a manner glorifying to God. 

Recommendation Scale: 5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Ecclesiastes 3:1 - There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven

Seventeen Wishes

“Counselors?” Christy squeaked. “Katie signed us up to be counselors?”

Book: Seventeen Wishes by Robin Jones Gunn, Focus on the Family Publishing, 1993

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Target Audience: Girls 15-18
Subjects: Dating relationships, serving, non-believers
Summary: Katie and her crazy schemes. Christy thought Katie had signed them up to attend camp as campers. Then Katie’s parents refuse to let her go and Christy finds herself at camp alone, but not as a camper, as a counselor to a cabin of 6th grade girls! Between trying to deal with the pettiness and bullying of some of the girls towards the others and flirting with the possibility of romance with another one of the counselors, Christy has her hands full! Now that Todd is back from Hawaii Christy can also once again consider possibility of a relationship with him.
Notes: In this book Christy learns a bit about the difference between a flirt looking for a summer fling and a long-term committed friend. Todd may not be all romantic and flirty, but he offers a steady dependable commitment. She also learns a bit about sharing the Gospel and ministering to young girls.
Recommendation Scale: 5
Reviewer: J:-)mi

Proverbs 27:9 - Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel.

Allegiance

I've been doing research into what this Morningstar could be, and he just doesn't fit into what I know of the way our world works.

Book: Allegiance by Brett Burner and Ben Avery, Zondervan Publishers, 2009

 

Genre: Graphic Novel

Target Audience: Boys 14-19

Subjects: Discernment between good and evil, ethics (does the end justify the means?)

Summary: Titan is out of control. In an attempt to stop SWARM he is needlessly destroying not only property, but human lives as well. Michael desperately wants to protect and save the people, but he's not only battling the obvious evil, he's also battling the evil disguised as good. The question is, can he convince the rest of the world not to follow Morningstar or will they unleash a tyrant?

Notes: This is truly a "graphic" novel. The first few pages don't even contain any storyline, just picture of battle. The message is strong and good. Michael fights to stay true to what Christ has commanded, even when he is ready to abandon it all, even when pushed and tempted almost beyond what he can bear. It's also a lesson about wolves in sheep's clothing. Morningstar appears a hero, but is not truly on the side of good, just the side of power and ultimate control. Unfortantely, the ending leaves you hanging and the authors' website (http://www.zgraphicnovels.com/series/morningStar.php) doesn't list a book 7 yet. This is the 6th in the Hand of the Morningstar series.

Recommendation Scale: 4

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Matthew 7:15 - Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.

Starry Night

I want to have faith like Abraham that whatever this means to God, that He'll work it out for us in His time. I want to keep listening for God's voice. For now, I guess we keep counting stars.

Book: Starry Night by Robin Jones Gunn, Focus on the Family Publishing, 1993

 

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 15-18

Subjects: Friendship, dating relationship, family relationships

Summary: Christy is sick and tired of being a child. All of her friends are going to spend New Year's Eve out on the streets waiting for the parade the next morning. And she can't join them because her parents are too strict. Meanwhile, as she attempts to make plans for the holiday, she and Katie both have to face some choices about the guys in their lives: Todd, Doug, and Rick. Everything comes to a head at once leaving them with a few things that are crystal clear in their minds: friendships are valuable, and when one is waiting on God it's best to wait in faith, trusting His promises to be fulfilled when it's time.

Notes: This book, as many do, takes a look at the philosophy of "I'm old enough to do whatever my friends are doing". Growing up isn't easy and Christy has to learn once again to respect her parents' choices even when she doesn't agree with them. It also looks again at friendship and the value there is in having good friends and waiting on God's timing for anything beyond friendship. Teen girls can relate to Christy and her struggles throughout the series, but also see a character who learns, sometimes the hard way, what the Biblical perspective should be. This is the 4th book in the Christy Miller series. This series has been republished multiple times and is available in multiple forms.

Recommendation Scale: 5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Hebrews 11:1-2 - Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.

Masters & Slayers

Aidan stood, tightening his grip on the hilt of his sword as he listened to the silent echoes of his father's words.

Book: Masters and Slayers by Bryan Davis, AMG Publishers, 2010
Genre: Alternate Reality - Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Target Audience: Boys 16+

Subjects: Family relationships, chivalry, purity

Summary: Hearing his father's words echoing in his mind, Adrian makes choice after choice to follow that which he was taught. He has been taught to treat women with great respect. He has been taught to follow and honor the Creator and what they know of His written word. He has been taught to free those in captivity. And that is his determination. The dragons have taken away so many and he is willing to do whatever it may take to rescue them. And along with that he is willing to do whatever it takes to stick to what his father has taught him, even if it means laying down his life for another, Adrian is willing to do that. The question is, can he rescue those in captivity while still following his father's teachings?

Notes: This is an interesting look at what it would be like to live in a culture that has lost all respect and regard for humans, particularly for women. Adrian lives in a culture where he laughed at and mocked for his unwillingness to lift his sword against a woman. Then when he enters the alternate reality world his values are called into question again, not so much whether they are right or wrong, but how to tell where things fit in regards to them. As a Bryan Davis novel often does, it gets extremely complex, extremely fast. And also as usual, those who can't keep up with all the alternate reality stuff, can still enjoy a really good story that calls into question valuable things. His looks at purity and what all that means are very profound and in a way, almost beautiful. 

This book is scheduled for release in September. 

Recommendation Scale: 5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Proverbs 4:23 - Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Thank you netGalley for allowing me to read a copy to review!

Forgotten

I check out her room to see that (1) It's a mess and (2) she has packed up most of her stuff like she really plans to be gone awhile. I feel a cross between anger and hurt. But there's another part of me that's not terribly surprised. Kind of like I'd been waiting for something like this to happen. 

Book: Forgotten: Seventeen And Homeless by Melody Carlson, NavPress, 2010

 

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 15-19

Subjects: Relationships with parents, friendships, Homelessness

Summary: AWOL. That's her mom. So now she's on her own. She has a job thankfully, and a van, but that's it. Pretty soon the apartment manager comes looking for the overdue rent. The previous boss comes looking for the payback on the loan. The cell phone company shuts off her service due to unpaid bills. And her friends get more and more suspicious about her "sick" mom. She's not the only homeless girl at school, just the only one keeping it a secret. So she knows full well how people would respond if they knew the truth. Therefore she must keep up the charade for as long as possible. It's necessary.

Notes: Once again, Melody Carlson wakes us up to the real world and throws it in our faces and forces us to think about it. There's no hiding in our nice safe comfortable homes when we pick up one of her books. The world is ugly and teen girls have to know how to respond to this ugliness. Melody Carlson takes them to the Bible, to Christians, to Christ, and shows them how. In this book, the character has to learn that Someone out there truly does care about her, and hurt for her. He's not ready to ditch her because her home life or lack thereof is a mess.On the other hand, it's not the most powerful at communicating the message of that love. She did a good job, but she's done better. This is the first in a new series: Secrets.

Recommendation Scale: 4

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 NavPress for giving me a free copy of this to review!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Fiery Fullback

Just two lineman have ever won the Heisman Trophy. The sportswriters have been giving the award since 1935 and in all that time only two lineman have ever won it. All the rest were backs or wide receivers. And you're trying to tell me that lineman are important. Hogwash!

Book: Fiery Fullback by Coach Claire Bee, Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2002
 

Genre: Sports Fiction

Target Audience: Boys 13-20

Subjects: Teamwork, friendships, showing love to others

Summary: It's a sure loss for Chip's team. Hansen is only interested in one position on the team and that's the one position the coach doesn't want him to play. It's Chip's senior year at the university and he wants to see the team do it's best, but if they can't learn to work together, they won't be able to give it their best. Chip knows there must be a reason for Hansen's attitude and determines to show love to Hansen and help in any way he can.

Notes: A book for a true sport's fan, over half the book's content is recounting of football games or football plans. The story that is there though, is good. Chip lives his faith quietly. He turns to God for wisdom and seeks to make choices that will bring glory to God. He doesn't "preach", just shows the love of God and works his hardest for the team. This is the 24th book in the Chip Hilton Sports series, an older series that claims impact on writers and sports fans alike. This book is apparently a never-before-release that came with the updated versions of the books. 

Recommendation Scale: For sports fans 4.5, for non-sports fans: 2

1 Corinthians 12:12 - The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.

True Friends

"If I didn't have you as my closest friend, Christy, I would be totally miserable!" "No, no, no," Christy said. "It's the other way around. If I didn't have you as my closest friend, I'd be totally miserable!"

Book: True Friends by Robin Jones Gunn, Focus on the Family Publishing, 1993

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 13-18

Subjects: Friendship, dating relationships. alcohol

Summary: A trip to a ski resort is the perfect thing for two best friends to do together. At least that's what Christy & Katie originally thought. But when some of the popular girls decide they don't like Katie and attempt to pull a stunt with alcohol, somehow Christy winds up with her best friend mad at her.

Notes: Christy and Katie learn a little bit about friendship and what it takes to maintain it in this story. Teen girls can relate to Christy and her struggles throughout the series, but also see a character who learns, sometimes the hard way, what the Biblical perspective should be. This is the 7th book in the Christy Miller series. This series has been republished multiple times and is available in multiple forms.

Recommendation Scale: 5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Proverbs 17:17 - A friend loves at all times.