The Mirror of N'De

The Being (it seemed wrong to call him a creature) stepped closer, his eyes liquid and warm. “Choose me as I have chosen you, and I will give you all your heart desires.” What did he mean? She wanted desperately to please him, but how? And why would he choose her? No one like this, so beautiful and perfect, would ever wish to know a lowly girl like her. He seemed to see her doubt, for his eyes turned silvery with tears, and his image began to fade. “No, please! Don’t leave me!” His voice now came to her as a whisper. “There is a key that will bring you to me, but you must first take hold of it.”

Book: The Mirror of N'de: A Novel by L.K. Malone, Kregal Publications, 2011

Genre: Allegory

Target Audience: Girls 14+

Subjects: Salvation, truth, pride, judgment

Summary: As children sleep at night, they dream of a Being, someone wonderful and great. And they dream of N’De, the land spoken of in the legend taught to children of the Ramash. Hadlay is one such dreamer. Time and time again, the Being appears in her sleep and tells her to seek the key. But during the day things are much different. The Oresed rule over them in the Emperor’s absence, a cruel, torturous rule. Then the Emperor himself returns, along with his son. Great things are promised. Equality among the Ramash and Oresed. Ways for the poor to be free of the tax burden placed on them. Ramash children chosen to serve in the tower. Hadlay is one of the children chosen and in fact is chosen specifically by the Emperor’s son to be his friend. He personally assists her when the Oresed attempt to torment her and promises great help to her, her family and her friends. But her dreams tell her she is getting farther away from the key, rather than closer to it. What is this elusive key and how does she find it?

Notes: Written as an allegory, this book tells the story of a Being who created the world, loved those in it, sent them away from their perfect home when they sinned, and who even now seeks a way to bring them back to Him and willingly gives His life in payment for them. At the same time it feels like a mix between fantasy with all the magic occurring in it, and a medieval story with the characters working in all the rooms of the tower made to sound like a sort of castle. It does an excellent job showing how hard it is to find the Kingdom of Heaven. The characters start to believe that the evil one, is actually the great Being. They start to wonder if the tower could be N’De. The truth is polished over so it looks appealing and attractive to them, hiding the evil darkness behind it. It shows how hard it is for a person to follow truth and the sacrifices that come from it. I highly recommend this allegory for showing a picture of the Gospel message!

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale:5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Matthew 16:19 – I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

Fire Prophet

“We sounded the alarm,” said Marcus. “We believe that these were coordinated efforts by Abaddon and his forces.” Jonah’s mind churned. “What are they trying to do?” Taryn glanced at Marcus. “We’re not entirely sure, Jonah. But we have sent angelic forces to each nephilim family around the world, just like here. Based on what we know, it makes sense to assume that they are trying to rid the world of the nephilim.” “And their children,” added Marcus without a hint of emotion in his voice.

Book: Fire Prophet (Son of Angels) by Jerel Law, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2012

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure

Target Audience: Boys and Girls 11-15

Subjects: Spiritual warfare, Prayer, God’s will

Summary: The forces of evil aren’t as stupid as Jonah wishes. They’ve got it all figured out. A coordinated attack on all of the nephilim families around the world all at once sends their angel protectors into action. Soon Jonah and all the other quarterlings are separated from their parents and enrolled in angel school, a time of intense training in the Word of God, their spiritual gifts and spiritual warfare. Meanwhile, their parents, the nephilim, are safely hidden away in another location. But the enemy knows that all it has to do to get the parents out of hiding is attack the children. And fortunately for them, the one nephilim who pridefully refused the angelic protection knows exactly how to find out where the children are. Before they’ve had any time to master their lessons, Jonah, Eliza, Jeremiah and the other quarterlings are called upon by Elohim to join in the battle against the evil one.

Notes: The second in a new fantasy series, Fire Prophet explores the “what if there were humans that were part angel” question. Unlike many books exploring this concept however, this series is based very strongly on the truths of Scripture without as much speculation beyond the idea that nephilim could still be around in today’s world. This book focuses heavily on Ephesians 6 and the concept of spiritual warfare. The kids learn to use their gifts in light of the Scripture passage. They learn that strengthening their faith strengthens their abilities to fight against evil. This book is centered truly around the truths of Scripture and because of that, I highly recommend it.

Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Ephesians 6:10-12 – 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.

Thank you to BookSneeze (Thomas Nelson) for providing me with a free review copy.

Guardian

Nikki felt ensnared in a bad reality show. So this was to be her life for the next, oh, she had no idea how long. Maybe they could sell the show idea to MTV. Reality with a supernatural twist. It’d be a hit. She could see it now: Will acting fatherly; Sky, Dash, and Ocean sending her to clean fish muck, Winter and Vegan and their girly “Let’s be best friends” squealing; Glimmer and her ice-dagger stares; Zero and his sneers; Vine and an unending supply of candy. Had she left anything out? Oh yeah, Mace and Raven. The real twist in the program. It was going to be a long trip.

Book: Guardian (A Halflings Novel) by Heather Burch, Zondervan Publishers, 2012

Genre: Speculative Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 16-18

Subjects: Angels, Dating relationships, Salvation, Trust in God, Temptation

Summary: After the loss of her parents and the discovery that she is a seer Nikki has been taken in by Will and the others. The next thing she knows, she’s on an ocean voyage with not just Will, but all the Halflings, including some who can’t stand one another right now. Emotions run high and the temptation to be in a relationship with Mace or Raven continues to pressure her, even as others pressure her to avoid it. She is supposed to be training and strengthening her abilities but disasters keep getting in the way. When she overhears private conversations, she has to make a difficult choice about whether to follow her heart, her head or the evil one.

Notes: This is the second in a series about Halflings – creatures who are the product of Nephilim – demons having intercourse with humans. The idea is that they are victims of the choices made by the Nephilim and have to work to gain salvation. They are destined for hell but if they manage to live a high enough standard, they can make it to Heaven. They have strict rules to follow one of which is not having relationships with humans. Nikki is something unique. She has some kind of special gift or ability that makes her more important than most humans.

As I read through the first book I had objections to its theology. It portrayed God as not all-powerful, as if the choices made were out of His control and then as if He wasn’t loving enough to care about these Halflings. The character who is the most angry and bitter against God seems to be justified in it. He seems to have the only perspective one could have from the situation.

However, I contacted the author and she said that though the first book gives this impression, the other books in the series provide a bigger picture and explain more and answer some of my concerns. She said that the character who is bitter against God is providing the wrong perspective. So I would conclude that by itself this book is not Scripturally sound and portrays things that contradict Scripture but that the author says later books will change that impression. This second book focuses primarily on the adventure and the romance and mostly leaves out the theology so I am assuming that the third one will reveal more of the explanations that make it more Biblically accurate.

Recommendation Scale: 1/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Matthew 26:41 – “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

Behind The Locked Door

As they started down the stairs, Mark noticed a door that hadn’t been accounted for. Whit must have forgotten about it, he thought as he reached for the door handle. “What’s in this room?” he asked, turning thee knob. “Don’t!” Whit snapped. Mark jumped, backing away from the door. Whit seemed to realize how harsh he sounded and spoke more gently. “That’s just the attic. I don’t want you to go up there.” “Oh,” said Mark, his heart racing. Whit looked at Mark and then at the door. “Just the attic,” he repeated. He started down the stairs. Just the attic? Mark wondered. Then why did Whit snap at me? He sneaked a glance back toward the door. Strange thing, Mark thought. Especially since the door is locked.

Book: Behind the Locked Door (Adventures in Odyssey Fiction Series #4) by Paul McCusker, Tyndale House Publishers; 1993 (republished in 2006 as a set of 4 titled Strange Journey Back)

 

Genre: Adventure, Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Boys and Girls 10-13

Subjects: Family relationships, horror books and what they do to your mind, wild imagination

Summary: Since Mark Prescott’s mom and dad split up, life has been pretty hard. Now they are trying to get back together but some problems always arise. As his mom flies for another counseling trip, Mark gets to stay with John Whittaker, aka Whit, the amazing inventor in Odyssey. Mark soon learns that there is a mystery behind the looked attic doors of Whit’s home. His imagination gone wild from the books he had been reading Mark makes up all kinds of possibilities. But will that imagination ruin his friendship with Mr. Whittaker?

Notes: This is the third book in Adventure in Odyssey series. This book does more in teaching morals than talking about God. It will mostly entertain and teach life lessons, such as setting your minds on good things and not letting your imagination run away.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 2/5

Reviewer: Sofia Marie

Philippians 4:7-9 – Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy meditate on these things.

The Secret Cave Of Robinwood

Suddenly the green curtain was pulled aside. “What’s going on in here? What are you doing in my cave?” Mark gasped and held his breath. Patti looked around, bewildered, squinting as her eyes adjusted to the darkness. Everyone remained still. Obviously no one knew how to react to her sudden appearance. Patti scanned the gawking faces. Then she saw Mark, and her eyes widened. “You told!” she cried out. “You promised you wouldn’t tell.”

Book: Secret Cave of Robinwood (Adventures in Odyssey Fiction Series #3) by Paul McCusker, Tyndale House Publishers; 1992 (republished in 2006 as a set of 4 called Strange Journey Back)

Genre: Adventure, Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Boys and Girls 10-13

Subjects: Friendship, promises

Summary: Mark Prescott is having a fun summer with his friend Patti Eldridge. But when he’s offered to join the “Israelite” gang that’s known for its good deeds he dives for it. Patti is sure the whole idea will completely wreck their friendship. As Mark yearns for the membership more and more he considers letting the boys in on a secret Patti has told him. But is it worth it?

Notes: This is the third book in Adventure in Odyssey series. This book does more in teaching morals than talking about God. It will mostly entertain and teach life lessons, such as keeping promises and forgiving.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 2/5

Reviewer: Sofia Marie

Matthew 5:36-38 – Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

High Flyer With A Flat Tire

Joe smiled sarcastically. “What does your dad know about anything? He’s not even around. Right? That’s why you and your mom came to Odyssey. I’ve heard all about it. Your dad doesn’t like you, so he left you.” Mark threw a wild punch that grazed the side of Joe’s face. “You’re going to be sorry for that,” Joe shouted, tackling Mark. They fell into the dirt, tossing up a cloud of dust as they rolled over each other, struggling to pin the other one underneath.

Book: High Flyer With a Flat Tire (Aventures in Odyssey) by Paul McCusker, Tyndale House Publishers; 1992 (republished in 2006 as a set of 4 called Strange Journey Back)

Genre: Adventure, Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Boys and Girls 10-13

Subjects: Family, relationships, friendships, change, bullying

Summary: After a fight with the local bully, Mark Prescott is accused of slashing the tire of the boy’s new bike. Mark is determined to find out who the culprit really is. He goes out with his friend, Patti Eldridge, in a search for clues. But will they go on even if it means that another friend might be the one?

Notes: This is the second book in Adventure in Odyssey series. This book does more in teaching morals than talking about God. It will mostly entertain and teach life lessons, such as bullying, friendship and others.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 2/5

Reviewer: Sofia Marie

Proverbs 11:21 – The wicked will not go unpunished

Strange Journey Back

Mark Prescott walked down the sidewalk with grim determination. In his hand, he clutched an envelope. In his heart, he carried a single desire: More than anything else, he wanted things to be the way they used to be.

Book: Strange Journey Back by Paul McCusker; Tyndale House Publishers,1992 (republished in 2006)

 

Genre: Realistic, adventure, bullying

Target Audience: Boys and Girls 10-13

Family, relationships, friendships, change

Mark Prescott wishes he didn’t have to move from Washington, D.C. to a small little town called Odyssey. But even more he wishes that his dad was still in the family. So when he hears about a time-machine, Mark decides that is the answer. If he could just go back and change it all…

Notes: This is the first book in Adventure in Odyssey series. This book does more in teaching morals than talking about God. It will mostly entertain and teach life lessons, such as change, friendship and others.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 2/5

Reviewer: Sofia Marie

1 Corinthians 10:13 – God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Eternity's Edge

If it’s spunk you want, it’s spunk you’ll get, especially since we might have to move Heaven and two or three earths to find him!

Book: Eternity's Edge (Echoes from the Edge) by Bryan Davis, Zondervan Publishers 2008 (republished 2011)

 

Genre: Science Fiction

Subjects: Loss, Good vs. Evil, Purity, Friendship, Love

Summary: Armed with the knowledge that his parents are actually still alive, Nathan along with Kelly and friends from all three earths set out to try and find and rescue them. The journey is filled with both danger and tragedy as Mictar pursues them. If that wasn’t hard enough, the one person his dad said he could trust keeps appearing and challenging not only Nathan’s actions, but his very motives! He asks Nathan to do the unthinkable, putting the fate of the world ahead of the fate of Nathan’s loved ones. Nathan has to dig deep into his heart to find courage and the true meaning of love.

Notes: This is the second in the Echoes From The Edge trilogy. It’s a science fiction book about different dimensions/time travel/alternate realities. The idea is that the characters have found a way to visit different dimensions and interact with themselves in those different dimensions. As in the first book, the spiritual value comes in the realistic fiction part, the interactions between the teenagers. Nathan struggles to come to grips with his parents’ death and fights to cling to the values they’ve taught him. When Kelly, an attractive girl who is used to using her body to get the attention of boys, enters his world he must learn what love really looks like and how to show love to someone from a worldview so vastly different than his own. In this second book, Nathan’s faith and definition of love gets challenged even further. It’s no longer enough to rely on what his dad has taught him. He is forced to decide for himself what is right and wrong.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

2 Timothy 1:7 – For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

Thank you to Zondervan for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Kaitty Lorenz New Life

“Lord, please help them through this hard time. Do whatever it takes to help him, even if You use me. I know You have great power and I just ask that you would help Jason to see the truth. I will do all that I can to show him the way to You.”

 Book: Kaitty Lorenz New Life by Mysti Rolenc, Xulon Press, 2011

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Boys and Girls 19+

Subjects: Salvation, Marriage, Trust in God, Loss

Summary: Two young couples start their married life with excitement and hope. But when tragedies strike, they need something greater than themselves to provide answer’s to life’s hard questions. Formerly roommates in college, one of the wives knows where answers are to be found. She and her husband turn to God. The other wife has all but abandoned her faith and is not in a relationship with a believer. He blames God for the tragedies. It’s up to the others to show him where true hope and peace can be found.

Notes: This is the first in a series by a new author, a teenage girl. The book clearly presents the Gospel message and shows that only by getting a new life in Christ, can we find answers to the hard questions life throws at us. It’s also about holding on to your faith when it gets challenged. It’s a simple story, but communicates it’s message clearl.

Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

2 Corinthians 5:7 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Beyond The Reflection’s Edge

Nathan gave a nod, then tightened his chin. He couldn’t believe it. No… he wouldn’t believe it. No matter how many times his dad’s investigations had exposed a nest of human rats, he had always managed to escape their plans for revenge. As a master illusionist, his collection of mirrors and lights would confuse his pursuers, allowing him to disappear like a phantom. Maybe even the bodies in the coffins were an illusion of some kind. And how could Dad ever be duped so easily by Dr. Simon? He was too smart for that. He was too… He shook his head slowly. Clara was right. This time everything was different. Dad was dead. So was mom. Not only that, his father had said that Dr. Simon wasn’t so bad, so maybe he really was fooled. And maybe this Mictar was just too powerful.

Book: Beyond the Reflection's Edge (Echoes from the Edge) by Bryan Davis, Zondervan Publishers, 2011

Genre: Science Fiction

Subjects: Loss, Good vs. Evil, Purity, Friendship, Love

Summary: His parents are dead. The evil men who killed them are after him. He’s been sent to the home of an old friend of his parents whom he does not even know. And when he plays his violin strange things happen. Places, people and alternate dimensions to the universe begin to appear in mirrors. Soon Nathan is on the run with a beautiful teenage girl, her friend, and a young child. Everything he thought he knew is about to be challenged. Can he hold on to what his parents have taught him in spite of the trials?

Notes: This is the first in the Echoes From The Edge trilogy. It’s a science fiction book about different dimensions/time travel/alternate realities. The idea is that the characters have found a way to visit different dimensions and interact with themselves in those different dimensions. The spiritual value comes in the realistic fiction part, the interactions between the teenagers. Nathan struggles to come to grips with his parents’ death and fights to cling to the values they’ve taught him. When Kelly, an attractive girl who is used to using her body to get the attention of boys, enters his world he must learn what love really looks like and how to show love to someone from a worldview so vastly different than his own. It’s a beautiful picture of change through love rather than condemnation and a beautiful picture of taking ownership of one’s faith.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Ephesians 4:22-24 – You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;  to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

The Cryptic Clue

“Hello. Are you Heather Reed?” he asked politely.

“Yes” she answered.

“I came to speak with you.” He opened a wallet and presented a badge. “I’m Special Agent Peter Roselmann of the FBI,” he announced.

Book: The Cryptic Clue (Heather Reed Mystery) by Rebecca Price Janney, Word Publishing 1993

Genre: Mystery, Adventure

Subjects: Friendship, Truth

Summary: Gone. Vanished. Back only one day and he totally disappears! The Reed’s family friend, a professor at a local college who just returned from a research project in the Middle East has mysteriously vanished with very few clues as to his whereabouts. The FBI are convinced he is a terrorist while his friends and family are convinced he is innocent and likely in great danger. Sixteen year old Heather, dragging her brother and friend along with her, sets out to solve the case herself and prove the professor’s innocence – despite warnings of danger and commands to stay out of the case.

Notes: The characters in this story are portrayed as Christian and use phrases such as “thank God”. The “cryptic clue” is a reference to a Bible verse. At the end of the story, Heather assures someone that God will forgive them. Apart from that it’s just an adventure story. There isn’t a real message or lesson in it unless maybe it’s the concept of having a good reputation. When reason is given to think the professor may be a terrorist, his family and friends are confident he is not since he has a reputation as a “Christian man”.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 2/5

Reviewer:  J:-)mi

Proverbs 22:1 – A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

Sneak

They exited from the elevator, straight into the dark heart or Acheron. The five of them were speechless. All of the rumors were true. But none of the rumors were true.

Book: Sneak by Evan Angler, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2012

Genre: Futuristic

Target Audience: Boys 14+

Subjects: Loss, Relationship with family, friendship, fear, government conspiracy theories

Summary: He’s now officially on the run. Having escaped the mark, he’s a hero to the markless everywhere. But all he wants to do is make it to Acheron and free his sister. The rumors are terrifying. People are burned alive, people are eaten alive by snakes, people are frozen alive, people are boiled in tar, eyes are gouged out. Very few people know anything at all about Acheron, but those who do know to avoid it at all costs. It’s a sentence worse than death. And it’s exactly where Logan, Peck, Hailey, Erin and the others are headed.

Notes: This is a government conspiracy theory story. The government forces everyone to take the mark in order to survive. In this, the second book in the series, persecution against those who refuse the mark becomes much stronger in hopes of catching the leaders. The spiritual elements in the story are hinted at. There are references to the Bible or God as something that is outlawed by the government and therefore explored by the markless. But it still does not portray God or Scriptures as having the answer. The answer is just to be on the good guy’s side, defy the authorities and hope to be smart enough or fast enough to survive.

Recommendation Scale: 1/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

1 Timothy 4:1 - The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits

Like Moonlight At Low Tide

The relationship I had dreamed of since I was thirteen years old, had, for a brief moment, shot into my life exactly as I had planned it. And I discovered that getting everything you always wanted still isn’t enough.

Book: Like Moonlight at Low Tide: Sometimes the Current Is the Only Thing that Saves You by Nicole Quigley, Zondervan Publishers, 2012

 

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 13-18

Subjects: Suicide, Drugs, Dating Relationships, Friendship, Salvation

Summary: Yanked back and forth, from here to there as her mom follows her latest boyfriend, Missy is used to a hard life. She doesn’t even know who her dad is. Her mom isn’t much of a mother figure and the boyfriends she brings home certainly aren’t there to be parents to the kids. When they return to the island where she grew up though, things are even harder. This is where kids knew the worst about her. This is where Missy became “Messy” – the unpopular girl who dared to look at the most popular boy in school with attraction in her gaze, an unforgivable sin in the eyes of the popular crowd. But things are different now. She’s grown up. And she’s grown pretty – pretty enough to catch the eye of that popular boy. Soon she has what she thinks is everything she wanted. But all it takes is one tragedy to show her how wrong she was. The boy next door seems to think he has answers, but how can he? How could anyone? There’s no changing what happened. It’s permanent. How can anyone claim a reason for hope?

Notes: This is the story of a girl from a broken home who has learned to view herself as totally worthless. She thinks worth and value is defined in popular kids paying attention to her. So when she gets it, she assumes herself to be valuable, but then realizes it doesn’t fulfill her after all once her brother commits suicide. The boy next door patiently, slowly speaks truth into her life and brings her to Church with him. Caught on the water in a hurricane, Missy finally sees what Josh has been talking about and finds the peace she is so desperate for. This story does a good job realistically portraying how the kind of situation Missy is in, leads to her incorrect views about life and God and herself. It also does a beautiful job showing the power of salvation to change a life. 

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Philippians 4:7 - And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Black, White, Other: In Search of Nina Armstrong

People will treat you the way you expect to be treated.

“That’s not true! It’s all about race at school! You have to be one or the other. You don’t understand at all.” My voice is tight with trying to hold back sobs. How could my whole world have erupted from one day to the next?

Book: Black, White, Other: In Search of Nina Armstrong by Joan Steinau Lester, Zondervan Publishers, 2011

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 13-18

Subjects: Racism, Family Relationships, Friendships, Crime

Summary: Being mixed has always been beautiful. A white mom and a black dad make for a beautiful family. That’s what Nina thought. Until the divorce. Until her dad found someone else. Until the kids at school started treating her funny. Until the crime on tv becomes a racial issue. Until her whole world gets torn apart. How can she ever find a place to fit in when she’s not black and she’s not white? And why does race have to matter so much?

Notes: This is a sort of coming of age story. Nina’s world of innocence leaves and in it’s place comes a world of crime, broken families and racism. Her mom waves it away, says people will treat her the way she expects to be treated. Her brother is now committing crimes because of things her dad has said. And her dad? He gives her a book to read – a book he is writing about a family member who escaped slavery. Nina feels as though no one understands her or will listen to her and attempts to find a place where someone will. But the answer isn’t a relationship with God, with One who loves her unconditionally. It winds up being more of a resignation. She concludes her life isn’t as bad as it feels and just hopes that someday things will get better and just makes the best of it. So really, she finds no answers, just concludes there doesn’t need to be any. She does make a friend by the end of the story and does hope that maybe her dad understands her a little but that’s it. There really isn’t much spiritual content at all, just a few references to God or prayer as if it’s not really a big deal, not a central part of anyone’s life, nothing that holds any real power. I did not see anything in this book that would help someone grow spiritually.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 1/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Romans 10:12 –For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,