Firstborn

Out here, even Ratho might start to feel my attentions. It would definitely end our friendship as well as challenge him to report me in order to protect himself. After my religious outburst, he probably would! Chamber of Verities, what has happened? I vigorously rub my face without regard for the rough sand on my hands. Maybe entertaining attraction dulls my amulet? Maybe giving in and enjoying wrong impulses has impaired it more and more? Or swimming in moonlight. The Madronians insist the moon is female. Oh, what have I done? Have I drained most of its strength?

Book: Firstborn: A Novel by Lorie Ann Grover, Blink (Zondervan Publishers), 2014

Genre: Dystopian

Target Audience: Girls 18+

Subjects: Murder, Sex-Role, Occupation of Enemy, Religion, Friendship, Family Relationships, Survival

Summary: She’s not female! She’s not! The amulet will protect her… won’t it? Born into a country taken over by superstitious enemies, all firstborn females are to be killed. Her father, desperate to save her life declares her a male and the authorities agree. As long as she never shows any sign of femininity they will let her live. So she trains for the same assignments as the males and lives her life squelching any feminine urges or tendencies. Now she is of age. Her rapion has hatched and bonded with her and she is sent out on patrol with the other young men. But the more she grows and develops the more she doubts. She may dress and act like a male, but inside she very much feels like a female… especially when her friend Rathon is around. If the amulet squashing her femininity ever fails her though, it will be instant death.

Notes: Patterned after books such as The Hunger Games, Firstborn puts one female in a position to fight against any extremely corrupt society. She must “play the game” as her father words it, pretending to be in perfect obedience to the authorities. But inwardly she rebels against everything they demand. Her people are portrayed allegorically as the Christians, worshipping the “Creator Spirit” whereas the enemy has a religion believing their god conquered other gods, making him the most superior god and the one to worship. Tiadone’s father illegally hid some of the books teaching of the Creator Spirit and taught her to worship and follow Him. She’s one of the few who do though. The catcheism taught to all young people has taken a strong hold on her people. She has to strengthen her own beliefs, fight against the servants of the false god and their torment of her people and all the while pretend to be totally obedient – and male.

This book did clearly convey some spiritual elements – one scene in particular has Tiadone finding a hidden cave of worship to the Creator Spirit, solidifying her confidence in His existence as the one true god. The front cover almost sums it up the best with a quote that reads “Sometimes fate has a different plan”. There’s not a all-powerful being who is in control of the world. It’s more of a deistic view of God – He created, He exists, but He isn’t really all that involved in day-to-day life.

It’s very clear though that the book is not meant to be beautiful. In some places it is very crass. There are a lot of details given as to how Tiadone is clearly a female despite being declared male. The author doesn’t spare details of things that are dirty or private but just lays it out for the reader.

I’m assuming this to be book one of a series because it ends on a note of minimum survival, not true triumph. It doesn’t leave the reader with a lot of hope or joy, just acceptance that this is the best it gets.

It felt as though there was this big idea dreamed up - a female being declared male - and a story was forced around it, a story that didn't quite work, didn't quite fit together and definitely did not finish strong.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 2/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

1 Timothy 4:4 – For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,

Psalm 139:13-14 – For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

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

Running Lean

Six months ago he’d felt like part of him had been buried with Michael. Then Stacey stepped up to fill that gaping hole inside him a little Not fully, and not in the same way, but she’d brought him to a place where he could smile again.

And then…and then… the anorexia, like a bony finger clawing, clawing, clawing, scratched Calvin’s scars, reopened the wound until he could feel the pain pouring out again.

I can’t do this. I need her.

 It was his fault. He’d been pushing her, making demands of her, expecting her to change

 – to save her life!

Book: Running Lean by Diana L. Sharples, Blink Publishers (Zondervan), 2013

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Girls and Boys 14-18

Subjects: Anorexia, Trust in God, Family Relationships, Dating Relationships, Friendship

Summary: He’s all she really has. Supposedly she has a friend and a loving family. But not really. He’s the only one willing to truly see her, see beyond his own selfishness, see the hurt inside of her. She’s not all she has, but she’s the one who brought him out of the pit of sorrow he was drowning in after his brother’s death. Love is a big word, not meant to be used casually. It describes their relationship though. Their relationship is on shaky ground though. Something has come between them. Something so big, so scary, neither one has any clue how to get around it. They’re getting closer and closer to empty, heading straight for destruction. And there doesn’t seem to be anywhere to turn for answers.

Notes: Anorexia is a serious issue that many young girls struggle with to some degree or another. Many feel unsatisfied with their appearance and as a result, unsatisfied with themselves overall. And many seek to control their weight in the hopes of changing who they are. In this story the young girl is desperate to be viewed as beautiful and terrified of going back to the days of her childhood obesity. It shows her struggles with self-image. It also shows her boyfriend’s struggle to figure out how to help her. He has to choose between saving their relationship or saving her very life. It also shows how blind many can be to the real issue. Her dad views it as a simple problem that a bit of discipline will get rid of. Her friend views it as an example of strength and determination to make something of herself. Calvin’s mom just assumes Stacy’s parents will take care of the problem and it’s best to not get involved. Only Calvin recognizes the seriousness of her illness and the power it holds over her. Even he doesn’t know how to help though. This book is designed to lay out a picture of all the different sides of it – bring awareness to the issue.
There are some strong spiritual elements at the end of it. Both Calvin and Stacy learn that only God can give them the strength to get through this. Stacy recognizes that she is truly genuinely loved by God. Stacy has a near-death vision of Christ saying this isn’t what He wants for her, that her life isn’t done yet.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 4/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Psalm 18:32 – It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.

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

The Silence of Murder

I can’t let them take him away. Not to prison. Not to a mental hospital. Home. Jeremy belongs at home, with me. I’m all he has. I have to find out who really killed Coach.

Book: The Silence of Murder by Dandi Daley Mackall, Random House Publishers (Alfred Al. Knopf), 2011

Genre: Mystery

Target Audience: Girls 17+

Subjects: Crime, Family Relationships, Truth, Dating Relationships, Abuse, Mental Disabilities, God’s love

Summary: Jeremy’s always been special. But there was a time when the abuse got to be too much and he just stopped speaking. He didn’t cease communicating by any means, but there was no more vocal speech from him. He was close to God and encouraged Hope to grow close as well. Now the gentle eighteen year old is being charged with murder of someone he truly liked and respected and he doesn’t have the voice to defend himself. So it’s up to Hope to prove that her brother is innocent. Anyone could be a suspect, anyone but her brother that is. If she doesn’t mind out fast though her brother will be declared guilty of murder.

Notes: A mystery novel by the author of all the horse books, The Silence Of Murder is a bit unique to be coming from this author, but very well done. It contains the same strong character development as her other books. The focus of the book is the development of Hope’s character and the mystery, but there are definitely some spiritual elements to it. In this book it is focused on Hope’s relationship with God. She hasn’t tried to stay close the way her brother has. Now she feels all alone and desperate for help as she seeks to save her brother. It takes a message from her brother to help her see how much God truly does love and care for her.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 3/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Psalm 56:8 – Record my lament; list my tears on your scroll-- are they not in your record?

The Machine

“SIZZLE-FLASH”

He’d practically disappeared. “big…happy… family…”

And then he was gone.

I looked back to Jenny. She took a deep breath and let it out. And then another. The good news was everything in her room had turned back to normal. The bad news was it would be the last normal either of us would experience for a long long time.

Book: The Machine: A Truth Seekers Novel by Bill Myers, B and H Publishing Group, 2013

Genre: Adventure/Humor

Target Audience: Boys 11-16

Subjects: Spiritual Warfare, Family Relationships, Love

Summary: “Your tickets are purchased and your passports are in the mail.” With that one sentence, twins Jake and Jen’s whole life changed. Their dad has barely spent any time with them. He’s been overseas doing his scientific projects while their mom raises them. But their mom has died and all of a sudden their dad has decided they should be together. So off they go to Israel, to a dad they don’t really know, his sort of time machine project, his rather odd crew (including a troublesome monkey), and his enemy who is determined to steal his project. Normal is now a thing of the past and crazy insanity is now their life!

Notes: This is the first in the Truth Seekers, a series about twin seventh graders, their dad and the machine he invented to allow people to see and experience events from the Bible as if the person were really there. There are some strong elements focused on the family relationship since the twins’ dad hasn’t ever really known them. It isn’t until the climax of the book that they realize he actually does love them. The strongest element is the spiritual warfare. Whenever the machine runs, Jen experience horrid visions and someone says an evil being is actually terrorizing her but that as a Christian she has authority over the evil ones. She has to go through a couple more trials before her faith grows enough for her to try to confront it though. Through the aid of the machine, the characters do get to witness a Bible event as well.

This book is strongly aimed at those wanting humor in their stories. Lots of comical disasters occur, providing plenty of adventure and entertainment in the story.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 4.5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Ephesians 6:13 - Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Riley Mae and the Ready Eddy Rapids

“Secret photo shoot?”

“Yeah, the one on the river. Riley you are so lucky! I don’t blame you for wanting to be a shoe model instead of playing softball. Oh, and my dad showed me the Ready Eddys. They’re so cute! I’m gonna save up to buy some.”

WHAT was this girl talking about? Secret photo shoot? Ready Eddys?

Book: Riley Mae and the Ready Eddy Rapids by Jill Osborne, Zondervan (Zonderkidz) Publishers, 2014

Genre: Realistic Fiction/Adventure

Target Audience: Girls 11-14

Subjects: Friendship, Evangelism, Truth

Summary: What on earth is going on here? No one is telling Riley Mae anything! This running for your life business is not all it’s cracked up to be. As near as she can figure they’re somewhere in Montana hiding from their enemies. And apparently while here Riley Mae is going to do a series of photos promoting a new sandal – a series of photos going do the rapids – including over a waterfall! That’s not all though. All sorts of crazy adventures are happening – a run in with a hungry bear, a missing person search, a mysterious e-mail and a little boy with Leukemia. It’s enough to make Riley Mae quite glad she’s got the right shoes for each adventure!

Notes: The Good News Shoes series introduces a twelve year old girl who really likes softball and cool shoes. So when she gets an offer to be a spokesgirl for a company marketing athletic shoes for girls, she jumps in headfirst, not knowing she just signed up for some serious adventures. The theme verse for the series is Ephesians 6:15 - and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In this second book the focus is on the Gospel. Riley Mae meets a young boy who shares his faith with all those around him. Her friend hears more about the Gospel and makes a choice to put her trust in Christ for her salvation. She gets to attend a baptism and hear the testimony of others. It also continues the theme of peace from the last book as Riley Mae faces more dangers and challenges.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Romans 1:16 – I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

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

Riley Mae and the Rock Shocker Trek

The thing about contacts is that once you sign them you have to do what they say or you get in trouble with…I dunno…someone important somewhere. Anyway, my contract with Swiftriver said that I had to appear at “the agreed-upon-shceduled photo shoots.” That was the schedule my mom had written on her Bible calendar. So you can imagine my surprise when instead of “Softball signups” on January 12^th, the calendar said, “Swiftriver photo shoot – Fresno State University track.”

Book:Riley Mae and the Rock Shocker Trek by Jill Osborne, Zondervan (Zonderkidz) Publishers, 2014

Genre: Realistic Fiction/Adventure

Target Audience: Girls 11-14

Subjects: Friendship, Evangelism, Truth

Summary: Shoes! Tons and tons of shoes! Pinks, purples, yellows, flowers, butterflies, swirls and best of all her name! Riley Mae is gonna be famous! She just signed a contract to be the spokesgirl for a shoe company promoting a brand new line of shoes for girls. What could possibly go wrong? Well, other than missing softball season, making her best friend furious at her, having an intruder spy on her family, and finding out that the leaders of the company are not who they claim to be, that is. It’s not long before Riley Mae is finding out exactly why the Bible says you’ll need to be ready with the right shoes when trials come!

Notes: The first in the Good News Shoes series, Riley Mae and the Rock Shocker Trek introduces a twelve year old girl who really likes softball and cool shoes. So when she gets an offer to be a spokesgirl for a company marketing athletic shoes for girls, she jumps in headfirst, not knowing she just signed up for some serious adventures. The theme verse for the series is Ephesians 6:15 - and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In this first book the focus is on the peace and the Gospel. Riley Mae faces some very serious challenges and has to find the peace God’s Word promises. She also learns that some of her friends are not Christians and gets chances to reach out to them a little bit. The focus in this one is mainly on the adventure but Riley Mae and her family are Christians so as they go about their life, there are spiritual elements woven in.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 4/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Philippians 4:6-7 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

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

One Realm Beyond

Since arriving in Effram, Cantor’s thoughts had skittered from one surprising idea to another. With so much information to process, he hadn’t latched on to this wordless communication with him at the farm was not so extraordinary. Perhaps it meant nothing. He hoped it meant nothing. It didn’t mean he would be stuck with this buffoon of a dragon. As soon as they finished this rescue, he’d make some excuse and detach himself from this motely crew, the whimsical girl, the know-it-all healer, and the boorish dragon. Their adventure invigorated his heartbeat, and this realm walker was nothing like he’d expected. Ahma and Odem had never mentioned daring rescues perpetrated under the noses of a region’s lawful, albeit corrupt, authorities.

Book:One Realm Beyond, Realm Walkers Series, Volume 1 by Donita K. Paul, Zondervan Publishers, 2014

Genre: Fantasy

Target Audience: Boys and Girls 13+

Subjects:

Summary: Cantor’s been training to be a realm walker his whole life and the day has finally come! He can’t wait! He’s been attempting to sneak in to portals on his own for a while now. His two mentors have spent hours giving him all kinds of lessons. From the first moment he sets foot into a new realm though nothing goes as he expected! The first dragon he meets is determined to be his constant but he’s clumsy, has a pet cat and is a bit strange. The first realm walker he meets is a young girl with a flair for fashion, a head full of knowledge, and a fascination for all kinds of skills. If all these odd companions weren’t enough, it seems the council itself is corrupt and can’t be trusted! So what on earth is Cantor supposed to do now? Everything he thought he knew is now in question and the ones he would normally turn to for answers are missing!

Notes: The first in the Realm Walkers series, One Realm Beyond introduces a new world with Primen representing the Ultimate Being, Primen Warriors as angel type figures, realm walkers as the ones supposed to protect and help the people and the council as the ones supposed to lead and guide the realm walkers in protecting the people. This story deals with the young realm walkers seeking to figure out what Primen expects of them and how they can learn to serve and trust Him. It also deals a bit with judging by mere appearance. Not all the characters are what they first seem.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 4/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Psalm 37:4-9 – Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret--it leads only to evil. For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.

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

The Garden Gate

The guards could not touch him, but their words made him wish he could stopper his ears. Feral boasts. Foul predictions. Furtive suggestions. The former Protector cared only for violence. The fallen Messenger loved rumors and half truths. But worst was the Fallen watching him from the shadows in the corner. His ears came to telltale points and his eyes missed nothing. More than the others, this demon frightened him. He stood as proof that even an Observer could Fall. Book: The Garden Gate, Threshold Series #4 by Christa Kinde, Zondervan Publishers, 2014

Genre: Speculative Fiction

Target Audience: Girls and Boys 11-15

Subjects: Angels, Family Relationships, Friendship, Spiritual Warfare, Trust in God

Summary: Prissie is so thankful for the angels around. They have truly become her closest friends. So when they are threatened or hurt she hurts with them. The battle with the evil ones is intensifying. The ones she loves are in danger. Her family is struggling to recover from the destruction wreaked on them the last time the evil ones went on an all out attack. She has to figure out what on earth to do with Ransome and his determination to make friends with her. And if all that isn’t hard enough, she is being asked to give up what has become most precious to her. It’s time for Prissie’s faith to turn into action.

Notes: The Garden Gate is the fourth in a kid-friendly series dealing with serious issues such as spiritual warfare. In this second book, Prissy, a fifteen year old girl has become familiar with being able to see the angels all around her and be friends with them. The focus on this book is on faith, trusting God when it seems impossible. Like other speculative fiction, it speculates “what if”, in this case, “what if someone could see all the angels around them and could interact with them”. But it does a good job carefully not doing anything to contradict Scripture in its speculations, but rather teaches and enforces Biblical concepts. I highly recommend this to upper elementary and young teens.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Hebrews 11:1,6 – Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

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

The Redcoats Are Coming

“Have a nice trip,” Whit said. “And don’t forget. Ask for ink if someone offers you a quill.”

“What does that mean?” Beth asked. But the doors to the Imagination Station slid closed. White didn’t hear her.

Beth looked at Patrick. He shrugged and said, “I guess we’ll find out.”

Beth reached to push the red button.

Book:Adventures in Odyssey, Imagination Stations: Book #13 - The Redcoats Are Coming! by Marianne Hering and Nancy Sanders, Focus on the Family and Tyndale House Publishing, 2014

Genre: Adventure

Target Audience: Boys and girls 8-13

Subjects: American Revolution

Summary: Ink? A quill? What is that all about? Patrick and Beth are about to find out as they take a trip in the Imagination Station back to the time of the American Revolution, specifically the time of Paul Revere’s ride. When they arrive Concord it’s not long before they are assisting the Patriots, running from angry men and trying to prove they are not Loyalist spies!

Notes: This book did not contain as much for spiritual elements as I had hoped. 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. But this book lacked a lot of that. It mostly contained suspense and some history lessons. It did have some a character taking note that there wasn’t any separation of church and state – the pastor preached his political views right in the midst of his sermon. But that was all for spiritual elements. Its biggest value is probably generating an interest in historical events for the reader.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 1/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Psalm 31:4 – Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Grandpa’s Box

“Do you have war stories for the whole Bible?”

“Oh yes,” Grandpa replied. “In fact, in one sense, you could say that’s just what the Bible is: the story of this war between God and Satan. It’s the story of whether Satan would win and there wouldn’t be.”

Book:Grandpa's Box: Retelling the Biblical Story of Redemption by Starr Meade, P and R Publishing, 2005

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Target Audience: Boys and Girls 10-14

Subjects: Bible Stories

Summary: Grandpa’s secondhand shop was always a fun place to be. Marc and Amy were thrilled to be able to explore all the treasures and hear Grandpa’s stories. The day he got out his wooden box though, the stories he began to tell were important stories. Real stories. Stories of things that had happened thousands of years ago and yet still impacted their lives today. Each item in that wooden box represented some part of the story. Read along as Grandpa tells Marc and Amy each of the stories that go with the items in his wooden box.

Notes: Written in the form of a dialogue between a grandpa and his two grandchildren, Grandpa’s box retells Bible stories, showing how they fit together. He describes it in terms of a huge war between God and satan. Each chapter is another story, another battle in the war. Each chapter begins with a reference to show where in the Bible the story is taken from and each chapter ends with another passage that’s actually written out, often taken from another place in the Bible showing God’s character or a summary of the issue at the heart of the story. Therefore this book can be used as merely an enjoyable book to read or as an actual devotional.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Psalm 35:1-3 – Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take up shield and buckler; arise and come to my aid. Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to my soul, "I am your salvation."

Take Flight! A Sisterchicks Devotional

Yes this blog is focused exclusively on teen fiction, but when one of your most favorite CTF authors writes a devotional on a subject close to your own heart, how can you resist getting a review copy of it and recommending it to your followers?

By definition, a Sisterchick is “a friend who shares the deepest wonders of your heart, loves you like a sister, and gives you a reality check when you’re being a brat.” Whether you meet regularly with a gaggle of Sisterchicks or don’t have a Sisterchick in your life at the moment, this book is for you.

Book: Take Flight! A Sisterchicks Devotional by Robin Jones Gunn and Cindy Hannan, Multnomah Publishers, 2013

Genre: Devotional

Target Audience: Girls 18+

Subjects: Friendship, Trust/Faith in God

Summary: Think about birds. What comes to mind? Their small size? Their colors? Their song? Or their flight? Birds can be kept as pets, trapped in a cage. But birds were meant to fly. Sometimes women are small and helpless, powerless. Sometimes they don’t have anything in their physical appearance to attract others to them. Sometimes beauty comes forth when they open their mouths and sometimes it doesn’t. But we weren’t designed to be caged, trapped in lies of doubt and uncertainty. This devotional encourages us to trust God, let go of the things holding us back and take flight!

Notes: Divided into four major sections with 3-4 devotions in each section, Take Flight contains fourteen devotions. It’s primary purpose is to be done with a close friend/s who can encourage one another to “dig deep into God’s boundless grace and take flight”. However, as mentioned in the quote above, it can also be done on your own as the goal of it is to draw you closer to Christ. Each devotion begins with a story, then the devotion part which includes looking up passages of Scripture to see for yourself what the Bible says about the topic. Then there is a section for journaling your thoughts. Then a page of quotes – from the Bible and other sources. It ends with a suggestion for an activity friends can do together to act on what the devotion taught.

Unlike many devotionals, this one is more than just one small verse printed on a page and then someone else’s opinions about that one verse. This one truly encourages getting into God’s Word for yourself. The other strength of it is that it is intended to have friends hold each other accountable to spiritual growth. I highly recommend this book.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Ecclesiastes 4:12 – Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

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

A Road Unknown

She winced at the word. Home. She was leaving everything and everybody she knew to go to a place she’d never visited in her life. It was exciting. It was terrifying.

Book: A Road Unknown by Barbara Cameron, Abington Press, 2014

Genre: Amish Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 17-25

Subjects: Amish Culture, Selfishness, Trust in God, Dating Relationships, God’s Will

Summary: It feels so wrong, but she is to the point of not knowing how to do anything else. Life has just gotten to be too much at home. Being the oldest of nine children Elizabeth spends all of her time and focus helping mother her siblings. It’s not that she doesn’t love her siblings, she does. It’s just that she wants more out of life. She has hopes and dreams just like every other young girl. So she sets off for another world, the world of the English. She moves in with a pen pal and finds a job working for other Amish, including a very good looking single boss her age! But there’s still a tug back towards home, a tug towards finding peace, being sure of who she is and where she is supposed to be. It’s time for Elizabeth to figure out just what God wants of her.

Notes: Like many Amish stories, part of the focus of this one is on the comparison between the two cultures and the rigid rules of some of the Amish communities. This one has a strong focus on the personal element, Elizabeth figuring out for herself who she is supposed to be rather than the church leader telling her who to be. And it’s not a decision of whether or not to remain Amish, simply a decision of whether or not to grow up, fall in love, get married, move out, etc. instead of stay at home and continue raising her siblings.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 3/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Matthew 6:26 – Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

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

Landing page: 

http://litfusegroup.com/author/bcameron

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Barbara Cameron is celebrating the release of A Road Unknown with a $200 Visa cash card giveaway and a fun "Amish Roads" Facebook party.

One winner will receive:

• A $200 Visa cash card
• A Road Unknown by Barbara Cameron

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on February 27th. Winner will be announced at Barbara's "Amish Roads" Facebook Party on February 27th. Connect with Barbara for an evening of book chat, Amish trivia, laughter, prizes, and more!

So grab your copy of A Road Unknown and join Barbara and friends on the evening of February 27th 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!)