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*The Roar on the Other Side by Suzanne Underwood Rhodes
Is poetry writing obsolete? It doesn’t have to be, especially for Christians. *The Roar on the Other Wide: A Guide for Student Poets by Suzanne Underwood Rhodes. Canon Press, 2000. 192 pages. Reading Level: Teens, ages 12 and up Recommended For: Teens, ages 12 and up Poetry starts with silence–not silence in the world but silence of mind.Introduction, p. 11 “Silence of mind” sounds more essential than ever in our current era of frenetic news headlines about a pandemic, violence in cities, racism, economic fallout, upcoming elections, …. Perhaps this is the year to tackle some poetry in order to counteract the “news noise.” The Roar on the Other Side…
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Kensuke’s Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo
Awaken The Child In You Kensuke’s Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo is a delightful contemporary children’s adventure for ages eight years and over. Once more Michael Morpurgo fires up a child’s imagination as we visit a desert island. The landscape is vividly painted through words. Bonds form between the young and the very old, as a […]
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What Hindered Love by Melanie Tillman
Perfect Love Casts Out All Fear What Hindered Love by Melanie Tillman is a beautiful contemporary retelling of the book of Hosea. It is a story of the faithfulness and love of God who will never give up on us nor forsake us. Life may be hard and we erect walls to protect us. “Let […]
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Abigail’s Secret by Marilyn Turk
The Gift Abigail’s Secret by Marilyn Turk is a charming contemporary Christian mystery suspense that I loved. The novel concerns the restoration of a light house and the nearby keepers house. The old connects with the new as some surprising artefacts are discovered. This reminds the reader that God can restore our lives. He renovates […]
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All Of Us Warriors: Cancer Stories Of Survival And Loss by Rebecca Whitehead Munn
The Voice Of Truth All Of Us Warriors: Cancer Stories Of Survival And Loss by Rebecca Whitehead Munn is a collection of twenty stories of people who have been diagnosed with cancer. Each story is unique. We must never compare our walk with someone else’s journey. The stories are written in a very personable way. […]
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Not All Stories Are Created Equal
The “Power of Story” is an article of faith among authors, librarians, and other bookish people. But beware its limitations. The “power of story” consistent theme among authors, publishers, librarians, bookworms—and increasingly, politicians and opinion-mongers. I see it a lot in children’s fiction these days: find your story, tell your story, live your story. A wildly acclaimed children’s novel called When You Trap a Tiger (five starred reviews!) is all about “the power of story” to shape perception in an all-female Korean/American family. The central character learns empowerment from a mythical tiger of traditional folktales, both dangerous and benign (cue Joseph Campbell on the hero’s journey and the power of…
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Shirley & Jamila Save Their Summer by Gillian Goerz
Shirley & Jamila are an odd couple who learn a lot about friendship while solving neighborhood crimes. Shirley & Jamila Save Their Summer by Gillian Goerz. Penguin Random House, 2020, 221 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 8-12 Jamila Waheed and her family are new to the neighborhood, and still relatively new to the West, having immigrated to Canada only about five years before. Jamila has recently discovered her love for basketball, but Ammi has other ideas for the summer: science camp! Big-brother Farooq attended the same camp and didn’t love it, so any alternative would be preferable. None appears until Jamila meets Shirley Bone at…
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A Life Once Dreamed by Rachel Ford
Pulling Together A Life Once Dreamed by Rachel Fordham is a charming Christian historical novel set in 1880. This is a time of exploration and putting down roots. The reader sees this physically and spiritually. The town of Penance is a pioneering settlement. The town grows both physically and its members grow spiritually. It is […]
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Contempt by Michael Cordell
Sacrificial Lamb Contempt by Michael Cordell is a fabulous contemporary legal thriller that will have you glued and guessing. Miscarriages of justice have occurred and the truth needs to be uncovered. The tension rises as clearing murky waters begin to uncover a different picture. The action is fast paced and like any courtroom drama, the […]
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Acceptable Risk by Lynette Eason
Good Hearts Acceptable Risk by Lynette Eason is a fabulous Christian suspense and the second book in the Danger Never Sleeps series. It can be read as a stand-alone. I enjoyed catching up with familiar faces. Lynette Eason is a master of the suspense drama. She had me glued and guessing from the start. Her […]
