Danny Orlis And The Hunters

Book:  Danny Orlis and the Hunters by Bernard Palmer, Moody Press, 1955

Genre: Adventure
Target Audience: Boys 11-14
Subjects: Salvation, power of prayer
Summary: Danny and his friend Jim are helping Danny's father with some hunters he is taking on a hunting trip into the woods. One hunter looks a little suspicious though. That proves true when he disappears into the wilderness, leaving Danny and Jim to try and find him. In the meantime they discover evidence of some Market Hunting and make a new friend whose father has been taken away by someone.
Notes: Wow! I read these when I was a kid, having discovered them in the Church library, but I didn't remember how awesome they were! Danny takes everything back to Christ. He is continually living his faith, stopping and praying, and witnessing to those around him! By the end of the book, both of his friends get saved! It makes me wonder why the Christian culture doesn't live and talk that way anymore! I highly recommend these books for young boys! The adventure keeps the story moving, although no where near as intense as it does in modern books. It's simply an enjoyable story!
Also, this book is only one of the 94 books in the series. Some are published through Back To The Bible, some by Tyndale and some the publisher is unknown. Wikipedia has a list of all of them: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Orlis_series
Recommendation Scale: 5
Reviewer: J:-)mi

Insight

Like it or not, I was the one taking care of her. I was the one she’d always depended on. Not that preacher. He wasn’t family. He couldn’t be trusted and neither could my mother. So I vowed then and there, no matter what, I’d protect Jessie from harm. But what I really wanted was someone to protect me.

Book: Insight by Diana Greenwood, Zondervan Publishers, 2011

Genre: Realistic Fiction (with a supernatural element)

Target Audience: Girls 16+

Subjects: Faith, Family Relationships, Guilt, the Supernatural

Summary: Guilt is a powerful force. It can control every move we make. Elvira knows that well. It’s her fault her dad is dead. It’s her fault her little sister is growing up without a dad. It’s her fault they live in a dysfunctional family. And she’s determined to make up for it by taking care of her little sister – even when her little sister starts becoming strange – saying things that no one could possibly know before they happened. Driven out of town by stares and horrified comments, Elvira, her mother, sister and grandmother set off across the country with the preacher man in search of elusive hope. What they find is not what they ever expected or imagined.

Notes: This is a realistic story of a young girl’s emotional struggles for acceptance, forgiveness and love. The supernatural element is the little sister’s ability to see things that haven’t happened yet. She tells a little girl not to ride double on a bike and when the girl does anyway, she crashes and dies. She starts chanting about “seeing Ray” – the father that died, that she never even met. So the whole family takes a journey in hopes of finding him. Along the way, Elvira learns a bit about faith in God and forgiveness. The spiritual elements aren’t the theme, the suffering is really the theme. But the author does a good job using the spiritual elements to help the character grow and move past her sufferings and her past.She also has a really good discussion with the preacher man about how people view God - he shares about his father believing God to be an angry, cruel, taskmaster, ready to punish whereas He views God as loving. By the end of the story, Jessie's insights are seen as messages from God rather than something to fear. He is using Jessie to lead and guide them where He wants them to be.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 4/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

1 Peter 2:19 – For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God.

Edna In The Desert

Edna decided against any further attempts at ending her life, though the suffering might be great. “I’m going to kill myself!” was a terrible figure of speech, and from now on it was as bad as profanity. Edna had learned from getting lost in the desert: No matter how dire things seem, they could always improve, so you might as well stick around. You never know when someone might drive up on a dirt bike.

Book: Edna in the Desert by Maddy Lederman, eLectio Publishing, 2013

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 14-16

Subjects: Dating Relationships, Family Relationships, Selfishness

Summary: They actually left her! She didn’t believe they’d really do it but they did! Her parents drove off and left her here in the middle of the desert! Yeah, she has some issues with talking back sometimes, but that’s no reason to abandon your child is it? Edna, a spoiled thirteen year old is sent to live with her Grandma and mentally shut-down Grandpa in the desert for the summer. Her grandparents don’t leave their home and the only time someone comes to visit them is when the groceries are delivered once a week. No phone privileges, no internet, not even a computer! She’s left with some books about pioneer women and some clothes her mom thought appropriate for the summer. She’s pretty convinced she’ll go crazy and even considers suicide. Then a cute boy enters the scene and things start looking up. Edna has never had a serious dating relationship before but she’s more than happy to start now! Never mind that he’s quite a few years older than her, she’s convinced that won’t be a problem. Now to convince him of that… her survival of the summer depends on it!

Notes: The first book by a new author, Edna in the desert is meant to be the story of a young girl’s sexual awakening. It’s also a story of her awareness of others feelings and cares. She starts off the story as an incredibly selfish girl, thinking only of what she wants. By the end of the story she has gradually become a little bit more aware of and begun to care a little bit more about those around her. It doesn’t really contain spiritual elements. She sees someone with a necklace that has a Bible verse on it and briefly notes that it is offensive to her. Then at one point she attends a church service and has a discussion about it with someone where they conclude that God is more of an abstract concept “than the stories let on.”

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 1/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Acts 17:27 – God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.

Thank you to the author for providing me with a free review copy of this book. You can visit the author’s website at www.maddylederman.com

Dear Mr. Knightley

“I’m sorry I launched into tonight’s events without addressing your letter. It arrived today and made one thing very clear: I need these letters – as they are, with no changes to our agreement. Thank you for the final chance to come to my senses. I can't believe I asked you. The moment I opened your letter and saw your signature, I panicked. I recalled all I'd told you, all you knew, and all I feared. I felt more exposed than in the article Kylie and I wrote. You know my heart.

Book: Dear Mr. Knightley: A Novel by Katherine Reay, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2013

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 16+

Subjects: Orphans, Dating Relationships

Summary: An orphan girl with very little chance to better her future, Sam receives a huge opportunity. An anonymous benefactor has given Sam not only a full ride scholarship to a university, but is providing everything else she needs as well. The agreement is that Sam will write him letters, telling about what she is doing. This becomes a lifeline for Sam. There is someone out there who will listen to her every thought and offer no condemnation or rejection in return. As she goes through her years in college, her relationships, her challenges and delights, she pours it all out to Mr. Knightley.

Notes: A story in the tradition of Daddy Long Legs, the 1955 movie, Dear Mr. Knightley is the story of a girl who receives a full college scholarship and housing and wardrobe and everything else she needs from an anonymous benefactor that she writes letters to in exchange for the financial support. He falls in love with her through her letters and as they develop a relationship in person without him revealing he is Mr. Knightley, she falls in love with him. The spiritual elements are really focused on trust in God and other people. The girl has a lot of reasons to not let herself get too close to anyone, believing they will hurt her or leave her. She has to learn to open up and trust.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 3/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

1 Peter 4:8 – Above all, love each other deeply from the heart for love covers a multitude of sins.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for sending me a free review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Check out the other spots on the tour here: http://litfusegroup.com/author/kreay

  Debut author Katherine Reay is celebrating the release of her delightful novel, Dear Mr. Knightley, with a Kindle Fire HDX giveaway, a fun Favorite Austen Moments Pinterest contest, and an Austen-themed Facebook Party.   Enter Today | 11/14 - 12/3!

  One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay
• Handmade Austen-themed items (scarf, mug, bracelet, and necklace) 

Two ways to win! Enter today by clicking one of the icons below or participating in the Pinterest contest (see banner below)—or BOTH! 

But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 3rd. Winner will be announced at the "Dear Mr. Knightley" Austen-themed Facebook Author Chat Party on the 3rd. Join Katherine (and Austen fans) for an evening of book chat, prizes, and an exclusive look at Katherine's next book.

So grab your copy of  Dear Mr. Knightley and join Katherine on the evening of December 3rd for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST. Hope to see you on the 3rd!

Summer Promise

This book contains a review by me and a review by Sophia

Book: Summer Promise: Book 1 in the Christy Miller Series by Robin Jones Gunn, Focus on the Family Publishing, 1988

 
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Target Audience: Girls 13+
Summary: Meet Christy Miller, a young girl with a summer full of promise ahead of her. She'll be staying with a wealthy aunt & uncle. Her aunt desires to see that Christy gets the best of everything: new clothes, new hair style, friends, anything she wants. What what does she want? Can her new friends help her figure that out? There's the boy with the screaming silver-blue eyes, there's the beautiful girl who seems so experienced with guys, there's the surfer only too ready to accept what girls offer, there's the quieter girl who seems interested in the same guy as Christy. Who does she listen to? And where does God fit into all of this?
Notes: Summer Promise is the first of a whole bunch of books connected to Christy. It begins with the 12 book Christy Miller series. Then Robin Jones Gunn wrote a series about a friend of Christy's. There's there's the 3 book college years series about Christy, then the 4 book college years series about another of her friends. Even her Glenbrooke series is based off of characters and places connected to Christy. Christy's story isn't rushed, Robin Jones Gunn takes her through the years facing everything from friendships to boyfriends, to college choices, to career decisions. I highly recommend it. Also note that the most recent release of the series combines books into a few volumes. Due to this, they can still be found on the shelves of the bookstores despite the age of the original publications. 

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5
Reviewer: J:-)mi

“”I hate you! I hate you!” Christy Miller shouted at her reflection in the closet-door mirror. With

a wild grrrr she wadded up her beach towel and heaved it at the mirror, watching it wobble and

distort her lanky proportions. “Christy darling?” came a shrill voice from the hallway. “Are you

back from the beach so soon?” “Yes, Aunt Marti.” Christy grabbed a brush and pretended to be

untangling her long, nutmeg-brown hair.

Summer Promise, Robin Jones Gunn. Multnomah books, 1988

Genres: realistic, romance

Target Audience: 15 and under

Issues: going to church each week doesn’t make you a Christian, dating relationships, drugs.

Summary: Christy, a farm girl from Wisconsin, is spending the summer with her rich uncle and aunt in

California. The first big change comes with her new makeover, haircut, and stylish clothes. Then

she falls in love with a surfer on the beach. But does he like her back? Soon things are way out

of control and Christy constantly feels depressed. Her friends tell her she should ask Jesus into

her heart, but is she ready for that? And besides, she has gone to church all her life anyway…

This is the first in the Christy Miller series. Christy accepts Christ only at the end of the book.

Before that the book throws in ideas about Christ only from time to time. However, after she

asks Him into her heart, it talks more about God. Probably, the next books will be more on track

spiritually than this one.

 3/5

Sophia Marie

 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

Disclaimer: 

I got this book for my honest review at www.WaterBrookMultnomah.com/BloggingForBooks.

Merlin’s Blade

Merlin’s heart sank. The man was Uther! And now Merlin’s burden had increased. How could he – alone and blind – save hi father, Uther, and the monks all at once? Indecision and fear began to tear at his soul like twin demons bent on destroying him.

At any moment Morganthu might give the signal to burn the monks to death or sacrifice Uther and his father, and what could he do? Nothing. Sure, prayers escaped his lips in continuous pleading to God, but Merlin’s soul, spirit, and body all urged him to action. He couldn’t just wait –

Book: Merlin's Blade (The Merlin Spiral) by Robert Treskillard, Zondervan Publishers, 2013

Genre: Fantasy

Target Audience: Boys 14+

Subjects: Truth, Trust in God, Power

Summary: The blind boy of the village blacksmith, mocked by the village bullies, weak, unable to do anything on his own – that’s who Merlin is. Or at least who he was. When the druids and the high king come to town things begin to change quickly. This blind boy is taken in as a bard by the king and possess wisdom and courage none knew he had – his father, the girl he loves, the boy he takes the punishment of, the arch druid, the king. It seems his blindness may be the only hope of saving Briton from the power of the druids and their powerful stone with the light that burns and enchants.

Notes: A story based on the legends of King Arthur, Merlin’s Blade is the first book in The Merlin Spiral series. This story contains many of the traditional elements of the legend – the names, the fantasy elements, the objects. It is a well written adventure story, packing in so many events that a few days in the story seem like a few weeks. The spiritual elements are there and strong though! This is truly a story of not just good versus evil, but of the truth of Christ versus the lies of the druids and the false gods they worship. It’s the story of God using a young boy’s weakness to defeat an evil so powerful the high king and the monks can not even stop it. Throughout the entire story, Merlin firmly holds to the truth of Jesu and cries for others to do so as well. He recognizes that the battle isn’t just against the druids, but against the evil they serve. And he recognizes that it is only with the help of the one true God, that they will be able to defeat the evil.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 4.5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

1 Chronicles 29:12 - Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.

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

The Stolen Necklace

No one breathed. Every footstep below brought chills across the back of Jeff’s neck. If the witch doctor heard any movement from the loft, they could all end up in that prison cell with K.J…. or worse.

Book: The Stolen Necklace (Reel Kids Adventures) by Dave Gustaveson, YWAM Publishing, 1994

 

Genre: Adventure

Target Audience: Boys and Girls 11-15

Subjects: Missions, Sorcery/Witchcraft, Salvation, Prayer

Summary:  If this adventure gets any more adventurous the Reel Kids may never be able to go on another adventure again! First it’s sitting in a broken down car in the midst of a herd of elephants past the time they are supposed to be out of the wildlife park. Then it’s K.J. getting accused of stealing a necklace and having his passport taken. If he doesn’t find the missing necklace by the end of the trip, he won’t be allowed to leave the country with the others. Then it’s their team leader getting malaria and being hospitalized. Then it’s a poisonous snake in their room. Then it’s finding a group of slaughtered elephants left by poachers. Then it’s an encounter with a witch doctor trying to cast a sickness out of a young boy. Finally, the Reel Kids take on the witch doctor and join him in a challenge to see who serves the greater power. The challenge is simple. The one who makes it rain wins. If the rain doesn’t come, Jeff, K.J., Mindy, and Warren may not be leaving the country. They may not even be alive to try!

Notes: The Stolen Necklace is third in the Reel Kids Adventures, a series about a group of kids who go to other countries showing a Gospel presentation video and making films about the people who live there. In this one, the kids are in an African jungle, meeting up with native tribes and encountering opposition from a witch doctor in one of the tribes. The Gospel is presented to their guide who becomes a Christian. The kids are reminded to keep their trust in God as He proves Himself more powerful than the witch doctor. The series is definitely adventure focused rather than realistic. It’s meant to show some of the exciting things that happen on foreign missions trips.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

1 Kings 18:37-39 – Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again." Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, "The LORD--he is God! The LORD--he is God!"

Crazy Jacob

Stephen approached slowly and painfully. His clock was gone. His tunic was half torn from his upper body. The right side of his face was covered with blood that streamed from a gash above his eyebrow. He stumbled to the opening of the cavern and leaned against it.

“Was it a lion?” Andrew asked, afraid of the truth.

“It was your father,” Stephen replied.

Book: Crazy Jacob (Kidwitness Tales #4) by Jim Ware, Focus On The Family with Bethany House Publishers, 2000

 

Genre: Historical Fiction

Target Audience: Boys 10-14

Subjects: Demon Possession, Friendship, Bullying, Family Relationships

Summary:  Life is good for Andrew. Yes, there’s the problems of the bully who is apprenticed to his father, but outside of that, He enjoys spending his days building boats with his father and dreaming of the day he can build his very own. But one night he and his father and the workers are caught on the lake in a terrible storm and by the time they get to shore they have to take refuge in a cave on the way home. Not just any cave though – this is the Haunts of the Dead. And while taking refuge, his father seems to lose his mind. He begins muttering to himself and calling on the gods, appearing to be struggling against them. If only it had stopped there! But soon Andrew’s father is living in the tombs like a wild man, attacking any who come near. The family business is falling apart, kids in town are making fun of him, his mother is considering remarriage to someone else, and the creditors are calling. Andrew realizes that the problems he is facing are beyond human control and makes a determination to seek whatever power he can find to cure his father, no matter what the cost.

Notes: Part of the KidWitness Tales from Heritage Builders, a ministry of Focus on the family, this book tells the story of a real event from the Bible, portraying the true story but writing a fictional story about a kid who might have witnessed the event. Crazy Jacob is the story of Jesus coming on shore at the region of the Gerasenes in Mark 5 and Luke 8 and encountering a demon-possessed man, casting out the demons and sending them into a herd of pigs which rush down the bank and drown. This book portrays a young boy, probably late elementary, early teens, who is the son of the demon possessed man. Living in a culture where many different gods and spirits are worshipped, both Andrew and his dad try calling upon various powers and have to learn that there is only one real God and only He can provide them with the help they need. Only He is powerful enough to cast out demons and make an insane man well again.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Mark 5:15 – When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.

Union Army Black

On the small outcrop of rock no more than six feet below the edge of the ravine Zack’s body lay tangled in a mass of broken branches and leaves. His right leg was twisted under him and pressed hard against a thick branch. Blood seeped from a deep cut where the wood pressed against it. In the dark his eyelids fluttered, opened, then closed again.

Book: Union Army Black (Ben and Zack, Bk 4) by L. Travis, Baker House Publishing, 1995

Genre: Historical Fiction

Target Audience: Boys 10-14

Subjects: Civil War, Friendship, Slavery

Summary: Life as a solider isn’t easy, but Zack is managing it ok. Working as Chaplain Turner’s assistant is quite the privilege – helping teach the men how to read, caring for his great horse. When the Chaplain becomes ill and Zack is put under someone else, things are still okay – until he finds himself in the middle of an actual battle and awakes with no memory of who he is or where he belongs.

Notes: Fourth and final in the Ben and Zack series, this book focuses almost exclusively on Zack until the last chapter of the book. This book more so than any of the others truly focuses on the war itself as Zack is right in the midst of it. He is with the First United States Colored Infantry so the issue of slavery and persecution of those with black skin shows more clearly than in some of the books. The spiritual elements are different in this one – Ben isn’t there and so there isn’t much focus on spiritual elements at all. Other characters make Christian or Biblical references, but that’s it.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 2/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Jonah 2:6 – To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you brought my life up from the pit, O LORD my God.

Wind Of The Spirit

Everyone in the tribe, except Wolfslayer and his closest adherents accepted White Eagle as fully one of them. Indeed he felt himself completely their kin, so powerful had been the ceremony by which he had been reborn into their tribe and clan. And yet…

Yet still the memory of Elizabeth and the deep longing for her – no, the sense that his soul could never be complete apart from her – would not leave him or allow him to find true peace. That somewhere in the world she lived and remained free was his greatest hope… and his deepest agonly. How to resolve the conflict between his present life and the sweet promise of a future with her that had once existed was unfathomable to his mind.

Book: Wind of the Spirit (American Patriot Series) by J. M. Hochstetler, Sheaf House Publishers, 2009

Target Audience: Girls and Boys 18+

Subjects: American Revolution, Family Relationships, Love, Identity

Summary: The rumors are vicious. White Eagle is attacking villages, scalping everyone, even women and children, willingly taking revenge on all white men for the death of his father. These rumors are vicious enough but when word comes to Elizabeth that perhaps White Eagle is her beloved Carleton, she knows she has no choice. She must find him. She must convince him that her love is enough to come back to the world of the white men. Carleton is torn though. None of this is an easy decision for him. He has a family here amongst the Shawnee. He’s a great war chief. And the Shawnee long for him to become even more fully one of them by taking a Shawnee wife. Yet, at night dreams of her haunt him. He can’t let her go, no matter how hard he tries.

Notes: Set at the beginning of the American Revolution, Native Son is the second in The American Patriot Series. This one both of the characters significantly more mature. It intensifies the violence of the time period as well. In this book Carleton has become nearly completely Shawnee and is participating in all of their customs and rituals, including killing of the white men. The huge spiritual element covered in this one is the question of identity. On his deathbed, Carleton’s Shawnee adopted father prophesied that he would ever be a wanderer, not fully Shawnee and not fully White and in this story it begins to come true. He can’t fully embrace either one. He has to find his identity in something beyond this world – in a relationship with Christ rather than with a people group.

 It’s definitely an adventure book with action and suspense being the focus, but the spiritual elements that are there are well done.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 4/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

John 15:19 – If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

Romans 14:8 – If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

1 John 3:18-19 – Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence

First Date (Melody Carlson)

As she whooshed past the group of days, she had to suppress the urge to giggle at their naïve oblivion. Because if she had her way, it wouldn’t be long until those very guys would be wondering what hit them. Let the Dating Games begin.

Book: Dating Games #1: First Date, The (The Dating Games) by Melody Carlson, Revell Publishers, 2013

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 13-18

Subjects: Dating relationships, Friendship, God’s will

Summary: Devon may be new but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t know something is up here. She flirts and flirts and it gets her nowhere with the guys. So, much to Cassiday’s dismay, she comes up with a plan to secure a date, not only for her, but for all the girls in the group she hangs out with. By the time the Homecoming Dance arrives, every one of the girls will have a date. The newly formed Dating Games group guarantees it.

Notes: The first in the Dating Games series, First Date is the story of five girls who have never been on a real date. Devon, the sort of rebel of the group, leads them to form a club with the objective of helping each other get dates for the upcoming dance. The spiritual element comes primarily through Cassidy, a girl who takes her faith seriously. She has a lot of concerns about this whole club and dating in general. She had made a vow to not date, but now is wondering if that was the right decision. A talk with a mentor encourages her to evaluate whether it is God’s will her for her to avoid dating or if she’s just making extra rules for herself and being legalistic. She encourages Cassidy to be sure that God is giving her peace about whatever decision she makes. Cassidy is also encouraged to truly show love to Devon and the others, recognizing that being a witness means showing God’s love, even to those she disagrees with. So about a fifth of the book contains some spiritual content. The rest of it is more just a focus on the various relationships each girl finds herself in, whether friendship, dating or relationship with parents. This author goes back and forth. Some of her books really encourage the reader to grow spiritually, some have next to nothing for spiritual content. This one does a pretty good job in the sections about Cassidy.

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 Taming of Roberta Parsley

“Shut up, you ugly witch!” Roberta barked at her. Tiffany’s mouth opened in surprise. Then her eyes narrowed, and her mouth turned down at the corners. Tiffany was really really mad. And Tiffany doesn’t turn the other check very easily. I knew it then. This was going to be the worst project any of us had ever done.

Book: The Taming of Roberta Parsley (I Witness) by Carol Gorman, Concordia Publishing House, 1994

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 10-14

Subjects: Friendship, Showing love to others, Poverty

Summary: She’s horrid! They all knew it from the first moment she stepped into the classroom and sneered at all of them. The real trouble began when their teacher divided everyone into groups for a social studies project. Juliet and her friends wound up having Roberta in their group, stinky, thieving, insulting Roberta. The very first day trouble begins as Roberta insults Tiffany. Not even Brit’s kindness can solve this one. Juliet knows a disaster when she sees it and that’s exactly what this social studies project will be!

Notes: This is a story of a girl from a very under-privileged home – her mom doesn’t seem to care much about her and there isn’t a dad in the picture. She seems to only own one outfit until the day her mom helps her steal a second. She’s learned to cope with her struggles by determinedly attacking first so no one can hurt her. Some girls in her new class reach out in kindness and it makes a difference for her. Juliet and her classmates are encouraged to turn the other cheek and show God’s love to Roberta and when they do, they see the power His love has to change a person.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 4.5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Matthew 5:43-48 – "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Redheaded Orphan

“Don’t you know God didn’t make ladybugs to live in a barn?” he said aloud. “And he didn’t make me to live in Bellfield, Minnesota or go back to Bron’s school, either.”

Book: The Redheaded Orphan (Ben and Zack, Bk 3) by L. Travis, Baker House Publishing, 1995

 

Genre: Historical Fiction

Target Audience: Boys 10-14

Subjects: Civil War, Friendship, Change (moving), Loss

Summary: It’s just going to be the same here as it is everywhere else. No one likes a preacher who isn’t afraid to speak truth and that’s what his dad does. With Zack gone there’s nothing for him here anyway. Finding a new friend seems to help, but that new friend may not be all that loyal – course who would be when faced with the treat of the teacher’s whipping stick? It’s just one thing after another. All Ben wants is for everything to go back to the way it was before – before the trouble with the war, before the moves, before Zack left to join the army, before all the change!

Notes: Third in the Ben and Zack series, this book focuses exclusively on Ben outside of a couple letters providing updates on Zack. The Civil War continues as do the other trials and challenges of the time. The Orphan Train comes to town bringing more needy children. Teachers hold great power over the lives of their students as the smallest infraction results in a whipping. Epidemics can wipe out many in a small community. And the indentured servant system is alive and well as is slavery in certain parts of the country. Ben is having a hard time adjusting to the change – new home, new school, new friends. This book takes a look at what it means to be a good friend – a theme carried out in some of the others, but really focused on in this one. A misunderstanding leads to a broken relationship and it’s up to Ben to do what it takes to mend that brokenness. This book also deals with another change for Ben – loss of a loved one. He has to work through that some as well, although the adventure elements overshadow this element. As with others in the series, there is some level of spiritual element – Ben is a Christian and prays occasionally, but it’s not necessarily dominate in the story.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 4/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.