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Finding Truth for Toddlers: Why Good Stories Matter
During the months of lockdown, I babysat for a toddler with a growing vocabulary and a love for books. Monday through Friday, I would arrive at her house bearing a bag of books, and soon she began saying a new word, “Alfie!” I had many books, including several children’s bibles. But what word did she say, and what author did she constantly return to? Alfie. So day by day, I read Alfie. (Though not all Alfie . . . Shirley Hughes’ simpler books and poetry collections were included in the word.) And as I did, I marveled at the ability of Shirley Hughes to create stories. An Author Who…
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The Guilty Die Twice by Don Hartshorn
Complex And Intriguing The Guilty Die Twice by Don Hartshorn is an intricate legal thriller set over two time periods – present day and ten years earlier in the form of flashbacks. The whole novel surrounds the topic of the death penalty versus life imprisonment. There are some strong voices for both sides, both inside […]
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Innocent by Erin Kinsley
Can You Predict The Outcome? Innocent by Erin Kinsley is a fabulous psychological crime thriller that had me questioning and hunting for clues from the start. Small town life is not always as idyllic as it appears. Following an assault, lives begin to unravel and the reader must sort out the truth from the lies. […]
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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…
