Books
Christian Books
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The Door on Half-Bald Hill by Helena Sorensen
Idris, Bard of Blackthorn, is on a quest for answers in this darkly brooding fantasy for teens and adults. The Door on Half-Bald Hill by Helena Sorensen. Rabbit Room Press, 2020. 302 pages. Reading Level: Adult (ages 16 and up) Recommended For: Teens and adults, ages 16 and up Blackthorn is dying: water, people, and land. The three most powerful people in the community, the Ovate (healer), Druid (priest), and Ollamh (bard), are each caught up in the downward spiral. Corann, the druid, focuses on the old ways, meticulously following all of the customs, performing the sacred rites, and seeking answers in deep meditation. Corann’s ultimate desire is to find…
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Larkswood by Valerie Mendes
Spell Binding Larkswood by Valerie Mendes is an epic tale that I just could not put down. Valerie Mendes drew me into the story from the start as I questioned who, what, where, when and how? As I read on, I tried to guess the answers – and failed as the jaw dropping reveal occurred. […]
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The Nerviest Girl in the World by Melissa Wiley
Ranch girl Pearl discovers the brand-new technology of moving pictures in this fun read for early middle-graders. The Nerviest Girl in the World by Melissa Wiley. Alfred A. Knopf, 2020, 186 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 7-11 Except for irritable ostriches and daredevil big brothers, Pearl Donnelly lives a pretty quiet life on her family’s southern California ranch. Then Mr. Corrigan came around, looking for a few good riders to shoot. With a moving-picture camera, that is; Corrigan is the chief visionary of the Flying Q Film Company, now cranking out a picture a week for the nation’s nickelodeons. He’s just moved to California to…
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Finding Wings by Deborah Raney
Redeemed Finding Wings by Deborah Raney is the most delightful contemporary Christian novel that focuses on family and the faithfulness of God. It is the third book in the Chandler Sisters series but can be read as a stand-alone. The characters were wonderfully drawn. The love and care of the sisters for each other radiated […]
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Before The Crown By Flora Harding
A Perfect Accompaniment Before The Crown by Flora Harding is the historical love story between our Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. It is set between 1943 and November 20th 1947. For anyone who has watched The Crown on Netflix, this is the perfect accompaniment. It is easy to picture the characters and there is […]
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God’s Generals For Kids: Evan Roberts by Roberts Liardon and Olly Goldenberg
Inspirational God’s Generals For Kids: Evan Roberts by Roberts Liardon and Olly Goldenberg is the true account of Evan Robert’s life. It is perfect for ages eight years and over and I thoroughly enjoyed learning about Evan Roberts, even though I am considerably older than the target market. He was a new figure to me. […]
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Life In Lockdown 2020 by Olly Goldenberg
Perfect For The Under 12’s Life In Lockdown 2020 by Olly Goldenberg is a brilliant resource for children to help them to process all that has happened and what is continuing to happen. This is a puzzle book that helps children to not only think about events but to think about what God says about […]
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To Love A Prince by Rachel Hauck
God With Us To Love A Prince by Rachel Hauck is a most charming contemporary Christian novel and the first book in the True Blue Royal series. I cannot wait for the rest of the books. I am a huge Rachel Hauck fan and was delighted to have cameo appearances from characters in her previous […]
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The Golden Key and the Christian Imagination
Meeting George MacDonald I first met George MacDonald through the pages of his poetry and then, later, in his novels (the versions edited by Michael Phillips). I much preferred his poetry to his novels. And then I discovered his fantasy. I promptly told my college thesis advisor that I wanted to write my senior thesis on George MacDonald’s fairy tales. His first direction to me: “Read all of George MacDonald’s stories for children, and then come up with your thesis.” And so I did. My favorite story at the time was The Wise Woman (also known as The Lost Princess). I also enjoyed The Princess and the Goblin and The…
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Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley: a Discussion
Fighting Words takes on a difficult topic with a feisty, flawed, brave protagonist. Sometimes a novel appears that seems to require more than a simple review. Two perspectives on it will be better than one. Such a novel is Fighting Words, by Newbery-honor author Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. Any children’s book that reaps seven (count ’em!) starred reviews from the top review journals is worth a look. This one, as the author reveals at the end, is deeply personal. For this discussion we’ve invited one of our faithful readers, Meredith Burton, to talk over Fighting Words with Janie. Janie: Our protagonist, Della Roberts, begins by warning us she has a sad…
