God's Special Forces: A Manual for Becoming a Young Woman of Quality

Gods Special Forces: A Manual for Becoming a Young Woman of Quality by Darlene Laney is a workbook for teaching preteens the basics of hygiene, self care, and etiquette is a way that reminds them they have been created by God for a purpose.

Each chapter gives a brief Bible stud/ devotion and then dives into the specifics of practical advice. The chapters are titled:

• A New Look
• The Beginning
• Face Facts
• Value of a Woman
• Standing, Sitting & Walking
• Care of Self
• Skin Care
• Body Care
• Etiquette 101
• Accentuate the Positive
• Putting It All Together
• Last Word
• I'm Committed

At the end of the workbook, girls are encouraged to sign a commitment that they are going to apply the lessons and principles they have learned in this book.

What I Like: Growing up, I had a little book that I read and reread about character and beauty. This book has the possibility of being that for my daughter. It teaches girls how to beautiful from the inside out. After teaching girls that God has created them for a special purpose, it shows them what hairstyle suits their facial structure best, how to eat specific foods when in a group setting, and how to greet people they are meeting for the first time.

What I Dislike: I loved everything about this book.

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 8-14-year-olds

Publisher Info: Halo Publishing International, 2013; ISBN: 978-1-61244-126-9 ; paperback, 120 pgs., $16.95

Buy it at Amazon.com for $16.95!

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.

Cynthia Gives Thanks for Its Great To Be A Girl

Another Thanksgiving is upon us and I am always in awe of how God blesses my family and I every year. Every year brings new challenges and experiences and God is always right there blessing me with opportunities to live and learn. I am thankful for my position here at CCBR and being a part of a group of women who care about feeding our children's spirits through literature. I am especially grateful for It's Great To Be A Girl by Dannah Gresh. My 11-year-old daughter and I love this book. It's a resource that continues to help my daughter through the challenges of adolescence in a practical and spiritual way. It also encourages her to share her journey with me as an ally.

Everywhere your daughter goes--online or in real life--our culture tells her lies about her body. That's why bestselling author Dannah Gresh, creator of the Secret Keeper Girl events has developed this resource that points tween girls like yours to the truth about God's design.

With stories and examples your daughter can relate to, this Girl's Guide takes her to the Bible as her resource, helping her meditate on its message and have fun while she does it. She'll explore questions such as What if my body is different from everyone else's? What does the Bible mean by "Honor God with your body"? What about makeup--should I wear it? If so, how much? Should I be afraid to grow up? What's the big deal with nutrition and exercise?

Here's solid guidance with biblical grounding that will help your daughter grow spiritually as she's maturing physically.

About this series: The Girl's Guide books in the Secret Keeper Girl Series have been created for tween girls to help them explore topics important to them and give them the opportunity to travel deeper into "God's diary"--the Bible--for truth and instruction. 

What I Like: This in-depth book for young girls about to or who are already experiencing puberty goes into what is happening to their bodies, the importance of the changes and why God is the author of the changes. From the very beginning, authors Dannah Gresh and Suzy Weibel offer opportunities for the young readers to take this journey with their parents and friends as a bible study and learning experience. They are teaching the readers prayers, the importance of meditating on God's word and confidence that puberty is positive and necessary. I found it refreshing that Dannah & Suzy made puberty a journey of growth to be proud of, not scary or disgusting. I love that they encourage bonding with moms and friends during the journey.

It is an interactive book where girls can do crossword puzzles, fill-in-the-blanks, doodling, prayers, word search and journaling. The book is meant to be a resource, not just a one time read. The book includes sections of bible study.

The book also includes practical information like photos of the female womb and its purpose, menstrual cycle info, along with hair style ideas, hygiene practices, staying active while having fun, the importance of healthy eating and even bra shopping.


What I Dislike: Nothing

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 8-12 Years but I would say 10-14 due to reproduction discussion.

Publisher Info: Harvest House Publisher, 2015; ISBN: 978-0736960076; Paperback, 128 pgs., $11.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $8.99

OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $9.21

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

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $11.49

OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $11.99.

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. 

Its Great To Be A Girl

Everywhere your daughter goes--online or in real life--our culture tells her lies about her body. That's why bestselling author Dannah Gresh, creator of the Secret Keeper Girl events has developed this resource that points tween girls like yours to the truth about God's design.

With stories and examples your daughter can relate to, this Girl's Guide takes her to the Bible as her resource, helping her meditate on its message and have fun while she does it. She'll explore questions such as What if my body is different from everyone else's? What does the Bible mean by "Honor God with your body"? What about makeup--should I wear it? If so, how much? Should I be afraid to grow up? What's the big deal with nutrition and exercise?

Here's solid guidance with biblical grounding that will help your daughter grow spiritually as she's maturing physically.

About this series: The Girl's Guide books in the Secret Keeper Girl Series have been created for tween girls to help them explore topics important to them and give them the opportunity to travel deeper into "God's diary"--the Bible--for truth and instruction. 

What I Like: This in depth book for young girls about to or who are already experiencing puberty goes into what is happening to their bodies, the importance of the changes and why God is the author of the changes. From the very beginning, authors Dannah Greash and Suzy Weibel offer opportunities for the young readers to take this journey with their parents and friends as a bible study and learning experience. They are teaching the readers prayers, the importance of meditating on God's word and confidence that puberty is positive and necessary. I found it refreshing that Dannah & Suzy made puberty a journey of growth to be proud of, not scary or disgusting. I love that they encourage bonding with moms and friends during the journey.

It is an interactive book where girls can do crossword puzzles, fill-in-the-blanks, doodling, prayers, word searches and journaling. The book is meant to be a resource, not just a one time read. The book includes sections of bible study.

The book also includes practical information like photos of the female womb and its purpose, menstrual cycle info, along with hair style ideas, hygiene practices, staying active while having fun, importance of healthy eating and even bra shopping.


What I Dislike: Nothing

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 8-12 Years but I would say 10-14 due to reproduction discussion.

Publisher Info: Harvest House Publisher, 2015; ISBN: 978-0736960076 ; Paperback, 128 pgs., $11.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $8.99
OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $8.93

A Horse to Love

A Horse to Love by Marsha Hubler is a moving story about the power of a pet to affect a child's life for good. Thirteen-year-old Skye Nicholson has been in and out of foster homes ever since she can remember. Now that she finds herself at Keystone Ranch with her latest foster parents, Tom and Eileen Chambers, Skye wants nothing more than to get out. Keystone is like every other foster home she's been in, except for one thing: Champ, the beautiful Sorrel Quarter Horse who has captured Skye's heart. As Skye's love for Champ grows, Skye learns about the power of God's love to change her own broken, rebellious heart. This book is the first in the eight-book Keystone Stables series.

What I Like: Marsha Hubler writes with a keen understanding of her target audience. Her characterization, dialogue, and plot are realistic and resonate with a deep understanding of her age group. An educator, evaluator, and home school consultant, Ms. Hubler writes from more than eleven years of experience as a foster parent to numerous children.  Her writing displays the authenticity of personal experience coupled with the ability to convey that experience in a way that will draw readers into her story. Of special note is the fact that the faith element of the story is not simply tagged on but is an integral part of Skye's character arc.

What I Dislike: There is nothing I disliked about the story, but I would alert parents to the author's inclusion of a scene where Skye looks to obtain drugs from former classmates. This section of the book would, I believe, be more suitable to readers in the older end of the target age range, readers who may be more aware of drug use than younger children. Regardless of the age of their children, however, parents could use the scene as an opportunity for discussing from a Biblical perspective the dangers and consequences of using drugs.
 
Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: Middle-grade to junior high, ages 9-13.
 
Publisher Info: Zonderkidz, 2009; 978-0-310-71792-8; Paperback, 144 pgs., $4.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $4.49. OR Buy the Kindle version now at Christianbook.com for $2.99.

OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $4.49

Buy the Kindle version now at Amazon.com for $2.99.

Zippy's Big Difference

Zippy’s Big Difference, written by Candida Sullivan, deals with several issues, one of which is the subject of how children view themselves when they are different from other children. In this case, Zippy is a zebra with “white” stripes, but no black ones, so he doesn’t look like other zebras.

In this story, Zippy prayed for the rain to stop. It did, but then it snowed. Zippy thought the clouds had fallen from the sky. He was afraid he had caused a big problem. He saw his friends playing in the “clouds” and he told them to stop. But they were enjoying themselves too much to do so.

While Zippy was figuring out how to make thing right (i.e., put the “clouds” back where they belonged), his friend Naomi told him the “clouds” were just snow. She told him his prayer was a selfish one because he didn’t consider the plants and animals that need rain, he just wanted the rain to stop so he could play. Naomi said, “Prayer is very special and we need to make sure our heart is right when we pray.”

Zippy wanted to know how to do that. Naomi said, “God is the One who gives our heart the desire to pray. So listen to your heart.” Naomi went on to say, “Sometimes He gives more than one person the same prayer to pray. In the Bible, God says when two or more come together in prayer that He will hear it.”

When his friends heard that they got excited. They could pray for Zippy to have black stripes just like them so he wouldn’t be different.

Zippy started to think that was a great idea, so he asked Naomi if God would hear that prayer. “I don’t know. What if God had a purpose for giving you all white stripes? What if He has a beautiful plan for your life? God doesn’t make mistakes so your stripes have a reason. It wasn’t an accident that you received all white stripes.”

After further discussion, Zippy made a decision (SPOILER ALERT): He realized that he was special, that he was different because God made him that way. “God gave me all white stripes for a reason. He made me exactly like He wanted me to be. And I don’t want to change them. I like being different.” Then all his friends realized they were different in some way. One had one ear longer than the other; another had crooked teeth, etc. And, they all realized they were made the way God wanted them to be.

Not only did Zippy learn that he shouldn’t pray for selfish reasons, he also learned that God has a special plan for every single person.

The wonderful illustrations by Jack Foster are bright and colorful. I especially like the illustration on the book’s cover. It’s reminiscent of one done by Norman Rockwell.

What I Like: Everything.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 6-12.

Publisher Info: ShadeTree Publishing, 2012; ISBN: 9781937331313; Paperback, $14.99

Buy now at Amazon.com $10.70! 
 

Special Info: This is the second book by author Candida Sullivan featuring Zippy. The first one was Zippy and the Stripes of Courage. Read our reviews of other books by Candida Sullivan. Read our reviews of other books illustrated by Jack Foster.

The Berenstain Bears Follow God's Word

If there's anything my kids like more than a Berenstain Bear book, it's a collection of Berenstain bear stories all under one cover. Jan and Mike Berenstain's The Berenstain Bears Follow God's Word, then, is a treat, containing five books in one.

The first story in the collection is The Berenstain Bears God Loves You; Sister has hopes for a lead in the school musical, and Brother is sure he'll get on the school basketball team. But after doing their best during try-outs, they learn Sister is "just" the stage manager and brother is "just" the team manager. Depressed, both go home on a rainy day. But when the sun comes out, the Bear family heads outside to see a rainbow. Mama reminds: "The rainbow is a gift from God. It's a sign that the rain is past and the sun has come to warm the earth again. God puts the rainbow in the sky as a beautiful sign of his love for all the earth and all the creatures that he has made." Including the young bears. She also explains that while God wants us to behave well, he loves us even when we do wrong things. And Mama and Papa are proud of the cubs for taking on such responsible roles as stage manager and team manager.

Next up, is The Berenstain Bears and the Golden Rule. You can read Christine's review of this story here.

The Berenstain Bears Kindness Counts is next. In this story, Brother allows a younger cub to help him fly his prized model airplane, remembering how he felt when he was younger and Papa did the same. When the model plane crashes, Brother continues his kindness; he lets the cub know it wasn't his fault. He even lets the cub help him repair the plane. When the two go to the park to fly the plane again, Brother spots some older boys launching rockets. He asks if he can help and is at first turned down. But when they hear about how Brother let a younger cub help him, they decide he can participate in the rocket launch.

The Berenstain Bears Go to Sunday School comes next. The Bear family has been absent from church for a while because the cubs have been busy with soccer and ballet. But Mama decides it's time to start going again. They rise early - to no one's delight - and go to the little chapel. The family sings hymns together, then the children head off to Sunday School. Here, they recount the story of Noah's ark, and learn some funny things about their parents' childhoods. In the end, everyone enjoys the morning, and the cubs head off to soccer and ballet as usual.

The final story in the book is The Berenstain Bears Say Their Prayers. The cubs say their prayers every night before bed, asking God to bless those around them. But one day Brother and Sister head off to a baseball game, where they see Cousin Fred pray silently before a difficult play. Things go well for Fred and so Brother decides to pray that God will help him make a hit. Brother fails. He tells Fred, "I even tried praying like you did...But it didn't work for me." Fred confesses he only asked that God would help him stay calm and not get too scared. "Prayers are always answered," he says. "Sometimes, we just don't get the answer we expect." That night, when Sister teases Brother about his ball playing, Brother prays God will "help me out with my little sister." To his surprise, he finds he's not angry with her any more.

The book ends with questions and a few activities related to the stories.

What I Like: I read Berenstain bear books to my kids because they love them and they usually have a good moral they can apply to their lives. This collection of stories was no exception.
 

What I Dislike: It's strange to me that God Loves Us doesn't mention the biblical meaning of the rainbow. Kindness Counts is completely secular, although it has a good message. When I read this book to my children, I have to skip Go to Sunday School completely because my children go to "big church" with us; I also didn't like that the Bear family only dedicates the morning to God, going about their usual business the rest of the day instead of actually taking a day of rest. Finally, I wish the emphasis in Say Their Prayers was a little more on how to pray throughout the day.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: preschool to first grade

Publishing Info: Zonderkidz; 2011; ISBN: 978-0310725916 ; hardback, 160 pgs., $10.99.
Buy Now at Amazon for $9.99; purchase the Kindle edition for $7.99

OR buy from ChristianBook.com for $7.99; purchase the ebook for $7.99

Addison Blakely: Confessions of a PK

I love when I find a book I can’t put down. Addison Blakely: Confessions of a P.K. was one such book. In it, author Betsy St. Amant captured the struggles, temptations, doubts, and drama of the teenage years quite well.

The story opens with hormones. Addison is attracted to newcomer Wes Keegan, even though he is, for all appearances, exactly the type of boy her father (a preacher) would never approve of. He has tattoos. He rides a motorcycle. He’s older than her by two years. And he is not a believer.

As the story continues, Addison fights several emotional battles. It’s a spiritual journey and as well as one of self-discovery. She wants to meet the expectations of her father, but their relationship is strained. She has taken a vow of purity, but faces sexual temptations. She questions why she makes certain choices and not others.

Meanwhile, spunky sixteen-year-old Addison deals with regular teenage drama: a bulimic friend, unwanted attention from a boy, her widowed father dating again, and meeting the pressures of school responsibilities.

Amant created realistic, relatable, and likable characters. While Addison was the main focus—and one worth rooting for—she was surrounded by a great cast. Each character played an important role in the story, and Amant wove their lives together with skill.

Addison’s friend Claire quickly exited from center stage, but her struggle with bulimia and self-worth will still resonate with some readers. Marta, an exchange student from Germany, provided balance and wisdom. Luke demonstrated kindness and chivalry. He was the reliable boy we all know and love… as a friend. And irresistible bad boy Wes simply permeated the story with his complexity.

The story moved at a fast pace, making it extremely hard to set down. It held a mixture of humor and thought-provoking situations. Its authenticity may cause readers to search their own hearts, examine their own motives, and, like Addison, ultimately claim their faith as their own.

What I Like: I like how Addison considered the consequences of her decisions. Although Addison’s faith comes through in a strong way at the end, the story wasn’t preachy. The refreshing dose of honesty, painful predicaments, and nail-biting choices just seemed to FIT together. Also, although Addison is a preacher’s kid, her life very well reflects that of a typical teenage girl, especially one who was brought up in a Christian home. The dilemmas and pressures are the same, as well as the crucial element of faith… believing not because of what your parents taught you, but because of what you yourself believe.

What I Dislike: Okay, I’m a mom, but Addison’s eating habits bothered me. How could she eat so much ice cream, cupcakes, and sweets, and drink so much sugared coffee, and still maintain her weight?!

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: ages 15 and up
Publisher Info: Barbour Books, 2012; ISBN: 978-1616265557; Paperback, 368 pgs., $9.99
Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $8.19
OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $9.99.
OR Buy the Kindle version for $7.99.

Special Info: The story touches on the following teen topics: bulimia, abuse, gossip, peer pressure, and premarital sex.

Sammy, the Little Broken Shell

Sammy, the Little Broken Shell is a sweet book written by Carol Hamblet Adams with illustrations rendered by Linda Clearwater. Your child will enjoy diving into the world of Shellville and meeting the Scallop family.

Sammy is a little scallop that enjoys playing baseball, and has a lot of friends at the Shellementary School that he attends. However, his life changes suddenly when he is walking home from school one day with his sister Samantha. Captain Steve was checking his lobster traps and dropped his anchor down to the ocean floor. Sammy pushes his sister to safety, but in the process, the anchor chips a piece off of his shell.

When Sammy's friends see his broken shell, most of them ridicule him. Sammy feels so alone, and wonders if he will ever have his friends again.

Sammy's teacher, Miss Lucy, got ensnared in one of Captain Steve's lobster traps. No one is able to free her because no one had teeth sharp enough to cut the ropes. However, Sammy's chipped shell is sharp enough to cut the ropes and free his teacher.

Miss Lucy sees the situation as a great way to teach her pupils an important lesson:

"It doesn't matter what we look like on the outside. What matters most is what we are like on the inside, in our hearts ... The very gifts that make us different may help others the most, just like Sammy's broken shell. What's important is to know that no matter what we look like or feel like, we are very special people, just the way we are."


What I Like: This is a sweetly written, interesting story with a good lesson for children. There are also talking points for parents and teachers on the last page of the book.

What I Dislike: I don't dislike anything about this book.

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 4-8
 
Publisher Info: Harvest House Publishers, 2011; ISBN: ;Hardcover, 32 pgs., $14.99.

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $10.99.

OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $11.69.

Choices

Premarital sex is about more than hormones. Choices, a novel by Katrina L. Burchett, skillfully entwines the lives of five teen girls as they face this issue in York, Pennsylvania.

Shauntice, the central character of the book, feels trapped in many ways. Her father is an alcoholic and a mean drunk. His frustration explodes through fists against his wife and children. Shauntice trusts God implicitly, but, because of her father's abuse, cannot trust men. When Terry enters her life, her scarred emotions battle her attraction. Soon her relationship with Terry serves as an escape from her painful homelife. Is her faith in God stronger than her need for relief?

Angel may be rich in material things, but the void in her life is tangible. Raised by her grandmother, Angel never knew her father and barely knows her workaholic mother. Even though her best friend, Shauntice, is a committed believer, Angel wants nothing to do with God or church. She's been with the same guy for two years, but the signs (and her friends) suggest Randy's bad news. When another girl enters the picture and Randy becomes more physical, Angel has some choices to make. Is she worth saving or is Randy the best she deserves? To what lengths will she go to keep him?

LaKeeta is a Christian, but now pregnant. Once committed to abstinence, great grades and being a stellar basketball player, she's now not speaking to the baby's father and neither her father nor her best friend, Bridgette, are speaking to her. All she wanted was someone to love her unconditionally, but maybe that Someone was there all along. Now that her life is changed forever, what can she do?

Bridgette is a virgin committed to abstinence and has no problems preaching about it. When her best friend gets pregnant, she feels betrayed and comes off more than a little judgmental -- not just to Lakeeta, but also to Angel and just about everyone else that doesn't exhibit the same passion for God's ways. The path of judgment can prove a lonely road.

Hope leads a very different life from these other girls. Her mother is ultra-controlling and far too over-protective. Hope is faithful to her church and Christian beliefs, but she also feels like a freak, no thanks to her peers who treat her like one. When her father dies in a sudden car accident, Hope blames her mother and finds the strength to rebel against her strict rules. This earns Hope some street cred and a bit of self-esteem, but she may be getting in too deep too fast.

What I Like: This book is very well written. The author has a gift for creating three-dimensional characters and true-to-life dialog. The plot moves at a good pace. I especially like the multi-faceted approach to the topic.

Burchett clearly promotes abstinence, but also acknowledges the pressure teens receive from all sides -- social, physical, emotional, etc. -- and she provides grace in the knowledge that no one is perfect. Readers will walk away knowing that everything comes down to choices. Living right is not just about saying "yes" or "no" to sex. The issue is much bigger than that and encompasses how you treat others based on their choices and how you respond when your choices seem to be stripped from you.

I like that the book boldly relays the consequences of choices and encourages the characters and the readers to consistently seek God's direction when making choices. His definition of right and wrong is the only definition that matters. Scripture is quoted and referenced throughout the text. The Gospel message is fully presented and explained.

What I Dislike: The characters use the word "fornicate" frequently; I struggled to see this as realistic. It seems too adult and sterile for the characters. Perhaps this a cultural or generational distinction, but no one used that word when I attended high school in urban Philadelphia twenty years ago.

Also, curse words are employed a handful of times. I recognize that this effectively builds authenticity in the dialog, but it causes me (a parent) to hesitate in recommending to everyone.

Finally, the ending felt abrupt. Not all of the threads were tied up nicely, which I like, but a few of the threads definitely felt unfinished. I want to know what happened and, as such, hope for a second book.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: Young Adult

Publisher Info: Kapri Books, 2007; ISBN: 0979390508; Paperback; 328 pages; $9.99

Buy it Now at Amazon.com for $9.99!

Special Info: Parents should gauge age-appropriateness on an individual basis. This book tackles several difficult topics, some of which may be too intense for some teens. Readers encounter the real-life issues of promiscuity, teen pregnancy and motherhood, under-age drinking (and adult drunkenness), verbal abuse, domestic violence and rape. All of this is handled from a profoundly Christian foundation and perspective, but some of the scenes are quite graphic in nature. Parents should also be aware that curse words are employed within the dialog a handful of times.

This book is intended to be the first in a trilogy. At the time of this review, however, no release date has been set for the second book. Learn more or read an excerpt of this title on the author's website.

Perfect You

God has given everyone unique gifts. In Perfect You by Holly Skelton, your young reader learns that her blend of interests makes her who she is--and that she's perfect the way God made her.

With the talents she has, she is to use them to serve others. In addition, as she gets older, she will learn to recognize everyone has talents different from each other, emphasizing 1 Corinthians 7:7, which reads:

"Each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that."

What I Like: I really think this is a fabulous book for any kid dealing with self-esteem issues. While the characters illustrated are primarily girls, it would be beneficial for boys as well.

The idea of high self-esteem has been one touted for many years, and I found this book had a great view from a biblical perspective. There were four verses used (including the one I mention above) which emphasized how the reader is special in God's eyes.

The story is written a letter from God to the reader, as though God Himself is speaking to your child.

What I Dislike: There's not much I actually dislike about this book, however, I have a reservation about it. My one fear would be that a girl would think because God made them perfect (for them), she needs to be perfect--whether this is physically, in school, or in any way. I would definitely use this book as a teaching opportunity, especially if you think your daughter -- or son -- may have these particular issues.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: The publisher states 4 and up, but because of the subject matter, I think the book, while short, is better for kids a little older, maybe 6 and up.

Publisher Info: Tate Publishing, 2011; ISBN: 978-1-61739-918-3; Paperback, 20 PGS., $8.99

Buy it at Amazon.com for $8.99. Also available as an audio file for $6.12.

Gifts from the Heart

Kids use their imaginations to create and play in wonderful worlds. It’s no different in Victoria Osteen’s Gifts from the Heart. The story, written in rhyming verse, starts in a playroom with a brother and sister—Jon and Sue—dressing up in medieval clothes and pretending to be a prince and a princess. They “travel” to a town full of hustle and bustle. The people have been invited to a celebration for the king, and each wants to present the king with his or her best gift. Soon the children come across a sad young girl named Mary Anne. She has nothing to give the king, and neither do a handful of other children. The only thing the kids have to work with is their talents. Mary Anne can sing, another child can draw, another can juggle, and another works with puppets. Jon and Sue encourage the group to work together to build a stage and present the king with the gift of their talents—music, song, and so on.

The king’s herald scoffs at their efforts and tries to shoo them off. But then the king passes by and notices their efforts. The kids put on their show, and the king is pleased. Toward the end of the tale, the king talks to Mary Anne. “The king reached down and took her hand and said, “You’re very sweet./ Each one of you gave from your heart and made this day complete.”

Mary Anne replies with humility and joy: “We so wanted to honor you, she said bowing her head./ We could not buy you fancy gifts, so we did this instead!”

The story ends with a Kingdom Thoughts for the reader. These short quips are likewise written in rhyme, and meant to clarify lessons from the story. For example, “You may not wear a royal crown/ but you are royalty deep down.” Or “Always listen to what’s in your heart./ Then you’ll know just where to start.”

The author also includes a Bible verse (Proverbs 18:16), a personal note to the reader, and royal question and answers to help facilitate discussion on the theme of using our talents to honor God. (For example: What gifts do you have to share with the world? How can you share them?) The book is illustrated by Diane Palmisciano. She provides appealing, whimsical images full of motion.

What I Like: I think this story has a great lesson for kids: We can offer God the gift of our talents… whatever quirky thing that might be. I especially like the royal question and answer section because it provides a way for parents to discuss the story with their children on a whole different level. The author also included a fun suggestion. In the book, the kids start in a playroom. Several items from the playroom are then hidden in pictures throughout the story. Readers can hunt for those playthings on each page!

What I Dislike: The meter is off in several places, making it sometimes awkward to read aloud. I also thought the beginning of the story was too abrupt. At first I didn’t realize the kids were playing because Sue simply announced that she was a princess. I would have appreciated a longer set up before the shift to the imaginary world. Also, although I enjoyed the “find these items from the playroom” activity, I would have liked to have that direction before reading the story instead of finding out at the end.

Overall Rating: Excellent idea, excellent Q & A, good story execution. Overall rating of Very Good.

Age Appeal: None is given, but I'd recommend the K-1 crowd.

Publisher Info: Little Simon Inspirations; 2010; ISBN: 978-1416955511; Hardback, 32 pgs., $16.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $12.99
OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $13.25.

Special Info: Visit Osteen’s website. Read a CCBR review of other books by Victoria Osteen.

Hermie, A Common Caterpillar (Level 2 Reader)

Hermie, A Common Caterpillar is one of the most popular stories by beloved author Max Lucado. The series has sold more than 5.5 million units! This version is offered with beginning readers in mind.

The story tells of a common caterpillar, Hermie, who wishes to be special. He can't understand why God didn't give him the strength of an ant, the house of a snail or the flashy spots of a ladybug. One morning, after a long sleep, Hermie wakes to find himself transformed into a beautiful butterfly. His friend, Wormie, is another common caterpillar. Hermie encourages Wormie with the book's main message: "God loves you just the way you are. But, guess what? God isn't finished with you."

The illustrations by Daniel Howarth feature friendly characters and lots of bold colors, an appealing combination.

What I Like: My kids have always liked Hermie. It's a well-known story with sweet characters and an encouraging message.

What I Dislike: The publisher doesn't offer an explanation of what "Level 2" means. Categorization seems to vary among publishers, so I'm not sure exactly what this means, but I would guess Grade 2. The book advertises "simple sentences, basic vocabulary words," but I would prefer more specific terms. My daughter (almost 8 years old and reading on a third grade level) struggled to get through it, not because of reading level (vocabulary or sentence structure), but because of the story length. At 48 pages, this is a very long book for learning readers. It would have fit better for this target audience if abridged or divided into chapters. Finally, this book seems redundant. It's the exact same as the picture book and the video. My kids were excited to have a new book, but quickly grew bored when they discovered it was the same story, even with the same wording.

Overall Rating: I recommend the story and would rate it "Very Good," but as a beginning reader book, this is just Ho-Hum. So, overall, I give it a Good rating.

Age Appeal: 4-8

Publisher Info: Tommy Nelson, 2011; ISBN: 1400317479; Hardback; 48 pgs; $8.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $7.19!
OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $8.99.

This book is also available in Kindle format for $6.64.

Special Notes: See our review of the picture book version of this title. You may also be interested in our reviews of other children's books by this author. Visit the author's website at www.maxlucado.com.

Stay tuned for another book in this Level 2 reader series. Hermie: God Listens When I Pray will be available in February 2012. Pre-order now at Christianbook.com.

Fashioned by Faith

Fashioned by Faith, written by international model Rachel Lee Carter, offers a wonderful resource for girls seeking to know what God says about fashion, beauty and modesty. The author fluidly combines Bible study with her personal journey of understanding God's perspective on these issues. Teens will enjoy reading stories of relationships, international travel and behind-the-scenes tales of modeling, all while being challenged toward spiritual growth and application of greater knowledge of God's Word.

Each chapter offers a common format.

• he says - a real guy's perspective on female fashion, modesty, purity, and what he looks for in a girl
• she says - the author's testimony of struggle, triumph and biblical insight related to the chapter topic
• He says - God's perspective on the topic
• what do you say? - a question and answer section providing readers the opportunity to interact with the text and note their thoughts and impressions

Some of the key discussions involve the supreme importance of inner beauty and how to develop godly character; eating disorders; dressing for your body type; how to define modesty; how to apply modesty to high fashion and swimsuit seasons and how fashion choices can influence relationships. A common theme throughout is that what you wear matters. Readers learn that it's not just about them and what they like; their fashion choices affect others and can influence their testimony and reputation for the good or the bad.

The book includes a 45-day Bible study at the back, perfect for group or individual use. A 16-page insert includes color photos of the author on and off the job. Captions provide explanations and additional tips on style dos and donts.

What I Like: Just about everything! It draws from several sources, all of which influence women, be they teens or adults. The is an attractive book with an appealing format. The personal stories and photographs from the author only add to the impact of her message. I love the solid Biblical principles taught and how the author consistently reinforces her points with Scripture references and quotations. This is no shallow Bible study! The author gets into the nitty-gritty issues and exhibits a thorough understanding of Scripture. I like how she pushes readers to internalize and interact with the lessons through journaling, independent study and prayer time.

What I Dislike: I like the "he said ... she said ... He said" format, but the order seems to place guys' opinions higher than the author's or God's. I would have preferred a look at God's Word first, then her take on it and finally reinforce those with the real guys' testimonies. This is so minor, though, that it doesn't affect my overall rating.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 13 and up

Publisher Info: Thomas Nelson, 2011; ISBN: 1400316928; Paperback; 224 pages; $14.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $9.99!
OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $11.93.

This book is also available in Kindle format for $8.99.

Special Info: The author is a graduate of Word of Life Bible Institute and speaks at women's and youth conferences throughout the United States. Learn more about her and her ministry at www.ModelingChrist.com.

A Girl's Guide to Life: The Truth on Growing Up, Being True, and Making Your Teen Years Fabulous!

If you have a tween or teen girl wrestling with life issues and questions, Katie Meier’s book A Girl’s Guide to Life: The Truth on Growing Up, Being True, and Making Your Teen Years Fabulous! provides some guidance and answers.

The book opens and closes with a message from the author. Meier explains that the book is not set up in a linear fashion but that chapters can be read in any order. Because it’s written from a Christian perspective, Meier also provides some Scripture references in the text. The rest of the book is divided into three sections, where Meier tackles topics involving the mind, body, and soul of a young girl.

Under “mind”, Meier addressed self-esteem, romance, prejudice and perception, pressure and the real you, going online and the digital you, and disorders and who can help. In this section, I thought Meier’s online/digital advice and frank talk about disorders was spot on. She acknowledged both the advantages and dangers of electronic communication, and gave good advice on how to protect yourself from those dangers. For disorders, she not only laid out warning signs, she provided information about where a teen can go to find help.

Under “body”, Meier discussed beauty, fashion, puberty, sex and sexuality, guys, and personal rights (which had to do with sexual harassment, abuse, and self-defense). I thought the two best chapters in this section were on beauty and sexuality. I appreciated Meier stating that in today’s society, how we look on the outside really does count… because, let’s face it, it does. She suggests teens dress in a way that makes them feel confident without going overboard on makeup. The chapter on sex and sexuality briefly brings up masturbation and sexual temptation. Meier makes it clear that sex is for after marriage. Most of this chapter follows a question and answer format.

Under “mind”, Meier looked at family, friends, religion, volunteer work, and choosing who you will be. Meier paints a picture of what a family should be—loving, supporting, protecting—and then gives some straight talk about what to do when families don’t get along or are abusive. In the religion section, she points out the main differences between Christianity and a variety of other religions and gives succinct summaries about each religion she mentions. (They are Buddhism, Wicca, Islam, Hinduism, and Judaism.)

What I Like: I appreciate the inclusion of website and numbers teens can call to find help for eating disorders… which, as the author notes, is a major problem for teen girls. I was impressed with the scope of the issues she addressed, and how she fit them into one of the three subheading of mind, body, or soul. Meier gave a lot of great advice and information without sounding preachy, which means this book might also work for a general market audience. She appealed to logic as well as emotion in making her presentations. I wish a book like this had been available for me when I was a teen!

What I Dislike: In the self-esteem chapter, Meier repeatedly referred to the “Land of No”, a phrase she got from a book by Caroline Knapp called Appetites. Since I haven’t read that book, I found this reference a little confusing. In the romance chapter, I didn’t think the checklist for determining what kind of emotional girl you are was very accurate or realistic. It’s hard to fit girls into one of two categories when it comes to romance. I thought a few of the chapters were a bit too shallow (fashion, prejudice), but they did, at least, provide a nice overview. Also, while the book gave some Scriptural references, I felt like it didn’t provide enough. I would have liked a list of Scripture to look up or a workbook-like section for girls to find out more about where God stands on some of the issues Meier addressed. Perhaps that would have helped flesh out some of the chapters that I felt addressed the topics too superficially. Finally, I felt like in Meier’s attempt to “talk teen”, some of her wording seemed awkward. Some of the slang in the book is already obsolete.

Overall Rating: Very Good... Plus Amazon has an excellent low price on this book, making it a real bargain!

Age Appeal: Ages 13 and up

Publisher Info: Thomas Nelson, 2010; ISBN:1400315948; Paperback, 224 PGS., $12.99
Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $8.99.
OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $4.65.

Special Info: Publisher Thomas Nelson also offers A Guy's Guide to Life: How to Become a Man, written by Jason Boyett. Read a CCBR review of this book.

A Guy's Guide to Life: How to Become a Man in 224 Pages or Less

If you are looking for a last-minute gift for that hard-to-buy-for teen boy on your list, Jason Boyett's A Guy's Guide to Life: How to Become a Man in 224 Pages, may be a fun choice. Boyett uses humor, faith, research and frank language to sensitively handle a wide spectrum of issues teen boys are interested in. Boyett speaks directly to guys on issues ranging from how to knot a tie, to how sex works, to developing meaningful friendships.

This book is organized into three sections. Section one explains the working of a guy's mind, and covers topics such as stereotypes and peer pressure, communication (with parents and girls), dating, and being a gentleman. He advocates listening to and respecting parents, staying away from "danger zones" on dates (empty houses, movie theaters, etc. . .) and holding doors open for anyone, regardless of age or gender.

Part two is labeled "Body," and gives detailed instructions about grooming and clothing, exercise and healthy choices. This section also contains a "Sex Chapter" where Boyett explains how sex works and discusses how Christian teenage boys should view sexuality and dating.

Boyett discusses masturbation, pornography and oral sex in this chapter. While he has no problem with hand-holding and kissing, Boyett defines any other sexual behavior as "sex," which should be reserved for marriage. He explains pornography is never positive, and can become an addiction. About masturbation, Boyett says, "God created your sex drive, but it is doubtful he intended masturbation to be a good use of it." However, he also says most teens will struggle with it, and he warns against carrying "the kind of guilt that, if it continues to fester, can drive a person away from God." Step to Manhood #52 is, "Deciding to hold off on having sex until you're married and sticking to that commitment no matter how tempting things get." He also discusses what to do if you have already gone too far.

The last chapter in this section is a refreshing and empathetic look at the emotional and physical changes teen girls are going through.

"Part Three: Soul" discusses faith, family, friends, your neighbor and the future. Boyett explains what it means to follow Jesus and live in His grace. He also recommends boys volunteer, contribute to church, and consider service or mission projects. He makes a compelling case for attending college, whether in an Ivy League setting or community college. Especially helpful are Boyett's ideas about how to pay for college, and think about your future.

What I Like: Guys will appreciate Boyett's clear explanations and conversational tone. He treats readers as intelligent, mature teens, capable of using straight-forward information to make wise choices.

Boyett is unequivocal about his faith, but he relates to teens, and never preaches, but instead, comes alongside the boys he is writing to.

I also like Boyett's humor. While we don't usually use the terms "boobs" and "butt," reading them in his book, along with his funny commentary, could lighten up awkward topics. I can imagine appreciating a good laugh here and there, if I was reading this with my son (in several years!)

What I Dislike: Nothing

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 13 and up (and parents)

Publisher Info: Thomas Nelson, 2010; ISBN: 978-1-4003-1595-6; Paperback, 209 pages, $12.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $8.49

OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $11.69.

Special Note: Boyett explains a very strict version of "courtship" but is more in favor of dating, with hand-holding and light kissing (as opposed to "deep, open-mouthed" kissing) allowed.