Project Inspired: Review and Interview

Nicole Weider is on a mission: to help young girls avoid the traps that culture sets. The trap that baits you into thinking you must sacrifice your self-worth in order to be beautiful and popular. Nicole launched Project Inspired in 2010 (www.projectinspired.com), a website for teen girls that analyzes pop culture and explores ways girls can live in their authentic beauty.

In Project Inspired, Nicole shares tips for you to stay true to yourself—to how you were created to be—as well as how to dress modestly yet fashionably, how to make a positive difference in the world, and how to enjoy your teen years while standing firm in your faith. With photographs, real behind-the-scenes stories from inside the fashion world, and an honest look at living a life that looks great on the outside and feels great on the inside, Project Inspired is a book you’ll turn to time and time again.


What I Like: From the very beginning of the book Nicole Weider, tells her testimony of being a young model in Hollywood and the pitfalls she faced in the "glamour" of being famous. So from the start she lets us know that she can actually relate to young girls trying to fit a mold, be liked by her peers and the desire to pursue a life she wanted.

I was a little weary about a book that focused on appearance but the book delves into feeling good about yourself within in a simple and easy for girls to understand. Nicole offers scripture, fashion tips, and everything a teen girl talks about with her friends and thinks about when she is alone, but with a faith filled heart. It reminds me of a teen magazine with depth and scripture.

I teach high school bible studies and a recent lesson was all about personal appearance, so I took Nicole's book into class. The girls went wild for the book and I was pleasantly surprised.

I had the pleasure of conductin an interview with author Nicole Weider and you can read it below!

What I Dislike: Nothing

Overall Rating: Very Good

Age Appeal: 12-18

Publisher Info: Zondervan; 2015; ISBN:978-0310749394; Paperback, 168 pgs., $17.99

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Nicole Weider Interview 

CCBR: Hi Nicole! Congratulations on your new book, Project Inspired! I had the pleasure of reading it and was pleasantly surprised. In the beginning of the book you give us your testimony. Could you tell the moms out there a very condensed version of who you are?

Nicole: My testimony is pretty crazy to say the least! I wasn't raised in a Christian home, and I didn't have faith in my life. My family and I lived in Salem, Oregon but I always wanted to move down to LA to pursue modeling more full time. I moved when I was 16, and my agency bluntly told me no matter how thin I got, my body type wasn't made for high fashion- but it was great for lingerie and swimsuit work. I was a lingerie model for several years, and I thought it would be a glamorous experience, however it was the opposite- it was destroying my self esteem and my self worth. After a series of coincidences and bad circumstances, I fell into depression and wanted to get out of the modeling industry. Thankfully, my best friend Christina is an on-fire Christian and she was the one who encouraged me to go to church with her. She prayed for me continually, and told me how God could use my experiences for His glory. I gave my life to Jesus when I was 23, and it was the best decision I've ever made. After I became a Christian, I knew I wanted to share my testimony with people to warn them about the dangers of Hollywood and the destruction it can be, along with the hope of Jesus Christ and how He saved my life.

CCBR: I also had the opportunity to visit your website (www.ProjectInspired.com) and really liked it. Could you tell us a little about the site and how the book and site differ?

My book is different from the site because I share my best fashion secrets and skin care advice, how I knew my husband was the one, and so much more. I also answered the top questions I get from girls on everything from depression, to bullying.

CCBR: Here at CCBR we love books that are not just "clean" books but also spiritually filled. While reading Project Inspired, you talk about turning to self help books when you were in need of comfort but never really find it that way. How important was it that you include scripture and biblical principles in your book? 

Before I became a Christian, I didn't know where to turn to find hope and inspiration. I thought turning to self help books would be what I needed, when in reality nothing I could read would satisfy my soul unless I turned to God. After I made the commitment to Jesus and I saw firsthand how he transformed my life, I knew only God could save people from their doubts of self-worth. It was incredibly important to me that the book was based on Biblical principles and scriptures, along with covering all of the issues that teen girls want to know about.

CCBR: You are also a contributor for the NIV Bible For Teen Girls (Read our review HERE). Tell us how that came about.

Nicole: It was an incredible honor and privilege that Zondervan wanted to use excerpts from my new book in the teen Bible. It was completely unexpected, and it is such a blessing! I also consider it a God-incidence (what I like to call a coincidence, but not really because God orchestrates everything) that a page from my book is across from my favorite scripture which is Matthew 7:7 "ask, seek, knock." God is so loving, and He amazes me every day.

CCBR: So I know you are busy and I am sure somewhere one of our reader's kid is yelling for Mom, so I have just one more question. Why is Project Inspired good for our teen girls?

Nicole: My book is a great resource for teen girls, because I feature almost every topic that the girls ask me. My book is unique, because it's a Christian book while still encompassing things not usually talked about in the Christian genre such as what everyday wardrobe basics, how to combat acne, finding the perfect jeans, and so much more. I also weave in my personal story, along with sharing the Biblical stories and how they relate to our modern day world.

CCBR: Thank you so much for spending some time with CCBR. 

London Confidential Series

The London Confidential series by Sandra Byrd is "where British fashion, friendships and guys collide, and where an all-American girl learns to love life and live out her faith."

I introduced this series months ago with the first book, Asking for Trouble, but quickly devoured the entire series of four books. If you want a faith-based series of pure chick-lit for your young teen, this is the best I've found. It's authentic and upbeat and never once resorts to dramatic plotlines of sex, substance abuse, depression or other nasties that too often permeate today's YA literature. The main character is fresh, stylish and firmly grounded in a solid Christian faith.

Book 1: Asking for Trouble
This book introduces readers to fifteen-year-old Savannah (Savvy) Smith, originally from Seattle but now living in the UK with her mom, dad, and ten-year-old sister. Savvy dreams of being a journalist, but lacks the experience her new school, Wexburg Academy, requires. She juggles learning British customs with a crush on Jack, the newspaper editor, and trying to save both the paper and her social life from simultaneously going out of existence. She pitches the idea for an advice column, but must prove herself worthy if she wants to get the job. Can her faith and integrity withstand the pressure?

Book 2: Through Thick and Thin
We pick up right where the first book left off. Savvy is now the undercover writer of the advice column for Wexburg Academy Times, but desiring something a little less anonymous, Savvy turns to other avenues to get her name in print. An upcoming fashion show seems the ideal opportunity. But before long her aspirations toward literary fame and popularity take over and cloud her judgment. Savvy stumbles through some poor decisions, including personal makeovers with very bad consequences, a few social faux pas and a forbidden trip behind her parents' backs. Eventually, though, our girl returns to what she knows works best: following God's guidelines for honest and compassionate living.

Book 3: Don't Kiss Him Goodbye
May Day (and the May Day Ball) is quickly approaching. As an American and still relatively new to the UK, Savvy hasn't a clue what a monumental event this is. Think prom on a bigger scale. Other students secured their dates months ago. Now here she is with very few available prospects. Soon, though, she meets Rhys, a nice fella with a reputation for trouble. But he seems nice and he's cute, so what's the harm? And what options does she have? Meanwhile, Jack had promised Savvy a byline, but when a less-than-friendly girl with more seniority resurfaces, he must pit the two against one another. Savvy also gets involved in a ministry that incorporates her love of fashion with a way to help single mums get good jobs and support their families.

Book 4: Flirting with Disaster
In the last book of the series, Savvy's faith is tested once again. The big question: does she really trust in God alone or is some of her faith in superstitions and luck? The newspaper staff needs to elect a new editor for next year. The race is split between Natalie, the competitive force in Book 3, and Hazelle, an honest, but prickly character with whom Savvy has contended since entering Wexburg Academy. Everyone has chosen sides and the winner depends on Savvy's vote. Meanwhile, in an effort to stay in good graces with the popular crowd, Savvy complies with an "if you're really my friend" email forward, but too late discovers that it contains a trojan virus, one that nearly destroys the shop ministry she supports. Throughout, Savvy must choose if she's going to do the right thing and trust God to work out the details or if she want to look out for herself and do it her own way.

The entire series is told in first person, from Savvy's perspective, and covers her first year in the U.K. The books also feature occasional images, mostly small sketches or journal entries.

What I Like: I love everything about this series! Each book offers fun, clean, chick-lit for Christian teens. They are quick-paced stories with authentic, likeable characters. Readers can easily relate to the Savvy's dilemmas while parents can be confident their girls aren't diving into dramas of questionable integrity. The Christian content is obvious, but not preachy. Savvy's advice and the lessons she learns grow from a solid foundation of biblical truth, usually supported with direct quotes from Scripture.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 12-16

Publisher Info: Tyndale Publishers, 2010; ISBN: 1414325975 (Asking for Trouble); Paperback; 256-288 pages (depending on volume); $6.99

Buy the entire series (Vol. 1-4) Now at Christianbook.com for $24.99!

Buy Asking for Trouble at Christianbook.com for $5.99 or at Amazon.com for $6.99.

Buy Through Thick & Thin at Christianbook.com for $5.99 or at Amazon.com for $6.99.

Buy Don't Kiss Him Good-bye at Christianbook.com for $5.99 or at Amazon.com for $6.99.
This title is also available on Kindle for $4.79.

Buy Flirting with Disaster at Christianbook.com for $5.99 or at Amazon.com for $6.99.
This title is also available on Kindle for $4.61.

Special Info: Visit the author's website at www.SandraByrd.com.

The Christian Girl's Guide to Style

"The Christian Girl's Guide" series offers seven books to target young teens' greatest concerns. This volume -- The Christian Girl's Guide to Style written by Sherry Kyle -- encourages readers to "create the most stylish YOU inside and out!"

While each chapter focuses on a different element of style -- clothes, hair, accessories, skin care, etc. -- every chapter maintains a consistent format.

• A Bible verse introduces a short fictional story (2-4 pages).
• "What Do You Think?" encourages readers to interact with the stories by answering specific questions in the provided space.
• Sidebars offer style tips, encouraging Bible verses and "Did You Know?" facts.
• "Ask Kelsey" features Q&A.
• "What Does the Bible Say" quotes several relevant Scripture passages for meditation.
• "Letters to God" offers a written prayer from one of the story's characters and a prompt for readers to write their own.

All chapters also include either a "Try It!" or a "Make It!" section. The "tries" feature activities to do in the book, such as a crossword, word scramble, or accessory match-up. The "makes" provides step-by-step crafts like a "decoupage painter's hat", "confetti nails", or "shirt pillow." These fun activities encourage skills of painting, cutting, even sewing.

What I Like: This book is great. It's thorough and written at an age-appropriate level. Both the content and design -- which is peppered with simple illustrations by Anita DuFalla -- appeal to the target audience. The activities are highly varied and creative. I was quite impressed. And the Scriptural emphasis pervades every chapter. I love that!

What I Dislike: The coin purse that accompanied the book broke within minutes of reaching my seven-and-a-half-year-old's hands. It's a novelty and a cute sales ploy, but the poor quality definitely disappointed me and my daughter.

As for the book itself, there's not much to dislike! A few of the verses don't quite match the stories and seem a bit out of context, but overall I think this is a great resource, albeit far from timeless. Styles change so very quickly, I wonder if and when updated editions will be planned.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: 8-12

Publisher Info: Legacy Press, 2010; ISBN: 1584110902; Paperback; 192 pages; $9.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $8.19!

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The Princess Twins Play in the Garden

Part of a continuing line of early reader books about "the princess twins," The Princess Twins and Play in the Garden by Mona Hodgson is a great little story for any child who tends to dislike getting messy.

This "I Can Read!" Level 1 story centers around Emma, a rather prissy little princess who thinks it's vital to stay clean and beautiful. She screams when a ladybug lands on her dress and lets her sister Abby have all the fun during a playdate with two peasant girls. While they ride the pony, make sand castles, and play soccer, Emma sits to one side. "I don't want to get dirty," she says. "A princess must look pretty."

When one of the little peasant girls accidentally kicks the muddy ball straight into Emma's dress, Emma is upset at first. When the little girl apologizes with tears in her eyes, however, Emma hugs her and finally decides to join in on the game. When the peasant girls' mother comes to fetch her children, she calls Emma and Abby "lovely girls." Just then, a ladybug lands on Emma's dress...and she smiles. "Thank you, God, for a lovely day," she says.

What I Like: This is a simple story any girl can relate to, even if she's more of a tom-boy than a prissy princess. The illustrations by Meredith Johnson are in her typical style (Johnson also illustrates the popular "Gigi" books) and show whimsy on every page.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 4 - 8.

Publisher Info: Zonderkidz, 2009; ISBN: 031071608X; paperback; $3.99

Special Info: Read our other reviews of books by Mona Hodgson and Meredith Johnson. Visit Hodgson's website for information about her girl's retreats. Visit Johnson's website for a peek at her illustrative style and obtain information about school visits.

Buy it Now from Amazon.com for $3.99,

OR buy it from ChristianBook.com for $2.99

The True Princess

Perfect for the little girl in your life, The True Princess examines the true meaning of being a child of the King. Moving beyond the stereotypes of spoiled, pampered princesses, Angela Ewell Hunt places the archetypal storybook princess within a situation that requires a new set of skills and a fresh approach to life. When the princess is taken into hiding during her father's time away from his kingdom, she learns to care for herself and complete useful tasks. Upon her father's return, he recognizes her not because of fine clothing or jewelry, but because of her loving servant's heart. This simple, moving story effectively illustrates the character traits of humility, love and servitude for children.

What I Like: The illustrations by Diana Magnuson are luminous! Her use of light is marvelous; a golden glow seems to emanate from nowhere and everywhere simultaneously. Bright, clear jewel tones, royal robes and colorful dresses make this title a feast for the eyes.

Many little girls are princess lovers; my 5 year old adores this book, and will look at it for lengthy periods of time, "reading" her own version of the story. Rather than encouraging children to emulate a "prima donna" attitude as other princess stories might, the focus is placed upon attitudes of the heart that God wishes us all to develop. Hunt's story reads like a fairy-tale, and I believe it will become a classic within literature for Christian children.

What I Dislike: The Christian aspects of the story are subtle. While a passage from the Bible is included at the back of the book, adult explanations may be needed for younger children to make the connection between the story and how God wants His children to behave.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 4 - 8.

Publishing Info: Charisma Kids, 2005; ISBN: 1591856337; hardcover

Buy now at Christianbook.com for $7.99

Buy now at Amazon.com for $9.95

Special Info: Angela Hunt is also the author of some excellent Christian fiction for adults. If you are looking for some reading for yourself, her other titles are wonderful. Titles worth looking into include Doesn't She Look Natural? Fairlawn Series #1, She Always Wore Red Fairlawn Series #2 and Magdalene.