Vanished

“She’s freaking me out”, Abby whispered. Jeri nodded. The headmistress patted her long coiled hair where it was pinned in back. “Our school van, driven by our art teacher, Mr. Reeves, was carrying six girls home from the Museum this afternoon… there’s no easy way to tell you. They’ve all disappeared.”

Book: Vanished (Faithgirlz! / Boarding School Mysteries) by Kristi Holl, Zondervan Publishers, 20011

Genre: Mystery

Target Audience: Girls 11-14

Subjects: Friendship, Obedience to authority, Crime

Summary: Jeri’s roommate has mysteriously vanished, a tragedy, but also an unfortunate opportunity. Jeri’s been wanting to be an investigative reporter and this is her chance to try. But her eagerness to help gets the school into more and more trouble. Soon the headmistress has banned Jeri from helping with the search at all. Jeri’s determination can’t be stopped though and she soon finds herself in a dangerous situation.

Notes: This is the first in a faithgirlz series called Boarding School Mysteries. It was previously published in 2008 under the title “Fading Tracks”. It is a series about young pre and early teen girls who attend a boarding school and find themselves caught up in mysteries. The lessons in this book are on trusting God even in difficult times – Jeri is experiencing a number of let downs in the beginning of the book, climaxing with the disappearance of her friend, and on being obedient to and respectful of authority. Every time Jeri took matters into her own hands, she got in trouble, sometimes others too, not just herself. She needed to learn to be respectful of the authority and follow their directions.

Recommendation Scale: 4/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Psalm 62:8 - Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

Showdown with the Shepherd

“No, we mustn’t let the Israelites know what it can do. We have to wait until the right moment.” Hugh said.

“But you can’t do this,” Beth said to Hugh. “If you help the Philistines win, then all of history might change!”

Book: Showdown with the Shepherd (AIO Imagination Station Books) by Marianne Hering and Brock Eastman, Focus on the Family Publishers, 2011

Genre: Historical

Target Audience: Boys 13-18

Subjects: Faith, Good vs. Evil

Summary: Chasing the thief and troublemaker, Hugh, through history in the Imagination Station has now led Patrick and Beth to ancient Israel where the Philistines are plaguing Israel. When Patrick and Beth arrive, they nearly get eaten by a bear, but a young man with a slingshot saves them. The young man is on his way to the battle site between the Philistines and Israelites. He’s going to check on his brothers in the king’s army. When they reach the site, they find battle lines drawn but no actual fighting occurring. The Philistines are taunting and challenging and the Israelites, instead of responding, are cowering. Thankfully for the Israelities, the young man who saved Patrick and Beth now intends to save Israel. The Philistines have put out a challenge: send out your champion to face our champion, the winning champion is the winning nation. The Philistine champion is nine feet tall, but that’s not going to stop a young man with a bold faith! The only problem left is the one that only Patrick and Beth know of: Hugh. He intends to change history with a catapult and a kidnapping!

Notes: Showdown With The Shepherd is fifth in the Imagination Station Adventures series. This series is much like the secular Magic Tree House books but instead of wizards and magic it’s imagination and inventions giving them the different place/different time experiences. The radio show the concept is taken from is very solid – full of great spiritual elements and lessons and challenges as well as fun and excitement. Some of the books in this series lack much spiritual depth, but this one was full of spiritual elements. The characters are regularly turning to God for help in prayer and demonstrating faith and trust in God’s power and care for them. David’s faith is very confident and he encourages Patrick and Beth that God is watching out for them. This particular story focuses on the historical event of David and Goliath from the Bible.  
Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

1 Samuel 17:47 – All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands."

Pillar Of Fire

The trumpets blared once more, and Uriel spoke. “God appeared as a pillar of fire in Exodus to light the way for His people. You, too, are called to be pillars of fire… to be that guiding light in the darkness,” Uriel said while looking to the nine competitors. “Remember that as you begin this competition.”

Book: Pillars of Fire (An Ether Novel) by Laurice E. Molinari, Zonderkidz, 2014

Genre: Speculative

Target Audience: Boys 13-18

Subjects: Angels, Prayer, Spiritual Warfare

Summary: Angel Olympics. Vero never thought becoming an angel would involve a giant treasure hunt and going up against creatures such as Nephilim, Imps, or zombie ants! But this time someone even closer to him than the girl he likes, is at stake. This time it’s his own sister. She’s been changing again, once more, not for the better. Her new friend is no friend at all, but a fallen creature in disguise. And she’s dragging Clover farther and farther away from hope. Vero has to win, not the Olympics, but the battle for his sister!

Notes: This is the second in the Ethro Novel series. The first book, Vero Rising told how a guardian angel exists as a human living on earth and then has to pass tests to be accepted as an angel. This second book continues the idea of Vero going back and forth between earth and the Ether – a realm between Heaven and Earth. This one continues to use much speculation, but also unfortunately, continues to treat speculation as fact equal to the Bible by quoting from the Bible and other sources such as the Talmud, Shakespeare and others. This one reinforces the idea that angels are not created to have all they need to do what God wants them to, but rather have to learn and develop skills and cleverness. It sets them in competition against one another, putting large amounts of human characteristics onto the angels.

Due to the weight of authority given to the sources that contradict Scripture, I do not highly recommend it.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 2/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Psalm 91:11-12 – For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

2 Timothy 4:3 – For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

Thank you to the publishers for providing me with a free review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Ether

Vero fell hard to the ground. He felt as if someone had punched him hard in the back, followed by overwhelming relief. He rose to his feet and stood, magnificent alabaster wings jutting out between his shoulders. The sky closed up and the angelic beings disappeared from sight. Vero turned to the man. “Am I…” Vero began.

The man quickly cut him off.

“Yes, Vero. You are a guardian angel.”

Book: The Ether: Vero Rising (An Ether Novel) Laurice E. Molinari, Zonderkidz, 2014

Genre: Speculative

Target Audience: Boys 13-18

Subjects: Angels, Prayer, Spiritual Warfare

Summary: Vero likes flying. REALLY likes flying. As in, from the time hwas a baby he has tried leaping off high objects. He couldn’t really fly of course, but even the injuries resulting from his attempts don’t take away the desire to try again. It actually requires large amounts of self-control to stop jumping off of high places. That is, until he finally learns why he has the desire. When Vero is twelve, he has an accident and wakes up in another realm. Here he learns the truth: flying is what he was created to do! He’s an agel, a guardian angel to be specific. The plan is for Vero to go back and forth between earth and the Ether – the realm between Earth and Heaven. He will continue to live life on the earth as time sort of freezes for him while in the Ether. When he is in Ether he will receive training and testing to see whether he can truly succeed at the role of guardian angel or will instead be regulated to choir duty. These tests have even more significiance when Vero realizes that people he cares about are impacted by what he does in the Ether. Lives are at stake and it is up to him to save them.

Notes: This is the first in the Ethro Novel series. Vero Rising tells how a guardian angel exists as a human living on earth and then has to pass tests to be accepted as an angel. There is much speculation in the story as it sets up how a baby angel could grow up as a normal human. There are also things sets up more as fact than speculation – a mixture of ideas from Scripture and other sources such as the Talmud, Shakespeare and others. The author sets all these sources up as equal, not distinguishing between the truth of Scripture and the fiction of others, even though some of it actually contradicts the Bible. As far as other spiritual elements, the characters are held to a high moral code and the angels generally demonstrate an adherence to Scripture, along with the other sources. Due to the weight of authority given to the sources that contradict Scripture, I do not highly recommend it.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 2/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Psalm 34:7 –The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.

2 Timothy 4:3 – For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

The Thieves Of Tyburn Square

“My wallet!” bellowed the gentleman. In a flash he grabbed Loren by the collar of his shirt and dragged the boy to where the thief-catcher was holding a squirming Betsy.

Book: The Thieves of Tyburn Square (Trailblazer Books Book 18)  by Dave and Neta Jackson, Bethany House Publishers, 1995

Genre: Historical Fiction

Target Audience: Girls and Boys 11-15

Subjects: Crime, Missions, Quakers, Prison Ministry

Summary: When their mom is caught stealing a candlestick from the woman who stole from her, Betsey and Loren are left alone. They soon get sentenced to the workhouse where they work 11 hour shifts in dangerous conditions. When Loren finds a chance for escape, he jumps on it and takes Betsey with him. However, almost immediately they are caught pick-pocketing and sent to jail to await trial. Life in prison is even worse than the workhouse and Betsey soon becomes ill. When a Quaker missionary, Elizabeth Fry, comes into the prison Betsey finds reason for hope again. But is this woman really powerful enough to bring Betsey’s family back together again?

Notes: This book tells the story of Elizabeth Fry, a Quaker missionary who worked for reform, particularly for women prisoners in London. It is #17 in the Trailblazers series, a series designed to introduce readers to famous missionaries throughout history. The authors always have young characters who interact with the missionaries and who the story is centered around. These characters often are helped by the missionary, then learn to understand the heart for the lost themselves.

Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

James 1:27 - Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Revenge Of The Red Knight

“Please ask John of Whittaker a question,” James said as Beth poked the paper.

“What do you want to know?” Patrick asked.

“Why did he steal the treasures from us?” James asked.

Book: Revenge of the Red Knight (AIO Imagination Station Books Book 4) by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker, Focus on the Family and Tyndale House Publishing, 2011

Genre: Adventure

Target Audience: Boys and girls 8-13

Subjects: Crime, Greed, Medieval times

Summary: Patrick and Beth are finally starting to figure out the mystery surrounding the Imagination Station, the mysterious treasures and the notes. Their latest attempt at solving it has brought them to England during the medieval time period. This is the place the mysterious treasures are coming and going from, but just as Patrick and Beth think they have solved the mystery, an unknown enemy appears and gets Patrick and Beth thrown in jail and challenges Sir Andrew, the knight Mr. Whittaker has been interacting with, to a duel. A honorable contest against a dishonorable man? And Sir Andrew is already injured? Is there any hope for him, for Patrick and Beth, for the mystery to be resolved?

Notes: This is the 4^th in the Imagination Station Adventures series. The series is much like the secular Magic Tree House books but instead of wizards and magic it’s imagination and inventions giving them the different place/different time experiences. The radio show the concept is taken from is very solid – full of great spiritual elements and lessons and challenges as well as fun and excitement. This book did a much better job than some of the other in the series at focusing on spiritual elements. The characters recognized God as the One who could provide answers to their problems and turned to Him over and over throughout the story. As with the Magic Tree House, part of the focus of the series is on giving a picture of the time and place featured in the setting of the book. Of note, this particular book does not work as a stand alone novel. Outside of the series, nothing makes sense. It completely builds on the events from the other books.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 4/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Psalm 22:8 –"He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him."

Andi Under Pressure

The professor picked up the metal striker. A flame caught on the burner. As she moved the test tube over the flame, the burner exploded, and the classroom erupted into screams.

Book: Andi Under Pressure (An Andi Boggs Novel) by Amanda Flower, Zonderkidz, 2014

Genre: Mystery

Target Audience: Girls 10-14

Subjects: Revenge, Death of a loved one, Sibling relationships, Relationship with parents, Friendship

Summary: Science Camp is going to be amazing! Thankfully a student dropped out, making room for Andi to get in at the last minute. She and Colin will get to learn so much… that is if the camp actually happens. Someone seems determined to destroy the camp or the college or a person. Andi and Colin aren’t quite sure what the target is. Valuables have gone missing, the crickets were all let out of their cage and worst of all, chemicals were messed with so that a simple experiment caused a dangerous explosion. Rumor has it the old janitor did it because of his reputation. Andi and Colin are convinced he isn’t the guilty one, but if he isn’t, then who is?

Notes: The second in the Andi Boggs series, Andi Under Pressure continues the story of Andi Boggs, a young girl whose parents were just recently killed and who have moved in with an aunt in another community. In this book Andi has adjusted fairly well to her new situation, having made a friend and gotten focused on hobbies. Her sister has not adjusted well at all – daily attending what Andi called “Camp Lazy”, but Andi doesn’t know how to connect with her angry, hurting sister and their aunt doesn’t seem to know what to do either. A conversation with a friend from back home encourages her sister to stop trying to escape her new situation and find the good in it. The other theme in this book is revenge. Years ago a student snuck into the chemistry lab at night without permission and caused and accident that got him killed. The chemistry professor was blamed for it and the child of that student is now a campus security guard out for revenge. The real culprit is someone who is wanting revenge on someone else on campus and therefore causing the crimes. Andi, not having any bias against anyone, is able to figure out who the culprit is when desire for revenge blinds others from the truth.

The first book in this series had a tiny hint of spiritual content. This one has absolutely none. There is not even a mention of attending church or prayer or God or the Bible, let alone actual spiritual encouragement or challenge. The main characters live a moral life, only doing some lying or sneaking around or disobeying and that appears to be why it is published under the Christian label.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 1/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

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

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

You Can't Sit With Us

Kylie pinched the side of my hand. She might as well have just shouted, “You can’t hang out with them anywhere, so don’t even think about it.”

Now I had to figure out how to avoid the Tribelet for the rest of the day. As I made my way to my seat, I realized that was going to be hard because, in one lunch period, I’d gone so far backward that I didn’t even know which way I was facing.

Book: You Can't Sit With Us: An Honest Look at Bullying from the Victim (Mean Girl Makeover) by Nancy Rue, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2014

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 11-15

Subjects: Bullying, Family Relationships, Friendship, Death of loved one, Truth

Summary:  For one week Ginger’s life changed for the better. For one week she was free from the fear of bullying that had consumed her life. But it didn’t last long. Kylie and the pack just learned how to be sneakier about the bullying so that teachers couldn’t catch them. And now Ginger isn’t necessarily the only target. It’s almost an attack on her family. Because Ginger spilled some information about her mom that the mean girls fully intend to use against her. The threat is simple: stop hanging out with Tori and your other friends and we won’t spread lies about your mom all over school. In fear Ginger agrees and starts avoiding her friends. It makes no difference though. The pack wants to ruin her life as much as possible. So now that she’s alone, she’s more attacked than ever. Social Media is one of the ways used to get around the teachers and spread the lies. Ginger knows that she has to keep it all a secret for the sake of her dad. But how? The bullying is getting worse all the time.

Notes: The second in the Mean Means Makeover Trilogy, You Can’t Sit With Us gives the perspective of the victim. The first book looked at the situation from the perspective of the bystander and the third book will be from the perspective of the bully. This story picks up right where the other one left off. Kylie and her friends had gotten caught and punished for their bullying and the school created an anti-bullying code. But Kylie and her friends are smart enough to find ways to sort of go underground with the bullying. The most effective thing they do is alienate Ginger so that she no longer tells her friends or teachers or Dad or mentor what is going on. The beauty of this book comes when Lydia, the sort of mentor or counselor type figure in the series, starts bringing God into the discussion with Ginger. Ginger heard a sermon years ago that placed God as a bully sending hard or hurtful things into our lives just to strengthen us. Believing that God wants to hurt her, she has rejected Him. Lydia guides Ginger to the truth and shows her how everything in the code comes straight from the Scripture itself. The author also places another character in the story whose faith, in small ways, encourages Ginger. The focus of this book really is on standing up for your right to be yourself. Ginger is actually a brilliant and beautiful young girl, but as she writes in her journal, that’s one of the things “nobody knows about me”. A wise teacher at school assigns her and another victim of bullying a project that allows them to express themselves and think through their real-life problems in an allegorical story they write. I highly recommend this book to all young girls.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Ephesians 3:14-19 – For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
http://www.nancyrue.com/sonotokay  - the author's main website with links to a number of resources

http://jointhetribelet.com/welcome/ - the page for girls 3rd-8th grade who have been bullied or want to join the anti-bullying movement
 
www.sonotokay.com - the parent/adult page for those wanting to join the anti-bullying movement

Reviews of #1 and 3:
http://ctfdevourer.blogspot.com/2014/05/so-not-okay.html
http://ctfdevourer.blogspot.com/2015/04/sorry-im-not-sorry.html

Thank you to Nancy Rue for sending me a free review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. It was wonderful!

A Draw Of Kings

Martin’s hands moved to lower the heavy gold circlet, but reticence filled him. Almost he gave the order for a final cast, for some question that could tell him what to do. “Archbenefice,” one of the benefices called, “why do you wait?” Why did he? He faced four hundred men. “Perhaps I am weak or old, but I desire a sign. The cast of stones failed us because we did not know the question to ask. Do we ever? If Aurae is knowable, how do we begin knowing Him? I hold this crown, and some misgiving tells me the time is not yet. Something restrains me. Is this Aurae?” He shifted, uncomfortable iin robes that suddenly felt too tight. No one answered. Martin waited. A distant clash of steel sounded.

Book:A Draw of Kings, Staff and the Sword Sword Series #3  by Patrick Carr, Bethany House Publishers, 2014

Genre: Fantasy/allegory

Target Audience:

Subjects: Good vs. evil, Holy Spirit, sacrifice, trust in God, love between man and woman, prejudice,, humility

Summary: The fulfillment of prophecy is here. The king has died, the veil has fallen, the enemy is on the doorsteps. And the church is filled with doubt in the time the country needs it most. Either Errol or Liam must die – but which one? How can they know Aurae’s will? What if they crown the wrong one and send the right one off to die? And if that’s not bad enough, they are having to turn to the very people they have made enemies of for help. And the people who should be on their side are instead enemies with a political agenda that Adora is right in the center of. The time has come for all to be decided once and for all, but does the church have what they need to decide?

Notes: Third and final in The Staff and the Sword series, A Cast of Kings deals with the consequences of the truth revealed. When the church learns of the existence of the book (allegorically – Bible) they send Errol off to find it and bring it back, desperate to know the truth about their deity. Then begins battles in many ways on many fronts. There is the battle for Adora who the strongest political figure in the kingdom wants to take for himself to secure the throne. There is the battle with the exiles – prisoners and others the church kicked out of the kingdom, there is the battle with Morgols – the sort of nomadic people specializing in horses that could bring more people to the battle against evil, there is the battle against the Merakai, those who hold the Book in their possession, believing they need it. The church has never held a favorable view towards any of these people and yet they now have to beg for their help in fighting the enemy. It comes down to not a battle fought with swords and men though, but ultimately a battle within the church to know Aurae’s will and follow through on it. This is what determines who wins the war.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 4/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Romans 12:2 – Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

The Hero’s Lot

Errol took his arm. “Let me have it all, Martin.”

Invisible hands pried Martins jaws apart. “Somebody has to die.”

Errol shook his head.

Martin vomited the words into the confines of the cabin. “The kingdom can only be saved by blood. You and Liam must fight on behalf of Illustra. One of you must die.”

 The bent thing in him broke with a soft snap in the depths of his mind. No physical death could touch him now. He was dead inside already.

Book: The Hero's Lot, (The Staff and the Sword Book #2)  by Patrick Carr, Bethany House Publishers, 2013

Genre: Fantasy/allegory

Target Audience: Boys 13+

Subjects: Good vs. evil, Holy Spirit, sacrifice, trust in God, love

Summary: One enemy may be gone, but the battle is far from over. The church leaders, ruling in the absence of the dying king, put Errol under yet another compulsion – this time to hunt down and kill Sarin Valon. As he journeys in search of his enemy, Martin and Luis make their own journey in search of truth. The truth they find is enough to turn the whole kingdom upside down though. The identity of Errol is revealed, a strange group of people is revealed to be the ones who know the truth of the deity the kingdom worships, the casts for who is to be king continue to fail, and a compulsion is made that could be the final destruction of Errol.

Notes: Second in The Staff and the Sword series, A Hero’s Lot deals largely with the issue of truth. Generations ago, the book that allegorically represents the Bible in this story, was lost. And in this story, not only is it found again, but the solis – a strange group of outcasts reveal that the deity representing The Holy Spirit is actually knowable and works through humans to control, convict and guide. That’s a huge spiritual element in this story as Martin, the priest, wrestles with that and the ramifications it will have on the church and the whole kingdom all throughout the story. The other spiritual element is when Errol learns that either he or Liam, likely him, will have to die to save the kingdom. When he learns the news he just goes through the motions of living and stops caring, stops putting any trust in the deity. Then he receives a chance to read the long lost book and has an encounter with the deity that changes him, gives him a chance to place his trust more solidly in the deity.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 4/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

John 14:16-17 – And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.