Rocky Hill Fireman, Book #1: Fire!

Rocky Hill Fireman, Book #1:  Fire! by James Burd Brewster is a great book for any child who aspires to be a fire fighter when he or she grows up.

Rocky Hill is the name of the main hero of the story. He and two other fire fighters, Big Joe and Bob, are called into action to help a family whose home has caught on fire. Rocky is tasked with going into the home to locate a sleeping baby. In the end, the fire fighters and baby are all safe and sound.

What I Like: It is so important for our children to view our civil servants as being friendly, helpful, and safe. This book does exactly that.

I love finding books that completely engage my children. This book did just that. Both my 8 year old and 4 year old were completely caught up in the world and rescue mission of Rocky Hill.

The illustrations by Dayna Barley-Cohrs fit this book perfectly. Although they appear to be hand drawn and painted with watercolors, they are tastefully done, and are a perfect complement to the story.

What I Dislike: Although this is a Christian book, the name "God" is mentioned two times on the very last page. Once when the mother says, "Thank God you came in time," and the narrator states, "He also thanked God."

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 4-8 years old.

Publisher Info: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2013; ISBN: 978-1484837177; paperback, 32 pgs., $29.99

Buy it at Amazon.com for $29.99

101 Things Every Girl Should Know: Expert Advice on Stuff Big and Small

The editors of Faithgirlz and Girls’ Life magazine do it again with another installment in the hit Faithgirlz series. 101 Things Every Girl Should Know is chock full of advice for girls in their tweens. It offers a collection of suggestions on everything from success in the classroom (how to write an essay, ace a test, handle stress, remember anything, read aloud in class) to relationships (how to keep a secret, talk to any guy, be the star at the party) to health issues (busting a bad habit, curing acne, tasty recipes, boosting energy) and more!

The book has a magazine layout and appeal—tons of brightly colored photographs, concise “articles” ranging in length from a single paragraph to two pages, and relevant topics.  There is variety in the entries too. Some are quizzes, recipes, or even directions for how to do something. It is completely readable in small chunks or huge blocks of time! This book would make a great gift for any young teen/tween in your life.

If you like this book, you might want to check out other books in the Faithgirlz series, including Faithgirlz Handbook, Updated and Expanded: How to Let Your Faith Shine Through, Best Hair Book Ever!: Cute Cuts, Sweet Styles and Tons of Tress Tips (Faithgirlz), and Big Book of Quizzes: Fun, Quirky Questions for You and Your Friends (Faithgirlz).

What I Like: Everything. I wish I had a book like this when I was growing up. The tips are helpful and easy to use. I can see how reading this would help boost a girl’s confidence about handling the challenges they face daily. This book would even be appreciated by mainstream readers.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 8-12 (Although I think it could go a bit older).

Publisher Info: Zonderkidz, 2015; ISBN: 978-0310746195; Paperback, 128 pgs., $14.99.

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $10.49.
 
OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $10.37.

The Lion Classic Wisdom Stories

The Lion Classic Wisdom Stories (Lion Classic Series) by Mary Joslin is a collection of beautiful, short stories from around the world, each with a grain of wisdom meant to leave a lasting impression.

Although this book does not fall under the category of "Christian Children's Book", it is still a great book. The stories are pulled from many of our world's cultures which, for me, is always fascinating.

I personally preferred to read this book aloud with my children. Because the stories in it are not inherently "Christian" stories, I wanted to be there to explain, discuss, give a biblical basis for the morals taught, and answer questions about the stories.

What I Like: I really like that Mary Joslin has found 28 intriguing and fascinating stories with great moral lessons and made them easy for children to appreciate. Many of the stories were new to me. The stories are told in such a way that a child's interest is kept and captivated throughout the reading. I also love the illustrations. They really lend to the cultural setting of the book.

What I Dislike: I liked this book very much.

Overall Rating: Very good (only because this book is not a specifically Christian book, just a great  moral book.)

Age Appeal: 5-12 years old

Publisher Info: Lion Hudson, 2013; ISBN: 978-0745963693; hardcover, 128 pgs., $19.99

Buy it from Amazon for $16.08

The Girl Who Saved Christmas

On Christmas Eve, when Santa checks his list of who’s “naughty” and who’s “nice,” he discovers that all the children in the world have been “naughty,” so none of them will get toys this year. Instead of toys, he loads his sleigh with lumps of coal.

It is a cold, windy, stormy, dreary night and the people around the world have shuttered their windows and doors and sealed up their chimneys with boulders and boards to keep out the cold. Santa, of course, can’t get down the chimneys.

But, there is one chimney open, so Santa lands on the roof and slides down the chimney where he lands in Molly’s fireplace. Molly greets him with a plate full of cookies. Santa rechecks his list and discovers Molly is the only child who has been good the past year. Somehow he had missed her name the first time around.

When Santa asks her what she wants for Christmas, she asks Santa to forgive all the naughty boys and girls and give them presents, as usual.

The Girl Who Saved Christmas, written by William Thomas Thach, isn’t exactly a Christian book, but it is a book about forgiveness. Jesus is referred to as “a glorious child” who told us “it’s best if we learn to forgive.”

The text is written in rhyme, using the style and opening line from “Twas the night before Christmas…” Rhyming text is difficult to do and do well, but in this case, the author does a pretty good job of it with only a couple of places that could use a little extra work.

The illustrations by Richard Bernal are fabulous. They are bright and bold and simply beautiful. Some cover a two-page spread, with the text printed throughout; others cover a full page with the text at the bottom, and the rest have an illustration at the top of the page with the text at the bottom.

What I Like: Besides the fact I obviously LOVE the illustrations, the book itself is a treat for the senses. To start with, the book is covered in red velveteen, with the title and author’s name printed on it, along with a full-color picture of Molly. The book is held shut with a snap fastener, giving the impression of a photo album or a diary.

The end papers are covered with a beautiful gold print with snowflakes. There is even an attached gold ribbon to use as a bookmark. There is a place at the front for a child to write their name (This book belongs to…). And, on the back papers are a Glossary of terms used in the text (like “abode” and “nigh”), along with a place for a child to write a letter to Santa (Dear Santa, I’ve tried MY VERY BEST to be good all year long! For Christmas, may I please have:…).

If you take the time to read the copyright page, here’s a sample of what you will see there:

“You may savor this book, but you must not eat it. Consuming this book, in whole or in part, may lead to stomach ache, grumpiness, and other problems….Why in the world are you still reading the copyright page? Molly and Mr. Nibbles are waiting for you!”

As my husband said, the attention to detail throughout is amazing!

What I Dislike: Having said all that, there are a couple of things in the book that aren’t completely explained. First of all, it seems a bit convenient that none of the “naughty” children will be visited by Santa and get their lumps of coal because their fireplaces have been sealed up against the cold.

And  second [SPOILER ALERT], when Santa grants Molly’s wish and forgives the rest of the children, he lets Molly ride in the sleigh with him to deliver the presents. But, the sled is supposed to be loaded with lumps of coal, not presents, and no mention is made of Santa ever going back to the North Pole to get them. These aren’t major issues, but I thought I would point them out.

Also, the book is a bit pricey with a cost of $24.00. Granted, it’s a beautiful book, but that’s a lot to pay for a picture book.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: The author recommends 2-10.

Publisher Info: Global PSD; ISBN: 9780982566312; Hardcover, $24.00.

Buy now at Amazon.com $24.00!

Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims

It is pretty hard to imagine what those before us went through. Imagine: crossing the ocean on a small boat, in filthy conditions, with people who hate you. In Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims by Rush Limbaugh, history comes to life as you experience what it was like in the New World alongside William Bradford and Myles Standish, including their trip across the Atlantic aboard the Mayflower.

Rush Revere isn't your ordinary, boring substitute history teacher. With his talking horse, Liberty, he has the ability to actually show his pupils history. Liberty has some special powers, namely the ability to time travel anywhere in American history. And, when Rush Revere jumps on his back and Liberty calls out the special words, they can jump through time and walk and talk with anyone in American history.

For this lesson, Rush wants to teach the kids in Manchester Middle School's honors history class about the Puritans. Using Liberty's abilities and the help of his one-of-a-kind iPhone adapter, Rush jumps back to the time of the launching of the Mayflower from Holland, and broadcasts his experiences with William Bradford back to his class. But one pupil, Freedom, is suspicious, and sees Rush and Liberty make the jump. When they return, Freedom confronts her teacher, along with Tommy, who is the class troublemaker.

Rush Revere comes clean with Tommy and Freedom about Liberty's abilities, and asks the two middle schoolers if they'd like to experience history for themselves. They agree, and soon, they're taking part in the Puritans journey to the first Thanksgiving.

What I Like: I really love EVERYTHING about this book! I will admit: I have been a listener of Limbaugh's radio show for 20 years, and when he announced he was releasing this book, I was excited, but a little trepidatious. Could he write fiction? Other than a few minor fumbles in craft, I found the writing wonderful, and the story engaging. But, with a horse named Liberty, it has to be good!

The book is a treasure in and of itself. The cover is beautiful and the pages are works of art. Inside are multiple illustrations and photographs, some for the purposes of story-telling by Chris Hiers (website published December 2013), but others which come from sources like Getty Images or the Library of Congress to show the lives of the Puritans who landed at Plimouth (as they spelled it.)

Tommy and Freedom are both enjoyable characters to get to know through the story, and are believable kids of an indeterminate middle school age. When they go back to 1620-1621, it's very authentic, especially when they make faux pas, referencing present day things like salsa and county fairs (which the Puritans wouldn't have been able to experience.)

And, while Mr. Limbaugh is no theologian, it is evident throughout the pages he wanted to make sure God was included in the story of Thanksgiving. William Bradford frequently references God and their desires to escape religious persecution, as well as God's hand on their journey. Even facing great difficulties, his belief that God's blessing would be on their journey strengthened not only the Puritans but the others who traveled with him aboard the Mayflower to the New World.

Also, at the end, there's a quiz from Liberty the horse. Answers are found at the TwoIfByTea.com website. 

What I Dislike: All of the very minor issues I have are with craft, as well as one issue towards the end of the book with a layout problem. William Bradford "writes" a letter to Rush Revere to invite him, Tommy, and Freedom to what would be the first Thanksgiving, and the placement of said letter is a couple of pages later than it's referenced, so you have to jump a couple pages up, then back, after reading it or the story doesn't make much sense. However, and it does not detract from the overall quality of the book.

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: Marketed for 10 - 15, but kids younger and older would also enjoy this.

Publisher Info: Simon & Schuster, 2013; ISBN: 978-1-4767-5586-1; Hardback, 212 pgs., $19.99

Special Info:  While not foul-mouthed, Liberty the talking/time-travelling horse is a bit of a smart-mouth and can be a trouble-maker. Depending on the age of your children, you may want to discuss the fact that speaking to adults in the way Liberty does is not appropriate.

Also, Freedom is a Native American/Indian girl who "has the ability to communicate with animals." This does not play a major role in the story, although there is a scene where she communicates with a deer.

Buy it as a hardback at Amazon.com for $11.99. Also available in a Kindle format for $5.99, Unabridged audiobook on CD for $11.69, or an Audible.com download for $11.95.

Mainstream Review: The Witches by Roald Dahl

As September draws to a close, signs of Halloween are popping up everywhere.  In many elementary school classrooms, The Witches by Roald Dahl is standard, read-aloud fare. After two attempts, I have finally finished reading this quirky, bizarre story.

After a young boy's parents are tragically killed while on holiday in Norway, he goes to live with his Grandmamma. Grandmamma loves her grandson, but smokes a "foul cigar" and fills her grandson's head with horrifying tales of witches, who:

"...dress in ordinary clothes and look very much like ordinary women. They live in ordinary houses and work in ORDINARY JOBS...A real witch spends all her time plotting to get rid of the children in her particular territory. Her passion is to do away with them one by one. It is all she thinks about the whole day long. Even if she is working as a cashier in a supermarket or typing letters for a businessman, or driving around in a fancy car...her mind will always be plotting and scheming and churning and burning and whizzing and phizzing with murderous bloodthirsty thought."

After this alarming notice on page one, we get involved in the boy's adventures. After he has been properly warned (terrified, actually) about all women who wear gloves, and "even the nice teacher reading this story," the boy has the misfortune to run into a convention of witches run by the Grand High Witch herself. He becomes mixed up in the witches' evil plot to turn all children into mice, so the people of England will exterminate them.

Plot Spoiler Ahead:  The boy's bravery and quick wit, coupled with his grandmamma's diversionary tactics result in the witches' plan backfiring, and English children being saved from witches. The boy is content to live the rest of his life as a mouse, even though mice have a shorter life span than people. The boy and his grandmamma resolve to live the rest of their lives trying to dispose of as many witches as possible.

Ink line drawings by Quentin Blake are scattered throughout.

What I Like:  There is a hilarious episode where the boy, who has been turned into a mouse, runs up the trousers of a chef, and ends up in his knickers. Although the scene could be considered inappropriate, I found myself laughing out loud.

I admire the boy's bravery. He is determined to save children from the witches, and thinks up creative, resourceful ways to combat their evil plans. He is not content to rest when England is rid of witches, but instead, wants to continue fighting them regardless of where they live.

What I Dislike:  Despite the boy's bravery, this is a creepy book.  I can't figure out what age would enjoy reading it.  If you were old enough not to be terrified of the witches, it seems you would be too old to enjoy the plot.

When the boy asks his grandmamma how she can be sure the Grand High Witch exists, she responds, "Nobody has ever seen the Devil, but we know he exists." Ordinary women are described as potential witches, and the boy can't tell if women are nice or not, given his grandmamma's descriptions. Grandmamma's insistence that witches are real, and her descriptions of them being disguised as regular women makes the book more scary than the average fairy tale. 

There is a fairly graphic description of the Grand High Witches' rotting face, (hidden under a mask), and children are described as smelling like "poo" to witches.

Overall Rating:  Ho-Hum--I would stick to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
 
Age Appeal:  8-12 (Publisher lists 7 and up)

Publisher Info: Scholastic, 1983; ISBN: 978-0-590-03249-0 ; Paperback, 208 pages, $6.99

 

A Grimm Sampler

If your family is like mine and stayed up way too late watching the Olympics, you undoubtedly noticed the commercials for the upcoming season of Grimm. There has been a huge surge of interest in the Grimm brothers' fairy tales over the last couple of years, and much of it has been targeted towards tween and young adult audiences.

In this post, I want to comment on a couple "Grimm" offerings my family has come across recently.  As always, our posts about mainstream books do not include a rating or recommendation, but are written simply to help families be more informed, since it's not always possible to read every book your child brings home.

My eleven-year-old daughter was asked to read A Tale Dark and Grimm for a public library Tween book club.  The front cover and book jacket looked a bit alarming, so she asked if I would read it first.  The story, by Adam Gidwitz, centers on Hansel and Gretel. The book is based on actual fairy tales by the brothers Grimm, and is loosely organized into a chronology of their adventures. In most of the tales, the adults can't be trusted, so Hansel and Gretel must rely on their own strength, cunning and sense of right and wrong to overcome evil and eventually return home.

The tales are quite bloody. Gidwitz doesn't shy away from describing gory deaths or dismemberment, although he is an overt narrator, and often pauses in the middle of the action to suggest readers send little children out of the room, or get a babysitter, before things get worse. At one point, Gretel has to cut off one of her own fingers to use as a key, and in another story, Hansel becomes an animal because he has killed so many other animals. In yet another story, Hansel must journey to Hell to rescue someone, and ends up tricking Satan into ferrying the dead across the river for several centuries. 

Several of the stories are reminiscent of old-fashioned "cautionary" tales. "Lips Red as Blood" serves as a helpful allegory to introduce the ideas of sexual predators and sexual assault to readers.  Plot Spoilers Ahead:  In this chapter, Gretel is unequivocally the heroine, when she tells the townspeople the young man they thought was so charming is really stealing the souls (represented as doves) of young girls and putting them in cages.  By telling, she releases the doves back to the young girls, and saves them. However, in yet another grim development, the young man is promptly killed.

At the end of the book, we learn Hansel and Gretel's father, the king, has been turning into a dragon and terrorizing his own people. Although the children figure it out, the king doesn't realize what he is doing and has no recollection of events occurring when he is in dragon form. This story could be helpful to read with children who have a parent or loved one who deals with serious mental illness. Even though the king and queen were not perfect parents, the book ends with a powerful message about forgiveness and redemption, and shows children can forgive and live well, even if they are young.

The Grimm Legacy, by Polly Shulman, was the first "Grimm" book my daughter and I read, and my favorite. In it, several teens work for a lending library full of artifacts from the Grimm tales. The teens realize the artifacts still work, and quickly become involved in a race between the librarians who want to keep the artifacts safe, and evil forces who want to use the artifacts for power. The book will make you excited about libraries, and the story is suspenseful, dramatic, and clever without being gory or disturbing. Unfortunately, there is some unnecessary "making out" between characters who don't know each other very well, which makes it not the best choice for the younger tween set.

I also read the first two books in Michael Buckley's The Sisters Grimm series. The Fairy Tale Detectives and The Unusual Suspects are funny, and more appropriate for younger readers. The author's characterization of the two sisters is so realistic--they love each other and would do anything for family, but they squabble and deal with typical sibling rivalry. The biggest concern with these books is that the line between good and evil is confusing and indistinct. Is Prince Charming really charming, or is he a manipulative business man? Why is the Big Bad Wolf the girls' protector? The three little pigs are police deputies, but are they on the right or wrong side? And is the Pied Piper of Hamlin a benevolent school principal, or is he involved in a sinister plot to exploit children for profit? You would have to read more than the first two books to get definitive answers to many of these questions. 

Age Appeal:  A Tale Dark and Grimm  12 and up due to blood and gore; The Grimm Legacy 14 and up due to romantic elements, otherwise fine for younger readers; The Sisters Grimm 8 and up


Publisher Info: A Tale Dark and Grimm:  Puffin, 2011; ISBN: 978-0142419670 ; Paperback, 256 pages, $6.99

Buy A Tale Dark Grimm at Amazon.com for $6.99

Buy The Grimm Legacy at Amazon for $7.99 

Buy The Sisters Grimm: Fairy Tale Detectives at Amazon for $6.95
 

A Remnant Surprise

Great-Grandma decides she's going to make quilts for each of her thirty-five grandchildren and great-grandchildren. But in A Remnant Surprise, written by Vanessa Roam and illustrated by Glori Alexander, Great-Grandma gets a surprise of her own.

Great-grandchildren Walter and Gretchen want to help their great-grandma make the blankets, and Gretchen crawls around on the floor, picking up pieces of leftover cloth. She asks Great-grandma if she can have them, which Great-Grandma allows, even though the remnants are too tiny to do anything with. Gretchen and Walter take the pieces home to their Mama, who keeps them all, and urges her children to keep gathering them up and bringing them home.

Soon, all of the blankets are done, and Great-Grandma gives them to her loved ones, and that's when Mama gets to work. With all the remnants, Mama makes Great-Grandma a very special quilt, so all thirty-six of them can be wrapped in blankets made of love.

What I Like: Everything is great. The story is touching (it brought tears to my eyes), the illustrations are soft and cheery, and it's a book that begs to be read again and again.

What I Dislike: There is no mention of God or the Bible anywhere.

Overall Rating: Very Good, only because I wish there was even a little lesson on giving and receiving, or suggested further reading in the Bible. If there had been, this would have been an immediate Excellent rating.

Age Appeal: 4 - 8

Publisher Info: Tate Publishing & Enterprises, LLC, 2011; ISBN: 978-1-61346-464-9; paperback, 24 pgs., $8.99

Buy it at Amazon.com for $8.99 or in a Kindle Edition for 6.63.

Mainstream Series Highlight: The Mother-Daughter Book Club

If you and your daughter are looking for a fun summer read, Heather Vogel Frederick's series The Mother-Daughter Book Club is worth checking out. The series begins when four moms, chatting after yoga, decide they should start a book club and read Little Women with their sixth-grade daughters. The girls have a mixed reaction, but their mothers have already decided they will participate. The moms plan to take the school year to read the book, allowing the girls ample time to read each segment.  Part of each of the girls' lives loosely parallels the book they are studying.

Vogel writes each chapter from a different girls' perspective.  The chapters are in first-person point of view, and it doesn't take long to recognize each girl's distinct voice.  Emma is a bookworm, and she and her mom are quite close.  However, their family doesn't have much money and she feels embarrassed wearing hand-me-downs to school.  Megan and Emma used to be friends in elementary school, but Megan would rather spend time shopping, creating fashion designs and enjoying her new, more affluent friends. Cassidy is having a hard time adjusting to life in Concord, instead of California. She and her mother and sister moved after her dad died. She'd rather be playing hockey than reading, but her super-model mother is glad there isn't a girls' hockey team in Concord.  Jess is sweet, but lives on a farm and comes to school smelling like goats. It doesn't help that she is a couple of grades above the other girls in math and science.

The book club deals with typical tween girl struggles, including misunderstandings between friends, bullies at school, crushes on boys and trouble with parents. We spend lots of time at school, home, and in the community, but we also get to sit on on the book club meetings. Vogel always works in interesting handouts about the author being studied, as well. The book club often takes trips together, and we usually get to see some of the history surrounding the featured author. 

Each book in the series takes place in the subsequent year, so in book two, Much Ado about Anne,  the girls are in seventh grade and read Anne of Green Gables. In Dear Pen Pal, (book three) they read Daddy Long-Legs . They read Pride and Prejudice in book four, Pies and Prejudice.  By book five, Home for the Holidays, the girls are in tenth grade and reading the entire Betsy-Tacy Series.

Each chapter begins with a relevant quote from the classic book the club is reading, and each book ends with a thoughtful, interesting discussion guide for real book clubs reading Frederick's book.  


What I Like:  I love this series!  Of course, being a mom of daughters and an English teacher, how could I  not love a series combining tween/teen life and reading classics?

Frederick does such a great job capturing all the girl drama of tweens and teens, but showing the girls positive ways to resolve differences and misunderstandings. I also love the fact the moms are intelligent, caring and quirky, but realistic. Some of the girls are close to their moms, but some of the mother-daughter pairs deal with conflict and embarrassment.  However, it is clear the moms love their daughters regardless of  the difficulties in their relationships. 

Frederick also writes about boys in a positive, age-appropriate manner. In the first book, a couple of the girls have crushes on boys, but it is the beginning of ninth grade before the first book club member gets her first kiss.  By tenth grade, a couple of the girls have boyfriends and kissing and hand-holding are mentioned here and there.  The boys in the relationships are kind and respectful, and the kissing is innocent--accompanied by beating hearts and blushing, but "PDA" (public displays of affection) and one-on-one dating are generally discouraged.  I appreciate the girls' "BFBB" pact ("Best Friends Before Boyfriends"), and the examples Vogel includes of how the pact works.   

I also like the way the moms (and dads) handle consequences in the books.  Sometimes, the girls play pranks or are mean to each other, but they are always disciplined when things get out of hand.  

What I Dislike:  Nothing, but these aren't the books to read if you are hoping your teens will wait to kiss until after high school or later. The kissing, while not emphasized, is sweet and romantic, and definitely portrayed in a positive light. 

Age Appeal:  Publisher lists 9 and up, but the books would work best for readers the same age as the book club members in each book (so book one, sixth grade, book 3 eighth grade, etc. . .) due to the dating relationships.
 
Publisher Info: Simon and Schuster, 2007 (book one); ISBN: 978-1-4169-7-79-8; paperback, 237 pages, $6.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $5.99
 
OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $6.99.

Special Note:  Book 6, Wish You Were Eyre is scheduled to be published in September of this year.

The Kindle edition of book two, Much Ado About Anne, had consistent, distracting problems with capitalization, but the rest of the Kindle editions were fine.   

Also, the books were best if you have read the classic being studied, but are enjoyable without reading the book club book, as well.

Because of Winn-Dixie

Kate DiCamillo's Newberry award winning novel Because of Winn-Dixie is a simple tale of longing and hope. Gradeschooler Opal has just moved to a new town; her mother has run off and her father - who is a preacher - is despondent. Then Opal discovers a shaggy, ill-kept dog in her local Winn-Dixie grocery store. Naming him after the place where she found him, she brings him home. Like Opal (and all the characters in the novel), Winn-Dixie is "broken." He's not only homeless, but he's terrified of thunderstorms, running off and causing a ruckus unless he's hugged tight by Opal. Yet by the end of the novel, Winn-Dixie has brought Opal and her father together - along with a few of the town's other heartbroken people.

What I Like: This is a very simple story, told in a down to earth way. The characters range from a man whose rumored to be a dangerous criminal (but, it turns out, was arrested for playing his guitar in a public setting) to two elderly ladies (one of whom is vastly misunderstood by the children in the town), plus a variety of children. Each is believable and teaches Opal something valuable, but not in a "pound it over your head" sort of way. And while this is a mainstream book, it is respectful of Opal's father's position as a preacher and includes one prayer of thanks in it. My 6 year old daughter, who has advanced taste in books, really enjoyed this novel.

What I Dislike: There is a lot of poor English in the book because the author has chosen to write realistic dialogue. Because my daughter is still struggling with grammar, I chose to correct the characters' grammar as I read out loud to my child. Also, some parents will want to know that a certain elderly woman is referred to as a "witch" by some of the children in the book. She is in no way a witch, however, which Opal soon learns. Near the end of the book, one child says, "Witches don't exist...They are just myths." Ghosts are also mentioned, although it is quickly evident the characters aren't discussing Casper, but haunting memories.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: 8 and up.
Publishing Info: Candlewick; 2009; ISBN: 0763644323 ; paperback, 182 pgs., $10.87.
Buy Now at Amazon for $10.95
OR buy the Kindle edition for $2.99

Betsy Beansprout: Adventure Guide

Betsy Beansprout: Adventure Guide, written by Amber Elmore, is, as the title implies, a guide to adventure, specifically a guide to outdoor adventures. Betsy is six years old and lives “in a state park deep in the heart of West Virginia”. Betsy has the whole park to run around in and explore. As she says, “When you’re a kid in a park, it’s like having a giant playground filled with things to do, animals to meet, and adventures to have.”

The book is filled with all sorts of great things for kids. Betsy likes to take her dog for a walk, squish her toes in fresh mud puddles, watch ants crawl across a stick, play follow-the-leader, and have picnic lunches.

Betsy has some Do’s and Don’ts for being outdoors:
• Do sit quietly and listen to the sounds of nature around you and appreciate what the Lord has created.
• Do take the time to dance in the rain on a hot summer day as long as there are no thunder and lightning. [This is the way it’s written in the book.]
• Don’t wander so far away that you can’t hear your parent’s voice. It gets a little spooky that way.
• Don’t play with snakes. Enough said.

The author includes recipes for kid-friendly snacks like Ants in the Sand (graham crackers crumbs sprinkled with chocolate chips) and Walnut Snack Made for Humans (mix walnuts, raisins, pretzels and chocolate chips). And, there are two pages at the end of the book with Fun Facts. Did you know that male cardinals feed female cardinals while they sit on the nest to keep the eggs warm?

The illustrations by Kasey Short are impressive. The detail is so amazing, the pictures look like photos!

What I Like: In case you couldn’t tell, I love the artwork! And, I think this would be a great book to encourage kids to spend time outdoors.

What I Dislike: Although the artwork is incredible, I have a concern about one picture. There is an illustration of Betsy lying on the ground, face-to-face and only inches away from a groundhog. I know this is meant to be a cute picture, and it is, but I’m afraid it sends the wrong message to children. They should avoid wild animals, not try to get up close to them.

And, for most part the vocabulary is just what you’d expect coming from a six-year-old, but there are a few places where the writing does not reflect a six-year-old’s perspective, with words like “appreciate”, “created” and “aware”.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: 6-9.

Publisher Info: Shade Tree Publishing, 2011; ISBN: 9780982263280; Paperback, $15.99.

Buy now at ChristianBook $11.99!

Or buy at Amazon.com $12.16.
Special Info: This book is geared mainly towards girls, but there are some good things for boys in it, too.

Mainstream Author Highlight: N.D. Wilson

"Mainstream Author" highlights, as well as our "Mainstream" reviews are not necessarily recommendations for Christian families. Rather, as parents we recognize that many kids will read such books, with or without parental permission. Our goal is to help parents prepare for what their kids may read, offer insights into positive aspects of the books, and give tips on areas to talk to kids about. In addition, we recognize that sometimes "dark" books may be difficult to read, but can offer an excellent way for teens to think about the world we live in.


N.D. Wilson's recently acclaimed fantasy trilogy, 100 Cupboards, is probably the best American fantasy written for kids since Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time series. For those who prefer realistic writing, Wilson has also written Leepike Ridge, an adventure reminiscent of Huck Finn, but in a modern-day setting. Although the books aren't specifically Christian, Wilson does have a Christian background and writes from a Christian worldview.

In 100 Cupboards and its companions, Dandelion Fire and The Chestnut King, Wilson skillfully juxtaposes rural Kansas, with its dust, baseball games and homemade pies, and the various worlds beyond the cupboard doors. Depending on the door and its combination, you may end up in an enchanted ballroom; on a burning pirate ship; or in a beautiful walled garden where sinister forces are at work. For Henry York, not only do the cupboards offer adventure and intrigue, they also hint at Henry's forgotten family and the daring destiny that awaits him.

As Henry, his cousin, Henrietta, and his friend, Zeke, travel through the different worlds, Henry realizes his life is connected to Mordecai Westmore, green man, and long lost ruler of Hylfing, to faerie realms that govern travel between worlds, and to Nimiane of Endor, an evil witch he mistakenly releases from prison. Henry is called to conquer Nimiane and her forces once and for all, but he will need the help of family from Kansas, Mordecai, and all the faeries, if he is to be successful.

Leepike Ridge is the story of Tom, a young boy who seeks refuge on a river raft (packing foam from a new refrigerator), but never dreams he will float over a waterfall and be trapped in underwater caves indefinitely. Tom stumbles upon a dead body and several mysterious items, before he meets Reg, a survivor who has been trapped in the caves for three years. Together, they make their way out, but not before discovering hidden treasure and learning their lives have been intertwined for longer than they realized.

What I Like: I love Wilson's characters. Henry is a believable hero, who throws up when he is afraid, and would rather just play baseball and stay out of trouble. However, readers will cheer every time he steps up to the challenge and faces his fears. Uncle Frank and Aunt Dotty, a comforting Kansas couple, are full of surprises once they travel through the cupboards. Henrietta is just the sort of obnoxious, but good-hearted, cousin we all can relate to.

I also appreciate Wilson's intelligent, lyrical writing. He crafts language and weaves pictures that will stick with readers and even crop up in their dreams. The books will please those interested in fast-paced fantasy and adventure, and will delight those who pick up on the myriad of biblical, classical and mythological allusions.

What I Dislike: There is nothing I dislike, but the books did describe enough dead bodies and scary images for me to have bad dreams one night.

Age Appeal: 9 and up, but the books could be scary for more sensitive readers.

Publisher Info: Random House/Yearling, 2007-2011; ISBN: 978-0-375-83882-8 (100 Cupboards); Paperback and Hardcover, 320-496 pages, $6.99-$17.99

Buy 100 Cupboards at Amazon.com for $6.99.

Buy Dandelion Fire at Amazon.com for $6.99.

Buy The Chestnut King at Amazon.com for $11.37.

Buy Leepike Ridge at Amazon.com for $6.99.

Special Note: Characters use the word "bastard" as a derogatory term once in Leepike Ridge and once in Dandelion Fire. Also, characters use several types of magic, but occult practices (consulting with the dead, using blood to work spells) are clearly shown as evil, and are used only by Nimiane of Endor (similar to C.S. Lewis' use of magic in the Narnia series).

Mainstream Author Highlight: Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games Trilogy

"Mainstream Author" highlights, as well as our "Mainstream" reviews are not necessarily recommendations for Christian families. Rather, as parents we recognize that many kids will read such books, with or without parental permission. Our goal is to help parents prepare for what their kids may read, offer insights into positive aspects of the books, and give tips on areas to talk to kids about. In addition, we recognize that sometimes "dark" books may be difficult to read, but can offer an excellent way for teens to think about the world we live in.

Suzanne Collins has written a powerful series detailing the horrors of war and violence and their effects on people and societies alike. The Hunger Games trilogy takes place in post-apocalyptic America, in the not-too-distant future. Each year, twenty-four children are chosen to participate in the "Hunger Games" a deadly form of Survivor. They are forced by the government to participate, in an effort to discourage rebellion. Each year, a new arena is created--some contain oceans and jungles, or live volcanoes, or poisonous food sources. The games are televised and watching is mandatory for all citizens. The games only end when one child is left alive.

When Katniss Everdeen and her friend Peeta Mellark are forced to participate, it changes their lives and their world forever. Their actions in the games set off sparks that engender chain reactions around the country. Soon, they must decide who their friends are and what side they are on. As war breaks out, their efforts to escape violence become more and more futile. Eventually they must choose to fight or face certain death.

These books contain disturbingly graphic scenes of violence, torture, and war, as well as futuristic mutated animals, bred to kill. There are also some romantic overtones in the books. Peeta has been in love with Katniss for as long as he can remember. She feels drawn to him, but is still loyal to her best friend and hunting partner, Gale. Katniss and Peeta share a bed often, for comfort and to ward off nightmares, but are not sexually intimate. There is a lot of kissing, but most of it is staged for the television audience.

Despite the disturbing themes and dark overtones, Collins' characters are people you like and care about. The more you read, the more invested in their future you become, and the harder it is to put the books down. Also, the books would be an excellent choice to begin discussions about war, violence, and post-traumatic stress syndrome. If you have time, I strongly recommend reading this series with the teens in your life. However, I would closely monitor the age and maturity level of your teens when allowing them to read the series.

For those of you who don't have time to read the books, but still want to discuss them with your teens, I've listed pros and cons surrounding specific issues, but this list does include plot spoilers.

ISSUE: Violence is rampant, both in the Hunger Games - where contestants must kill or be killed - and in the war, where people are shot, blown up and tortured.

PRO: Collins does nothing to glorify war or present it as a fun game. She also refuses to portray either characters or governments in black and white terms. She shows good people doing terrible things to survive, and neither the government in power nor the rebel forces are above killing children if it advances their cause. In this way she shows us the ambiguity of war. We also see, at the end of the day, soldiers on both sides of any conflict are simply people trying to survive.

CON: The images of violence and death are disturbing and graphic. Collins is descriptive, and I was in tears more than once while reading each of the three books.

ISSUE: While Collins never names it, many of her characters suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.

PRO: This series could be extremely helpful for teens who either have PTSD or who have loved ones who are suffering with it. More and more American soldiers returning from the Middle East exhibit post-traumatic stress symptoms, and Collins does a good job showing us why.

CON: Many characters deal with PTSD through self-medicating with drugs and alcohol. Collins makes every effort to show characters lying in their own vomit, wasting away, and suffering because of their dependence on chemicals. Although realistic, few of Collins' characters learn any healthy coping skills.

ISSUE: Romantic situations are portrayed with a sensual tone.

PRO: Katniss' confusion about her feelings for her friend, Gale, and her fellow contestant Peeta, could help adults talk to teens about romance and physical intimacy. It is obvious kissing and sharing a bed, however staged or platonic, confuses Katniss even more.

CON: Katniss seems to rely on Gale or Peeta, but has a hard time standing on her own, or making choices without them.


What I Like About this Series: I like the way Collins unequivocally shows us how horrible violence and war are. Katniss and Peeta begin the games full of hope, but the series ends by presenting broken people with scars that will never go away.

I also like the way Collins refuses to write the predictable young adult novel with mostly happy endings. More often than not, I finished reading a chapter with a gasp or tears. In this way, Collins refuses to allow us to gloss over the horrible realities of war. These books left me thinking about their messages long after I finished reading the series.

What I Dislike: In the last chapter of book three, it feels as if Collins ran out of time or pages. She dismisses Gale with a sentence, and Peeta suddenly overcomes being psychologically programmed to kill Katniss. Collins subtly implies Katniss and Peeta consummate their relationship, and Katniss finally declares her love for him. However, these events happen too quickly, even though I was pleased the epilogue showed Peeta and Katniss with their children fifteen years later.

Age Appeal: Young Adult (14 and up), but I would say even older in many cases

Publisher Info: Scholastic, 2010; ISBN:978-0545265355; Hardcover (Box Set), 384-400 pages, $53.97

Buy it at Amazon.com for $28.88.

Special Info: At the end of book three, we learn some of the victors of the Hunger Games were routinely forced to choose between selling their bodies for sexual use, or witnessing one of their loved ones die.

The Guardians of Ga'hoole

"Mainstream Author" highlights, as well as our "Mainstream" reviews are not necessarily recommendations for Christian families. Rather, as parents we recognize that many kids will read such books, with or without parental permission. Our goal is to help parents prepare for what their kids may read, offer insights into positive aspects of the books, and give tips on areas to talk to kids about. In addition, we recognize that sometimes "dark" books may be difficult to read, but can offer an excellent way for teens to think about the world we live in.

With the movie The Guardians of Ga'hoole coming out next week, children may be expressing an interest in Kathryn Lasky's mainstream book series of the same name. The movie is reportedly based on the first three books in the fifteen-book series, so those are the three I reviewed.

The Capture, The Journey and The Rescue chronicle the adventures of a brave little barn owl named Soren, and three of his friends. In a classic tale of good versus evil, Soren finds himself captured and imprisoned at St. Aggies, an "orphanage" whose leaders brainwash young owls, and use them for work. Eventually, the leaders at St. Aggie's hope to conquer all owl lands. Brave Soren and his spunky friend, Gylfie, manage to escape brainwashing by thinking quickly and telling each other tales of the legendary "knights of Ga'hoole" who are protectors and defenders of all owls. When Soren and Gylfie escape, they set out to find the great Ga'hoole tree and pledge themselves in service as guardians.

Along the way, they meet like-minded owls, and learn of an even greater threat to Ga'hoole--Metal Beak, and his band, who aim to rid the world of all owls except barn owls. Lasky draws on her Russian Jewish heritage, and historical events such as Russian pogroms and Nazi concentration camps to characterize both the orphanage and Metal Beak and his band.

What I Like: I always like a rousing adventure, especially one where good must triumph over evil. The Guardians of Ga'hoole tell inspiring tales of adventure, heroism and friendship, sure to appeal to boys and girls alike. Each book leaves you wondering what will happen next to Soren, Gylfie, and the rest of their band of appealing, lovable characters.

I also like the way Lasky weaves scientific information about owls into the books. She highlights many differences between species of owls, and makes interesting facts about various owls central to the storyline. My son can tell you things like how far away a barn owl can hear a mouse's heartbeat, but Lasky never loses sight of the adventure.

What I Dislike: Lasky replaces various words with made-up words, such as "dwenking" instead of "waning." This can be annoying--sometimes I would rather she just used the English word.

There is an owl version of heaven--"Glaucora" and Glaux is worshiped as the first owl. However, these are not meant to be allegories of the Christian God and heaven. Sometimes, owls die, and the third book introduces the concept of "scrooms" (owlish for ghosts) and the "scrooms" of Soren's parents visit him to deliver a message. I think you would have to read all fifteen books to get a clear picture of Lasky's religious views (or at least the system of religion in the books).

Also, there are some tasteless "wet pooper" jokes, which my son found hilarious, but weren't my favorite. (Owls don't "poop"--waste forms a small pellet in their gizzard and they spit it up.) There are some references to using bad words, (all in "owlish") but characters are often scolded for doing so.

Age Appeal: 8-12, but my 6-year-old son has enjoyed listening to the book on CD

Publisher Info: Scholastic, 2006; ISBN: 978-0439884761; Paperback Boxed Set, $23.96

Buy it at Amazon.com for $14.01. (Boxed Set of books 1-4)

Silas Marner

If you are looking for a warm-hearted classic to challenge teen readers, Silas Marner would be an excellent choice. George Eliot (pen name used by Mary Anne Evans) uses skillful characterization and pastoral settings to produce the compelling tale of one man's transformation from reclusive miser to doting father.

When Silas is unjustly accused of theft and run out of his hometown, he begins a new life, without God or any human friendships. He is an expert weaver, and quickly gains wealth, but people still eye him suspiciously wherever he goes. Silas' days become a pattern of working, and admiring his gold coins. One day, he is robbed, and shortly thereafter he finds a golden-haired baby on his hearth. In his eccentric way, Silas thinks the baby is replacement for his gold, and remains determined to care for her. Through the baby, Eppie's, sweet disposition and his neighbor Dolly's motherly wisdom, Silas begins to trust people and find happiness again. His world is turned upside down for the better, and he even begins attending church again. Silas and Eppie's happiness is momentarily threatened when her biological father decides to reveal himself, but Eppie's sweet, loyal nature remains true to Silas to the end.

Despite Eliot's personal quarrels with the Anglican church, the novel is profoundly Christian, detailing Silas' disillusionment with faith and later, his deepened understanding of sin, forgiveness, grace and redemption. Church traditions and biblical passages are widely referenced, with some explanatory footnotes included.

What I Like: Eliot does an excellent job showing how small, seemingly insignificant events work to change Silas from a grumpy, old miser, into a loving, content father. The change happens little by little, and is not only believable, but wonderful to behold.

I also like the twists and turns the plot takes. We know who Eppie's natural father is, but Eppie and Silas do not, and we are never quite sure what will happen when the truth is revealed. Also, the mystery of Silas' stolen money is not solved until the end of the novel, so there is plenty to keep more adventurous readers turning the page.

What I Dislike: I wish Eliot spent a little more time with the characterization of Godfrey Cass. It was hard to believe someone could be so weak-minded and self-centered. Also, a couple aspects of the plot seemed a bit too convenient.

Overall Rating: Very good

Age Appeal: Young adult (14-21)

Publisher Info: Barnes and Noble Classics, 2005; ISBN: 978-1-59308-251-2; Paperback, $6.95

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $5.99 (This link is for the 2003 Penguin Classic version. . .CBD does not stock the Barnes and Noble copy I read.)

OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $6.95.

Special Note: The Barnes and Noble version I read includes two of Eliot's short stories, but I haven't actually read them yet. :)