Books
Christian Books
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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 […]
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12 Substitutions for The Kite Runner
High School Literature: Messy and Grown-Up What’s a parent to do when a book like The Kite Runner gets assigned in school? High school students are learning to read as adults; the high school literature canon reflects that: The Great Gatsby, Great Expectations, Lord of the Flies, Fahrenheit 451, Their Eyes Were Watching God, Shakespeare…. All of these are “adult” books in that they were written for an adult audience. And all of them contain “messy” elements: violence, bad language, sexual promiscuity, trauma, sordid family histories, etc. And yet, the traditional high school canon did not feature books as explicitly traumatic as a book like The Kite Runner. Darkness? Yes.…
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Is The Kite Runner OK for 10th Graders?
Is The Kite Runner OK for 10th Graders? “My 10th grader has to read The Kite Runner for school. Do you know anything about it? Is it okay for him to read?” “My 15-year-old daughter was assigned The Kite Runner for school. I’m not comfortable with her reading it. Can you recommend a substitute?” And so it goes. This is our readers’ number one school book substitution request. The Kite Runner: a Summary The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Riverhead, 2003. 371 pages. Reading Level: AdultRecommended For: Ages 16 and up* (note considerations below)Amir (the narrator) and Hassan grew up together in Afghanistan; Hasan and his father are servants in…
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Collateral Damage by Lynette Eason
Cracking Suspense Collateral Damage by Lynette Eason is a fabulous contemporary Christian suspense and the first book in the Danger Never Sleeps series which promises to be a cracking one. God has plans for all of our lives. Each one of us is equal in His eyes. Unscrupulous people judge others as to who is […]
