The Battle for Andy

On Andy's seventeenth birthday, his parents are killed in a car accident. As an only child, he was close to his parents, and embraced their Christianity. However, when his non-believing aunt learns he is heir to over a million dollars, she becomes enthralled with the idea of becoming his guardian and showing him the folly of his faith. Little does she realize, God has other plans for Andy.

Written in the style of Frank Peretti's This Present Darkness, The Battle for Andy explores the supernatural struggle for Andy's allegiance, and ultimately, his soul. Ann Correll writes a captivating, real-life mystery, using a spiritual warfare framework. As soon as Andy's parents die, Satan sends his servants to try to turn Andy away from God. God is not taken by surprise, however, and sends His own angels to protect Andy.

The servants of Satan quickly learn they can use Aunt Margaret's greed to negatively influence Andy. Margaret will stop at nothing, even if it means harming her own father, her husband, and Andy. Through it all, Andy's grandpa and his youth pastor stay close to him, uphold him with prayer, and guide him in the right paths. Obviously, God's side wins, and Andy stays strong in his faith.

What I Like: I love Ann Correll's heart. She clearly has a heart for teens, and hopes they all will know Jesus and trust Him, no matter what happens in their lives. I also like the way she uses Scripture throughout the book. Andy, his grandpa, and his youth pastor all know their Bibles, and can apply the Word of God to everyday situations. Correll includes a chapter-by-chapter list of Scriptures at the end of the book.

The Battle for Andy is also a good reminder of Ephesians 6: 12: "For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the . . .spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly high places." Correll clearly shows the power of prayer to defeat Satan's servants, and the wisdom of making good choices.

What I Dislike: I have a couple of concerns both with Correll's writing and theology. First, her grandmother's voice comes though in her writing. I don't mind this, but I am afraid teen boys won't get past the first chapter. Although she consistently speaks with love, she does sound a bit preachy and old-fashioned at times. Andy is seventeen, and is mature for his age, but still calls his grandfather "Papa." As I say, I don't mind Correll's voice, but I am not sure teens would read the whole book. Also, Andy and Margaret often call their fathers by their first names, which makes reading confusing. I had to go back and check who they were referring to more than once.

Secondly, Correll presents two theological issues I am not sure I agree with. She maintains God has no problem with Christians being wealthy, and uses Job and Abraham as examples. However, she never addresses Jesus' teachings that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

She also shows Andy's grandfather counseling Andy to ask God for a "sign" in the manner of Gideon. I believe this was acceptable in Old Testament times. However, since God sent the Holy Spirit to indwell believers after Jesus died, we can rely on His leading, and no longer need to ask for tangible "signs."

Although both these issues are controversial, I wouldn't want teens reading the book to assume they will be wealthy if they do the right thing. I also wouldn't want readers to always rely on "signs" to discern God's will.

Overall Rating: Good

Age Appeal: Young Adult (14-21)

Publisher Info: Tate Publishing Enterprises, 2011; ISBN: 978-61739; Paperback, 194 pages, $15.99

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Tiny Readers Zacchaeus

Tiny Readers Zacchaeus, by Juliet David, is a wee little board book about a wee little man. Instead of having a two-page spread, each page holds one or two lines of text and an image. The illustrations, done by Hannah Wood, are bright and kid-friendly. For example, the buildings of Jericho are purple in hue and comprised of simple geometric shapes with windows the only added detail. Each person has light-colored skin tones and pink circles on their cheeks.

What I Like: I like the sturdiness of board books. I appreciate that this particular one tells us “You can find out more about this story in your Bible in Luke 19:1-9.” For young kids, this book is a great introduction to a beloved Bible story. I’m happy that it is part of a series too, which includes stories about Jonah and Noah.

What I Dislike: Nothing really, but I will point out two very minor items. There is one page where I didn’t feel like the illustration accurately depicted the text. It said, “One day people heard that Jesus was visiting Jericho. They crowded the streets to see him.” Besides Jesus, there are only three other people in the picture. While it’s true that three is a crowd, I don’t think it works here. Also, three words seemed too old for the book: complained, perched, and astonished.

Overall Rating: Good

Age Appeal: The publisher lists ages 4-8, but to me, the book format and limited text make it better suited for a 2-5 age group.

Publisher Info: Candle Books, 2011; ISBN:978-1859858813; Boardbook, 18 PGS., $4.99

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Special Info: Read a CCBR review of another book in the Tiny Readers series, Loaves and Fish.

Shifty Characters

Author Shirley Francis-Salley, along with illustrator Willow Raven, has created a different kind of book called Shifty Characters. Together, they illustrate in both words and pictures, how “characters” can “shift” to create different words. Part of the text reads:

Shifty Characters love to move.
They won’t stand still for long.
They are always changing and rearranging,
until the word that was there is gone.

For example, the “characters” in the word “barn” can “shift” to create the word “bran”. Even though both words use the same letters, the two words have entirely different meanings.

The author gives several examples of “characters shifting” to make new words. Then she draws a connection between the “shifty characters” and people by saying this:

And that’s the way God works with us,
for we are characters, too.
We need to be changed and rearranged
to make our lives brand new.

She gives some examples of people being changed: People who like to fight can be changed to people who are caring and sharing. Rude and mean people can be changed to being kind.

The illustrations make the book work, especially in the first part of it, as the alphabetic “characters” have faces so they look a bit like people (who are also “characters”).

What I Like: The author makes a good correlation between alphabet characters and human ones and how God can change the human ones. The illustrator has done a great job of personifying the characters to make that point.

What I Dislike: However, as you may have noticed, the text is written in rhyme. And, like many of you already know, I’m not a big fan of rhyming text as it’s very difficult to do and do well. Unfortunately, the rhyme scheme and rhythm of the text is off in several places, making the text jarring to read.

Overall Rating: I still give it a good rating because the idea is a very good one.

Age Appeal: No age group is given but I would say 6-12 would be about right.

Publisher Info: Clay Jars Publishing, 2010; ISBN: 9780984336906 ; Paperback, $16.99.

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