Huntress Of Thornbeck Forest

“You could have any unmarried man in Thornbeck, and marriage is made more difficult when you are poor. I am simply trying to look out for what is best for you.”

Odette nodded and stared down at the table. She wanted love, but if she kept poaching, sooner or later Jorgen would find out. Could he love her then?

Book: The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest (A Medieval Fairy Tale) by Melanie Dickerson, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2015

Genre: Fairy Tale

Target Audience: Girls 16+

Subjects: Truth, Ethics, Love, Charity

Summary: All she wants is for those poor orphans to be fed. The ones like herself. After her parents died, she was on the streets for a few years before her uncle found her and adopted her. Now she wants to use what she has to bless the others. The problem is that she and her uncle don’t have much. His business is getting deeper and deeper into debt. Her only option is to marry a rich man… or to hunt the margrave’s deer. Since there’s no guarantee any of the men she meets will allow her to use their money on orphans, she’s left to her own skills with the bow. At night the beautiful maiden sneaks into the forest, becoming the hated poacher and enemy of the law. The deer are decreasing significantly in number and the margrave’s forester is taking notice. Having lost his father to a murderous poacher, Jorgen is determined to not let this one escape! Justice will be done! Little does he know, the hated enemy he seeks is none other than the beautiful maiden he is losing his heart to!

Notes: The latest in the collection of Fairy Tales by Melanie Dickerson, Huntress Of Thornbeck Forest is a mixture of Swan Princess and Robin Hood. It has the beautiful maiden becoming something else by night. And it has the outlaw robbing from the rich to aid the poor. The spiritual emphasis is well done in this book. Odette is constantly questioning whether or not she is doing the right thing. A scene early on in the book shows her debating with the monk who tutors her, using Scripture to argue with the monk trying to tell her she is not behaving appropriately. She uses this to her advantage and disadvantage as she wrestles with her decision to break the law to help the poor. She feels breaking the law is wrong, but the Bible says to care for the needs of the poor. She knows where the source of truth and ultimate authority can be found, even if she wrestles with how it can support or contradict her decision. She also knows where to turn for help and prays when in trouble. Jorgen does the same thing.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 4.5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Psalm 119:105 – Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

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.

Romans 13:1 - Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

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

Season Of Change

Stephanie didn’t answer. Then I noticed she was curled up on her bed, facing away from the doorway.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

She sat up and wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand, staring at me with a shocked look on her face. “Didn’t you hear the same fight I just heard? Aren’t you upset? What if they get a divorce Diana?”

Book: Season of Change (Sisters in All Seasons) by Lisa Williams Kline, Zonderkidz, 2013

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 13-18

Subjects: Blended Families, Sibling Relationships, Divorce, Truth, Temptations

Summary: Seriously? Now that they’re finally a close family and things have settled down into familiarity? Now their parents are considering a divorce? When Stephanie’s Dad and Diana’s Mom go away from the weekend to attend a marriage counseling seminar the girls are extremely worried. They’ve both been through this once already and have no desire to do so again. The girls are left with Diana’s grandparents for the weekend, but neither one is really all that okay with the plan, especially Stephanie. She finally convinces her mom to let her come and stay with her for the weekend, only to have her mom back out and leave her home alone with Matt – the stepbrother who made her so uncomfortable she moved out in the first place! Diana is fine staying at her grandparents – but not alone. She secretly invites a boy she’s starting to become interested in to come hang out as well and manages to get time alone with him. Meanwhile, uncomfortable alone with Matt, Stephanie arranges to attend a party – a party that gives even more reasons for discomfort! And Diana finds another wild animal hurt and in need of care. How much trouble can the sisters find in a single weekend? And what will happen to their home with their parents return?

Notes:  This is the fifth in the Sisters In All Seasons series. The series is about two sisters who are part of a blended family. Both have parents who have divorced. Diana’s mother has married Stephanie’s father. Both of their other parents are still around and in the picture, although not as much. The sisters are extreme opposites in personality and interests. Diana’s focus is on animals – she finds people hard to deal with due to her lack of effort to “fit in” and her willingness to say exactly what she thinks at any time. Stephanie’s focus in on people – animals scare her. Stephanie’s weakness is trying so hard to get along with anyone that she doesn’t always say no to things she knows she should – whether it be to Diana or friends.

This book shows both girls taking some steps towards teenage rebellion as well as maturity. They both make some bad choices to intentionally deceive the adults and get into some dangerous situations as a result. They are also wrestling with the fear of divorce. It took a couple years to get adjusted to this new family and now they are facing the possibility of it being torn back apart. In fact, Diana claims she will never get married due to all she has seen and how hard it is for her to have good relationships with people.

The spiritual emphasis in this book is in a few lines revealing what Diana is thinking in regards to spiritual things. “I still wasn’t sold on the idea of going to church. I didn’t know where I was in my relationship with God. My nonexistent relationship with God.”  There really isn’t any discussion or conveying of truth. This book is just like the others in the series – merely portraying a girl with doubts. It doesn’t do anything to answer those doubts – just acknowledges their existence.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 1/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

1 Corinthians 13:12-13 – When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

James 1:4 - Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with a free review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I appreciate it!

Winter’s Tide

“We have to go!” I yelled. “Why are you like this? Grammy is waiting in the hospital for us to come visit her. She’s been waiting there all day!”

“I don’t care!” Diana flung back over her shoulder.

Anger flashed through me. She never cares! She never cares about anyone! I ran after her, shouting, “Once I told Colleen that you cared more about animals than you did about people, and it’s true!”

Book: Winter's Tide (Sisters in All Seasons) by Lisa Williams Kline, Zonderkidz, 2012

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 13-18

Subjects: Blended Families, Sibling Relationships, Sympathy

Summary: The way things are heading, all four in this blended family are going to declare it the worst Christmas ever. It starts when Matt (Stephanie’s stepbrother through her mom’s remarriage) is in a serious car accident after driving drunk. Then the news comes that Stephanie’s grandmother is in the hospital. The family rushes to North Carolina to care for her – which of course upsets Diana who has no desire to go. Then Diana finds a beached whale dying. Finally, in an act of rebellion, Diana convinces Stephanie to take off on a boat trip to see some horses and the girls find themselves in real danger. Is anyone safe this Christmas break?

Notes:  This is the fourth in the Sisters In All Seasons series. The series is about two sisters who are part of a blended family. Both have parents who have divorced. Diana’s mother has married Stephanie’s father. Both of their other parents are still around and in the picture, although not as much. The sisters are extreme opposites in personality and interests. Diana’s focus is on animals – she finds people hard to deal with due to her lack of effort to “fit in” and her willingness to say exactly what she thinks at any time. Stephanie’s focus in on people – animals scare her. Stephanie’s weakness is trying so hard to get along with anyone that she doesn’t always say no to things she knows she should – whether it be to Diana or friends.

Having made their peace for the most part, Diana and Stephanie are doing ok at being sisters. When tragedy comes though, Diana has no clue how to show sympathy to Stephanie and in hurt and anger, a hidden truth comes out, threatening to unravel all they’ve built up. There is a lot of focus on the qualities of sympathy and empathy as the teenagers wrestle with how to respond to the tragedies happening all around them.

The spiritual emphasis in this book comes from Diana’s continued disbelief in God. When a tragedy happens she says, “Why do things like this happens? This is why I don’t believe in God.” Her mom’s response is simply to express empathy – she understands how hard it is to watch suffering. There is no pointing Diana to how view suffering in light of Scripture. So the reader is simply left with the character’s doubts and no answers.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 1/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Romans 12:15-16 – Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 – Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with a free review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I appreciate it!

Blue Autumn Cruise

So here I was, not knowing anyone. Zooming around about an eight on the Moronic Mood-o-Meter. Dr. Shrink had given me this lame rating system for my moods, one to ten. One being in the depths. Ten being zooming all over the place. I’m supposed to try to stay at about five. She said that this trip would be a challenging time for me, blah, blah, blah. No kidding. A whole new family. Everyone was probably thinking I was a trouble maker. And with Stephanie practically like a sister to Aunt Carol’s kids.

Book: Blue Autumn Cruise (Sisters in All Seasons) by Lisa Williams Kline, Zonderkidz, 2012

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 13-18

Subjects: Blended Families, Sibling Relationships, Friendship

Summary: A whole fall break away from horses? Her mom and stepdad had been doing great with vacation choices but this is ridiculous. Of course, it wasn’t their idea. Everyone in the extended family is coming on this cruise to celebrate Stephanie’s grandmother’s seventy-fifth birthday. So not only is Diana stuck without horses, she’s also stuck spending the whole time with people she doesn’t know. For someone who doesn’t get along easily with people, this is sheer torture. Why couldn’t they have just let her go stay with her dad like she wanted to? Stephanie is worried too. She wants so bad for her cousin and stepsister to get along, but she knows it won’t be easy. Lauren and Diana both have strong personalities and don’t back down easily. Stephanie really has her hands full this time!

Notes:  This is the third in the Sisters In All Seasons series. The series is about two sisters who are part of a blended family. Both have parents who have divorced. Diana’s mother has married Stephanie’s father. Both of their other parents are still around and in the picture, although not as much. The sisters are extreme opposites in personality and interests. Diana’s focus is on animals – she finds people hard to deal with due to her lack of effort to “fit in” and her willingness to say exactly what she thinks at any time. Stephanie’s focus in on people – animals scare her. Stephanie’s weakness is trying so hard to get along with anyone that she doesn’t always say no to things she knows she should – whether it be to Diana or friends.

In this book, Stephanie and Diana are to the point where they get along a little bit better, but more relatives are now thrown at Diana that she is expected to get along with – and she is not okay with this.

The spiritual emphasis in this book comes in one line from Stephanie’s Grandma in a conversation with Stephanie. Stephanie shares about some of her struggles with Diana and Lauren and Grammy tells her that “God has given us others to love. Life is relationships and what we make of them.” The Bible does put a huge emphasis on relationships with others. It does not say it is life – it says Jesus is the life. But it is the second greatest commandment.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 1/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Matthew 22:36-40 – "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'  This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

John 1:4 - In him was life, and that life was the light of men.

John 14:6 - Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with a free review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I appreciate it!

Wild Horse Spring

I never acted like anything I did at Dad’s was fun, even though it was, because Mama would get jealous. I had been thinking and thinking about living with Daddy and Lynn. But I hadn’t said it out loud to anyone. But then there was Diana. Could I live with her? I wish I could figure out where I belonged.

Book: Wild Horse Spring (Sisters in All Seasons) by Lisa Williams Kline, Zonderkidz, 2012

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 13-18

Subjects: Blended Families, Sibling Relationships, Obedience, Wisdom, Identity

Summary: First the ranch with horses and now a beach with wild horses nearby! Diana definitely approves of the locations of this vacations. Stephanie, not so much. Will her dad ever stop pressuring her to be someone she’s not? Her dad is a city boy and she’s a city girl. She wants no want in these wild adventures that Diana seems to thrive on. This time it’s not a wild wolf Diana finds, but a wild horse – an injured one. The worst thing to Stephanie is that Diana wasn’t alone when she discovered it. She was with the boy Stephanie is attracted to! Now there are investigations against them and the boy she likes and all kinds of problems again. Why can’t Diana just stay out of trouble?

Notes:  This is the second in the Sisters In All Seasons series. The series is about two sisters who are part of a blended family. Both have parents who have divorced. Diana’s mother has married Stephanie’s father. Both of their other parents are still around and in the picture, although not as much. The sisters are extreme opposites in personality and interests. Diana’s focus is on animals – she finds people hard to deal with due to her lack of effort to “fit in” and her willingness to say exactly what she thinks at any time. Stephanie’s focus in on people – animals scare her. Stephanie’s weakness is trying so hard to get along with anyone that she doesn’t always say no to things she knows she should – whether it be to Diana or friends.

This book continues the challenge the girls face as they try to figure out how to be sisters. Jealousy comes into the picture as Diana has a chance to be alone with the boy Stephanie has a crush on. Unity comes when he is accused of a crime and they have to work together to protect him. As with the others, a lot of the problems come from Diana’s disobedience to authority and Stephanie’s desire to please everyone.

In this book, Diana outright admits she does not believe in God. She finds herself doing what feels like praying when in a difficult situation and questions who she is praying to if she does not believe in God. There are no answers given though. It’s merely a picture of a teen questioning. No adult or other teen comes and helps her figure anything out.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 1/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Nehemiah 9:6 – You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with a free review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I appreciate it!

Summer Of The Wolves

Last week Mom had dragged me to Dr. Shrink’s office. We have a new family now and we all have to try to get along. Blah, blah, blah. The problem these days was Mom spent all her time trying to make Norm and Stephanie happy. Norm with his pocket calculator and stupid jokes. Stephanie with her rainbow toes and bouncy dark hair. Apparently Miss Congeniality at her school. Doesn’t have to take mood pills. I felt like that little chestnut pony – last in line.

Book: Summer of the Wolves (Sisters in All Seasons) by Lisa Williams Kline, Zonderkidz, 2012

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 13-18

Subjects: Blended Families, Sibling Relationships, Obedience, Wisdom

Summary: Yeah, there’s no doubt that this is going to be a miserable vacation. Spending time with this new blended family is not Diana’s idea of a good time! There is an advantage though. The location for this vacation is a ranch – with horses! Diana can’t wait to get on one and take off! The feeling of freedom that comes when she’s riding is like nothing else! The first trip doesn’t go so well. Oh, it’s fine for Diana, but not so fine for Stephanie who is afraid of the horses anyway. When Diana’s horse wants to cause trouble, she does nothing to prevent it. Soon she gets her chance to really ride though. When she explores she finds something she never expected to see, a cage with two wolves in it! It seems they are used to entertain guests at the lodge. The lodge pays money for the wolves to be brought out on display. Diana is horrified at the enslavement of these wild, strong animals. Surprisingly Stephanie agrees with Diana. Stephanie may be afraid of everything and way too much of a girly girl for Diana’s satisfaction but she has a sympathetic heart. That sympathy is generally focused more on people, but Diana convinces her to help rescue the wolves. The problem is that their idea of helping isn’t based on knowledge and sympathy is useless without it.

Notes:  This is the first in the Sisters In All Seasons series. The series is about two sisters who are part of a blended family. Both have parents who have divorced. Diana’s mother has married Stephanie’s father. Both of their other parents are still around and in the picture, although not as much. The sisters are extreme opposites in personality and interests. Diana’s focus is on animals – she finds people hard to deal with due to her lack of effort to “fit in” and her willingness to say exactly what she thinks at any time. Stephanie’s focus in on people – animals scare her. Stephanie’s weakness is trying so hard to get along with anyone that she doesn’t always say no to things she knows she should – whether it be to Diana or friends.

In this book the sisters are just beginning the process of trying to get to know each other and figure out how to get along. The big issue is making good choices. Diana chooses to do multiple things in direct disobedience to the adults. She chooses to do something she knows the adults consider wrong but thinks the adults are wrong and she is right. Then she learns that her choice actually caused something even worse to happen. There isn’t any spiritual emphasis in this book. There are some Biblical values emphasized but not identified as such. The characters are expected to be obedient to authority and kind to others.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 1/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Psalm 111:10 – The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.

Deuteronomy 5:16 - Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with a free review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I appreciate it!

Cottonmouth And The End

"Yellowthroat, did you hear that? Isn't that amazing?" Fredrick asked, picking up his pace. 

"You must take it easy, young Fredrick. This darkness may not be trustworthy," Yellowthroat responded.

"Come quickly, child," the darkness whispered again.

Book: Cottonmouth and the End by C. S. Fritz, David C. Cook, 2014

Genre: Fantasy/Allegory

Target Audience: Boys 9-14

Subjects: The Holy Spirit, Missions, Temptation, Truth

Summary: Sometimes, temptation is just too hard to resist. When the darkness makes promises and claims to be good, Fredrick gives in. He shuts out the helper, and enters the darkness. But the darkness is a liar, a deceiver. Fredrick’s helper frantically tries to find another way in, a way to rescue Fredrick, but it’s hard to rescue someone who has decided to not listen to you, even as you remind him of the words of the One who sacrificed for you.

Notes: This three book series is promoted as “Polar Express” style books. There is text but there are also whole pages with nothing but photos. The pictures very much help tell the story. It’s almost like a picture book for older kids. The story is very allegorical. Someone familiar with the Bible can see the story of Adam and Eve facing temptation, the story of Jesus sacrificing His life for us, the story of the Holy Spirit being sent to help and guide, the story of Jesus going to Heaven to prepare a place for us, the story of satan tempting believers, and the story of the great commission. It's a great allegory for explaining the gospel message to young people. The downfall is that you have to know the Bible stories to know that’s what they’re referring to. The author does not mention anywhere in the book what the allegory is about. So readers are left thinking it’s just a nice fictional story, not that it’s based off of a real story that can change lives as much as the character’s was changed.
In this third and final book, Fredrick comes face to face with temptation. When the darkness whispers in his ear, offering good things and the character representing the Holy Spirit speaks truth, reminding him of the words of the character representing Jesus, he has to make a choice of who to listen to. Then at the end, it gives a picture of the great commission with Fredrick being sent off to tell the rest of the world about Tug.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 1/5 for the average audience, 5/5 for readers very familiar with the Bible

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Matthew 28:19-20 - Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

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

Cottonmouth And The Great Gift

Fredrick looked down at the river, confused as he remembered his parents’ last goodbye. “I have to be alone again?” he asked softly.
Tug smiled and quietly said, “No, Freddie. Not this time. I came to give you a gift. This gift is my prize possession, my treasure, my friend. He will guide you on your mission, Fredrick. In the ways I have been there for you, he will be there for you; and in the ways I have comforted you, he will comfort you. He will teach you, and ultimately, he will give you power.”

Book: Cottonmouth and the Great Gift  by C. S. Fritz, David C. Cook, 2014

Genre: Fantasy/Allegory

Target Audience: Boys 9-14

Subjects: The Holy Spirit, Missions, Temptation, Truth

Summary: Tug is back! Oh how happy and joyful Fredrick is now! But Tug isn’t staying. He’s going to prepare a place for Freddie. Fredrick is so sad, but Tug gives him a special helper who will be with him. Soon Fredrick and the helper start off on the journey to give an egg to the girl with the two different colored eyes. It will be a long, hard journey and they don’t fully know how to get there. They just trust that the river will guide them. But the journey comes with temptation. The closer they come to their goal, the more the tempter would like to see them fail.

Notes: This three book series is promoted as “Polar Express” style books. There is text but there are also whole pages with nothing but photos. The pictures very much help tell the story. It’s almost like a picture book for older kids. The story is very allegorical. Someone familiar with the Bible can see the story of Adam and Eve facing temptation, the story of Jesus sacrificing His life for us, the story of the Holy Spirit being sent to help and guide, the story of Jesus going to Heaven to prepare a place for us, the story of satan tempting believers, and the story of the great commission. It's a great allegory for explaining the gospel message to young people. The downfall is that you have to know the Bible stories to know that’s what they’re referring to. The author does not mention anywhere in the book what the allegory is about. So readers are left thinking it’s just a nice fictional story, not that it’s based off of a real story that can change lives as much as the character’s was changed.
In this second book, the character representing Jesus, sends the character representing the Holy Spirit to comfort, teach and strengthen. It also shows persevering when times get hard or tiring along the journey. And it show the importance of listening to the Holy Spirit. Fredrick makes his assignment harder by being too impatient to listen to the directions he is receiving.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 1/5 for the average audience, 5/5 for readers very familiar with the Bible

Reviewer: J:-)mi

John 14:16, 25 – And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever- But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

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