Sophie Steps Up

Sophie LaCroix, sixth-grader, drama queen, and Corn Flake, is back to help girls learn another lesson about themselves and what God expects of them. In Sophie Steps Up, Book Four in the Sophie series, FaithGirlz author Nancy Rue tackles what it means to accept others.

Sophie is an imaginative girl with a flair for drama. Together with her friends, Fiona, Maggie and Kitty, they make up the Corn Flakes. Unlike the popular Corn Pops, the Corn Flakes pray, try to be kind to others, and try to embrace their uniqueness. In addition to typical sixth-grade struggles, Sophie has a habit of getting lost in imaginary worlds and being imaginary characters. Since she has had a hard time staying on task in school and keeping her grades up, her parents have been taking her to counseling with Dr. Peter. His kind eyes and wise suggestions make Sophie look forward to her weekly visits with him.

When the girls' art teacher announces their next project is to be a performance (for the St. Patrick's Day competition), and they can pick their own groups, Sophie and her friends are thrilled. They already make movies for fun, and are only slightly put off when Miss Blythe tells them it must be a live performance. But when new student, Darbie O'Grady, arrives in class and Miss Blythe assigns her to Sophie's group, the Corn Flakes stability is shaken. To make matters worse, Dr. Peter changes Sophie's visits to an "as-needed" basis, Darbie seems, ". . .sullen and annoyed and smoldering no matter what was going on," and Maggie, who was supposed to make their costumes, is reassigned to a group with the popular girls.

The closer the performance deadline gets, the more frustrated the girls become. When one planning meeting after another ends in disaster, Sophie finally asks her parents if she can talk to Dr. Peter. She is afraid she is falling into her old habits of escaping into imaginary worlds. Sophie is pleasantly surprised when her parents promise to help her, instead, but their conversation is ruined by Sophie's sister, Lacie, who is always in some sort of crisis. Eventually, Sophie reads the Bible story about Jesus washing the disciples feet, and decides she needs to wash Darbie's feet. Sophie decides a tea party will show her good intentions.

After learning more about Northern Ireland and the tragedies in Darbie's past, Sophie and Darbie decide to write a play to teach the rest of the class about Northern Ireland. However, Fiona quickly lets Sophie know she is feeling left out, and soon Sophie and Darbie are literally washing Fiona's feet. Like most sixth-grade messes, the friends work everything out and go on to stage a presentation sure to make everyone think, regardless of whether it wins the competition.

What I Like: Rue captures the confusing, frustrating and emotional world of sixth-grade, but she keeps the love and hope of Christ front and center in the book. I love the fact Sophie is seeing a counselor, and I enjoy his gentle manner and biblical advice. By taking the Bible at it's word, Sophie learns how to relate like Jesus to a new friend and also how to accept the idiosyncrasies of an old friend.

I always like books where we get to see friends having disagreements and working things out. Dealing with conflict is so hard, but such an important life skill, and Rue gives girls lots of examples of being selfless, apologizing, and thinking about other perspectives.

I have to admit I'm biased, but having a sister, brother-in-law, and niece living in Northern Ireland, I enjoyed the cultural references and colloquial speech Rue included. My daughter really liked the book too.

What I Dislike: I kept getting confused about the Corn Pops and Corn Flakes, and I think it is sad there are so many "cliques" represented, but this probably is realistic in a lot of school situations.

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 9-12, but this installment would be fine for 8 and up

Publisher Info: Zonderkidz, 2009; ISBN: 978-0-310-71841-3; Paperback, $6.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $5.49

OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $6.99.

Special Info: Sophie Steps Up was published in 2005 as Sophie's Irish Showdown.
You can view reviews of other works by Nancy Rue here.
Check out other FaithGirlz titles here.

Meghan Rose on Stage

NOTE: This review was written before we knew Lori Z. Scott or she became a reviewer at Christian Children's Book Review.


Meghan Rose on Stage, written by grade school teacher Lori Z. Scott, is a good place to begin when your child is ready for an essentially non-illustrated chapter book.

Meghan Rose is a typical first grader, and when she learns her school is having a talent show, she's excited - and a bit worried. What, exactly, is her talent? That girl she doesn't care much for, Lynette, plays the piano. Her good friend Ryan dribbles balls and is great at blowing bubbles. But Meghan isn't good at anything at all. So she prays about it.

Later, her moms says,

"God gives each of us different talents. Don't compare yourself too much to other people. Just focus on what you can do best...The Bible tells us to be content in all situations. Content with much...or with little."

When at last Meghan decides her talent show act will be performing "the awesome, amazing, incredible, frightening volcano demonstration" (i.e., making a clay volcano erupt with baking soda and vinegar), she feels much more confident. But then her friend Ryan uses the water bottle she's filled with vinegar to water the class plants. Her act is ruined. Now what will she do?

It's not until Lynette gets a terrible case of stage fright that Meghan realizes what her true talent is. She tells her teacher: "I prayed for an idea, Mrs. Arnold...And I thought about what I do best. And it isn't jumping. Or chanting...It's being a friend..." So Meghan asks Lynette and many of her other classmates to join her on stage. And they are great.

What I Like: This book reminds me a lot of the Natalie books by Dandi Daley Mackall, which are targeted more toward preschoolers and kindergartners. Meghan isn't quite as well written, but is penned in an easier to read style. If you and your children like Nat, then you'll probably like Meghan, too. Other readers have compared this book to the mainstream series about Junie B. Jones.

Meghan is flawed, but wants to please God, and we see her dealing with common things like jealousy and wishing not-so-nice people ill - and then feeling guilty about it - with prayer. There is some humor; for example Meghan's mom tells her she'll grow eyes in the back of her head when she becomes a mother, and Meghan decides the lumps just behind her eyes are really her "eye buds," which will open up upon having a child.

A neat bonus is the inclusion of a few discussion questions at the end of the book, plus five activities to try (including creating a clay, baking soda, and vinegar volcano). There are also five black and white line, cartoon-like illustrations by Stacy Curtis scattered throughout the book.

What I Dislike: There are times when Meghan Rose On Stage's first grade characters seem to speak with the maturity of an adult. Nonetheless, the book as a whole has good kid appeal.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 6 - 8, but older kids generally don't like reading about younger children. On the other hand, my 4 year old really enjoyed having this title read to her.

Publishing Info: Standard, 2007; ISBN: 978-0784721032; paperback, $4.99.

Buy Now at ChristianBook.com for $3.99, or buy the boxed set of Meghan Rose books for $15.99.

Or Buy at Amazon.com for $4.99.

Special Info: Visit Lori Z. Scott's website for activities, jokes, and interviews with the author.

Peril and Peace

For an introduction to early Christian church history, it's tough to imagine a more compelling book than Peril and Peace, volume one in "History Lives: Chronicles of the Ancient Church" by Mindy and Brandon Withrow. It is a surprisingly good page-turner.

The Withrows combine great knowledge of history with the novelists art, making this volume a fun read even for kids who normally think history is boring. Nearly every chapter is a novelized snippet of early Christian life, covering such important Christians as Paul (Saul), Polycarp, Justin, Origen, Cyprian, Constantine, Athanasius, Cappadocians, Ambrose, Augustine, John Chrysostom, Jerome, Patrick, and Benedict. Full of action, dialogue, and interesting details, these chapters make me wish I was reading an entire historical novel about each individual, rather than only a single chapter about them.

Modern Christians will have a tough time not scrutinizing their own lives after reading about the trials of many of these early Christians, who often preferred to die in the name of the Lord rather than run from their persecutors. This is no dry rendering, full of dates about when the early church began doing this or that. This book focuses on famous martyrs and church formers and what life was like for them.

We can also see some problems never change. For example, it's nothing new for the government to find Christianity a threat, and it's an ancient trend for those who encourage others to focus on God and his Word, rather than worldly pleasures, to find popularity passes them by.

There are also a few nonfiction chapters interspersed throughout, introducing readers to life in the early church, how we got the Bible as it reads today, and very general information on how early Christians worshiped. In the back of the book, there's also a map of early Christendom, plus a bibliography of sources.

What I Like: Nearly everything. This book is a superb way to introduce reluctant students to history, and of making ancient church history come to life. Kids who are already interested in history will also find this a fascinating and moving introduction to early Christianity. The authors are highly skilled; even adults will find this book a page turner.

Too, the authors carefully stay away from subjects that might cause disputes between Catholics and Protestants, which is a good thing, I think, for an introduction into the subject of early Christendom.

Peril and Peace also sells for an excellent price, considering it's over 227 pages long.

What I Dislike: The first chapter made my eyes glaze over. And I like history. But once you're past that first background-supplying chapter, I think you'll find everything else excellent.

That said, there isn't a lot of information in this particular book about how the Christian church formed after Christ's death. How did they develop early church practices, like gathering on Sunday instead of the Jewish Saturday Sabbath? We never learn. Also note that this is a history - not a defense of - the early church. Actually, it's more a glimpse into the life of the Christians who shaped the Christian church.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 9 to 12, but some slightly younger children will enjoy the novelized chapters read to them, and teenagers and adults can fully enjoy this book, too.

Publisher Info: Christian Focus Publications, 2006; ISBN: 1845500822; paperback, $8.99

Buy it Now at Amazon.com for $8.99

The Story of Saint Patrick

It can be difficult to find books about Saint Patrick that are suitable for Protestants, but The Story of Saint Patrick by James A. Janda is one such book.

Janda's book is a blend of stories from Patrick's autobiography and legends created about him, beginning with his boyhood in England and his capture by Celts. Patrick is sold as a slave in Ireland and becomes a shepherd.

"He missed his family and friends. He had no one to turn to. It was in his sadness that Patrick started to pray. He began talking to God and God listened."

After six long years, Patrick has a dream he'll soon leave Ireland. Upon waking, he rushes to the harbor and, indeed, finds a ship ready to take him back to England.

However, once in England, Patrick dreams the Irish are begging him to return to the Emerald Isle. Patrick knows he wants to be a priest so he can bring "the peace of Christ" to the Irish, and promptly begins his studies.

Now a priest, Patrick sails back to Ireland, but before he can begin preaching, Patrick must obtain permission to do so from the king. On the way to the palace, a number of people become his followers. On Easter Eve, the group makes camp and builds a fire to warm themselves. The king sees the fire in the distance. His chief Druid, Lochru, says it is "against the law to light a fire during these sacred days;" therefore, Patrick must die. Hearing horses in the distance, Patrick walks ahead to meet Lochru. He says "Let us see whose weapons are more powerful - the angels' shield of light or weapons made to hurt and harm." When Lochru's men come upon Patrick, they are physically unable to attack him. Finally the king invites Patrick to the castle.

On the day Patrick and his men are to see the king, however, Lochru plans to ambush and kill them. But he and his men never see Patrick pass by; they only see a group of deer. Patrick greets the king and tells him about Christ. The king and queen are moved, and the king says:

"Let all know that Patrick has my protection and consent to spread the message of Christ, his God, throughout my kingdom."

Patrick spends the rest of his life preaching in Ireland. He teaches the Irish about the trinity by pointing to the shamrock and it's three leaves: "See, the clover has three leaves, but it is one." He dies in Ireland at an old age.

What I Like: I appreciate Janda's use of Patrick's autobiography and that he emphasizes the man's constant trust in the Lord. I also like how this book portrays Patrick's fight against the pagans of Ireland (although the author never explains what Druids are), and how he won them over with love. The illustrations by Christopher Fay are simple black and white drawings but they do an excellent job of portraying character.

What I Dislike: I appreciate that the author chooses some lesser-known tales about Patrick, but I would have liked a mention of Patrick banishing snakes from the land. And while overall I like Fay's illustrations, it's a little odd that they are in several different styles. Some are sketchy, others far more detailed, and some resemble woodcuts; it's as if several illustrators worked on the book, instead of one.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 4 to 8, but do note the illustrations are black and white drawings, which don't appeal to many young kids.

Publisher Info: Paulist Press, 2005; ISBN: 0809166232; softcover; $6.95

Buy it Now from ChristianBook.com for $5.99,

OR buy it from Amazon.com for $6.95

The Story of Saint Patrick's Day

Candy Cane Press is known for their simple board boards introducing holidays, and The Story of Saint Patrick's Day by Patricia A. Pingry is a good example of this line.

Here, we learn about the major points of the holiday, including the fact that it's named after a real person. Patrick, Pingry tells us, was "taken to Ireland" when he was a boy; here, he became a shepherd. Grieving for his family, Patrick turned to God. Eventually, Patrick returned home, but he found himself missing Ireland. "So he studied hard and became a priest."

Patrick went back to Ireland to teach people about God. One famous story about Patrick says he told all the snakes to leave the land, and they did. We also learn that Patrick used the shamrock to teach people about the trinity. "Patrick taught that its three leaves stand for God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit."

Pingry wraps up the book by telling a bit about more modern St. Patrick's day things, like leprechauns (which "are make-believe") and St. Patrick's Day parades. But, Pingry writes, St. Patrick's Day is really about remembering "a godly man called Saint Patrick."

What I Like: This book is ideal for introducing young children to the history of St. Patrick's Day. It uses language suitable even for the youngest children, and is a great spring-board for learning more about the man credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. The illustrations by Pamela R. Levy are colorful and full of kid-appeal.

What I Dislike: If you're looking for much in the way of details, this is not the book for you. For example, we don't learn that Patrick was from Britain, and stolen by Celts and made a slave. We also don't learn that the legend of Patrick abolishing snakes from Ireland is almost certainly symbolic. (It's unlikely snakes ever lived on the island of Ireland; instead, the story is a metaphor for Patrick banishing paganism from the country.) But, as far as I'm concerned, that's okay. More details about the man and the holiday can come later, once young children understand the basics.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 4 to 8, but this book appeals more to toddlers and preschoolers than it does to older children.

Publisher Info: Candy Cane Press, 2002; ISBN: 0824941454; board book; $6.95

Buy it Now from ChristianBook.com for $5.49,

OR buy it from Amazon.com for $6.95

Special Info: Read our reviews for other Patricia Pingry books.