Channing O'Banning and the Rainforest Rescue

Channing O'Banning and the Rainforest Rescue by Angela Spady is a great chapter book for young readers who are looking for wholesome adventures.

Channing O'Banning is a 4th grader who learns about the value of friendship and offering others a chance at friendship. Channing and her best friends' worlds are rocked when Marco moves into town.  She decides that she doesn't like Marco when he befriends her best friend Maddy. Yet a family summer vacation and a chance to get to know Marco help Channing realize that it is important to give others a chance at friendship.

What I Like: I really liked the relationship that Channing had with her grandmother. I am a firm believer in the importance of cross-generational family bonds, so seeing Channing consider her grandma as a person she could confide in and trust and someone she truly wanted to spend time with was refreshing.

My daughter really enjoyed this book. We read it together and every night she would always ask for one more chapter. I love books that my children cannot wait to read.

What I Dislike: I did not like the relationship Channing and her sister had. I know that siblings do not always get along perfectly (I have two children of my own), but children need to be shown good examples of siblings relationships, not ones that are hostile and passive aggressive. These two girls were always antagonizing each other and verbally cutting of each other. I had to constantly remind my daughter that this was not how we expected her to treat her brother.

Overall Rating: Recommended.

Age Appeal: 6-12-year-olds.

Publisher Info: Thomas Nelson, 2015; ISBN: 978-0718032623; paperback, 112 pps., $6.99.

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The Plans I Have for You Devotional

The Plans I Have For You Devotional by Amy Parker is a book of 90 daily devotionals. The book is divided into six sections; each section has 15 devotions. Each section highlights a character of the Bible as well as a specific thought

Each section highlights a character of the Bible, providing Bible verses and stories to show how the section title relates to that particular character as well as to our individual lives. A couple of section titles are "There's Nothing You Can't Do" and "I've Given You a Purpose." Moses is highlighted in the section called "There's Nothing You Can't Do" and Mordecai in the other one. Each section is filled with poems, stories, quizzes, scriptures and other items of interest that relate to the topic of that section.

Black and white illustrations by Vanessa Brantley-Newton are plentiful throughout and are multicultural in nature.

What I Like: Just about everything.

What I Dislike: Since the book is divided into 6 sections and each section has 15 devotions in it, and since the number "90" in printed in the upper left-hand corner of the cover, I thought each devotion would be numbered, i.e., #1 - #90. They are not. That's not really a problem; I just thought they would be.

Overall Rating: Very good.

Age Appeal: I'd say this book would be great for tweens and teens, so ages 9 and up would be about right.

Publisher Info: Zonderkidz, 2015; ISBN: 9780310725220; Paperback, , 160 pages, $14.99. 

Buy now at ChristianBook $11.99!

Or buy at Amazon $13.18.

Special Info: Read our reviews of other books by Amy Parker. Visit Amy Parker’s website.

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.
 
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Christine Gives Thanks for 66 Books One Story: A Guide to Every Book of the Bible in 2015

As always, I am thankful for another year, another month, another week, another day, another hour, and even just another minute of being alive. We have lost so many family members and friends in the past few years, it’s just wonderful being able to say we’re still doing okay. God is good.

There are so many books to be thankful for, that is was simply hard to choose one for this review. However, I chose 66 Books One Story: A Guide to Every Book of the Bible for two reasons: First, because it deals with the Bible, God’s book of life’s instructions. The second reason is because the Bible has 66 books, sometimes it’s hard to keep track of all of them. Despite the few things I point out I don't like about the book, it is still a handy reference guide to have beside you if you have a question about a particular book of the Bible.

66 Books, One Story: A Guide to Every Book of the Bible, written by Paul Reynolds, is a study-guide for the Bible. The title refers to the idea that although there are a total of 66 books in the Bible, they all tell “one story”, that of God’s love and power. Also, the author shows many examples of the cohesion of the books where the Old Testament prophets predict events that happen in the New Testament.

There are 67 chapters in this book. Genesis and Psalms are each discussed in two consecutive chapters, and John II & III are combined into one. Each chapter consists of a title, a short subtitle that relates to the content of Biblical book; an Introduction that gives a brief synopsis of the book; an Overview that lists anywhere from four to 17 points of interest in that book; a section called “Learning from ________ [the blank is filled in with the book’s title] with three ideas from the book; a section called “Salvation Thread” telling why the book is important; and ends with a Key Verse.

What I Like: I like the way the author has summed up each chapter. You can easily find a quick review of any of the books of the Bible.

What I Dislike: The author makes liberal improper use of commas, periods and apostrophes throughout the text. Also, the writing itself could use a bit of editing. The book called the Song of Solomon is referred to as the Song of Songs. And, rather than discuss the book of Psalms as a whole, the author cites only two individual Psalms from that book, that of Psalms 69 and 103, each requiring its own chapter.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: Tweens and teens.

Publisher Info: Christian Focus Publications, 2013; ISBN: 9781845508197; Paperback, 235 Pages, $18.99.

Buy now at ChristianBook $12.99!

Or buy at Amazon.com $13.22.

 

Paul, Tarsus to Redemption

For kids who love manga, check out the book Paul, Tarsus to Redemption. This visually entertaining book by Matthew Salisbury and Gabrielle Gniewek follows the life of Saul in his early persecution of the church, his blinding encounter with Christ on the road to the Damascus (and name change), and all the way to his death in Rome. 

Classic manga illustrations by Sean Lam help the reader visualize every step of Paul’s journey. With the binding on the right instead of the left and panels read from right to left in Japanese style, readers can fully immerse themselves in the comic-style experience. The book helpfully provides directions on how to read the text. Ironically, this information is located at the end of the book, making it the first page readers unfamiliar with the genre see! The author also provides an annotated map of Paul’s excursions.

The book is divided into three chapters. Each chapter quotes a verse of Scripture.

What I Like:This is a book that would appeal to my son and kids who enjoy comic books. The artwork is visually spectacular. It’s a thick book, but a fast read, making it particularly appealing to reluctant readers.

What I Dislike: I felt like the text left a few gaps in the story that the pictures were not able to fully clarify. Therefore, I think kids must have a good grasp on Paul’s life from Scripture prior to reading the book. Without that background knowledge I think the tale would be hard to follow. There were also a few places where the writer/artist took some creative liberties which surprised me, but, in general, those served to make the story come to life.

Overall Rating: Very Good, though the artwork is Excellent. So VG with a nod toward EXCELLENT.

Age Appeal: None is suggested. I think it works for ages 8 and older.

Publisher Info: Magna Hero, 2012; ISBN: 978-0983639749 ; Paperback, 312 pgs., $9.99
This book is not currently available at Christianbook.com.
Buy it at Amazon.com for $9.99.

Special Info: This author or illustrator has other books that might interest your manga reader, including: Pope Francis: I Believe in Mercy, Many Are Called, and Judith: Captive to Conqueror.

FaithGirlz! NIV Bible

This special binding of the Faithgirlz! Bible, NIV offers a trendy and unique magnetic closure. Every girl wants to know she’s totally unique and special. This Bible says that with Faithgirlz! sparkle. Through the many in-text features found only in the Faithgirlz! Bible, NIV girls will grow closer to God as they discover the journey of a lifetime.

Features include:

• Book introductions—Read about the who, when, where, and what of each book.

• Dream Girl—Use your imagination to put yourself in the story.

• Bring It On!—Take quizzes to really get to know yourself.

• Is There a Little (Eve, Ruth, Isaiah) in You?—See for yourself what you have in common.

• Words to Live By—Check out these Bible verses that are great for memorizing.

• What Happens Next?—Create a list of events to tell a Bible story in your own words.

• Oh, I Get It!—Find answers to Bible questions you've wondered about.

• The complete New International Version (NIV).

• Features written by bestselling author and tween expert Nancy Rue.

What I Like: While we shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, the cover to this FaithGirlz! Bible is really adorable. The purple polka-dotted area is actually a magnetic flap that help keeps the bible closed and keeps the usually exposed pages protected.  The text inside is purple and the extras are highlighted in pink. A true girly bible. However, this bible is more than just cute. It is very much a study bible for girls. I especially love the "Oh I Get It!" section where girls get a deeper understanding of scripture. My other favorite extra is "Is There A Little...In You?" in which readers are asked to relate to people in the bible. It is a great resource to help the readers understand the motives and feelings of those in bible. "Is There A Little...In You?" also helps teach girls about qualities that may not recognize in themselves; good and bad.  The "Treasure This" section highlights scripture girls can relate to and easily memorize.

What I Dislike: At full price, it's a bit steep for a tween bible.

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: 9-12 but I think girls aged 9-14 would like this bible.

Publisher Info: Zondervan, 2015; ISBN: 978-0310750079; Hardcover, 1504 pgs., $39.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $23.99

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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
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A Miracle for Micah: Faith in Hard Times

A Miracle for Micah, by Mick and Carol Wyrick, starts with a young cripple named Reuben, who is crawling away from home in an attempt to kill himself. He feels he is a burden to his family and cannot understand why God has made him unable to walk since birth, and is ready to simply end his struggles. Exhaustion sets in before Reuben can carry out his plan, and an old priest rescues him. Soon the priest has Reuben settled by a warm fire in his home. The priest presses Reuben to explain his actions, and then tells him a story about a boy in a similar plight… a boy named Micah.

As the story progresses, we see Micah facing the same kind of despair as Reuben; people treat him with contempt, he feels like he is a burden, and he doubts God. But in the priest’s story is a young hero, a fellow villager and peer named Ariel. Ariel is a well-liked leader. Micah’s parents hope that the two can form a friendship, so they enlist Ariel to help Micah with the fishing nets. Sure enough, the two bond. Shortly after that, Ariel hears about a man named Jesus. He learns Jesus is able to heal the sick and determines to take his friend to see him.

At this point, the reader may recognize the Bible story about the friends who lower a paralyzed man through the roof to see Jesus because the crowds are so big. This, indeed, is what happens to Micah. He is lowered through the roof, encounters Jesus, and is told his sins are forgiven. Then, to prove that He has power over all things, Jesus tells Micah to get up and walk. A miracle occurs, and Micah picks up his mat and walks away.

Reuben is astounded by the story. Furthermore, he is encouraged to view his troubles in a new light when the priest says, “You have suffered from a physical disability. Others have been sick, or lost their jobs, or had a family member die, or watched their family break up, or experienced failure of some other type. Each of these causes pain, fear, anxiety, anger, loneliness, and lack of hope. It is often difficult for these individuals to find comport and support. People who haven’t experienced these things are unable to understand…”

And so Reuben sees how he can choose to be a warrior for God because his life experiences put him in a unique position to comfort and encourage others.

Soon after, Reuben’s parents arrive, crying with relief and gratitude to see their son alive and well. On the way out, they stop to thank the old priest, calling him by name. Micah.

At the end of the book, the author provides a list of inspirational Scripture passages and anywhere from four to eight discussion questions for each chapter of the book. David Miles did several line drawing illustrations. These pictures strike a nice balance with the text, using a somewhat realistic style that is appealing to the audience without being overly cartoonish. They help the reader visualize the story.

What I Like: I appreciate the Scriptures and questions the authors provide. This allows readers to make connections with the story and drives home the idea that God has a purpose for each of us.

What I Dislike: In places, the language was a little stiff for me, making parts of the story read more like a Sunday School paper than a chapter book. This also had a fairly predictable story line. However, it was still an enjoyable story. It is also a little pricey for a paperback. You may want to stick with the FREE Kindle Unlimited version, which is definitely worth a look!

Overall Rating: Very Good

Age Appeal: No age is suggested, but I think it would work for both the K-1 grade and the 8-12 age group.

Publisher Info: Trusted Books, 2015; ISBN:978-1632692658; Paperback or Kindle, 92 pgs., $11.99

This book is not currently available at Christianbook.com.
Buy it at Amazon.com for $10.80.
Or Buy the Kindle Unlimited version for FREE.

Special Info: This book won the Moonbeam Children's Book Award and Mom's Choice Award.

Prayers that Changed History

George Muller had no food for the hungry orphans in his care, but he sat them at the table, anyway, and they prayed, thanking God for the food He would provide. When the prayer was over, there was a knock on the door. It was the baker - with enough bread for everyone. Soon after, the milk man delivered fresh milk because his cart had broken down in front of the orphanage. This is just one of my children's favorite stories from Prayers that Changed History by Tricia Goyer, a book showcasing how real prayers were not only answered, but changed the world.

24 people (plus one group of people: the British) are featured in this book; some, you and your children may be familiar with, like Constantine, St. Patrick, Christopher Columbus, Martin Luther, William Bradford, Sojourner Truth, David Livingstone, Florence Nightingale, Helen Keller, Mother Teresa, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Corrie ten Boom. Others may be less familiar, like Polycarp, Oswald (King of Northumbira), John Eliot, Susana Wesley, John Newton, Robert Raikes, Mary Jones, Catherine Booth, George Muller, Billy Sunday, Amy Carmichael, and John Hyde.

Each chapter in Prayers that Changed History focuses on one of these people and their prayer (sometimes prayers), which God answered in a big way. Each chapter also offers a related Bible story, and prompts readers to think about what we can learn from the individual and how we can apply that to our own lives.

What I Like: This is a superb book to add to your family's library, since both parents and kids will enjoy and benefit from it. My children and I learned some bits of history we hadn't known before, and were moved by many stories in the book; some will stick with us for the rest of our lives. I also appreciate the discussion questions; these lead to some deeper thinking on my kids' part. And as an added bonus, my 9 year old now wants to read some primary sources, like Corrie ten Booms' books.

What I Dislike: Overall, this is a wonderful book, but sometimes I wished the author had set aside her commentary because it was a little obvious or repetitive. In addition, the author states that "If you seek him [God] and listen, God will speak to you - not in a voice you can hear with your ears, but in a stirring deep in your heart." Yet in the Bible, people heard God's voice with their ears - including in a story the author cites: Samuel as a boy.

Finally, parents should be aware that "the red light district" and suicide (Hitler's) are mentioned.

Overall Rating: Very Good.

Age Appeal: 8 and up.

Publishing Info: Zonderkidz, 2015; ISBN 978-0310748014; paperback, 240 pgs., $12.99

Buy at Amazon for just $9.67 (or buy the Kindle version for $7.99)

Or buy it from ChristianBook.com for $8.49

Best Party Book Ever! From Invites to Overnights and Everything in Between

Need ideas for your next party? Check out Faithgirlz Best Party Book Ever! From Invites to Overnights and Everything in Between. 

This book is packed full of helpful tips and creative ideas for your child to plan her next (or first!) big bash. It starts with a short 3-question quiz to figure out what type of hostess you might be... Garden Party, Movie Night, Glamping Gal, or Dancy Party girl. Readers can find a planning checklist to help the hostess get everything ready on time, a list of "no fail food",  and hostess hints on how to help guest feel welcome and comfortable. 

After providing general party tips, the book gives details about themed and holiday party ideas. The magazine-style layout is visually appealing and easy to read. Each party theme is sectioned into small decorative islands of information in the following format: 

• A one page overview of the party theme/holiday, including location ideas, invitations, color scheme, and decoration style. 
• A craft or two that fits the theme along with clear and simple directions and a photograph of the craft. Some crafts include helpful tips, including websites where you can buy the materials. 
• A menu with snapshots of the food. (All recipes are collected at the back of the book for easy access.) 
• Numerous colorful photographs of girls from a variety of ethnic backgrounds modeling completed crafts or simple sharing a smile. Most of the models in the book wore dresses. (The book itself often encouraged the girls to wear dresses to their parties.)

The overall effect of the picture selection was to give it a clean, magazine-style feel. The crafts are very appropriate for the target audience. They are sophisticated enough to feel trendy but simple enough for anyone to do. For example, there are directions to create an avocado face mask, lip balm (very cool!), stylish sunglasses, origami hearts, collage chalkboards, and more. The recipes are likewise sophisticated in look, but simple to create. They mainly use healthier, made-from-scratch ideas instead of prepacked fare. The book did not include many game ideas, although there were a few with directions for play. Instead it focused more on social interaction/friendship in the planning and execution of creating crafts, watching movies, baking cookies, or doing other activities as a group.

What I Like: This book is well put together. It’s easy to use, the craft and food ideas are outstanding (I want to make my own lip-balm, party or not!) and the photographs to an outstanding job of highlighting the finished product. Suggestions on how to reach out to guests also pleasantly surprised me. In today’s technology influenced world, the art of conversation can sometimes be overlooked, so I appreciated that aspect. I think young teens and preteens who love planning parties will simply adore this book.

What I Dislike: There is nothing major I dislike, just a few minor notes that may pertain to some readers. First, the editors use some slang (like “fave” instead of “favorite”) in the text. To me, slang feels dated and patronizing. I think the book would be stronger without it. Another note is that the book has a very feminine feel to it. Since I raised a tomboy, the cover and many of the photographs probably wouldn’t appeal to her. She would still enjoy the party ideas… but she’d probably take a more casual approach. And finally, although it is wonderful to have all these great ideas in a book at your fingertips (with top-rate photographs to help the reader visualize final products), you could likewise easily find ideas and many more just like this on the internet.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 8-12

Publisher Info: Zonderkidz, 2014; ISBN:9780310746003; Paperback, 128 pgs., $12.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $9.99
OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $11.09.

Special Info: Party planning girls might enjoy having another book in the Faithgirlz series on hand: Big Book of Quizzes: Fun, Quirky Questions for You and Your Friends (Faithgirlz).

The Beauty of Believing

The Faithgirlz series has a new devotional called The Beauty of Believing. Geared for girls ages 8-12, this 365-day devotional is a collection of stand-out entries pulled from several devotional books. Contributing Faithgirlz authors include Tasha K. Douglas, Mona Hodgson, Kristi Holl, Lois Walfred Johnson, Allia Zobel Nolan, and Nancy Rue.

The book is divided into six sections, each introduced by one of the contributing authors. They are: 

• Growing Seeds of Faith—(having the right focus) 
• God's Promises—(inner beauty) 
• Finding Strength in Hard Times—(faith during trials) 
• God Speaks to Us—(making Godly choices) 
• The Helping Body of Believers 
• The Beauty of Believing 

Each devotional short; most consist of only one page, although a few spill over into a second page. They are structured with a Bible verse listed at top followed by a short story or narrative addressing issues, questions, and conflicts appropriate for this age level. The bottom of the page has a gray box with an additional Scripture reference to look up, “Girl Talk”—a few personal questions that give the reader something to think about—and “God Talk”—a brief prayer. A byline marks the end of each devotion, letting the reader know the author and from what book the devotion originated. 

 Since several authors contribute to the book, the writing style itself varies a little bit. Some use more slang and a more conversational tone. Others focus on stories first with applications and insights that can be pulled from a situation, while still other devotionals start off with a more direct tone, highlighting a problem faced by preteens and going from there. While the overall theme is beauty, within that context readers address how to be a friend, loneliness, strengthening your faith, making good choices, how to deal with anger, self-discipline, and more.

What I Like: For busy teens, the structure of the book makes it easy to establish it as a quiet-time staple; in addition, the lessons are quick and easy to apply. As mentioned above, the topics are age-appropriate, which means most girls will be able to see themselves in the pages.

What I Dislike: If you’ve read other reviews by me, you know I don’t care for slang, which slips into some of the devotions. Slang can make a book feel outdated.  I believe using consistent quality vocabulary would have broadened the target audience by giving it a more mature, timeless feel.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 8-12.

Publisher Info: Zonderkidz, 2014; ISBN: 978-0310736172; Paperback, ebook, Kindle, 432 pgs., $12.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $9.99
OR Buy the ebook version for $7.99 OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $11.07
OR Buy the Kindle version for $7.99.

Special Info: Devotions are taken from some of the following books:

That Is SO Me: 365 Days of Devotions: Flip-Flops, Faith, and Friends (Or try the Kindle version)
Girlz Rock: Devotions for Girls (Or try the Kindle version)
Girl Talk: 52 Weekly Devotions (Or try the Kindle version)
Chick Chat: 90-Day Devotional (Or try the Kindle version )
Shine On, Girl!: 90-Day Devotional (Or try the Kindle version .)

The Nature Girl, A Guide to Going Green: A Guide to Caring for God's Creation

How green are you? Authors Karen Whitling and Rebecca White encourage everyone to go green. Their book, The Nature Girl, A Guide to Going Green: A Guide to Caring for God’s Creation, is packed with information about what it means to be green and how to do the best you can to help save our planet.

The 10 chapters in the book cover such topics as food, recycling, and being good to the earth, among others. Each chapter has applicable Bible verses sprinkled throughout the text, suggested activities and/or recipes relating to the chapter topic, a list of Eco-Careers that relate to the chapter topic, as well as a short quiz about the chapter. The end matter of the books contains an extensive list of resources the authors used when writing the book.

What I Like: Everything.

What I Dislike: Nothing.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 8-teens.

Publisher Info: Zonderkidz, 2014; ISBN: 9780310725008; paperback, 170 pages, $7.99.

  

Buy now at ChristianBook $6.29!

Or buy at Amazon $7.11. 

The Kindle edition is available for $4.99.

Special Info: Read our reviews of other books illustrated by Rebecca White .

Just Sayin': Write 'Em, Draw 'Em, Hide 'Em in Your Heart

For creative girls who love God and doodling, Carol McAdams Moore’s book Just Sayin': Write 'Em, Draw 'Em, Hide 'Em in Your Heart may be a perfect fit for a devotional tool. Consisting of 90 separate devotions, the book is not an in-depth study of the Bible; it’s more a series of exercises designed to lead a teen to explore her own thoughts and discover truths within Scripture in an engaging, imaginative manner. With that in mind, the book has a consistent set-up throughout: 
• Each devotion is a two-page spread 
• The spread is heavy on the visual and light on text 
• A short portion of Scripture is stated 
• The reader is invited to interact with that Scripture (make a list, doodle a picture, insert a picture, take a fun quiz, rate yourself, design something, respond to a prompt, etc.) 
• An occasional prayer is included or an encouragement to read more from a provided Scriptural reference 
 • Readers are encouraged to write directly in the book, making it almost like a journal or a collection of artistic expressions

Though this book is geared toward girls, the author provides a similarly artistic book for boys. It's called Dare U 2 Open This Book: Draw It, Write It, Dare 2 Live It.

What I Like:I am one of those people who love to doodle. Rarely does a piece of paper pass through my hands without some kind of embellishment added. So I was immediately drawn into (pardon the pun) the format of the book. So often, students are offered a left-brain approach to studying Scripture (or doing schoolwork for that matter). This right-brain approach is refreshing. I want to say, “Finally… a devotion geared for people like me… someone who colored the entire surface of her desk in second grade and turned in a cartoon strip for her final project in a college course (with the teacher’s consent).”

What I Dislike: The verses are presented raw, with little or no explanation or context provided. Therefore, I believe it may be best suited for those familiar with and well rooted in the stories of the Bible. Because of that, I think the book has a more limited audience than it might otherwise reach. (It can still work for anyone, but may leave some gaps for those new to the targeted Bible stories.)

Also, I am not one who likes slang, and the book uses a lot of it to make (I suppose) the writing “fun”. However, I think the ideas are creative enough that the slang isn’t necessary (and may go out of style, rendering the book outdated before its time). To me, the book would be just as enjoyable but have a longer shelf life if it used quality vocabulary!

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 8-12 (although it may appeal to those older than designated age group).

Publisher Info: Zondervan, 2014; ISBN: 9780310742982 ; Paperback, 192 pgs., $9.99.

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $8.19
OR Buy the version geared for boys, Dare U 2 Open This Book: Draw It, Write It, Dare 2 Live It, for $8.19
OR Buy it at Amazon.com for $8.92.
OR Buy the version geared for boys, Dare U 2 Open This Book: Draw It, Write It, Dare 2 Live It for $8.82.

How to Survive Middle School and Monster Bots (A Howard Boward Book)

If nothing hooks you faster than humor, especially quirky humor, check out Ron Bates' book How to Survive Middle School and Monster Bots.
Written in first-person, the story starts with an enticing tongue-in-cheek setup delivered by a highly intelligent and altogether nerdy middle-school-aged boy named Howard Boward. It goes something like this: Whatever you’ve heard all over the internet about the trouble at Dolley Madison Middle School, forget it. Howard is here to reveal the real story… but, just so you know, the robots started it.

The tale goes on to comically relay Howard’s struggles with bullies, his dealings with Stick (“For those of you who haven’t met Stick—and congratulations on that, by the way—he is my fifteen-year-old brother and the source of most of the misery in my world”), his one-sided rivalry with neighbor Gerald (Gerald is actually nice, but Howard sees him as a threat), a Winter Formal dance, and a robot building contest.

When Howard learns about the robot-building contest, he confronts two feelings. The first emotion is confusion over the fact that rather than striving to outdo each other, the sponsoring club members work together to help each other build their robots. It seems that winning is less important to them than collaborative effort! That idea is foreign to Howard, who has a tendency to be self-centered in his worldview.

The second sentiment he feels is determination to demonstrate his intellectual superiority. However, because of his unchecked pride, Howard messes with something from the first book in the series, a mysterious and dangerous “goo” that causes an evil robot to form overnight. Unbeknownst to him, the robot secretly begins to build an army of robots that eventually threaten to take over the town (or at least ruin the Winter Formal).

The book does not contain any overt references to faith or Christianity. Nevertheless, it carries a subtle lesson about not judging others by appearances and doing to others what you would have them do to you. Readers also see Howard transform (not fully, but steps in the right direction) from an amusing but egocentric (and somewhat unlikeable) character to one opening up to the idea that he can work with others and treat them with kindness and respect despite his circumstances.

What I Like: Except the bully situations, I enjoyed most of the humor in this book. Ron Bates has a background in comedy, and it shines through. The robots antics were amusingly crazy, and Howard’s constant conversation with the reader proved entertaining. I had several laugh-out-loud moments, which is rare for me (despite my love of humor). I also like how the members of the robot club value teamwork, encouragement of others, and general kind behavior, and that those concepts were rooted in their faith. Overall, the book held good, clean fun.

What I Dislike: As a public school teacher, I was a bit dismayed by the depiction of bullying in the book. While I realize it was played up for comedic effect, I don’t like readers finding humor in the mistreatment of others, nor do I like the stereotype that teachers or a school would not take steps to curtail such abusive behavior.

Keep in mind that the story revolves around Howard, and he is NOT a role- model for readers. (Rather, readers see the role in the somewhat minor characters of Trevor, Gerald, and science teacher Mr. Z, which is, I believe, a saving grace in the story.) Despite those criticisms, I still enjoyed this story. It was refreshingly winsome in style and delivery. Parents may just want to be aware of some of its limitations and address those accordingly.

Overall Rating: I waffled between Very Good (because of the bullying) and Excellent (because of the humor); in those cases, I give the benefit of the doubt: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 8-12.

Publisher Info: Zonderkidz, 2014; ISBN:978-0310736080; Hardcover and Kindle, 224 pgs., $12.99.

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $9.99 (although Christianbook.com has the link in their system incorrectly, so I cannot attach it) or buy the e-book for $4.99

Buy the hardcover at Amazon.com for $10.61 or the Kindle edition for $4.99.
 
Special Info: Check out the first book in the series, How to Make Friends and Monsters.