GIVEAWAY!!!!

Life. It gets in the way of plans sometimes. It’s been happening to me a lot lately. The evidence is that this giveaway was to happen a month ago and I'm just now getting to it!
So, here’s something else that might get in the way of all those nice, neat plans you have for your elementary kid: a whole entire pile of great new books to read! Zonderkidz is letting me do a giveaway for SEVEN new books! Some of these are especially incredible and I’d recommend everyone go buy themselves a copy if you don’t win the giveaway! :-)

To enter the giveaway:

1. Follow me on my blog with google friend connect for 1 point (including if you're already following)

2. Join my fb group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/116037821811737/ for 1 point
(including if you're already in the group)

3. Convince a friend to join my fb group - have them request to join and post a note telling me your name - for 1 point per friend

4. Buy any book I have reviewed on my blog using my amazon associate links - 2 points per book you buy

5. E-mail me at egilkinc@juno.com with the subject title: CTF Devourer Giveaway and tell me what all you did to enter the contest. The person with the most points will be chosen. If there is a tie, the winner will be chosen at random.

The contest will end April 3. 

And now, here are the books one of you can win for your child:

Book: Knock-Knock Jokes for Kids by Whee Winn, Zonderkidz, 2016

Notes: “Knock, knock”

“Oh no! Not that again” you groan. What is it with kids and knock-knock jokes? Why do they delight in telling the same thing over and over and over and over and over… (add a few hundred overs to that)

Worse still is when they get tired of them. And start to invent their own nonsensical ones! And expect you to laugh hysterically at them!

Yes, I’ve been there. I’ve known a couple of students who find knock-knock jokes to be the best thing ever.

Well, here’s one solution: a whole entire book full of knock-knock jokes. If they can memorize all of these it will be a while before they run out of fresh content! :-D

These are all focused on names. Here’s a great example:

“Knock, knock”

“Who’s there?”

“Howard.”

“Howard who?”

“Howard can it be to guess a knock-knock joke?”

Using names such as Greta, Les, Gladys, Mickey, Mia, Justin, Haman, Meg, this book contains over 250 jokes for children.

If you have a little on addicted to knock-knock jokes, this is one book you’re going to want to have on hand!

Book: The Purpose Driven Life Devotional For Kids by Rick Warren, Zonderkidz, 2016

Notes: When Rick Warren wrote The Purpose Driven Life, his popularity soared. Christians and Non-Christians read it. It was on display shelves, not just at Christian bookstores, but even Wal-Mart. It provided direction to a lot of people. In this book, he is taking the principles he taught and turning them into a year’s worth of devotions for children. I’d say the age group is targets is 3^rd-6^th grade. It follows the standard devotional format – a verse on the top already written out for you, a lesson in the middle discussing what the author thinks the verse means and how it applies to the life of the reader, and a written prayer at the bottom. In general, I don’t recommend devotionals like this as I think it’s best for kids to actually be reading the Bible themselves, not just seeing verses printed in other books. However, it does have good lessons. And it can be used as a really great starting point for a Bible Study lesson. There’s no reason you couldn’t look up the verse and read the context in the Bible, read the lesson and discuss your own application, then pray your own prayer. The lessons that are here are well done though. In fact, on day 34, the Gospel message is communicated and readers are encouraged to make a decision. I like how the book closes as well. The last lesson is focused on summarizing and responding to the overall take-away from the book by praising the God learned about in the book.

Another note on the book is that the author intentionally uses 9 different translations/paraphrases of the Bible in order to best communicate his message and decrease the apathy that can sometimes come with something being too familiar.

Book: The Plans I Have For You Devotional by Amy Parker, Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton, Zonderkidz, 2016

Notes: This devotional looks and feels more like a book you’d read in one setting. The table of contents clearly shows it is divided into 90 days of devotions, but once you open it to the actual devotions it presents a very different feel. Each page is loaded with fun, colorful illustrations. Sometimes a day’s devotion is on one page, sometimes it’s two pages and occasionally, seems to even be three pages. The devotions aren’t numbered, just titled. Each devo begins with a verse, then goes into a creative, free form sort of design where it discusses an idea and gives something to think about. It does not have a pre-written prayer. It encourages you to make it a point to talk to God every day though.

The book is meant to be used along with the next book:

Book: The Plans I Have For You Journal by Amy Parker, Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton, Zonderkidz, 2016

Notes: This is a fun companion to the devotional. Not all of the lessons perfectly correlate, but many do. The journal challenges kids to actually stop and think about what they read in some way or another. Draw a picture, make a list, record a dream or a prayer. Each page has them engaging with the text in some form. This is a great way to take devotions a step farther. It’s easy to just read some words and not think about them. It’s not so easy to remain distant when you have to be creative and respond to the text.

Book: Big Dreams Big Prayers Bible For Kids

This is a brand new Bible. It could target either gender, but I think especially boys would be drawn to the black, green, red and blue colors. It seems to be geared at about middle elementary-Jr. High, maybe ages 8-15. It’s not “kiddish” enough that a teenager would feel a need to get a new Bible though. The highlights of this Bible are the devotions focused around prayers and prayer journaling pages. It also has some insert pages with things such as “how to use the Bible” or “books of the Bible”. It puts a light blue box around verses it recommends for memorization or meditation. It has an introduction to each book with the facts such as who wrote it, when it was written, etc. It is in the NIV 2010/11 translation.

And now, for the books that impressed me the most, 2 books I did a review on a while ago:

Maybe Mia was the one who’d usually lead a charge, but Maddie wasn’t going to let this criminal get away. Not only had she been waiting all day to see “Sun-Splattered Afternoon,” but it was wrong to take a painting, something that had been made so long ago and which could never be replaced. Maddie made up her mind. Even if it was against the rules to run in a museum, this situation was obviously the exception. “He’s getting away!” she called to her sisters. Maddie sprinted for the stairs.

Book: London Art Chase by Natalie Grant, Zonderkidz, 2016

   

Genre: Realistic Fiction/Adventure

Target Audience: Girls 9-13

Subjects: Identity, Courage, Obedience, Sibling Relationships, Parent Relationship

Summary: A trip to London with Mom’s tour sounds great! A fancy hotel, a beautiful art museum, famous landmarks – what could be better? Well, six year old Lulu can think of something, but neither of her ten year old sisters agree, at least not until Maddie spies a man sneakily removing a painting from the wall of the museum and disappearing with it! Now Maddie is fully convinced of the value of solving a mystery! The trouble is that no one wants to take her seriously. The museum workers certainly don’t. And her twin doesn’t. And Miss Julia, her nanny doesn’t. Maddie knows what she saw and heard though. And she recognizes that maybe everyone’s doubts are ok – it gives Maddie a chance to prove her worth. Maybe she can figure out what her role as a Glimmer sister is this way.

Notes: London Art Chase is the first in the Glimmer Girls series – a series by music artist, Natalie Grant. She writes a story comparable to her own life – 3 daughters, the oldest two twins, a singer mom, a producer dad. The strength of the story is in the way the family lives out their faith, making it a party of everything they do. It shows young girls asking the kinds of questions girls do at that age and parents giving them the answers they need, directing them to the right source. In this first book, one of the ten year old twins is trying to figure out her role in the family. Their family motto is “Glimmer girls glitter and shine, but most of all be kind”. Maddie can’t figure out how she glitters or shines. She’s shy, non-confrontational and terrified of being on stage. When she fixates on solving a mystery everyone doubts exists, she finally finds the courage to take a stand on something and finds her place in the family. The spiritual emphasis elements in this book are everywhere. As mentioned above, the family is portrayed as a godly family trying to let their faith determine all of their actions. The mom reacts to situations in a normal mode, then forces herself to calm down and patiently listen to her daughter, imparting wisdom and understanding, intentionally guiding her daughter to what is right. For me personally, that’s where the highlight of the book is – in a couple conversations the mom has with Maddie, patiently listening, showing her that someone will take her seriously, and then teaching her to respond to fears and worries with prayer – turning them over to God to let Him deal with them. She uses Philippians 4:6-7 to show Maddie how to respond correctly to the situation.  The mom and the dad encourage the girls to pray about anything, just openly telling God what they are thinking and feeling. There is some discussion about God’s will – in kid terms of course. Maddie tries to convince herself that God wants her to stop the thief – herself, and that it’s ok to break her parents’ rules for it, then recognizes that it’s not true at all. She finally learns that God made her with her own way to “glimmer” and she doesn’t need to break rules to solve mysteries to do it. I highly recommend this book to young girls at the age of asking questions about their faith and their identity.  It does a great job showing realistic characters they could relate to while giving firm answers to the questions they have.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

1 John 2:5-6 – But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

Mia rolled her coin in her hand, and as they passed by the well, she tossed it in. Please, God, help me solve this mystery. She had no idea if God answered prayers like this one, but she had to at least try. It’s for me, kind of, because I want to solve a mystery of my own, like Maddie. But it’s also for the animals. I don’t want them to be in danger.

Book: A Dolphin Wish by Natalie Grant, Zonderkidz, 2016

Genre: Realistic Fiction/Adventure

Target Audience: Girls 9-13

Subjects: Identity, Obedience, Sibling Relationships, Parent Relationship

Summary: Something is just off. Mia has felt it ever since the trip to London when Maddie pulled her disobedience stunt to solve a mystery. She’s not quite sure who her sister is anymore. And she’s kind of jealous. Maddie got praised for solving the mystery and showing courage. Maybe it’s time for Mia to solve her own mystery. Maybe then things will get back to normal. What could be mysterious at an Adventure Park though? Well, perhaps animals randomly escaping their pens and walking free around the park! Who on earth would risk hurting the animals by letting them out? Don’t they know all the dangers the animals are going to face? Mia no longer wants to solve the mystery just for herself. She wants to help protect the animals too!

Notes: A Dolphin Wish is the second in the Glimmer Girls series – a series by music artist, Natalie Grant. She writes a story comparable to her own life – 3 daughters, the oldest two twins, a singer mom, a producer dad. The strength of the story is in the way the family lives out their faith, making it a party of everything they do. It shows young girls asking the kinds of questions girls do at that age and parents giving them the answers they need, directing them to the right source.

In this second book, the second of the twins is now trying to figure out who she is as she is growing up. She feels as though she and her twin are starting to separate a bit, there’s just this distance between them. Mia “felt like the world had turned upside down. It was the strangest feeling, as though someone had swapped her sister for a stranger”. She’s also, just like Maddie in book one, trying to figure out her role in the Glimmer family – what makes her sparkle and shine? She tries a couple of different things to get her answers or to put her world right again, but fails. The harder she tries to push her own agenda, the further away from her family she feels. Just as in the last book, a strength of the story comes with the character of the mom. When Mia talks with her about what she’s feeling, her mom explains that God did not make everything black and white and simple. She tells Mia that from God’s “perspective, right and wrong are simple to see. But from our limited perspective, it’s not simple at all”. She talks with her about how Jesus messed up the black and white system of the Pharisees and wouldn’t always explain Himself or answer all the questions asked of Him. She encourages Mia to take her concerns to God, to pray about them. Then she encourages Mia that it’s ok for her and Maddie to be carving out their own identity, that it doesn’t make either of them not Glimmer Girls.

I highly recommend this book to young girls at the age of asking questions about their faith and their identity.  It does a great job showing realistic characters they could relate to while giving firm answers to the questions they have.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

James 1:5 - If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Matthew 5:23-24 - “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

Remnants, Season of Glory

“You think the Maker is calling you west? You really think you can turn Zanzibar or Georgiii Post into friends of the Maker? Why not continue to await people to come to you here? I can tell you that word already spreads, everywhere I go.” He paused to look over us. “You bring the people hope, just by living. Why not remain here, where you can be relatively safe?”

Kapriel gave him a tiny smile. “Because our Maker hasn’t called us to life a safe life. He’s called us to live a life of trust. If he sends us, there is a reason.”

Book: Remnants, Season of Glory by by Lisa T. Bergren, Blink, 2015

Genre: Post-Apoctalyptic, Allegory

Target Audience: Girls 15+

Subjects: Love, Relationships, Good vs. Evil, Hope, Truth

Summary: Together again the Ailith rejoice in the strength that comes from their togetherness. And they rejoice at how a hostile city humbles itself before it’s Maker. Even more cause for rejoicing comes when the elders recognize that the Maker is doing things differently than the traditions and lighten one of the burdens placed on the Ailith. The trails aren’t over, however. Right as they return home, triumphant and exultant, a newcomer to the Valley meets them. A man born to be a brother but turned traitor: Kellach. He wants them to believe he has changed, that being a part of the Ailith is his greatest desire. Adrianna knows the Maker’s call is on his life, but she and the others also know that Sethos’ call is on his life as well. Their season of glory is also one of tests and trials. Wisdom, strength and discernment are in high demand.

Notes: Season of Glory is the third in the Remnants series. This series shows a world after a great war, a world where much knowledge and products have been destroyed. A prophecy came forth that some day the Ailith would come and free the people from the evil ones who enslave the world. On the day they were born, it was felt all over and these called were hidden away and trained for seventeen years. Then on the same day, all around a call came that it was time to venture into the world and unite with the others. They come in sets of two: a “Remnant” – one who has a special talent or skill and a “Knight” who lives to protect the Remnant. All knowledge is given on a need-to-know basis, to the characters and to the reader. The spiritual element is that all the good guys in the story believe in an all-powerful Maker. He gives strength and gifts to His followers. There is no discussion of who He is – the salvation He brings, but He is worshiped and believed to be capable of providing power. There is also words that represent the Bible. Actual physical books are lost due to the war but the words of Scripture are passed down and learned by those who follow the Maker.

In book two, these is an element of questioning the call to walk into danger rather than stay and hide in safety. The desire of all is for the lost to be reached, but some believe the lost will just come to them. The Ailith believe themselves to be called to go out into the hurting world and bring the Maker to them.

There is also a very strong element of who is in control of your life. Kellach and Adrianna both wrestle with control. At one point, Ronan explains the struggles as the simplest, yet most difficult thing to do – let go of your own control and allow the Maker to be in charge. Kellach is determined to do what he, himself wants, not Sethos or the Maker or anyone else.

Overall, this book did a good job portraying the idea of someone called by God to save the world and attempting to follow His leading and rely on Him for strength to do the task.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 4.5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Romans 12:1-2 – Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform 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.

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

Without A Trace

Sam couldn’t sit still. She headed to her room as soon as the news went into the final weather forecast. She didn’t know what she could do, but knew she needed to do something. Anything. Which, as far as she could tell, was more than the sheriff’s office was doing.

Book: Without a Trace (Samantha Sanderson) by Robin Caroll, Zonderkidz, 2016

Genre: Realistic Fiction/Mystery

Target Audience: Girls 11-15

Subjects: Family Relationships, Rumors, Truth, Friendship

Summary: Tam? Missing? That doesn’t even make sense to Sam. He’s the responsible student. He’s the last one she would have pegged as a runaway. So when the police treat his disappearance as exactly that, Sam knows they are wrong and begins her own investigation. Talking to some of Tam’s friends at school, listening to a conversation with the school officials and police, digging into his school reports and getting Makayla to hack into Tam’s facebook account all lead her to conclude that something has gone seriously wrong.

Notes: This is the fourth in a series about a middle-school girl with a passion for cheerleading and investigative writing. She is a strong Christian who takes her faith seriously. She encounters friends who are not Christians and makes a strong effort to not look down on them, but rather show them love and hope that they come to know the Savior she has found. This series is a part of the faithgirlz imprint – books for girls 5^th-8^th grade that specifically focus on helping their grow in their faith. In this book Samantha continues to wrestle with ethics in reporting. She does a few things she knows are disobedient or illegal – and gets in trouble for those. Her mom supports her when she pushes the boundaries but stays within the rules though. An interesting comment from her mom is when she says “Sam, you have to know that Dad’s always on your side. He’s just required to color a little more in the lines than I am.” There is kind of an implication that her dad, as a policeman, has to follow the rules more closely than her mom, an investigative reporter. It doesn’t actually say that her mom approves her breaking rules – as mentioned above, she is in trouble when she actually does. But sneaky things like spying or publishing an article with information thought by the adults to be confidential is allowed. The overall theme of the book is following your own instinct. Sam is convinced something happened to Tam and determined to find out what, even though the police don’t agree. The spiritual elements aren’t really a focus of this book. The others in the series have a much stronger focus. There is still the element of praying when they are concerned for Tam and thanking God when something good happens. Overall though, this particular book is more just a focus on the mystery.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 3/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Isaiah 30:21 – Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
Thank you to the publishers for providing me with a free review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

A Dolphin Wish

Mia rolled her coin in her hand, and as they passed by the well, she tossed it in. Please, God, help me solve this mystery. She had no idea if God answered prayers like this one, but she had to at least try. It’s for me, kind of, because I want to solve a mystery of my own, like Maddie. But it’s also for the animals. I don’t want them to be in danger.

Book: A Dolphin Wish (Faithgirlz / Glimmer Girls) by Natalie Grant, Zonderkidz, 2016

Genre: Realistic Fiction/Adventure

Target Audience: Girls 9-13

Subjects: Identity, Obedience, Sibling Relationships, Parent Relationship

Summary: Something is just off. Mia has felt it ever since the trip to London when Maddie pulled her disobedience stunt to solve a mystery. She’s not quite sure who her sister is anymore. And she’s kind of jealous. Maddie got praised for solving the mystery and showing courage. Maybe it’s time for Mia to solve her own mystery. Maybe then things will get back to normal. What could be mysterious at an Adventure Park though? Well, perhaps animals randomly escaping their pens and walking free around the park! Who on earth would risk hurting the animals by letting them out? Don’t they know all the dangers the animals are going to face? Mia no longer wants to solve the mystery just for herself. She wants to help protect the animals too!

Notes: A Dolphin Wish is the second in the Glimmer Girls series – a series by music artist, Natalie Grant. She writes a story comparable to her own life – 3 daughters, the oldest two twins, a singer mom, a producer dad. The strength of the story is in the way the family lives out their faith, making it a party of everything they do. It shows young girls asking the kinds of questions girls do at that age and parents giving them the answers they need, directing them to the right source.

In this second book, the second of the twins is now trying to figure out who she is as she is growing up. She feels as though she and her twin are starting to separate a bit, there’s just this distance between them. Mia “felt like the world had turned upside down. It was the strangest feeling, as though someone had swapped her sister for a stranger”. She’s also, just like Maddie in book one, trying to figure out her role in the Glimmer family – what makes her sparkle and shine? She tries a couple of different things to get her answers or to put her world right again, but fails. The harder she tries to push her own agenda, the further away from her family she feels. Just as in the last book, a strength of the story comes with the character of the mom. When Mia talks with her about what she’s feeling, her mom explains that God did not make everything black and white and simple. She tells Mia that from God’s “perspective, right and wrong are simple to see. But from our limited perspective, it’s not simple at all”. She talks with her about how Jesus messed up the black and white system of the Pharisees and wouldn’t always explain Himself or answer all the questions asked of Him. She encourages Mia to take her concerns to God, to pray about them. Then she encourages Mia that it’s ok for her and Maddie to be carving out their own identity, that it doesn’t make either of them not Glimmer Girls.

I highly recommend this book to young girls at the age of asking questions about their faith and their identity.  It does a great job showing realistic characters they could relate to while giving firm answers to the questions they have.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

James 1:5 - If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Matthew 5:23-24 - “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

Thank you to the publishers for providing me with a free review copy of this book in exchange for my honest option. I greatly enjoyed this book and will be recommending it to many friends!

London Art Chase

Maybe Mia was the one who’d usually lead a charge, but Maddie wasn’t going to let this criminal get away. Not only had she been waiting all day to see “Sun-Splattered Afternoon,” but it was wrong to take a painting, something that had been made so long ago and which could never be replaced. Maddie made up her mind. Even if it was against the rules to run in a museum, this situation was obviously the exception. “He’s getting away!” she called to her sisters. Maddie sprinted for the stairs.

Book: London Art Chase (Faithgirlz / Glimmer Girls) by Natalie Grant, Zonderkidz, 2016

Genre: Realistic Fiction/Adventure

Target Audience: Girls 9-12

Subjects: Identity, Courage, Obedience, Sibling Relationships, Parent Relationship

Summary: A trip to London with Mom’s tour sounds great! A fancy hotel, a beautiful art museum, famous landmarks – what could be better? Well, six year old Lulu can think of something, but neither of her ten year old sisters agree, at least not until Maddie spies a man sneakily removing a painting from the wall of the museum and disappearing with it! Now Maddie is fully convinced of the value of solving a mystery! The trouble is that no one wants to take her seriously. The museum workers certainly don’t. And her twin doesn’t. And Miss Julia, her nanny doesn’t. Maddie knows what she saw and heard though. And she recognizes that maybe everyone’s doubts are ok – it gives Maddie a chance to prove her worth. Maybe she can figure out what her role as a Glimmer sister is this way.

Notes: London Art Chase is the first in the Glimmer Girls series – a series by music artist, Natalie Grant. She writes a story comparable to her own life – 3 daughters, the oldest two twins, a singer mom, a producer dad. The strength of the story is in the way the family lives out their faith, making it a party of everything they do. It shows young girls asking the kinds of questions girls do at that age and parents giving them the answers they need, directing them to the right source. In this first book, one of the ten year old twins is trying to figure out her role in the family. Their family motto is “Glimmer girls glitter and shine, but most of all be kind”. Maddie can’t figure out how she glitters or shines. She’s shy, non-confrontational and terrified of being on stage. When she fixates on solving a mystery everyone doubts exists, she finally finds the courage to take a stand on something and finds her place in the family. The spiritual emphasis elements in this book are everywhere. As mentioned above, the family is portrayed as a godly family trying to let their faith determine all of their actions. The mom reacts to situations in a normal mode, then forces herself to calm down and patiently listen to her daughter, imparting wisdom and understanding, intentionally guiding her daughter to what is right. For me personally, that’s where the highlight of the book is – in a couple conversations the mom has with Maddie, patiently listening, showing her that someone will take her seriously, and then teaching her to respond to fears and worries with prayer – turning them over to God to let Him deal with them. She uses Philippians 4:6-7 to show Maddie how to respond correctly to the situation.  The mom and the dad encourage the girls to pray about anything, just openly telling God what they are thinking and feeling. There is some discussion about God’s will – in kid terms of course. Maddie tries to convince herself that God wants her to stop the thief – herself, and that it’s ok to break her parents’ rules for it, then recognizes that it’s not true at all. She finally learns that God made her with her own way to “glimmer” and she doesn’t need to break rules to solve mysteries to do it. I highly recommend this book to young girls at the age of asking questions about their faith and their identity.  It does a great job showing realistic characters they could relate to while giving firm answers to the questions they have.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

1 John 2:5-6 – But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

Treasure Of The Battersea Bluffs

Em started forward again at a fast pace. Josh followed lost in thought. Why did Em say they were no longer in the twenty-first century? Even his girlfriend was delusional. He had heard of mass hysteria. Was there such a thing as mass hallucinations? Was he the only sane person in the area?

Josh put a comforting arm around Em as they skirted a large elm tree. “Em, I think you’re experiencing some kind of hallucination along with Ezra who thinks he’s a slave, and Blackburn who thinks… well, it doesn’t matter what he thinks, he’s just plain crazy and needs to be locked up.

Book: Treasure of the Battersea Bluffs by Sarah Norkus, Living Ink Books, 2014

Genre: Historical Fiction/Adventure

Target Audience: Girls 13-18

Subjects: Civil War, Time Travel, Trials, Trust in God

Summary: Not again! When Emily Grace feels that same nausea and then loss of feeling as she collapses to the floor, she knows what is happening and begs God to stop it. Instead, Josh rushes over to see what’s wrong and the next thing they know, they are both waking up in 1770! This time, a man is determined to rape a young girl and when Em and Josh intervene with the help of a nearby slave, they find themselves on the run from the man. Unfortunately though, they are not merely witnesses of his attempted crime, but are the obstacles stopping him from recovering a lost treasure that will make him wealthy. The greed that controls the man consumes him and he will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

Notes: This is the second in the time travel series about a girl in her mid-teens who finds a diary hidden in an old house and travels through time to learn more about the character of God and grow in her faith. In this book the girl has to learn to trust God when she has a fear of the future. In the last adventure she had a memory loss for most of it and knew what was coming for the rest of it. In this book, she can not figure out what is she supposed to do and why God has not sent her back yet. She’s uncomfortable, in danger, and afraid. A slave also gets a chance to increase his trust in God due to Josh’s sharing his faith with him. The characters turn to God for help, asking Him for strength or guidance when in trouble and recognize that they are in this time period to accomplish some purpose of God’s rather than some kind of accident or chance happening. The spiritual focus of the book is not quite as prevalent as the first book in the series, but still very good.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 4/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Psalm 82:3 – Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.

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

The Secret Diary of Sarah Chamberlain

The moment she saw the small brown book, a loud roar filled Em’s ears, accompanied by a sharp pain to her head, followed by dizziness. She emitted a soft groan.

Book: The Secret Diary of Sarah Chamberlain by Sarah Norkus, Living Ink Books, 2012

Genre: Historical Fiction/Adventure

Target Audience: Girls 13-18

Subjects: Civil War, Time Travel, Trials, Trust in God

Summary: Cancer for her, loss of home for her aunt, loss of husband for Sarah. If God really exists He must not care much for His people. That’s Emily Grace’s conclusion. After some of the struggles she has faced she starts to doubt God and His love, but when she finds an old diary and reads about the murder of an innocent man right at the end of the civil war she makes her decision. God just simply doesn’t exist. As soon as she makes her decision, her life completely changes, but not in the way she thought. She finds herself unconscious, wakes up and she is back 150 years ago and a loss of memory. The family she falls in with is very godly, openly professing a faith she had denied 150 years in the future. As the days go by, she faces choices that will affect not only her and her time, but the past as well.

Notes: This is the first in the time travel series about a girl in her mid-teens who finds a diary hidden in an old house and travels through time to learn more about the character of God and grow in her faith. In this book the girl has to learn trust God even when bad things happen. The book does a good job covering the spiritual elements. The spiritual focus of the book is the theme running through the entire book. And (spoiler’s warning) the ending is not as tragic as I expected it to be!

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

James 1:2-4 – Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.