PDF - Christian Library Journal

Volume VI No.2
Christian
SPRING 2001
Library
J O U R N A L
This issue Features:
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CLJ on the Oregon Coast, and more...
Click Through to Continued
Adventures
Fish, Fog, and Faith:
The Life and Writings of a
Modern Saint
Equipping the Saints
Celebrate the Triumph of Easter
with Books
Children’s Crown Gallery Award
Turning on Their “Wanter”
A Fishing Contest of Another
Kind
Locating Quality Fiction
Great Books for Grieving Parent
Christian Bestsellers
Resources for the School
Librarian

A Letter from the Editor
Dear Readers,
Rain thunders down here on the coast interspersed by periods of
lovely sunshine and mild temperatures. Paperwhites (narcissus) clumps
bloomed in my garden winter. What a picture it was, to bask in the joy of
the Christmas lights on my roofline, and see the paperwhites waving with
the breeze just below! And now many of the remaining 500 bulbs and the
wild rhododendrons are finished and the colorful summer wildflowers are
in bloom.
I pray the choices you make for your library bring life-giving rain to
the lives of your readers, sunshine to brighten their days, and joy to lighten
their hearts.
In this issue you will find many titles which will broaden the scope of
your collection. I especially recommend Imperial Legions, wonderful
historical fiction by our own editor Andrew Seddon. Andrew, born in
England, returns there as he is able, this last time to continue his studies and
to research English history for the writing of this book. Thinking of
moving back, he kept track of the weather, and finding rain on each of his
days there, he determined, at least for now, to remain in sunny Montana.
We salute his choice, as we would miss him.
Another title, Come What May, by our own reviewer Betty Hockett,
inspired me greatly in reading of the lives and choices of a young American
farm family determined to show young Hondurans a way to improve their
lives and to bring them to Christ. Betty and her husband Gene returned to
Honduras this winter to visit the work, now in its third generation.
In Christ’s love,
Nancy L. Hesch
Editor and Publisher

The Christian Library Journal
invites prospective reviewers and
writers to write for information. The
Christian Library Journal is
published quarterly January through
December by Christian Library
Services. Subscriptions $20 per year
online. Back issues included.
Indexed in Christian Periodical
Index. Address correspondence to
Christian Library Services, P.O. Box
215, Westlake, OR 97493-0215.
Copyright 2001 by Christian Library
Services.
Volume VI No.2
SPRING 2001
ISSN 1097-1262
Christian
Library
J O U R N A L
Phone (541) 997-4430
Fax (541) 997-4434
heschclj@harborside.com
www.christianlibraryj.org
T A B L E O F
C O N T E N T S
The purpose of the Christian Library
Journal is to provide readers with
reviews of both Christian and secular
library materials from a Christian
point of view. About 300 titles from
both Christian and secular publishers
are reviewed each issue. Materials
reviewed may reflect a broad range
of Christian doctrinal positions and
do not necessarily reflect the views
of the staff of the Christian Library
Journal.
Nancy Hesch
Andrew Seddon
Raymond Legg
Mary McKinney
Sylvia Stopforth
Kitty Lindstrom
Publisher & Editor
Editor: Articles
Editor: Adult Nonfiction
Editor: Adult Fiction,
Young Adult Nonfiction
Editor: YA Fiction
Design and Graphics
Cover illustrations from Imperial Legions,
by Andrew Seddon, © 2000, and Come
What May, by Betty Hockett, © 1998.
Reprinted by permission of Broadman &
Holman and Barclay Press.
Letter from the Editor
Inside Front Cover
C O L U M N S a n d A R T I C L E S
Fish, Fog, and Faith Andrew Seddon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
A Few Clicks Away to Fun Lisa Wroble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Children’s Crown Gallery Award Sandra Morrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
School Librarian’s Corner Leslie Greaves Radloff . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Celebrate the Triumph of Easter with Books Lydia Harris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Locating Quality Fiction Sylvia Stopforth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Equipping the Saints Mary McKinney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Turning on Their “Wanter” Raymond Legg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
R E V I E W S
Picture Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Children’s Fiction : Gr. 2 - 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Children’s Nonfiction : Gr. 2 - 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Middle School Fiction : Gr. 6 - 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Middle School Nonfiction : Gr. 6 - 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
High School Fiction : Gr. 9 - 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
High School Nonfiction : Gr. 9 - 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Adult Fiction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Adult Nonfiction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
Printed in the U.S.A.
C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 1 S P R I N G 2 0 0 1

AWord from the Editor: Andrew M. Seddon
Fish, Fog,
and Faith
The Life
and Writings
of A Modern
Saint
“What Christ demands is a
reasonable faith, as he demands the
service of our reason... We cannot
drift to Heaven like dead fish down
a stream.”
Wilfred Grenfell, M.D.
I was seventeen and living in New
Brunswick when a friend invited
me to go fishing in Newfoundland.
I was no fisherman, but I’d never
been to Newfoundland, so I
agreed. At St. Anthony, on the
Newfoundland’s northern tip, we
hiked, enjoyed the scenery, and
caught only a few trout. But more
importantly, I encountered the
living legacy of a man whose
writings still influence me.
Wilfred Grenfell was twenty-seven
when, in 1892, he arrived on the
bleak, forbidding Labrador coast.
The scattered fishing hamlets were
physically and spiritually miles
apart from the English resort town
of Parkgate where Grenfell was
born. As the son of an Anglican
clergyman, Grenfell could have
enjoyed a life of relative ease. But
he became a physician and chose
to labor in a backwater of the
British Empire, a place of poverty,
malnutrition, and disease.
Even though he was raised in a
Christian family, it wasn’t until he
attended a meeting held in London
by D.L. Moody, that he realized
that Christianity was more than a
social convention. Added to his
innate sense of adventure, this
realization resulted in his
commitment to make “a real effort
to do as I thought Christ would do
in my place as a doctor.”
Grenfell’s new-found faith
propelled him to forsake English
society for the company of
illiterate ‘liveyeres.’
For forty years he cruised the
rugged, uncharted Labrador
coastline in a series of small
hospital steamers, taking health
care and the Gospel places they
had never been. He braved
submerged rocks, fogs, icebergs,
and treacherous shores. In the
winter, he made rounds by
dogsled, daring blizzards, trackless
wastes, and dangerous ice floes.
He operated in makeshift
conditions on injuries and illnesses
for which no medical training
available in that era could have
prepared him. And many
occasions he did the only thing he
could—offered comfort to the
dying.
In time, others caught Grenfell’s
vision. Additional doctors and
nurses volunteered to join in the
work, and small hospitals were
constructed. Somehow, he found
the time to write—some thirty-five
books and many articles. Grenfell
literally worked himself to death;
the entire coast mourned his
passing in 1940.
Over the past twenty years I have
managed to collect the majority of
Grenfell’s books, most of which
are long out of print. But with the
changes in medicine and society
over the past one hundred years,
how can somebody like Wilfred
Grenfell speak to us today?
Grenfell emphasized the need for a
life where faith is made real by
works. Medical school taught him
“how infinitely more needed
[were] unselfish deeds than
orthodox words”—a sentiment
first stated by the apostle James
who said, “Show me your faith
without deeds, and I will show you
my faith by what I do.” (Jas.
2:18).
What mattered to Grenfell was not
the finer points of theology, but
human suffering—both physical
and spiritual—and what he could
do to ameliorate it. “Our life is a
field for experimenting in faith,”
he wrote. “It is not a museum
where we are on show or a bargain
counter where we get all we can
for the money.”
The Christian life should be one of
sacrificial love, for “only unselfish
love can win in the end.” Grenfell
lived a life of sacrifice freely—
almost unconsciously—embraced,
that he accepted as something
natural for the Christian. Sacrifice
was a privilege. “The conviction
that [the fishermen] needed what I
had to give and that it would not
be given if I refused the challenge,
was as plain as daylight,” he
wrote. “I have always believed
that the Good Samaritan went
across the road just because he
wanted to. I do not believe he felt
any sacrifice or fear in the matter.”
Grenfell believed that the
Christian message and life
incorporated not only preaching,
but outward expression and
practical involvement in the lives
of the needy. “Not even the most
humble ‘working man’ can live to
himself. Only a clam can do that.”
Christ involved himself in life, and
so should we. “Our Lord did not
spend much time speculating or
S P R I N G 2 0 0 1 2 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

talking or writing books. He
worked at the carpenter’s bench.
He fought temptation in the
wilderness and put prayer into
action. He healed the sick. He
cast out devils. He wept with His
friends. He treated women on an
equality. Girt with a towel, He
washed the feet of fishermen. He
personally went and mixed and ate
with outcasts. He began His
preaching at home. He
transformed weak, ignorant,
selfish, and cowardly men into
heroes. He Himself brought
Heaven to earth wherever He
was.”
Grenfell envisioned life as an
adventure, to be lived wholly for
God. “Jesus Christ challenges us
to be his knights, to go forth into
the world to make it better. We
are not here to be ‘safe.’ We must
have faith and take risks.
Life is not meant to be easy and
humdrum. Life is a challenge.”
He adopted Paul’s metaphor of a
race; a race which every Christian
could win. “Think then of a race
in which it is never too late to be a
winner, of a battle in which we
have always left a chance of being
victor. Think of a prize which
grows greater, and only grows
greater as we possess it.”
Christians need to listen for the
call of God, and be ready to
answer the call. “It is my habit
constantly to ask God to teach me
each day how to rightly use my
faith,” Grenfell wrote. Grenfell
dreaded the thought that he could
have missed his opportunity for
service: “There is the terrible fact
that if I had not heard the call of
Christ in the tent that day, I might
possibly have been a physician in
Harley Street, being driven about
in my Rolls Royce! I would not
have lost the opportunity of going
to Labrador for anything.”
Today, Grenfell’s approach to
life—with its vocabulary of
‘prize,’ ‘battle,’ ‘fight,’ and
‘adventure’ might be labeled
‘macho.’ He had no patience with
passivity in the face of illness,
injustice, and sin. “We must love
what [Christ] loved and fought for
what He fought.”
Not everyone is called to service
in a setting such as Labrador. The
affluent suburbs need committed
Christians just as much as the
inner cities. The principles that
Grenfell lived by are worthy for
any Christian, not only physicians.
We cannot, as Grenfell pungently
expressed, “drift to heaven like
dead fish down a stream.” Christ
calls us to much more than this.
Quotations are from The Prize of Life
(1914), The Fisherman’s Saint (1930), A
Man’s Faith (1908), A Labrador Logbook
(1938), Forty Years for Labrador (1932)
As mentioned, most of Grenfell’s books are
long out of print. But several titles
frequently turn up in both second-hand
book stores and in church libraries, and can
often be obtained by book search services.
These include:
Grenfell’s autobiography Forty Years for
Labrador (and its earlier version, A
Labrador Doctor).
A book of devotions, A Labrador Logbook.
An account of travels, Labrador Looks at
the Orient.
Three of Grenfell’s books of Labrador tales
(worth reading for their descriptions of life
among the common people in Labrador),
Down North on the Labrador, Labrador
Days, and Off the Rocks are in print from
Ayer. Northern Neighbors and Tales of the
Labrador are not difficult to find.
William Pope compiled an anthology of
Grenfell’s writing, The Best of Wilfred
Grenfell (Lancelot Press, 1990).
Many biographies of Grenfell were written
in the first half of this century (I count at
least fifteen). Two biographies are currently
available, James Kerr’s Wilfred Grenfell,
His Life and Work (Greenwood) for many
years the definitive biography, and more
recently Ronald Rompkey’s Grenfell of
Labrador (University of Toronto Press,
1991). Try also Tom Moore’s Wilfred
Grenfell (Fitzhenry and Whiteside, 1980),
and J.T. Richards Snapshots of Grenfell,
(Creative Press, 1989).
Editor’s note: Andrew Seddon is himself a medical
doctor, as well as a published writer and a CLJ editor.
C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 3 S P R I N G 2 0 0 1

A Few Clicks Away
to Fun!
CLICK THROUGH TO CONTINUED ADVENTURES
by Lisa A. Wroble
When I was a child I
didn’t want my
favorite books to
come to an end, so I wrote continuing
chapters. I was delighted when I was old
enough to delve into Nancy Drew
mysteries because I could pick up the
next book and the adventures continued.
I soon discovered other series books and
read anything with sequels because I
could continue visiting with my favorite
characters. If your elementary-aged
patrons are eager for the next installment
in the storyline of their favorite
characters, these websites offer betweenbook
fun.
Fans of the American Girls Collection
will enjoy www.americangirl.com for
additional information on each of their
favorite characters. Click on the Fun for
Girls star on the homepage to head to
activities, games, trivia, and stories
starring Felicity, Kirsten, Addy,
Samantha, Molly, Josephina, and Kit. Of
course, the site also contains wise advice
from that contemporary American girl,
Amelia!
If your readers like mysteries, they’ll love
super-sleuth Meg Mackintosh’s site at
www.megmackintosh.com. They can
learn more about Meg Mackintosh, read
Meg’s Mysteries or click on Match Wits
with Meg as well as learn the latest about
this spunky character created by Lucinda
Landon.
site is maintained by PBS for fans of
Arthur and the other characters created by
Marc Brown. The site features games
and children’s artwork.
Children who like the adventures Ms.
Frizzle and her class go on will love the
Magic School Bus page at
scholastic.com/MagicSchoolBus. Find
out what’s new with Ms. Frizzle’s class
and look at children’s artwork. Also visit
the Activity Lab for nine different games
and activities related to the Magic School
Bus adventures.
Readers of any age will enjoy Seussville
at www.randomhouse.com/seussville,
especially with the holiday hype and
controversy surrounding the latest version
of the Grinch. Fans of Dr. Seuss will
enjoy playing games, asking the Cat in
the Hat questions, learning about the
many Dr. Seuss books and characters in
this cyberspace playground. And, of
course, the Grinch is a main feature.
But, if you’re looking for a good book to
share with a child, or to connect with
your own inner child, you must visit the
Reading Rainbow site at
gpn.unl.edu/rainbow. This searchable site
has a section for kids, parents, teachers,
and librarians. The kids’ section is
updated daily with a game and activity.
Parents and librarians can explore
segments of past episodes or visit the
weekly schedule.
Younger readers will love The Arthur
Page at www.pbs.org/wgbh/arthur. This
S P R I N G 2 0 0 1 4 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

Children's Crown Award Reading Programs
Children's Crown Gallery Award
2001-2002 Nominee List
Kindergarten - Grade Two
A. Lincoln and Me, by Louise Borden, 0-590-
45714-4, Scholastic '99, $15.99.
Baby Whale's Journey, by Jonathan London, 0-
8118-2496-9, Chronicle '99, $14.95.
Daughter's Day Blues, by Laura Pegram, 0-8037-
1557-9, Dial '00, $15.99.
Exodus, by Brian Wildsmith, 0-8028-5175-4,
Eerdmans '98, $16.00.
Ian's Walk, by Laurie Lears, 0-8075-3480-3, A.
Whitman '98, $15.00.
Morning, Noon, and Night, by Jean George, 0-
06-023628-0, HarperCollins '99, $15.99.
On the Same Day in March, by Marilyn Singer,
0-06-028187-1, HarperCollins '00, $15.95.
Prairie Willow, by Maxine Trottier, 0-7737-3067-
2, Stoddart Kids '98, $15.95.
Sebastian, by Jeanette Winter, 0-15-200629-X,
Harcourt '99, $16.00.
Something Beautiful, by Dennis Wyeth, 0-385-
32239-9, Doubleday '98, $16.95.
Children's Crown Award
2001-2002 Nominee List
Grades Three - Six
Bird Boy, by Elizabeth Hill, 0-374-30723-7, FSG
'99, $14.99.
Black Nell, by Shirley Woods, 0-88899-318-8,
Groundwood '98, $14.95.
Century Farm, by Cris Peterson, 1-56397-710-9,
Boyds Mills '98, $16.95.
David's Search, by Joan L. Nixon, 0-385-32296-
8, Delacorte '98, $9.95.
Grandfather's Christmas Tree, by Keith Strand, 0-
15-201821-2, Harcourt '99, $16.00.
Lewis and Papa, by Barbara Joosse, 0-8118-
1959-0, Chronicle '98, $15.95.
Marguerite Makes a Book, by Bruce Robertson,
0-89236-372-X, Getty Museum '99, $18.95.
The Mary Celeste, by Jane Yolen et al, 0-689-
81079-2, Simon & Schuster '99, $16.00.
Mister and Me, by Kimberly Holt, 0-339-23215-
X, Putnam '98, $13.99.
The Mouse of Amherst, by Elizabeth Spires, 0-
374-35083-3, FSG '99, $15.00.
The Peddler's Dream, by Janice Shefelman, 1-
57168-294-5, Eakin '99, $14.95.
Ramona's World, by Beverly Cleary, 0-688-
16816-7, Morrow '99, $15.00.
The Riches of Oseola McCarty, by Evelyn
Coleman, 0-8075-6961-5, A. Whitman '99,
$15.00.
Rushmore, by Lynn Curlee, 0-590-22573-1,
Scholastic '99, $17.99.
Shelter Dogs, by Peg Kehret, 0-8075-7334-5, A.
Whitman '99, $15.00.
Sky Memories, by Pat Brisson, 0-385-32606-8,
Delacorte '99, $15.00.
Spirit Horse, by Ed Ackerman, 0-590-39650-1,
Scholastic '98, $15.00.
Tornadoes, by Seymour Simon, 0-688-14646-5,
Morrow '99, $16.00.
William Shakespeare and the Globe, by Aliki,
006-027820-X, HarperCollins '99, $15.95.
You're a Brave Man, Julius Zimmerman, by
Claudia Mills, 0-374-38708-7, FSG '99, $16.00.
Lamplighter Award
2001-2002 Nominee List
Grades Six - Eight
Bright Freedom's Song, by Gloria Houston, 0-15-
201812-3, Harcourt '98, $16.00.
Chinese Cinderella, by Adeline Yen Mah, 0-385-
32707-2, Delacorte '99, $16.00.
Devil's Den, by Susan Pfeffer, 0-8027-8650-2,
Walker '98, $15.95.
Frightful's Mountain, by Jean George, 0-525-
46166-3, Dutton '99, $15.99.
The Longest Ride, by Denise Patrick, 0-8050-
4715-8, Holt '99, $15.95.
Moon Over Tennessee, by Craig Crist-Evans, 0-
395-91208-3, Houghton '99, $15.00.
Paperboy, by Isabelle Holland, 0-8234-1422-1,
Holiday House '99, $15.95.
The Song of the Molimo, by Jane Cutler, 0-374-
37141-5, FSG '98, $ 16.00.
Standing in the Light, by Mary Osborne, 0-590-
13462-0, Scholastic '98, $9.95.
The Storyteller's Beads, by Jane Kurtz, 0-15-
201074-2, Harcourt '98, $15.00.
Want to participate in the reading and voting?
Nominate titles for the next year? Go to
Children's Crown Book Award at
www.childrenscrownaward.org and register.
C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 5 S P R I N G 2 0 0 1

School Librarian’s s Corner
Welcome back to the School Library Corner of
Christian Library Journal.
by Leslie Greaves Radloff
This column is a
first for me.
Although I have talked about children’s
books and library issues for years, I have
never before written about them on a
regular basis. When Nancy asked me to
take over the column, I thought, “Wow! Big
shoes to fill.” This column was one of the
first parts I read in CLJ after its arrival. So,
with Nancy’s input I began thinking about
topics and materials that I had recently read
and used which might prove helpful to
other school librarians or media specialists.
Two resource books crossed my desk as
I was thinking about the column. One was
Selecting Books for the Elementary School
Library Media Center: A Complete Guide
by Phyllis Van Orden, and the other was
Coretta Scott King Award Books: Using
Great Literature with Children and Young
Adults by Claire Gatrell Stephens. Since I
am always looking for resource books to
help me with selection and for materials
that my teachers can use with novels, I’d
like to share them with you.
The first is a very useful, practical
guide for both beginning and experienced
librarians. The thirteen areas covered
include a discussion of the selection process
for collections which will support
curriculum and information literacy for all
students and library users. The general
guidelines may be applied to a variety of
circumstances. All book buyers know that
the price of books has risen in the past few
years and that budgets or gift moneys do
not cover the needs of school libraries. The
author has included tables and criteria to
help understand pre-selection and selection
as well as calling attention to the need for a
selection policy, a subject which I discussed
in an article for Christian Library Journal
several years ago. Each library needs one,
in print, clearly written, and available for
people to see. If you don’t have one,
borrow a few from other libraries and tailor
one to fit your own, keeping in mind the
purpose of your school, its special mission,
and philosophy of education.
Van Orden’s book is logically arranged
and moves from general selection
information to the specifics of selection of
materials to reflect diversity; picture books,
the different genres of fiction, non-fiction,
folk-tales, rhymes and poetry; and reference
aids (an area where many of us have trouble
choosing for our unique circumstances) and
professional books. Since many of us use
our money for items other than professional
books, this title could be recommended to
teachers building their own professional
libraries, although if the budget would
allow, I’d say buy it for the media center.
All this information comes with a hefty
price—$49.95. If the cost is prohibitive,
check the public library or
college/university libraries, especially if
there is a library school attached.
The second volume, Coretta Scott King
Award Books, fills a need and a niche.
With so many teachers wanting to teach
with Newbery and Caldecott award books,
many find like the author, that the media
center cannot supply enough titles. The
lists of winners for the Coretta Scott King
Award should help that crunch. Most of us
have the titles on our shelves already.
Some of the titles listed include: In
Daddy’s Arms I Am Tall: African
Americans Celebrating Fathers by John
Steptoe; Taylor’s Let the Circle be
Unbroken and other titles; Walter Dean
Myers The Young Landlords, and many
other titles.
While I was not a teacher who used
worksheet after worksheet when I was in
the classroom, the ideas here could be
adapted to use with students and include
higher level thinking skills. Stephens has
also included a bibliography and suggested
Internet sites, which may or may not be
useful, depending on grade level,
maintenance of the site itself, and suitability
for use with a particular grade.
These books came to me from a special
collection lending library in Minnesota
where teachers, school librarians, and those
interested in the area can check out
materials without having to buy them. See
what your own states have to offer. Even if
there is a small fee attached for borrowing
privileges I have found it to be well worth
it for the amount of materials that I can
borrow. If they seem like titles that I will
use again and again, I often purchase them;
if not, I am not out any money.
Titles discussed:
Stephens, Claire Gatrell. Coretta Scot King
Award Books: Using Great Literature with
Children and Young Adults. Libraries
Unlimited, 2000. 1-56308-685-9.
Van Orden, Phyllis. Selecting Books for the
Elementary School Library Media Center.
Neal-Shuman, 2000. $49.95. 1-55570-
368-2.
S P R I N G 2 0 0 1 6 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

Celebrate the Triumph of Easter
...with Books
by Lydia E. Harris
˘Hope! Triumph!
Victory! Celebration!
These joyous words describe Easter.
Although Christ’s resurrection is the
pivotal event of history, Easter is often
overshadowed by Christmas. Refocus on
the true significance of Easter by adding
some of these titles for children and
adults to your library collection.
Hallelujah! Christ arose!
Children’s Books
1. BENJAMIN’S BOX by Melody Carlson
(Zonderkidz, 1997, ISBN 1-57673-139-1.
HB, 31 pages, $10.99)
Benjamin, a young boy who lives during the
days of Christ, wants to know who Jesus is.
As he follows Jesus during his last week on
earth, Benjamin gathers special reminders of
events for his treasure box. For example, a
bit of donkey fur reminds him of Jesus’ entry
on a colt. After Jesus’ death and resurrection,
Benjamin tells friends the Easter story using
his special treasures. But he realizes Jesus is
the real treasure. Use it in homes, churches,
and neighborhoods to share the true meaning
of Easter with children ages five to ten. Tips
for leading children to Christ are included.
FamilyLife’s collection of Resurrection Eggs
are available to accompany the story.
2. THE DAY JESUS DIED by Bryan Davis
(Concordia, 1998, ISBN 0-570-07543-2. PB,
16 pages, $1.99)
Although the story of Jesus’ death is often
difficult for young children to understand, this
Arch Book emphasizes it was part of God’s
plan. Written in poetry, it retells the events of
Jesus’ last day on earth and includes the
resurrection. Parents are encouraged to
explain to their children that Jesus’ death
shows his great love for us.
3. EASTER ABCs by Isabel Anders (Concordia,
2000, ISBN 0-570-07020-1. HB, 32 pages,
$7.99)
This cheerful book, with cut-out cover and
bright illustrations, shares the wonderful
events of Easter alphabetically. Children
ages four to seven will enjoy rhyming verses
that tell the Good News and reinforce the
alphabet.
4. EASTER BUNNY, ARE YOU FOR REAL?
by Harold Myra (Tommy Nelson, 1979, 1998,
ISBN 0-8499-1493-0. HB, 24 pages, $7.99)
In this story, a father explains the difference
between the commercial and biblical
meanings of Easter to his family. His
children learn the history behind the holiday
and that it’s all right to celebrate spring
festivities if they don’t overshadow the real
meaning of Easter-Jesus’ resurrection.
Written for children ages three to seven, this
book helps parents and children discover the
Easter that is central to our Christian faith.
5. AN EASTER HUNT: A Hide-and-Seek Story
by Sarah Reid Chisholm (Augsburg, 1994,
ISBN 0-8066-2740-9. PB, 32 pages, $6.99)
A mother tells her children why Easter is
special by hiding items that teach about
Jesus’ last week on earth. For example, a
shoe reminds them how Jesus washed his
disciples’ feet and taught them to serve one
another. Children three to eight will enjoy this
family Easter hunt with objects hidden amidst
detailed illustrations.
6. THE EASTER PROMISE by Brian Cochran
with text adapted by Lila Empson (Tommy
Nelson, 1998, ISBN 0-8499-5827-X. HB, 32
pages, $7.99)
Adapted from THE EASTER PROMISE
VIDEO, the story tells of three children who
witness Jesus’ triumphal entry, betrayal,
death, and resurrection. Although they
expected a mighty earthly king, seeing the
empty tomb and Jesus’ ascension into heaven
convince them he is the King above all kings.
7. JESUS by Rick Osborne and K. Christie
Bowler (Zondervan, 1998, ISBN 0-310-
22087-4. HB, 32 pages, $9.99)
Bible stories, facts, activities, and puzzles
provide creative tools to learn about Jesus’
life, love, and example. Part of the “I Want
to Know” series for children eight to twelve,
the first section tells of Jesus’ incarnation and
life on earth including his teachings and
miracles. The remainder covers the Last
Supper, crucifixion, and resurrection.
Preteens will enjoy the youth-friendly writing
style plus full-color photos, graphics, and
cartoons. Included are a few practical
questions and answers plus how to become a
Christian and follow Jesus.
8. THE LEGEND OF THE EASTER EGG by
Lori Walburg (Zonderkidz, 1999, ISBN 0-
310-22447-0. HB, 32 pages, $14.99)
A young boy named Thomas must temporarily
live with another family when his sister
contracts scarlet fever. While there he learns
the legend behind the Easter egg and how it
relates to Christ’s resurrection. Just as chicks
break out of eggs, so Jesus broke free from
the tomb of death. Helpful background
information about traditions and symbols of
Lent and Easter are included. Suitable for
children four to eight, this beautiful book
should stimulate further adult-child
discussion about Easter.
9. MARY AND THE EMPTY TOMB by Alice
Joyce Davidson (Zondervan, 1998, ISBN 0-
310-97455-0. HB,12 pages, $3.99)
Colorful illustrations and rhyming verse make
this die-cut board book appealing for children
four and under. It tells the resurrection story
from Mary’s viewpoint, who found the tomb
empty. It concludes with the reassuring
words, “And Jesus loves YOU also and will
always be with YOU!”
10. THE PARABLE OF THE LILY by Liz Curtis
Higgs (Tommy Nelson, 1997, ISBN 0-7852-
7231-3. HB, 32 pages, $7.99)
A farmer secretly mails his daughter Maggie
a surprise present. Young Maggie is
disappointed with her gift of a bulb and dirt.
She waters the bulb for a while, then throws it
out the window. Easter morning she finds a
beautiful, fragrant lily blooming in her yard.
“The gift is alive!” she exclaims. When
Maggie learns the bulb was from her father,
she realizes her ungrateful attitude hurt him.
Her father’s response teaches her that Easter
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is about forgiveness. Scripture relevant to
the story is included throughout.
11. I’VE JUST SEEN JESUS by Sandi Patty and
Larnelle Harris (J. Countryman, 2000, ISBN
0-8499-5560-2. HB, 64 pages, $12.99)
This 6-1/4-inch-square gift book tells over
twenty uplifting stories of individuals from
around the world whose lives were changed
because they encountered Jesus in a fresh
way. Healings, miracles, answers to prayer,
and transformed lives of young and old are
shared. A beautiful book to enjoy at Easter
and all year, it includes a CD of Sandi Patty
and Larnelle Harris singing, “I’ve Just Seen
Jesus.”
12. PETER’S FIRST EASTER by Walter
Wangerin Jr. (Zonderkidz, 2000, ISBN 0-
310-22217-6. HB, 48 pages, $14.99)
Written from disciple Peter’s perspective, this
fictionalized story is biblically based and
tells of Jesus’ death and resurrection,
including Peter’s denial of him. Wangerin, a
master storyteller, shows what Peter saw,
heard, and felt as he witnessed events from
the Last Supper to fishing with Jesus after his
resurrection. Children ages four to eight will
learn of God’s forgiveness through Jesus’
forgiveness of Peter.
13. THE STORY OF THE EMPTY TOMB by
Bryan Davis (Concordia, 1998, ISBN 0-570-
07544-0. PB, 16 pages, $1.99)
This Arch Book with rhyming verse tells the
story of Jesus’ resurrection for children ages
five to nine. It includes the biblical account
of Jesus’ appearance to Mary, the disciples,
and later to Thomas. Family activities to
celebrate Easter are included.
14. A SURPRISE IN DISGUISE by Jeffrey E.
Burkhart (Concordia, 1999, ISBN 0-570-
07564-5. PB. 18 pages, $1.99)
Written in poetry, this Arch Book reveals the
story of Jesus’ resurrection through his
conversation with the two men on the road to
Emmaus. An ending note encourages
parents to explain the promise of salvation to
their children.
15. THE TALE OF THREE TREES: A
Traditional Folktale by Angela Elwell Hunt
(Lion, 1989, ISBN 0-7459-1743-7. HB, 26
pages, $14.99)
Three trees on a mountain top dream of what
they’ll become when they grow up. Instead
of becoming a treasure chest, a strong ship,
and the tallest tree, they become a manger, a
humble fishing boat, and a cross—all used by
Jesus. Readers of all ages will appreciate
this beloved story at Easter and year round.
16. THE VERY FIRST EASTER by Paul L.
Maier (Concordia, 1999, ISBN 0-570-07053-
8. HB, 32 pages, $14.99)
Ten-year-old Christopher is not interested in
fairy tales and wants to hear the biblical
Easter story. He learns about the ministry,
trial, death, and resurrection of Jesus as he
and his parents read from Scripture.
Christopher asks searching questions, and
his parents provide clear answers. Children
ages five to ten will enjoy this outstanding
sequel to the award-winning, THE VERY
FIRST CHRISTMAS.
Family and Adult Books
1. AND THE ANGELS WERE SILENT by
Max Lucado (Multnomah, 1992, ISBN 0-
88070-727-5. PB, 264 pages, $12.99)
Lucado gives readers a fresh look at the final
week of Jesus’ life by sharing numerous
stories and personal experiences to illustrate
scriptural truths. Combining gentleness and
boldness, he challenges readers that they,
like Pilate, must cast a verdict on Jesus. An
extensive study guide and notes are included
in this inspiring read.
2. BEFORE AND AFTER EASTER: Activities
and Ideas for Lent to Pentecost by Debbie
Trafton O’Neal (Augsburg, 1992, ISBN 0-
8066-2604-6. PB, 64 pages, $10.99)
Just as Advent is a time to prepare for Jesus’
birth, Lent is a season to prepare for his
resurrection. O’Neal includes creative ideas
and activities to celebrate forty days of Lent
plus weekly activities for seven weeks
between Easter and Pentecost. She shares
enough ideas for several seasons along with
the history and traditions of Lent, Easter, and
Pentecost. Although intended for families,
children’s workers will also find it useful.
3. BREATHING NEW LIFE INTO LENT: A
Collection of Creative Worship Resources by
Robert E. Stowe, Donna E. Schaper, Anne
McKinstry, and Janet E. Powers (Judson
Press, 1999, ISBN 0-8170-1319-9. PB, 85
pages, $12.00)
Nine worship services from Ash Wednesday
to Easter are included in this resource. Each
service includes prayers and Scripture plus
sermons for children and adults. Also
featured are antiphonal prayers and hymns,
Lenten reflections, and new songs for Lent.
The innovative ideas are designed to make
Lenten services fulfilling, whether used as
presented or adapted.
4. THE CARPENTER’S CLOTH: Christ’s
Journey to the Cross and Beyond by
Sigmund Brouwer (Word, 1997, ISBN 0-
8499-5366-9. HB, 128 pages, $12.99)
Although a novelist, Brouwer presents
historically accurate facts in these Easter
vignettes and essays. Based on Scripture,
they trace the last days of Jesus’ life through
the eyes of Peter, John, Mary, Martha, and
others. Full-color illustrations, Scripture
passages, and song lyrics by his wife, Cindy
Morgan, enhance the text. In the last
vignette, he explains that a folded carpenter’s
cloth means the work is finished. Similarly,
the folded face cloth in the tomb signified
Jesus had finished his work.
5. CHRIST IN EASTER: A Family Celebration
of Holy Week by Charles Colson, Billy
Graham, Max Lucado, and Joni Eareckson
Tada (NavPress, 1990, ISBN 0-89109-309-5.
PB, 69 pages, $9.00)
Eight devotionals help families prepare for
Easter with worship and fun. Designed for
the week before Easter, they cover Palm
Sunday through Easter. Well-known authors
guide readers through the Last Supper, Good
Friday, and other events of Holy Week.
Hymns, poems, prayers, Scripture, and
varied activities are included. A valuable
resource that adds joy and meaning to
Easter.
6. FAMILY CELEBRATIONS AT EASTER by
Ann Hibbard (Baker, 1994, ISBN 0-8010-
4390-5. PB, 197 pages, $10.99)
This family guide for celebrating Easter
includes brief devotions for six-and-one-half
weeks preceding Easter plus ideas to inspire
children to appreciate Jesus’ death and
resurrection. Projects, activities, hymns, and
the Passover celebration for Christians are
included. An excellent volume that focuses
on the true message of Easter.
7. FAMILY COUNTDOWN TO EASTER: A
Day-by-Day Celebration by Debbie Trafton
O’Neal (Augsburg, 1998, ISBN 0-8066-
3827-3. PB, 48 pages, $10.99)
Families can count down the days from the
day before Lent to Easter Sunday with
suggested daily (except Sundays) activities,
recipes, and crafts. Stickers are included for
the one-page calendar. A useful tool to
celebrate the season and create family
memories.
8. THE FINAL WEEK OF JESUS by Max
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Lucado (Multnomah, 1994, ISBN 0-88070-
630-9. HB, 128 pages, $19.99)
This attractive volume includes highlights
from Lucado’s best-seller, AND THE
ANGELS WERE SILENT, along with fullcolor
artwork. Readers discover what
matters to God by learning how Jesus spent
his last week on earth. Jesus’ passion, power,
and promise are evident in this moving book.
9. FROM SACRIFICE TO CELEBRATION: A
Lenten Journey by Evan Drake Howard
(Judson Press, 1993, ISBN 0-8170-1197-8.
PB, 96 pages, $12.00)
Howard beckons readers on a journey of
spiritual growth during the Lenten season.
Each of seven chapters is based on a Gospel
text about biblical characters such as
Nicodemus, the prodigal son, and the
Samaritan woman. Suitable for personal or
group study, chapters end with a prayer and
questions for reflection.
10. GLORIOUS MORNING!: An Invitation to
Resurrection Praise by Jack Hayford
(Multnomah, 1996, ISBN 0-88070-862-X.
HB, 136 pages, $11.99)
Pastor Hayford offers a fresh perspective of
resurrection power through these brief
reflections. Meditations, songs, and poems
help readers prepare their hearts to celebrate
the empty tomb. A joy-filled book, it teaches
that the triumph which changed history
brings personal victory to individuals today.
11. YESTERDAY, TODAY, FOREVER by
Bruce Marchiano (Harvest House, 1999,
ISBN 0-7369-0048-9. HB, 112 pages,
$24.99).
Readers step back in time and experience
events during Jesus’ days through the eyes of
Marchiano, who played Jesus in the movie,
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO
MATTHEW. This captivating book depicts
Jesus’ life and teachings not only through
words but also through spectacular
photography. It emphasizes God’s love-the
same yesterday, today, forever, and
encourages readers to accept the gift of
salvation.
12. MARTIN LUTHER’S EASTER BOOK
edited by Roland H. Bainton (Augsburg,
1962, ISBN 0-8066-3578-9. PB, 106 pages,
$10.99)
Excerpts from Martin Luther’s Easter
sermons on the Gospels are collected in this
unique volume. Sermon passages cover the
journey to Jerusalem, Holy Week, the Lord’s
Supper, Jesus’ arrest, trial, crucifixion, and
resurrection. The messages reveal Luther’s
thoughts on God’s love, salvation by grace,
forgiveness of sin, and more.
13. THE MATTHEW PASSION: A Lenten
Journey to the Cross and Resurrection by
John Fenton (Augsburg, 1996, ISBN 0-8066-
2986-X. PB, 158 pages, $13.99)
Fenton, a Bible scholar from Oxford,
England, offers daily readings from Ash
Wednesday through Easter on Jesus’ life,
passion, and resurrection. He illuminates
passages from Matthew’s Gospel with
thought-provoking reflections and includes
prayer suggestions. Appendices about
Matthew and notes for group discussion are
included. Although intended for Lent, it’s
useful any time of year for personal or group
study.
14. ON THE CROSS ROAD: A Daily
Devotional for Lent by Joan Trusty Moore
(Judson Press, 1999, ISBN 0-8170-1316-4.
PB, 177 pages, $12.00)
This volume is comprised of over forty
devotionals for the Lenten season. Each
contains Gospel passages, thoughts on the
Scripture, and a short prayer. Meditations
focus on those whose lives were changed by
encountering Jesus during his last weeks on
earth. Included are familiar people like
Zacchaeus and Lazarus plus lesser-known
individuals like Malchus and Annas. As
Easter approaches, the devotionals center on
those witnessing the crucifixion—the thieves,
Jesus’ mother, Joseph of Arimathea, and
others. It contains reflections to ponder year
after year.
15. SIX HOURS ONE FRIDAY: Anchoring to
the Power of the Cross by Max Lucado
(Multnomah, 1989, ISBN 0-88070-827-1.
PB, 237 pages, $12.99)
Lucado weaves stories and scriptural
insights around three solid anchor points
believers can count on: Our lives are not
futile, our failures are not fatal, and our
deaths are not final. Because of “six hours
one Friday,” these anchors are sturdy
enough to withstand any storms of life.
Consequently, futility is replaced with
purpose; failure holds forgiveness; and death
is exchanged for deliverance. An uplifting
read with an extensive study guide.
16. SUDDENLY ONE MORNING: The
Shopkeeper’s Story by Charles R. Swindoll
(Word, 1998, ISBN 0-8499-1356-X. HB, 96
pages, $14.99)
Readers experience the last week of Jesus’
life through the narrative of a Jewish
shopkeeper in Jerusalem. As the shopkeeper
is drawn into the happenings, he realizes
Jesus is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.
The man he knew as a carpenter becomes his
Savior, and his life is transformed. Although
a fictional account, this short, compelling
read includes biblically accurate details.
17. THE WEEPING CHAMBER by Sigmund
Brouwer (Word, 1998, ISBN 0-8499-3703-5.
PB, 310 pages, $12.99)
The week before Jesus’ crucifixion, Simeon
arrives in Bethany to visit a relative who is
his business partner. Struggling with guilt
and broken relationships back home, Simeon
is ready to end his life. But things change
when he meets Jesus and is asked to carry
his cross to Golgotha. A real page-turner,
this historical fiction novel weaves the last
days of Jesus’ life together with the life of
troubled Simeon and offers the miracle of life
and hope.
18. WHO MOVED THE STONE? by Frank
Morison (Zondervan, 1958, 1987, ISBN 0-
310-29561-0. PB, 193 pages, $10.99)
Morison, an English journalist, sets out to
write a book that disproves the resurrection.
But after detailed examination of the
historical account, he ends up defending
Christ’s resurrection. First written in 1930,
the book is a classic apologetic on the
resurrection.
Lydia E. Harris, freelance writer in
Seattle, WA, writes book reviews,
devotionals, and articles for numerous
publications. Her syndicated column on
tea appears in twenty states and three
provinces. She enjoys celebrating Easter
with her husband, two married children,
and one adorable grandson.
C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 9 S P R I N G 2 0 0 1

BOOK REVIEWS
PICTURE BOOKS
A. Lincoln and me, by Louise Borden;
illustrated by Ted Lewin. LCCN
95001921. New York: Scholastic Press,
Scholastic, Inc., 1999. ISBN 0590457144,
HBB, $15.95.
E. Lincoln, Abraham--Fiction. unp. Small children.
Sometimes it’s hard to be a kid, especially when
you stand a foot taller than your class and your
hands and feet are as big as a baboon’s, but what
our hero in A. Lincoln and Me finds out is that
sometimes being different isn’t as bad as it
seems. In this sweet tale of growing up by
Louise Borden, one little boy discovers that the
things that make him stand out are the same
things that made President Abraham Lincoln
stand out. They even share the same February
12th birthday.
Ted Lewin’s illustrations combine sketches of
Abraham Lincoln with realistic water color
images of the boy and those important to his life,
weaving a tapestry of black and white to
represent the past, and bright colors to represent
the present. The book is clean and crisp and
doesn’t even hint at any real hurt in the boy’s
heart for being laughed at and ridiculed; however
it does give the teacher the important role of
mediator and shows how one person’s
encouragement can make up for another’s
cruelty.
Virginia Schnabel, Freelance Writer, Shelton, Washington
Bear on the train, written by Julie Lawson;
illustrated by Brian Deines. Toronto, Ont.:
Kids Can Press, 1999. ISBN 1550745603,
HBB, $14.95.
E. Bears--Fiction. 30 p. Small children.
Bear smells food and gets on the grain train,
where he eats his fill and settles down to
hibernate. Only young Jeffrey has seen Bear.
The train continues to crisscross Canada, passing
through Jeffrey’s town each trip and only Jeffrey
sees Bear as the train passes through. Crossing
Canada the train passes through the many
terrains of Canada and experiences the passages
of the seasons. Finally spring arrives and Bear’s
hibernation ends as he leaves the train and goes
back to his home in the woods.
Julie Lawson uses repetition and refrain to
emphasize the on-going trip. The words are
lyrical. Brian Deines’ oil on canvas illustrations
beautifully convey the vastness of Canada and
the changing of the seasons. Both the author and
illustrator are Canadian. Children will
appreciate Bear and his search for food. Julie
Lawson and Brian Deines have combined their
talents to create a lovely pictorial story.
Barbara Wall, School Library System Director, Oswego County
BOCES, Mexico, New York
Big Truck and Little Truck, by Jan Carr;
illustrated by Ivan Bates. LCCN
99047323. New York: Scholastic Press,
2000. ISBN 0439071771, HBB, $15.95.
E. Trucks--Fiction. unp. Small children.
A working mother, Carr lives in New York City
with husband and preschool son, and was
inspired to write this book, as her son adores
trucks. She offers a story in which children will
feel reassurance and warmth. The story centers
on Big Truck who teaches Little Truck
everything. But one day Big Truck’s engine
won’t start, and while it’s at the repair garage,
Little Truck needs to manage.
The story about separation, independence, and
love includes delightful illustrations by Bates
who makes the trucks into animated characters.
One can see Little Truck’s growing confidence,
and also challenges.
Carr has previously written Frozen Noses
(Holiday House, 1999) and You’re Invited to
Mary-Kate and Ashley’s Ballet Party
(Scholastic, 1998), among others. Bates has
illustrated other children’s books like The Dark
at the Top of the Stairs (Candlewick, 1998) and
Just You & Me (Candlewick, 1998), both by Sam
McBratney. He lives in England with wife
Rachel.
Leroy Hommerding, Director, Fort Myers Beach P.L. District, Fort
Myers, Florida
Boomer’s big surprise, by Constance W.
McGeorge; illustrated by Mary Whyte.
LCCN 98008434. San Francisco:
Chronicle Books, 1999. ISBN 0811819779,
HBB, $14.95.
E. Dogs--Fiction; Dogs--Infancy--Fiction; Animals--
Infancy--Fiction; Babies--Fiction. 24 p. Small
children.
Family dog Boomer has a very big surprise
waiting for him. His owners have a new baby to
add to the family. The baby is a new puppy
named Baby Boomer. Baby is so cute and
lovable that the family wants to play with him
and not Boomer. Boomer is very sad that his
family no longer wants to play fetch or pet him.
Baby Boomer saves the story by wanting to play
with and be loved by Boomer. So Boomer and
Baby Boomer become wonderful friends and
learn that they can both be loved by the family.
Mary Whyte has fantastic illustrations that really
help the reader feel Boomer’s sadness. Also
from the illustrations, the reader will want to
pick up and cuddle Baby Boomer. Boomer
appears in other stories, but the reader does not
need to have read those previous books in order
to love Boomer’s Big Surprise.
Connie Weaver, Church Librarian, Newville, Pennsylvania
Brave Martha, written and illustrated by
Margot Apple. LCCN 97042616. Boston:
Houghton Mifflin, 1999. ISBN
0395594227, HBB, $15.00.
E. Cats--Fiction; Fear of the dark--Fiction; Bedtime--
Fiction. 30 p. Small children.
"Scritcha, scritcha, scritch." Martha hears the
unusual noise as she peeks timidly from her bed.
Usually, Sophie, her cat, would check all the
dark corners and creepy places before Martha
went to sleep. But tonight, Sophie isn’t around,
and her father hasn’t checked under her bed, a
favorite hiding place for something scary.
As the story progresses, Brave Martha searches
out all the potential places as her imagination
builds great, scary monsters. But nothing turns
out as it seems. At last Sophie her cat reappears,
having been the noisemaker all along.
This is Margot Apple’s second book as
author/illustrator. The pictures are big and
expressive, the text short and to the point. The
story line of Brave Martha is quite simple and
would allow for good discussion with children
about those imaginary fears many have. A
comforting point to make is the final picture
where Martha has settled down for the night, and
her father is checking on her to be sure she is all
right. This gives assurance that parents care and
do their best to keep their children safe and
secure.
Mary McKinney, Former Teacher, Freelance Writer, Editor, Port
Orchard, Washington
Bright 'n beautiful. (Jay Jay the jet plane.)
Nashville: Tommy Nelson, Thomas Nelson.
Vid, 0849975484, $12.97.
E. Primary (Elementary).
Bright ‘n Beautiful is comprised of three tenminute
adventures from the "Jay Jay the Jet
Plane" series from Focus on the Family.
In "Snuffy’s Rainbow" little Snuffy the Airplane
sees his first rainbow and is determined to fly to
the rainbow to meet it personally. But what he
seeks always fades before him. Oscar the
Airplane tells him that the rainbow has a secret.
Resting in his hangar because of rain, Snuffy
falls asleep and dreams that he has caught up to
the rainbow and she tells him that her secret is
that some things—like his skywriting—look
better from far away. Snuffy awakens realizing
that the truth of what she has told him and
skywrites a rainbow for everybody.
In the second installment, "Snuffy Discovers the
Ocean," upon seeing a fish in an aquarium
Snuffy wonders asks Tracy and Jay Jay about the
ocean which they are about to go fly over. As he
is thinking over what they say, he falls asleep and
soon hears the fish calling his name. The fish
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PICTURE BOOKS
tells him to catch up with the others so that he
can see the ocean. He does and is astounded at
its beauty. While the others continue on, he
stays to explore with the understanding that they
will pick him up later. He actually dives into the
ocean and is amazed with God’s creation. He
wants to stay in the ocean but when he begins to
show the fish his skywriting, he pollutes the
ocean and loses his way in the smoky waters.
He is about to panic when—he wakes up! It was
all a dream. Now Tracy and Jay Jay really do
take him to see the ocean, but he stays above the
water.
The last story is "The Upside Down Waterfall."
Snuffy tells his friends that he has seen an
upside down waterfall in the park. They go with
him but find nothing at all and don’t believe him
even though they cannot argue him out of his
idea. Brenda Blue suggests to Jay Jay that
perhaps he would be a better friend if he
believed in Snuffy and tried to find out how he
might be right instead of spending time trying to
prove him wrong. Jay Jay goes back to the park
and he sees the upside down waterfall and goes
to bring everyone else. When Brenda Blue sees
what it is, she realizes that they are really
viewing a geyser and explains it to the three
friends.
This is an very sweet video for younger
children. The computer animations are colorful
and appealing. Each story has a simple song
that suits the theme of the story and is easy to
sing. A gentle way to present scriptural ideas
about God’s love and creation to small children
who will probably want to watch them over and
over.
Teresa O’Donley, Library Media Specialist, Baymonte Christian
School, Scotts Valley, California
Bumblebee at Apple Tree Lane, by Laura
Gates Galvin; illustrated by Kristin Kest.
(Smithsonian’s backyard.) LCCN
99043774. Norwalk, Ct.: Soundprints,
2000. ISBN 1568998201, HBB, $15.95.
E. Bumblebees--Fiction. 32 p. Small children.
Bumblebee has much to do and not very much
time to do it in. She must find a home, stock up
the pantry, prepare the nursery, lay her eggs, and
train her children. All of this within a few short
months. Fortunately, Bumblebee is successful
in finding an abandoned nest, which she cleans
out, and begins preparation for the things she
must do next. For anyone who has ever
wondered about the activities of a queen
bumblebee, this is the book for you. Bumblebee
at Apple Tree Lane by Laura Gates Galvin is a
treat. Part of the Smithsonian Backyard
Soundprints series, this book delivers
information on not only the life cycle of the
queen bumblebee, but also provides general
information on the bumblebee, a glossary of
terms, and other points of interest. Kristin
Kest’s illustrations bring Ms. Galvin’s story to
life, and educate while they entertain. Ms. Kest
has included excellent detail in her illustrations,
and provides the reader with a close-up view of
the bumblebee and her environment. This book
would make an excellent addition to any library,
Christian school, or public.
Debby Willett, Freelance Writer, Canyon, Texas
Butterfly house, by Eve Bunting;
illustrated by Greg Shed. LCCN
98016349. New York: Scholastic, 1999.
ISBN 0590848844, HBB, $15.95.
E. Butterflies--Fiction; Metamorphosis--Fiction;
Grandfathers--Fiction; Stories in rhyme. unp. Small
children.
A little girl saves a caterpillar from a hungry
blue jay and with her grandpa’s help makes a
special butterfly house. Her grandpa knows the
flowers that a butterfly likes the best.
Enthusiastically, the little girl paints all the
colorful flowers inside her box. She adds a stick
and carefully puts the caterpillar inside. She
watches expectantly as the caterpillar turns into
a chrysalis and then a butterfly. All too soon,
however, it is time to set the butterfly free. It is
a sad moment but she knows that it is the right
thing to do. The butterfly is now gone and the
little girl is grown; but every year the Painted
Ladies come and fill her flower garden.
Sometimes she wonders if it is their way of
thanking her for saving the life of that first
caterpillar.
Butterfly House demonstrates a shared
experience between a granddaughter and her
grandpa. Eve Bunting has captured an
experience that all of us have at one time
enjoyed or are looking expectantly for the day
when it will happen to us. The bond that builds
between the two adds extra dimension to the
story. The illustrations are bold and bright.
Greg Shed has created brilliant, muted colors
that cover the entire page, while the text is
presented in an almost poetic form. This book is
comparable to their combined efforts on the
book Dandelion. The book ends with an
informative page, which explains how to raise a
butterfly.
The story is easy to relate to and the illustrations
consume you. The story slows down and lacks
a captivating ending, however. Children would
enjoy this story. The thought that their kindness
to an animal may be someday reciprocated is
intriguing.
Marcia Snyder, Librarian, Missoula, Montana
The can-do Thanksgiving, by Marion Hess
Pomeranc; pictures by Nancy Cote.
LCCN 98011264. Morton Grove, Ill.:
Albert Whitman, 1998. ISBN 0807510548,
HBB, $14.95.
E. Thanksgiving Day--Fiction. 30 p. Small children.
Dee and her mother shop for food to donate to
the food campaign in Dee’s classroom. Dee is
careful to pick things that she likes so that
children like herself will have food they enjoy
for Thanksgiving. Dee picks a can of peas and
asks her mother and her teacher where the peas
will go. Since no one can be sure exactly where
the peas will end up, Dee takes matters into her
own hands by putting a little note on the can
with the name of the school and her class. One
week later Dee’s teacher gets a phone call from
the food kitchen inviting the class to come and
help serve food on Thanksgiving. Dee’s note
was found!
Dee and her mother join the rest of the class at
the food kitchen. When a disaster happens with
the vegetables, Dee and another child who also
wears glasses make a veggie medley just like
Dee and her dad make at home. The first thing
in is Dee’s peas. Everyone sits down to a lovely
dinner and gives thanks for the warm friendship
and food.
The Can-do Thanksgiving is a simple story with
an underlying wealth of meaning. Giving of our
time and our resources result in a special feeling
that is shared by all. Children will appreciate the
simple story and the way Dee learns where "her"
peas went. Nancy Cole has painted simple, yet
interesting pictures that children will appreciate.
Barbara Wall, School Library System Director, Oswego County
BOCES, Mexico, New York
Coyote at Pinon Place, written by
Deborah Dennard; illustrated by John
Paul Genzo. (Smithsonian’s backyard.)
LCCN 99019242. Norwalk, Ct.:
Soundprints, 1999. ISBN 1568997671,
HBB, $15.95.
E. Coyote--Fiction; Animals--Fiction. 32 p. Small
children.
This wildlife storybook, authenticated by the
Smithsonian Institution, fosters an appreciation
and understanding of natural habitats, the
wildlife therein, and respect for the
environment.
The young coyote on a daytime trek interacts
with birds, a rattlesnake, and a woodrat before
returning to the forest. The illustrations enable
children to create a story of their own, and the
words let parents and grandparents add spice to
the story. Christian schools can add this title,
assured both of a biblical worldview and an
interesting, informative storyline. A one-page
fact sheet at the end of the book highlights facts
about the coyote. This title is part of the
Soundprints Series, which has been awarded the
Parents’ Choice Honors.
Dennard lives in Texas and is the author and
photographer of several award-winning books
for children. John Paul Genzo lives in New
Jersey and has designed several postage stamps
featuring wildlife and has illustrated several
children’s books.
Leroy Hommerding, Director, Fort Myers Beach P.L. District, Fort
Myers, Florida
The day the circus came to town, by
Melody Carlson; illustrations by Ned
Butterfield. LCCN 99086595. Wheaton,
Ill.: Crossway Books, Good News
Publishers, 2000. ISBN 158134158X,
HBB, $14.99.
E. Circus--Fiction; Peer pressure--Fiction. 32 p.
Small children (Elementary).
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In The Day the Circus Came to Town, by
Melody Carlson, Billy’s family has tickets to see
the circus. This is a special event because he
and his sister Emma have never been to the
circus. Later in the day he and his friends are
playing when they meet Zino the Clown from
the circus. Zino offers the boys tickets, but Seth,
Samuel, and Jack give Zino a hard time. They
decide circuses are for babies, so Billy agrees
with the other boys and refuses the ticket. That
evening Billy refuses to go with his family to the
circus. While his family is gone he decides to
play with his friends but none of them is at
home. Then Billy decides it would not hurt to
go and check out the circus. He peers into the
tent and sees his friends inside with their
families. Billy decides he really wants to be
with his family, but the man at the door will not
let him in without a ticket. Billy is ready to go
home when Zino the Clown appears with a
ticket. Zino offers Billy another chance to see
the circus and Billy is happy to accept the
invitation.
The message to "follow your heart and not your
friends" is clear in this story. While some
children will find this story "old-fashioned," it
will be good for discussions about how
decisions have consequences. The illustrations
truly compliment the style of the author’s story.
Susan K. Brown, Teacher, Noblesville, Indiana
Elliot bakes a cake, written and illustrated
by Andrea Beck. (An Elliot Moose story.)
Toronto, Ont.: Kids Can Press, 1999.
ISBN 1550744437, HBB, $12.95.
E. Animals--Fiction. 32 p. Small children.
It’s Lionel’s birthday and Elliot wants to make
him a cake. Elliot recruits Socks, Amy, and
Paisley to help. They run to tell Beaverton their
plan. After digging around in his cupboard
Beaverton finds a good cake recipe. Finding
everything they need, the friends work together
to make the cake. Problems begin when they
don’t understand what it means to separate eggs.
Do you put them in separate bowls? And does
cream the butter mean you pour cream on the
butter? However, their biggest problem is
deciding when the cake is done. The recipe says
when they touch the cake it will spring up. But
no matter how close they watch it, the cake
doesn’t spring up. First it wobbles, then it
doesn’t do anything, and while they waiting for
it to spring up it burns. Disappointed, but
resourceful, they cut off the burned part,
decorate the cake, and surprise Lionel with "the
best cake they had ever tasted."
A story of co-operation and resourcefulness,
Elliot Bakes A Cake will delight young readers.
Often faced with complex situations or
instructions they don’t understand, young
children will empathize with the animals as they
stumble through the directions. And they will be
thrilled with the inventive solution to the
problem. Andrea Beck encourages the reader to
persevere in spite of problems. Beck’s
delightful, brightly colored animals crowd the
pages with happy expressive faces.
The recipe for the cake is on the last page of the
book. It is worded just like the recipe the
animals used. Children, or even adults who are
not in the habit of baking, could find the recipe
a bit confusing.
Barbara A. Bryden, Freelance Writer, Olympia, Washington
Enemy pie, by Derek Munson; illustrated
by Tara Calahan King. LCCN 99050821.
San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2000.
ISBN 081182778X, HBB, $14.95.
E. Friendship--Fiction; Fathers and sons--Fiction;
Pies--Fiction. unp. Small children.
In Derek Munson’s Enemy Pie, the author
shows how one boy learned to accept
differences in people and make a new friend.
This charming story chronicles the stages of
friendship. The problem begins when Jeremy
Ross moves into the neighborhood and does
things that really upset the main character in the
story. The main character seeks advice from his
dad, who understands stuff like enemies. Dad
even knows a way to get rid of enemies. His
secret weapon is enemy pie. It is guaranteed to
get rid of enemies. The main character brings
his dad all sorts of things to put in the pie like
worms, rocks, already chewed gum, but dad
gives it all back. Then Dad says the hardest part
of making enemy pie work is up to you. You
have to spend a whole day with your enemy.
The main character is not sure about this idea
but he follows his dad’s advice. In just a short
time the boys were having a great time together.
Now it is time to have some enemy pie. The
boys sit down with Dad to eat their pie and ice
cream. Then panic sets in. The main character
does not want Jeremy Ross to eat the pie. He
tries to stop Jeremy, but Jeremy asks, "If it is bad
then why has your dad already eaten half of it?"
The enemy pie is delicious and the boys became
friends. This story will lend itself to discussions
about friends and enemies. Most children will
be able to relate to at least one of the characters
in the story. Tara Calahan King uses color
pencil and pastel illustrations to add to this great
story.
Susan K. Brown, Teacher, Noblesville, Indiana
The everything book, by Denise Fleming.
LCCN 99053626. New York: Henry Holt,
2000. ISBN 0805062920, HBB, $18.95.
E. Children’s literature; Literature--Collections. 64 p.
Small children.
From the sunshine yellow end papers to the
bright colorful paper pulp paintings of children
and common everyday objects, Denise
Fleming’s The Everything Book is a joy.
Fleming calls this book her ‘diaper bag book,’
while the book jacket says ‘something for
everyone.’ They are both right! Whether in a
diaper bag or on a library shelf, this cornucopia
of rhymes, poems, labeled pictures, and
wonderful pictures of a small child’s daily life
would entertain a small child for a long time.
The title page has seventeen ladybugs trailing
across it, which sets up a treasure hunt for the
rest of the book: How many ladybugs are on
each page? Page 62 includes a list of the
number of bugs found on each page (although
the ladybugs on the book jacket are not
mentioned) and the ladybug parade continues
right onto the last page, where the final ladybug
flies across a starry sky filled with a huge
crescent moon and the words, ‘Bye-Bye.’
On the way to ‘Bye-Bye,’ little lapsitters can
learn the names of common kitchen items,
fruits, colors, animals, and even body parts
(including an overalled rear labeled ‘bottom’),
as well as listen to poems about subjects as
diverse as chickens, fireflies, and traffic lights.
Fleming likes to put personal touches in her
books from time to time; in this one, the faces on
pages 50-51 include Fleming’s great-niece-inlaw,
Lexie, and a little girl that represents what
Fleming thinks her Henry Holt editor, Laura
Godwin, looked like as a child. The final
personal touch is a poignant one. Children, no
matter how old they grow, are always children in
their mothers’ hearts, and although Fleming’s
daughter Indigo is now grown up, The
Everything Book is dedicated to her.
Betty Winslow, Bowling Green Christian Academy, Bowling Green,
Ohio
Fantastic faith. (Jay Jay the jet plane.)
Nashville: Tommy Nelson, Thomas
Nelson, . ISBN 849975468, VID, $12.97.
E. Children--Conduct of life; Children--Religious life;
Christian life. 1 videocassette, col., 30 min. Small
children.
How can children face their fears and talk about
them? How do they deal with fear of the dark,
or the jitters of the first day of school?
Computer animation is used to create a story for
each of these three areas. Fantastic Faith
centers around Jay Jay, the Jet Plane, an inviting
animated character with a human face. Jay Jay
is ashamed to share his bad dream with friends
but via song and talk about his fears, comes to
face them. On his first day of school he learns
he’s not the only plane who has ever struggled
with first-day jitters. On a camping trip, Snuffy
overcomes his fear of the dark with help from
Jay Jay.
Each of the short stories brings God into the
picture, e.g., God helps us through our friends in
the first story, and we are never really lost to
God in the third story where stars are the focal
point for dealing with the dark. Children will
like the quick moving pace of the stories, the
delightful animation, and the original songs.
Parents can utilize the stories with confidence,
even retelling portions, as kids will likely
remember the stories. Recommended for all
children’s libraries.
Leroy Hommerding, Director, Fort Myers Beach P.L. District, Fort
Myers, Florida
Farmer Brown’s field trip, written by
Melody Carlson; illustrations by Steve
Bjorkman. LCCN 99053086. Wheaton,
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Ill.: Crossway Books, Good News
Publishers, 2000. ISBN 1581341423,
HBB, $9.99.
E. Parables; Stories in rhyme. unp. Small children.
Spring is in the air, and chores need to be done.
One of those chores is plowing the fields.
Farmer Brown gets his equipment ready and
accidentally drops his glasses. Molly, his
faithful mule, steps on his glasses and now
Farmer Brown has a problem. Without these
glasses, he is unable to see where he is plowing.
He blindly plows the fields, without realizing
the haphazard pattern he is creating. Finally, he
buys another pair of glasses, surveys his work,
and discovers the fruit of his labors.
Melody Carlson has creatively woven a
children’s story from the parable of the sower.
Her rhyme is easy to read, easy to understand,
and moves along at a quick tempo. Ms. Carlson
has taken a parable that could be difficult to
teach children and made it easy to understand.
Steve Bjorkman’s illustrations in Farmer
Brown’s Field Trip are colorful and fun and
nicely convey the message of Ms. Carlson’s
rhyme. This book is an excellent choice for
children at any library.
Debby Willett, Freelance Writer, Canyon, Texas
★
Forever friends, by Joni Eareckson Tada
and Melody Carlson; illustrated by
Douglas Klauba. LCCN 00010098.
Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 2000.
ISBN 1581342160, HBB, $14.00.
E. Dolls--Fiction; Toys--Fiction; Friendship--Fiction.
28 p. Small children.
Mr. Giovanni’s toys come alive when he leaves
for the day. His newest creation is Jenny, a doll
named after his own daughter. Jenny has clear
eyes, taffy-colored hair, and a red gingham
dress. As soon as Mr. Giovanni leaves, Jenny
begins her search for a friend. There are shelves
and shelves of toys and Jenny almost doesn’t
know where to start. She approaches other dolls
next to her, but learns they are not eager to be
friends. Their idea of fun is sitting and talking.
Jenny has other ideas. She approaches toy
soldiers, a stuffed dog, and other toys before
finally visiting with a stuffed rabbit named
Rabbie. Rabbie is old and worn—not what
Jenny is looking for in a friend. But Rabbie is
also well-loved, and has wisdom for Jenny,
wisdom that helps Jenny to be a better friend.
Forever Friends, by Joni Eareckson Tada with
Melody Carson, is a shining story of what true
friendship is all about. Sometimes we pick our
friends for the wrong reasons. Rabbie reminds
us that our hearts make the best choices. The
colorful illustrations of Douglas Klauba are
detailed and charming, giving life to the words.
Forever Friends is a wonderful reminder that
physical differences should not be our ruler of
people’s value.
Debby Willett, Freelance Writer, Canyon, Texas
Franklin’s class trip, written by Paulette
Bourgeois; illustrated by Brenda Clark.
Toronto, Ont.: Kids Can Press, 1999.
ISBN 1550744704, HBB, $10.95.
E. Schools--Fiction. unp. Small children.
Filled with excitement about his first field trip to
the museum, Franklin, a young turtle, can barely
eat breakfast. At the museum, classmate Beaver
tells Franklin the reason the museum is so big is
because of the dinosaurs inside. Unaware these
are not live dinosaurs, Franklin and his friend
Snail worry that they will be the dinosaur’s
lunch. Exploring the bat cave, rain forest,
medieval room, and archaeology dig distract
Franklin and Snail and they forget their fear
until lunchtime. Apprehensively, Franklin and
Snail approach the dinosaur area with their
classmates. Upon discovering that the dinosaurs
are only skeletons, Franklin and Snail can
finally relax and enjoy their field trip.
While being frightened about dinosaurs may
seem silly to some readers, every child can
relate to being scared about something. In
Franklin’s Class Trip, the characters confront
their fears and then move beyond them. Authors
Paulette Bourgeois and Sharon Jennings tell a
reassuring story that will ring true to many
children and also make them giggle. Brenda
Clark’s detailed illustrations match perfectly
with this innocent tale, truly completing the
book. Excitement, fear, and relief are all clearly
seen through the colorful drawings. Children
familiar with Franklin through his television
show, or just now introduced to this preschool
turtle, will enjoy hearing this story.
Elizabeth Coleman, Freelance Writer, Tumwater, Washington
Franklin’s neighborhood, written by
Sharon Jennings; illustrated by Brenda
Clark. Toronto, Ont.: Kids Can Press,
1999. ISBN 1550747290, HBB, $10.95.
E. Neighbors--Fiction. unp. Small children.
Franklin, a young turtle eager to learn, is ready
for the first project of the new school year. Mr.
Owl gives the class their assignment. Students
are to draw a picture of what they like best about
their neighborhood. Racing home, Franklin
skips his snack and sits down with crayon and
paper. Trying to narrow down his very favorite
thing is harder than he thought. To get some
ideas, Franklin goes for a walk. Traveling his
neighborhood, Franklin meets with friends
Beaver, Fox, Moose, and Bear who share their
favorite things. Each of their ideas sound good,
but how can he pick just one? Finally, Franklin
realizes his neighbors are what he likes best
about his neighborhood. His unique drawing
includes them all.
Written by Sharon Jennings, Franklin’s
Neighborhood has a simple, but engaging plot.
Valuable lessons could be gleaned from several
themes found in the book. Franklin perseveres
even when he is having difficulty thinking of
what to draw. Although he talks to his friends
and his parents, Franklin still thinks of an idea
that is all his own. Brenda Clark’s detailed color
illustrations capture the sweetness of the story.
Although the animals have been slightly
embellished with hats, glasses, or backpacks,
they still have a fairly realistic look. Whether
Franklin is a familiar face or not, children will
enjoy hearing this story again and again.
Elizabeth Coleman, Freelance Writer, Tumwater, Washington
Gabriel, God, and the fuzzy blanket, text
by Annette Griessman; illustrations by
David L. Erickson. LCCN 99053212.
Harrisburg, Pa.: Morehouse Publishing,
2000. ISBN 0819218057, HBB, $16.95.
E. Blankets--Fiction; Fear--Fiction; Christian life--
Fiction. unp. Small children.
Dealing with fear is the focus in Annette
Griessman’s Gabriel, God, and the Fuzzy
Blanket. When Jacob forgets his security
blanket as he and his parents are visiting
relatives, his fears are magnified. His great aunt
and uncle, the dark, unfamiliar room, and
especially the big dog Gabriel all scare him.
After his parents pray with him about the fears,
Jacob reminds himself that God is near to help
him. Things become less scary and even
Gabriel turns out to be friendly.
Griessman’s book is nicely done and addresses a
subject with which many parents may be
familiar. The ending is predictable, but the
lesson is clear and helpful. The book would
make a good read-aloud and discussion-starter
for children facing this problem.
David Erickson’s color paintings are across the
page spreads that well accompany the text.
Betsy Ruffin, Teacher/Librarian, Cleburne, Texas
Good ol’ Noah had an ark, E-I-E-I-O,
written by Martha Bolton; illustrated by
Lyn Boyer Nelles. Grand Rapids:
Zonderkidz, Zondervan, 2000. ISBN
0310231981, HBB, $12.99.
E. Noah (Biblical leader). unp. Small children.
Small children will enjoy this amusing version
of Noah and the ark written by Martha Bolton.
Set to the song, "Old MacDonald," it can be read
or sung. The first verse of Good Ol’ Noah Had
an Ark begins, "Good ol’ Noah obeyed God. E-
I-E-I-O. The neighbors thought ol’ Noah odd.
E-I-E-I-O. With a snicker, snicker here, and a
snicker, snicker there. Here a snicker, there a
laugh! Yes, they should’ve built a raft! Good
ol’ Noah obeyed God. E-I-E-I-O." Humorous
verses continue with repetition, rhythm, and
rhyme, telling about building the ark and the
animals aboard. "With a neigh neigh here and a
quack quack there." Then the flood comes "with
a splish, splash here, and a splish, splash there."
But Noah is saved because he obeyed.Although
based on a Bible story, Bolton includes
imaginative and fictional details. For example,
when she describes Noah building the ark, she
writes: "With an Ouch! Ouch! here and an
Ouch! Ouch! there. Here an Ouch! there an
Ouch! No wonder he was such a grouch!"
Bolton, who has been writing humor for years,
served as a staff writer for Bob Hope and wrote
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for Phyllis Diller. Currently she pens a column
for Brio magazine.
The artwork is an appealing part of the story.
Mark Lowry, singer, storyteller, and author, is
pictured dressed as Noah. Photographs of
Lowry are integrated with colorful cartoon
illustrations of animals and the ark drawn by
Lyn Boyer Nelles.
Parents will appreciate the emphasis on Noah’s
obedience and God’s protection from the flood
as a result. Children will enjoy the animal
sounds and repetitious phrases. They’ll
probably learn the lines and sing along. For
chuckles and smiles, consider this book as a fun
way to experience the familiar story.
Lydia E. Harris, Freelance Writer, Former Teacher, Seattle,
Washington
Molly Bannaky, written by Alice McGill;
pictures by Chris K. Soentpiet. LCCN
96003000. Boston: Houghton Mifflin,
1999. ISBN 039572287X, HBB, $16.00.
E. Banneker, Benjamin, 1731-1806--Family--Fiction;
Farm life--Fiction. 29 p. Small children.
Molly Walsh while milking a cow in 1683 spills
the milk. Since the cow that Molly was milking
is owned by her Lordship, she is sent to court for
stealing. The punishment for this crime is death.
But Molly can read the Bible; therefore her
sentence is to be sent to America as an
indentured servant. Molly works very hard and
eventually is set free. She purchases land, but
needs help to raise her crops. She purchases a
slave named Bannaky. Molly and Bannaky
learn to love each other and are married. Molly
has four daughters and the eldest daughter,
Mary, has a son whom they name Benjamin
Banneker. Benjamin later becomes a very
educated and important man in history.
The story seems almost romantic in its retelling
because none of the hardships are really
mentioned. However, the account is accurate in
that Molly Walsh did marry a slave and was the
grandmother to the famous Benjamin Banneker.
A simple story that depicts early American life
with a different historical slant.
Author Alice McGill and illustrator Chris
Soentpiet certainly did their homework to
produce Molly Banaky.
Connie Weaver, Church Librarian, Newville, Pennsylvania
Mrs. Mack, by Patricia Polacco. LCCN
97052946. New York: Philomel Books,
Putnam & Grosset, 1998. ISBN
0399231676, HBB, $16.99.
E. Horses--Fiction; Michigan--Fiction. 40 p. Small
children.
In the summer of her tenth year while she is
visiting her father in Michigan young Patricia
Polacco is about to have her dream of learning
to ride horses come true. Her excitement fades
when Da drives her to rundown looking stables
where she meets Donnie and Nancy, two
teenage workers and sees a "mean-looking man"
staring at her. Her fears dissipate when she
meets the colorful and friendly owner of the
stables, Mrs. Mack, who calls everyone
"shugah."
Patricia’s not sure if she is going to be happy
here until she sees Penny, the most beautiful
horse she has ever seen. Patricia soon not only
learns to ride but to appreciate Donny and
Nancy and to reach out to the "mean-looking
man," Hap, a trapeze artist who has been bitter
since his brother’s death. Finally Patricia is
allowed to ride the lovely Penny. The
approaching end of summer brings not only
Patricia’s reluctance to return to California, but
also a deadly viral infection to Penny. The
doctor says she will not survive and that she has
no chance unless they can stand her up.
Patricia’s kindness to Hap is now returned as he
intervenes to save Penny.
Once again Patricia Polacco has taken an
autobiographical experience and written an
illustrated and engaging story. Girls will
especially identify with her desire to ride horses
and her love for Penny. In addition to the
appealing storyline, the lessons the young
Patricia learns are wonderful jumping off places
for discussions with children—the long-lasting
value of her friendship with Mrs. Mack, her
friendship with Donnie and Nancy once they get
past first appearances and begin know each
other, and her willingness to reach out to "the
unlovely and unloved" which results in a life
change for her and for Hap.
Teresa O’Donley, Library Media Teacher, Scotts Valley, California
My rows and piles of coins, by Tololwa M.
Mollel; illustrated by E. B. Lewis. LCCN
98021586. New York: Clarion Books,
Houghton Mifflin, 1999. ISBN
0395751861, HBB, $15.00.
E. Money--Fiction; Bicycles and bicycling--Fiction;
Tanzania--Fiction. 32 p. Small children.
My Rows and Piles of Coins is a charming story
of unselfishness and love. Little Saruni goes to
market with his mother, Yeyo, and is paid a
small amount of coins for helping. As he
wanders through the colorful market place, he
sees many things he could buy, but no. He must
save his coins in rows and piles until he has
enough to purchase a beautiful bike that can
carry the heavy load of produce to the market for
his mother. Saruni’s determined efforts to help,
take an unusual twist, and his willingness to give
to others is rewarded in a most interesting way.
The beautiful water colors by E.B. Lewis carry
the reader to the center of the lively market in
Tanzania. The storyline is written simply,
mixing some native words within the context of
the story. At the back is short section by the
author, Tololwa M. Mollel, that gives a
definition of the foreign words used. This is a
wonderful story of love that will encourage the
reader’s heart and provides a beautiful story for
parent and/or teacher to discuss.
Mary McKinney, Former Teacher, Freelance Writer, Editor, Port
Orchard, Washington
Never trust a squirrel! by Patrick Cooper;
illustrated by Catherine Walters. LCCN
98023251. New York: Dutton Children’s
Books, Penguin Putnam, 1999. ISBN
0525460098, HBB, $15.99.
E. Trust (Psychology)--Fiction; Guinea pigs--Fiction;
Squirrels--Fiction. 24 p. Small children.
Bored with playing games in his hutch, William,
a young guinea pig, dreams of climbing trees
and exploring the woods. However, he’s not old
enough to leave the hutch without his mother.
When Stella, a playful squirrel, tempts William
to play in the woods with her, William disobeys
his mother and runs out of his hutch. At first,
playing chase and hide-and-seek are fun for
William. When blackbird squawks a warning
that fox is coming, Stella leaves William alone.
Frightened, William tries to hide from fox, but is
quickly discovered. Fortunately, William’s wise
mother comes to his rescue and together they
outwit fox.
Never Trust a Squirrel! gently deals with themes
of peer pressure and temptation in an
entertaining way that young children will
understand. Parents and teachers will also find
this book helpful in illustrating the importance
of obedience. The consequences of
disobedience may not just be punishment, but
could be life threatening. Author Patrick Cooper
has created a character that readers who are also
too young to leave their hutch will easily
identify with. Each character’s personality is
accurately reflected in the colorful illustrations
by Catherine Walters. As William’s mother
watches Stella and William run away, Stella is
seen turning toward her and sticking out her
tongue. The detailed scenery and realistic
looking animals are a wonderful complement to
a fine story.
Elizabeth Coleman, Freelance Writer, Tumwater, Washington
The night of Las Posadas, written and
illustrated by Tomie dePaola. LCCN
98036405. New York: Putnam’s, Penguin
Putnam, 1999. ISBN 0399234004, HBB,
$15.99.
E. Mary, Blessed Virgin, Saint--Fiction; Joseph,
Saint--Fiction; Posadas (Social custom)--Fiction;
Santa Fe (N.M.)--Fiction. unp. Small children.
The Night of Las Posadas is a charming story
based on a custom that began in Spain and came
to Mexico and southwestern America. Posada is
the Spanish word for "inn," and Las Posadas
celebrates Mary and Joseph seeking lodging on
Christmas Eve.
Tomie dePaola writes and illustrates this fiction
story set in old Santa Fe, New Mexico. Sister
Angie arranges the reenactment of Las Posadas
for a nearby mountain village. Lupe and
Roberto are chosen to portray Maria and José—
Mary and Joseph—in the traditional procession.
After weeks of preparation, all is ready. But at
the last minute, Sister Angie becomes ill, and
Lupe and Roberto get stuck in a snowstorm. A
mysterious couple arrive to play Maria and José.
The procession starts, and they knock on door
after door. Often a costumed devil appears, and
they are denied entrance. Finally they are
S P R I N G 2 0 0 1 1 4 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

PICTURE BOOKS
welcomed at a courtyard where a bonfire blazes
and the empty manger awaits them. But the
couple who portrayed Maria and José disappear.
Just then Lupe and Roberto arrive to sit by the
empty manger. They wonder who took their
place in the procession.
Meanwhile, Sister Angie awakens and walks to
church. She sees fresh footprints in the snow
leading to the door. Inside, she kneels and prays
by the wooden carvings of Maria and José. She
notices their cloaks are covered with fresh snow.
Unknown to her, a miracle had saved Las
Posadas.
The artwork is done in acrylic on handmade
watercolor paper. The paintings are simple but
capture the spirit of the story. A short glossary
of Spanish words is included. Children will
enjoy this unique tale with surprise ending.
Lydia E. Harris, Freelance Writer, Former Teacher, Seattle,
Washington
One more time, Mama, by Sue Alexander;
illustrated by David Soman. LCCN
98047937. Tarrytown, N.Y.: Cavendish
Children’s Books, Marshall Cavendish,
1999. ISBN 0761450513, HBB, $15.95.
E. Nature--Fiction; Mother and child--Fiction. 32 p.
Small children.
Mama begins waiting during winter when the
winds swirl the snow and the bears begin their
long sleep. She continues to wait as the ice on
the pond thaws and the daffodils begin to bloom.
Goslings and ducklings hatch, wild roses grow,
and summer thunder booms, but Mama still
must wait. It is only when the fall winds blow
and the apples ripen on the trees that Mama’s
wait comes to an end, for it is then that her
daughter is finally born.
One More Time, Mama, by Sue Alexander is a
mother’s loving account of the wait for her
daughter’s birth. Prompted by her daughter’s
request that she tell the story "one more time,"
the mother beautifully describes the seasons that
pass by during her pregnancy. Although
beautiful, at times the abundant imagery used to
describe the plant and animal life of each season
seems too advanced and detailed for the young
audience to whom this type of book generally
appeals. However, David Soman’s watercolor
illustrations are lovely and do a wonderful job of
depicting both nature and the love that exists
between the mother and daughter. Like Jamie
Lee Curtis’ Tell Me Again About the Night I Was
Born, this is a book for parents and children to
share together to remember the uniqueness of
their child’s birth and, as a result, the uniqueness
of the child herself.
Kerri Cunningham, Librarian, Camano Island, Washington
Pillow of dreams, by Peter Jan
Honigsberg; illustrated by Tony Morse.
LCCN 99093454. Oakland, Calif.: RDR
Books, 1999. ISBN 1571430768, HBB,
$17.95.
E. Dreams--Fiction; Pillows--Fiction. unp. Small
children.
Margaret Bunny’s pillow allows her to have
wonderful, exciting dreams. Newberry Mole is
jealous and steals the pillow from Margaret
Bunny so that he can have dreams that will
make him money. Newberry discovers that his
dreams from the stolen pillow do not give him
wealth and pleasure because he feels so guilty
about the way he acquired the pillow. After
returning the pillow to Margaret Bunny,
Newberry Mole is invited to stay for cake and
ice cream and is even sent home with an extra
piece! That night Newberry Mole decides to try
his own worn out pillow and discovers
wonderful dreams full of rainbows and other
good things. Newberry learns that it is better to
have your own dreams that to steal someone
else’s dreams.
Peter Jan Honigsberg has written a story that
works well for very young children. The issue
of theft is clear and the moral intentional.
Rewards derive from your own work and
belongings, not from things stolen. Tony Morse
has drawn pictures that are filled with soft colors
and just enough detail to be interesting and to
avoid being overwhelming for young children.
Barbara Wall, School Library System Director, Oswego County
BOCES, Mexico, New York
Red berry wool, by Robyn Eversole;
paintings by Tim Coffey. LCCN
99010696. Morton Grove, Ill.: Albert
Whitman, 1999. ISBN 0807506540, HBB,
$15.95.
E. Sheep--Fiction; Wool--Fiction; Shepherds--Fiction.
30 p. Small children.
When Lalo, the smartest lamb in the flock, tries
to make his wool look like Boy’s red berry wool
sweater he encounters all kinds of problems.
Lalo’s mother tells him wool must be washed,
spun, dyed, and knitted to become a sweater like
the Boy’s.
First Lalo tries to wash his wool, but falls in the
drinking pond and gets his nose full of water.
The Boy rescues him and dries him off. When
Lalo tries to spin his wool he gets dizzy and falls
into a thorn bush. Again the Boy rescues him.
Gently he pulls the thorns out of Lalo’s wool.
Not at all discouraged, Lalo goes off to find a
red berry bush to dye his wool. But, when he
rolls in the berry bush to dye his wool, a snake
bites him and he can’t get up. Boy hears him
calling for help and carries him home. Lalo
discovers knitting is the best part of making a
sweater, because it means to bring together. He
sits at the pond with the Boy and together the
friends watch the sunset turn everything berry
red.
Robyn Eversole’s story of an adventurous little
lamb and the gentle little boy who cares for him
is a delightful story of friendship. Because the
book is designed with only a few well-chosen
sentences on each page, there are many bright
happy pictures to keep young readers interested.
Tim Coffey’s expressive paintings, of the little
lamb and the Boy in the red wool sweater, add
wonderful detail and color. Painted swirls in the
grass show where Lalo was spinning.
Patchwork colored fields and hills dotted with
sheep and villages bring visual interest to the
story.
Barbara Bryden, Freelance Writer, Olympia, Washington
When Addie was scared, by Linda and
Wendy Bailey. Toronto, Ont.: Kids Can
Press, 1999. ISBN 1550744313, HBB,
$14.95.
E. Fear--Fiction; Grandmothers--Fiction. 24 p. Small
children.
Fear is an awful, controlling thing, and Addie
was controlled by it. There were many real
dangers for Addie, but she often trembled at
things that couldn’t really harm her, like the
lonely cry of the wolf at night, or a distant
thunder storm. She would walk an extra mile to
get to her beloved grandmother’s farm, just so
she could skirt around the big bull in a
neighbor’s field. Life was very hard for Addie
and her fears.
One important day when she was feeding her
grandmother’s chickens, an attacking chicken
hawk gave her an extreme fright. But just as she
was about to run and hide, something wonderful
happened inside of her. Addie found a special
courage tucked way down deep that allowed her
to pick up a branch and scare the hawk away.
This was a turning point for Addie. She still had
some fears, fears of real dangers, but she also
knew that she carried around inside of her a
courage that would be there whenever she really
needed it.
This true-life tale, When Addie was Scared, is
written as quick, exciting prose. The tale
unfolds the importance of love and
encouragement as Linda Bailey relates this tale
about her mother when she was growing up in
the 1930’s on a northern prairie farm. The
homespun tale portrays a common struggle with
fear that many children may face. It will
encourage children to discover that you have
what it takes to face these fears right inside of
you. The realistic illustrations by Wendy Bailey
are appealing and intriguing with their detail and
warmth. The situations presented allow for
good discussion about different types of fears
and how to deal with them.
Mary McKinney, Former Teacher, Freelance Writer, Editor, Port
Orchard, Washington
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BOOK REVIEWS
CHILDREN’S FICTION
Ahmek, by Patrick Watson. Toronto:
Stoddart Kids, Stoddart Publishing, 1999.
ISBN 0773731458, HBB, $14.95.
F. Thomson, Tom, 1877-1917--Fiction; Beavers--
Fiction. 167 p. Elementary (Middle school).
Ahmek is a young badger who lives with his
father and grandmother on a quiet pond. One
day a human appears at the pond. Ahmek is a
very curious young badger and soon discovers
that this human, an artist named Tom Thomson,
is not to be feared. Soon Tom is chased away by
hunters who break up Ahmek’s home,
separating him from the rest of the family.
Heading south, Ahmek hopes to locate his father
and grandmother. Instead he meets new groups
of badgers, has many adventures, and eventually
forms his own family unit with Kwezenhs.
After their kits One and Two are born, Ahmek
and Kwezenhs travel North in hope of finding
some evidence of the rest of Ahmeks’s family.
When the new young family reaches the pond, it
is to discover that not only are Ahmek’s father
and grandmother there, but also his mother, long
thought to have been killed by humans.
Author Patrick Watson tells a tale of beavers
living in their natural environment with enough
detail to put the reader into the story. Place
names and the beaver’s names are from the
Ojibway language. An excellent glossary is
provided. Tracy Thomson, great grand niece of
the real-life artist, Tom Thomson, illustrates
each chapter with line drawings. Children and
adults alike will appreciate the detail in both the
environment of the story and in the artwork.
There are several excellent books of animal
survival away from the native environment.
Ahmek fits well into this genre.
Barbara Wall, School Library System Director, Oswego County
BOCES, Mexico, New York
All you ever need, by Max Lucado;
illustrations by Douglas Klauba. LCCN
99045155. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books,
Good News Publishers, 2000. ISBN
1581341342, HBB, $15.99.
F. Generosity--Fiction; Conduct of life--Fiction;
Parables. unp. Elementary.
Once again, Max Lucado expresses a biblical
truth in a simple, yet beautiful way. All You Ever
Need is a story about Tobias, the Watermaster,
who distributes fresh water to the desert people.
He and his Son, Julian, never limit the amount of
water, or set standards of who may receive.
When the Watermaster and his Son leave their
servant Elzevir in charge, Elzevir changes the
method of distribution. Eventually, no one in
the desert is “good enough” to receive the water.
Julian returns and explains that the water is
freely given to all, thus demonstrating the grace
Jesus so freely offers everyone.
All You Ever Need is an excellent story to teach
younger children about the grace Jesus gives to
us all, no matter where we are or what we do.
The illustrations are colorful and detailed. The
story is short enough to hold the interest of
younger children and uncomplicated enough to
deliver the intended message.
Tammy Williams, Freelance Writer, Social Worker, Port Orchard,
Washington
Armadillo tattletale, by Helen Ketteman;
illustrated by Keith Graves. LCCN
99014722. New York: Scholastic Press,
2000. ISBN 0590997238, HBB, $15.95.
F. Armadillos--Fiction; Animals--Fiction; Gossip--
Fiction. unp. Elementary (Small children).
Following in the tradition of the Just So stories,
Armadillo Tattletale by Helen Ketteman tells
how the armadillo got his small ears. Its main
theme, however, is the problems caused by
gossip.
Armadillo’s big ears allow him to overhear the
other animals’ conversations. He then
misreports them, causing trouble between the
animals and leading them to dislike him.
Finally, alligator clips Armadillo’s ears by biting
them until they are tiny, and he can no longer
overhear conversations he’s not supposed to.
This is much like the traditional how and why
tales which use an incident of the animal’s
behavior to explain certain physical
characteristics. Armadillo Tattletale is a fun
story. It presents a good lesson in a humorous
and non-didactic way. Keith Graves’s
wonderfully exaggerated drawings are well
done in acrylic paint, ink, and colored pencil.
They should delight readers almost as much as
the delightful tale itself.
Betsy Ruffin, Teacher/Librarian, Cleburne, Texas
Baseball for breakfast : the story of a boy
who hated to wait, by Bill Myers;
illustrated by Frank Riccio. LCCN
99012182. Nashville: Tommy Nelson,
1999. ISBN 0849958717, HBB, $14.99.
F. Time--Fiction; Christian life--Fiction; Patience--
Fiction. 32 p. Elementary.
Jimmy complains to his mother as he is getting
ready for bed that he wants all the good times to
happen now and skip all the in-between times.
He mother explains to him that the in-between
times are important, too, and that Jimmy can’t
spend all his time just playing baseball or eating
desserts. The next morning on his way to
school, Jimmy finds a pocket watch that allows
him to skip time. By turning the knob on the
watch, Jimmy can fast-forward his day at any
time he chooses. Because he skips baths and
haircuts and other necessary things, Jimmy
starts to smell bad, his clothes are ragged, his
hair is a mess, and he is growing weaker because
he only eats desserts.
One night a group of people gather outside his
bedroom window complaining. Jimmy causes
them to skip rainy days, which leads to a
drought, he skips school and is failing, and he
won’t let others go to bat so the team is losing all
its games. His mother explains why the inbetween
time is important, and Jimmy makes
the decision to throw the watch out his bedroom
window. The loud crash awakens Jimmy, who
realizes he was just dreaming about skipping
time. He looks outside his bedroom window at
the rain falling and realizes he is glad to have a
rainy day, even if he does miss baseball practice,
because now he’ll have puddles to play in.
Bill Myers hits a homerun in Baseball for
Breakfast, The Story of a Boy Who Hated to
Wait. Young children will learn how important
the in-between times are and the consequences
for living only in the good times. The colorful
illustrations by Frank Riccio bring life and
realism to the text. The two create a guaranteed
favorite for young readers.
Eileen Zygarlicke, Freelance Writer/Editor, Grand Forks, North
Dakota
Big bad beans, by Beverly Lewis. (The
cul-de-sac kids; 22.) LCCN 99006753.
Minneapolis: Bethany House, 2000. ISBN
0754221272, PAP, $3.99.
F. Bicycles and bicycling--Fiction; Christian life--
Fiction. 76 p. Elementary.
Jason Birchall has two problems: his mother
has the family on a new ‘healthy diet,’ and he
dreams of saving enough money to buy his
friend Eric’s royal blue/gold, flashy, mountain
bike. With only ten dollars to go Jason can
almost feel the bike beneath him as he races
down the street. For some time he has been
caching his money in his top dresser drawer
quite near his stash of bubble gum, which is
hidden from his vegetable wielding mother.
The Cul-de-sac Kids pitch in and help Jason
earn the rest of his money by taking part in a
recycling project. Money in hand, Jason heads
for Eric’s to buy the bike, only to find out that
Eric has sold it to someone else for more money.
That is bad enough but Jason’s troubles multiply
when he first offers to help his friend, Abby, by
hiding her Mother’s Day gift money in his
drawer separated from his by his baseball cards.
All this time Jason has been secreting his
vegetable snacks in pockets, under his mattress,
feeding them to his dog, anywhere he can to
S P R I N G 2 0 0 1 1 6 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

CHILDREN’S FICTION
avoid eating them, so when he finds a few
leftover garbanzo beans, his absolute worst
vegetable, in his pocket, he decides to toss them
in the quickly filling drawer. What happens
when the money in the drawer turns up missing,
and Jason helps a friend win a Sunday School
contest, comprise the climax to this entertaining
story.
Beverly Lewis has once again entertained her
readers without being overly preachy. It is
hoped that her editor will correct the spelling of
Galatians on page 44 in future editions. Other
than that it is a good read.
Judy Driscoll, Retired Teacher, Poulsbo, Washington
The captain’s hat, by Anita Williams;
illustrated by Timothy Banks. LCCN
99052817. Greenville, S.C.: Journey
Books, Bob Jones Univ. Press, 2000. ISBN
1579243304, PAP, $6.95.
F. Ships--Fiction; Rivers--Fiction; Jungles--Fiction;
Brazil--Fiction. 104 p. Elementary.
Set in Brazil, The Captain’s Hat is filled with
imagination-sparking details about life along
“the big river.” As a former missionary to
Brazil, author Anita Williams is well able to lend
authenticity to this story of two boys and their
adventures. Pedro and Spud befriend an older
couple, the man a retired sailor, living aboard a
ship scuttled on a beach. They meet a captain,
pick fruit and nuts in the jungle, explore the
countryside, and more. All the while, Pedro
dreams of one day being a captain with a
sparkling hat. A special deed earns him a hat of
his own.
Told in semi-poetic form, the book has rich
language and cadence to it. Though it is a
chapter book, it would still make a good readaloud
for younger ages. The characters are
likeable and the adventures are fun to read
about. Subtle lessons on problem-solving and
friendship are also woven into the tales.
Betsy Ruffin, Teacher/Librarian, Cleburne, Texas
The case of the missing minds, by Bill
Myers. (Bloodhounds, Inc.; 6.) LCCN
99006474. Minneapolis: Bethany House,
1999. ISBN 155661490X, PAP, $5.99.
F. Hypnotism--Fiction; Brothers and sisters--Fiction;
Christian life--Fiction; Mystery and detective stories.
127 p. Elementary (Middle school).
Brother and sister Sean and Melissa, owners of
the Bloodhounds, Inc. Detective Agency, are
asked by the owner of the local Comedy Club to
investigate the mysterious disappearance of
money from his cash register. The duo takes in
a show at the club and watch in amazement as
the hypnotists work their wonders on the local
townspeople. The next day, Sean and Melissa
notice those who were hypnotized the previous
day are still subject to its influences. Along with
the bizarre behavior of the local folks, the
brother and sister notice a crime spree of
robberies as well. They think the two events are
connected and begin to investigate the
hypnotists, who have set up shop in the town
and offer to take clients back to previous lives
they have lived. Through a series of events, the
two discover the hypnotists are behind the
robberies by having their hypnotized clients
perform the illegal deeds. The plot is
uncovered, the hypnotists arrested, and the
townspeople return to normal.
Bill Myers in The Case of the Missing Minds
takes the subject of hypnosis and reveals the
danger in it. Through a conversation with their
dad, Sean and Melissa realize that even though
the Bible doesn’t blatantly say hypnotism is bad,
it is pretty explicit about letting our thoughts be
under God’s control. Myers combines slapstick
humor, moral teaching, and lively writing in his
book, which make it a winner for the 8-13 yearold
reader.
This is the sixth book in his Bloodhounds, Inc.
series. All of the books entice the reader with
believable characters, funny happenings, and a
biblical principle. Myers is a favorite of this age
range and this book continues his tradition.
Eileen Zygarlicke, Freelance Writer/Editor, Grand Forks, North
Dakota
Cassie, you’re a winner, by Reneé Kent.
(Adventures in Misty Falls; 1.) LCCN
99050658. Birmingham, Ala.: New Hope
Publishers, 2000. ISBN 1563097354, PAP,
$4.99.
F. Christian life--Fiction; Competition (Psychology)--
Fiction; Fairs--Fiction. 100 p. Elementary (Middle
school).
Cassie, You’re a Winner is the story of a pre-teen
girl who wants to be “the best” at something.
When she looks around her, it seems that
everyone has a particular gift or talent, and she
has none. Cassie compares herself to her two
best friends, J. J. and Iggy—both are skilled at
something, better looking, etc. So, Cassie
decides to enter two contests in the county
fair—cookie baking and horseback riding.
Cassie is sure she should be able to get a “blue
ribbon” for at least one of these events. Then,
she is convinced, she will feel special and be a
winner. The day of the fair arrives, and nothing
turns out quite like she has planned.
Renee Kent writes about common feelings of
inadequacy and insecurity in pre-teen girls and
boys. Readers can relate to the characters and
their struggles. The story teaches valuable
lessons on friendship and what it really means to
be a winner.
Tammy Williams, Freelance Writer, Social Worker, Port Orchard,
Washington
★
The Christmas doll, by Elvira Woodruff.
LCCN 96045314. New York: Scholastic,
2000. ISBN 0590318721, HBB, $15.95.
F. Dolls--Fiction; Orphans--Fiction; Christmas--
Fiction; London (England)--Fiction. 151 p.
Elementary.
The Christmas Doll is a beautiful story that will
touch the hearts of any reader, although intended
for children. It is the story of two sisters, Lucy
and Glory, orphans that live in a workhouse in
London. Lucy, the elder sister, protects and
cares for her sister and often comforts her with
stories about their life before the death of their
parents. One of these stories is of a doll called
“Morning Glory” that Lucy tells Glory she had
as an infant. She also tells of how their mother
sewed a blue morning glory flower on each of
Glory’s dresses. When a deadly fever epidemic
comes to the workhouse, Lucy decides it would
be safer to live on the streets of London than risk
exposing Glory to the fever. So Lucy and Glory
make a daring escape and find themselves
starving and cold on the streets. It is while
searching the “mud flats” for treasure to sell,
that Glory finds a doll that she is certain is
“Morning Glory.” Lucy, sick at heart, realizes
that selling the doll is their only hope. Neither
girl could ever imagine the events that follow,
all because of a doll named “Morning Glory.”
Elvira Woodruff paints a wonderful picture of
life in nineteenth century London for two
orphan girls. The story is imaginative and
sweet. The story teaches of loyalty, friendship,
and love. It is destined to be a classic in the lines
of The Little Princess.
Tammy Williams, Freelance Writer, Social Worker, Port Orchard,
Washington
Close call, by Todd Strasser. LCCN
98036947. New York: G. P. Putnam’s
Sons, Penguin Putnam, 1999. ISBN
039923134X, HBB, $15.99.
F. Friendship--Fiction; Baseball--Fiction. 118 p.
Elementary.
Jenny argues over calls during their after-school
baseball games, and Jenny never argued before.
Some of her friends don’t want to see what’s
wrong with her; they just want to keep playing
baseball. But Ian and Krishnan try talking to
Jenny and Ian even invites her and her two
brothers over to his house for supper. Jenny tells
Ian’s mom, Mrs. Piccolo, that her step-dad is in
drug treatment and Jenny has to babysit her twoyear-old
brother. Her older step-brother, Billy,
hangs out with his high school friends in the
parking lot after school and throws rocks at
Jenny and her friends who are playing baseball
in the high school field. Jenny doesn’t like
having to babysit all the time. She wants to play
baseball with her friends.
Mrs. Piccolo explains that things might be
tough now, but times change and things will get
better. Jenny seems to feel better after her talk
with Ian’s mom. Billy talks to Ian, who is
surprised at how nice Billy is, telling him how
much he likes baseball. They all have a good
time at supper that night.
Despite seeing a different side of Billy, Ian is
still afraid of him and his friends. He doesn’t
understand why the older boys throw rocks at
the baseball players. Then Ian’s mom gives him
the idea to challenge the older boys to a baseball
game. The high school guys go for it and so do
the younger kids. After the game, the older kids
leave the younger kids alone.
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CHILDREN’S FICTION
Todd Strasser does a good job of bringing out
the diversity of people and the problems
families can have in his book Close Call. Using
an ethnic variety of well developed characters
and a realistic plot, Strasser teaches tolerance,
understanding, and compassion to young
readers.
Eileen Zygarlicke, Freelance Writer/Editor, Grand Forks, North
Dakota
Cody unplugged, by Betsy Duffey;
illustrated by Ellen Thompson. LCCN
98053756. New York: Viking, Penguin
Putnam, 1999. ISBN 0670885924, HBB,
$14.99.
F. Camping--Fiction. 87 p. Elementary.
When nine-year-old Cody Michael’s folks send
him off to Camp Bear, he wonders how he can
enjoy his summer vacation. Camp Bear, he
understands, has no TVs, no computers, no
video games. In fact, Camp Bear has no
electricity! Cody takes along a book on
wilderness survival. Throughout the weeks at
camp, Cody learns how to deal with bears, the
camp bully, a “haunted hamster,” and girls.
While the other boys pack M&Ms, Skittles, and
Reeses Pieces for their hiking trip, Cody packs
his wilderness survival guide. It’s a good thing
he does, because the camp bully needs rescuing.
Cody Unplugged by Betsy Duffey is illustrated
by Ellen Thompson. Her black and white
drawings depict thoroughly modern kids in
realistic settings. The drawings, and the
humorous, brightly colored dust jacket will
appeal to adults as well as children.
The book is divided into twelve short, easy
reading, chapters. Each chapter is followed by
lists for every possibility called, “Cody’s Camp
Survival Guide.” Children will enjoy a chuckle
as they read Cody’s lists.
Dell Smith Klein, Freelance Writer, Teacher, Yarnell, Arizona
Eva’s summer vacation : a story of the
Czech Republic, by Jan Machalek. LCCN
99019243. Norwalk, Ct.: Soundprints,
1999. ISBN 1568998023, HBB, $15.95.
F. Czech Republic--Fiction; Cousins--Fiction. 30 p.
Elementary.
Eva’s Summer Vacation, written and illustrated
by Jan Machalek, introduces us to young Eva
and her father as they begin their trip to attend a
family wedding. As they take a taxi to the
airport, Eva quietly says good bye to many of
the beautiful and historical areas and buildings
in downtown Prague. When they arrive at Aunt
Lida’s home in the small city of Hluk, the scene
is much different. Aunt Lida lives on a farm in
the Carpathian Mountains. She has farm
animals in her backyard. The hilly countryside
gives Eva the opportunity to play and run with
cousins, pick wild strawberries, and swim every
day. She has brought a traditional folk costume
for the wedding and is delighted with the music
and dancing of the ceremony. After the
wedding, she tells her father goodbye as she
looks forward to spending the summer with her
cousin exploring the countryside.
Jan Machalek has succeeded in writing a
balance of fiction and information about his
native Czech Republic. Instead of lists, maps,
and dates that usually go along with this type of
subject, he has used a fiction story in
picturebook form to paint a simple picture of
some basic differences in this country. He
shows a simple contrast between the capital city
and the country. These contrasts, while obvious
to adults, are explained very appropriately in his
story. The description of the wedding is very
simple, addressing the important issues a child
would want to know, such as clothing and food.
To add to the description of the different topics
are Mr. Machalek’s lovely double spread
illustrations. Even though a written description
of the city of Prague is not provided, the
illustrations demonstrate the busyness and
beauty of the architecture and landscape.
A small informational section at the end of the
story includes a map, a very brief paragraph on
Czech history, population, topography, and
traditions. The Czech words used in the story
are defined in this section as well.
Patricia Youmans, Homeschool Parent, Siloam Springs, Arkansas
Fangs for the memories, by Bill Myers;
with David Winbish. (Bloodhounds, Inc.;
5.) LCCN 99006408. Minneapolis:
Bethany House, 1999. ISBN 1556614896,
PAP, $5.99.
F. Vampires--Fiction; Brothers and sisters--Fiction;
Christian life--Fiction; Mystery and detective stories.
125 p. Elementary.
The fifth book in the Bloodhound, Inc. series by
Bill Myers, Fangs for the Memories finds Sean
and Melissa Hunter on the trail of a vampire.
When the Hunter’s neighbor Mrs. Tubbs finds
herself face-to-face with a vampire, her screams
alert the neighborhood and set the Hunter kids
on a search for the villain. Facing their fears and
remembering what the Bible says about God
being greater in us than anything else, Sean and
Melissa track down the real vampire while
leaving their usual path of destruction in their
wake. The two uncover the real identity of the
vampire and spoil his burglary ring. In the
process they come to realize that with God there
is nothing to fear.
Once again Myers scores a hit with readers
weaving humor, antics, and action into an easyto-read
tale. As he has done with his other
books, the author uses a verse to maintain his
theme throughout the book, effectively showing
how kids can put their faith into action. For
laugh-out-loud enjoyment, Fangs for the
Memories is a hit.
Eileen Zygarlicke, Freelance Writer/Editor, Grand Forks, North
Dakota
The great galaxy goof, by Robert Elmer.
(AstroKids; 1.) LCCN 00009928.
Minneapolis: Bethany Backyard, Bethany
House, 2000. ISBN 0764223569, PAP,
$5.99.
F. Space stations--Fiction; Christian life--Fiction;
Science fiction. 105 p. Elementary.
Set in the 22nd century, author Robert Elmer
spins a science fiction tale about living on a
space station in The Great Galaxy Goof. With
life colonies on other planets and the moon, and
space travel the norm, the AstroKids find
adventure in outer space. Newly arrived to the
space station, Buzz discovers a castaway on the
space shuttle. Miko, an orphan from the moon
station, pleads with Buzz to keep her secret.
Buzz, via his wrist interface, also meets Mir,
another AstroKid whose father is commander of
the space station. However, as Buzz finds out,
Mir isn’t too excited about Buzz “spying” on
him through Buzz’s wrist interface. The two
eventually meet face-to-face and find
themselves on the brink of disaster when Mir
accidentally launches the space shuttle the two
are on. Poised to crash into the moon within
seconds, Buzz saves the day by donning a zip
suit and propelling the shuttle back to the
station.
Robert Elmer creates a humorous environment
for children to expand their minds and dream of
life in outer space. He produces believable
space gizmos to add credibility and humor to his
writing. The author writes the book from the
point of view of Buzz, adding explanations
throughout the text of questions young readers
may have. For example, if he mentions a gizmo,
he will insert in question/answer style a query as
to what the gizmo is or does and then responds
to the query.
Black and white illustrations by Paul Turnbaugh
bring the characters to life and help the young
reader visualize each person. Elmer uses an
ethnically diverse cast who bond together as
friends. Although not an overtly Christian
message, he does sprinkle the text with
references to God.
Eileen Zygarlicke, Freelance Writer/Editor, Grand Forks, North
Dakota
Holiday hero, by Sandra Byrd. (Secret
sisters; 7.) LCCN 00266539. Colorado
Springs: Waterbrook Press, 1999. ISBN
1578561140, PAP, $5.95.
F. Friendship--Fiction; Vacations--Fiction; Accidents--
Fiction. 107 p. Elementary.
Holiday Hero is book seven in the series of
Secret Sisters by Sandra Byre. The two friends,
Erin and Tess, have a wonderful time together
with their moms on their “girls’ holiday” to San
Diego. However, Tess keeps having little
twinges of guilt about her brother’s accident that
kept him from accompanying them. She knew
that she wasn’t responsible, yet she could have
responded faster to Tyler’s desire to go home
immediately. Amidst the exciting world of sun
and fun, Tess finds several challenges to stay
honest and obedient. In fact, her insistence on
S P R I N G 2 0 0 1 1 8 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

CHILDREN’S FICTION
doing things her way get both her and Erin in big
trouble!
The storyline is realistic and fun to read for
young girls. They will enjoy the adventures and
dilemmas the two girls face. Humor and
teasing, challenges to obey and keep God’s
Word sacred, make for an entertaining and
worthwhile read. Book seven can stand alone,
but the reader will certainly want to pick up the
rest of the series to keep track of these likeable,
fun characters.
Mary McKinney, Former Teacher, Freelance Writer, Editor, Port
Orchard, Washington
I want my mummy, by Bill Myers; with
David Winbish. (Bloodhounds, Inc.; 8.)
LCCN 00010527. Minneapolis: Bethany
House, 2000. ISBN 1556614926, PAP,
$5.99.
F. Mummies--Fiction; Brothers and sisters--Fiction;
Christian life--Fiction; Mystery and detective stories.
126 p. Elementary.
Bill Myers continues his series Bloodhounds,
Inc. with I Want My Mummy. Sean and his sister
Melissa are hired to find a missing mummy
from a museum exhibit. While looking for clues
for the elusive Egyptian artifact, the two are
confronted with bigotry. The townspeople,
fueled by outrageous and incorrect media
accounts, believe foreigners brought about the
weird happenings taking place in their town by
unleashing a mummy amongst them; so they set
out to run the foreigners out of town. Eventually
Sean and Melissa find the “mummy,” nothing
more than a robot in rags, that was rampaging
through town. They also discover that the two
men who delivered the ancient relic allowed the
real mummy to be destroyed through
carelessness. They dressed up the robot to cover
their mistake.
Myers tackles the relevant issue of bigotry and
handles it with delicacy and forthrightness.
Instead of being led by the crowd and talked into
accusing others who are different from you, he
teaches the reader to accept people for who they
are—creations of God. Using humor and action,
Myers effectively captures and keeps the
reader’s attention while driving home a practical
biblical truth.
Eileen Zygarlicke, Freelance Writer/Editor, Grand Forks, North
Dakota
Louise goes wild, by Stephen Krensky;
pictures by Susanna Natti. LCCN
98024824. New York: Dial Books for
Young Readers, Penguin Putnam, 1999.
ISBN 0803723075, HBB, $13.99.
F. Identity--Fiction; Self-perception--Fiction. 80 p.
Elementary.
Louise feels like she is too predictable.
Everyone seems to know what she will say, or
do, or even eat. It’s too much for Louise, so she
decides to make some changes. Unfortunately,
everything she tries seems to backfire. Her
change of hairstyles and clothes only bring
snickers and lots of whispers from her
classmates. When she steps forward to feed the
penguins at the aquarium, she not only slips and
falls into the penguin’s pool, she has to go home
smelling like a fish. Something is not working
right, and her mom and two best friends finally
come up with the answer. Change comes from
within, and doesn’t have to be drastic. The old
Louise still has good to offer others, but it is also
good to work on growing up and maturing.
Louise Goes Wild gives a clear lesson on
appreciating who you are, yet finding ways to
make changes where changes are needed. There
are some humor and corny jokes that second and
third graders should enjoy. Stephen Krensky
gives a pretty realistic picture of how kids that
age react to others, i.e. teasing and sometimes
even some rather rude remarks. The
illustrations by Susanna Natti are simple black
and white sketches that portray some of the
action in the story.
Mary McKinney, Former Teacher, Freelance Writer, Editor, Port
Orchard, Washington
★
Mei Fuh : memories from China, by Edith
Schaeffer; illustrations by Lesley Liu.
LCCN 97010126. Boston: Houghton
Mifflin, 1998. ISBN 039572290X, HBB,
$16.00.
F. China--Fiction; Family life--China--Fiction. 90 p.
Elementary (Young children).
Born to American missionary teachers, adopted
gleefully by the Christian Chinese, Mei Fuh
delightedly twirls her way through her first five
years. What if the cook eats her pet goldfish,
and her baby goat grows horns, joy imbues it all.
In Mei Fuh: Memories from China, Edith
Schaeffer uses her wonderful old woman’s
memory to bring to bursting life her
extraordinarily happy Chinese childhood. Liu’s
illustrations vividly add to the fun. Parades with
fireworks; the loving Chinese friends who,
unbeknown to her parents, feed Mei Fuh
luscious food; even scalded legs accompanied
by tender care and wondrous presents; all is
remembered in a little girl’s cheery, captivating
words. But then they must go back to a very
strange United States. An unsure Mei Fuh,
suddenly known as Edith, finds that here also
happiness abounds. Once again she twirls her
jubilant way through life.
The famous Edith Schaeffer, cofounder of
L’Abri, with her husband, the late Dr. Francis
Schaeffer, presents the foundation for her very
deep joy in life. Having found that her children,
grandchildren, and great-grandchildren love
Mei Fuh, Schaeffer gives her to the world. With
black and white sketches, prize winning artist
Lesley Liu, a Taiwanese native, gently,
humorously portrays the delight of being Mei
Fuh. Written at primary school level, Mei Fuh:
Memories of China, will also be read by all who
remain childlike in heart. Preschoolers will
listen with delight, so will the rest of the family.
Listening or reading, the whole family will revel
in this celebration.
Is it wonderful to be a Christian? Just ask Mei
Fuh/Edith Schaeffer. From her heart, the answer
compellingly twirls—YES!
Donna Eggett, Freelance Writer, Radford, Virginia
The mystery of the attic lion, by Elspeth
Campbell; illustrated by Joe Nordstrom.
(Three cousins detective club; 27.) LCCN
99050973. Minneapolis: Bethany House,
2000. ISBN 0764221353, PAP, $3.99.
F. Statues--Fiction; Cousins--Fiction; Mystery and
detective stories. 62 p.
The mystery of the backdoor bundle, by
Elspeth Campbell; illustrated by Joe
Nordstrom. (Three cousins detective club;
28.) LCCN 99050982. Minneapolis:
Bethany House, 2000. ISBN 0764221361,
PAP, $3.99.
F. Dolls--Fiction; Cousins--Fiction; Mystery and
detective stories. 62 p. Elementary (Small children).
At the center of The Mystery of the Attic Lion is
a lion statue that has been tucked away in an
attic corner. Titus, one of the three cousins,
finds this statue and calls him Alexander.
Someone breaks into Titus’ grandaunt’s home,
and Alexander disappears. Titus, along with his
cousins Timothy, and Sarah-Jane, have a new
mystery to solve! They discover that the lion
statue is part of another statue, and that they
have both been missing for many years. The
three cousins put their heads together and
examine the few available clues. It isn’t long
before the TCDC (Three Cousins Detective
Club) searches for and finds the lion statue and
its long-missing partner.
Sarah-Jane and her two cousins, Titus and
Timothy, answer a loud knock at her back door.
The Mystery of the Backdoor Bundle begins.
When the door is opened, no-one is there;
however, they discover a small basket on the
backstep. Inside, is an old doll with a note
attached. The cryptic words, “Please help me.”
lead the three cousins on a new mystery that
results in diamonds being found inside the doll’s
stuffing. The mystery is solved and the
diamonds and the doll are returned to the
rightful owners.
Elspeth Campbell writes engaging stories that
move along quickly. The problems are
identified, the three cousins get involved, and
the mysteries are solved. Joe Nordstrom’s
illustrations are simple pencil drawings that add
charm to the books. The suggested age level is
seven to ten, but the stories move along so fast,
I think some six year olds would enjoy them. I
recommend these as tradebooks for any library
and classroom as read alouds.
Debby Willett, Freelance Writer, Canyon, Texas
The mystery of the golden reindeer, by
Elspeth Campbell; illustrated by Joe
Nordstrom. (Three cousins detective club;
30.) LCCN 00010530. Minneapolis:
Bethany House, 2000. ISBN 0764221388,
PAP, $3.99.
F. Christmas--Fiction; Cousins--Fiction; Mystery and
detective stories. 64 p. Elementary (Small children).
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CHILDREN’S FICTION
Timothy and Sarah-Jane are spending Christmas
with their cousin Titus, who lives in the big city.
Against Titus’ wishes, they decide to go
Christmas shopping at Hill’s Department Store.
While they are there they run into their cousin
Patience. She tells them that a boy who looks
just like Titus is in the mall as well. Titus feels
odd knowing he has an identical twin, and even
stranger when a mysterious message for the
other boy is delivered to him by mistake. The
cousins realize they must find the rightful
recipient of what seems to be a very important
message. They are also very curious, and hope
to find out what the message means.
Elspeth Campbell Murphy does a delightful job
of writing a mystery for young children that is
refreshingly free of ghosts, murders, or villains
that you normally find in mystery novels. The
Mystery of the Golden Reindeer is just long
enough to keep early readers in suspense, and
short enough to keep them from becoming
frustrated. Older readers may find the book a
little short, and the mystery a little simple, but
they should still enjoy it. The illustrations done
by Joe Nordstrom capture the mood of the story
perfectly, and clarify for young minds the
images the author is trying to create.
Robyn Wyatt, Freelance Writer, Port Orchard, Washington
Petal power, by Sandra Byrd. (Secret
Sisters; 8.) LCCN 00266445. Colorado
Springs: Waterbrook Press, 1999. ISBN
1578561159, PAP, $5.95.
F. Friendship--Fiction; Weddings--Fiction. 104 p.
Elementary.
Their teacher, Miss Martinez, is planning a
beautiful wedding. Everyone from their sixth
grade class is invited. When Tess Thomas and
her Secret Sister, Erin Janssen, find their teacher
crying, they comfort her. They learn that the
niece of Miss Martinez’ fiancé who has been
waiting for a transplant for a long time, will get
a new kidney just days before the wedding.
Therefore, the niece won’t be able to be Miss
Martinez’ junior bridesmaid. And, because the
family is chipping in to help pay for the surgery,
there will be no flowers for the wedding and no
honeymoon.
The Secret Sisters set out to change that. Tess
thinks of a way they might raise money for the
flowers, but problems crop up when Tess, in her
eagerness to help, stretches the truth. The girls
discover there is nothing noble about a lie.
They work in a flower shop to earn money for
their teacher’s wedding flowers. Tess has to
deal with her lies, her jealousy, and the
consequences. The girls learn the language of
flowers. Baby’s breath means ‘ours is an
everlasting love,’ and a pink rose means ‘to my
friend.’ A happy ending will please young
readers.
Petal Power by Sandra Byrd can be enjoyed
without having read the others in the series.
Byrd’s well-defined sixth grade characters are
believable. Young readers will easily identify
with the girls’ dilemma. Tess’s parents react as
loving and caring. The flower shop owner,
however, seems too mean with no redeeming
qualities.
Dell Smith Klein, Freelance Writer, Teacher, Yarnell, Arizona
Rachel, a Hutterite girl, by Rachel
Maendel; illustrated by Hannah Marsden.
LCCN 99299022. Scottdale, Pa.: Herald
Press, 1999. ISBN 0836191196, PAP,
$12.99.
E. Hutterite Brethren--Fiction; Farm life--Fiction. 48
p. Elementary.
Rachel lives on a community farm that includes
all her relatives. The community farm life
revolves around everyone doing chores so that
the entire family will have food to eat, clothes to
wear, and warm buildings to live in. Rachel and
her cousins have many exciting things to do
such as: find goose eggs and get a “broody” hen
to hatch them, make ice-cream, escape from a
very angry bull, pluck feathers from geese to
make pillows, and go swimming.
The story is reminiscent of Little House on the
Prairie books due to the illustrations by Hutterite
artist Hannah Marsden. Both the illustrator and
the author (Rachel Maendel) live as Hutterites in
Canada. The Hutterites’ concept of life is quite
interesting to read and through Rachel’s eyes,
the reader can glimpse what this may be like.
There is an episode where geese are pronounced
dead due to a weasel sucking the blood from
them. Some Hutterite terms can be defined from
the story; unfortunately there are a few terms
that are somewhat unclear as to their meaning.
Connie Weaver, Church Librarian, Newville, Pennsylvania
The secret room, by Cynthia Mercati.
Logan, Ia.: Perfection Learning, 2000.
ISBN 0789151081, PAP, $5.99.
F. Jewish Holocaust (1933-1945)--Fiction;
Friendship--Fiction. 72 p. Elementary.
As the daughter of a minister in 1940, Annie is
expected to be quiet, smart, and well behaved.
None of those things describe this rambunctious
seventh grader. Fortunately, Annie’s best friend
Leah understands her. When Germany conquers
Holland, Annie’s life is completely changed.
Leah must go into hiding, and two years pass
with life getting progressively harder. Food is
becoming scarce, electricity can only be used a
few hours a day, and there are a lot of new rules.
People who disobey the rules are sometimes
beaten or taken away. One night while
searching the church for her father, Annie finds
a secret room with a Jewish family, the Sterns,
living inside. Discovering her father is part of
the Resistance is exciting. Even better, Annie’s
father trusts her to care for the Sterns. Each day
Annie visits the Sterns, marveling how they
must live so quietly, never going outside, and yet
they seem happy. Describing the trees and birds
to young Ruth Stern, Annie learns how to draw
and use her imagination, and gradually slows
down. When Annie’s father is arrested, she
resolves to continue hiding the Sterns and take
care of her own family.
The Secret Room by Cynthia Mercati is an
historically accurate chapter book that could
provide a starting point for a larger discussion of
the Holocaust. The focus of the story is Annie’s
struggle with self-control and her eventual
maturing. While the war with Germany and the
plight of the Jews are important sub-plots,
children reading this book will not gain a strong
sense of the reality of war and the horror of the
Holocaust. These themes have been painted
with a very broad brush. Although Annie’s life
surely would have been in danger for aiding
Jews, these facts are downplayed. Black and
white drawings by Deb Bovy add interest to the
beginning of each of the seven chapters.
Elizabeth Coleman, Freelance Writer, Tumwater, Washington
Tell me why : eternal answers to life’s
timeless questions, by Michael Card;
illustrations by Ron DiCianni. LCCN
99021448. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books,
1999. ISBN 1581340311, HBB, $16.99.
F. Angels--Fiction; Christian life--Fiction. 48 p.
Elementary.
As one of the many angels who write music for
the King, Theodas loves his job. Unexpectedly,
he is called before the King one day and sent to
earth to listen for a new song. Upon arriving,
Theodas meets William, a young boy. William
has just witnessed another boy kill a singing bird
and is crying. After comforting William,
Theodas meets his parents and stays with them.
William is drawn to the angel’s quiet spirit,
joining with him to pray each morning. William
is allowed to see some of what Theodas sees, the
multitude of angels surrounding them and at one
point, Jesus. Through his interaction with
William, Theodas is able to hear a new song and
William’s eyes are opened to the world of
miracles and angels.
Although the cover states, “Eternal Answers to
Life’s Timeless Questions,” no concrete answers
are given. Author Michael Card states at the
beginning that there are often no easy answers
for questions like why we pray or why we die.
Instead, each of the seven chapters illustrates the
faith and trust required even when we don’t
know why. Each chapter contains the ongoing
story of Theodas and William and is
accompanied by lyrics from songs the author
has written. A rich illustration by Ron DiCianni
accompanies each chapter. DiCianni includes
artist’s notes in the back, giving more
information about the origin of each drawing.
Tell Me Why will inspire discussion and raise
questions about the role of angels in our lives.
Elizabeth Coleman, Freelance Writer, Tumwater, Washington
★
Thanksgiving wish, by Michael J. Rosen;
paintings by John Thompson. LCCN
97042208. New York: The Blue Sky Press,
Scholastic, 1999. ISBN 0590255630, HBB,
$16.95.
F. Grandmothers--Fiction; Thanksgiving Day--
Fiction; Neighbors--Fiction. unp. Elementary.
S P R I N G 2 0 0 1 2 0 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

CHILDREN’S FICTION
Michael J. Rosen has written a captivating story
of how grandmothers make holidays
unforgettable in Thanksgiving Wish.
Thanksgiving was “Bubbe’s” special holiday.
Amanda looked forward to each part of the
sumptuous feast. Bubbe worked for weeks,
making one dish each day. There was her
famous maple applesauce, the tom turkey,
stuffing, chicken soup with matzo balls so light
they float, two kinds of potatoes, gelatin molds,
honey cakes, and enough pumpkin pies for each
family to take one home. Yet the best part of the
day came right before bed, when her
grandmother let her choose a wishbone for the
Thanksgiving wish. Whoever held the biggest
piece would have their wish granted as long as
they never told anyone what it was. When
Bubbe passes away, the pain seems the sharpest
at Thanksgiving. The family struggles to hold
up the family tradition, yet nothing is the same.
Bubbe is not there to share the Thanksgiving
wish.
John Thompson has dynamically illustrated this
story with brilliant paintings. The details and
expressions help to make the story jump right
off the page and into your heart. It is almost as
if you can smell dinner cooking. The story
builds until you can feel the struggles and
disappointments of each member of the family.
Especially when the youngest, Amanda, realizes
no one has saved the wishbones all year. They
won’t have their Thanksgiving Wish. There is
even a bit of a surprise ending when the secret of
Bubbe’s wish is revealed.
Stories this captivating about the Thanksgiving
holiday are few. It is a beautiful expression of
family love and traditions, all of those things for
which we are most thankful. The fact that this is
a Jewish family adds a sense of multiculturalism
to the story. This book is a must for any library.
Marcia Snyder, Librarian, Missoula, Montana
You’ve got a friend, written by Joni
Eareckson Tada; illustrations by Jeff
Meyer. LCCN 99020931. Wheaton, Ill.:
Crossway Books, 1999. ISBN 1581340605,
HBB, $14.99.
F. Friendship--Fiction; Angels--Fiction; Wheelchairs--
Fiction; Physically handicapped--Fiction; Bicycles and
bicycling--Fiction. 32 p. Elementary.
Benjamin Brewer sits in his wheelchair
watching the neighborhood kids play, and
remembers the days when his legs worked like
theirs. Rather than make an effort to join in the
fun, Ben remains lonely. Tony, Ben’s neighbor,
is also lonely. He rides his bike alone,
remembering the days when he and Ben were
best friends. Ever since Ben got hit by the car,
Tony doesn’t feel like a very good friend
because he isn’t sure how to act around Ben in
his wheelchair, so Tony remains lonely. Two
angels are sent to help both boys realize
friendship takes many forms, and to help both
boys feel they have worth to each other still.
When Tony decides to enter the neighborhood
bike race, a hole in his tire dashes his plans. But
Ben has gotten good at fixing holes in tires—
since keeping his wheelchair in good repair is
now an important skill. Ben offers to fix Tony’s
tire, and completes the job just in time for Tony
to enter the race.
Lively pastel illustrations by Jeff Meyer portray
Joni Eareckson Tada’s touching story You’ve
Got a Friend. Young readers will learn that God
gives us each special gifts in addition to the gift
of friendship. Friendship is an unusual gift
because it works two ways—we each have a
need to feel wanted and to have friends, but
most importantly, God wants us to share our
ability to be a friend of others. By bringing
sunshine to someone else’s day, our own paths
are showered with sunshine, and this is the
message that Tada’s story tells and Meyer’s
illustrations show. Not only do Ben and Tony
learn a lesson in You’ve Got a Friend, but the
angels sent to help guide the boys together learn
something too—all things, even small things
like a porch railing nail, are part of God’s
blueprint for our lives. This is a great book to
begin discussion on faith, friendship, handicaps,
and reaching out to those in need.
Lisa Wroble, Freelance Writer/Library Aide, Plymouth, Michigan
The Zero-G headache, by Robert Elmer.
(AstroKids; 2.) LCCN 00009972.
Minneapolis: Bethany Backyard, Bethany
House, 2000. ISBN 0764223577, PAP,
$5.99.
F. Space stations--Fiction; Christian life--Fiction;
Science fiction. 103 p. Elementary.
The second in the AstroKids series by author
Robert Elmer, The Zero-G Headache is written
from the point of view of DeeBee. She is a tech
wizard and is working on creating her own
drone. However, complications occur and her
drone experiences a major meltdown. DeeBee
worries about how she will complete the drone,
as it is a project for school, and she knows her
teacher will never give her an extension to fix
the problem. Not that she would have time for
it anyway. DeeBee finds out her cousin Phil is
coming for a visit. She considers him a music
geek since he is gifted in music. The whole
space station is in an uproar when a famous teen
band decides to land on the station for repairs to
their ship. Mir announces that Zero-G will
perform, but that is not true. DeeBee comes to
the rescue when she helps the band and they
agree to do a concert. However, before they can
fulfill their commitment, a power surge destroys
their equipment. Phil saves the day when he
accompanies the group, former classmates of his
from the music colony, on an antiquated violin
while they sing their latest hits.
Occasional illustrations by Paul Turnbaugh add
visual effect to the story. A unique feature of the
series is the historical background author Robert
Elmer gives the reader at the end of the books
about space travel. He also includes useful
websites for those interested in finding out more
about the solar system, planets, and space
missions. Finally, he concludes the book with a
coded message the reader has to search for
throughout the book. The added information at
the back of the book will whet the appetite of
most readers for finding out more about space
travel.
Eileen Zygarlicke, Freelance Writer/Editor, Grand Forks, North
Dakota
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BOOK REVIEWS
CHILDREN’S NONFICTION
000’s—Generalities
Free stuff for crafty kids on the Internet,
by Judy Heim and Gloria Hansen. LCCN
99006530. Lafayette, Calif.: C&T
Publishing, 1999. ISBN 1571200800, PAP,
$16.95.
025.06’7455. Handicraft--Computer--Network
resources--Directories; Children’s web sites--
Directories; Free materials--Computer--Network
resources--Directories. 176 p. Elementary.
Judy Heim and Gloria Hansen have co-authored
a whole series of books that show you where to
go to find free stuff on the Internet. This one,
Free Stuff for Crafty Kids on the Internet, may
be the best buy of the year for anyone who has
to deal with craft-loving children and a slim
budget. Its pages are filled with places to go on
the Internet for all kinds of crafts: printable
coloring pages and paper doll patterns, painting,
rubber stamping and scrapbooking tips, craft
instruction sheets, inspiration, and just plain fun.
It includes URLs (net addresses) for the on-line
version of such family magazines as Parents and
FamilyFun, as well as for big craft stores such as
Michael’s, Jo-Ann Fabrics, and Ben Franklin. It
even includes web sites that give instructions for
balloon-twisting, juggling, puppet and kite
making, and magic tricks!
Best of all, Chapter 1, Kids, Crafts, and Family
Fun, includes information on tapping into web
pages, dealing with common error messages,
finding your way around the web without
getting lost, using bookmarks, saving web pages
and images to your hard drive, and Internet
safety for children (including a list of child-safe
search engines). This chapter alone may be
worth the cost of the book!
I have only two reservations about this book
(and indeed, the whole series). Some of the
URLs include typos, making them useless for
web navigation. Also, as is the case for web
surfing in general, even the correctly typed
addresses aren’t always current. However, after
reading the first chapter, you should be able to
get around both of those problems and find what
you are looking for (or a satisfactory substitute.)
All in all, there is plenty in here to keep even the
craftiest child busy for months!
Betty Winslow, Bowling Green Christian Academy, Bowling Green,
Ohio
Scholastic treasury of quotations for
children, [compiled and written by]
Adrienne Betz. LCCN 97034153. New
York: Scholastic, 1998. ISBN 0590271466,
HBB, $16.95.
082. Quotations. 254 p. Elementary (Middle school).
Michel De Montaigne once wrote “I quote
others to better express myself.” Who was
Montaigne? When did he live? In the
Scholastic Treasury of Quotations for Children,
author Adrienne Betz compiles and references
more than a thousand quotations. Not only does
the author divide the quotes by subject matter
but she supplies biographical information on her
sources.
The introduction is an important part of this
book. Betz discusses the history of the famous
book of quotations, Bartlett’s Familiar
Quotations, and the reason for her diverse
selection. In addition, the author provides uses
for quotations such as introducing an idea,
adding authority to your opinions, or finding
titles for literary work.
There are no illustrations in the book, but the
larger print and white spaces make the book
attractive to young readers. The book is divided
alphabetically into categories such as anger,
history, humor, and work, with a table of
contents at the front and a biographical index at
the end of the book. Throughout the book, indepth
paragraphs explain subjects such as Ways
to Say: Don’t Just Talk About It, Take Action! or
Artists Explain Their Own Work.
The sources for this book are extensive. From
the Bible to Buddha, Shakespeare to Seuss,
Mother Goose to Mother Teresa, these
selections give the reader insights into the
thought processes of people through the
centuries.
Joanne M. Haffly, Homeschool Parent/Writer, Gig Harbor,
Washington
200’s—Religion
Boys life adventure Bible storybook, by
David Horton; illustrated by Dennis
Edwards. LCCN 00265111. Grand
Rapids: New Kids Media, Baker Book
House, 1999. ISBN 0801044251, HBB,
$16.99.
220. Bible stories. 356 p. Elementary.
Within the pages of Boys Life Adventure Bible
Storybook, Adam looks like Tarzan. Illustrator
Dennis Edwards uses his comic book style to
draw the young readers into the text. The book
is directed toward ages six to nine, but boys as
old as twelve may enjoy this highly visual
storybook, especially beginning readers.
Author David Horton divides the readings into
four areas. There are fifty stories sections. Each
story ends with a ‘Making a Man of God’
element. The story is clarified and questions are
asked such as, “Has anyone ever done
something mean to you? Did you want to hurt
that person back? What do you think might
have happened if you had said, ‘I forgive you’
instead?”
The third section, Coaching Tips, gives the adult
advice on how to apply the lesson to daily life.
“The Verse to Remember” is a simple biblical
verse with application to the lesson.
Joanne M. Haffly, Homeschool Parent/Writer, Gig Harbor,
Washington
Hey, that’s not what the Bible says!
written and illustrated by Bill Ross.
LCCN 98051088. Nashville: Tommy
Nelson, 1999. ISBN 0849959225, HBB,
$9.99.
220.9. Bible stories. 80 p. Elementary.
Bill Ross’ Hey, That’s Not What the Bible Says!
is a collection of Bible stories from the Old and
New Testament that humorously challenges
your child’s knowledge. Ten stories, from
Adam and Eve to Noah and the ark, to David
and Goliath and Jonah and the whale, to Jesus’
birth, death and resurrection are included. First
Mr. Ross tells an incorrect story, and then
follows with the correct story from the
International Children’s Bible, New Century
Version. Did Adam and Eve go willingly? Just
how many people were included on the ark?
Was Goliath more interested in being David’s
friend? Did Jonah successfully run away from
God and His mission? Just where was Jesus
born, in a stable or a techno-hospital? Was a
stone really rolled across Jesus’ tomb, or was it
a head stone? In one illustration Jesus is
wearing a bracelet. I wonder what WWID could
stand for. Mr. Ross, who also illustrated this
book, has included comical sketches of the
characters that most children will be amused by.
The book is colorful and lively, and creatively
presents Bible stories.
Debby Willett, Freelance Writer, Canyon, Texas
Words of gold : a treasury of the Bible’s
poetry and wisdom, selected and
introduced by Lois Rock; illustrations by
Sarah Young. LCCN 99037903. Grand
Rapids: Eerdmans Books for Young
Readers, Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2000. ISBN
0802851991, HBB, $18.00.
220.9’505. Bible stories. 48 p. Elementary.
The title, Words of Gold, A Treasury of Bible’s
Poetry and Wisdom, would lead one to believe
that this was a book about the Psalms and
Proverbs, or even the Old Testament. Instead, it
is a selection of the author, Lois Rock’s, favorite
Bible passages, covering the entire gamut of the
scriptures. This is really a version of an
interpreted Bible storybook, in biblical order.
After each title is given is a brief synopses of the
general story or theme, followed by subtitles,
further summaries, and then scripture. Some of
the summaries are in the form of a question that
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CHILDREN’S NONFICTION
the passage answers. The passages are
presented from the Good News Bible, King
James Version, or the New Revised Standard
Version, with no pattern as to which text is used.
An index completes the work, with references to
biblical themes.
The illustrations and artwork are highly
significant factors in this book. The style is
stylized and eclectic. Highly intricate borders
line the outside of every page: throughout the
Old Testament section the pattern is a detailed,
leafy, patterned border; the Gospel section has
page borders that are in a vine and grape motif;
from Acts onward the pattern suggest flames.
The pictures of people are somewhat simplified
and pre-Renaissance in appearance. Other
pictures appear quilt-like. The same rich,
vibrant colors are used consistently from
beginning to end, with lots of gold.
Debby Willett, Freelance Writer, Canyon, Texas
Hidden treasures : amazing stories from
the Old Testament, by Mary Manz Simon;
illustrated by Jeff Preston. LCCN
00037910. Nashville: Broadman &
Holman, 2000. ISBN 0805423281, HBB,
$9.99.
221.9’505. Bible stories--O.T. 40 p. Elementary.
Hidden treasures : amazing stories from
the New Testament, by Mary Manz
Simon; illustrated by Jeff Preston. LCCN
00037911. Nashville: Broadman &
Holman, 2000. ISBN 80542329X, HBB,
$9.99.
225.9’505. Bible stories--N.T. 40 p. Elementary.
Mary Manz Simon has adapted little known
stories from the Old and New Testaments,
creating Hidden Treasures: Amazing Stories
from the Old Testament and Hidden Treasures:
Amazing Stories from the New Testament. For
an example, the story of Rahab and how she
helps Joshua’s men escape from the soldiers of
Jericho. Most children are taught the story of
Moses as a baby and how he was adopted by the
Pharoah’s daughter, but how many have heard
how Moses defended young women at a well?
During Pharoah’s reign of terror against Hebrew
baby boys were two midwives who defied the
command to kill. These women were
responsible for safely guiding the birth of
newborn boys, despite the threats of the
Egyptian soldiers. These nurses were blessed of
God and soon had babies of their own. Elijah,
exhausted from running from Queen Jezebel,
awoke to the smell of fresh bread. Maybe not so
unusual; however, Elijah had been in the
wilderness and there was no oven close by. God
had provided for Elijah because of his
faithfulness and obedience.
These stories are excellent for children to read
by themselves, or for reading aloud as a family,
and questions are included at the conclusion of
each story. What’s important is that Ms. Simon
doesn’t simply tell stories of little-known
people, but through the questions she
encourages children to find the part of the story
that relates to their lives. Her desire is to create
“a heart connection” through the retelling of
these stories about ordinary people that God
used in extraordinary ways. Jeff Preston, the
illustrator, has managed to capture the drama
and emotion of these stories in vibrant colors.
The illustrations add depth to the characters, and
enjoyment of the stories. The series would
make a wonderful addition to family libraries
and would appeal to even small children. The
questions allow children to consider what they
learned and serves to reinforce bible truths.
Parents would find these series to be a great way
to spend quality time with their children.
Debby Willett, Freelance Writer, Canyon, Texas
Exodus, by Brian Wildsmith. LCCN
98018066. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans
Books for Young Readers, Wm. B.
Eerdmans, 1998. ISBN 0802851754, HBB,
$20.00.
222’.120505. Moses (Biblical leader); Exodus, The;
Bible stories--O.T. unp. Elementary.
The words “wonderful” and “awesome” have
never been more aptly applied than when
describing the story of God’s work in the
salvation of His people from Egypt. Beginning
with the birth of Moses and ending with the rise
of Joshua to the leadership of God’s people,
Wildsmith’s book offers an artistically rich,
colorful, and respectful depiction of the events.
The detail of the watercolor-tinted line drawings
is as intriguing as the accuracy with which the
time and locale are drawn. In addition, the
perspective is always maintained in a way that
emphasizes the greatness of the mighty acts of
God rather than the actions of men. Particularly
telling is Wildsmith’s depiction of the Ark of the
Covenant and the Ten Commandments on both
the front and back endpapers of his book. So
often the Exodus story is reduced to a paean to
the human desire for freedom, but Wildsmith’s
book does not fall into that trap nor ignore the
compelling, covenantal reason for the
deliverance of the Hebrews from Egypt or the
Law of Freedom they were soon to embrace. In
summary, Brian Wildsmith’s Exodus brings the
biblical account down to the verbal and visual
level of a child without sacrificing the integrity
or majesty of the event.
Pamela A. Todd, Librarian/English Teacher, Chalcedon Christian
School, Cumming, Georgia
A faith to grow on : important things you
should know now that you believe, by
John MacArthur. LCCN 00032913.
Nashville: Tommy Nelson, Thomas
Nelson, 2000. ISBN 0849975123, HBB,
$15.99.
230. Christian children--Religious life--Miscellanea;
Christian life. 192 p. Elementary.
This visually appealing book offers both “food
and exercise” for spiritual growth. Author John
MacArthur creates a devotional to help kids
understand their faith and grow as Christians.
The book is broken down into twelve chapters,
each focusing on a separate Christian doctrine
(God, sin, worship, prayer, forgiveness).
Chapters include from four to twelve questions
such as: What does God want from us? Must we
obey God all the time? and Why doesn’t God
answer my prayers right away? A single spread
is devoted to each question. MacArthur offers
concise answers and activities to reinforce the
concept and encourage children to grow closer
to God.
Each chapter is color-coded, creating bright
spreads that follow the same layout. Answers to
common questions children—and new
believers—have about God, faith, and the
church, dominate the left side of the spread.
These explanations are written in kid-friendly
language. A word scramble and a prayer starter
below the narrative completes the left side of the
spread. An activity and a sidebar helping
children relate the concept to everyday life
dominates the right side of the spread. Relevant
Bible passages (God’s Word) cover the right
margin of each spread. A honeycomb
background is sprinkled with tiny photos of
children, along with two to three larger photos
on each spread.
Not only is the layout visually appealing, it
attracts young readers to this fine devotional
because it makes it easier to use. Color-coding
makes locating a specific category easier than
using the table of contents. Children may also
flip through and stop at spreads with headings
matching their own questions: What if I tell
someone about Jesus and nothing happens?
(from the chapter on Evangelism); What is
heaven like? (from the chapter on Heaven);
Does God see everything we do? (from the
chapter on Worship); and Who wrote the Bible?
(from the chapter on the Bible). The
information and activities on each spread work
together to help the reader not only better
understand his faith, but apply what he’s
learning so he will truly build up his spiritual
muscle. For instance, in “How should we
pray?” the spread provides a step-by-step for
praying: Praise God, ask for his will, offer trust
in him, and ask for what we need, for
forgiveness, and for his help. The activity
suggests finding a private place to “talk” quietly
with God while the sidebar discusses easing fear
by praying silently. “God Word” includes five
scripture passages.
A Faith to Grow on: Important Things You
Should Know Now That You Believe is a book
parents will enjoy sharing with their children.
Its visual appeal and non-doctrinal approach
makes it suitable to general libraries as well.
The kid-friendly narrative makes it a nonthreatening
addition for all libraries as well.
MacArthur suggests, in the introduction, to read
a section every day to “grow strong in the
Lord!”
Lisa Wroble, Freelance Writer/Library Aide, Plymouth, Michigan
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Creation, written by Helen Haidle;
illustrated by David Haidle and Elizabeth
Haidle. LCCN 00033385. Grand Rapids:
Zonderkidz, Zondervan, 2000. ISBN
0310700183, HBB, $12.99.
231.7’65. Creation--Biblical teaching; Bible stories--
O.T. unp. Elementary (Small children).
This beautifully illustrated book is a retelling of
the story of Creation based on excerpts from
Genesis and the Psalms. A two-page spread is
devoted to each day. Helen Haidle paraphrases
the text from Genesis in simple language. In
addition, an appropriate selection from the
Psalms is given in verse form. The last third of
the book focuses on some animals which have
unique features, hyperdeveloped senses, or
peculiar shapes, e.g., the octopus (8 arms), the
eagle (keen eyesight), and the zebra (striped
skin).
This is a delighful and uplifting book. The
illustrations are realistic without intensive
details, and there is an abundance of color. The
use of parallel texts makes this an excellent
teaching tool: the Psalm selections praise the
things that are created on the specific day. For
example, on the fourth day, God creates the
lights in the sky to separate day from night. The
Psalm selection is 19:1-4 “The heavens tell
about the glory of God. / The skies show that /
his hands created them. / No sound is heard
from them / At the same time, their voice goes
out / into the whole earth.” The juxtaposition of
these texts and the accompanying illustration
reflects the majesty and wonder of the Creation
story.
The last six pages contain text and illustrations
of some of God’s “amazing” creatures. Each
animal’s unique feature is described and a
simple rationale is given for the feature. For
example, the squid can quickly change its color
to confuse its enemies. While the content of this
section is more appropriate for school-age
children, preschoolers will enjoy looking at the
pictures and learning the names of these
fantastic animals.
The Haidles have produced a wonderful yet
simple book about the beginning of the world.
Nadia J. Martin, MLIS, Librarian, First Presbyterian Church,
Plymouth, Michigan
The Christmas story : from the Gospels of
Matthew and Luke, illustrated by Cathy
Ann Johnson. LCCN 99023700.
Nashville: Tommy Nelson, Thomas
Nelson, 1999. ISBN 084997528X, HBB,
$5.99.
232.92. Jesus Christ--Nativity; Bible stories--N.T.
unp. Elementary.
The Christmas Story: From the Gospels of
Matthew and Luke is a simple, straightforward
retelling of the Nativity story. Pulling Scripture
from the first and second chapters of both
Matthew and Luke, the story includes Gabriel’s
announcement, Joseph’s disbelief, the trip to
Bethlehem, and Jesus’ birth, along with the story
of the shepherds, wise men, and King Herod.
Scripture is quoted from the International
Children’s Bible, New Century Version, and
Scripture references are printed beneath the text
on each page. The last page of the book shows
a picture of the night sky and the Star of the East
with the words of John 3:16 printed below.
Illustrator Cathy Ann Johnson tells the Nativity
story effectively through her illustrations. She
uses bold, bright colors and her depictions of the
characters and their surroundings are simple and
clear enough to appeal to even very young
children. Especially well done are the
expressions of emotion on the character’s faces,
such as Mary and Joseph’s fear at learning Mary
is pregnant and the wise men’s awe and worship
of baby Jesus. Small details in the portrayals of
clothing and architecture help to lend an
authentic flavor to the illustrations. A useful tool
for sharing the Christmas story with young
children.
Kerri Cunningham, Librarian, Camano Island, Washington
The Easter story, by Brian Wildsmith.
LCCN 98056534. Grand Rapids:
Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, Wm.
B. Eerdmans, 2000. ISBN 0802851894,
HBB, $18.00.
232.96. Jesus Christ--Resurrection; Jesus Christ--
Passion; Easter; Bible stories--N.T. unp. Elementary.
The Easter Story by Brian Wildsmith simply and
clearly retells the Passion story as seen through
the eyes of the small donkey that Jesus rode into
Jerusalem. Beginning with the Triumphant
Ride, Wildsmith continues to recount the
Clearing of the Temple, the Last Supper, Peter’s
betrayal of Christ, and Jesus’ Crucifixion and
Resurrection. The story ends with the
Ascension and the donkey being taken to the
home of one of Jesus’ friends where the reader is
told he will stay for the rest of his life.
Author and illustrator Brian Wildsmith has
created a companion to his earlier book, A
Christmas Story. By telling the story through
the eyes of the donkey Jesus rode, Wildsmith
makes the story accessible and interesting to
even young readers. However, it is the
illustrations that truly set this book apart. The
pages are large and Wildsmith’s images fill
every inch of them. Depictions include the
remarkable buildings of Jerusalem, the
countryside of Israel, and Jesus and his
disciples, among many others. As in A
Christmas Story, the use of gold-toned paints
creates shining illustrations, and many are
reminiscent of stained-glass windows. In an
Author’s Note, Wildsmith states that he wanted
to capture the symbolism of Jesus’ last days on
earth, as well as his death and resurrection, in
“color, shape and form.” He succeeds by
creating beautiful yet accurate illustrations of
Jerusalem in Jesus’ time. Although the story has
been written for children, the gorgeous, almost
theatrical, illustrations make it a pleasure for
anyone to read and view.
Kerri Cunningham, Librarian, Camano Island, Washington
The very first Easter, by Paul L. Maier;
illustrated by Francisco Ordaz. LCCN
00701286. St. Louis, Mo.: Concordia,
1999. ISBN 0570070538, HBB, $14.00.
232.96. Jesus Christ--Resurrection; Jesus Christ--
Passion; Easter; Bible stories--N.T. 32 p. Elementary.
This book follows the same format as Paul
Maier’s companion book, The Very First
Christmas. Meier embeds the story of the first
Easter inside the story of a ten-year-old boy
named Christopher, who lives with his mother
and father, a forest ranger, in a remote area of
America’s western mountains. As Christopher
and his parents are sitting around the table dying
Easter eggs, Christopher wonders aloud what
the true story of Easter is. His Dad picks up the
Bible and the two of them begin to read aloud
from the book of Luke.
The narrative follows their discussion as they
read, with Christopher asking questions that any
child might typically ask—“How do we know
Jesus was really God?” “Why did they hang
people on crosses, Dad?” “But if Jesus had a
solid body and wasn’t a ghost, how did he get
through the walls?” Maier’s format works well
in this setting. Quotations from Luke tell the
story, but the discussion between Christopher
and his Dad explain the Easter story in a way
that seems natural and easy to understand.
While the text of this book is quite good, what
makes this book an excellent addition to the
Easter collection is the outstanding artwork of
Francisco Ordaz. Beautiful, full page pictures
take up the right hand side of each spread.
These realistic and detailed illustrations do a
superb job of furthering the viewer’s
understanding of the Easter story. Especially
well done is a portrayal of Jesus praying in the
garden of Gethsemane and an illustration
showing the women standing in amazement
before the empty tomb. The Very First Easter is
a wonderful book to share with a child, or
anyone, who wonders what more there is to
Easter than bunnies and painted eggs.
Lillian Heytvelt, Librarian, Pomeroy, Washington
Little girls devotional storybook for
mothers and daughters, by Carolyn
Larsen; illustrated by Caron Turk. Grand
Rapids: Baker Books, 2000. ISBN
0801044464, HBB, $16.99.
242. Prayer books and devotions. 187 p. Elementary.
The Little Girls Devotional Storybook for
Mothers and Daughters contains eighteen short
stories that will capture the attention of young
girls while teaching them important lessons.
Each story is followed by questions for mothers
and daughters to answer together, a brief
devotional, and a scripture related to the story.
The stories deal with such hard topics as anger,
selfishness, and disobedience. Positive topics
such as thankfulness and God’s loving care are
also included. As an added feature, the
illustrator, Caron Turk, has included a little
angel with pink wings in each picture. Little
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girls will enjoy searching for her throughout the
book.
Carolyn Larson has written a charming
devotional that young girls and their mothers
will love reading together. The bright and
colorful pictures add to the stories and keep
children interested. Young girls will identify
with the emotions of the characters in the
stories. They will see that although their actions
are sometimes bad, they are not bad. Mothers
will be reminded of how a child thinks, which
will help them identify with their own little girls.
The questions at the end of each story are
thought provoking, but simple enough for young
children to understand and answer. Many
stories even provide ideas for activities that
mothers and daughters can do together. The
Little Girls Devotional Book is something every
mother and daughter should have on their
bookshelf.
Robyn Wyatt, Freelance Writer, Port Orchard, Washington
A child’s garden of prayers : a collection of
classic prayers and timeless blessings,
compiled by Tama Fortner; featuring the
artwork of Thomas Kinkade. LCCN
00041819. Nashville: Tommy Nelson,
Thomas Nelson, 2000. ISBN 0849976030,
HBB, $17.99.
242’.8. Children--Prayer-books and devotions--
English. 60 p. Elementary.
A Child’s Garden of Prayers entwines Thomas
Kinkade’s paintings with a collection of prayers
and blessings. Fans of Kinkade’s light-infused
artwork will treasure this padded gift book
which introduces children to praying. Prayers of
gratitude and petition are included, plus prayers
for morning, noon, and night. Topics cover
parents, holidays, friends, animals, home, the
world, and more.
Some prayers are familiar like St. Francis of
Assisi’s: “Lord, make me an instrument of your
peace/ Where there is hatred, let me sow love/
Where there is injury, pardon/ Where there is
despair, hope/ Where there is darkness, light/
Where there is sadness, joy.” Other classic
prayers were penned by Martin Luther, John and
Charles Wesley, and Robert Louis Stevenson.
Numerous prayers are sweet poetic verses. For
example: “Heavenly Father, hear my prayer.
Night and day I’m in Your care. Look upon me
from above. Bless the home I dearly love. Bless
the friends with whom I play. Make us kinder
day by day (Unknown).” Also included are
traditional prayers: “God is great, and God is
good. Let us thank Him for our food. By His
hand we all are fed; Thank you, Lord, for our
daily bread.” The book concludes with The
Lord’s Prayer and blank pages to record little
one’s prayers.
Parents will appreciate the variety of prayers
found for different individuals and daily events
of life. Families will enjoy the inspiring
paintings of houses, people, gardens, and
streams. An index of Kinkade’s thirty-one
paintings is included. Although the prayers are
dear and meaningful, probably Kinkade’s
popular paintings will sell the book.
Lydia E. Harris, Freelance Writer, Former Teacher, Seattle,
Washington
Big truths for little kids : teaching your
children to live for God, by Susan Hunt
and Richie Hunt. LCCN 99030536.
Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 1999.
ISBN 1581341067, HBB, $12.99.
248.8’45. Catechisms, English; Children--Religious
life. 160 p. Elementary.
Big Truths for Little Kids : Teaching Your
Children to Live for God, by Susan Hunt and
Richie Hunt, is a series of thirty-four stories
designed “to teach children that they are created
for God’s glory.” Each section contains
catechisms, stories, let’s talk, and let’s pray
suggestions. The catechisms range from “Who
made you?” “God;” to “What is God?” “God is
Spirit and has no body as we do;” to “What
covenant did God make with Adam?” “The
covenant of life.” It is suggested that the
child(ren) being read to memorize the
catechisms prior to reading each story section.
The stories are short, usually two and one-half
pages, and the let’s talk questions deal
specifically with the story and how the story
relates to the Bible and it’s relevance to life
today. The Let’s Pray section includes a Bible
verse from the NIV, and a simple prayer
suggestion, designed to teach children to pray
biblically.
Susan Hunt and her son Richie have compiled
different stories that are simple and short.
Young children will enjoy the stories while they
are learning catechism. These stories are also
appropriate for devotions. Doctrine is not
discussed so this book would be useful across
different belief systems. The catechisms are
pointed and clearly based on biblical truths.
This would be useful book for teaching children
to life for God. The illustrations are simple
pencil drawings reflecting children and adults
who are smiling, interacting, and friendly.
Debby Willett, Freelance Writer, Canyon, Texas
300’s—Social Sciences
The lion and the mouse : an Aesop fable,
retold and illustrated by Bernadette
Watts. LCCN 99056634. New York:
North-South Books, 2000. ISBN
0735812209, HBB, $15.95.
398.2. Fables; Folklore. unp. Elementary.
It’s sunny and hot in the jungle, and most of the
citizens are resting. All but one little lion cub
who still wants to play. Finally, though, he nods
off to sleep. His nap was short lived when a
mouse scampers across his paw. The mouse
pleads for his life, and lion cub spares his life.
Grateful, the mouse promises to reward the
cub’s kindness. Not sure how a small mouse
could ever help him, the lion cub grows and
grows, becoming the king of the jungle. On
another sunny, hot day in the jungle, the lion
manages to get caught in a net. Every way he
turns, every struggle he makes, the mighty king
of the jungle becomes even more entangled.
The mouse hears the lion’s cries for help and
offers his promise of help from years ago. Lion
considers the mouse’s size and doubts his ability
to help anyone, especially himself. Mouse sets
to work, and eventually the lion is free. The
lesson the lion learns is to “never again laugh at
someone weaker or smaller than myself.”
Bernadette Watts’ retelling of this Aesop fable is
simple, and her illustrations are colorful, and
sweet. A wonderful picture book for small
children.
Debby Willett, Freelance Writer, Canyon, Texas
Luba and the wren, by Patricia Polacco.
LCCN 98016353. New York: Philomel,
Penguin Putnam, 1999. ISBN
0399231684, HBB, $16.99.
398.2’0947’02. Fairy tales; Folklore--Russia. unp.
Elementary.
Luba and the Wren, Patricia Polacco’s retelling
of the classic folk tale, “The Fisherman and His
Wife,” is told with Russian flavor and the
charming addition of a faithful and loving
daughter, Luba. Polacco starts out with a Bible
verse on the title page: “For where your treasure
is, there will your heart be also. Matt. 6:21.”
She then goes on to demonstrate through her
story one possible outcome of having your heart
in things, not people.
Luba helps a wren trapped in a fowler’s net and,
in gratitude, the wren tells her, “Ask for
anything you wish.” Satisfied with her family’s
simple lifestyle, Luba doesn’t want anything,
but when she tells her parents, they trot out a
long list of wants, from a rich estate to the power
of ruling over the world. In fear and trembling,
Luba obediently makes each wish until the wren
finally returns everything to the way it was and
her parents learn to be content.
Polacco’s artwork, done in colored pencils and
marking pens, gives the story much of its
Russian flavor as well as demonstrating
Polacco’s familiarity with the Russian lifestyle
through her Russian and Ukrainian heritage, her
extensive travels in the former Soviet Union,
and her studies in Russian art and iconography.
Although Polacco’s more recent works have
tended to be a bit serious and message-driven,
Luba and the Wren is vintage Polacco, a story
told for the joy of telling it, and even libraries
with a large selection of folk tales might want to
add this one to their collection.
Betty Winslow, Bowling Green Christian Academy, Bowling Green,
Ohio
Sanji’s seed, by B.J. Reinhard; illustrated
by Shelly Hehenberger. LCCN 00011570.
Minneapolis: Bethany Backyard, Bethany
House, 2000. ISBN 0764222104, HBB,
$12.99.
398.2’0951’02. Folklore--China. unp. Elementary.
Inspired by an East Indian folktale, Sanji’s Seed
by B.J. Reinhard tells of a peasant boy who
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longs to become king. He learns that elderly
King Akbar is looking for a successor. The next
ruler must prove himself worthy by caring for a
seed for one month and returning with the plant.
Sanji nurtures his seed, but it doesn’t sprout.
His mother reassures him that he did his best,
and she will always be proud of him.
When Sanji returns to the king’s palace with his
pot of dirt, other young men are there with large,
beautiful plants. Sanji hangs his head in shame.
But King Akbar laughs at the other young men,
saying he boiled the seeds in oil so they couldn’t
grow. The king’s test proves Sanji has the
integrity needed to become the next ruler. Sanji
and his mother move into the palace, and he
becomes a kind and honest king.
Detailed illustrations by Shelly Hehenberger
complement the story and are painted in rich,
deep tones. Facial expressions show
anticipation, disappointment, and pleasure.
Parents and teachers will appreciate the
emphasis on honesty and the lesson from Luke
16:10, Whoever can be trusted with small
things can also be trusted with large things.
Adult-child discussion questions are also
included. This endearing story makes a
worthwhile addition to homes and libraries.
Lydia E. Harris, Freelance Writer, Former Teacher, Seattle,
Washington
500’s—Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Earth’s fiery fury, by Sandra Downs.
(Exploring planet earth.) LCCN
00024956. Brookfield, Ct.: Twenty-First
Century Books, Millbrook Press, 2000.
ISBN 076131413X, HBB, $23.40.
551.21. Volcanoes; Geothermal resources. 64 p.
Elementary.
Volcanoes, geysers, mudpots and fire fountains
form the center around which Earth’s Fiery
Fury revolves. Many photos accompany the
text and offer a visual journey that makes it easy
to stay interested. Boxed sidebars add variety
and highlight important features about the
various topics A glossary, recommended
resources (both print and www sites), and an
index enable one to concentrate on individual
aspects. It also attests to the careful research
done in this work.
Different sized pictures, varying headlines, and
attractive layout enable the student to probe and
enjoy the journey in this slim volume. Many
facts are included and give teachers further
subject for study.
Downs is an avid mineral collector and has been
interested in scenic geologic features since
childhood. She lives in northern New Jersey.
One sees her genuine interest and devotion
underlying many of the points made as she has
visited most of the sites discussed, and gotten so
close to volcanoes and mudpots that one can
almost feel the effect.
Leroy Hommerding, Director, Fort Myers Beach P.L. District, Fort
Myers, Florida
Butternut Hollow Pond, by Brian J.
Heinz; illustrated by Bob Marstall.
LCCN 99044813. Brookfield, Ct.:
Millbrook Press, 2000. ISBN 0761302689,
HBB, $22.90.
591.763. Pond animals; Predation (Biology); Pond
ecology; Ecology. unp. Elementary.
The text and illustrations of Butternut Hollow
Pond showcase a typical temperate pond in the
eastern United States. Through five timeframes,
from dawn to darkness, readers can experience
the interdependence of food chains, food webs,
and the ecological riches each organism brings.
There is no fantasy storyline—nature is shown
with its survival instincts.
Heinz, an elementary school teacher for twentythree
years, is the author of previous picture
books, The Wolves (Dial Books, 1996), Nanuk:
Lord of the Ice (Dial Books, 1998), and The
Monsters’ Test (Cooper Beech Books, 1996).
He and wife Judy live in New York.
Bob Marstall is a landscape painter and awardwinning
illustrator of nature oriented children’s
books, such as An Extraordinary Life by
Laurence Pringle (Orchard Books, 2000). He
lives in Massachusetts.
Teachers and parents can use the detailed story
in words and watercolor to illustrate the
ecological world in motion. Water striders,
beetles, dragonflies, tree swallows, mallard
ducklings, turtle, pumpkinseed, heron,
woodchuck, cottontail, marsh hawk, deer,
pickerel frog, and brass give life and interest to
the story. Christian librarians can add this title
with confidence.
Leroy Hommerding, Director, Fort Myers Beach P.L. District, Fort
Myers, Florida
Magnificent monarchs, by Linda Glaser;
illustrated by Gay Holland. LCCN
99086640. Brookfield, Ct.: Millbrook
Press, 2000. ISBN 0761317007, HBB,
$21.40.
595.78’9. Monarch butterfly; Butterflies. 32 p.
Elementary.
Magnificent Monarchs offers a colorful journey
in the life of a monarch butterfly. It begins with
a tiny caterpillar pushing from a leaf, and ends
with the migration of monarchs. The
illustrations are inviting, both in the light color
hues created, and in the gentle feeling they offer.
Four pages of Monarch facts at the end of the
book help answer questions that might be raised,
e.g. How many eggs does a monarch lay? Are
caterpillars worms? Do all monarchs migrate?
How do migrating monarchs find their way?
Web sites of organizations supporting the
monarch are given and enable parents and
teachers to get much more information.
Glaser has written other outstanding science
books such as Wonderful Worms (Millbrook,
1994), and Spectacular Spiders (Millbrook,
1998), and continues that quality here. Overall,
her writing makes science easily understandable
and inviting.
Leroy Hommerding, Director, Fort Myers Beach P.L. District, Fort
Myers, Florida
All about turtles, written and illustrated
by Jim Arnosky. LCCN 99029657. New
York: Scholastic Press, 2000. ISBN
0590481495, HBB, $15.95.
597.92. Turtles. 26 p. Elementary.
All About Turtles answers: How many kinds of
turtles are there? Why do turtles have shells?
What do turtles eat? How old can they live to
be?
This is an important and informative title for all
children. The story is told in such an easy
moving vein, that each page offers a new aspect.
Drawings are bold, adventurous, and colorful,
e.g., two pages illustrate how big a turtle can be,
and another two show the top and bottom view
of a typical turtle shell. He describes salt water,
freshwater, and land-dwelling turtles, showing
the differences in anatomy, habitat, and diet.
Arnosky is the award-winning author and
illustrator of some fifty books for children. As
an avid naturist, his first-hand observations add
interest and depth to his depictions and
descriptions.
Leroy Hommerding, Director, Fort Myers Beach P.L. District, Fort
Myers, Florida
600’s—Technology (Applied Sciences)
How you are changing : for discussion or
individual use, by Jane Graver. (Learning
about sex series; 3.) LCCN 98225633. St.
Louis, Mo.: Concordia, 1998. ISBN
0570035643, PAP, $9.99.
613.907. Sex instruction for children; Sex instruction-
-Religious aspects--Christianity. 63 p. Elementary.
How You Are Changing explains to eight to
eleven year olds the physical, emotional, and
spiritual changes that are normal as they grow
and mature. This is one in a series of seven
books dedicated to giving honest answers to
sensitive questions. Jane Graver has used ageappropriate
language to discuss God’s plan in
creating new life, the changes that take place
during adolescence, and how this affects your
sexuality. She helps to discover the purpose
behind each change-taking place while always
directing the reader back to God’s plan. She has
also included a question and answer section that
address common questions asked and promotes
respect for your own body and for others.
This is a very versatile series. It is designed for
the parent to read first and then to share with
their child. The book can be given to the child
to read on their own, as they are interested; or
read along with their parent. The illustrations
demonstrate the needed information without
being graphic or explicit. Sensitive material is
handled in a way that emphasizes God’s
wonderful plan for creating new life. This series
would build confidence in parents who aren’t
sure how to approach the subject. It brings back
the respect and beauty God intended but our
society has perverted.
Marcia Snyder, Librarian, Missoula, Montana
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Emergency! by Joy Masoff. LCCN
97026995. New York: Scholastic, 1999.
ISBN 0590978985, HBB, $16.95.
616.02’5. Emergency medicine. 48 p. Elementary.
In an 8 1/2 x 11 size format, Emergency invites
children to appreciate the role of emergency
medical workers. Open Emergency and see an
active scene—from vehicles, ambulances and
helicopters, protective clothing and scrub pants,
suture kits and portable X-ray machines, to the
doctors, nurses, paramedics, technicians and
others who devote their shifts to making people
well.
Color action pictures, attractively placed
headings and subheadings, and real life
application make Masoff’s work a drama of
interest. While written for children as an aid to
lessening fear of the unknown, Emergency could
be read by youth and adults and capture a lot of
information and understanding. Clearly this is
an outstanding title with lots of input in fortyeight
pages. An index enables one to find
specific points.
Masoff, a Scout leader for the past seven years,
came into contact with their sponsor, The Fire
Department, and learned that rescue work and
emergency medical care were a high percentage
of their calls. That prompted her to share the
story of these caring people. The first-hand
observations add to the care with which details
are shared and make the graphics compelling
without being sensationalized.
Leroy Hommerding, Director, Fort Myers Beach P.L. District, Fort
Myers, Florida
The Kids Can Press jumbo book of
gardening, written by Karyn Morris;
illustrated by Jane Kurisu. Toronto, Ont.:
Kids Can Press, 2000. ISBN 1550746901,
PAP, $14.95.
635. Gardening. 240 p. Elementary (Middle school).
Juvenile gardening books often make the
mistake of condescending to young readers.
Author Karyn Morris treats her readers with
respect. Within the pages of her book, The Kids
Can Press Jumbo Book of Gardening, Morris
explains basic plant requirements for optimum
growth. She addresses how to plot out a garden,
prepare the soil, and perform garden
maintenance.
From Victory, Teepee, and Herb gardens to
Miniature, Native, and Hanging gardens, Morris
presents a large assortment of gardening styles
and shapes to fit the interests of any child. She
covers wildlife and native gardens, school and
community gardens. There is even a section on
attracting various wildlife and eliminating pests
in the garden. Illustrations by Jane Kurisu
abound on each page, complimenting the simple
yet informative text with black and white
drawings accented with green.
Minor concerns may include the use of an old
Iroquois tale called the Three Sisters, which
speaks of the Sky woman who created the world
as the basis for a garden design using fish heads.
Other mystical references include a page for
creating a fairy garden and the wives’ tale that
basil keeps witches away. Overall, this book is
an excellent resource for anyone interested in
nurturing a love for nature and earth sciences
through gardening.
Joanne M. Haffly, Homeschool Parent/Writer, Gig Harbor,
Washington
Where once there was a wood, by Denise
Fleming. LCCN 95018906. New York:
Henry Holt, 1996. ISBN 0805037616,
HBB, $6.95.
639.9’20. Wildlife attracting; Wildlife conservation.
unp. Elementary.
Denise Fleming’s book, Where Once There Was
a Wood, contains not only a wonderful parade of
woodland, meadow, and creek wildlife done in
paper pulp paintings, but also a subtle message:
Wild creatures need space, shelter, water, and
food to survive. The habitats represented in the
book were once near Fleming’s home in Ohio
and were part of the inspiration for her first
book, In the Tall, Tall Grass; these habitats were
destroyed during the making of a neighboring
housing development. Before they disappeared,
she collected and dried bits of the plants that
were there. These bits were then incorporated
into the pulp of the painting that wraps around
the book’s front and back covers and in the
white borders of each painting inside—except
for one, the double spread painting at the story’s
end that shows what stands there now “…houses
side by side twenty houses deep.”
Fleming dedicates her book to “.Indigo, Sam,
Emily, Molly, and Rachel—The Future”—the
children of two of her friends and her own
daughter, since her desire, in writing the story,
was to motivate children (and the grownups who
care about them) to notice and perhaps save the
habitats around them before it becomes too late,
as it was in Fleming’s own neighborhood.
To help readers inspired by her story, Fleming
included in the back of the book several pages of
information on building wildlife refuges in
backyards or other areas and a page of addresses
that readers can use to send off for more
information on wildlife attraction and
preservation. The combination of lovely nature
paintings done in Fleming’s unique style (her
most detailed efforts to date), the slow poetic
story and gentle ending warning, and the
information provided to help interested readers
go further with the subject make Where Once
There Was a Wood a valuable addition to any
library used by children.
Betty Winslow, Bowling Green Christian Academy, Bowling Green,
Ohio
The wonderful way babies are made, by
Larry Christenson; illustrated by Cheri
Bladholm. LCCN 00008940.
Minneapolis: Bethany Backyard, Bethany
House, 2000. ISBN 0764223410, HBB,
$10.99.
649’.65. Sex--Religious aspects--Christianity; Sex
instruction for children. 48 p. Elementary (Small
children).
Using creation as a starting point and ending
with Jesus’ virgin birth, The Wonderful Way
Babies Are Made, covers human reproduction
from a completely biblical perspective.
Focusing on God’s plan for reproduction, basic
biological information covers only a few pages.
On each page, information is presented two
different ways. There is a simplified rhyming
verse with larger print for younger children. For
older children smaller print inside a box
provides more detailed information. For
younger children, intercourse is only referred to
as making love and not all details are divulged
or body parts named. For older readers more
information is imparted. Body parts are named
and the terms intercourse and making love are
used interchangeably. By basing the entire book
on God’s plan, the author is able to naturally
instill that reproduction is reserved for mothers
and fathers who are married. A brief mention is
made that making love is very pleasant and
people want to do it outside of marriage, but that
isn’t part of God’s plan.
Author Larry Christenson, recommends parents
read this with their children, no matter what
their age. Beautiful watercolor illustrations by
Cheri Bladholm complement the gentle text
nicely. On the page where making love is
discussed, there is a drawing of a woman on top
of a man in bed. Mostly covered with blankets,
bare shoulders are shown. Other pictures are of
human and animal families with their young or
are biblical illustrations. This would be a great
resource for parents wanting to give their
children the whole picture, not just the clinical
facts.
Elizabeth Coleman, Freelance Writer, Tumwater, Washington
700’s—The Arts and Recreation
★
Crafts for all seasons, by Kathy Ross;
illustrated by Vicky Enright. LCCN
99052760. Brookfield, Ct.: The Millbrook
Press, 2000. ISBN 076131346X, HBB,
$19.95.
745.5. Handicraft; Seasons. 176 p. Elementary.
Kathy Ross has assembled a collection of crafts
that will inspire a child’s imagination in her
book Crafts For All Seasons. She begins with
fall and has twenty crafts for each season. Each
craft has a pictorial list of supplies needed. She
also provides numbered and illustrated
instructions. The crafts apply not only to the
holidays that occur during a particular season,
such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, St.
Patrick’s Day, and Father’s Day, but she also
includes events or characteristics of that
particular season, such as the first day of school,
snowmen, spring flowers, and weddings.
Halloween is not included.
This craft book has a wonderful balance of
crafts that need a little parental help, and those
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that a child could complete on his own. Another
plus is that the majority of supplies needed
really can be found in most homes. The
illustrations do an excellent job of
complementing the written instructions and
showing the final result. The background
illustrations on each page are fun scenes that
show children enjoying the season.
The book itself is easy to use with each craft’s
instructions on a double page lay-out. No pages
to turn back and forth. Very young children will
need help, but those older should be able to
complete several of the crafts by themselves.
Even those with problems reading would be able
to follow the picture instruction for several of
the crafts.
Patricia Youmans, Homeschool Parent, Siloam Springs, Arkansas
Silent night, holy night : a Christmas
carol, by Joseph Mohr; illustrated by
Mája DusÎková. LCCN 99021121. New
York: North-South Books, 1999. ISBN
0732811520, HBB, $15.95.
782.28’1723. Carols, German--Texts; Christmas
music--Texts; Carols; Christmas music. unp.
Elementary.
“Silent Night” is one of our most loved
Christmas carols. It was written by Joseph
Mohr in Austria almost two centuries ago as he
was preparing for midnight mass. Mája
DusÎková has captured the beauty and simplicity
of this carol. The illustrations bring a soft
warmth to the familiar text and leave the reader
with a sense of calm. The complete text of the
song is illustrated from the silence of the night,
to the brightness of our Saviour.
The book, Silent night, Holy Night : A Christmas
Carol, begins with the story behind the famous
carol. Mája DusÎková has written a synopsis of
the events that led to the writing of the text and
music, the efforts of two men. Although the
text is very familiar, the addition of pictures
brings a new dimension to an old carol. It would
be especially nice for younger children who may
already be familiar with the words to the song.
A delightful addition to a Christmas collection.
Marcia Snyder, Librarian, Missoula, Montana
100 best games, by Eulalia Perez;
illustrated by Maria Rius. LCCN
99069412. Hauppauge, N.Y.: Barron’s,
2000. ISBN 0764113437, PAP, $12.95.
790.1’922. Games; Amusements. 127 p. Elementary.
100 Best Games by Eulalia Perez is an easy to
use reference book. Nicely presented, games
are divided by indoor or outdoor activities and
logically arranged by sub-category. There are
introduction games, games to separate and
choose, expression games, games for two,
running games, games played with a ball, travel
games and games for infants and toddlers.
Rules and play are very clearly presented.
Colorful illustrations by Maria Rius help to
interpret directions. Many standard games like
Hopscotch, Follow the Leader and Freeze Tag
are included. The Parson’s Cat or Planted may
not be as familiar. There are also many
variations of popular games, providing players
with a new challenge. Each game is clearly
labeled with appropriate age group and the
number of players required.
This book would be a great resource for school
teachers, Sunday school teachers and parents
who need a quick game idea that requires no setup
or props. While games presented in this book
are clearly intended for children, adults could
also play adaptations of them. The introduction
games would be fun for any age. Directions are
provided at the back of the book for a few
simple crafts. These can be used with some of
the games, but are meant to be optional.
Elizabeth Coleman, Freelance Writer, Tumwater, Washington
Yippee ti-yay happy birthday, by Phil
Lollar; illustrated by John Jordan. (Little
dogs on the prairie.) LCCN 00032459.
Nashville: Tommy Nelson, Thomas
Nelson, 2000. ISBN 0849976480, PAP,
$9.99.
793.2’1. Children’s parties; Birthdays; Games;
Parties; Cookery; Prairie dogs. 32 p. Elementary
(Small children).
In Yippee Ti-Yay Happy Birthday, the Little
Dogs on the Prairie are invited to a birthday
party, but they don’t know who it’s for. The fun
celebration includes stories, songs, recipes,
riddles, jokes, and games planned with a
Western and prairie-dog theme. Familiar
children’s games like “Simon Says” and “Duck,
Duck Goose” become “Sheriff Says” and “Dog,
Dog, Snake.” Yummy recipes include Dirt
Pudding (chocolate pudding with gummy candy
worms), Little Dog Cupcakes, Prairie Punch,
and Tumbleweed Popcorn Balls. Silly songs are
among the party ideas, but musical scores are
not included. There’s also a birthday prayer
thanking God for His blessings and asking Him
for help to give and not just get. The author, Phil
Lollar, ends the story with a surprise—the party
is for you, the reader!
Illustrated by John Jordan, this light-hearted
book contains the same whimsical cartoon
characters found in Little Dogs on the Prairie
videos. The colorful drawings are detailed and
add to the fun of the story. However,
illustrations on the recipe page do not show clear
pictures of finished treats.
Since children love birthdays, they will enjoy
this interactive book geared for youngsters four
to eight. It may be the perfect birthday gift for a
child you know.
Lydia E. Harris, Freelance Writer, Former Teacher, Seattle,
Washington
Look-alikes, by Joan Steiner;
photography by Thomas Lindley. LCCN
97032795. Boston: Little, Brown, 1998.
ISBN 0316812552, HBB, $13.95.
793.73. Picture puzzles. unp. Elementary.
Look-alikes, jr., by Joan Steiner;
photography by Thomas Lindley. LCCN
99011683. Boston: Little, Brown, 1999.
ISBN 0316813079, HBB, $13.95.
793.73. Picture puzzles. unp. Elementary.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words.
Joan Steiner must believe that, since her books
Look-Alikes and Look-Alikes Jr. use few words,
but many pictures, worth their weight in gold for
their ability to make you look at the objects that
surround you in a whole new way. Each book is
its own little world, with houses, outdoor scenes,
and businesses made up of common ordinary
items that could be found in the bottom of the
average purse or junk drawer.
Look-Alikes, written for “..puzzlers of all ages”
is a challenging look at such common locations
as a train and train station, a movie theater
lobby, a city harbor, a circus, and a playground,
all put together from over 1,000 hidden
everyday objects such as pencils, oil paint tubes,
peanuts, scissors, batteries, food items, coins
and dollar bills. From a ferry made of scrub
brushes and vacuum cleaners made of a razor
and a nail clipper to a couch made of a pair of
leather gloves and a ferris wheel made from
safety scissors, the pages of this book can keep
readers enthralled and busy for hours.
In Look-Alikes Jr. (meant for younger children
and shorter attention spans and including over
700 hidden objects), you can find hundreds of
delightful surprises such as a plug-in nightlight
looking like a blender, a yellow cassette player
making an amazing appearance as the body of a
school bus, a tape dispenser and a claw hair
barrette plowing a field of dark brown corduroy,
a clear plastic change purse masquerading as a
classroom aquarium, and a handful of unshelled
peanuts looking just like a child’s teddy bear.
At the end of each book, Steiner posts lists of the
items that make up each picture, with the hard to
find items marked with asterisks. She also poses
a question in each: What’s found in every scene?
More fun than searching for Waldo and more
imagination-stretching than any fiction book
I’ve ever read, these books are must-haves!
Betty Winslow, Bowling Green Christian Academy, Bowling Green,
Ohio
800’s—Literature & Rhetoric
Good night, sleep tight : a poem for every
night of the year! : 366 poems to bring you
the sweetest of dreams, compiled by Ivan
and Mal Jones. New York: Scholastic,
2000. ISBN 043918813X, HBB, $22.95.
811. Children’s poetry. 256 p. Elementary (Small
children).
There are three hundred and sixty five days in a
year, sixty-six if you count leap year. This is
exactly what the editors of Good Night, Sleep
Tight did when compiling their book of poetry.
From classics authors from Shakespeare,
Kipling, and Robert Louis Stevenson to more
contemporary authors like Ogden Nash, Tony
Mitton, and Michael Rosen, this book
delightfully entertains young and old alike.
S P R I N G 2 0 0 1 2 8 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

CHILDREN’S NONFICTION
Editors Ivan and Mel Jones selected twelve
artists to each illustrate a different month of the
year. Throughout the book, the styles of art fit
together smoothly, lending diversity while still
giving the book continuity with their bright
colors and simple designs.
The poems tug at the imagination of children,
thus playful images of unicorns, fairies, and
monsters contrast with kittens, snowmen, and
bedtimes. Two days describe Jewish
celebrations. December has reference to Father
Christmas and Santa Claws (a poem about cats.)
Several poems may be controversial. April 8th
has a lighthearted poem called “The Laughing
Buddha.” A poem “Before the Beginning”
wonders about evolution, and Krishna’s
Birthday has the poem, “Krishna’s Friends.”
October 31st talks about the witch’s black cat
who had kittens. But there is nothing sinister in
the writings; most are whimsical or traditional
pieces of poetry.
Joanne M. Haffly, Homeschool Parent/Writer, Gig Harbor,
Washington
Barnyard prayers, by Laura Godwin;
illustrated by Brian Selznick. New York:
Hyperion Books for Children, 2000. HBB,
$14.99.
811’.54. Domestic animals--Poetry; Children’s poetry,
American; American poetry; Prayers. 32 p.
Elementary.
Laura Godwin has seen the publishing world
from both sides of the fence, both as an editor at
Henry Holt and as an author whose works on
bookstore and library shelves can be found not
only under her name, but also under the name
“Nola Buck” (the combining of her mother’s
and father’s names), and her work shows a sure
grasp of what will work for kids. Barnyard
Prayers, her first book of poems, is a collection
of short and simple poem prayers said by
various barnyard animals. In Godwin’s case,
though, simple does not mean childish. Her
poems have a lot going on in them and some
remind me of French poet Carmen B. De
Gasztold’s work in her book, Prayers from the
Ark, translated into English by Rumer Godden
in 1962 and now sadly out of print. My favorite
of Godwin’s, “The Sheep’s Prayer,” is only two
lines long:
I am just a woolly sheep.
Please help me count myself to sleep.
Brian Selznick’s illustrations add another
dimension to the book. He chose to make the
farm animals part of an urban child’s toy farm
set and, in the first few pages, the little boy is
playing with the toys in his room, beneath a
window that looks out over a city landscape. As
the book progresses, the toys become life size
animals—or does the boy shrink to become toy
size? It’s up to the reader to decide, as one
illustration after another shows the boy and his
animals romping on green grass fields, in hay
lofts, and around and in a big red barn. Then,
with the last poem, “The Farmer’s Benediction,”
the boy is in his bed under a layer of abandoned
farm toys, drifting off to sleep as his father peeks
in to check on him.
Betty Winslow, Bowling Green Christian Academy, Bowling Green,
Ohio
★
My dear Noel : the story of a letter from
Beatrix Potter, by Jane Johnson. LCCN
96011074. New York: Dial Books for
Young Readers, Penguin Putnam, 1999.
ISBN 0803720513, HBB, $15.99.
823’.912. Potter, Beatrix, 1866-1943--
Correspondence; Moore, Noel--Correspondence;
Authors, English--20th century--Correspondence;
Artists--Great Britain--Correspondence; Letters. unp.
Elementary.
Young Noel, the oldest of the four Moore
children jumps excitedly out of bed. This is the
day that his mother’s friend, Miss Potter is
coming for one of her visits. She arrives with
gifts for all, even Mother’s unborn baby, and
Noel gives her his gift of a freshly picked
flower. As she generally does, she entertains the
children with stories, jokes, and pictures. She
has also brought her pet bunny and mice to play
with the children. After lunch, she tells Noel
that she is going away to Scotland for a long
time but promises to write.
The morning after she is gone, the doctor is
called to tend to Noel, who is often ill.
Confinement to his bed makes Noel increasingly
bored and depressed. But one day a letter with
drawings arrives from his friend in which she
tells a fanciful tale about a rabbit named Peter.
Noel realizes that he is the model for Peter and
that his sisters and mother are the models for
Peter’s family. Noel’s spirits are lifted and he
begins to recover. He is well enough to be out
of bed by the time Miss Potter arrives in person
to visit him.
This is the true story of Noel, the little boy for
whom Beatrix Potter wrote her marvelous
stories. The author, Jane Johnson has not only
done a fine job of relating this appealing
footnote to the Peter Rabbit books but her
exquisite illustrations are skillfully done in the
style of Beatrix Potter. The endpapers are
copies of the actual illustrated letter that
contained the original Peter Rabbit story, which
Beatrix Potter later expanded upon and
published. Truly a lovely book.
Teresa O’Donley, Library Media Teacher, Scotts Valley, California
900’s—Geography, History, &
Biography
Scholastic atlas of the United States, by
David Rubel. LCCN 99026960. New
York: Scholastic Reference, Scholastic,
2000. ISBN 0590725629, HBB, $19.95.
912.73. United States--Maps for children; Children’s
atlases. 144 p. Elementary.
The Scholastic Atlas of the United States by
David Rubel provides a color map of each state.
Major interstates, rivers, and cities are
highlighted. Included on the page are facts
about the state such as population, motto, size,
highest and lowest points, state bird, animal, and
flower. Each state has several paragraphs about
the terrain, ethnic diversity, and major
industries. Color photographs are accompanied
by text, adding insight into each state. For
example on Washington’s page, there are
photographs of commuter ferries on Puget
Sound, Mount St. Helens, and the Grand Coulee
Dam.
Instead of being arranged alphabetically, the
states are presented by region: New England,
Mid-Atlantic, South, Midwest, Great Plains,
Mountain, Southwest, and Pacific. Each region
is color coded, both on the content page and the
edge of the page within the atlas. A legend is
included on each page, making this easy for
children to use. Appendices are provided in the
back of the atlas illustrating U.S. possessions,
population density, major river systems,
geographic regions, and territorial expansions.
A glossary of important terms follows the
appendix. Statistics in the book are based on
information available from 1998 and 1999.
While not exhaustive, this atlas would be an
excellent resource for researching basic state
information.
Elizabeth Coleman, Freelance Writer, Tumwater, Washington
The amazing life of Benjamin Franklin, by
James Cross Giblin; illustrated by
Michael Dooling. LCCN 98044738. New
York: Scholastic, 2000. ISBN 0590485342,
HBB, $17.95.
921 (973.3’092). Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790;
Statesmen--United States--Biography; Scientists--
United States--Biography; Printers--United States--
Biography; Inventors--United States--Biography. 48
p. Elementary.
Born into a family of seventeen children in
1706, Benjamin Franklin only attended school
for two years before his father needed him to
work in his candle and soap making shop.
Benjamin did not like the work, and after two
years his father allowed him work in his
brother’s print shop. Even with little formal
education, Benjamin enjoyed reading and was
eager to learn new things. After his brother was
told he could no longer publish a newspaper, he
allowed Benjamin to be the editor. At eighteen,
Benjamin decided to leave Boston. Although he
arrived in Philadelphia with nothing, through
hard work Benjamin prospered. This would be
true many times in his life. The American
colonies were still under British rule at the time
and Benjamin was proud of this fact. He
worked hard to improve living conditions in
Philadelphia. A strong interest in science led to
many inventions still in use today. Becoming
unhappy with British rule, Benjamin began to
work for the independence of the American
colonies. He continued this work the rest of his
life.
The Amazing Life of Benjamin Franklin by
James Cross Giblin covers eighty-four
interesting years of an American founding
father. There is enough information to
C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 2 9 S P R I N G 2 0 0 1

CHILDREN’S NONFICTION
understand the historical aspects, without
overwhelming the reader with details. The oil
and canvas illustrations by Michael Dooling are
excellent. Included is a brief list of Benjamin
Franklin’s inventions and sayings from Poor
Richard’s Almanack. Historic sites of interest to
those studying the life Benjamin are included, as
well as a bibliography and index. His life is an
example of hard work, a desire to learn, and
integrity.
Elizabeth Coleman, Freelance Writer, Tumwater, Washington
★
The last safe house : a story of the
underground railroad, written by
Barbara Greenwood; illustrated by
Heather Collins. Toronto, Ont.: Kids Can
Press, 1998. ISBN 1550745077, HBB,
$16.95.
973.7’115. Underground railroad; Fugitive slaves--
United States; Fugitive slaves--Canada; Underground
railroad--Fiction; Fugitive slaves--United States--
Fiction; Fugitive slaves--Canada--Fiction. 119 p.
Elementary (Middle school).
An incredible amount of information is given
about the Underground Railroad in The Last
Safe House by Barbara Greenwood. The story
line is of a black girl who is delivered to a white
family with a girl about her own age, Johanna
Reid, in St. Catharines, Canada West (now
Ontario). During her escape from slavery, Eliza,
her mother, and her brother separate to avoid
being captured. The relationship between the
two girls helps to document the unjust treatment
of slaves in the south and the realities of the life
that they led. Between each chapter of the story
are inserted articles with teaching about
numerous aspects of slavery. Some concepts
talked about are Harriet Tubman, a cotton
plantation and how it worked, the abolitionists,
and the swamp ghost. Information is given
about so many related subjects that this book is
incredibly valuable for integrating with other
subjects. For example, a recipe for gingerbread
cookies is given, instructions on how to make a
corn husk doll, how to find the North Star and
instruments that were used, storytelling
examples and how-to’s, and the role of music
and songs. Maps and diagrams are added
throughout to further illustrate the concepts.
The book ends with a simple glossary, a
bibliography, and an index.
The drawings of Heather Collins very
effectively complete the message of this book.
Her depictions of the girls and their family life
capture wonderfully the feelings of the story line
and the historic times. Some pictures are full
pages and many others are small oval
illustrations. They are done in black and white,
with varying amounts of detail. The diagrams
and maps bring even more understanding to the
text.
Judy Belcher, Teacher, Sylvan Way Christian School, Bremerton,
Washington
Blizzard, by Jim Murphy. LCCN
99024894. New York: Scholastic, 2000.
ISBN 0590673092, HBB, $18.95.
974.7’1041. Blizzards--New York (State)--New York;
New York (N.Y.)--History--1865-1898. 136 p.
Elementary (Middle school).
In March of 1888 a killer blizzard struck the
Northeast. Author Jim Murphy chronicles the
events leading up to the blizzard and describes
vividly the raging natural monster in his book
Blizzard! He isolates certain people within his
book and tells their story, from the successful
politician to the office worker, farmer, and
factory worker. Murphy uses art from museums
and his own collection that depict the
viciousness of the snowstorm.
Although interesting, this book may become a
bit dull for some young readers. The story
becomes somewhat repetitive and dry, forcing
the reader to put it down and come back to it at
another time. The events are interesting and
adding personal accounts and tragedies liven the
text, it may still need to be read in segments to
younger readers. Some of the wording and
word choices may be difficult for younger
readers to understand without guidance.
Eileen Zygarlicke, Freelance Writer/Editor, Grand Forks, North
Dakota
S P R I N G 2 0 0 1 3 0 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

BOOK REVIEWS
MIDDLE SCHOOL FICTION
The amazing secret, by Joni Eareckson
Tada and Steve Jensen. (Darcy and
friends; 1.) LCCN 00008985. Wheaton,
Ill.: Crossway Books, 2000. ISBN
1581341970, PAP, $5.99.
F. Physically handicapped--Fiction; Forgiveness--
Fiction; Christian life--Fiction. 127 p. Middle school
(High school).
The unforgettable summer, by Joni
Eareckson Tada and Steve Jensen. (Darcy
and friends; 2.) Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway
Books, 2000. ISBN 1581341962, PAP,
$5.99
F. Physically handicapped--Fiction; Prayer--Fiction;
Christian life--Fiction. 125 p. Middle school (High
school).
Sixth grader, Darcy, has been in a wheelchair for
four years, ever since a car hit her while she was
riding her bicycle. Her story begins in the
hospital where she is being treated for a pressure
sore. Darcy is frustrated and very unhappy until
a boy walks into her hospital room to cheer her
up. Eric is a unique individual in that he is a
burn victim. Joni Eareckson Tada (famed author
who is also paralyzed) describes Eric’s physical
deformities so accurately that some readers may
be emotionally affected. However, Eric’s
Christian attitude is what propels him to
befriend all children in the hospital.
Eric encourages Darcy to forgive the driver who
hit her just like he forgave his father for setting
the fire that caused his burns. Unfortunately,
Eric dies before the end of The Amazing Secret,
so Darcy must rely on her friends to help her
locate the driver of the red Corvette who hit her.
The second book, The Unforgettable Summer,
describes the exciting adventures Darcy and her
friends have during the summer. The church
family goes on an annual camp-out and Darcy is
anticipating the outing with some trepidation.
This is the last vacation before she is to enter
Junior High and the summer is an emotional
roller coaster. Darcy does not want things to
change and she is terrified that the junior high
school will not be handicap accessible, or that
she will not be able to overcome the other
students’ hurtful comments concerning her
physical disability. Prayers are answered in the
form of butterflies and a bear.
Joni Eareckson Tada creates a series that is
enlightening to those who are not disabled as
well as to those who are. Readers do not need to
read the series in numerical order, however,
students will want to know the beginning of
Darcy’s story. The author provides a very
realistic portrayal that should be a positive
influence to all who read these books. Glossaries
in both books define terms that students may not
recognize.
Connie Weaver, Church Librarian, Newville, Pennsylvania
Anastasia : the last Grand Duchess, by
Carolyn Meyer. (The royal diaries.)
LCCN 00020399. New York: Scholastic,
2000. ISBN 0439129087, HBB, $10.95.
F. Anastasia Nicholaievna, Grand Duchess, daughter
of Nicholas II, Emperor of Russia, 1901-1918--
Fiction; Russia--History--Nicholas II, 1894-1917--
Fiction; Diaries--Fiction. 220 p. Middle school.
Author Carolyn Meyer gives the reader an
insightful look at Anastasia, daughter of
Nicholas II, the last czar of Russia. Using a
diary format, Meyer brings life to the grand
duchess, offering personal glimpses into the life
of the royal family. The story spans only three
years in Anastasia’s life and is penned primarily
by her, as she journals her thoughts and her
everyday doings. The reader sees a young girl
experiencing the same joys and disappointments
as other children. Anastasia shares her feelings
about those around her, including the eerie
spiritualist Rasputin, and the uncanny power
and influence he has over Anastasia’s mother.
The reader takes part in the arrest, exile, and
house imprisonment of the czar and his family.
Near the end of the book, Anastasia decides to
destroy her journal, the keeper of her thoughts;
Meyer picks up the story with a narrative of
what occurred that fateful day in July of 1918.
This book brings to life one of the most
discussed and theorized-about girls of history,
Anastasia. At the end of the book, Meyer notes
the various rumors surrounding the supposed
disappearance of the grand duchess and her
reported resurfacing; she does not disclaim the
rumors, but mentions that the remains of the
royals were recovered. DNA testing has proven
that the remains are those of Nicholas and his
family; however, Meyer explains that not all of
the family remains are accounted for—those of
the youngest child, a boy, and one of his sisters
is missing.
Actual photographs of the royal family help add
substance and dimension to these historical
people. This is an accurate account of the grand
duchess and will spark the interest, curiosity,
and imagination of most readers.
Eileen Zygarlicke, Freelance Writer/Editor, Grand Forks, North
Dakota
Batty Hattie, by Virginia Nielsen. LCCN
98047667. Tarrytown, N.Y.: Marshall
Cavendish, 1999. ISBN 0761450475,
HBB, $14.95.
F. Bats--Fiction; Schools--Fiction; Mothers and
daughters--Fiction; Uncles--Fiction. 144 p. Middle
school (Elementary).
Henrietta is so upset! Her mother is taking her
to live with her Uncle Mike while her mom
tours the country playing the clarinet. Henrietta
feels abandoned and unwanted. She has to live
in a small mining town away from her friends,
and to top it all off, her uncle is a scientist who
studies bats! Working through the teasing from
new classmates—and her loneliness—is a
challenge that leaves her hurt and angry. The
boys at school even give her the name “Batty
Hattie.” When Henrietta is at last allowed to
accompany her uncle to the bat caves she
commits the number one offence, touching a bat
with her bare hands. Not only that, but she
actually takes the baby bat home with her and
hides it in her bedroom.
Suddenly Henrietta has a purpose in her life:
keeping the baby bat, Smokey, alive. She has to
feed it every two hours all through the night,
becoming so tired she keeps falling asleep in
school. Without ever telling her uncle, she even
decides to take the bat to school as part of her
nature project. Unfortunately, the bat escapes
and creates chaos. Now what will her uncle do
about her disobedience? Will her mother be
disappointed in her and quit her life-long dream
of touring with a musical band?
All these questions and more are answered as
the author, Virginia Neilsen, shares a tale about
the joy and love a pet can bring, and the true
love of a parent, even in circumstances that
don’t always seem agreeable. She also provides
fascinating information about bats that should
hold the interest of the reader. There are several
typographical errors in the book and the main
character uses a swear word once in anger.
There are also allusions to evolutionary ideas
concerning the origin of bats.
Mary McKinney, Former Teacher, Freelance Writer, Editor, Port
Orchard, Washington
Chat freak, written by Kristi Holt; created
by Terry K. Brown. (Todaysgirls.com; 6.)
LCCN 00056053. Nashville: Tommy
Nelson, Thomas Nelson, 2000. ISBN
0849975832, PAP, $5.99.
F. Online chat groups--Fiction; Computers--Fiction;
Interpersonal relations--Fiction; Christian life--Fiction.
140 p. Middle school.
According to her family and friends, Morgan
Cross spends too much time online. Her
schoolwork, social life, and home life suffer, as
she becomes addicted to email. Morgan tells
herself that spring break is coming soon, so she
will have time to play catch up then. Besides,
Morgan’s online friends really need and
appreciate her help, unlike everyone else around
her. Anna, whose mother is paranoid about her
eating habits, depends on their email
communications. And “last_wish,” who is
dying of cancer, is worried about leaving his
poor mom with an enormous hospital bill.
C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 3 1 S P R I N G 2 0 0 1

A Note from the Editor: SYLVIA STOPFORTH
Locating
Quality
Fiction
For a few years now, headlines have
trumpeted the news that Christian fiction
is “finally coming into its own.”
Numerous articles have described the
great surge in the publication of this
brand of fiction. Even public librarians
are sitting up and taking notice as
patrons demand fiction titles at all levels
that clearly demonstrate a Christian
worldview.
All these high-quality materials flooding
the market should make collection
development a snap, right? All across
North America, YA librarians are
rejoicing as they file their well-thumbed
review journals in the nearest recycling
bins.
But hold on. Did someone say
“quality?”
Unfortunately, right on the heels of
pieces expounding the boom in
Christian fiction, are articles calling into
question the literary merit of some of
these materials. Yes, Christian fiction
offers solid values, moral standards, and
a redemptive, faith-centered
perspective—a welcome change from
the dark and despondent “problem“
novel often aimed at our youth—but
“the consensus is that despite the moral
message of most YA Christian Fiction,
the books are often poorly written and
overly preachy..” 1 It appears that not
everyone can be a C.S. Lewis or a
Catherine Marshall.
The challenge is, as always, to separate
the wheat from the chaff, to discover
and acquire the best and the brightest,
and then to make these titles accessible
to our users. But where do we start?
In the recycling bin, I fear. For while
it’s sometimes hard to find time in our
busy schedules to peruse all those
review journals, these publications are
still among the best selection tools
available to us. Here are a few that
deserve a closer look:
• Church Libraries, a quarterly
publication of the Evangelical
Church Library Association,
provides short, signed reviews,
articles and a bestsellers list.
• Make Way for Books, an independent
bimonthly, provides annotated
reviews in the area of childrens’
literature.
• The Library Journal now publishes a
column on Christian fiction on a
regular basis. It deals primarily with
adult fiction, but many of these
would also interest our YA readers.
• And let’s not forget the Christian
Library Journal! Nancy Hesch,
with her troupe of dedicated
volunteer reviewers, does her best to
make your job easier! See their
website at www.christianlibraryj.org.
For a comprehensive, annotated list of
these and other relevant selection tools,
as well as subscription and contact
information, see the following website:
www.redeemermclean.org/libres.html
This website also provides links to
associations such as the Association of
Christian Librarians and the Evangelical
Church Library Association.
Involvement in these organizations
offers many benefits, including
collection development information for
librarians serving in a variety of settings.
The formal—and informal—sharing of
ideas that takes place at conferences,
regional meetings, or on list-servs, is
often an excellent resource, particularly
for those who work in isolated
circumstances.
The following two titles might also
prove useful:
Developing Christian Fiction
Collections for Children and Adults:
Selection Criteria and a Core
Collection, by Barbara J. Walker, offers
an overview and history of Christian
fiction, practical advice on the
development of a core collection, and
annotated bibliographies of
recommended titles. (Neal-Schuman
Publishers, 1998)
For an introduction to some of the best
that contemporary Christian fiction has
to offer, check out The Storyteller’s
Collection, edited by Melody Carlson.
This sampling of short stories by gifted
Christian fiction writers is geared for
adult readers, but will also be enjoyed
by YA’s interested in something new.
(Multnomah, 2000)
Finally—don’t underestimate the readers
themselves. Start a book club, or ask
young library users to recommend books
for library reading lists, or to write brief
reviews to be posted in the library.
Some of the wonderful people we serve
are also our best resource.
1
Beall, Carol, “Beyond Christy: New
Demands for YA Christian Fiction,” School
Library Journal (September 1995) v. 41, n. 9,
p 130.
S P R I N G 2 0 0 1 3 2 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

MIDDLE SCHOOL
FICTION
Off-line life begins to crumble when
Dad and Mom need Morgan to help
run the family restaurant during
spring break, instead of
accompanying them to New York City. Morgan
causes her mother and sister to miss important
phone calls, upsets co-workers, and finds herself
the cause of a friend’s injury. Online, Anna
becomes seriously ill after following Morgan’s
advice. And last_wish turns out to be a phony, a
cancerless classmate, who has conned her into
raising money for him.
When Morgan’s parents return from NYC, she
begins to see the difference between real friends
and family, and those online, who may or may
not be what they seem.
Chat Freak, by Kristi Holl and Terry K. Brown,
is part of the TodaysGirls.com series. A
“Character Reference” section includes a short
biography for each character. The book also
includes lists of web abbreviations and
definitions. The style is similar to Scholastic’s
Ann M. Martin Baby-sitters Club series.
Message and language are both accessible, and
help to promote a light, familiar story of a young
teen finding her place.
Kim Harris, Librarian, Newman Riga Library, Churchville, New
York
Drawn by a China moon : Lottie Moon, by
Dave & Neta Jackson; story illustrations
by Anne Gavitt. (Trailblazer books.)
LCCN 00010471. Minneapolis: Bethany
House, 2000. ISBN 0764222678, PAP,
$5.99.
F. Moon, Lottie, 1840-1912--Fiction; Pen pals--
Fiction; Best friends--Fiction; Friendship--Fiction;
Missionaries--Fiction; China--History--1862-1912--
Fiction. 158 p. Middle school.
Separated by an ocean, best friends Ida and
Mollie attempt to stay in touch through letters—
letters that often take months for each of them to
receive. Never in their wildest dreams, as they
saved money to purchase look-alike dresses in
their native Virginia, did either of them imagine
that Ida and her family would make the decision
to go off to China, “that pagan nation,” and
become missionaries. As the years go by, Ida’s
letters are not only filled with exciting tales like
sea worms for supper and wearing men’s
trousers, but also of war, disease, and rebellion.
Molly knows her friend’s health is fragile and
she becomes more and more concerned for her.
But how can she help her, and what will be the
cost to Molly?
This well-written story for eight-to-twelve-yearolds
follows the events of missionary Lottie
Moon’s life through the fictional eyes of two
young friends at the turn of the century.
Although their lives are conceived in the minds
of the authors, Dave and Neta Jackson, the
sacrifices and work of missionaries are very real
indeed and this book demonstrates that in a clear
manner to its readers. Drawn by a China Moon
is part of the Trailblazers Series, adventure
stories that introduce young readers to Christian
heroes of the past.
Ceil Carey, Young Adult Librarian, Plano, Illinois
The girl who chased away sorrow : the
diary of Sarah Nita, a Navajo girl, by Ann
Turner. (Dear America.) LCCN
98048826. New York: Scholastic, 1999.
ISBN 0590972162, HBB, $10.95.
F. Navajo girls--Social conditions--Fiction. 200 p.
Middle school.
Sarah Nita and Kaibah are members of the
Navajo tribe. They are on the mesa herding
their family’s sheep when their family is taken
by the men in blue. The girls walk for eight days
north to Tseyi to find their relatives. The Navajo
tribe has a clan system. Navajo are born to their
mother’s clan for their father’s clan. Sarah Nita
and Kaibah are fortunate to find members of
their father’s clan who take them in.
Life continues in Tseyi, however the soldiers
eventually come and take the family to the fort.
While at the fort, the family, along with other
Navajo families, struggles to learn how to eat
the strange food given them by the soldiers. The
Navajo soon start on their long walk to Fort
Sumner. Many die along the trail—some
because they are weak and ill, others because the
soldiers shoot them when they don’t keep up.
Most of the soldiers are hateful toward the
Navajo. While at Fort Sumner, Sarah Nita and
Kaibah are reunited with their family.
In The Girl Who Chased Away Sorrow, Ann
Turner has written a story of a girl who lived
during one of the saddest times in Navajo
history. The time of the Long Walk was a time
when the white man terribly mistreated the
Navajo. Not much fiction has been written
about the Navajo, so this book fills a definite
gap. However, there are a few minor problems
with the book that do not affect the plot but may
offend Navajo readers. First, in a picture
caption, Chinle is said to be in New Mexico; it
is actually in Arizona. Second, Sarah Nita is
married to a member of her father’s clan.
Traditionally, Navajo do not marry members of
either their mother’s or father’s clans.
Jane Mouttet, Librarian, Hilltop Christian School, Window Rock,
Arizona (capital of the Navajo Nation)
The great railroad race : the diary of
Libby West, by Kristiana Gregory. (Dear
America.) LCCN 98021816. New York:
Scholastic, 1999. ISBN 059010991X,
HBB, $10.95.
F. Frontier and pioneer life--West (U.S.)--Fiction; West (U.S.)--
Fiction; Diaries--Fiction. 203 p. Middle school.
Libby West receives a diary from her parents for
her 14th birthday and begins recording events of
life in Denver, Colorado, in 1868. She has her
father’s skill for “gathering news,” but her
mother hopes the diary will encourage her to
curb her tongue, as a young lady should.
When Libby’s father buys a hand press and
decides to follow the progress of the race to lay
track across the continental United States, her
diary gets exciting. Libby’s mother insists the
family stay together so Libby, her younger
brother Joe, and her mother join Mr. West and
his business partner, Pete, in Utah Territory. The
family befriends others, and the group travels
from camps to tent towns along the route of the
transcontinental railroad. Libby is exposed to
new words and unsavory characters, and sees
Indians and Chinese immigrants for the first
time. She also witnesses the danger and
excitement of the unsettled west.
The language is realistic for the time period, and
as the voice of a candid and inquisitive girl of
fourteen. The reader learns much about life in
1868 as author Kristiana Gregory eases facts
into the entries spanning just over one year. For
instance, Libby and her mother sew rocks into
the hems of their dresses so the prairie winds
won’t expose their bloomers; Libby and her
friend, Ellie, practice manners at afternoon teas
in which sand fouls both the butter and the
sugar.
Historic notes follow the story and add to the
facts slipped into Libby’s “diary.” I especially
like the “About the Author” section in this and
other current Dear America books because it
helps drive home the point that these books are
fictionalized accounts of life in different time
periods. Readers who enjoyed the American
Girls collection and Little House on the Prairie
series will appreciate The Great Railroad Race’s
portrayal of this exciting time in history.
Lisa Wroble, Freelance Writer/Library Aide, Plymouth, Michigan
Hogsty Reef, by John Dowd. (A
Caribbean Island adventure.) LCCN
98036411. Atlanta, Ga.: Peachtree
Publishers, 1999. ISBN 1561451878, PAP,
$5.95.
F. Islands--Fiction; Coral reef ecology--Fiction;
Refugees--Fiction; Drug traffic--Fiction. 188 p.
Middle school (High school).
A teenaged Harrison Ford, Hogsty Reef’s main
character, Jim, lives the life every young man
would dream of. Coming from British
Columbia to the Caribbean Islands of Turks and
Caicos is enough of an adventure, but this young
man deals with shipwreck, Haitian refugees,
drug runners, as he learns the ropes from a
young female adventurer, Julia. All the best
comes to those who conquer in the name of
good and right.
John Dowd is an Arthur Ellis Award winning
novelist for his book, Abalone Summer. It’s not
clear in Hogsty Reef if the Caribbean book is a
sequel, but if the Turks and Caicos literary world
offers an award for juvenile adventure novels
this one could win; it is exciting and well
written. There is one occurence of profanity
when the young adventurer gets trapped. The
book also refers to voodoo through the voice of
a young Haitian boat person named Marcel, but
this in no way dominates or detracts from the
story. Teens and almost-teens will zoom through
every exciting page. All the loose ends are tied
up well by Dowd, who awakened the young
boy in the heart of this fifty-two-year-old
reader/reviewer from the northwest!
Rev. Jim McKinney, Teacher, Port Orchard, Washington
C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 3 3 S P R I N G 2 0 0 1

MIDDLE SCHOOL
FICTION
The hollow tree, by Janet Lunn. LCCN
99076483. New York: Viking, Penguin
Putnam, 2000. ISBN 0670889490, HBB,
$15.99.
F. United States--History--Revolution, 1776-1783--
Fiction. 208 p. Middle school.
Phoebe Olcott, the fifteen-year-old protagonist
of The Hollow Tree by Janet Lunn, is one of that
unenvied company that find themselves neither
fish nor fowl. Resident of a small New
Hampshire village in 1777, she has no political
opinions and is extremely uncomfortable with
the passions that rage around her. All she wants
is that the would war stop so her family could
return home. But it isn’t long before her father
dies in the patriot cause; and then her beloved
cousin, Gideon, is hanged as a Tory spy.
Blinded by grief and reeling from accusations
levelled at her by both sides of the conflict,
Phoebe runs to the hollow tree which she and
her cousins had used to exchange letters, only to
find Gideon’s last request that someone take his
dearly-bought information to the British at Fort
Ticonderoga. The Hollow Tree is the story of
Phoebe’s journey through the wilderness to
fulfil her cousin’s request, in the course of which
she overcomes her own fears and self-doubts to
emerge a strong, determined young woman.
Janet Lunn’s book is an unusual one, depicting a
heroine who has no convictions other than
hatred of war in a time period that is fraught
with the conflict of great ideas. No doubt, there
were people who shared Phoebe’s feelings and
who have a story to be told, but the author does
not delineate her character’s convictions or
personality in such a way as to give adequate
impetus for Phoebe’s drastic action of setting
out alone into the wilderness. Although the
account of Phoebe’s journey is exciting, it is too
full of improbabilities and coincidences, and the
climax is too contrived to be taken as a possible
event. Few of the characters are convincingly
drawn, including Phoebe’s cousin, Anne, who
swings from benign self-absorption to irrational
hatred and back again, and many are caricatures
who serve merely to make their own beliefs look
petty and self-serving or, by contrast, to ennoble
Phoebe’s position, which is never clearly
defined.
Pamela A. Todd, Librarian/English Teacher, Chalcedon Christian
School, Cumming, Georgia
The journal of August Pelletier : the Lewis
and Clark Expedition, by Kathryn Lasky.
(My name is America.) LCCN 00020201.
New York: Scholastic, 2000. ISBN
0590684892, HBB, $10.95.
F. Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806)--Fiction;
West (U.S.)--Discovery and exploration--Fiction;
Explorers--Fiction; Diaries--Fiction. 171 p. Middle
school (Elementary).
Fourteen-year-old Gus Pelletier runs away from
his abusive stepfather to join the Corps of
Discovery, the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Knowing he is too young to be accepted as a
member of the expedition, he “shadows” it on
land until he is sure he won’t be sent back. His
ability to read and write, and his artistic talent,
prompt Captain Lewis to make Gus his
assistant. In this position, Gus helps Lewis with
his scientific explorations, and transcribes his
journals.
The Journal of Augustus Pelletier presents an
accurate picture of the daily life of the members
of the Corps of Discovery. It portrays both the
hardships and triumphs experienced by the
members of the expedition. The rank-in-file
members of the expedition, along with
Sacajawea, York, Clark’s slave, and even Lewis’
Newfoundland dog, come alive through its
pages.
Although Kathryn Lasky’s book only covers the
trip to the Pacific Ocean, it offers an excellent
introduction for young readers to the Lewis and
Clark Expedition. Librarians and teachers
might even need to remind their readers that
both the book and the character of Augustus
Pelletier are historical fiction, not actual history.
The story is followed by a brief history of the
Corps of Discovery’s journey. It also includes
illustrations depicting important events during
the journey and items used by members of the
expedition.
Virginia Brown, Library Assistant, Freelance Writer, Former
Teacher, Sheridan, Wyoming
The journal of Joshua Loper : a black
cowboy, by Walter Dean Myers. (My
name is America.) LCCN 98018661. New
York: Scholastic, 1999. ISBN 0590026917,
HBB, $10.95.
F. Cattle drives--Fiction; Cowboys--Fiction; West
(U.S.)--Fiction; Afro-Americans--Fiction; Diaries--
Fiction. 158 p. Middle school (Elementary).
It is 1871, the era of the cowboy in Texas.
Walter Myers’ The Journal of Joshua Loper
gives us a ringside saddle on the Chisholm Trail,
as Joshua, the teenage son of former slaves, goes
on his first dirty, toilsome, dangerous, and
exciting cattle drive. With the help of his
parents’ teaching and his belief in the Lord,
Joshua learns to cope with the trail boss’ bigotry,
bone-wracking work, stampedes, rustlers, foul
weather, and having to shoot his beloved,
suffering horse. When the herd arrives in
Abilene, Kansas, Joshua receives his pay and
faces the blandishments of this wild town. He
also receives the respect of his trail boss and the
companionship of a new horse.
Part of the My Name is America series, The
Journal of Joshua Loper is firmly based on
historical events. Using basic language, and
often reproducing the speech patterns of his
characters, Myers manages to make us forget
this is fiction. He embellishes the story with
many interesting facts about the Chisholm Trail
and the cowboy era, describing aspects such as
the handling of cattle and horses, cowboy lingo
and food, bigotry, trail drive hierarchy, and
more. Myers tells it like it is, and includes some
rough talk and coarse jests, gory depictions of
death, and the temptations faced by cowboys on
the trail and in Abilene. Along the way, he
illustrates how cheaply some held life.
The story ends with an epilogue about Joshua’s
adult life and death, and notes about some of the
other characters. An appendix providing actual
photographs of black cowboys, cattle drives,
and notable people adds interest and flavor. A
map of the Chisholm Trail area concludes this
book. Author Walter Dean Myers has received
several awards, including the Coretta Scott King
Award and ALA Notable Children’s Book
Award.
Donna Eggett, Freelance Writer, Radford, Virginia
The journal of Otto Peltonen : a Finnish
immigrant, by William Durbin. (My
name is America.) LCCN 00021919. New
York: Scholastic, 2000. ISBN
043909254X, HBB, $10.95.
F. Emigration and immigartion--Fiction; Finnish-
Americans--Fiction; Iron mines and mining--Fiction;
Strikes and lockouts--Fiction; Minnesota--Fiction;
Diaries--Fcition. 171 p. Middle school (Elementary).
The Journal of Otto Peltonen chronicles the
emigration of a Finnish boy to northern
Minnesota in the early 1900’s. His father came
to America earlier, and worked in the mines to
earn money for the passage of his family, and to
buy his own farm. Otto, his two younger sisters,
and his mother join him in the town of Hibbing.
Journal entries are filled with descriptions of the
area and the mine, and again and again the many
gruesome accidents that take place in the mines.
There is also a sense of disillusionment with the
difficulty and ugliness of life. Otto relates his
progress in school and reading, and the interrelationships
within the family.
Social issues of the day are dealt with from a
common person’s viewpoint. Otto’s father
wants the union to help provide safety, security,
and equality for the workers; his mother is
appalled that women have the right to vote in
Finland before they do in America. When Otto is
about sixteen, he works in the mine for a time,
until the family finally saves enough money to
buy a farm.
The author, William Durbin, is obviously very
familiar with the life that he has detailed, as the
reader sees and feels what it was like. Otto
speaks Finnish and is learning English at the
beginning of the story. The text is written in
well-developed English, with a few Finnish
words interspersed. The reader is somewhat
struck by the incongruity between the text and
the boy’s reported limited knowledge of
English.
The cover shows a photo of a typical boy of the
time, with a faded blue and white photograph of
a mine. Following the body of the journal
readers will find an epilogue, a historical note as
to the reasons for emigration, a section of period
photos, a map, brief information about the
author, and a fold-out map showing a vertical
cross-section of an iron mine.
Judy Belcher, Teacher, Sylvan Way Christian School, Bremerton,
Washington
S P R I N G 2 0 0 1 3 4 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

MIDDLE SCHOOL
FICTION
Journey to the end of the earth : William
Seymour, by Dave & Neta Jackson; story
illustrations by Anne Gavitt. (Trailblazer
books.) LCCN 00010470. Minneapolis:
Bethany House, 2000. ISBN 076422266X,
PAP, $5.99.
F. Earthquakes--California--San Francisco--Fiction;
Seymour, William Joseph, 1870-1922--Fiction; San
Francisco (Calif.)--Fiction; Journalism--Fiction; Afro-
Americans--Fiction; Uncles--Fiction. 159 p. Middle
school.
Jerry Newman is a black boy being raised by his
widowed Mom in East Texas in the early 1900’s.
He is not a bad kid, he just seems to get into
situations that cause problems. He accidentally
sets a church on fire, so his Mom sends him out
to Los Angeles to stay with his uncle, a freelance
news photographer. He feels like he is
going far, far away; hence the title of the book,
Journey to the End of the Earth. Jerry and his
uncle travel to San Francisco immediately after
the big earthquake of 1906 to take pictures.
Jerry also visits the pentecostal revival on Azusa
Street and listens to the prophecies and
preaching of William Seymour.
Dave and Neta Jackson depict Jerry as a typical
black adolescent of his time. The story is
written in a straightforward and simple manner,
as seen through Jerry’s eyes. He struggles with
his feelings, and his impressions regarding what
he sees. The difficult role of blacks in society in
those times, both in East Texas and in
California, is presented clearly, but not
moralistically. The genuine historical message
of the early pentecostal movement, including
the equality of all people before God, is
presented plainly. Following the story is a
section providing additional information about
William Seymore, and a brief bibliography for
further reading.
Judy Belcher, Teacher, Sylvan Way Christian School, Bremerton,
Washington
Koala Beach outbreak, by Robert Elmer.
(Adventures down under; 7.) LCCN
99006414. Minneapolis: Bethany House,
1999. ISBN 0764221051, PAP, $5.99.
F. Immigrants--Fiction; Chinese--Australia--Fiction;
Prejudices--Fiction; Australia--Fiction. 176 p. Middle
school (Elementary).
Koala Beach Outbreak, the seventh in Robert
Elmer’s Adventures Down Under series,
explores the problems faced by nineteenthcentury
Chinese immigrants to Australia.
Thirteen-year-old Patrick, accompanied by his
dog Firestorm, siblings Becky and Michael, and
friend Jefferson, witnesses the sinking of a ship
filled with Chinese immigrants headed for the
goldfield. Patrick rescues Jasper, a most
unusual boy, and the Irish-born McWaid family
is plunged into another of their dangerous,
enjoyable Australian adventures.
Jasper, who was impacted by the first Christian
missionaries into China, presents several
riddles. Contending with what might be yellow
fever, the evil Mr. Li, and the unreasoned
prejudices of the Australian community, Patrick
solves those riddles while helping Jasper to
search for “his” father. The denouement
involves a recalcitrant donkey, all the Chinese
immigrants, the full cast of no-gooders, the
McWaid family, and an exploding steam boat
engine.
Robert Elmer ensures historical accuracy via e-
mail contact with Australian museums, history
experts, and newspaper editors. His Australian
readers favorably comment on the Adventures
Down Under series. Incidents in Koala Beach
Outbreak grew from actual events written in
nineteenth century Australian journals.
The basic language and grammar enable weak
readers to enjoy this book, while the intriguing
plot will involve all levels of middle school
readers. The series gradually builds up realistic
characters. Hence characterization is somewhat
lacking in Koala Beach Outbreak. However, the
action and interesting storyline will intrigue the
reader new to this series. Although Christian
behavior and morals successfully form the
bedrock and infiltrate the plot, this book does
not moralize. Australian maps and a short
introduction to the author precede the story. As
an afterward Robert Elmer includes a brief
chapter on the Chinese in Australia during the
nineteenth century and an invitation to fans to
contact him via his e-mail address.
Donna Eggett, Freelance Writer, Radford, Virginia
★
The legend of Luke : a tale from Redwall,
by Brian Jacques; illustrated by Fangorn.
LCCN 99033891. New York: Philomel,
Penguin Putnam, 2000. ISBN
039923490X, HBB, $22.95.
F. Mice--Fiction; Animals--Fiction; Fantasy. 374 p.
Middle school (High school).
Brian Jacques’ The Legend of Luke, illustrated
by Fangorn, plunges the reader into exciting
adventure. In part one, Martin the Mouse
Warrior, Gonff the Mousethief, Dinny
Foremole, and Trimp the roving lady hedgehog
set off to discover the history of Martin’s father,
Luke. The friends gained, enemies overcome
and adventures enjoyed breathlessly lead the
reader to the second section: the history of
Luke’s vengeance upon Vilu Daskar, the pirate
who murdered his wife and friends. Once again
the reader hangs on for dear life as Luke and his
friends sweep the seas clean. And then, just in
case the reader thinks he can relax, in the third
section Martin, his original companions, and all
the friends they’ve gathered on the way share in
more thrilling exploits as they roll triumphantly
home.
The 12th story in the Redwall series, The
Legend of Luke presents a very human, all
animal cast that remains true to each animal
type. Because this series originated for blind
students, it projects strong word pictures for the
mind, much like Disney’s two Fantasias and
Tolkien’s Hobbit series.
Brian Jacques’ primary message is that courage
and decency win respect. Two of the main
themes are: deep love and responsibility for
family and friends, and food and fellowship,
with many mouth-watering menus. Sometimes
naughty, the children generally demonstrate
acceptable behavior such as respect to elders.
While enjoying equality, the women are
thoroughly protected. The bad characters are
undeniably bad. With loving humor, the good
characters display Judeo/Christian morals, and
actions such as grace for meals are
demonstrated.
Fangorn’s black and white illustrations add to
the classic quality of the story. Jacques includes
many poems and several riddles, and several
English dialects are characterized in fairly clear
form. A pertinent map of Martin’s Journey
prefaces the story. Capable middle school
readers enjoy this story, as do high school and
adult readers. It is an excellent story to read
aloud to younger children.
Donna Eggett, Freelance Writer, Radford, Virginia
Living on Nothing Atoll, by Theresa Kelly.
(Aloha Cove; 1.) LCCN 99021167. St.
Louis, Mo.: Concordia, 1999. ISBN
0570054834, PAP, $5.99.
F. Stepfamilies--Fiction; Remarriage--Fiction;
Islands--Fiction; Kwajalein Island (Marshall Islands)--
Fiction; Christian life--Fiction. 255 p.
Seaside High, by Theresa Kelly. (Aloha
Cove; 2.) LCCN 99021169. St. Louis,
Mo.: Concordia, 1999. ISBN 0570054842,
PAP, $5.99.
F. Stepfamilies--Fiction; High schools--Fiction;
Islands--Fiction; Kwajalein Island (Marshall Islands)--
Fiction; Christian life--Fiction. 271 p.
Tomorrow I’ll miss you, by Theresa Kelly.
(Aloha Cove; 3.) LCCN 99021168. St.
Louis, Mo.: Concordia, 1999. ISBN
0570054840, PAP, $5.99.
F. Stepfamilies--Fiction; Mothers and daughters--
Fiction; Islands--Fiction; Kwajalein Island (Marshall
Islands)--Fiction; Christian life--Fiction. 271 p.
Stand by me, by Theresa Kelly. (Aloha
Cove; 4.) LCCN 99031986. St. Louis,
Mo.: Concordia, 1999. ISBN 0570054869,
PAP, $5.99.
F. Stepfamilies--Fiction; High schools--Fiction;
Islands--Fiction; Kwajalein Island (Marshall Islands)--
Fiction; Christian life--Fiction. 271 p.
Forget me not, by Theresa Kelly. (Aloha
Cove; 5.) LCCN 99053127. St. Louis,
Mo.: Concordia, 2000. ISBN 0570070333,
PAP, $5.99.
F. Stepfamilies--Fiction; Mothers and daughters--
Fiction; Islands--Fiction; Kwajalein Island (Marshall
Islands)--Fiction; Christian life--Fiction. 271 p.
A place in the heart, by Theresa Kelly.
(Aloha Cove; 6.) St. Louis, Mo.:
Concordia, 2000. PAP, $5.99.
F. Stepfamilies--Fiction; Mothers and daughters--
Fiction; Islands--Fiction; Kwajalein Island (Marshall
Islands)--Fiction; Christian life--Fiction. 271 p.
Dream a little dream, by Theresa Kelly.
(Aloha Cove; 7.) LCCN 00010071. St.
Louis, Mo.: Concordia, 2000. ISBN
0570070724, PAP, $5.99.
C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 3 5 S P R I N G 2 0 0 1

MIDDLE SCHOOL
FICTION
F. Stepfamilies--Fiction; Anorexia nervosa--Fiction;
Friendship--Fiction; Christian life--Fiction; Kwajalein
Island (Marshall Islands)--Fiction. 254 p.
Middle school (High school).
When sixteen-year-old Cass has to make the
move from Tennessee to the small tropical
island of Kwajelein, she does not embrace her
new life very well. For one thing she has
difficulty going from a family of two to a family
of four practically overnight. Although she likes
her new stepfather for the most part, Cass has a
tough time with her new stepsister Tabitha, who
is as opposite as can be of Cass, except in age.
As the year progresses Cass and Tabitha realize
they have more in common than they originally
thought—great parents being the prime shared
factor. Together the girls grow closer as they
share the joys and frustrations of friendships,
dating, and realizing God is greater than the
situations they find themselves up against
throughout all the joys and adjustments of a
blended family.
The Aloha Cove series by Theresa Kelly will
appeal to readers who are drawn into
relationships, especially those concerning
blended marriages. The setting is paradise, quite
literally. Yet paradise is far from perfect.
Struggling with who a person is, what his or her
beliefs are, and feelings surrounding family and
friends are key plot motivators. The books
cover quite a variety of subjects including
interracial dating, alcoholic parents, the
pressures of dating, and sibling relationships.
These are all dealt with appropriately, and with
sensitivity. One of the main appeals of the book
is how the principal characters, Cass and
Tabitha, are able to realize through the guidance
of their wise, yet pretty cool parents that God
has it under control. The author effectively
handles some very sensitive issues, particularly
premarital sex and abortion from a boy’s
perspective.
There is plenty of dialogue in the books—
perhaps too much, in fact, which stifles the
potential for character development through
narrative passages. There is also a concern
regarding the other characters’ parents. It seems
surprising that parents wouldn’t be more
involved if their child was thought to be
anorexic, or in an abusive dating relationship.
As it is, the only parents who are developed
beyond simple background characters are Cass’
and Tabitha’s. Nevertheless, this series offers
some solid Christian advice for adolescent girls
who are seeking advice and answers for tough
situations they are facing.
Pam Webb, Library Technician, Sandpoint, Idaho
Mandie and the buried stranger, by Lois
Gladys Leppard. (A Mandie book; 31.)
LCCN 99006446. Minneapolis: Bethany
House, 1999. ISBN 1556613849, PAP,
$4.99.
F. Mystery and detective stories; North Carolina--
Fiction. 173 p. Middle school.
Mandie and the seaside rendezvous, by
Lois Gladys Leppard. (A Mandie book;
32.) LCCN 99050798. Minneapolis:
Bethany House, 2000. ISBN 1556616732,
PAP, $4.99.
F. Mystery and detective stories. 170 p. Middle
school.
Mandie and the dark alley, by Lois Gladys
Leppard. (A Mandie book; 33.)
Minneapolis: Bethany House, 2000. ISBN
1556616740, PAP, $4.99.
F. Mystery and detective stories. 159 p. Middle
school.
Amanda Shaw, Mandie, and her friend, Celia,
always immerse themselves in a mystery no
matter where they go. Snowball, Mandie’s cat,
goes with them, and sometimes he helps solve
the mystery. Books 31 and 32 take place while
the girls, young teens, have time away from
classes at the Misses Heathwood’s School for
Girls, a proper place whose administrator does
not appreciate wayward behavior. Adventures
in Book 33 happen during school term.
In these books, Mandie has an insatiable desire
to find out about a huge pile of mica, why three
wagons disappeared, and where Mr. Jacob
Smith has gone. Then, when she and Celia go
with Mandie’s grandmother to visit Senator
Morton at his Florida home, they encounter
more puzzles. Who is continually rearranging
their clothes in the closet, and why does Juan act
as though he can’t hear or speak; do ghosts
really come out in the park? Back at school
again, Mandie can’t resist returning to the dark
alley, though she’s warned not to go there. From
a whining puppy, to a lost locket, to a stolen
silver tea set, she and Celia find plenty of
activity in the fearsome alley.
Lois Gladys Leppard draws upon her mother’s
childhood in North Carolina for many Mandie
incidents. The stories, which at times move
slowly, usually make up for the lack of literary
writing and sound editing. With regard to the
title references, the Dark Alley plays an
important part in Book 33, but the significance
of the Buried Stranger and the Seaside
Rendezvous do not become evident until close
to the ends of Books 31 and 32.
Leppard fills these stories with dialogue—
sometimes stilted and more advanced than
would be common to most young teens. She has
created likeable characters with Mandie, Celia,
and their friends, as well as Snowball.
Betty M. Hockett, Freelance Writer, Teacher, Speaker, Newberg,
Oregon
My heart is on the ground : the diary of
Nannie Little Rose, a Sioux girl, by Ann
Rinaldi. (Dear America.) LCCN
98026767. New York: Scholastic, 1999.
ISBN 0590149226, HBB, $10.95.
F. Dakota Indians--Fiction; Indians of North America;
Boarding schools--Fiction; Schools--Fiction; Diaries--
Fiction. 205 p. Middle school (Elementary).
It was hard enough for Little Rose to leave
behind her family, pony, beautifully decorated
deerskin dress and moccasins, and her best
friend Pretty Eagle, but to board an iron horse
and travel across country from the Rosebud
Indian Reservation to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania,
was truly terrifying. Her terror only increased
when she arrived at Carlisle Indian School, was
lined up against the wall with the other girls,
unceremoniously stripped of her clothing,
bathed, dressed in white girls’ dress and underclothing,
and worst of all, shorn of her long
black braids. For a Sioux, that last act was an
act of mourning, perhaps a more significant
ordeal than the white man realized, for truly
Little Rose entered not only a white man’s
world, but a time of mourning the loss of her
Indian culture. Her heart was truly on the
ground. The final stripping was that of her
Indian name. From this time forward she would
be known as Nannie..a simple white girl’s name.
It was 1879, and Nannie Little Rose was in the
first class of Sioux Indian children to be forcibly
sent to the Carlisle Indian School. Within a few
weeks of her arrival her English teacher, Miss
Camp Bell, would give her a di-a-ree and
encourage her to tell her story. Author Ann
Rinaldi has masterfully woven her research of
the people, practices, and conditions of the
Carlisle Indian School into a moving and
exciting tale which also paints a thoughtprovoking
portrait of the tension a young Indian
student had to face in trying to live in the white
man’s world without losing her identity as a
Sioux. As with other books in this series, My
Heart Is on the Ground ends with a section
presenting the historical setting of the story,
accompanied by photographs taken from the
archives of the Carlisle Indian School.
Judy Driscoll, Retired Teacher, Poulsbo, Washington
My secret war : the World War II diary of
Madeline Beck, by Mary Pope Osborne.
(Dear America.) LCCN 00021918. New
York: Scholastic, 2000. ISBN 0590687158,
HBB, $10.95.
F. World War, 1939-1945--United States--Fiction;
New York (State)--Fiction; Diaries--Fiction. 186 p.
Middle school.
Sabotage, secrets, and surprises await Madeline
Beck on Long Island, New York as World War II
begins to unfold around the globe. This young
girl is pulled into the American war effort
following the announcement that Japan has
bombed Pearl Harbor. After learning that her
own father was one of the American soldiers
injured in the attack, Madeline sneaks to the
beach after curfew each night to be alone. One
night she comes face-to-face with an unknown
enemy, a frightening encounter that puts her
family in danger. Sworn to secrecy, Madeline
greets each new day in fear that someone will
come to take her away. Now Madeline must
find a way to face and conquer her fears.
My Secret War, The World War II Diary of
Madeline Beck, by Mary Pope Osborne,
captures some of the significant incidents that
happened on American soil during WWII. The
story begins slowly, then builds and
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concentrates on the intriguing details of wartime
life in America. Sentences are short and
choppy, in true diary fashion, but Osborne’s text
manages to capture the mood and emotion of a
time when American citizens were more united
than ever before.
This diary is part of the Dear America series,
and true to the series mission, My Secret War
teaches history while at the same time
entertaining it’s young readers. Real events are
fictionalized to include the main character,
however, the genuineness of the historical
context is maintained and reveals much about a
time when family, faith in God, and loyalty to
country were cherished American values.
The book includes a fictional epilogue that is a
bit unrealistic, but which will satisfiy the
romantic inclinations of pre-teen age girls. Other
interesting inclusions are a historical note with
details about America’s entrance into WWII,
historical photographs, newspaper clippings,
and a recipe for war cake, all of which further
the educational value of My Secret War.
Virginia Schnabel, Freelance Writer, Shelton, Washington
Nzingha : warrior queen of Matamba, by
Patricia McKissack. (The royal diaries.)
LCCN 00024216. New York: Scholastic,
2000. ISBN 0439112109, HBB, $10.95.
F. Nzingha, Queen of Matamba, d. 1663--Fiction;
Angola--History--1482-1648--Fiction; Princesses--
Fiction; Blacks--Angola--Fiction; Mbundu (African
people)--Fiction; Slave trade--Fiction. 136 p. Middle
school.
Nzingha, Warrior Queen of Matamba, by
Patricia McKissack, is set in Angola in 1595 and
purports to be the diary of Princess Nzingha,
First Daughter of Kiluanji, Ngola of the
Mbundu. Through her entries, the reader gets a
clear and interesting picture of life in Angola at
a time when the Mbundu are fighting to keep the
Portuguese from overrunning their country and
their people. Nzingha and her siblings are right
in the middle of the action, and by the end of the
book, Nzingha has come of age, been
recognized by her father as the future leader of
her country—contrary to tradition—and has had
a suitor ask for her hand in marriage.
Along the way, McKissack weaves in many
details of life in Angola, including traditional
ceremonies, foods, clothing, and social
practices. She also includes some aspects of the
country’s religion that may raise a few questions
in the minds of readers, especially Nzingha’s
relationship with Father Giovanni, a captured
Portuguese Catholic priest who teaches her and
her siblings and provides guidance regarding her
possible conversion in later life. He also serves
as advisor to Kiluanji in his dealings with the
Portuguese.
In the epilogue, McKissack adds information
about the rest of Nzingha’s life, a family tree,
and some fascinating photos, drawings and
maps. There is also a glossary and a
pronunciation guide, which could be helpful for
read-aloud times. This is a story that will appeal
to young girls of any race, and will be a valuable
addition to any library’s middle school
collection.
Betty Winslow, Bowling Green Christian Academy, Bowling Green,
Ohio
One eye laughing, the other weeping : the
diary of Julie Weiss, by Barry Denenberg.
(Dear America.) LCCN 00021920. New
York: Scholastic, 2000. ISBN 0439095182,
HBB, $12.95.
F. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Austria--Fiction;
Jews--Austria--Fiction; Austria--History--1938-1945--
Fiction; Emigration and immigration--Fiction; Diaries-
-Fiction. 250 p. Middle school.
As may be deduced from its title, One Eye
Laughing, the Other Weeping is a story of strong
contrasts. The first half of the novel is set in
Austria, 1938, just as Hitler’s army is taking
over the Austrian people. Twelve-year-old Julie
Weiss is the daughter of a well-to-do Jewish
doctor. She struggles with the insanity which
seems to have gripped every thread of her life as
she sees friends turn against her family, and
persecutions of the Jewish community tear her
own family to shreds. She likens her world to
the tale of Alice in Wonderland with its topsy
turvy twists and turns where nothing is as it
seems. Finally, after the suicide of her mother,
Julie’s father manages to arrange to have her
leave the country and travel to New York where
she will live with her Aunt and Uncle.
The second half of the book is Julie’s diary of
her life in New York, seemingly a fairyland in
contrast to the war she has left behind in Austria.
She struggles with the guilt of not being with her
father, and with the strangeness of living as an
alien in a new land. But in time she becomes
caught up in the actress life of her aunt and
eventually becomes an actress herself, finding
there the outlet for the emotions she has pent up
due to her war-time experiences.
Barry Denenberg has portrayed this period in
history so vividly, and developed his characters
so well, that it is hard to believe they are
fictional. It is not an easy story to read, due to
the atrocities that are represented, but it is
certainly a gripping glimpse into the
repercussions of anti-Semitism, teaching lessons
which the reader can’t afford to ignore. A
closing chapter provides context, depicting life
in war-torn Vienna in word and picture. Also
included are photos of New York during the
same time period.
Judy Driscoll, Retired Teacher, Poulsbo, Washington
Our strange new land : Elizabeth’s diary,
by Patricia Hermes. (My America.)
LCCN 99056356. New York: Scholastic,
2000. ISBN 0439112087, HBB, $8.95.
F. Jamestown (Va.)--History--Fiction; Virginia--
History--Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775--Fiction;
Diaries--Fiction. 109 p. Middle school.
It is August 11, 1609, and young Lizzie Barker
arrives in Jamestown with her parents after a
long and arduous storm-plagued sail from
England. She is especially sorry that her twin
brother, Caleb, had to be left in England because
of ill health, and decides to write a diary of her
experiences for him on a drawing pad stolen
from him before leaving England. Her struggle
of conscience over the theft, while large in her
Puritan mind, becomes nothing compared to the
struggles her family must face as they try to
forge a new home in this wilderness. Together
they face the death of friends, failure of crops,
and the threat of attack by savages living in the
wilderness.
In time, Lizzie is befriended by young
Pocahontas on her frequent visits to the village,
and is invited by Captain John Smith to
accompany him as an assistant ambassador
when he visits Powhatan’s village.
Our Strange New Land ends on October 9,
1609 as Lizzie frantically writes her final entry
in order to send her journal back to England with
Captain Smith; he is to give it to her brother,
who she hopes will be strong enough to join the
family the following spring.
Author Patricia Hermes includes a short
historical account of the settlement at
Jamestown to further acquaint her young readers
with this historical period.
Judy Driscoll, Retired Teacher, Poulsbo, Washington
Portrait of lies, written by Dandi Daley
Mackall; created by Terry K. Brown.
(Todaysgirls.com; 2.) LCCN 00020021.
Nashville: Tommy Nelson, Thomas
Nelson, 2000. ISBN 0849975611, PAP,
$5.99.
F. Artists--Fiction; Friendship--Fiction; Christian life-
-Fiction. 140 p. Middle school (High school).
Jamie Chandler is one of six girls who’ve started
a private on-line chat group associated with a
Christian website, TodaysGirls.com. Jamie is
the artist of the group. When she finds a
summer art camp through an on-line search, her
best friend, Bren, encourages her to go. In order
to get enough money together for tuition, she
needs to submit a portrait to apply for the
scholarship offered. But she doesn’t feel any of
her previous work is good enough, and the
deadline is only a few weeks away. A friend
from cyberspace (“van_gogh”) encourages her
to believe in her God-given artistic gift.
But long hours working at the Gnosh Pit (the
local hangout), and perfectionism cause her
creativity to fade. Despite these odds she does
her best and makes the deadline just in time.
When Jamie learns she’s won the scholarship,
she’s thrilled—until she realizes it’s not for the
piece she submitted; a friend has submitted a
portrait drawn by Jamie’s father. Will Jamie tell
the truth, despite the consequences? Whatever
decision she makes will be based on faith, and
on learning who “van_gogh” really is.
Dandi Daley Mackall captures a teen’s hopes
and dreams through realistic dialogue and
action. The story moves quickly with plenty of
turmoil conveyed through Jamie’s inner
thoughts and her struggle to believe in herself,
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her talent, and God. The text is a mix of
traditional fiction and bolded cyberspeak; the
latter is used to represent on-line chats. A “Net
Acronyms” list at the beginning of the book
defines terms the girls use during their chats.
Each book in the series is about a different girl
and, though each book stands alone, it’s helpful
to know the characters as they’re shown in
Portrait of Lies. Readers will find the final
spread, providing background details (age,
screen name, interests) and photos of each girl,
a plus. The book concludes with an afterword
about Internet safety and wise use of chat rooms,
complete with scripture references. A great
addition to series book sections and a welcome
alternative to popular “cyber-related” series
such as Cyber.Kdz, Danger.com, and Internet
detectives.
Lisa Wroble, Freelance Writer/Library Aide, Plymouth, Michigan
★
Promise breaker, by Robert Elmer.
(Promise of Zion; 1.) LCCN 99051014.
Minneapolis: Bethany House, 2000. ISBN
0764222961, PAP, $5.99.
F. Refugees, Jewish--Fiction; Palestine--History--
1917-1948--Fiction. 171 p.
Peace rebel, by Robert Elmer. (Promise of
Zion; 2.) LCCN 99051015. Minneapolis:
Bethany House, 2000. ISBN 76422297X,
PAP, $5.99.
F. Palestine--History--1917-1948--FictionJews--
Palestine--Fiction. 158 p.
Middle school (Elementary).
Following the lives of two very different
thirteen-year-olds, Promise Breaker sets the
stage for the series by giving the reader a
glimpse of them in 1940, at age five. Dov
Zalinski, a Polish Jew, is being left at an
orphanage by his mother. Emily Parkinson, the
pampered only child of a British officer, moves
to Israel that same year. Seven years after the
close of World War II, Dov begins looking for
his family. Uri, a member of the Jewish
Mossad, helps Dov board a boat bound for
Israel. Dov and Emily cross paths when the boat
is boarded by British officials. Emily has
accompanied her father to help translate. When
a riot begins, Emily and Dov fall overboard.
Emily saves Dov’s life by helping him ashore.
Peace Rebel picks up the story immediately
with Emily and Dov reaching the shore.
Grabbed by the Jewish underground and
transported to a Kibbutz, Emily and Dov find
themselves in a place they don’t want to be.
Emily wants to get home to her parents, who
think she is dead. Dov wants to leave the
Kibbutz to try and locate his family in
Jerusalem. When members of the violent
Jewish group, Irgun, discover who Emily is,
they kidnap her. Dov unwittingly discovers the
plot and rescues her before travelling to
Jerusalem.
Author Robert Elmer has written a fast-paced
series that even adults would enjoy reading.
Many difficult vocabulary words are introduced.
The author, however, does a great job of
explaining them or sounding them out through
the character of Dov, who doesn’t speak English
or Hebrew well. At the end of each book, Elmer
explains which parts of the story are true and
which parts are fiction. He also includes a brief
list of books and websites for further research.
This is an exciting series that will get even
reluctant readers reading.
Elizabeth Coleman, Freelance Writer, Tumwater, Washington
Rare and endangered, by John Dowd. (A
Caribbean Island adventure.) LCCN
99086976. Atlanta, Ga.: Peachtree
Publishers, 2000. ISBN 1561452173, PAP,
$5.95.
F. Turks and Caicos Islands--Fiction; Poaching--
Fiction; Hurricanes--Fiction; Drug traffic--Fiction.
170 p. Middle school.
Author John Dowd takes the reader on a
Caribbean adventure with poachers in Rare and
Endangered. He spins the tale of an
environmental and animal preservation research
group on Caicos Island that unearths an illegal
poaching operation.
Fifteen-year-old Jim returns to the research
center, Bottle Creek Station, for the summer,
and soon finds himself and his friend, Julia,
kidnapped by poachers and taken to the
Dominican Republic. With the help of a fellow
researcher, Miles, who’s also been kidnapped,
they gather evidence to expose the operation
while trying to survive during a hurricane.
Eventually they escape their captors and flee to
safety with enough evidence against the
poachers to break-up the operation and send the
culprits to jail.
Although he provides an interesting plot, Dowd
fails to fill the reader in adequately as to the
previous exploits of Jim and Julia from an
earlier book. This leaves the reader wondering
exactly what went on since he references that
book heavily in the initial pages of Rare and
Endangered. His views on the environment and
animal protection are made quite clear as the
book progresses. Dowd also uses profanity in
about a quarter of the dialogue.
Eileen Zygarlicke, Freelance Writer/Editor, Grand Forks, North
Dakota
★
The savage damsel and the dwarf, by
Gerald Morris. LCCN 99016457. Boston:
Houghton Mifflin, 2000. ISBN
0395971268, HBB, $15.00.
F. Gareth (Legendary character)--Fiction; Knights and
knighthood--Fiction; Magic--Fiction; England--
Fiction; Humorous stories. 213 p. Middle school.
The Lady Lynet , the damsel of The Savage
Damsel and the Dwarf, has two problems. The
most pressing difficulty is a knight who has
sworn to besiege their castle, kill all would-be
rescuers, and take possession of Lady and lands.
Lynet’s second problem is that her vainly
beautiful older sister, Lyonesse, is the Lady in
question; and she is rather intrigued with the
whole scenario. Before they find themselves
completely at their attacker’s mercy, Lynet takes
their future into her hands and sneaks out of the
castle, destined for the Court of King Arthur.
But, instead of a knight in shining armor, Lynet
is granted a kitchen knave nicknamed “Pretty
Hands” and a mysterious dwarf called Robert,
whose only weapon is his wry humor. This very
unlikely trio soon finds that none of them are
who they seem, surprising even themselves. As
Lynet leads them home, her disenchantment
with her “heroes” ebbs, flows, and finally takes
its proper course as she learns to see past
appearances and tradition and into the realm of
the heart.
The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf is Gerald
Morris’s third foray into retelling tales from Sir
Thomas Malory’s Le Morte D’Arthur. In the
process, he expands upon Malory’s sketchy
characterizations, providing background and
motivation for the oft strange behavior of the
principals involved in the original story. But the
reader must not expect a tale that echoes
Malory’s High Romance. Rather it is told with
a satirical eye bent upon the conventions of the
Romance and with a distinctly modern,
skeptical attitude. Although this may be jarring
to some aficionados of the genre, it will capture
the attention of readers who have long had no
use for “fairytales,” and provides a humorous
commentary on the exaggerated civilities of
High Romance.
Morris’s characters are sharply drawn and
unfailingly amusing. Turning the tale of a
damsel in distress on its head (The Savage
Damsel..)is not new, but the transformation of
Lynet from a sarcastic (ie. savage), observer of
life into a young woman who chooses obscurity
and service over glory is a welcome innovation.
Unfortunately, a significant factor in this change
is her discovery near the end of the book that she
is an “enchantress.” It is this “otherness” which
inclines her to quiet service rather than showy
fame. Incredible in a story of High Romance,
references to Christ or the things of faith are
glaringly absent.
Pamela A. Todd, Librarian/English Teacher, Chalcedon Christian
School, Cumming, Georgia
The $66 summer, by John Armistead;
illustrated by Fran Gregory. LCCN
99045464. Minneapolis: Milkweed
Editions, 2000. ISBN 1571316256, PAP,
$6.95.
F. Prejudices--Fiction; Friendship--Fiction; Afro-
Americans--Fiction; Race relations--Fiction;
Grandmothers--Fiction. 213 p. Middle school.
John Armistead portrays racism in the 1950’s
South in this novel of relationships. In The $66
Summer, George comes to Obadiah, Alabama,
to work for his grandmother, hoping to earn
enough to buy a used Harley-Davidson
motorcycle. He and friends Esther and Bennett,
children of Elizabeth, Grandmother Tilly’s black
employee, fish, seek to earn extra money to
meet their dreams, and discover evidence that
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Staple Garrison, Esther and Bennett’s father, did
not run away, as was thought, but was murdered.
Armistead has created an engrossing story filled
with well-rounded characters. The relationships
are honest; the events well plotted and
portrayed, the ending thought-provoking. The
book won a Milkweed Prize for Children’s
Literature. Alcohol and tobacco use are
portrayed and “hexing” is discussed, but these
are not major elements. Fran Gregory nicely
does the few illustrations in black and white.
Betsy Ruffin, Teacher/Librarian, Cleburne, Texas
Spider Storch’s Desperate Deal, by Gina
Willner-Pardo; illustrated by Nick
Sharratt. LCCN 99020140. Morton
Grove, Ill.: Albert Whitman, 1999. ISBN
0807575887, HBB, $11.95.
F. Weddings--Fiction. p. Middle school (Elementary).
Spiders on the brain, spiders on the underwear:
Spider Storch loves spiders. Girls are another
story. Spider is trapped in the middle-school
web of hatred for the opposite sex. His nemesis,
Mary Grace, is a gangly gal with a long ponytail.
To her disgust, Spider calls her “Smelly Face”
and “Sasquatch.” When she is chosen to be a
flower girl in a wedding, she is thrilled. Spider
is volunteered to be ring bearer for the same
wedding.
Mary Grace decides to blackmail Spider. She’ll
blab to the entire school that he’s going to have
to wear a tuxedo, unless Spider agrees to stop
calling her names—and perform a few other
favors as well. Spider Storch’s desperate deal is
sealed. But soon Mary Grace’s demands go too
far. Spider finally comes to his senses and stops
worrying about what other people will say or
think about him. Mary Grace loses her power
over Spider, and the wedding goes ahead with
Reverend Carleton saying “a lot of disgusting
stuff about loving each other.” Taking a tiny
step toward maturity, Spider calls a truce with
Mary Grace and even brings himself to
compliment her hair. And then he lets her know
he still thinks she’s a “dumb old Sturgeon
Breath.”
Although full of the attitudes parents love to
hate, Gina Willner-Pardo’s Spider Storch’s
Desperate Deal will appeal to the inherent
desire of middle-school boys to “gross out”
girls. The small, exaggerated line drawings by
Nick Sharratt will keep the easily distracted
reader fully engaged.
John T. Perrodin, Attorney, Editor, Homeschool Father, Colorado
Springs, Colorado
Stuart’s run to faith, by Sharon
Hambrick. LCCN 99011896. Greenville,
S.C.: Journey Books, Bob Jones
University Press, 1999. ISBN 1579242448,
PAP, $6.49.
F. Christian life--Fiction; Schools--Fiction. 123 p.
Middle school.
If you’re working at a Christian school or are
looking for that perfect book to get into the mind
and soul of an unsaved teen or almost-teen boy,
then this is the book. If you want a book that
doesn’t skirt the issues, but goes directly to the
salvation message, this is it. Sharon Hambrick
does a good job of writing through the eyes of a
twelve-year-old in a tight spot, although some of
her expressions don’t really fit his age level.
Stuart’s Run to Faith is a no-holds-barred
gauntlet event for the main character. He has to
deal with having to attend a Christian academy
because his widowed mother has had to move
into a single wide trailer with Grandma, and that
is Grandma’s bargaining tool for her unsaved
grandson. Friends, teachers, coaches, and
neighbors are all intent on converting Stuart.
Mom is neutral as she deals with trying to get
enough money to get a place of their own.
Lively situations, real-life conversations, and
Stuart’s gift of speed as a runner make this an
honest, believable read. Surely God works this
way on a daily basis as He puts people to work
carrying His message of the Gospel. This book
should be in every Christian school library and
should be sent as a gift to every public school
library. This novel is a true outreach to the
unsaved and a tune-up for the believer.
Rev. Jim McKinney, Teacher, Port Orchard, Washington
★
Terror from the Gulf : a hurricane in
Galveston, written by Martha Tannery
Jones. LCCN 99014579. Dallas:
Hendrick-Long Publishing, 1999. ISBN
1885777213, HBB, $15.95.
F. Hurricanes--Texas--Galveston--Fiction; Galveston
(Tex.)--Fiction; Fear--Fiction. 128 p. Middle school.
In the year 1900, Charlie, twelve and
rambunctious, has already been in trouble
several times for fighting. His mother warns
him about his temper, but what can he do when
others keep egging him on? He lives seven
blocks from the warm gulf waters in Galveston,
yet this presents another problem, because ever
since his father was lost at sea, Charlie has been
afraid to go in the water. This brings incessant
teasing from his classmates and even his
supposed friends; thus the temper flare-ups. At
the moment, however, there are other things to
be concerned about. A mysterious man
continues to spy on their house, always staring,
always disappearing before Charlie can get
anyone else to see him, and now a hurricane is
making its way toward the town.
Charlie’s suspicion about the strange man is
quickly forgotten as the hurricane-force winds
and rapidly rising water threaten the lives of
everyone in Galveston. When the water reaches
the family on the second floor of their home,
they have to jump into the swirling, debris-filled
waters before their home collapses around them.
Charlie is forced to face his worst fears as he
must choose between clinging to the floating
roof parts, or letting go and attempting to rescue
a baby floating in a precarious wooden cradle.
A definite page-turner, Terror from the Gulf
brings the fear and tension of fighting the fury of
nature into one’s own home. Written simply yet
with power, Martha Tannery Jones’ narrative
uses the historical account to give strength to the
storyline. The issues of facing one’s fears and
dealing with anger are resolved, as Charlie
discovers what is really important in life. The
book includes photographs showing the
destruction the town suffered, as well as the
rebuilding of the destroyed Galveston. These
images help the reader to visualise the scale of
the horror and devastation suffered.
Mary McKinney, Former Teacher, Freelance Writer, Editor, Port
Orchard, Washington
Trapped between the lash and the gun : a
boy’s journey, by Arvella Whitmore.
LCCN 98014564. New York: Dial Books,
Penguin Putnam, 1999. ISBN
0803723849, HBB, $16.99.
F. Slavery--Fiction; Afro-Americans--Fiction; Time
travel--Fiction. 185 p. Middle school.
Jordan Henning Scott does not want to move
with his mother and sister to Springdale. After
all, at twelve years of age, he should be able to
make a decision as important as this on his own.
Jordan wants to live with his father, though his
mother has refused to reveal his father’s
location. Angry about the events in his life,
Jordan joins the Cobras, a neighborhood gang.
Jordan plans to stay with the Cobras until he can
get enough money to fly out to be with his
father.
Gang members must have a gun, so Jordan visits
his grandfather and steals the gold watch that
has been passed down in the family from slave
ancestors. Suddenly Jordan is no longer in the
city. Instead Jordan is in a wooded area with a
strange young black boy named Uriah Henning,
his great, great, great, great grandfather and a
slave on the Henning’s plantation.
Because Jordan cannot prove he is free, he ends
up picking cotton and is eventually sold, with
other members of Uriah’s family. Jordan is
purchased by a member of the underground
railway and put into hiding with other runaway
slaves including Uriah. Suddenly, Jordan is
back in his own time. Finally realizing the true
value of the watch, he returns it to his
grandfather and decides to quit the gang; this
action results in a shooting, cementing the
changes in Jordan’s life.
Arvella Whitmore has an engaging style that
allows her writing to pull the reader into the
story. Jordan seems very much a real person.
However, Trapped Between the Lash and the
Gun deals too neatly with the gang issue and
with slavery. This would be a good addition to
the time travel genre of fiction were it not so
neatly wrapped up.
Barbara Wall, School Library System Director, Oswego County
BOCES, Mexico, New York
Uprising at dawn, by Lee Roddy.
(Between two flags; 5.) LCCN 99051012.
Minneapolis: Bethany House, 2000. ISBN
0764220292, PAP, $5.99.
C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 3 9 S P R I N G 2 0 0 1

MIDDLE SCHOOL
FICTION
F. Slavery--Fiction; United States--History--Civil
War, 1861-1865--Fiction. 159 p. Middle school.
Hunting in a Virginia swamp for an escaped
hog, Gideon Tugwell overhears men planning to
burn down both Briarstone Plantation and
Gideon’s home. Gideon runs to Briarstone to
tell William, the owner’s son, about the
impending uprising.
Emily, a relative of William’s from the North, is
living at Briarstone. She wants to ask him not to
sell Nat to the slave trader. Earlier, Emily and
Gideon had tried to help Nat escape, and now he
must wear a collar with a bell. Angry and bitter,
Nat fears for his life when he learns he will be
sold to a slave trader.
Before Emily can appeal to William, however,
Gideon comes in with the news of the rebellion.
Emily and Gideon fear they’ll be murdered in
their beds at dawn on Sunday. Now they need
Nat’s help to find the leader of the uprising. Nat
had decided to run, but gives up his bid for
freedom in order to help Emily and Gideon.
Uprising At Dawn is a fast-paced and exciting
account of an attempted slave rebellion. The
Civil War and the issues that prompted it
become real as Lee Roddy describes life in
Virginia in 1862. Roddy skilfully weaves
together numerous sub-plots. The characters are
well-developed and show the diversity of
opinion that existed in the North and South on
slavery. Many young people will be surprised at
the amount of responsibility young teens
assumed at that period in history. The cover
illustration by Chris Ellison is well done and
adds to the excitement of the story.
Barbara A. Bryden, Freelance Writer, Olympia, Washington
articles and poetry substantiate the strength of
this story, a certain tragedy turned into a real
canine hero’s opportunity. Everything about this
story is enjoyable and satisfying.
Rev. Jim McKinney, Teacher, Port Orchard, Washington
The wreck of the Ethie, by Hilary Hyland.
LCCN 99024706. Atlanta: Peachtree,
1999. ISBN 1561451983, PAP, $7.95.
F. Ethie (Steamship)--Fiction; Shipwrecks--Fiction;
Dogs--Fiction; Survival--Fiction; Newfoundland--
Ficiton. 115 p. Elementary.
Proof that real life has everything that fiction has
to offer, and more, The Wreck of the Ethie is
based on a real shipwreck on the coast of
Newfoundland. Colleen and Skipper, her huge
canine protector and friend, enjoy life on this
island province and are thrilled by all that their
coastal cliffside cottage has to offer. Storms
bring many things in to the shore, but the fateful
day that the S.S. Effie crashed over the “whale’s
back” brings meaning and purpose to all that the
dog and girl have shared before. The shipside
sequences are told through Patrick, the ship’s
boy, who works hard to help deliver passengers
and crew safely to a cove he has worked before
as a fisherman.
Hilary Hyland’s first book is brisk and full as
she covers the terrible challenges the people
face, here on the North American homeland of
the Vikings. Coastal storms that rival
Hollywood’s “Perfect Storm” threaten to tear
life apart on the rocks as each season passes.
Skilled research and lively writing make this
true tale an interesting read. Accompanying
S P R I N G 2 0 0 1 4 0 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

BOOK REVIEWS
MIDDLE SCHOOL NONFICTION
200’s—Religion
Thanks for being my friend, by Lois
Walfred Johnson. (Let’s talk about it
stories for kids.) LCCN 00008381.
Minneapolis: Bethany House, 2000. ISBN
1556616538, PAP, $7.99.
241’.6762. Friendship; Christian life; Prayer books
and devotions. 167 p. Middle school.
Thanks for Being My Friend, by Lois Walfred
Johnson, is designed for family devotions,
Sunday School, a child’s own “quiet time,” and
much more. The stories are short and timely,
averaging about 500 words each. Following
each story is a “TO TALK ABOUT” section that
encourages the reader to relate the story and
Bible truths to their own lives. The questions
are thought provoking and open-ended, and
encourage the child to think beyond yes and no.
For example, one of the sections has a question
regarding finding free time and making time for
being together. Children should know that
making time to be together is more important
than finding free time.
Family is stressed, and questions show how
relationships are important. Readers are shown
how to invite Jesus into their lives, and a
sinner’s prayer is given. Encouragement is
given to use the book as a type of journal, and
space is provided for just that. For a family who
wants to have devotions but is unsure how or
where to begin, this book is excellent. Also, for
the reader who has already established the habit,
this book would be a refreshing opportunity.
Every chapter includes a Bible verse and a
prayer to reinforce the lessons.
Ms. Johnson has written an excellent devotional
book, and is worthy of the Gold Medallion Book
Award it has been given. I highly recommend
this book for every family library.
Debby Willett, Freelance Writer, Canyon, Texas
The young warriors : arise, shout, pursue,
by Wesley E. Smith. LCCN 00551157.
Shippensburg, Pa.: Treasure House,
Destiny Image Publishers, 1998. ISBN
1560432969, PAP, $8.99.
248. Christian life. 169 p. Middle school.
Recognizing the great decay of American
morality, the author recognizes the need for
“young warriors.” Using the lives of Saul,
David, and Jonathan, the reader is admonished
to follow God’s principles rather than yielding
to the cultural pulls of our society. Giving
scriptural references as well as modern day
examples, a person is pointed toward the right
choices to make when faced with dilemnas. The
author works among gang members in the innercity,
so he is very aware of the societal
breakdown. This book personally gave my
husband extra courage to stand up for what he
believed in during a very difficult situation. By
faith, he followed the principles set out in God’s
Word that the author presented, and wasn’t
swayed by feelings, emotions, and what seemed
right. The author concludes the book with a
statement of faith as well as the Apostle’s Creed
explained.
Mary Jo Cassner, Teacher, Norfolk, Nebraska
300’s—Social Sciences
Amy Carmichael : the hidden jewel :
curriculum guide, by Julia Pferdehirt;
with Dave & Neta Jackson. (A trailblazer
curriculum guide.) Minneapolis: Bethany
House, 2000. ISBN 0764223461, PAP,
$4.99.
372.64. Literature--Study guide. 24 p. Middle
school.
David Livingstone : escape from the slave
traders : curriculum guide, by Julia
Pferdehirt; with Dave & Neta Jackson. (A
trailblazer curriculum guide.)
Minneapolis: Bethany House, 2000. ISBN
0764223453, PAP, $4.99.
372.64. Literature--Study guide. 24 p. Middle
school.
Martin Luther : spy for the night riders :
curriculum guide, by Julia Pferdehirt;
with Dave & Neta Jackson. (A trailblazer
curriculum guide.) Minneapolis: Bethany
House, 2000. ISBN 076422347X, PAP,
$4.99.
372.64. Literature--Study guide. 23 p. Middle
school.
Hudson Taylor : shanghaied to China : a
trailblazer curriculum guide, by Julia
Pferdehirt; with Dave & Neta Jackson. (A
trailblazer curriculum guide.)
Minneapolis: Bethany House, 2000. ISBN
0764223445, PAP, $4.99.
372.64. Literature--Study guide. 24 p. Middle
school.
At first glance, the curriculum materials by Julia
Pferdehirt with Dave and Neta Jackson, using
their books about Amy Carmichael, David
Livingstone, Martin Luther, and Hudson Taylor,
appear to be geared for solely the homeschool
audience. Further examination reveals a
profusion of creative ideas that integrate
subjects in a most refreshing way. The guides
are relatively short at 24 pages, with no
worksheets or other traditional activities to copy
for classroom use. Background information and
questions need to be read to or by the individual
student.
Each guide begins with Notes to the Teacher;
which include instruction on how to use the
guide, the scope and sequence, planning helps,
an overview of the guide, and an historical
summary of the particular book. Each guide has
seven lessons; the first and last lessons each
cover one chapter, and the others cover two
chapters of the text. The authors consider this a
two-week unit, when combined with the other
materials given. Each lesson is one page and
includes a prayer and praise section, tying the
chapter into scripture; a background section;
vocabulary and concepts; a discussion segment;
and an encoded list of corresponding activities
which are presented in the last part of the guide.
The scripture passages and the discussion
questions bring relevant and healthy thinking
about God’s view on the issues of major world
problems of the time; like world trade, opium,
colonialism, slavery, and the caste system. On
each lesson page is a pencil sketch and a onesentence
quote from the particular chapter.
After the lessons is an excellent map, that may
be copied for geography work. Multitudinous
activities are then listed in geography; history;
social studies and folkways; literature and
language arts; and the church today, which is
missions involvement. Each correlates to a
particular chapter in the book, and are driven by
the particular person and area of the world
studied, so each guide is different. Many
activities deal with further research and realistic,
interesting learning for the students; for
example, instructions are given on how to put on
a sari in the story of Amy Carmichael, and how
to make fried rice in the story of Hudson Taylor.
Each guide has a couple of “mega-projects” for
further work, which are keyed for older or
younger students.
The guide ends with a list of resources. Many of
the activities refer to sites on the World Wide
Web, including the Jackson’s own site at
trailblazers. com. At this site are additional
helps and a list of links to other sites, which are
actually internal to that site. A few of the other
web addresses listed have changed, a notuncommon
happening in working with the web.
All in all, the teacher is given a wealth of options
for working with the stories of famous Christian
leaders in a way that brings focus and support
for the individual student or for the entire class.
Judy Belcher, Teacher, Sylvan Way Christian School, Bremerton,
Washington
C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 4 1 S P R I N G 2 0 0 1

MIDDLE SCHOOL
NONFICTION
500’s—Natural Sciences & Mathematics
The science factory, by Jon Richards;
[illustrators, Ian Moores, Ian Thompson].
LCCN 99461964. Brookfield, Ct.: Copper
Beach Books, The Millbrook Press, 2000.
ISBN 0761308326, PAP, $16.95.
508. Science--Experiments; Experiments. 224 p.
Middle school (High school).
The Science Factory by John Richards is a
collection of science experiments that cover ten
topics: air and flight, water and boats, electricity
and batteries, magnetism and magnets, light and
sight, sound and music, measurements, work
and simple machines, shapes and structures, and
finally, chemicals and reactions. Each chapter
contains a brief introduction about the chapter
topic and then nine to eleven experiments. Each
experiment includes an informational
paragraph, materials needed, numbered
instructions, an extra tidbit of science
information, and an explanation of “Why It
Works,” referring to a successful experiment.
The illustrations are mostly photographs. An
equipment checklist is included at the beginning
of the book that lists over 70 items needed to
complete the experiments. A glossary of science
words and an index is also included.
The subtitle of this book is Easy-To-Make
Science Experiments. However, the
experiments included are far from easy. There
are several reasons this collection of
experiments would cause frustration among
children or those with little science background
who may attempt these experiments without
adult instruction. The list of materials needed
for each experiment is woefully incomplete.
There are many items lacking necessary details.
Some examples of these materials are thin
cardboard, sticks, wire, adhesive vinyl, and foil.
While these are not unusual materials, there is
no indication of amount, size, type, or kind.
Another shortcoming is the numbered
instructions. The author assumes on several
occasions that the reader has some
understanding about the topic. While this isn’t
usually a problem for science teachers, most will
need help understanding the directions. They
are over simplified and lack necessary details.
For example, for the experiment on
electromagnets, the reader is told to “Make a
crane out of two boxes. Make the arm of the
crane from cardboard.” This is all the direction
provided. The picture offers a little help, but no
details. Another criticism is the illustrations.
They are not clear enough to offer any detailed
assistance as the reader attempts to follow the
steps. They are somewhat small and difficult to
see, especially when involving small pieces or
wires.
If the reader has prior science experience, then
these experiments may not be difficult for
him/her. If however, there is no previous
knowledge, these experiments would be
frustrating for both children and adults. The
interest level for this book would be middle
school age, but they would certainly need adult
help.
Patricia Youmans, Homeschool Parent, Siloam Springs, Arkansas
DK guide to space, by Peter Bond. LCCN
98042054. New York: Dorling Kindersley,
1999. ISBN 0789439468, HBB, $19.95.
520. Astronomy; Austronoics in astronomy; Solar
system. 64 p. Middle school (Elementary - Adult).
In DK Guide to Space, author Peter Bond uses
astronomical photography to provide an
excellent resource to those seeking a general
information book about space and related topics.
Each double page spread covers a different
topic, including the nine planets, the sun, the
moon, space exploration and travel, stars, space
stations, the extraterrestrial, and several others.
Most illustrations are photographs, including
many from the Hubble telescope. Mr. Bond
provides seven or eight easy to read paragraphs
that correspond to the many pictures for each
topic. Several space data charts are provided, as
well as a list of space web sites, a list of
landmarks in space exploration, and an index.
Peter Bond has provided another opportunity for
readers to enjoy learning about space. For those
to young too read, the pictures will keep them
occupied and increase curiosity. For the older
reader, there are sure to be several pieces of
information that will be new and interesting.
Even though older readers may have a general
understanding of the topics presented, looking at
beautiful pictures and reading about the
mysteries of space never seems to grow old.
DK Guide to Space would not be appropriate as
the only resource for astronomical or space
study; this book is recommended to complement
a teacher’s space theme or a librarian’s
collection of books about astronomy or outer
space. It is easy reading and enjoyable viewing.
Patricia Youmans, Homeschool Parent, Siloam Springs, Arkansas
Nature’s fury : eyewitness reports of
natural disasters, by Carol Garbuny
Vogel. LCCN 99046103. New York:
Scholastic, 2000. ISBN 0590115022, HBB,
$16.95.
551’.5. Natural disasters. 127 p. Middle school.
This picture-book-sized volume presents natural
disasters with a different slant. The author,
Carole G. Vogel, fires up the reader’s interest in
this topic by describing how she became
interested in natural disasters. While studying
about the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius during her
sixth-grade year, she imagined the drama of that
disaster. Investigating more about the fury of our
restless planet led to her lifelong interest in
natural disasters. She shares with the reader
how her research turned her into an “amateur
detective.” First-hand accounts, gleaned from
interviews or original news clippings, of what it
was like to experience and live through the
disasters makes Nature’s Fury an inviting read.
The book is divided into three parts which serve
to “classify” the type of disaster: “On Shaky
Ground”, “Monster Storms”, and “Water.” A
map shows the site for each disaster mentioned
as well as the location areas for types of
disasters, i.e. Mount St. Helen’s ash fall out.
The opening chapter of each part explains about
the disasters. The chapters, covering thirteen
specific disasters that took place in the United
States, are not presented chronologically but
rather logically. For example, “Water” moves
from the Dust Bowl (too little water), to the
Great Peshtigo Fire (water to put out a fire), to
the Flash Flood in Big Thompson Canyon (too
much water). Each chapter reads like a
magazine article complete with quotations from
survivors and experts on the subject. Captions
for photos and illustrations, used generously
throughout each chapter, add to the content of
the text. For example, in “Alaska’s Good Friday
Earthquake,” photos show the black fissure lines
running through a portion of the town, a
devastated neighborhood, and an eight-year-old
survivor with her mother and brother after the
earthquake.
Though this volume is slim, don’t let this fool
you. It’s brimming with information. In
addition to giving the reader a glimpse into the
fury of blizzards, tornadoes, floods, droughts,
and earthquakes, the book includes end notes,
sources (including websites) for additional
information, and a helpful index.
Lisa Wroble, Freelance Writer/Library Aide, Plymouth, Michigan
El Nino and La Nino : weather in the
headlines, by April Pulley Sayre. LCCN
00025605. Brookfield, Ct.: Twenty-First
Century Books, The Millbrook Press,
2000. ISBN 0761314059, HBB, $24.90.
551.6. El Nino Current--Environmental aspects; La
Nina Current--Environmental aspects; Global
environmental change. 80 p. Middle school (High
school).
April Sayre has loaded this book with many
color illustrations and photographs that will help
the readers to understand this weather
phenomena a little better. Definitions of El Nino
can be found at the very beginning of the first
chapter. El Nino was named for the Christ Child
by Peruvian fishermen because they noticed this
weather pattern near Christmas. La Nina is
basically the opposite weather conditions of El
Nino. The chapters discuss the effects of this
weather phenomena in South America, North
America and other countries around the world.
Animal and plant life are also portrayed as being
greatly affected anytime El Nino or La Nina
happens.
The author has included a table of contents, a
bibliography, an index, and websites. Satellite
images, photos of the destruction caused by
floods, and diagrams of wind patterns are
extremely well done. The effects of El Nino and
La Nina are not always bad and Sayre has text
discussing how plant life has grown in deserts
due to rainfall that fell when it would not
normally. The text is somewhat technical and
sometimes difficult for a layperson to grasp, but
the information is timely.
S P R I N G 2 0 0 1 4 2 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

MIDDLE SCHOOL
NONFICTION
Connie Weaver, Church Librarian, Newville, Pennsylvania
600’s—Technology (Applied Sciences)
Space station science : life in free fall, by
Marianne J. Dyson; foreword by Buzz
Aldrin. LCCN 98045994. New York:
Scholastic, 1999. ISBN 0590058894, HBB,
$16.95.
629.45. Space stations; Astronauts. 128 p. Middle
school (High school).
Space Station Science is organized into five
parts: Getting There, Space Basics, Living in
Space, Working in Space, and Coming Home.
Each part explains the appropriate aspects of
space travel or station living. Throughout the
book, there are informative and relatively
inexpensive home experiments that illustrate the
complex science and technology associated with
the space station.
The text covers a lot of material: the effects of
space travel on humans and animals, conducting
experiments in zero gravity, the possible
commercial uses of the developed technology,
and reasons for expanded space exploration.
Space Station Science does not ignore the risks
and difficulties of space travel. It does point out
how scientists and engineers have addressed
these issues in the past, present, or future. The
book also emphasizes why astronauts undergo
rigorous training and development to overcome
those issues that science can not address.
Author Marianne J. Dyson was one of the first
ten women to work in NASA’s Mission Control,
and it shows. She writes with an insider’s
knowledge, an enthusiast’s passion and a
veteran’s realism. She clearly supports
continued development and exploration of “the
final frontier,” yet does not ignore the
technological and economic hurdles that remain
to be overcome.
Still, she eagerly and convincingly writes about
subjects she loves and knows. If NASA has a
youth recruitment program, this book should be
heavily considered as the primary text. Ms.
Dyson managed to find a wonderful balance of
content and understandability. This book
engages the reader with wonder and wow, yet
never sugarcoats any of the risks and realities of
space travel.
This highly readable book is an excellent choice
for students who want an introduction to the
current space program, but aren’t ready for
college level physics textbooks. It balances
content, interest, and accuracy in a delightful
way. The author does not directly address God
or Scripture, but her sense of wonder and
fascination points to an appreciation of His
Creation.
Kirk Hunt, Instructor, Pima County Community College, Business
& Industry Division, Tucson, Arizona
Black hands, white sails : the story of
African-American whalers, by Patricia C.
McKissack and Fredrick L. McKissack.
LCCN 99011439. New York: Scholastic,
1999. ISBN 0590483137, HBB, $15.95.
639.2’8’0896073. Whaling--History; Afro-American
whalers--Biography; Whalers. 152 p. Middle school.
Patricia C. and Frederick L. McKissack present
a fascinating story of the role African Americans
played in the whaling industry. Black Hands,
White Sails is a history of whalers showing their
contribution both to whaling and to the abolition
movement. The McKissacks’ poignant picture
of black whalers begins with the first African
captives brought as “indentured servants” to
Jamestown, Virginia, in 1619 and ends with the
Viola, the last wooden whaling ship built in
America in 1917.
Captain Paul Cuffe, a famous black whaleman,
was instrumental in a movement to return
former black slaves to Africa. Not every African
American appreciated his efforts however, and
with his death, his dream of recolonization of
freed blacks evaporated. Another man,
Frederick Douglass, helped raise the esteem of
African Americans. Douglass, an educated and
articulate former slave, spoke out against
prejudice and discrimination. Other famous
whalemen, including Absalom Boston, Captain
Daniel Drayton, and Lewis Temple are
mentioned.
One movement among the abolitionists was the
Underground Railroad, a secret group that
helped runaway slaves make their way to
freedom. Numerous whalers, both black and
white, used ships to transport runaways to
safety. Like their white counterparts, black
whalers carved scrimshaw, sang whaling
shanties (also spelled chanties), and lost their
lives attempting to capture the great whales of
the Atlantic Ocean. Only one story—that of the
Essex of Nantucket—left this reader
uncomfortable. That story, set in 1821 describes
a shipwreck and cannibalism.
The McKissacks give us a list of common sea
expressions and their original meanings. These
expressions, like “hand over fist,” “hard and
fast,” “over a barrel,” and “groggy,” continue to
be used in America. An Appendix describes the
various whales and compares their shapes and
sizes. Four pages of Important Dates are
followed by a four page Bibliography and a
comprehensive Index.
Both students and teachers will find the reading
of Black Hands, White Sails easy reading.
People who enjoy discovering little known
historical facts will delight in the McKissacks’
presentation.
Dell Smith Klein, Freelance Writer, Teacher, Yarnell, Arizona
700’s—The Arts and Recreation
Building the book Cathedral, by David
Macaulay. LCCN 99017975. Boston:
Houghton Mifflin, 1999. ISBN
0395921473, HBB, $29.95.
726.6. Macaulay, David. Cathedral.; Cathedrals;
Architecture, Gothic. 112 p. Middle school
(Elementary - Adult).
How does an award-winning author
commemorate a twenty five year best seller?
Caldecott Medalist David Macauley celebrates
with yet another one of his popular how-it-wasmade
books, Building the Book Cathedral.
What Macauley really wanted to do twenty-five
years ago was write a book about gargoyles. His
publishers liked the picture of the cathedral
better than the picture of the gargoyle; so, even
though Macaulay was unsure about how to do it,
he wrote Cathedral, explaining the construction
of a medieval cathedral. How does an author
who knows nothing about gothic construction
and only a little about book making produce a
masterpiece? Building the Book Cathedral
explains it all, mistakes, corrections, misplaced
perspectives, exhaustive study, deadlines, and
the fun. David Macauley learned with that first
book. Now he teaches us what he learned, while
also giving us an engaging glimpse of who he is.
Building the Book Cathedral contains the full
text and drawings of Cathedral enhanced by
many of the original sketches and editing notes,
with humorous, instructive asides and
explanations from the the now older, wiser
author. What can the artist do when linear
perspective does not provide our eyes with the
true picture? How can the artist make a drawing
evoke emotion? What does he do if his
sketching makes the carver and the block of
wood look the same? Macauley explains all this
and more with both text and the juxtaposition of
subtly changed illustrations and original
illustrations. The author’s black and white pen
and ink drawings present the story; his words
illustrate the pictures. Written at middle school
level, Building the Book Cathedral, like it’s
forerunner Cathedral, will delight all inquisitive
readers.
Donna Eggett, Freelance Writer, Radford, Virginia
Draw 3-D : a step-by-step guide to
perspective drawing, by Doug DuBosque.
LCCN 98042174. Columbus, N.C.: Peel
Productions, 1998. ISBN 0939217147,
PAP, $8.95.
742. Perspective; Drawing--Technique. 64 p. Middle
school (Elementary - Adult).
A how-to book, Draw 3-D by Doug DuBosque
teaches interested artists how to add a sense of
depth to their drawings. Following illustrationenhanced
steps, the tyro begins with circles,
boxes, or his name, adds a vanishing point, rules
in some lines, and it all pops into perspective.
Further lessons explain such concepts as
horizon, two and three vanishing points, the
relationship between perspective and eye level,
drawing curved objects, the perspective of
shadows, and the four vanishing point paradox.
With panache and wit, DuBosque dynamically
teaches three dimensional drawing. Armed with
the tools listed in the introduction the artist can
participate in the clearly understandable step by
simple step directions for producing linear
C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 4 3 S P R I N G 2 0 0 1

MIDDLE SCHOOL
NONFICTION
perspective. Pencil illustrations fully amplify
each step. Black and white photographic
examples of perspective help explain some of
the more difficult ideas. The first lesson
produces rushing cylinders, and converts them
into outer space poles. Further lessons introduce
new or enlarged concepts, turn them into fun,
then give ample directions for self directed
projects. Early lessons allow the beginning
student to feel the flush of achievement at his
own level of understanding, yet lead the more
experienced student on to further 3-D
intricacies. DuBosque treats his readers with
friendship, respect and sympathy, encouraging
further experimentation. Written at middle
school level, Draw 3-D will be welcomed by
any age reader with interest, time, and a large
stack of scrap paper.
Donna Eggett, Freelance Writer, Radford, Virginia
Music of the American colonies, by Anne
Enslow and Ridley Enslow. Berkeley
Heights, N.J.: Enslow Publishers, 2000.
ISBN 0766016145, CDR, $24.95.
782.42’0973. United States--History--Colonial period,
ca. 1600-1775--Songs and music; Songs--United
States--History--Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775--
History and criticism; United States--History--
Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775. 1 CD-ROM, 61 min.;
booklet, guide. Middle school (High school).
Anne Enslow and Ridley Enslow have compiled
a well-rounded selection of authentic colonial
period music in this CD, Music of the American
Colonies. Music and songs from Dutch,
Spanish, French, and English are played on
period instruments. Readings and music
introduce the African and Native American
experiences also.
The music is well done and the vocals are clear
and nice. The selections cover many cultures
and events in colonial life. Accompanying
literature introduces each piece and gives
background information. Lyrics are given and a
glossary defines words and terms. The booklet
also includes chapter notes, sources for the
music, a music bibliography, and index. Internet
addresses are also listed. The addresses all work
and are well chosen to provide further
information on the colonial period. Another
pamphlet gives ideas for classroom activities
and curriculum connections.
Betsy Ruffin, Teacher/Librarian, Cleburne, Texas
800’s—Literature and Rhetoric
Speaking of journals : children’s book
writers talk about their diaries, notebooks
and sketchbooks, by Paula W. Graham.
LCCN 98088261. Honesdale, Pa.: Boyds
Mills Press, 1999. ISBN 1563977419, PAP,
$14.95.
818’.540308 20. Authors, American--Diaries--
Authorship; Creative writing; Authorship. 226 p.
Middle school.
Journal writing is something many language arts
teachers expect or require of their students.
Paula Graham interviewed twenty-seven
children’s authors for the book Speaking of
Journals. Each author shares his or her views
on journal keeping. Styles of journal keeping
vary from collecting memorabilia and
newspaper clippings to keeping copies of letters
and e-mails to writing and sketching in a
notebook. Each author entry includes a listing
of the author’s books, a description of the
author’s journal keeping style and a record of
the interview. Jack Gantos describes journal
keeping in this way. It is “the single most
important book that [kids] will write. Whether
they become poets or novelists, or better
business letter writers.. It’s a good writing habit
and it’s a way to discover important truths about
yourself..”
Speaking of Journals by Paula Graham is an
encouragement to aspiring writers in junior high
and above. The book is a useful resource for
language arts teachers of all ages. Several of the
authors interviewed started their journal at the
urging of a teacher. While not all authors keep
on, Ms. Graham presents an excellent argument
for the use of journals.
Jane Mouttet, Librarian, Hilltop Christian School, Window Rock,
Arizona
900’s—Geography, History, &
Biography
Myth maker : J.R.R. Tolkien, by Anne E.
Neimark; illustrated by Brad Weinman.
LCCN 97050380. New York: Beech Tree,
Morrow, 1998 c1996. ISBN 0688157416,
PAP, $4.95.
921 (828). Tolkien, J.R.R. (John Ronald Reuel),
1892-1973; Authors, English--20th century--
Biography; Fantasy literature--Authorship; Middle
Earth (Imaginary place). 128 p. Middle school.
This biography of the life of Tolkien takes the
reader on a fascinating trip from South Africa to
England, to the outermost parts of the imaginary
world—the world of J.R.R. Tolkien. Without
reading the introduction, the reader may believe
he is induging in a fascinating fiction, because
Tolkien’s life was so interesting. It would be
very helpful to have read The Hobbit and/or The
Lord of the Rings previous to this reading,
because there are many allusions that can be
better understood having that background.
Tokien led a very moral and respectable life. He
waited many years to finally marry the woman
he loved. Raised as an orphan by a priest,
Tolkien highly valued the advice of his
authorities and elders. His educational
standards and committment to do what was right
made him successful, happy, and legendary.
Teachers would benefit from this book, as it
would expand their knowledge of and
appreciation for the man if they teach any of his
books. Junior high students will enjoy the easyto-read
style and will be fascinated with the
content. All readers could benefit from the true
inspiration of this man, J.R.R. Tolkien.
Mary Jo Cassner, Teacher, Norfolk, Nebraska
Forging freedom : a true story of heroism
during the Holocaust, by Hudson Talbott.
LCCN 99052551. New York: G.P.
Putnam’s Sons, Penguin Putnam, 2000.
ISBN 0399234349, HBB, $15.99.
921 (940.53’18’09492352). Penraat, Jaap; Righteous
Gentiles in the Holocaust--Netherlands--Amsterdam--
Biography; World War, 1939-1945--Jews--Rescue--
Netherlands--Amersterdam; Holocaust, Jewish (1939-
1945)--Netherlands--Amsterdam; Amsterdam
(Netherlands)--Biography. 64 p. Middle school
(Elementary).
Forging Freedom tells the true story of Jaap
Penraat, a young boy growing up in Amsterdam
in the 1930’s. When German forces arrive in
Holland at the onset of World War II, Jaap
immediately begins to protects his Jewish
friends and neighbors from the Nazis. By
making fake ID cards he is able to save many
Jews from arrest, but as Nazi persecution
increases Jaap realizes he must do and risk even
more. Although he has already been imprisoned
for his resistance activities, Jaap begins
counterfeiting documents from a German
construction company to create a ‘letter’
requesting that Dutch workers be transferred to
France to work on the Atlantic Wall. Risking his
life, Jaap repeatedly poses as a foreman and
travel leader and, over several trips, is able to
lead 406 Jewish men to France where they are
transported by the French Underground to
Gibraltar and then to England and freedom.
Hudson Talbott has written and illustrated a
wonderful story of compassion and courage.
Talbott takes Jaap Penraat’s complicated
resistance activities and, without losing
important details, simplifies them in a way that
will make sense to even younger readers. The
horrors of the Nazi regime and the awful
dangers resistant workers faced are clearly
depicted, yet the book is able to remain gentle
and the message is clearly one of hope. Talbott’s
illustrations show everything from a Dutch
market to war scenes and Hitler himself, and
help bring to life the world of 1940’s Europe.
Maps and authentic forged documents are also
included.
The book ends with an interesting Author’s Note
where Talbott explains that although he had
been friends and neighbors with Jaap Penraat for
over twelve years, it was only after hearing Jaap
being interviewed on the radio that he learned of
his bravery and compassion during World War
II. In 1998, Jaap Penraat was awarded the
medal of the Righteous Among the Nations.
Kerri Cunningham, Librarian, Camano Island, Washington
Alexander Hamilton : America’s bold lion,
by John Rosenburg. LCCN 99057292.
Brookfield, Ct.: Twenty-First Century
Books, The Millbrook Press, 2000. ISBN
0761316175, HBB, $23.90.
921 (973.4’092). Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804;
Statesman--United States--Biography; United States--
Politics and government--1783-1809. 192 p. Middle
school.
If it were not for his portrait on the ten-dollar
bill, Alexander Hamilton might have become
S P R I N G 2 0 0 1 4 4 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

MIDDLE SCHOOL
NONFICTION
another “Forgotten Founding Father” of the
United States of America, remembered only by
historians. As it is, few school children could
say why Hamilton was placed there or what had
been his various roles in the infancy of our
country. Alexander Hamilton: America’s Bold
Lion by John Rosenburg redresses this oversight
in a respectful, yet honest account of his life.
Born out of wedlock, Hamilton had only his
quick intelligence and forceful personality to
commend him in a world which was concerned
primarily with family connections and wealth.
He put these to immediate use and, by the age of
twenty-one, found himself aide-de-camp to
General George Washington and privy to the
momentous events of the American Revolution.
After independence was won, Hamilton was
called upon to serve as Secretary of the Treasury
under Washington, where he had great influence
on the forming and defining of the new entity
called the United States. His life cut short in a
duel at forty-one, Hamilton never attained high
elected office, but did profoundly influence the
direction the country took with his tireless
writing, best illustrated by his contributions to
The Federalist Papers.
Rosenburg’s biography of Alexander Hamilton
is a good, serviceable introduction to the man
for the middle school reader or researcher. The
text is somewhat dry, but it is perfectly adequate
for transmitting the facts of Hamilton’s life if not
the spirit. The author does this honestly, with a
warmness for his subject that does not gloss
over his frailties, such as his affair with Maria
Reynolds, or gush with admiration. In addition,
the work is well indexed, and a very helpful
bibliography and list of important dates in
Hamilton’s life can be found at the end. The
researcher also will appreciate the author’s own
list of sources and acknowledgments in which
he ranks the helpfulness of the titles in his
bibliography.
Pamela A. Todd, Librarian/English Teacher, Chalcedon Christian
School, Cumming, Georgia
Masada, written and illustrated by Neil
Waldman. LCCN 97032912. New York:
Morrow Junior Books, Morrow, 1998.
ISBN 0688144810, HBB, $16.00.
933. Masada Site (Israel); Jews--History--Rebellion,
66-73; Excavations (Archaeology)--Israel--Masada
Site. 64 p. Middle school.
Masada was a fortress built deep into the rock
and high upon a cliff to protect Nebuchadnezzer.
It was his finest fortress, and few dared to
overcome it. However, when Nero tried to
anhialate the Jews, he had some difficulty with
the zealots. An historical narrative written about
the famous fortress Masada, this book delves
into the Jewish zealots’ valiant efforts to defeat
Rome.
Although this appears to be a children’s book
(with pencil drawings, short content, and large
pages), the style, vocabulary, and content is
high-school to college level. Adults will be
fascinated by some of the history including the
psychotic King Nebuchadnezzer, who built it,
the Jewish Zealots who defended it with their
very lives, the determined Romans who
attempted to destroy it, and the modern
archaeologists who have dug up its treasures.
Mary Jo Cassner, Teacher, Norfolk, Nebraska
Martyrs to madness : the victims of the
Holocaust, by Ted Gottfried; illustrations
by Stephen Alcorn. (The Holocaust.)
LCCN 99057587. Brookfield, Ct.:
Twenty-First Century Books, The
Millbrook Press, 2000. ISBN 0761317155,
HBB, $29.90.
940.53’18. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945); World
War, 1939-1945--Atrocities; Germany--History--1933-
1945; Antisemitism--Europe. 126 p. Middle school
(High school).
Ted Gottfried has done an outstanding job of
relating the horrors of the Holocaust for the YA
audience. His easy to follow narrative leads the
reader from the early days of the Nazi party’s
assension to power through the atrocities of the
“Final Solution.” Gottfried’s chronicle is firstrate.
He unflinchingly relates the facts without
dwelling unnecessarily on the gruesome details.
There are separate chapters on each of the
groups that Hitler persecuted. His brief
afterword is a solemn warning that if we do not
learn from the past and if we believe we are
superior to others, we could find ourselves
where the Germans, both aggressors and
victims, found themselves in WWII.
The fine illustrations by Stephen Alcorn
introduce each chapter and are supplemented by
photographs, which are a nice addition but not
for younger, more squeamish readers. The book
also contains a chronology, glossary, chapter
notes, index, and a list of other books to read and
Internet sites to visit if the reader would like
more information.
The Christian reader should be advised that the
topic is not appropriate for younger children and
that even for some older children this book may
be somewhat frightening and/or graphic both in
terms of violence and some sexuality (example:
castrations, rapes). Also, while Gottfried makes
no judgments about the homosexual lifestyle,
there is a chapter devoted to Hitler’s persecution
of homosexuals. Parents will perhaps want to
read this with their older children to discuss the
many issues that are covered and exchange
views on what a Christian’s response to such
horrors should be.
Teresa O’Donley, Library Media Teacher, Scotts Valley, California
Nazi Germany : the face of tyranny, by
Ted Gottfried; illustrations by Stephen
Alcorn. (The Holocaust.) LCCN
99057589. Brookfield, Ct.: Twenty-First
Century Books, The Millbrook Press,
2000. ISBN 0761317147, HBB, $29.90.
940.53’18. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945); National
socialism; Hitler, Adolf, 1889-1945; Antisemitism--
Europe. 128 p. Middle school (High school).
“How can such a monstrous crime as the
Holocaust occur? It begins when people start
thinking of themselves as ‘us’ and of others as
‘them.’ But there is no ‘us’ and ‘them.’ There is
only ‘we.’”
Nazi Germany: The Face of Tyranny describes
the beginning, middle, and end of a systemic
attempt to rid Germany and other European
states of the Jewish population. Author Ted
Gottfried introduces a young Adolph Hitler who
soon becomes the leader of the Nazi party and
then the leader of Germany. Through Hitler’s
command the “The Final Solution” was
undertaken. Two thirds of European Jews were
massacred.
With well footnoted chapters, the author traces
the evolution of the Nazi movement,
summarizes key events leading up to and
through World War II, and describes the final
attempts to round up and murder millions of
Jews and other estranged groups such as
Gypsies, Polish citizens, mentally and
physically ill people, and homosexual
individuals.
Toward the end of the book, the author tells the
fate of the more infamous Nazis discussed in the
book. He lists the major events chronologically
and supplies source notes. He provides a
glossary of German terms and others and gives
additional resources for reading, including
Internet sites.
The illustrations by Stephen Alcorn are bold
black and white ink drawings accented with
beige. The pictures reflect the bleak nature of
the information within the pages. Several black
and white photographs of Jews, Nazi soldiers,
and children in a concentration camp lend
additional sobriety to the reading.
Homosexuality is mentioned several times. In
recounting of the murder of a Nazi, Ernest
Rohm, the author tells that two men who shared
the same bed were dragged from their bed and
shot.
Joanne M. Haffly, Homeschool Parent/Writer, Gig Harbor,
Washington
A special fate : Chiune Sugihara : hero of
the Holocaust, by Alison Leslie Gold.
LCCN 99024298. New York: Scholastic,
2000. ISBN 0590395254, HBB, $15.95.
940.53’18’092. Sugihara, Chiune, 1900-1986;
Righteous Gentiles in the Holocaust--Biography;
Diplomats--Japan--Biography; Jews--Persecution--
Lithuania--Kaunas; World War, 1939-1945--Jews--
Rescue--Lithuania--Kaunas. 176 p. Middle school
(Elementary).
It is a time of terror and fear as World War II
rages around the globe, and for one man, Chiune
Sugihara, a diplomat from Japan, it is a time to
determine destiny.
Sugihara began life simply enough, willingly
following his family’s traditions and values, but
now he is a man and must choose for himself
either to become a doctor as his father wishes, or
to follow his own dream and become a teacher.
Chiune’s decision will lead him down a far
different path than he could ever have imagined
and will give him the power to choose life or
death for thousands of WWII refugee Jews.
C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 4 5 S P R I N G 2 0 0 1

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FICTION
Will he follow his conscience or the dictates of
his government?
In A Special Fate, by Alison Leslie Gold, the
little known story of Japanese diplomat Chiune
Sugihara is played out. Gold writes about a man
of compassion and intelligence, who in spite of
the danger to himself and his family, willingly
becomes God’s instrument. Just as God placed
Esther in a position of power in time to rescue
his people from death, A Special Fate reveals
how God used Sugihara in the same way. Gold
uses short, simple sentences to reach her young
audience, which sometimes interrupts the flow
of the book, but Gold also wraps her narrative
around the stories of some of the Jewish families
Sugihara helped to save, making her writing
seem more credible and alive.
Included in the book are some photographs and
images of actual documents signed by Sugihara
on behalf of Jewish refugees. These images
provide a glimpse into Sugihara’s personal life
and reveal the faces of one young man and a
little girl his actions helped to rescue.
Virginia Schnabel, Freelance Writer, Shelton, Washington
S P R I N G 2 0 0 1 4 6 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

BOOK REVIEWS
HIGH SCHOOL FICTION
★
Backwater, by Joan Bauer. LCCN
98050729. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons,
Penguin Putnam, 1999. ISBN
0399231412, HBB, $16.99.
F. Genealogy--Fiction; Aunts--Fiction; Lawyers--
Fiction; Birds--Fiction; Survival--Fiction; Hermits--
Fiction. 185 p. High school (Middle school).
Sixteen-year-old Ivy is determined to be an
historian, contrary to her dad’s promptings that
she follow in his legal tracks. To relatives who
take pride in producing consecutive generations
of lawyers, Ivy’s quiet, methodical ways appear
rebellious. Yet, she is encouraged by the
memory of her mother, who died of cancer when
she was very young, leaving Ivy with an
appreciation of people and their roots.
At the annual holiday reunion, a competition
ensues between Ivy and her aggressive Aunt
Fiona over recording the Breedlove family
history. Ivy is convinced that true character only
appears through taking time to listen and record
individual personalities. Aunt Fiona, widely
known for her time management successes,
prefers video clips of rehearsed speeches and
views Ivy as unreasonable. Many of her
relatives liken Ivy to her eccentric Aunt
Josephine, who cut family ties and ran off
several years before.
One day, Ivy encounters a crazy neighbor who
informs her that her Aunt Jo lives deep in the
nearby Adirondack Mountains. With the
encouragement of a motherly aunt, the help of
an eccentric tracker named Mountain Mama,
and a handsome student ranger, Ivy locates her
estranged aunt and her birds. Aunt Jo reveals a
side of the Breedloves Ivy had never known. As
the quiet beauty of the place begins to grow on
her, disaster strikes, and Ivy must rescue her
injured aunt from the icy jaws of death.
Backwater, by Joan Bauer, is a coming of age
portrait of a young girl who, through adversity,
finds value in herself and others. Ivy’s
approachable characteristics draw the reader
into her adventures. Though not specifically
Christian fiction, this story exudes solid morals
and values. Main characters are well sketched.
Writing style and point of view are consistent
and exquisitely crafted.
Kim Harris, Librarian, Newman Riga Library, Churchville, New
York
Cabs, cameras, and catastrophes, by
Wendy Lee Nentwig. (Unmistakably
Cooper Ellis; 4.) LCCN 00008334.
Minneapolis: Bethany House, 2000. ISBN
0764220683, PAP, $5.99.
F. High schools--Fiction; Schools--Fiction; Models
(Persons)--Fiction; New York (N.Y.)--Fiction;
Christian life--Fiction. 143 p. High school.
In author Wendy Lee Nentwig’s fourth book in
the Cooper Ellis series, Cabs, Cameras, and
Catastrophes, Cooper still has feelings for her
former boyfriend, Josh, and embarks on a
campaign to re-establish a relationship with him.
Encouraged by her friends, Claire and Alex,
Cooper makes attempts to restore a connection
with Josh. This plan becomes muddled when
she agrees to go out with another fellow. When
he sees Cooper dating other people, Josh
eventually begins seeing another girl.
Cooper comes to realize she must trust God in
the situation with Josh. This same trust in God
is tested in her modelling jobs, when Cooper is
confronted with skimpy clothing that she must
model. During all this mayhem, Cooper also
discovers that her best friend Claire is forced to
deal with the painful issues of divorce. Once
again, Cooper turns to God for comfort, support,
and the wisdom to know how to support Claire
during the difficult time of divorce.
Throughout the book, Nentwig weaves
Christian ideals and morals into her plot. This
book will catch the eye and hold the interest of
most young girls, since it deals with relevant
topics that pertain to them, such as break-ups,
boyfriends, and botched relationships. The
main character shows a strong dependence and
faith in God, which can only help reinforce the
importance of personal relationships with God
among the readers.
Eileen Zygarlicke, Freelance Writer/Editor, Grand Forks, North
Dakota
★
Diary of a teenage girl, by Melody
Carlson. LCCN 00009655. Sisters, Ore.:
Multnomah Publishers, 2000. ISBN
1576737357, PAP, $12.99.
F. Diaries--Fiction; Self-perception--Fiction;
Interpersonal relations--Fiction; Christian life--Fiction;
High schools--Fiction; Schools--Fiction. 248 p. High
school.
Diary of a Teenage Girl, by Melody Carlson,
provides a candid look at a sixteen-year-old’s
life as she begins to question who she is and
what she believes. The comfortable friendship
she has with her longtime friend, Beanie, is put
on the shelf when Caitlin finds herself accepted
into the popular crowd at high school. Suddenly
what Caitlin had only dreamed about becomes a
reality; yet the popularity she experiences
doesn’t fill her emptiness, and in fact increases
her anxieties. Raised in the church, Caitlin
begins to question her beliefs, particularly her
parents’ beliefs, especially when she discovers
her father is possibly having an affair.
Another first-person account, Someone Like
You, by Sarah Dessen—an ALA Best Book for
Young Adults—covers much of the same
territory as Carlson’s Diary does. However,
even though Halley, the main character in
Someone, comes to much the same conclusions
as Caitlin, there is not the same heartfelt hope as
is felt by Diary’s end. The difference? Jesus.
Without being pretentious, Carlson shows how
Jesus fills the empty places in our lives.
Difficult subjects like infidelity, dating,
abstinence, partying, and teen pregnancy are
addressed from a point of view within the
Christian circle of standards. Nonetheless,
Carlson still addresses the roller-coaster life of a
teen girl with down-to-earth authenticity and
satisfaction. She makes it clear that even good
Christian kids can take a tumble off the path at
times. Her point is: are they willing to get back
on it when God stretches out His hand in gentle
correction and forgiveness?
Pam Webb, Library Technician, Sandpoint, Idaho
Elephant tears : mask of the elephant, by
Richard Trout. (MacGregor family
adventures; 2.) LCCN 00036223. San
Antonio, Tex.: , LangMarc Publishing,
2000. ISBN 1880292726, PAP, $9.95.
F. Elephants--Fiction; Poaching--Fiction; Wildlife
rescue--Fiction; Adventure and adventurers--Fiction;
Kenya--Fiction. 241 p. High school.
The MacGregor family consists of Dr. Jack, Dr.
Mavis, seventeen-year-oldChris, fourteen-yearold
Heather, and twelve-year-old R.O. The
teens are reminiscent of Nancy Drew and the
Hardy Boys, in that they are constantly
happening upon exciting adventures that
ultimately lead to their solving a crime. In this
particular situation, the crime is that of poaching
elephants, lions, and various other African
animals.
Chris, Heather, and their Kukuyu friend,
fourteen-year-old Rebecca, find themselves
stranded in the wilds of Africa where baboons
infiltrate their camp. They must also confront
the beginning of the rainy season, which entails
several severe thunderstorms, charging lions,
and being imprisoned by poachers. And these
are only a few of the mishaps that occur during
this fascinating tale.
The details that are included in this story are so
appalling that the reader becomes very aware of
the plight of animals that are in danger of being
killed by poachers just for their tusks, skins, and
feet. Author Richard Trout is an environmental
biologist and a college professor, and has done
C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 4 7 S P R I N G 2 0 0 1

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FICTION
an admirable job of making this adventure story
true-to-life. Although Elephant Tears is book
two in the series, it can be read without reading
Cayman Gold. However, the ending would
make a little more sense if Cayman Gold had
been read first.
Connie Weaver, Church Librarian, Newville, Pennsylvania
Forgotten, by Patricia H. Rushford.
(Jenny McGrady mystery; 13.) LCCN
99050486. Minneapolis: Bethany House,
2000. ISBN 0764221213, PAP, $4.99.
F. Kidnapping--Fiction; Robbers and outlaws--
Fiction; Amnesia--Fiction; Mystery and detective
stories. 192 p. High school (Middle school).
Forgotten almost starts off with a bang, but the
bank robber doesn’t pull the trigger of the gun
he is pointing at Jennie McGrady on page nine.
The gun does not goes off until page thirty-five,
when the same criminal, Jon, forces his way into
Jennie’s car the next day. Jon and his cohorts,
Maude and Junior, kidnap her and hold her at an
isolated summer home.
Jennie’s escape attempts fail. When she hears
Maude say, “We’ll have to kill her,” she knows
that only a miracle can save her. Before they
leave, Jon makes Jennie walk ahead of him into
the woods. She bolts, and he shoots.
A miracle rescue preserves Jennie’s life, but she
suffers a complete loss of memory. She doesn’t
remember her family and friends, who promise
protection when she wonders fearfully, “what if
the man who shot me comes back to finish the
job?” Later, intuition warns again, but Jennie
pays no attention. Another shot aimed at her and
a car accident send her back to the hospital. An
alert orderly on a hijacked elevator, along with
Jennie’s quick action, end the trauma. Jennie
has her memory again and authorities take the
culprits into custody.
With Forgotton, Patricia Rushford again
maintains her high standards for good mysteries
aimed at younger readers. She ably weaves
Jennie’s Christian witness throughout the
enthralling twists and turns of plot. Jennie
models her faith as she recalls Bible verses and
prays during her ordeal.
Jennie and her family have starred in twelve
other books. Nonetheless readers who discover
the series for the first time with Forgotten will
enjoy it. Rushford includes enough details
about Jennie’s background to help readers feel
acquainted.
Betty M. Hockett, Freelance Writer, Teacher, Speaker, Newberg,
Oregon
Horse whispers in the air, by Dandi Daley
Mackall. (Horsefeathers; 3.) LCCN
99050884. St. Louis, Mo.: Concordia,
2000. ISBN 0570070082, PAP, $5.99.
F. Grandfathers--Fiction; Alzheimer’s disease--
Fiction; Horses--Fiction; Christian life--Fiction. 192
p. High school (Middle school).
Aunt Dotty tells Sarah “Scope” Coop, “life is a
package deal.” Scope realizes you have to take
the good with the bad. But it seems to Scope
that there’s a whole lot more bad than good.
Although she loves Grandad, his Alzheimer’s is
an embarrassing disruption in her life as she is
called out of school to go hunt for him when he
wanders off. Her little brother’s manic
depression creates stress for everyone. Scoop
never knows whether to expect him to be hyper,
or on a crying jag. Just when Scoop gets a
chance to go to the school mixer with Jake, she
falls and cracks a bone in her forearm.
But one thing makes up for all the bad in
Scoop’s life: her horse, Orphan. At
Horsefeathers Stables she can forget about the
wrongs in life, as she flies through the pasture
with Orphan. She doesn’t even mind mucking
out stalls, picking hooves or brushing horses.
Horsefeathers Stables boards horses, and in this
book Scoop gets a new boarder, Little Sugar
General, to train. She has to figure out why
Sugar chews on the boards of her crib and
mopes around instead of running with the other
horses. Horse fanciers will enjoy this series.
The author shares her knowledge of horses in an
entertaining manner. Faith in God is a natural
part of the household, and shows up in everyday
situations. Religion is nicely incorporated into
the story without being preachy.
Written in the first person, Horse Whispers in
the Air shows how a ninth grader copes with
problems. Good descriptions, well-crafted
characterization, and moving plot line make
Dandi Daley Mackall’s book a good read. It is a
well-told tale about coping with disease and
death. Horse Whispers is third in the
Horsefeathers series, but readers will have no
trouble following the plot even if they haven’t
read one and two. A glossary of horse breeds at
the end of the book is a helpful tool.
Myrtlemay Pittman Crane, Freelance Writer, Editor, Alderwood
Manor, Washington
Kit, by Jane Peart. (Orphan train west for
young adults.) LCCN 99042060. Grand
Rapids: Fleming H. Revell, Baker Book
House, 2000. ISBN 0800757157, PAP,
$6.00.
F. Orphans--Fiction; Adoption--Fiction; Christian life-
-Fiction. 128 p.
Laurel, by Jane Peart. (Orphan train west
for young adults.) LCCN 99044201.
Grand Rapids: Fleming H. Revell, Baker
Book House, 2000. ISBN 0800757130,
PAP, $6.00.
F. Orphans--Fiction; Family life--Fiction; Christian
life--Fiction. 153 p.
Toddy, by Jane Peart. (Orphan train west
for young adults.) LCCN 99031962.
Grand Rapids: Fleming H. Revell, Baker
Book House, 2000. ISBN 0800757165,
PAP, $6.00.
F. Orphans--Fiction; Adoption--Fiction; Christian life-
-Fiction; Secrets--Fiction. 150 p.
Ivy and Allison, by Jane Peart. (Orphan
train west for young adults.) LCCN
99048425. Grand Rapids: Fleming H.
Revell, Baker Book House, 2000. ISBN
0800757149, PAP, $6.00.
F. Orphans--Fiction; Adoption--Fiction; Christian life-
-Fiction; Secrets--Fiction. 147 p.
April and May, by Jane Peart. (Orphan
train west for young adults.) LCCN
00040288. Grand Rapids: Fleming H.
Revell, Baker Book House, 2000. ISBN
0800757246, PAP, $6.00.
F. Orphans--Fiction; Adoption--Fiction; Christian life-
-Fiction; Sisters--Fiction. 136 p.
High school.
The Orphan Train West series is a collection of
stories that Jane Peart has based on the historical
orphan train migration and placement of
abandoned children during the late nineteenth
century. The large print ensconced between the
covers of each book renders these stories easy to
read. At the same time, the span of time
covered, as we trace each character’s history
from early childhood to young adulthood,
makes for simple tales, somewhat lacking in
depth. Ms. Peart describes different aspects of
the orphan train experience and endeavors to
show the pain of rejection and hardships
endured by orphans and how they rise above
difficulties to become accepted and industrious
adults. The Christian life plays a minor role,
with an occasional Scripture verse interspersed
throughout, but the moral tone is strong.
Romance just slightly flavors each story at the
appropriate time.
Kit, Laurel, and Toddy are separate but distantly
related stories. Considered the three musketeers
of the orphanage, they slyly act crippled to
prevent being adopted until the orphan train’s
last stop, in order to stay in touch.
Shortly after the death of their mother, Kit, along
with her younger brother and sister, is placed in
the orphanage by their own father. Adopted by
a struggling family with five boys and a surly
father, Kit helps the mother manage the busy
household. Kit dreams of becoming a teacher,
and of finding her brother and sister.
Laurel, her father dead from an accident and her
beloved mother from sickness, is adopted by a
doctor and his wife who have a void in their
hearts. Laurel fills their need but after
graduation is torn between staying or pursuing
her music and locating her maternal
grandparents in Boston.
Toddy is the daughter of a dance hall floozy. An
inconvenience, she is deposited at the
orphanage. Energetic and mischievous
nonetheless, Toddy is chosen to be a companion
to Mrs. Hale’s invalid granddaughter, whose
parents are deceased. This relationship steers
Toddy to pursue a nursing career.
Ivy and Allison trade dresses at their train stop.
Ivy is sent with the couple that Allison is
intended for. The opulent lifestyle of the mayor
allows Ivy everything she could ever hope to
have. Allison, on the other hand, is now with a
single handicapped lady. But a black cloud boils
on the horizon of Ivy’s fairytale life when her
fiance dumps her after the explosion of an
embezzlement scandal involving her adoptive
father. Ivy’s life, burdened with guilt from the
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dress switch and now scandal, pales in
comparison to Allison’s simple but fulfilled one.
April and May are sisters. Torn apart during the
adoption process, they each adapt to their
respective loving families. But by age ten harsh
circumstances propel April to return to the
orphanage. May is brought up without the
knowledge of having been adopted. The secret
unfolds after a trunk’s lid is lifted. There is a
sister out there somewhere and she is
determined to find her!
Following the conclusion of April & May
readers will find an endorsement of the books by
the founder and director of the Orphan Train
Heritage Society, an organization made up
mostly of the descendants of the actual Orphan
Train Riders.
Debbie Lindsay, Homeschool Parent, Eatonville, Washington
Lord Brocktree : a tale from Redwall, by
Brian Jacques; illustrated by Fangorn.
LCCN 00025140. New York: Philomel,
Penguin Putnam, 2000. ISBN
0399235906, HBB, $22.95.
F. Badgers--Fiction; Animals--Fiction; Fantasy. 370
p. High school (Middle school).
Lord Brocktree is a delightful tale of good and
evil. The mountain of Salamandastron, home of
the Badger Lord Stonepaw, is invaded by a
horde of vermin. When blue rats by the
hundreds, led by wildcat Ungatt Trunn, take
over the mountain, Stonepaw sends Fleetscut
hare for help. In visions Lord Stonepaw has
seen a mighty badger. Ungatt Trunn has visions
of the great badger too, but his response has
been fear.
Unknown to them, the mighty Badger Lord,
Brocktree, has seen a vision of the mountain and
is looking for it. As Brocktree journeys toward
Salamandastron, Dorothea hare joins him. Soon
their company includes an assortment of hares,
moles, otters, squirrels, and other animals.
Fleetscut finds Brocktree and his friends and
leads them to Salamandastron where, after a
great battle, Lord Brocktree takes command of
the mountain.
Brian Jacques never leaves any doubt in the
mind of the reader as to which side is good and
which is evil. Ungatt Trunn deals with
everyone, including his own troops, cruelly.
Brocktree deals fairly and kindly and believes
you should never kill another animal
unnecessarily. All shades of the human
personality are seen in the various animals. It is
easy to laugh at the antics of Brocktree’s troops.
They may not always be kind as they scold and
scrap among themselves, but they learn from
Brocktree to work together and care about each
other. In Ungatt Trunn the dark side of man is
displayed. The animals’ dialogue is written as
they pronounce it. Each group has delightful
differences in language.
Fangorn drew the map at the beginning of the
book and also provided chapter illustrations.
The small sketches at the beginning of each
chapter faithfully depict the personalities of the
characters. The cover picture of Brocktree is
excellent.
Barbara A. Bryden, Freelance Writer, Olympia, Washington
Out of hiding, by Catherine Farnes.
LCCN 99088171. Greenville, S.C.:
Journey Books, Bob Jones University
Press, 2000. ISBN 1579243290, PAP,
$6.49.
F. Missionaries--Fiction; Christian life--Fiction;
Death--Fiction; Mexico--Fiction. 174 p. High school.
When Ashton volunteered to help build a church
in the Mexican jungle, she never dreamed the
team would be up against a drug smuggling ring.
As the team gathers in El Paso, Ashton is
horrified to discover that Judah Ewen and his
girlfriend, Rebekah, will be part of the group.
Judah, the son of Ashton’s former pastor, was
blamed for the drowning death of Ashton’s
brother. Although Ashton has tried to forget
what happened, she has not forgiven Judah.
As the group heads into the Mexican jungle,
many unresolved personal problems threaten the
success of the mission and the safety of the
team. Arriving at the village, they discover that
Dane Meyer, the pastor they came to help, is
missing. Ashton finds Meyer hiding from the
drug smugglers in the jungle. Hunger, rain, and
illness plague the group. As Ashton helps to
build the church and prays for Judah’s healing,
she learns how to forgive.
There are many ways to hide. Meyer hides in
the jungle to escape danger. Ashton tries to hide
from the pain of her brother’s death by refusing
to deal honestly with it. Others on the team are
hiding from other problems. Catherine Farnes
reveals what happens when we attempt to hide,
and shows how we can come out of hiding.
Fast-moving and exciting, Out of Hiding
illustrates the need for forgiveness without
lecturing. The author’s descriptions of hiking
uphill in the heat, of the team’s ministry to
people in the small Mexican villages, and of the
problems of being ill in a foreign country are
quite realistic. When they visit a tiny Catholic
Church, Judah refuses to stay in it, and Shane
says the statues are not “meant to just be art.”
The cover picture of the jungle village by Mary
Ann Lumm adds visual interest to this adventure
story.
Barbara A. Bryden, Freelance Writer, Olympia, Washington
Passage to Little Bighorn, by Terry
Kretzer Malvehy. LCCN 98049481.
Flagstaff, Ariz.: Rising Moon, Northland
Publishing, 1999. ISBN 0873587138, PAP,
$6.95.
F. Little Bighorn, Battle of the, Mont., 1876--Fiction;
Time travel--Fiction; Sitting Bull, 1834?-1890--
Fiction; Dakota Indians--Fiction; Indians of North
America--Plains--Fiction. 217 p. High school.
Passage To Little Bighorn tells the story of
Dakota, a modern Native American boy, swept
backwards through time to the Battle of the
Little Bighorn. Living for weeks among his
Lakota ancestors, Dakota learns of his proud
heritage directly from those ancestors, and from
the great Hunkpapa leader, Sitting Bull.
Passage tells the Native Americans’ side of the
famous battle, and of life during the 1870’s.
Intermixed with his reflections on life in the
past, Dakota has thoughts and visions of the
present and his troubled mother.
Dakota’s passage through time lands him near a
Hunkpapa camp, a few weeks before Little
Bighorn. Initially wounded and held captive,
Dakota eventually grows to be accepted and
valued by the Lakota. Along the way, he learns
of the history and culture of his people through
first-hand experience. After witnessing the
Battle of Little Bighorn, Dakota returns to the
present with a better understanding of himself
and his modern-day situation.
Author Terry Kretzer-Malvehy’s attempt to
blend history and fiction is not entirely
successful. Like Dakota, this book doesn’t quite
fit in. Passage includes several scenes of
graphic violence and at least one profane use of
God’s name. The text describes some of the
animist beliefs and practices of the Native
American people of the time, without any
comparison, or reference, to Christianity.
Although more readable than a history textbook,
Passage is less than an enjoyable novel. The
story simply does not recover from the rushed
and jarring way Dakota is hustled through one
hundred and fifty years of history. The reader
simply doesn’t have a chance to know or care
about Dakota. The book would have been
stronger had a more relevant and engaging
mechanism, or reasoning, for moving Dakota
been found or developed.
This book delivers the culture, history and
sensibilities of the Lakota People in a unique
way. The book’s substantial bibliography
proves the author did her homework. That said,
Passage fails to measure up to the readability of
books like Centennial or The Court Martial of
George Armstrong Custer. These books do a
much better job of delivering history and a good
story.
Kirk Hunt, Instructor, Pima County Community College, Business
& Industry Division, Tucson, Arizona
Queen’s own fool : a novel of Mary Queen
of Scots, by Jane Yolen and Robert J.
Harris. LCCN 99055070. New York:
Philomel Books, Penguin Putnam, 2000.
ISBN 0399233806, HBB, $19.99.
F. Mary, Queen of Scots, 1542-1587--Fiction;
Scotland--History--Mary Stuart, 1542-1567--Fiction;
Fools and jesters--Fiction; Kings, queens, rulers, etc.--
Fiction. 390 p. High school.
When young Nicola Ambruzzi, a traveling
troubadour, is saved from the cruelties of her
uncle by Queen Mary, wife of French King
Francis, her life takes a turn many young girls
would only dream of in fairytales. She becomes
Nicola, La Jardiniere, the Queen’s Own Fool,
whose job it is to be not only the queen’s
entertainer, but also her listening ear, and in a
sense her conscience. This fast-paced story
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moves from Huguenot persecution in France
where the untimely death of King Francis leaves
the young Queen stripped of her title, to
Scotland, where the famous Mary, Queen of
Scots, restores herself as Queen of her
homeland. Nicola becomes an integral force in
her Queen’s life as the Catholic royal battles her
Protestant detractors (namely John Knox) and
enemies who would usurp her power for their
own greedy gains. This is a story of mystery,
intrigue, war, and love.
In Queen’s Own Fool, authors Jane Yolen and
Robert J. Harris have crafted a Reformation tale
which keeps the reader intensely involved from
first to last. Vivid descriptions, such as, “He is
like a serpent when he smiles—all lips, no
teeth,” interspersed with short parables, afford
humor and provoke thought. This novel, written
from the point-of-view of the fool, is a great
enticement to further explore the life and times
of Mary, Queen of Scots.
Judy Driscoll, Retired Teacher, Poulsbo, Washington
Second choices, by Shirley Brinkerhoff.
(The Nikki Sheridan series; 6.) LCCN
00041373. Minneapolis: A Focus on the
Family Book, Bethany House, 2000. ISBN
1561798800, PAP, $5.99.
F. High schools--Fiction; Schools--Fiction; Adoption-
-Fiction; Abortion--Fiction; Vandalism--Fiction;
Christian life--Fiction. 156 p. High school.
Nikki Sheridan’s life seems to be falling apart.
At seventeen, Nikki doesn’t live with her
parents anymore. Instead, she has moved
several hours away from Millbrook, to live with
her grandparents while she heals from a teenpregnancy.
Her own parents have separated as
they deal with their own difficulties. Living
with her grandparents gives Nikki the
opportunity to get her life back in order. She is
making new friends, is establishing herself
academically, and best of all, she is getting a
second chance at love. Things are going well.
One weekend Nikki decides to drive back to
Millbrook to visit her mom. While there she
bumps into TJ at the local 7-11. Emotions and
memories flood over Nikki, and she blurts out
something about her pregnancy to TJ. He is
stunned, but determined to understand what
Nikki means. It is at this point in her life that
she begins to learn the life-healing lesson of
forgiveness.
Through a variety of events, Nikki’s faith grows
and her Christian walk matures. She learns to
listen to the Father’s voice, and witnesses
relational miracles in the process.
Shirley Brinkerhoff has written a compelling
story of teenage perspective, problems,
relationships, and resolutions. Her characters
are well-developed and realistic. The Christian
perspective is written with realism, relevance,
and life-impacting power. Doctrine is left out,
which leaves Ms. Brinkerhoff’s message a
simple one of faith in God and the power of
prayer. Second Choices would be a wonderful
addition to any library.
Debby Willett, Freelance Writer, Canyon, Texas
The secret of the Mezuzah, by Mary
Reeves Bell. (Passport to danger; 1.)
LCCN 99006470. Minneapolis: Bethany
House, 1999. ISBN 1556615493, PAP,
$5.99.
F. Americans--Austria--Fiction; Spies--Fiction;
Antisemitism--Fiction; Prejudices--Fiction; Jews--
Austria--Fiction; Austria--Fiction. 201 p. High
school.
Bored with life in Vienna, fifteen-year-old
American, Con Rea is ready for some
excitement. When Branko, owner of the
neighborhood bakery, tells him that one out of
every ten people in Vienna is a spy, Con starts a
list of everyone he knows. If he knows ten
people, one could be a spy. High on the list of
suspects are Branko, and Con’s stepfather,
Nigel, but Con would never suspect his mother,
Roberta. However, Roberta is indeed the spy
and Con becomes involved in The Secret of the
Mezuzah.
Before Con and his best friend, Hannah, can
narrow their list of suspects, Con and his family
leave for a weekend in Grossgmain. Herr
Donner, their old landlord there, gives Con a
gold mezuzah. Unbeknownst to Donner, the
mezuzah contains a hidden message that will
identify Donner as a former SS officer in charge
of the “Jewish problem” in Romania during
WWII.
While Con’s mother works with Simon
Wiesenthal to find those guilty of war crimes,
Con and Hannah find themselves fighting for
their lives. Con is faced with the reality of anti-
Semitism when Hannah, who is Jewish, is
nearly killed.
Mary Reeves Bell uses mystery and intrigue to
teach the reality of the Holocaust, its lingering
effects, and the necessity of choosing friends
carefully. The author effectively contrasts the
apparent quietness of a Vienna neighborhood
with the seething hatred for all Jews that lies
beneath the surface. Although Bell’s main
characters and story are fictitious, the historical
background and some of the minor characters
are real.
The background figures in Cheri Bladholm’s
cover illustration seem to be waiting for Con
and Hannah to solve The Secret of The Mezuzah.
The illustration is an excellent visual bridge
between past and present.
Barbara Bryden, Freelance Writer, Olympia, Washington
Shakespeare’s scribe, by Gary Blackwood.
LCCN 00034603. New York: Dutton
Children’s Books, Penguin Putnam, 2000.
ISBN 0525464441, HBB, $15.99.
F. Theater--Fiction; Orphans--Fiction; Actors and
actresses--Fiction; Plague--England--Fiction;
Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616--Fiction; Great
Britain--History--Elizabeth, 1558-1603--Fiction. 265
p. High school.
As an apprentice in the Chamberlain’s Men,
William Shakespeare’s acting company, Widge
plays the female parts, helps with the sets, spies
on other acting companies, and serves as
Shakespeare’s scribe. Despite the long hours
and strict rules, Widge would do anything to
stay with the acting company. The
Chamberlain’s Men is the closest thing to family
the orphaned Widge has ever known.
Previously apprenticed to Dr. Bright, Widge has
some knowledge of medicine and charactery, a
system of “swift writing” which makes him
valuable to Shakespeare as a scribe.
When the plague strikes London, Queen
Elizabeth orders all of the theaters closed. After
loading two wagons with props and costumes
the troupe goes on the road. During their travels
a rival company tries to burn their wagons and
thieves steal their money. Longing for
information about his parents, Widge visits the
orphanage where he lived as a child.
Sal, a new apprentice, tries to take Widge’s
roles, and Jamie Redshaw, the man claiming to
be his father, proves to be dishonest. Desperate,
Widge challenges Sal to an acting competition
and wins. Redshaw admits he’s not Widge’s
father and leaves. Widge learns that Mr. Armin,
an older actor, is right: “..what you’re made of is
not as important as what you do with it.”
Gary Blackwood’s story of Elizabethan England
is a delightful mix of history and fiction.
Widge and Redshaw are fictitious, but most of
the other characters in the Chamberlain’s Men
are based on historical fact. The language of the
characters and Blackwood’s descriptions of
conditions of the times add a sense of
authenticity. The story moves rapidly, yet deals
with many of the problems faced by people in
1602. Shakespeare’s Scribe is the sequel to The
Shakespeare Stealer.
Barbara Bryden, Freelance Writer, Olympia, Washington
★
Snow, by Catherine Farnes. LCCN
98040785. Greenville, S.C.: Journey
Books, Bob Jones University Press, 1999.
ISBN 1579241999, PAP, $6.49.
F. Albinos and albinism--Fiction; Visually
handicapped--Fiction; Physically handicapped--
Fiction; High schools--Fiction; Schools--Fiction;
Christian life--Fiction. 146 p. High school (Middle
school).
As a junior venturing mid-term through the
crowded halls of Canyon Street High, Stephanie
braces herself for the gawks that have shadowed
her since birth. Frosty, Snow White, Casper, and
Albo Annie are among the hurled taunts she
continuously dodges. She is a one-in-fifteenthousand
genetically anomalous albino with a
visual impairment.
Turning out for track, Stephanie determines to
prove this is an area where she sparkles. But at
practice she finishes dead even with the school
snob. As Stephanie leaves, the sun’s glare blinds
her already weak eyesight and she collides with
one of the guys. She is surprised as a hand helps
her to her feet and defends her against another
jeer. The name attached to the hand is Nathan.
Despite Nathan’s attempts to be a genuine
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friend, Stephanie is quite sure he is only
interested in her scientifically since he is
planning to train as a paramedic.
Catherine Farnes sprinkles Snow with a mixture
of humor and poignancy. Written in the first
person, this is a very believable piece of work
that confers the impression of having been
experienced or well-researched. The reader is
thrust into the depths of the character’s anguish,
conflict resolutions, and the vexations that
accompany all humanity, but is magnified for a
person who is physically challenged.
The insights illustrated include the following:
that self worth does not come from outperforming
others but only through the Spirit’s
tender caress upon the heart strings, which
reveal God’s love and approval; that cynicism
builds walls and prevents the foundation of true
friendship; that the dating process can be a tool
for finding a marriage partner at the appropriate
time; that it is possible to become a Christian for
the wrong reason. In the end, Stephanie learns
that God can use her handicap to actually help
others, and that he can also help her to gain final
acceptance that God can work through, past, and
in spite of it.
Debbie Lindsay, Homeschool Parent, Eatonville, Washington
Stranger online, written by Carol Smith;
created by Terry K. Brown. (Todays
girls.com; 1.) LCCN 00025812. Nashville:
Tommy Nelson, Thomas Nelson, 2000.
ISBN 0849975549, PAP, $5.99.
F. Web sites--Fiction; Swimming--Fiction; High
schools--Fiction; Schools--Fiction; Christian life--
Fiction. 140 p. High school (Middle school).
Luv@first site, written by Tess Eileen
Kindig; created by Terry K. Brown.
(Todays girls.com; 5.) LCCN 00032876.
Nashville: Tommy Nelson, Thomas
Nelson, 2000. ISBN 0849975824, PAP,
$5.99.
F. Dining (Social customs)--Fiction; Computers--
Fiction; High schools--Fiction; Schools--Fiction;
Christian life--Fiction. 134 p. High school (Middle
school).
In Stranger Online, Amber Thomas is a member
of Edgewood High School’s swim team, and of
Todaysgirls Club. Her life consists of getting up
early in the morning for practice, and of being
the best student she can be, as well as
webmistress of the todaysgirls.com website.
This is supposed to be a “password access” only
site, but someone gains access to Amber’s email
and leaves cryptic messages, causing Amber to
doubt her own programming abilities, and to
fear for her personal safety.
When she returns to school the following
Monday, Amber can’t help but wonder if the
stranger is a student passing her in the hallway,
sitting next to her in class, or someone else
entirely. Adding to her stress level is a new girl
on the swim team, and a fellow student who
insists on availing himself of her answers on
chemistry quizzes. Amber feels like she’s
tackling these things alone, until she
incorporates Proverbs 3:5-6 into her Todaysgirls
verse for the week. As she considers the verses,
she begins to realize that she isn’t alone and
reaches out to her friends and family for advice
and support.
Bren Mickler has fallen in love in Luv@first
site. If only the boy knew who she was. It’s
tough when the one who makes your heart
thump doesn’t even know your name. Bren tries
to make a good impression on this boy, only to
repeatedly fall on her face. Her friends from
Todaysgirls Club try to talk her out of her
attraction, but to no avail. She finds herself
obsessed with the object of her affections, and
finds herself reduced to manipulating her
friends.
Bren comes up with what she thinks is the
perfect solution to her problem: computerized
dating for her high school. Feelings of betrayal,
and broken friendships, are left in the wake of
her efforts. How will she make the wrongs
right?
These books by Carol Smith and Tess Eileen
Kindig are excellent readers for middle school
and high school girls. They are written with a
strong Christian view, and encourage faith in
God and reading the Word. Doctrine does not
become a part of the stories, so readers will not
feel conflicted. The characters are believable
and well-developed, and the language is current.
These authors have created stories that teens
will identify with. An excellent addition to any
library.
Debby Willett, Freelance Writer, Canyon, Texas
Subway tokens in the sand, by Wendy Lee
Nentwig. (Unmistakably Cooper Ellis; 3.)
Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1999. ISBN
0764220675, PAP, $5.99.
F. Boyfriends--Fiction; Friendship--Fiction; Christian
life--Fiction. 157 p. High school.
At sixteen, Cooper Ellis is allowed to travel the
subways of New York by herself, going to
modelling auditions or special photography
sessions. She is doing well in school and
everything seems to be running smoothly. That
is, until she starts dating Josh, one of the most
likeable and cutest boys in school. Suddenly,
everything gets complicated. As much as
Cooper enjoys being with Josh, she feels like
she doesn’t have a life of her own anymore.
Everyone said that things would change, and
Cooper is beginning to realize that she doesn’t
like the kind of changes necessary to have a
fulltime boyfriend.
Wendy Lee Nentwig writes a realistic story of
the complications that can occur when young
people enter the dating scene. Her third book in
the Unmistakably Cooper Ellis series takes its
readers on a journey through the ups and downs
of relationships. Cooper discovers in her
adventures that not only does she feel smothered
by Josh and his constant attention, but more
importantly, her all-important relationship with
the Lord suffers. She is still young, and there is
a lot of life to live. Subway Tokens in the Sand
helps the reader to consider the importance of
friendships and the fact that perhaps a serious
personal commitment to another should wait.
Mary McKinney, Former Teacher, Freelance Writer, Editor, Port
Orchard, Washington
Take my hand, by Robin Jones Gunn.
(Sierra Jensen series; 12.) LCCN
98055512. Minneapolis: Bethany House,
1999. ISBN 1561797367, PAP, $5.99.
F. Interpersonal relations--Fiction; Christian life--
Fiction; California, Southern--Fiction. 138 p. High
school.
In Take My Hand, the twelfth book in Robin
Jones Gunn’s Sierra Jensen series, Sierra
prepares with anticipation for a new chapter in
her life. She bids her good friends in Portland,
Oregon, a tearful good-bye, then drives to
California with her family, where she will attend
her sister’s engagement party and also begin her
first year at college. What has Sierra totally
beside herself with excitement is that at Tawni’s
engagement party she will finally, after months
of correspondence, be reunited with Paul. She
daydreams of running into his open arms and of
his putting to rest her questions about where
their relationship with one another stands.
After a long drive, during which the air
conditioner quits working in the car, and her
brother accidentally gives her a black eye with a
pop can, Sierra and her family arrive at their
destination. One misunderstanding after
another complicate her reunion with Paul. She
settles into her new dorm room despairing of
things ever being straightened out between
them. Her good friend Christy Miller gives her
some much needed wisdom, and Sierra and Paul
prayerfully begin their acquaintance anew under
God’s auspices.
In this book Gunn focuses on the different
expectations teenage boys and girls bring to
relationships with the opposite sex. While
Sierra interpreted their romantic walk on the
beach and Paul’s poetry in one manner, Paul’s
take on what occurs between them is completely
different. Robin Jones Gunn does a fine job of
storytelling while also conveying an important
message about the role physical intimacy should
play in a Christian dating relationship.
Lillian Heytvelt, Librarian, Pomeroy, Washington
The theft, by Betty Gaard. LCCN
00038458. Greenville, S.C.: Journey
Books, Bob Jones University Press, 2000.
ISBN 1579243754, PAP, $6.49.
F. Cheating--Fiction; Honesty--Fiction; High schools-
-Fiction; Schools--Fiction; Christian life--Fiction. 190
p. High school.
Mike Prickett and his two friends, Scott and
Carlos, are all on the high school tennis team in
Atlanta. You might say that they are the stars of
the team. There is one problem though—
history. With final exams coming soon, poor
history grades threaten to cut all three of them
from the tennis team. In an impulsive act, Scott
ends up with the original of the history exam. In
an attempt to cover up the act, Carlos and Mike
also land themselves in serious trouble. Mike
C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 5 1 S P R I N G 2 0 0 1

HIGH SCHOOL
FICTION
wants to confess, but what about the big tennis
tournament, and what about his reputation.
They haven’t actually looked at the test; is it
really cheating if you don’t look at the exam?
Betty Gaard has created a situation that many
young people will find themselves in some day.
Is it really dishonest to not tell the whole truth?
Mike finds himself in a situation where he
knows what he should do. He can hear his mom
telling him that two wrongs don’t make a right.
He can feel God’s prompting in his heart to tell
the truth and confess. Yet he struggles with all
the other circumstances that surround him.
Instead of making a decision he just puts it off
for another day. To make matters worse, his dad
announces they are going to move. Mike is
struggling with all his circumstances, but
discovers that what he really needs is to get right
with God. The Theft offers realistic characters
and a challenge for today’s youth.
Marcia Snyder, Librarian, Missoula, Montana
Torn thread, by Anne Issacs. LCCN
95031655. New York: Scholastic, 2000.
ISBN 0590603639, HBB, $15.95.
F. World War, 1939-1945--Jews--Fiction; Holocaust,
Jewish (1939-1945)--Fiction; Concentration camps--
Czechoslovakia--Fiction; Jews--Europe--Fiction. 188
p. High school.
It is June 1943, and for two years the Nazi
armies have controlled the Polish town of
Bedzin. Eva and Rachel, along with their father,
have been forced to leave their home and live in
an attic room in the Jewish ghetto. Rachel is
often sick and weak. Eva spends most of her
time caring for Rachel, knitting, and playing
chess.
One terrifying day, however, the girls are taken
from their father to a Nazi work camp. They are
forced to work in a factory, making uniforms
and blankets for the armies. The girls struggle
against sickness, fatigue, and starvation to hang
on to love and family amidst the chaos.
In this novel, Anne Isaacs depicts the
experiences of her mother-in-law, Eva
Buchbinder. The title Torn Thread symbolizes
the threads of the spinning machine that
continue to tear, just like the girls’ lives that are
threatening to tear apart. Throughout the story
each of the girls grows in strength and
determination. Although Rachel is the weaker,
there comes a time when she is the one who is
instrumental in saving the life of her sister.
Their sacrificial love and commitment is
inspiring.
Isaacs has done a superb job of bringing this
story to life. There have been many books
written about this subject, and this is one worth
reading. You will feel as if Eva and Rachel are
sitting beside you telling you the story
themselves. You will feel their suffering and
wish you could do something to stop it. You will
see their commitment to God and their resolve
to honor him despite extraordinary
circumstances. A captivating story.
Marcia Snyder, Librarian, Missoula, Montana
Until tomorrow, by Robin Jones Gunn.
(Christy and Todd; 1.) LCCN 00008271.
Minneapolis: Bethany House, 2000. ISBN
0764222724, PAP, $9.99.
F. Americans--Switzerland--Fiction; College students-
-Fiction; Switzerland--Fiction; Romance fiction. 286
p. High school.
As you wish, by Robin Jones Gunn.
(Christy and Todd; 2.) Minneapolis:
Bethany House, 2000. ISBN 0764222732,
PAP, $9.99.
F. College students--Fiction; Romance--Fiction. 313
p. High school.
Until Tomorrow and As You Wish continue the
story of Christy Miller. Robin Jones Gunn has
labelled this series “Christy & Todd: The
College Years.” Until Tomorrow takes the
reader on an unbelievable trip. Christy, Todd,
and friend Katie all meet in Switzerland for a
fantastic vacation in Europe. Christy has been
going to college in Switzerland as well as
working in an orphanage. After Christy
convinces Todd and Katie of the need for an
itinerary that is supplemented by a tour book,
the group travels to Venice, Rome, Paris,
Salzburg, Oslo, and Amsterdam. Most of the
journey is by train. The trip is not without
mishaps as Christy and Todd temporarily breakup,
Katie gets lost, Todd goes on a side trip alone
to the Arctic Circle; also, Christy discovers that
she is not interested in teaching.
As You Wish picks up the story with the trio
attending college in the United States. Katie
wants a boyfriend but first must forgive her past
boyfriends for dumping her. Christy finally
admits she loves Todd; unfortunately, Todd has
a serious car accident which lands him in the
emergency ward for surgery.
These books are longer than the original Christy
Miller series. Unfortunately, the trip through
Europe is a little unbelievable even with some of
the mishaps. Katie and Nancy go through
changes but Todd seems a bit too perfect.
However, fans of the series will want to read
these two books to finally see Todd propose to
Christy.
Connie Weaver, Church Librarian, Newville, Pennsylvania
A winding road to freedom, by Randall
Wisehart. LCCN 99052469. Richmond,
Ind.: Friends United Press, 1999. ISBN
094435047X, PAP, $15.00.
F. Coffin, Levi, 1798-1877--Fiction; Haviland, Laura
(Laura Smith), 1808-1898--Fiction; Slavery--Fiction;
Underground railroad--Fiction; Afro-Americans--
Fiction. 184 p. High school.
After two years of freedom, Cassie finds herself
huddled in shackles while kidnappers plot her
return to slavery. A fight erupts and one
kidnapper ends up dead; Cassie must decide if
she will voluntarily return to slavery to rescue
her son, Jacob. One of the slave catchers,
Fairfield, assures her that if she agrees, he has a
plan. Cassie and Fairfield walk all the way to
the Kentucky farm. When they arrive, Fairfield,
not really a slave catcher, tells Cassie she must
play the part of a willing slave until he returns
for her and Jacob. Her presence at the farm
brings her close to Jacob, but angers other
slaves. She obeys the master, watches and waits
for Fairfield’s return, and gets better acquainted
with Jacob. Then another slave’s betrayal
changes everything. But Zeke, also a slave,
carries Jacob to safety. The master beats Cassie,
who lives and later escapes.
Luke Thomas, a young white man from Ohio
and a friend to Cassie, figures largely in Randall
Wisehart’s A Winding Road to Freedom.
Through him readers meet Levi and Catherine
Coffin, Laura Haviland, John Fairfield, John
Jolliffe, and Rev. William Casey, real people
who assisted with the underground railroad.
Wisehart thoroughly researched that movement
and those who participated in it. His research
adds credibility and important information,
though he developed Luke, Cassie, and the other
slaves from his imagination. The background
material helps illuminate the situation at that
time, but its recounting tends to interfere with
the story.
AWinding Road to Freedom lacks a literary
writing style as well as precision editing. Even
so, Cassie captures a reader’s heart.
Betty M. Hockett, Freelance Writer, Teacher, Speaker, Newberg,
Oregon
A year down yonder, by Richard Peck.
LCCN 99043159. New York: Dial Books
for Young Readers, Penguin Putnam,
2000. ISBN 0803725183, HBB, $16.99.
F. Grandmothers--Fiction; Country life--Illinois--
Fiction; Illinois--Fiction. 130 p. High school.
This sequel to the earlier Newbery Honor
winning A Long Way From Chicago (Puffin,
2000) revolves around Mary Alice, a 15-yearold
who grows up during the recession of 1937.
Her parents are without work, and send her to
live with her grandmother, a woman who is
known for arousing tense emotions in her
neighbors. Grandma Dowdel, whose rampages
were seen through the eyes of her grandson,
Joey, in A Long Way From Chicago, here has
Mary Alice as an accomplice. While the
activities and life in this small Illinois town are
not easy, by the end of the year Mary Alice
comes to see the love in the heart of her
formidable grandma.
The hilarious story makes this a great readaloud,
and older teens will gain historical
perspective on the challenging years of the
depression in small-town America. In addition
to receiving the Newbery Honor, A Year Down
Yonder was a National Book Award finalist, and
an ALA Best Book for Young Adults.
Richard Peck has written over twenty novels for
young readers. Christian libraries and schools
can add this title, sure to entice interest and
provide a positive view of life and relationships.
Leroy Hommerding, Director, Fort Myers Beach P.L. District, Fort
Myers, Florida
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HIGH SCHOOL
FICTION
The year of the child, by Isabel Anders
and Sarah Alison Throop. Winchester,
Tenn.: Anders Literary Group, 1999.
ISBN 1553060253, PAP, $13.95.
F. Science fiction; Christian fiction. 143 p. High
school (Middle school).
Meena Biop has just received a critical
assignment from the Grand D’Hoffna in front of
the Universal Council. This council is made up
of senators from all the known planets in the
universe except for Earth. Initially her
assignment is to evaluate Earth to see if it is
ready to begin a relationship with other planets.
Meena comes to the Earth posing as an
exchange student from England and stays with a
family that has other children close to her age.
Soon, however, Meena becomes involved in a
plot to unseat a despot who desires to destroy the
Earth because of his estranged wife and their
son. She feels, and then learns, that she is one of
a set of triplets taken at birth by the D’Hoffna’s
people to be ready for this assignment. She is
reunited with her “family” and discovers that
everything will be fine.
This mother-daughter duo, Anders and Throop,
writes a science-fiction-based-in-today’s-timestory
that is quick reading. The simple plot of
The Year of the Child portrays a teenage heroine
saving the world, with plenty of action and also
details concerning life in high school. There is
also a subplot that revolves around a romantic
relationship between Meena and her host
family’s oldest son. All of the characters, except
Meena, are quickly sketched and not welldeveloped.
The dialogue is adequate, with
many references to the differences between
English and American speech.
Woven throughout the book is a strong
evangelical message. The references to “El
Niño” are paralleled to both Meena’s life and
that of Christ. There are many times that Meena
prays and receives instruction. This book is fine
for middle to high school students.
Bianca Elliott, Educator, Linwood, Kansas
C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 5 3 S P R I N G 2 0 0 1

BOOK REVIEWS
HIGH SCHOOL NONFICTION
100’s—Philosophy & Psyschology
Love ya like a sister : a story of friendship
: from the journals of Katie Ouriou,
edited by Julie Johnston. LCCN
98061728. Toronto, Ont.: Tundra Books,
1999. ISBN 0887764541, PAP, $7.95.
177.62. Ouriou, Katie, 1980-1996--Correspondence;
Friendship. 201 p. High school.
Katie was a lively, Canadian sixteen-year-old
who died while with her family in France.
While on the plane taking Katie’s body back to
Canada her mother, Susan, read Katie’s journal
and felt it would be worthwhile to share with
others. Katie’s sister, Christelle, also contributes
poignant comments in the book. In Love Ya Like
a Sister: A Story of Friendship, Susan explains
that the family went to Paris, France, for one
year to show the children their father’s heritage
and to improve their French. Each journal entry
is Katie’s note to a friend (Heather, Ashley, and
Maude) or personal reflection. Later the entries
are the emails that she sent to her friends. The
correspondence is very typical for teenagers.
Examples of topics Katie discusses are boys,
virginity, drugs, friends, books (she really liked
Embraced by the Light), advice, and everything
else teenagers talk about with their friends. She
tells about the minutia of her days in Paris and
other parts of France. She spends considerable
time trying to explain the differences between
French and Canadian culture. Since the reader
knows from the first pages that Katie will die, it
is difficult to not want to tell Katie to see a
doctor when she starts writing to her friends
about her fatigue and general malaise.
The editor, Julie Johnston, has done a
remarkable job in permitting Katie’s voice to be
heard in the book. This book is very emotional.
There are sections in French but the translations
are quite appropriate with only a few slightly
suggestive sentences. The only objectionable
word is used when Katie and Christelle are in
the park and a bird makes a mess on Katie.
There are pictures to chronicle the brief life of
Katie, and the photo of her just one week before
she dies is very touching. This book will be of
interest to a wide variety of ages and levels of
interest.
Bianca Elliott, Educator, Linwood, Kansas
200’s—Religion
God’s will, God’s best for your life, by
Josh McDowell and Kevin Johnson.
LCCN 00009924. Minneapolis: Bethany
House, 2000. ISBN 0764223283, PAP,
$9.99.
248.8’3. Teenagers--Religious life; God--Will. 153 p.
High school.
Josh McDowell and Kevin Johnson have
teamed up to write a short, easy to read book
dealing with how a young person can know the
will of God in his or her life. There is almost an
attitude of camaraderie, as if Josh and Kevin
were sitting across from a young person at a
local fast food chain. The causal language and
typical situations are the backdrop for biblical
counsel addressing issues such as God’s plan,
life to the extreme, love, meaningful career, and
a life that matters. Each of the eight chapters
compares and contrasts what the world offers
young people with what God offers young
people. There is an abundance of current
examples and references for the young person to
identify with in the chapters. The issues are
germane to the young person/early adult.
The chapters are relatively short and the tempo
is quick and upbeat. The discussion becomes
frank in a few places but never goes over the
edge of appropriateness.
Bianca Elliott, Educator, Linwood, Kansas
Help! My friend’s in trouble! : supporting
your friends who struggle with..family
problems, sexual crises, food addictions,
self-esteem, depression, grief and loss, by
Susie Shellenberger. LCCN 00027408.
Ann Arbor, Mich.: Vine Books, Servant
Publications, 2000. ISBN 1569551650,
PAP, $10.00.
248.8’3. Youth--Religious life; Problem youth--
Religious life; Friendship--Religious aspects--
Christianity; Christian life; Conduct of life. 209 p.
High school (Middle school).
Susie Shellenberger offers a guide that libraries
can make available to teens who may be facing
a variety of difficult situations. Without being
preachy, she offers solid biblical advice in
contemporary teen situations. The timely
advise, appropriate for both junior and senior
high, describes what it means to be a friend, and
then presents situations teens might face, e.g.
eating disorders, unwanted pregnancy or
pressure to have sex, wondering if one is gay,
being depressed, having no date, and coping
with illness.
Help! My Friend’s in Trouble comes from the
co-host of Focus on the Family’s weekly
national radio teen talk show, Life on the Edge:
Live. She is editor of Brio monthly magazine
for girls and author of twenty-five books,
including the recent Dear Diary (Zondervan,
2000). She also loves burnt hotdogs and old
Mary Tyler Moore reruns.
Church shelves, libraries, youth counselors,
camps—anywhere where teens are, will be a
perfect place for this warm, caring book.
Leroy Hommerding, Director, Fort Myers Beach P.L. District, Fort
Myers, Florida
Old enough to know : what teenagers need
to know about life and relationships, rev.
ed., by Michael W. Smith & Fritz
Ridenour. LCCN 89005276. Nashville:
Tommy Nelson, Thomas Nelson, 2000.
ISBN 0849975875, PAP, $9.99.
248.8’3. Adolescence; Conduct of life; Christian life;
Smith, Michael W. (Michael Whitaker). 152 p. High
school.
This book, Old Enough to Know, is in its third
edition since 1987. In this book Michael W.
Smith takes the lyrics from his album The Big
Picture and relates them to the questions and
situations that occur in young people’s lives. He
adds the letters and questions he receives from
his listeners to further explain his points. He
presents an evangelical attitude towards the
young people and his singing. The chapters
cover issues such as self-esteem, drug use,
making decisions, etc. Woven in the book is
Smith’s testimony of becoming a Christian and
living a Christian life. He admits to drug use
when he was younger but he never glamorizes it.
Smith’s honest, candid responses will strike a
chord in the young people who read this book.
There is a note section at the end if the reader
needs more information. Especially helpful is
the nine page annotated listing of clinics and
hotlines that can help any teenager in trouble or
need. Also in the listings are the internet
addresses as well as the traditional phone
numbers to these sites. Smith’s book closes with
a page that invites the reader to write to him.
Bianca Elliott, Educator, Linwood, Kansas
Real life begins after high school : facing
the future without freaking out, by Bruce
and Stan. LCCN 99086973. Ann Arbor,
Mich.: Vine Books, Servant Publications,
2000. ISBN 1569551553, PAP, $12.00.
248.8’3. Young adults--Religious life; High school
graduates--Religious life; Young adults--Conduct of
life; High school graduates--Conduct of life; Christian
life. 208 p. High school.
Teens ready to graduate or having just, will
benefit from the wit and wisdom of Bruce and
Stansís Real Life Begins After High School.
There are twelve chapters with titles like:
Custom Design Yourself : Who Do You Want To
Be? More Than Friends : Dating and Beyond,
Money Matters : Your Fiscal Fitness Program,
Those Things You Do : What God Wants For
You. These subject areas become useful as a
guide for future college entrants looking for
insightful information to help them make
educated decisions. The book winds it all up
with a helpful bibliography. Definitely written
S P R I N G 2 0 0 1 5 4 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

HIGH SCHOOL
NONFICTION
with a Christian perspective, the book has solid
advice for any high schooler with postgraduation
life to consider. Those who
appreciate the writing style found in popular
Christian magazines Campus Life, Brio, or
Breakaway will likewise enjoy this humorous
approach to a serious subject.
Pam Webb, Library Technician, Sandpoint, Idaho
300’s—Social Sciences
Sex smart : 501 reasons to hold off on sex,
by Susan Browning Pogány. LCCN
98019179. Minneapolis: Fairview Press,
1998. ISBN 1577490436, PAP, $14.94.
306.7’0835. Sexual ethics for teenagers; Teenagers--
Sexual behavior; Sexual abstinence; Youth--Sexual
behavior. 213 p. High school.
I didn’t count exactly 501 reasons for holding
off on sex, but Susan Pogány’s Sex Smart
provides many excellent points for abstaining
from sex before marriage. The book is designed
to answer the most basic questions that a teen
may have regarding sex. Pogány wrote the book
in hopes of reaching young people directly or to
help the parent who must answer the inquiring
minds of their children. The book starts right off
with definitions of love versus sex and how sex
can actually ruin a relationship. Pogány goes on
to explain how the sexes are not ”wired“ the
same regarding how sex is perceived.
Throughout the book, in appropriate locations,
Pogány discusses the truths and myths regarding
sexual activity. The answers are graphic and
direct but never out of line. Chapter six is
written by Susan’s sister, Attorney Anne
Browning Wilson, who wrote a brochure that is
distributed in Kansas high schools titled ”If We
Make a Baby, Do I Have to Pay?“
Pogány presents information over many topics
as diverse as masturbation, abortion, double
standards, date rape, how to say no, and sexually
transmitted diseases. The theme of abstinence is
never ignored and is emphasized by direct
quotes from males and females who have
suffered from premature sexual activity. There
are numerous tables and practical suggestions to
help drive home the information. There are
letters from young people sprinkled throughout
the book to make sure the reader knows how the
young person feels about the specific situation.
There is a detailed note section as well as a
bibliography. This would make a ready
reference book for public school counselors and
sex education personnel as well as any and all
private school settings.
Bianca Elliott, Educator, Linwood, Kansas
Easy credit, by Ann E. Weiss. LCCN
99462150. Brookfield, Ct.: Twenty-First
Century Books, The Millbrook Press,
2000. ISBN 0761315039, HBB, $22.40.
332.7’43. Credit; Credit cards. 128 p. High school.
Easy Credit is an excellent book in which Ann
Weiss presents an easy to read and
understandable overview of credit written with,
to, and for youth. The concise chapters deal
with the history and current conditions of using
credit in the United States. The book starts out
with how certain young people in the 1990’s
were given credit and the results of their
experiences. The book then provides the history
of credit starting in times of old, making this
review neither dry nor boring. Whenever there
may be a section that could be misunderstood,
Weiss provides either a past or current example
of the concept for clarification of the point.
Weiss anticipates the questions of the reader and
not only asks them, but answers them clearly
and cogently. Weiss could have stopped there
and had a wonderful book but she takes the
reader to the next logical consequence of
credit—consumer protection. She discusses
topics such as privacy, who is granted or refused
credit, plus detailing of the laws and regulations.
She ends her book with a chapter on consumer
education that she has presented in the
preceding pages.
The book is well constructed and ready for
considerable use. The print is easy to read and
the sections within each chapter are precise and
useful. This should be a required text for public
and private libraries.
Bianca Elliott, Educator, Linwood, Kansas
Civil liberties : opposing viewpoints,
Tamara L. Roleff, book editor. (Opposing
viewpoints.) LCCN 98011808. San Diego:
Greenhaven, 1999. ISBN 1565109368,
PAP, $28.70.
342.73’085. Civil rights--United States. 208 p. High
school.
Opposing Viewpoints is written to provide the
reader with the wherewithal to determine his/her
position and consider other positions to major
current issues. The editors seek out
knowledgeable people as well as those with
vested interests in the topic or issue covered.
Views from those not usually heard in the
mainstream media are also presented. As a
result of these objectives, Civil Liberties:
Opposing Viewpoints has a reputation of being a
good resource. This book is like the others in
the series in that it will make the high school
student think and consider the position they
espouse. There are many excellent study
features such as end notes, questions for
consideration that begin every essay, visuals,
cartoons, and a periodical bibliography at the
end of each section. The end of the book has a
further discussion section, an annotated
organization to contact section, bibliography,
and a detailed index.
Having said this there are a few areas of
concern. There are references to racist speech
made within certain essays. Additionally, the
sections dealing with pornography are strongly
worded. The words used in that section are
clinical and descriptive. In the chapter dealing
with religion, the editors created an atmosphere
that is non-religious and therefore not offensive
to any one sect.
Bianca Elliott, Educator, Linwood, Kansas
Pregnant and single : help for the tough
choices, rev. ed., by Linda Roggow and
Carolyn Owens. LCCN 98021074.
Scottdale, Pa.: Herald Press, 1998. ISBN
0836190920, PAP, $9.99.
362.83’92’08352. Unmarried mothers--United States;
Pregnancy, Unwanted--United States; Teenage
mothers--United States; Teenage pregnancy--United
States. 160 p. High school.
The word ”pregnancy“ can be frightening to an
unmarried teenager. In the midst of trying to
live up to all kinds of expectations, a pregnancy
during this delicate time in a young girl’s life
can be devastating, perhaps even more so to a
Christian who may feel as if she not only failed
herself and her parents, but God as well. To help
guide them toward making decisions they can
live with, Linda Roggow and Carolyn Owens
have written a gentle yet serious book designed
to inform, provoke honest soul-searching, and
help young mothers look reality straight in the
eye.
In simple language, Pregnant and Single
includes short personal stories and comments
from girls of all walks of life and in various
circumstances, helping the reader to identify
with others who have faced an unplanned
pregnancy. Among the topics discussed are the
shock of discovering the pregnancy, dealing
with the reactions of others, health and finances,
the practical aspects of taking care of a baby,
whether or not to marry, and the process of
adoption. The roles of the father and
grandparents are explored, and caution is given
to take time to carefully consider each option
thoroughly. Pregnant and Single also serves as
both a personal and practical workbook, asking
detailed questions concerning all possible areas
of conflict, bringing focus not only to the
pregnancy, but to the bigger picture of the young
woman’s life as a whole. The final chapter
entitled ”Faith Helps,“ gives scripture that
speaks about the sanctity of all life, both that of
mother and the child, and of the forgiveness and
guidance that God gives through his Son Jesus.
Roggow, a social worker, and Owens, a library
clerk and mother, emphasize that objective
counseling is essential, including an index of
pregnancy care centers with addresses and
phone numbers throughout the United States
and Canada. An easy-to-read book with a
colorful cover, the authors have written a much
needed tool for anyone who needs help or wants
to offer it. With over half a million teen
pregnancies in 1999 (49.6 births per 1,000
females aged 15-19 according to thr Centers For
Disease Control and Statistics August 8,2000
issue of the National Vital Statistics Reports
(Vol. 48 number 14)), chances are someone you
know can benefit from this book.
Denise Griffin, Freelance Writer, Pfafftown, North Carolina
★
Leaving Cuba : from Operation Pedro
Pan to Elian, by Kathleen Gay. LCCN
99462149. Brookfield, Ct.: Twenty-First
Century Books, The Millbrook Press,
2000. ISBN 0761314660, HBB, $22.90.
C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 5 5 S P R I N G 2 0 0 1

HIGH SCHOOL
NONFICTION
362.87’083’0973. Refugee children--Cuba; Refugee
children--United States; Refugee children--Services
for--United States; Cuban Americans; Refugees. 144
p. High school.
In this short book is a concise history of the
emigration from Cuba to the United States since
the 1960s. Leaving Cuba: from Operation
Pedro Pan to Elian, begins with, and uses
throughout, the numerous quotes of people,
young and old, who have left Cuba. Kathleen
Gay weaves these quotes into a simple and yet
compelling narrative of the situation in Cuba.
She states the political climate in the United
States and Cuba throughout those years
evenhandedly. Early in the 1960’s the children
were the ones who left Cuba. Gay explains at
this point in the book how the children received
the nickname ”Pedro Pan,“ referring to the
children’s story Peter Pan. Gay then goes on and
details the other major ”waves“ of adults and
children who left Cuba and continues her
narrative to the modern times with a review of
the Elian Gonzalez case.
The high school student doing research for this
topic will find the text easy to read and
understand, powerful quotes, notes that include
internet sites, books for further research, and an
appendix of United States-Cuban Relations
from 1958 to 2000. The students will identify
with the feelings of the young people that left
Cuba. The ecumenical attitude of the
participants is reflected in the author’s writing.
Bianca Elliott, Educator, Linwood, Kansas
800’s—Literature & Rhetoric
The poetry of John Greenleaf Whittier, a
reader’s edition, edited and introduced by
William Jolliff. LCCN 00037585.
Richmond, Ind.: Friends United Press,
2000. ISBN 0944350488, PAP, $18.00.
811’.3. Whittier, John Greenleaf, 1807-1892; Poetry,
American. 272 p. High school.
John Greenleaf Whittier, one of the most
outspoken abolitionists among the poets of his
generation, was born into a Quaker farming
family in Haverhill, Massachusetts, in 1807.
Although his early life was full of relative
hardship and isolation, his constant exposure to
the wonders of nature gave him a poet’s
appreciation for the beauties of the world around
him. Probably best known for the poem ”Snow-
Bound,“ Whittier struggled most of his life to
find a balance between his Quaker beliefs and
his longing for literary fame and recognition.
William Jolliff, the editor of The Poetry of John
Greenleaf Whittier, has selected fifty-six of
Whittier’s finest poems, including: ”Ichabod,“
”Snow-Bound,“ ”Telling the Bees,“ and ”The
Barefoot Boy.“ He organizes his selections in
four thematic groupings: the crusading
abolitionist, the nostalgic recorder of a vanished
rural past, the balladeer of New England history,
and the contemplative Quaker. Jolliff has
written an introduction to each section and a
headnote to every poem. While Whittier is often
passed over by modern critics, Jolliff’s
headnotes persuasively comment on why
Whittier’s poems remain of value to modern
readers. A selected bibliography is included at
the end of the work.
Lillian Heytvelt, Librarian, Pomeroy, Washington
900’s—Geography, History, &
Biography
★
Nate Saint : on a wing and a prayer, by
Janet and Geoff Benge. (Christian heroes,
then and now.) LCCN 98007287. Seattle:
WYAM Publishing, 1998. ISBN
1576580172, PAP, $8.99.
921 (266’,0092). Saint, Nate, 1923-1956;
Missionaries--Ecuador; Missionaries--United States--
Biography. 201 p. High school (Middle school).
Nate Saint was raised in a Christian home and
had two great passions in life—serving Jesus
and flying. He served stateside in the military in
WWII and found a wife, Marj, when he was
stationed in California. They soon joined
Christian Airmen’s Missionary Fellowship and
were stationed in Equador where Nate assisted
missionaries who served deep in the jungles,
often becoming their only lifeline to the rest of
the world.
In 1951 after many adventures and the birth of
two children, Nate flies his visiting sister,
Rachel, over the section of the jungle where the
fierce and isolated Aucas reside. Nate predicts
that Rachel will some day minister to them.
Four years and one more child later Nate and
four missionary friends, Ed McCully, Roger
Youderian, Pete Fleming, and Jim Elliott hatch a
plan to reach the Aucas. They decide to drop
gifts from the plane and then attempt to find a
meeting place. The gifts are dropped, a sandbar
on the river that will accommodate plane
landings is found, and five men’s families are
about to experience tragic loss as these Christian
servants heroically sacrifice themselves so that
the Aucas may hear about the saving love of
Christ.
Janet and Geoff Benge have done an excellent
job of relating the story of Nate Saint in this
entry in their Christian Heroes series. This is a
truly inspiring story of young men and women
who are willing to joyfully go wherever the
Master calls and to abandon themselves into His
loving care regardless of the consequences to
themselves. Especially uplifting is the last
chapter and the epilog in which the reader
discovers the surprising way that these deaths
open the doorway to the Aucas. Not for young
readers who may be frightened by the idea of
martyrdom but certainly appropriate (and easy
enough to read) for middle school and up.
Teresa O’Donley, Library Media Teacher, Scotts Valley, California
★
Jonathan Edwards, by David J. Vaughan.
(Men of faith.) LCCN 99006868.
Minneapolis: Bethany House, 2000. ISBN
076422168X, PAP, $4.99.
921 (285.8’092). Edwards, Jonathan, 1703-1758. 127
p. High school (Adult).
David Vaughan writes a quick-read that simply
and elegantly presents a history of one of the
greatest theologians and preachers in our
nation’s short history. This is one of the Men of
Faith books, good overviews of the lives of
important Christians. This title begins with the
background of Edwards’ family and progresses
with many insightful and appropriate quotes
from people of the time. A variety of detailed
quotes from Reverend Edwards himself help to
shape the understanding of this preacher.
Vaughan presents the political and religious
infighting that occurred in that period of history.
There is a brief mention of Edwards being
responsible indirectly for a suicide, but it is
explained in the larger context of Edwards’
dismissal from his pastorate. The text is
satisfactory for reading and the binding is
typical for small paperbacks. In the back of the
book is a chronology of Edwards’ life and
writings, selected biography section, and a notes
section. This would be very appropriate for a
church school or library.
Bianca Elliott, Educator, Linwood, Kansas
Restless spirit : the life and work of
Dorothea Lange, by Elizabeth Partridge.
LCCN 98009807. New York: Viking,
Penguin Putnam, 1998. ISBN
067087888X, HBB, $19.99.
921 (770’.92). Lange, Dorothea; Women
photographers--United States--Biography;
Photographers; Women--Biography. 122 p. High
school (Middle school).
Dorothea Lange is best known for her famous
photograph of the migrant mother taken during
the Great Depression. But her photography
didn’t stop then—this remarkable woman
continued to record the people, places, and
history of America through photos taken until
her death at age seventy. This engaging account
of her life portrays Lange’s restless spirit and
describes how her passion for photography
allowed her to capture, in revealing images, a
zest for life she both felt and observed in the
ordinary, sometimes sorrowful, lives of
everyday people. Equally illustrated with
photos taken by Lange and of Lange, the text
covers Lange’s childhood through her death in
1965.
The author, Elizabeth Partridge, is the daughter
of Lange’s assistant, Ron Partridge, and was
treated as part of Dorothea’s extended family.
Her text is enjoyable to read because it offers
both the facts of Lange’s life, as well as insights
into her character, enlivened by quotes from
Lange as well as her close friends.
Restless Spirit: The Life and Work of Dorothea
Lange begins with a foreword on the story
behind her most famous photograph, taken in a
pea picker’s camp after the crop had been ruined
by freezing rain. It concludes with an afterword
on the author’s reflections and memories of this
remarkable woman, who called her ”Bitsie“ and
who both scared and inspired the daughter of
Lange’s assistant. The twelve chapters in
between recount Lange’s life in chronological
order, taking the reader through Lange’s portrait
photography, through the Great Depression, to
the internment of Japanese Americans, and
S P R I N G 2 0 0 1 5 6 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

HIGH SCHOOL
NONFICTION
across the globe as Lange’s restless spirit took
her in search of the human spirit she so
beautifully portrayed in her photography.
Students will find this book inspiring and factfilled.
The bibliography and index are helpful
additions for those interested in learning more
on this incredible photographer and woman.
Lisa Wroble, Freelance Writer/Library Aide, Plymouth, Michigan
Iraq : old land, new nation in conflict, by
William Spencer. LCCN 99049894.
Brookfield, Ct.: Twenty-First Century
Books, The Millbrook Press, 2000. ISBN
0761313567, HBB, $23.90.
956.7. Iraq--History. 144 p. High school (Adult).
Iraq: Old Land, New Nation in Conflict by
William Spencer, professor emeritus of Middle
East history at Florida State University, is a
competent, simply written, survey of the nation
of Iraq from antiquity to the present. The
author’s approach is chronological, beginning
with Iraq’s Mesopotamian heritage and
concluding with an account of the current tense
situation pitting Saddam Hussein against the
United Nations sanctions.
Professor Spencer elucidates the origins of
Islam, the differences between the Sunni and
Shia factions, and the Islamic worldview
particularly well. His description of the origin
and meaning of terms commonly encountered
but not commonly known by westerners is
fascinating. He describes, for instance, how the
names Caliph, Sultan, and Shah were derived, as
well as the fact that the ”Ottomans“ were
originally ”the sons of Osman.“ Iraq itself
means, ”mud bank.“ Over half of the book is
devoted to the post World War I period,
including chapters on the British mandate, the
ill-fated monarchy, and the slide into one-man
rule under Saddam.
Themes of Iraqi history presented include the
Iraqi peoples’ pride in their long heritage, pride
in Islam, and a faith in the somewhat nebulous
concept of the ”Arab Nation.“ The Iraqis have
also survived many conquests and amalgamated
many cultures. Professor Spencer explains the
origins of the Baath (Party of the Arab
resurrection) and how it and Saddam control
modern Iraq. Saddam, incidentally, means ”he
who confronts and is bold.“ Professor Spencer
delineates Saddam’s treachery and terror, but
also notes some of his successes in nation
building.
The book has appropriate illustrations and maps
in black and white. It contains a competent
index and an up-to-date bibliography. A facts
index of vital statistics is presented at the end.
Two of the illustrations have their captions
switched. There is a cross reference to an
important battle, the battle of Qadisiya, that
refers the reader to chapter one when, in fact,
that battle was described in chapter two. This
accessible and intriguing book deserved better
editing.
David W. Rash, Public Services Librarian & History Instructor,
Everett Community College
A brief history of Canada, by Roger
Riendeau. LCCN 99023494. New York:
Facts on File, 2000. ISBN 0816031576,
HBB, $35.00.
971. Canada--History. 310 p. High school (Adult).
A Brief History of Canada covers five distinct
periods of Canadian history. Part one,
Exploring the Northern American Frontier,
begins with the geography of Canada. The
mountains, plains, and rivers of Canada dictate
the location of major cities. Roger Riendeau
touches on early Norse expeditions and later
European explorers looking for a sea route to
Asia. Part two is titled The French Empire in
Northern America from 1608-1760. The French
looked at the natural resources of Canada as a
way of strengthening their economic selfsufficiency,
but they were not as committed to
defending their North American empire as
Britain. This led to the period of The British
North American colonies from 1760-1867, part
three. The fourth section deals with The
Foundations of Canadian Nationhood from
1867-1931. In an effort to stop the United States
growth northward, Sir John A. Macdonald,
Canada’s first prime minister moved to acquire
the North-West Territories, establish a
transcontinental railway system, and encourage
the settlement of the west. Affluence and
Anxiety in the Modern Era is the concluding
section. Riendeau also discusses various
writers, poets, artists, and athletes and how they
fit into the over-all picture.
Excellent maps accompany each section.
Photos of Canadian leaders and events are
scattered throughout the book. Riendeau
includes an extensive list of books for further
reading. The list is divided into six sections.
The first section lists general topic books. The
next five sections match the five divisions of the
book. There is also a complete index. The lack
of white space on the page and small print could
be daunting. However, the author’s extensive
vocabulary and outstanding writing ability make
this history book a rewarding read.
Barbara A. Bryden, Freelance Writer, Olympia, Washington
C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 5 7 S P R I N G 2 0 0 1

BOOK REVIEWS
ADULT FICTION
African skies, by Karen Rispin. (Palisades
pure romance.) LCCN 00009546. Sisters,
Ore.: Multnomah, 2000. ISBN
1576736261, PAP, $6.99.
F. Africa--Fiction; Christian fiction; Love stories.
363 p. Adult (High school).
From Calgary, Alberta, Canada to Kenya,
Africa, Laurel Binet travels to work with Joan
Doyle in studying a troop of olive baboons. This
opportunity fulfills a dream for Laurel of
helping to understand and care for God’s
creation. She feels this is her chance to make a
real difference.
The first person she meets is Darren Grant, the
pilot of a Cessna 210, who is to deliver her to
Ndovu. Darren believes that caring for animals
instead of investing in human life is contrary to
God’s will. In the drought of Africa their
opposing views clash as it seems only one
species can survive. Darren doesn’t like to see
Laurel join Joan Doyle who fights for her troop
of baboons against the Meru people. The Meru
are struggling to find pasture for their animals in
the same territory the baboons occupy. Laurel is
to find out just how far Joan will go to drive the
Meru away.
Author Karen Rispin’s presentation of these
two extreme viewpoints dominates the story,
leaving romance in second place. African Skies
does give a deeper understanding of African
tribes and their struggles to simply survive.
Century old tribal feuds make change difficult.
Myrtlemay Pittman Crane, Freelance Writer, Editor, Alderwood
Manor, Washington
An ancient strife, by Michael Phillips.
(Caledonia; 2.) LCCN 00008584.
Minneapolis: Bethany House, 2000. PAP,
076422218X, $13.99.
F. Highlands (Scotland)--Fiction; Scotland--Fiction;
Christian fiction. 542 p. Adult.
A Note from the Editor: by Mary McKinney
Equipping
the
Saints
There are some
exciting books
available, which,
even though they aren’t “hot off the
press,” present messages that are as fresh
and relevant today as when they were first
written. These key books will encourage
everyone’s Christian walk by imparting
spiritual insight and revealing the heart of
God.
A unique book, The Final Quest by Rick
Joyner, was published 1996, and is a
fascinating read. Joyner describes what
he has seen and learned on a “behind the
scenes” journey to view life’s battles.
From the very first page, the reader will
be amazed and in awe of what is revealed
in this page-turner. Understanding and
ability to combat the enemy’s fiery darts
will increase, and the reader will also gain
discernment to deal with frustrating and
sometimes devastating life circumstances.
More importantly, the reader will learn the
importance of being a good steward of the
Lord’s provision, and how to walk humbly
with our God. This is a must for the
young teen through the adult reader and
will definitely hold the interest of all.
The Three Battlegrounds by Francis
Frangipane presents an excellent and wellbalanced
view of what spiritual warfare is
all about. To sum it up in one key phrase,
“It’s about focusing on Jesus, not the
enemy!” Frangipane breaks the book into
three components: the mind, the Church,
and the enemy; and shows how each plays
a key part in spiritual perception. With
acute insight, he not only presents a
powerful account of Christ, but
encourages the reader to discover identity
in Him, to bring honor and glory to His
name. Frangipane’s succinct points reveal
why frustrations occur in our walk, and
how to focus on our source of love (Jesus)
rather than our fears. The reader will
learn how to deal with difficult
circumstances in life with praise and
thanksgiving, and discover victorious
living that lets Light shine forth to the
world. His well-made point, “It is not
Satan that defeats us, but our openness to
him,” helps the Christian keep his/her
focus and trust on the Lord!
Intercessory Prayer by Dutch Sheets is
another gem of a read. Of course, prayer
is a key issue in our spiritual walk, and he
gives great insight and encouragement to
be the “prayer warriors” the Lord calls us
to be. With simple presentation and, at
times, light humor, he presents an honest,
heart-baring account that will help equip
even the newest saint to become a
capable, God-approved pray-er.
Acknowledging the command to “pray
without ceasing,” Sheets presents practical
and exciting pointers that will enhance our
faith and our personal relationship with
the Lord.
These three books compliment each other
and leave the reader well equipped not
only for dealing with every day
frustrations, but for facing with assurance
and fine-tuned faith anything that presents
itself. Our assurance is not in ourselves or
what we have learned, but always in the
Author and Perfector of our faith, Jesus
Christ.
S P R I N G 2 0 0 1 5 8 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

ADULT
FICTION
In this sequel to The Legend of the Celtic Stone,
Andrew Trentham, British Liberal Democratic
Party leader, continues to search for his Scottish
roots. With the aid of American BBC reporter
Patricia “Paddy” Rawlings, who helped him to
recover the fabled Stone of Scone, the puzzle
pieces regarding the murder of Eagon Hamilton
begin to come together and men at the highest
levels of government are implicated. Andrew
and Paddy discover that Scottish oil reserves,
money, and power lie at the heart of the murder
and the Stone’s theft.
Andrew travels incognito through Scotland
doing historical research and he meets the clan
of Finnlagen Gordon. Andrew is especially
taken with the petite daughter of the family,
Ginevra. The Gordons believe that their new
friend is Andy Trent and when they find out his
true identity, they assume that he is attempting
to find reasons to block Scottish devolution. As
Andrew examines his own genetic and spiritual
roots he finds his thoughts on Scottish
independence changing and it soon becomes
apparent that his vote on the issue will be vital.
Can he be the man of integrity he
needs to be and still win Ginevra?
In Michael Phillip’s enthralling An
Ancient Strife the reader is caught up
in the modern day story of Andrew
Trentham and the very real issues of
Scottish independence, and is equally entangled
in the history of Scotland. As in the first book,
modern day chapters are juxtaposed with
chapters on the history of Scotland from 843 to
the mid 1700s. Some readers may find the style
of jumping back and forth a bit disconcerting,
but not only is the main story very well told, but
the shorter historical fiction stories are
extremely involving and the way that they
illustrate the current situation in Scotland adds a
nice touch.
Teresa O’Donley, Library Media Specialist, Bayhmonte Christian
School, Scotts Valley, California
Beneath the mockingbird’s wings, by
Gilbert Morris and Aaron McCarver.
(The spirit of Appalachia; 4.) LCCN
99050633. Minneapolis: Bethany House,
2000. ISBN 1556618883, PAP, $10.99.
F. Frontier and pioneer life--Appalachian Region--
Fiction; Indians of North America--Appalachian
Region--Fiction; Appalachian Region--History--
Fiction; Cherokee Indians--Fiction. 270 p. Adult.
With Hawk and Elizabeth Spencer living in the
wilderness of Appalachia in the Misty
Mountains of the hoped for state of Franklin,
Gilbert Morris turns the focus of this fourth
book of the Spirit of Appalachia series on
Nathaniel “Fox” Carter the son of Titus Carter
and his Cherokee wife, Awinita. The Carters are
living at Havenwood, the Carolina plantation
which Titus will inherit at the death of his father.
However, before that event happens, Titus is
killed in the Revolutionary War, leaving “Fox”
the heir apparent, an eventuality which grates on
his greedy uncle, Namaan Carter, who can’t
stand to see a half-breed taking over the family
fortune. As the story develops, Fox and his
mother flee Havenwood to save their lives and
join the Spencers over the Misty Mountains.
Author Morris, with his editor Aaron McCarver,
spins a tale of intrigue, suspense, murder, and
love as Fox determines to choose between the
white world of his father and the intriguing
world of his Cherokee mother. His choice not
only affects his future and that of the Spencer
family, but lays the ground work for a fifth book
in the series.
Judy Driscoll, Retired Teacher, Poulsbo, Washington
★
Blessing in disguise, by Lauraine Snelling.
(Red River of the North; 6.) LCCN
99006578. Minneapolis: Bethany House,
1999. ISBN 076422090X, PAP, $9.99.
F. Norwegian Americans--Dakota Territory--Fiction;
Dakota Territory--Fiction. 298 p. Adult.
Augusta Bjorklund is leaving Norway and
joining her family in America. Single and thirty
years of age, Augusta has no reason to stay in
Norway. Traveling alone, with no
comprehension of the English language,
Augusta finds herself in trouble. She mistakenly
boards the wrong train and ends up far from the
town of Blessing. Kane Moyer is awaiting his
“mail-order” bride from Norway, and is at the
station when Augusta disembarks. Following a
quick ceremony, Mr. and Mrs. Moyer head back
to the ranch, with Augusta thinking she has just
signed papers for her citizenship. When
Augusta’s trunks arrive in Blessing, with no
Augusta, her family is in a panic. How will they
ever locate Augusta when they have no idea
where she ended up?
Lauraine Snelling has written an interesting
story that holds the reader’s interest. One can
not help but to sympathize with both Augusta
and Kane, but at the same time, want to “shake
some sense” into Augusta. The story line of
Blessing in Disguise that evolves around these
two characters is excellent, but the intertwining
stories of the persons in Blessing causes
confusion to the whole. I have personally read
one other in this series, and was lost with the
abundance of characters then, as I was again.
Reading the series in order would certainly help,
but if the author had fewer personalities in the
series, the reader would derive more enjoyment
from each story.
Tammy Williams, Freelance Writer, Social Worker, Port Orchard,
Washington
Blind justice : a novel, by James Scott Bell.
LCCN 99040602. Nashville: Broadman &
Holman, 2000. ISBN 0805421610, PAP,
$12.99.
F. Attorneys--Fiction; Alcoholics--Fiction; Christian
fiction. 374 p. Adult.
Howie Patino has been arrested for murder. A
harmless man, his greatest love is his wife, Rae.
When she is found dead in her home, with an
incoherent Howie and the murder weapon close
by, it seems to be an open and shut case. But his
family can’t believe he is guilty. Howie himself
claims, “the devil did it.” Howie’s sister
Lindsey, a devout Christian, believes his story.
Desperate to clear him, Lindsey and Howie’s
parents turn to a childhood friend of Howie’s,
who is also a defense lawyer.
Jack Denney is a divorced alcoholic who hasn’t
had a case in months. He goes to Howie’s small
hometown of Hinton to work on the case with a
private investigator named Trip who has helped
him in the past. He and Trip, along with
Lindsey, soon discover that the town of Hinton
has some sinister secrets—secrets that could
clear Howie’s name. The involvement of Satan
worshipers confirms to Lindsey that Howie is
telling about “the devil.” Trip, who is also a
Christian, believes her, but Jack, a confirmed
atheist, finds the whole idea ludicrous. But
somehow he must legally use what he has
learned to convince jurors of Howie’s
innocence.
Blind Justice is a compelling mystery novel that
will keep the reader interested from beginning to
end. Although this is definitely a Christian
novel, the author, James Scott Bell, uniquely
tells the story from Jack Denney’s point of view.
Denney drinks heavily throughout the story to
cover the pain of his divorce. He often voices
contempt for God and for Christians. This is
balanced, however, by the presence of Trip,
Lindsey, and other Christians. They disapprove
of his drinking and try to lead him to peace in
Christ. The story of his spiritual journey is a
touching sub-plot. The resolution of the murder
is predictable in one sense, but with a surprising
twist. This book is well worth the time invested
in reading it.
Robyn Wyatt, Freelance Writer, Port Orchard, Washington
★
By the light of a thousand stars, by Jamie
Langston Turner. LCCN 99006527.
Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1999. ISBN
0764221531, PAP, $10.99.
F. Family life--Fiction. 414 p. Adult.
Catherine Biddle, from the outside, looks like a
woman who “has it all.” Her husband Blake is
successful and her children are healthy. She
wears the right clothes, drives the right car, and
has the latest hairstyle. Inside, Catherine feels
isolated and angry. She lets no one in, including
her family. The unexpected interrupts
Catherine’s life, and changes it forever. Blake’s
older sister shows up on the doorstep with a
suitcase, saying she has no where to go. It does
not take Catherine long to reinforce her idea that
Dottie is “one brick shy of a load.” Catherine
resents Dottie’s intrusion into their lives. Her
presence uncovers the ugliness and deception in
their household. Her cheerfulness and
eagerness to help makes Catherine feel
inadequate and unlovely. Then new neighbors
move in next door, and through their testimony,
Catherine’s son Hardy turns his life around,
causing Catherine to face the emptiness in her
C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 5 9 S P R I N G 2 0 0 1

ADULT
FICTION
own life. For so long she has lived with the
façade that everything was perfect. Can she let
down her guard and let someone in?
By the Light of a Thousand Stars is a modern
day novel that demonstrates how God brings
people into the lives of hurting and lost people to
bring them to Himself. It also shows how God
uses perhaps the “plain” or “unlovely,” and how
each of us is a living testimoniy to the world.
The author, Jamie Turner develops interesting
characters that are easy to identify with and she
reaches deep into the lives of the characters.
I found the story line interesting, unique, and it
promoted self-examination into my own life.
Tammy Williams, Freelance Writer, Social Worker, Port Orchard,
Washington
★
Command the sun, by Gilbert Morris.
(The liberty bell; 7.) LCCN 99050484.
Minneapolis: Bethany House, 2000. ISBN
155661571X, PAP, $9.99.
F. Inheritance and succession--Fiction; Nobility--
Fiction; United States--History--Revolution, 1775-
1782--Fiction; Great Britain--Fiction; Historical
fiction; Christian fiction. 286 p. Adult (High school).
The Bradford Family saga continues with
Matthew sailing to England to take possession
of his inheritance and title. In his heart, he
knows he is running away..from Abigail..from
God. Innocent of the ways of the world,
Matthew soon finds himself a victim of a
devious financial scam. Broken and ill,
Matthew returns home. Sam continues his
pursuit of Keturah, but she continues to reject
him. When Keturah moves to South Carolina to
help Grace with her new baby, Sam despairs that
he will ever convince her of his love. Grace
finds herself a widow, but finds she can not
grieve for a husband that never fulfilled her
needs. She is determined never to open her
heart again. When she hires a new overseer,
Cormac, she discovers her resolve crumbling.
Grace has a second chance for love, will she
take it?
Command the Sun is a novel full of rich
characters. Gilbert Morris consistently creates
characters that readers can relate to, and fall in
love with. The story contains some surprises,
but is a bit predictable. As part of a series, one
that I had not read, I had little difficulty
“catching up.”
Tammy Williams, Freelance Writer, Social Worker, Port Orchard,
Washington
Crown of fire, by Kathy Tyers. (Firebird;
3.) LCCN 00010881. Minneapolis:
Bethany House, 2000. ISBN 0754222163,
PAP, $10.00.
F. Fantastic fiction; Science fiction; Christian fiction.
320 p. Adult (High school).
Crown of Fire, by Kathy Tyers, is the exciting
conclusion to the science fiction trilogy
including Firebird and Fusion Fire. Summoned
to Netaia to be confirmed as an heiress to the
royal House Angelo, Lady Firebird is thrilled
with the opportunity to bring about change in
her home world, and to fight for the common
folk so long ruled and ignored by the royal
house. Firebird and her telepathic husband,
Brennan, also hope their presence will draw out
one of the evil Shuhr for capture. The
Federation, under attack by the Shuhr, wants to
employ mind access on their captive enemy and
discover where the Shuhr intend to strike next.
Firebird struggles with pride and independence,
desiring to save her Netaian people by her own
leadership and strength, rather than seeking the
Eternal Speaker’s (God’s) will. Raised to
believe that her actions must balance her
shortcomings, Firebird pays a high price for her
pride. Only through her husband’s sacrifice of
life is she able to fully grasp the idea of
atonement and realize that she owes her life to
the Eternal Speaker, with no cause to be proud.
Brennan likewise learns the vital lesson that in
his own weakness, the One is made strong
through Brennan’s complete surrender to Him.
As Firebird and Brennan allow the One to work
through them, they are called to fulfill the
ancient prophecy predicting the destruction of a
“nest of evil”—the Shuhr and their twisted
genetic experimentation and breeding program.
After a dramatic and surprising outcome of that
battle, Firebird and Brennan, along with other
faithful followers of the One, eagerly await the
arrival of the promised messiah, the Word to
Come.
Crown of Fire is a challenging read the first half
of the book, as it discusses complex political
circumstances involving Netaia, Thyrica, Three
Zed, the Federation, the Sentinels, and the Shuhr
—issues that are more convoluted than several
Deep Space Nine episodes. The second half of
the book is more action oriented, and delves
more deeply into the minds and hearts of
Firebird, Brennen, and their relationship with
God, the One. Tyers includes a “what has gone
before” overview of Firebird and Fusion Fire to
remind readers of what transpired in the first two
books, both of which definitely should be read
before tackling Crown of Fire. True science
fiction fans will enjoy this trilogy greatly.
Sherri Beeler, Teacher, Cascade Christian High School, Medford,
Oregon
Cry freedom, by Marlo Schalesky. (The
winds of freedom; 1.) LCCN 99089206.
Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 2000.
ISBN 1581341695, PAP, $10.99.
F. United States--History--Colonial period, ca. 1600-
1775--Fiction; Whitefield, George, 1714-1770--
Fiction; Delaware Indians--Fiction; Great Awakening--
Fiction. 379 p. Adult (High school).
Cry Freedom is double edged. The birthing of
America and the flowering of faith are
intertwined in this historical romance. The main
focus is less on the romance and more on the
development of steadfast trust in God’s leading.
The intense inner struggle against
overwhelming fears in choosing Christ over life
in the face of harsh trials, brutality and death is
beautifully detailed. Marlo Schalesky
incorporates interaction with the historical
figures and events of that era including the
impact on society of George Whitefield and
Samuel Adams. Taking place at this time is the
seesaw for power between the English, French,
and Native Americans during the King George
War. The conclusion promises more to follow to
develop secondary characters.
After the massacre of her missionary father and
her people only Kwelik, a lovely Christian halfbreed
maiden and her brother remain. She
surrenders her freedom so Little Cloud can
vanish. Kwelik escapes one captor to become
enslaved by another while inner demons compel
her to give up as she continuously pleads with
God for liberation. God appears not to be
listening. A torturous death awaits but God
whispers: “Whosoever will lose his life for my
sake shall find it.” (Matthew 16:25)
Oppressed by the anguish of abuse, false piety,
and dark secrets perpetrated by his father and
now the mantle of lord of the manor being
conferred on his equally domineering brother,
Jonathan flees England. The American frontier
offers asylum, but everything he undertakes to
make a new life is torched into ashes. Without
an example of a godly father Jonathan resists the
summons: “If the Son therefore shall make you
free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36)
Debbie Lindsay, Homeschool Parent, Eatonville, Washington
Daughter of Twin Oaks, by Lauraine
Snelling. (A secret refuge; 1.) LCCN
00008414. Minneapolis: Bethany House,
2000. ISBN 1556618395, PAP, $10.99.
F. United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--
Fiction. 282 p. Adult (High school).
With the turbulence of the Civil War
surrounding their plantation, Jesselynn, in shorn
hair and britches, secrets away what is left of her
deceased father’s prize Thoroughbred horse
stock. Leaving Kentucky with her toddler
brother and several freed slaves, their
destination is Missouri to seek refuge with an
uncle. Traveling by the stars, they encounter
and embrace several other individuals affected
by the war as they wend their way.
In the meantime Jesselynn’s sisters are
temporarily residing with an aunt in Virginia.
Carrie Mae is soon to be married to a wounded
ex-soldier while Louisa is volunteering at the
hospital where she immerses herself in
comforting the human wreckage spawned by the
war.
Those who have appreciated Lauraine
Snelling’s Red River of the North series will
likely enjoy Daughter of Twin Oaks, the first
volume in A Secret Refuge. The story leaps
back and forth between Jesselynn’s trek and the
sisters’ activities, with a sharper focus on
Louisa. The trek is melodramatic due to the
many interruptions of their travels in an attempt
to carry the plot to the end, whereas the hospital
depiction has more energy. Through Ms.
Snelling’s research she strives to portray the
horrors and desolation of this period in
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America’s history without zeroing in on violent
details, but does include the use of an occasional
ethnic slur in common usage at that time. The
conclusion is a cliff hanger and fails to resolve
the various characters’ dilemmas creating
anticipation for the next volume in this series.
Debbie Lindsay, Homeschool Parent, Eatonville, Washington
The divine symphony, by Calvin Miller.
LCCN 00008166. Minneapolis: Bethany
House, 2000. ISBN 0764221701, PAP,
$12.99.
F. Mary, Blessed Virgin, Saint--Fiction; Christian
women saints--Palestine--Fiction; Creation--Fiction;
Palestine--Fiction; Allegories. 290 p. Adult.
In The Divine Symphony, Calvin Miller
combines his previously published A Requiem
for Love, and A Symphony in Sand.
The story of Earthmaker, Regis, and Regina, in
A Requiem for Love, parallels God, Adam, and
Eve. Regis and Regina experience total
happiness with themselves and Earthmaker until
she becomes curious about her Father’s enemy.
Soon Regina sees a handsome youth, but draws
away “feeling both fear and enticement.” He
says, “I am Slithe, no enemy but friend. I’m
ready now to serve your curiosity and answer all
your wonder.” Slithe appears often, sometimes
man, sometimes serpent, always contradicting
Earthmaker. At last Regina yields to his lure.
Then Earthmaker must force his people out the
Sanctuary gates to the desert beyond.
A Symphony in Sand details the story of a maid,
Trouvere, and her betrothed, The Artisan,
recognizable as Mary and Joseph. An intruder
enters their lives, sometimes as a serpent. He
unsettles The Artisan with untruths and heaps
doubts upon Trouvere. Victory finally comes
when Trouvere gathers unknown strength to
grab “the heavy thing of hate” and “..with her
bare foot crushed the ugly reptile’s head.” Then
comes the birth of Trouvere’s child, welcomed
by Melek and Imperious, two ancient men, who
acknowledge Him as the Savior.
The imaginative retelling of these two
foundational Bible stories portrays Satan’s everpresent
strategy and God’s faithfulness. Slithe’s
words echo today’s new-age thought and
theology, but one of his statements reminds, “..I
do not barge into any soul unwelcomed by the
heart.” Miller fills his poetry with proverbs that
bear reading more than once, even underlining
in one’s own copy. Most chapters end with a
rhyming couplet, otherwise Miller writes in free
verse. Simple pen and ink drawings as well as
special sayings serve as chapter dividers.
Betty M. Hockett, Freelance Writer, Teacher, Speaker, Newberg,
Oregon
☛
Everything I long for, by Melody Carlson.
(Whispering pines series; 1.) LCCN
99014914. Eugene, Ore.: Harvest House,
2000. ISBN 0736900624, PAP, $9.99.
F. Oregon--Fiction; Christian fiction. 268 p.
A place to come home to, by Melody
Carlson. (Whispering pines series; 2.)
LCCN 99014245. Eugene, Ore.: Harvest
House, 1999. ISBN 0736900535, PAP,
$9.99.
F. Oregon--Fiction; Christian fiction. 262 p.
Adult (High school).
Seasoned writer Melody Carlson brings to
readers more satisfying stories that deal with
hopeful dreams, grating reality, and complex
relationships in her Whispering Pines series. In
the first book, A Place To Come Home To,
Maggie Carpenter answers an enticing Internet
ad to be the editor of a small town newspaper.
Leaving her life as an award-winning journalist
at the L.A. Times she packs her belongings and
her unwilling fourteen year old son and heads
off to Whispering Pines, Oregon. Her dreams of
living a simplistic, uncluttered life become
mired in the discovery that the town is slowly
dying after the new highway bypassed it. Her
reception is mixed between high expectations
she will turn the town around, and open hostility
since she is an outsider. Maggie also finds
herself the focus between two very different
men. Reconciling her mourning for her
husband, and her attraction to these possible
suitors, amidst all the other adjustments in her
new life, keeps Maggie relying on the Lord all
the more.
The second book in the series, Everything I
Long For, jumps right in where the first book
leaves off. Maggie’s rocky start in Whispering
Pines settles down with the success of receiving
a grant she wrote to help make some very much
needed improvements and repairs to the town.
Unfortunately, her personal life hits some
serious potholes making Maggie wonder if
Whispering Pines is really what she had longed
for after all.
What could have been yet another formula
romance takes some interesting plot turns. The
author has a touch for writing about realistic
situations and giving dimension to the many
characters involved. Maggie’s plucky
enthusiasm, combined with her vulnerability
make her quite a likable heroine. Her reliance
on the Lord is ever-present without being
overbearing. These books could be a cross-over
novel much like Jan Karon’s books which
centered on small-town life, and had the thread
of God’s grace running through them.
Pam Webb, Library Technician, Sandpoint, Idaho
★
Fireside stories of love, life and laughter,
written and compiled by Mary
Hollingsworth. Nashville: Word
Publishing, Thomas Nelson, 2000. ISBN
0849937825, PAP, $12.99.
F. Short stories; Christian fiction. 203 p. Adult.
Fireside Stories is a collection of short stories
based on real life situations and fictional tales.
A number of the stories are Christian based, but
not all. All have a message that brings laughter
or sometimes a tear. Authors range from Mark
Twain to Max Lucado, offering a variety that
would appeal to a broad audience. Mary
Hollingsworth has carefully selected stories that
can be used as references or just to be enjoyed
by a reader on a rainy day.
Tammy Williams, Freelance Writer, Social Worker, Port Orchard,
Washington
For such a time, by Elyse Larson.
(Women of valor; 1.) LCCN 00008270.
Minneapolis: Bethany House, 2000. ISBN
0764223550, PAP, $9.99.
F. World War, 1939-1945--France--Fiction; World
War, 1939-1945--Women--Fiction; Americans--
France--Fiction; Women--France--Fiction; France--
Fiction. 351 p. Adult (High school).
In December 1943, life in Lyon, France,
becomes even more difficult for Giselle and
Claude Munier, members of the French
Resistance. Giselle takes their daughters,
Jacquie and Angie, to live in a safe place, but
when she returns home she finds Claude gone.
She wonders if informers betrayed them.
Jean Thornton, Giselle’s American cousin and a
Red Cross worker, arrives for duty in Wales with
two concerns: whereabouts of Tom, the
Japanese man she loves, but who no longer
loves her, and safety of Giselle. When she hears
the Nazis have captured Giselle, Jean finagles
and receives permission to rescue her. She
practices the intricacies of parachute jumping,
gun handling, and daily life in France before
launching into the dangerous mission.
For Such A Time, by Elyse Larson, takes the
reader through agonizing twists and turns that
lead Jean, Giselle, Jacquie, and Angie back to
Wales. But even there the road goes bumpy
before they feel safe. All the while, Jean longs
for Tom and Giselle worries about Claude.
Fearsome complications mount, despite all
precautions. One night when an informer
threatens them as well as Jacquie, Angie, and
Tom, Jean uses her gun to save the lives of those
she loves. Although the plot dictates that Jean
shoot a man, Larson emphasizes in the final
pages the need to love and forgive everyone,
even our enemies. She does this naturally,
honestly, and convincingly through story.
Larson grabs the reader’s attention from the first
paragraph, and does not let go until the final
word. Her in-depth research of time and places
carries the reader into the scenes all the way
through the story. This, along with a skillful use
of words and plot, bring alive the physical
deprivation, pain, and emotional stress common
for many during that time. She writes in a way
that makes plausible her large cast of
characters—a good balance of hateful people
and delightful, caring folks.
The last sentence points to more about Jean and
Giselle. For the story preceding For Such A
Time, read Dawn’s Early Light, by Elsie J.
Larson.
Betty M. Hockett, Freelance Writer, Teacher, Speaker, Newberg,
Oregon
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★
Heathersleigh homecoming, by Michael
Phillips. (The secrets of Heathersleigh
Hall; 3.) LCCN 99006750. Minneapolis:
Bethany House, 1999. ISBN 0764220454,
PAP, $12.99.
F. World War, 1914-1919--England--Devon--Fiction.
429 p. Adult.
In Heathersleigh Homecoming, twenty-oneyear-old
Amanda Rutherford Halifax, a prodigal
daughter, finds herself in the “faraway land” of
disobedience, suffering the consequences of
rebellion from her parents. Upon learning that
Ramsey, her unfaithful husband of one month,
belongs to a spy ring working against the Allies
in World War I, she flees from Vienna by train,
hoping to escape through Italy or France to
London. Fearful that she will reveal their
espionage secrets, Ramsey and evil Mr. Barclay
pursue Amanda relentlessly.
After discerning Amanda’s forlorn countenance
in the train station, and befriending her with a
kind invitation, Gretchen introduces her to
beauty and peaceful seclusion at the Chalet of
Hope high in the Alps of neutral Switzerland.
Here a group of Christian women dedicate their
lives to the emotional and spiritual healing of
others. But because healing is slow and painful
and Amanda’s prideful independent spirit
strong, she breaks away again to cross enemy
lines.
Amanda is unaware that information she
possesses about enemy spies in a secluded
lighthouse on the English coast is intertwined
with the duties of her father and brother on the
battle cruiser Dauntless, responsible for
torpedoing German U-boats in the English
Channel. Cleverly disguised, she outwits
Ramsey and Mr. Barclay, stalking them and
eavesdropping. Amanda reaches London, begs
an audience with Winston Churchill, her father’s
friend, and reports intelligence crucial to ending
the war.
Solid Christian truths and themes fill Michael
Phillips’ third novel in the Secrets of
Heathersleigh Hall series. In the Introduction,
his thoughtful treatise on the universal parable
of the prodigal son prepares the reader to
participate more personally in Amanda’s
homecoming. Through Amanda’s observations
and experiences, Phillips brilliantly depicts her
awakening to a godly sorrow leading to
repentance of pride and damaged relationships.
Phillips molds Amanda’s character as she learns
compassion and comforts others.
God answers her parents’ prayers and faith with
Amanda’s healing and restoration. But sin has
its consequences. Though she is reunited with
her mother and sister, Amanda never sees her
father or brother again; they die in the war.
Phillips shows that God is always good and life
goes on. Amanda looks expectantly to a new
future.
Readers will understand how to have a personal
relationship with their heavenly Father, and
think about the meaning of Christmas and
differing attitudes toward divorce and
remarriage. The story may be read without
knowledge of the series. Phillips says we are a
prodigal humanity. Heathersleigh Homecoming
is a splendid story for all of us and about all of
us.
Rhonda Marie Lackey, Writer, Former Teacher/Librarian, Tukwila,
Washington
Honor’s reward, by Kristen Heitzmann.
(Rocky mountain legacy; 5.) LCCN
99006867. Minneapolis: Bethany House,
2000. ISBN 076422204X, PAP, $10.99.
F. Family life--Fiction; Western stories; Christian
fiction. 317 p. Adult (High school).
Abbie was married to Monte Farrell. Cole
Jasper was a foreman on their ranch, but has
known Abbie since they were teens. Cole has
loved Abbie since he can remember, but after
Monte’s death by a bull, Abbie dismisses Cole
from his position on the ranch and vows she
never wants to see him again. In book five,
Abbie returns to the ranch with her new husband
Cole Jasper, after outwitting the outlaw Crete
Marlowe. Accompanying Cole and Abbie is
Birdie, the sixteen-year-old saloon girl, with a
large chip on her shoulder. Cole expects Abbie
to accept Birdie as her own, and raise her
alongside her niece Jenny and her son Elliot.
With Birdie “making eyes” at Cole, Abbie
struggles to accept and love her. Abbie knows
that she loves Cole, but she continually
compares him to Monte and is consumed with
guilt. When Cole discovers that Crete Marlowe
is after revenge, Cole is determined to see him to
justice, even against the wishes of Abbie. Will
Cole and Abbie’s marriage survive?
Kristen Heitzmann has written an interesting, if
somewhat typical story of love in the west. I
found it difficult to pick up all the details from
previous books and was often confused or lost in
the story. The theme of reconciliation was
strong as well as the power of forgiveness.
Murder and prostitution is included in the
content, but not with much detail or graphics.
Tammy Williams, Freelance Writer, Social Worker, Port Orchard,
Washington
Imperial legions, by Andrew M. Seddon.
LCCN 99088716. Nashville: Broadman &
Holman, 2000. ISBN 0805421807, PAP,
$14.99.
F. Great Britain--History--Roman period, 55 B.C.-449
A.D.--Fiction; Christian saints--Great Britain--Fiction;
Boadicea, Queen, d.61--Fiction; Paul, the Apostle,
Saint--Fiction; Soldiers--Rome--Fiction. 434 p.
Adult.
Sergius, a Roman soldier, and Ailidh, a Celt,
should be dire enemies, but they’re not. Despite
the conflict between their two cultures as Rome
attempts to subdue the inhabitants of Britain,
Sergius and Ailidh unite themselves in Christ
where there is “neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor
free.” Appointed as tribune of a Roman legion,
Sergius participates in the destruction of the
Druids, the Celtic intelligentsia believed to be
responsible for stirring up the British tribes to
rebellion. Later, Sergius faces Queen Boudicca
and her warriors as they fight to protest the
injustices of the Roman empire. Dismayed by
the needless bloodshed of innocents, and
sickened by the tortured human sacrifices
Boudicca’s warriors offer to pagan gods, Sergius
is forced to question his own role as a soldier
and as a follower of Christ. Ailidh, once a
Druidess before her conversion to Christ, finds
herself an outcast among her people and grieved
by the revengeful, bloody nature of the tribes
against Rome. Together she and Sergius vow to
follow a better way.
Imperial Legions, by Andrew M. Seddon, is a
well-researched novel detailing the life and
attitudes of those living in the first century A.D.
The book includes a map, (very useful in
keeping track of the numerous locations and
military movements throughout the story), an
extensive dictionary of Roman and British
terms, and a list of sources. The book, which
gathers intensity about midway through, is
similar in style to the historical novels of Steven
Lawhead, Francine Rivers, and Donna Fletcher
Crow, although with more emphasis on the story
than the internal workings of the main
characters. The spiritual struggles of Sergius
and Ailidh seem more of an afterthought rather
than an integral part of their lives, resulting in a
somewhat anticlimactic ending. While there are
numerous characters involved, many of them
historical figures, Seddon uniquely describes
them so they are easily remembered. Seddon
also does a good job of portraying both sides of
the story—Rome’s and Britian’s. The book
describes the violence of war realistically, but is
reasonably non-graphic.
Sherri Beeler, Teacher, Cascade Christian High School, Medford,
Oregon
Jenny’s story, by Judy Baer. (Best friends
forever; 1) LCCN 00025562. Wheaton,
Ill.: Tyndale House, 2000. ISBN
0842319220, PAP, $9.99.
F. Christian fiction; Widows--Fiction; Gambling--
Fiction. 261 p. Adult.
Having lost her beloved husband of twelve years
to an aneurysm, Jenny Owens finds herself
mired in severe depression and grief. Barely
able to function, she relies on the strength of her
two childhood best friends, Libby and Tia,
feeling that God has abandoned her. As Jenny
works through the difficult stages of grief, she is
faced with the startling news that the husband
she idolized led a double life as a gambling
addict who frittered away all their financial
resources. Left with a heavy mortgage on her
home, and no college degree or job experience,
Jenny is forced to take control of her life in a
way she never had to before.
When Jenny hires a gardener to put her huge
yard back in order, the last person she expects to
see is another person from her childhood—
Mike, the rebellious “preacher’s kid.” As Mike
works in the soil, weeding, planting, and
fertilizing, he provides a listening ear for Jenny,
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enabling her to “weed out” her own life. By
sharing bits of his own spiritual journey, he
helps Jenny find her way back to God, one step
at a time. As Jenny’s garden begins to yield an
abundance of flowers, so her friendship with
Mike blossoms into love, and her trust in the
Lord begins to flourish.
Judy Baer, an experienced novella author, wrote
Jenny’s Story, her first full-length book.
Although five or six pages are missing the last
line at the bottom, it is worth the read. Jenny’s
life shows how God never forsakes us, even in
the hard times. He ministers to us through close
personal friends, strangers, and through
answered prayer—even though we may not
always recognize it. Jenny is reminded that faith
in God is dependent on fact, regardless of how
she feels. Forced to come to terms with her own
mortality, Jenny also comes to realize that she
does not need a husband in order to be whole;
God is the only one who can make her complete.
Sherri Beeler, Teacher, Cascade Christian High School, Medford,
Oregon
Josephine’s fortune, by Kay D. Rizzo.
(Serenity Inn series; 3.) LCCN 98049464.
Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1999.
ISBN 0805416757, PAP, $7.99.
F. Slavery--Fiction; Underground railroad--Fiction.
213 p. Adult.
Rich Josephine Van der Mere, engaged to the
politically influential Samuel Pownell of
Albany, New York, is mourning his loss at sea,
when she receives information that he is not
dead, but recuperating from his accident and
hidden away in New Orleans, Louisiana. An
avid conductor on the Underground Railroad,
Josephine must try to unobtrusively finish her
present assignment in the freedom organization
and take leave to travel to Pownell’s side
without being found out. But who is the man in
black who continuously shadows her?
This intriguing story leads the reader on a romp
through New York and its Underground
Railroad system, a sea voyage, pirates, and its
thrilling climax in New Orleans. The last leg of
the adventure takes the reader up the Mississippi
River to Missouri, and the start of a new life near
Samuel’s daughter Serenity and her new
husband. Josephine and Samuel must face and
make hard decisions of career, politics, family,
and religion. Author, Kay D. Rizzo’s lively plot
in book three of her Serenity Inn Series is fast
paced, but at the same time preserves the
traditions and temper of historic pre-Civil War
America.
Judy Driscoll, Retired Teacher, Poulsbo, Washington
Lethal harvest, by William Cutrer, Sandra
Glahn. LCCN 00030951. Grand Rapids:
Kregel Publications, 2000. ISBN
0825423716, PAP, $10.00.
F. Genetic engineering--Fiction; Medical ethics--
Fiction; Physicians--Fiction. 407 p. Adult.
The combined talents of Sandra Glahn and
William Cutrer, M.D. have created a new
medical thriller, Lethal Harvest, that’s hard to
put down. It’s like Robin Cook’s books with a
Christian slant. Marnie Sullivan is shocked but
not heartbroken when her husband, Tim
Sullivan, drives into the Potomoc River one icy
day in December. Although the body is never
found, death is accepted. Marnie and five year
old Emily must start a new life together. In
steps, Dr. Ben McKay, Tim’s silent partner, who
is also a hospital chaplain, comforts Marnie,
makes the memorial arrangements, and helps
the little family through the difficult months.
Eventually Ben introduces Marnie to Jesus
Christ and the world of faith. She and Ben’s
hearts begin to blend. Then through a series of
oddities Marnie realizes things are not as they
seemed. When Marnie receives an e-mail from
her late husband Tim, she flies to Texas to meet
him. She is disappointed, however, that he
offers no love or apology for his staged death,
just a warning. She and Emily are in danger. He
wants only to concentrate on his medical
research—cloning human eggs. Murder,
litigation, and arson add spark to this unique
novel of modern science.
Lethal Harvest is pleasingly complex,
religiously genuine, and clinically correct.
Perhaps too much so. One may choose to skim
over the scientific details; no problem, the
storyline carries the tale. An intriguing element
about this book is that in America’s high-tech
society, cloning human eggs may some day
become a reality. A wise people will consider
the questions and consequences beforehand.
Lethal Harvest, through an entertaining media,
will help readers do just that.
Ginger McGrath, Freelance Writer, Leavenworth, Washington
Like gold refined, by Janette Oke. (A
prairie legacy; 4.) LCCN 00008127.
Minneapolis: Bethany House, 2000. ISBN
0764221612, PAP, $10.99.
F. Mothers and daughters--Fiction. 253 p. Adult
(High school).
Like Gold Refined, set in the early 1900’s,
follows the lives of the Davis family. This
particular story focuses on Virginia,
granddaughter of Clark and Marty. Virginia has
been raising Mindy, the child of her childhood
friend for over six years. Virginia and her
husband Jonathan consider Mindy to be theirs.
Even though they have not heard from Jenny,
Mindy’s mom, for more than six years, they still
pray for her each day. Little do they realize that
their prayers are about to be answered. Jenny
arrives and announces that she is there to claim
her daughter for her own. How can Virginia
give up the child? How can she fill the void that
Mindy would leave in their home?
Janette Oak has written a novel relevant to
issues faced by women today, but in an
historical setting. Not only in regards to child
custody issues, but she also writes a great deal in
this story about dealing with aging
parents/grandparents and accepting the changes
that are inevitable. I found the story sensitive in
dealing with painful issues, if a bit naïve. It
would have been helpful to have read the stories
in this series, as it was difficult to categorize the
numerous characters introduced throughout the
story.
Tammy Williams, Freelance Writer, Social Worker, Port Orchard,
Washington
The list, by Robert Whitlow. LCCN
99045922. Nashville: Word Publishing,
2000. ISBN 0849916402, PAP, $12.99.
F. Spiritual warfare--Fiction. 395 p. Adult.
Renny Jacobson finds that after the unexpected
death of his wealthy father he has been virtually
disinherited except for his membership in The
List, a secret group formed during the closing
days of the Civil War whose descendents still
meet.
On his way to a coastal inn in South Carolina to
find out about The List, Renny meets Jo
Johnston, an attractive Christian whose
ancestors were also members of The List. She
challenges him to find out more about the group
which signs a covenant and seals it with blood.
Renny is not only falling for Jo but is intrigued
by her faith in Christ. As he journeys from
unbeliever to Christian, largely through the
prayers of Jo, his landlady, and Mama A, a
friend of his deceased mother’s, he is torn
between the desire to serve the Lord and the lure
of the vast wealth of those involved in The List.
It soon becomes clear that this is really a battle
between good and evil and that demonic forces
have been at work and curses have been loosed.
Is he willing to sacrifice to bring about the
destruction of The List, or will he be overcome
by greed and blinded by the darkness that
surrounds all who are involved in the unholy
covenant?
Fast-paced and intriguing, The List is a mystery
and a love story. Robert Whitlow has woven an
involving plot that boldly discusses the battle
that continually wages in the spiritual realm.
Renny discovers that while evil is pervasive and
strong, Christ is Light and can easily dispel the
darkness for true believers. The author does an
excellent job of portraying the importance of
prayer. not only to our daily lives but in times of
spiritual crisis. It also emphasizes the personal
aspect of the believer’s relationship with Christ.
Teresa O’Donley, Library Media Teacher, Scotts Valley, California
Looking for you all my life, by Melody
Carlson. (Whispering pines series; 3.)
LCCN 99041914. Eugene, Ore.: Harvest
House, 2000. ISBN 0736900632, PAP,
$9.99.
F. Oregon--Fiction; Love stories; Christian fiction.
304 p. Adult (High school).
In an attempt to stop an ill-planned housing
development project from being built in Pine
Mountain, Maggie, a small-town newspaper
editor, prints the truth about the developer’s
other failed projects. However, she does not
receive the support she expects from many of
the local business owners who are desperate for
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anything to help revive their sluggish
economy—particularly since the winter snows
have held off, thus delaying the start of the
skiing and tourist season.
As she struggles to stand for what is true and
right, she also encounters difficulty in her
personal life. Maggie and Jed had an
“understanding,” but that is put on hold when
Jed’s long-lost daughter, newly reunited with
her father, demands more and more of his time
and attention. Maggie must learn to deal with
her insecurity regarding her relationship with
Jed, and come to a deeper understanding of why
Leah seems determined to keep her away from
Jed. Eventually the three of them work out their
difficulties, and Maggie and Jed become
engaged.
Looking For You All My Life, by Melody
Carlson, is the third book in the Whispering
Pines series. Readers will definitely need to
read the first two books before this one, or they
will be confused. There are numerous
characters, and the author, assuming the reader
is acquainted with their various backgrounds
and relationships, does little explaining. While
the book is generally well-written, it is not as
riveting or realistic as the first two. Maggie and
Jed get engaged, but never spend the time
together investing in a serious relationship
necessary for marriage. The land development
project is brought up as a major conflict and
focus of the story, but no satisfying closure is
given to the issue.
Sherri Beeler, Teacher, Cascade Christian High School, Medford,
Oregon
Lost Romance Ranch, by Annie Jones.
(Route 66.) LCCN 00022410. Colorado
Springs: WaterBrook Press, 2000. ISBN
1578561353, PAP, $6.95.
F. Automobile travel--Fiction; Separated people--
Fiction; United States Highway 66--Fiction;
Humorous stories; Love stories. 234 p. Adult (High
school).
Lost Romance Ranch is subtitled A Romantic
Comedy From the Roadsides of Route 66 and
comes with a giggle guarantee. Though there
are a few amusing events, the subject matter of
the plot is very cogitative. Tidbits of the history
of Route 66 are part of the fabric as the
characters maneuver their way through this
story displaying that men and women truly
appear to be from opposite planets. Annie Jones
stimulates the reader to contemplate the sanctity
of the marriage vows by setting aside selfabsorption
and considering a partner’s
viewpoint so obstacles are able to be
surmounted. Seeking God’s counsel is
demonstrated to be extremely important before
making drastic decisions. Also, the surrendering
of pride becomes the restorative balm for
damaged relationships.
Blind-sided by the letter left from his wife in the
now empty house, Teague is confused. The
typical family difficulties aside he is left with
not a single clue to understand what has led up
to his wife suddenly leaving with the children.
Everything he does is for the welfare of his most
precious possession, his family.
Wendie broods over the numerous reasons to
justify her actions—Teague’s all absorbing work
ethic, charity functions, and other priorities that
he places above his family’s happiness. By
leaving with the twins, Wendie hopes to jolt
Teague into awareness of the seriousness of their
situation.
Will this be another marriage shattered on the
rocks of today’s statistics?
Debbie Lindsay, Homeschool Parent, Eatonville, Washington
The Marquesa, by Stephen Bly. (Heroines
of the golden west; 2.) LCCN 09833717.
Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 1998.
ISBN 1581340257, PAP, $10.00.
F. Actresses--Fiction; Women merchants--Fiction;
Montana--Fiction. 221 p. Adult.
Isabel Leon, better known by her stage name,
“The Marquesa,” has settled down in Cantrell,
Montana, to manage a general store for her good
friend Carolina Parks, who is in the East
awaiting the birth of her first child. The
Marquesa has also joined a venture to build a
hotel in the rapidly growing boom town.
Unfortunately, her partners and almost everyone
else are in the gold fields.
When the Marquesa is approached by former
army captain Dawson Mandara who offers to
take charge of the construction of the hotel, she
accepts his offer even though she resents his
superior manner and pities the wife he mentions
frequently. As work progresses on the hotel, the
relationship between the Marquesa and the
captain develops to a point where the Marquesa
begins to envy the captain’s wife. As the
Marquesa struggles with her feelings for the
captain and her developing faith in God, she is
increasingly distressed by the thought of the
impending arrival of the captain’s family to
Cantrell. The Marquesa also has other problems
including a number of men from her past who
pose complications, including having her
thrown in jail. Life in Cantrell is never dull with
runaway horses, robberies, shootouts, and wild
chases after outlaws. Throughout all of this
activity, the Marquesa discovers that real life
can be even more exciting and fulfilling than
any role on the stage.
The Marquesa is the second book in the
Heroines of the Golden West series by Stephen
Bly. To fully understand many of the characters
and incidents in the book, one should have read
book number one, Sweet Carolina. As long as
the reader remembers that this book contains a
great deal more fiction than history, it is an
entertaining book that will make an enjoyable
light read.
Virginia Brown, Library Assistant, Freelance Writer, Former
Teacher, Sheridan, Wyoming
★
The midwife’s song : a story of Moses’
birth, by Brenda Ray. LCCN 00102602.
Port St. Joe, Fla.: Karmichael Press, 2000.
ISBN 0965396681, HBB, $14.95.
F. Moses (Biblical leader)--Birth--Fiction; Bible.
O.T. Exodus--History of Biblical events--Fiction;
Midwives--Fiction; Egypt--History--To 332 B.C.--
Fiction. 243 p. Adult (High school).
Brenda Ray draws on work credentials and a
Master’s in nurse-midwifery, to fictionalize the
account of midwife, Puah, and her mentor
Shiphrah recorded in Exodus 1:15-2:10 in The
Midwife’s Song: A Story of Moses’ Birth.
She portrays Puah with compelling suspense,
colorful descriptions, and deep insight, as Puah
defies the Pharaoh’s decree to murder all
newborn males, endangering her and those she
loves. Then Hattush, “who makes her heart
sing,” accepts punishment for Puah and their
unborn child when faced with the Pharaoh’s
rage, leading to a gripping climax. Shiphrah
remains a steady source of comfort and strength
throughout the ordeal. Puah, at 98, tells this
provocative story in chapter flashbacks to the
children as they march into the desert, led by
Moses.
Puah’s faith in God is reminiscent of
Hadassah’s, the memorable heroine in The Mark
of the Lion series by Francine Rivers. The
reader cheers and then grieves as the story
develops, and Puah’s deep faith is challenged,
sometimes minute-by-minute.
Research for the book followed the biblical
account, Jewish traditions, folklore, and ancient
Near Eastern history. An outstanding first book
of a planned trilogy, Ray’s account rings with
courage, sometimes deception, but always with
God at the center. This will become an oftenread
classic.
Gail Welborn, Freelance Writer, Everett, Washington
A moment of weakness, by Karen
Kingsbury. LCCN 99050869. Sisters,
Ore.: Multnomah, 2000. ISBN
1576736164, PAP, $11.99.
F. Custody of children--Fiction; Domentic fiction;
Christian fiction; Love stories. 411 p. Adult.
A Moment of Weakness is a compelling story of
two people, Jade and Tanner, childhood friends
separated by a family scandal and reunited years
later as adults. Their feelings for each other
have remained and deepened and they soon find
themselves in love. Jade commits her life to
Christ and their desire to serve the Lord only
strengthens their commitment to one another.
But their feelings carry them away in a moment
of weakness and their lives are changed forever.
While Tanner is on a trip to Hungary, Jade
discovers she is pregnant and contacts his
mother for an emergency number so that she
might get in touch with him. His ambitious
mother, convinced Jade will never be the wife
he needs to further his political career, fills her
with lies about her beloved Tanner, and Jade
leaves, a crushed and broken young woman,
determined to never see Tanner again.
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Ten years later their lives again cross, this time
when Jade is in desperate need of a lawyer,
about to lose her only child because of her faith
in Christ; because of a bitter, angry husband
with intentions to destroy her. Tanner is the only
man who can help her in her darkest hour, yet so
much remains between them and only God can
heal the deep hurts each one harbors.
Author Karen Kingsbury ends the book with a
letter to the reader defining her intention in
writing A Moment of Weakness; the intention to
demonstrate God’s truth about sin, particularly
sexual sin, and His readiness to forgive and
welcome sinners with open arms. Although the
scenes of sexual desire are phrased delicately,
this book is not written for young people but
rather for adults. Its message is strong and clear
and belongs on the shelves of church libraries.
Ceil Carey, Young Adult Librarian, Plano, Illinois
The Omega deception, by John F. Bayer.
LCCN 99046480. Nashville: Broadman &
Holman, 2000. ISBN 0805419667, PAP,
$12.99.
F. World War, 1939-1945--Secret service--United
States--Fiction. 310 p. Adult.
German military top secret project code name
Omega Deception is being developed to
annihilate thousands of New York City
residence. Michael Jason Shaw, is recruited be
American intelligence to stop this massacre of
innocent people. This is the chance for
vengeance Michael has been waiting for since
he lost his beloved wife Barbara to a German
torpedo, three years ago.
Michael infiltrates the German military as an SS
officer assigned to oversee the Omega project.
Michael’s life is spared through one catastrophe
after another, and he finds himself praying and
regaining his trust in God. Unable to find a way
to keep the project from completion, Michael
finds himself on the U-boat with minutes to
launch, taking the last chance to save thousands
from a most painful death. Michael lays his life
on the line, knowing it is certain death. He races
to reprogram the rocket and fails. As the rocket
launches, Michael is blown into the freezing
water of the North Atlantic Ocean. God sends
an instant storm to change the path of the rocket,
and a cargo ship to pluck Michael out of the
water seconds before his death from exposure.
In The Omega Deception, author John E Bayer
could have a page-turner. The violence is in line
with the era and situation even though the
characters do not leave a lasting memory, and
the suspense stops short of being heart stopping.
The plot is well thought out and a good story
over-all. Glossary of German words is a great
help and makes the story seem more authentic.
Adult men who enjoy military history will find
the cover and the story line appealing.
Mari Williams, Literature Reviewer and Critic, Port Orchard,
Washington
Reaping the whirlwind : a Trent Tyson
historical mystery, by Rosey Dow. Fort
Mill, S.C.: Diadem Ministries, 2000. ISBN
1579212964, PAP, $15.99.
F. Scopes, John Thomas--Trials, litigation, etc.--
Fiction; Evolution--Study and teaching--Law and
legislation--Tennessee--Fiction. 399 p. Adult.
The Scopes trial is the background for this
murder mystery by author Rosie Dow. Deputy
Sheriff Trent Tyson, recently moved to Dayton,
Tennessee, finds suspicious deaths increasing in
number. He discovers poisoning in two of the
unexplained deaths and begins his investigation.
In the meantime, city leaders decide to challenge
the law about teaching evolution in school.
Finding an ally in John Scopes, a high school
science teacher, the town leaders fabricate
events to bring notoriety and business to their
small town. The reader travels with Tyson as he
struggles with his own faith while confronted
with the skepticism and anti-creation views of
his friend the local doctor. In the midst of the
sleuthing and self-discovery, Tyson’s father
comes for a visit and declares that he is now a
believer. The deputy’s whole foundation and
belief system is challenged and through the
course of the novel, he comes to terms with his
wife’s death and his beliefs in God.
In an attempt to educate people about the
importance of the landmark Scopes trial case,
author Rosey Dow chooses a unique and
interesting way of presenting the material in
Reaping the Whirlwind. The mysterious deaths,
budding relationships, and introspective
musings are enough to make this book a pageturner.
She keeps the reader in suspense as to
who the real killer is while allowing interesting
glimpses into the mind of Trent Tyson as he
comes to terms with his own beliefs. The
characterizations are tight and consistent and the
dialogue realistic. Dow also includes enough
subplots to keep the story moving at a quick
pace.
Eileen Zygarlicke, Freelance Writer/Editor, Grand Forks, North
Dakota
The redemption of Sarah Cain, by Beverly
Lewis. LCCN 00009407. Minneapolis:
Bethany House, 2000. ISBN 0764223291,
PAP, $9.99.
F. Lancaster County (Pa.)--Fiction; Guardian and
ward--Fiction; Orphans--Fiction; Aunts--Fiction;
Amish--Fiction. 316 p. Adult.
Embittered by being made to feel inferior by her
older sister, and emotionally wounded by the
death of one of her students, Sarah Cain gives up
her teaching job and pours her life into the fast
track of real estate, high commissions, and an
extravagant lifestyle. However, when Ivy, her
widowed sister, dies and names Sarah guardian
of her five Amish children, Sarah is forced to
deal with her bitterness and grief in a way she
never would have dreamed.
At first the “plain” life-style seems stark and
oppressive to Sarah, the “fancy Englisher.”
Eager to return to her “real” life in Oregon,
Sarah immediately makes plans to find an
Amish family to take over the children’s
guardianship. During her stay with Ivy’s
children, Sarah begins to develop great respect
for Lydia, the oldest, who keeps the family
together and the farm running. And she finds
that little Anna Mae, who struggles mightily to
come to terms with her mother’s death, tugs at
her heart in a way that her former student did.
Gradually, the Amish ways become more
appealing to Sarah in her search for peace. As
Sarah reads her sister’s journals, she discovers
the transformation her sister underwent when
she accepted Christ as her Savior. Sarah, too,
comes to know the Lord, and decides to stay on
as the children’s guardian.
The Redemption of Sarah Cain, by Beverly
Lewis, is a story of hope and healing. It
illustrates the subtle ways greed can infiltrate
our lives, and reminds us that ultimately, the
things of this world will not satisfy us. While
the story does not specifically promote the
Amish lifestyle, it makes one want to take a
deep breath, slow down a bit, and appreciate
life’s many blessings. As with Lewis’ other
books, the characters are richly developed, and
endear themselves to the reader; their struggles
with life are real, and answers to their problems
do not come easily—but eventually they do
come, in the Lord’s timing.
Sherri Beeler, Teacher, Cascade Christian High School, Medford,
Oregon
The rose legacy, by Kristen Heitzmann.
(Diamond of the Rockies; 1.) LCCN
00009990. Minneapolis: Bethany House,
2000. ISBN 076422381X, PAP, $10.99.
F. Italian Americans--Colorado--Fiction; Women
pioneers--Fiction; Colorado--Fiction; Christian fiction;
Western stories; Love stories. 395 p. Adult (High
school).
Ten thousand feet up in the crags of the
Colorado Rockies, nestles the throbbing mining
town of Crystal. With all of her belongings
trashed at the bottom of a cliff and her hot Italian
blood bubbling, Carina determines to claim the
home she purchased through the ad that enticed
her to this drab hole. Carina finds her home
already occupied by coarse characters, so she
marches to the nearest lawyer’s office and is
heartily welcomed and reassured that her
concerns will be cared for. Carina unwittingly
becomes immersed in the underbelly of
malevolent politics fueled by the town’s legends
and superstitions.
The Rose Legacy is an abandoned gold mine
with an eerie history, and Quillan is a by-product
of its deceased owners. His father was a savage
and his mother a prostitute. He tries to maintain
a low profile in Crystal to keep from disturbing
sleeping memories. But due to Carina’s
nosiness about the history of the mine, tensions
escalate to volcanic proportions and burst,
engulfing the citizens of Crystal. The aftermath
leads to vigilante justice and grisly death.
Author of the Rocky Mountain Legacy series,
Kristen Heitzmann’s talent has evolved with The
Rose Legacy which begins the Diamond of the
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Rockies series. She captures the essence of the
surroundings and plunges the reader into the
heart and soul of the main characters with a
gripping intensity. This novel offers a twist of
mystery, legend, romance, and foul play brought
to justice by the citizens due to the disablement
of the law. The response to the effects of the
gospel is reminiscent of the Bible’s parable of
the sower with the seed falling on a variety of
conditions. Character interaction chastely
crescendos to just prior to the consummation of
marriage, then resumes with the thought and
emotions that follow. The conclusion, though
adequate will tantalize the reader’s desire for the
sequel.
Debbie Lindsay, Homeschool Parent, Eatonville, Washington
Second chances, by Debra White Smith.
(Seven sisters ; book 1.) LCCN 99048824.
Eugene, Ore.: Harvest House, 2000. ISBN
0736902767, PAP, $9.99.
F. Divorced women--Fiction; Clergy--Fiction;
Stalking victims--Fiction; Christian fiction. 334 p.
The awakening, by Debra White Smith.
(Seven sisters ; book 2.) LCCN 00243160.
Eugene, Ore.: Harvest House, 2000. ISBN
0736902775, PAP, $9.99.
F. Americans--Travel--Vietnam--Fiction; Stalking
victims--Fiction; Models (Persons)--Fiction; Vietnam--
Fiction; Christian fiction. 332 p.
Adult.
Despite attempts to reconcile with her
adulterous pastor husband, newly-divorced
Marilyn Thatcher insists that she will never
marry again. However, when Josh, her friendly
neighbor, is injured during a tornado, Marilyn is
quick to help him out—even if he is a pastor,
and she is no longer on speaking terms with
God. Marilyn once felt a strong call to be a
pastor’s wife; now, despite her undeniable
attraction to Josh, Marilyn resists with all her
strength, determined never to make herself
vulnerable again.
When one of her seven “sisters,” good college
friends she’s kept in touch with for years, asks
her if she has prayed about her relationship with
Josh, Marilyn becomes very angry. However,
the Lord works on Marilyn’s heart and
surprisingly, she finds herself praying for her exhusband
and his new wife. Eventually she is
able to let go of her bitterness towards them. As
she ceases striving with the Lord, she realizes
that she has been disobedient in denying his
clear call to a relationship with Josh and serving
as a pastor’s wife once more.
Second Chances is book one in the Seven Sisters
series which follows the lives of seven college
friends who have kept in close touch since
graduation, supporting each other through
regular conference calls and biannual gettogethers.
Although the story drags a bit,
Second Chances clearly illustrates the
forgiveness of God and his redemptive power as
Josh’s past life of social sins and living on the
edge of the law is revealed, and threatens his
pastorship. Second Chances affirms the
cleansing power of God’s forgiveness and his
ability to use anyone who surrenders to him,
regardless of his or her past.
Book two, The Awakening, tells the story of
supermodel Kim Lan. Under strong conviction
by the Lord to deepen her walk with him, Kim
Lan signs up for a missions trip to Vietnam.
Although she is engaged to the handsome and
wealthy movie star Ted Curry, Kim finds herself
incredibly attracted to the mission trip leader,
Mick O’Donnel. She resists him fiercely,
clinging desperately to the pleasure she finds in
her up-scale lifestyle, and status-symbol fiancé.
But as the Lord impresses Kim Lan with the
need to surrender completely to him, including
her wealth, the “perfect man,” and maybe even
her modeling career, Kim finds true happiness in
a godly relationship with Mick.
The Awakening is the stronger of the two books.
The spiritual struggle is real and compelling,
and the story is kept interesting with a side-plot
of a sinister stalker, and the struggles of the other
seven “sisters.”
Sherri Beeler, Teacher, Cascade Christian High School, Medford,
Oregon
Serenity Bay, by Bette Nordberg. LCCN
00010526. Minneapolis: Bethany House,
2000. ISBN 0764223968, PAP, $10.99.
F. Puget Sound Region (Wash.)--Fiction; Female
friendship--Fiction; Married women--Fiction; Abused
wives--Fiction; Christian fiction; Psychological
fiction. 320 p. Adult.
Patricia Koehler’s seemingly perfect life as the
wife of a doctor on an island in the Puget Sound
is a lie. Although she has a daughter and is
pregnant with her second child, it is only when
her best friend, Susan, stops by unannounced
and overhears the obvious sounds of violence
that Patricia’s secret is revealed. Her husband,
Russell, beats her. Patricia continues to believe
that her husband’s abuse can somehow be
controlled if she just finds the correct way to
respond to him. He is always so loving and kind
after each episode of violence. Surely she could
not have been so mistaken in her choice of men
to marry.
He had seemed like the answer to her prayers
when she first met him. Russell Koehler began
courting her during her second year of teaching
elementary school and soon after her mother had
died of cancer. The son of wealthy parents, he
had the means to plan wonderful, fairy-tale dates
for her around Seattle while diligently pursuing
his schooling as a doctor. And when he chose
her even though his parents argued that she had
no pedigree, Patricia felt that his love was strong
enough to protect her against anything.
It takes Russell’s physical violence against their
daughter, and his smashing of Patricia’s
treasured cello while telling her, “Don’t you
ever forget..I can do the same thing to you” to
break his hold over her. And it takes Susan’s
friendship to provide her with the emotional
courage to leave. But that is only the beginning
of Patricia’s search to find true shelter. Through
Susan, Patricia is also introduced to a
relationship with Jesus. While Beete
Nordberg’s novel, Serenity Bay, realistically
portrays how difficult it is for women to leave
abusive relationships, the aspect of Patricia’s
spiritual awakening and growth seems rather
forced.
Lillian Heytvelt, Librarian, Pomeroy, Washington
A slender thread, by Tracie Peterson.
LCCN 99051016. Minneapolis: Bethany
House, 2000. ISBN 0764222511, PAP,
$10.99.
F. Motion picture actors and actresses--Family
relationships--Fiction; Mothers--Death--Psychological
aspects--Fiction; Grandmothers--Fiction; Sisters--
Fiction; Christian fiction; Domestic fiction. 380 p.
Adult.
Five sisters were abandoned by a mother they
never knew and raised by a grandmother who
loved them dearly. Now in their twenties and
early thirties, the five women, all with different
lifestyles, must discover who they really are.
They come together for their mother’s funeral,
but none feel any grief. Instead they haggle over
the hurts that haunt them and question their
relationships with one another. Through it all
their grandmother, Mattie, stands silently by,
knowing the only thing that can heal their hurts
is the power of God. Mattie creates a
powerfully illustrative quilt of how she sees the
family. It is made of six large blocks,
representing Mattie and the girls, and has a thin
slender thread woven throughout that connects
the blocks, just they are all connected.
Disagreements and spiteful words pull the
sisters apart, but tragedy reunites them and
opens their eyes to the importance of
forgiveness and love.
A Slender Thread by Tracie Peterson tackles the
difficult subject of parental abandonment and all
the issues that accompany it. Her characters are
realistic and the dialogue and action compelling
enough to keep the reader’s attention. One of
the sisters, Deirdre, develops a gambling
problem. Although Peterson deals with the
problem and has the character come to accept
her addiction, Deirdre does so easily compared
with real life. However, this was the only
weakness noted in plotting. The author
examines the meaning of true forgiveness and
allows the reader glimpses at the heartwrenching
agony living with unforgiveness
brings.
Eileen Zygarlicke, Freelance Writer/Editor, Grand Forks, North
Dakota
Solemn oath, by Hannah Alexander.
LCCN 99050972. Minneapolis: Bethany
House, 2000. ISBN 0764223488, PAP,
$10.99.
F. Physicians--Fiction; Medical novels; Christian
fiction. 351 p. Adult.
Cowboy Casey and Buck Oppenheimer, along
with Arthur and Alma Collins, meet disaster in
Solemn Oath’s first four pages. From those
scenes, Hannah Alexander, the pseudonym for
the husband and wife writing team of Cheryl
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and Melvin Hoddle, takes readers directly into
the Knolls Community Hospital emergency
room. Dr. Lukas Bower, the unwilling
temporary director, and Dr. Mercy Richmond,
who maintains a private practice, treat the
wounded.
Abner and Delphi Bell, Clarence Knight and his
sister Darlene, the Cuendet family, and teenager,
Shannon Becker bring various troubles to
emergency. Their problems intertwine with a
hospital investigation launched by Bailey Little,
a bitter and guilty man. Ups and downs of the
personal lives of Dr. Lukas and Dr. Mercy add
another dimension, especially when Dr .Mercy’s
husband, Theodore, shows up after his release
from detox. His presence affects her and their
daughter, eleven-year-old Tedi. Dr. Lukas helps
Theodore find his way to faith in Christ. But
what about Dr. Mercy’s faith?
A strong attraction between the two doctors puts
each in personal turmoil as multiple fires make
folks wonder if the Knolls community has an
arsonist on its hands. Then, because of a major
disaster at the hospital, many questions suddenly
have answers.
Cheryl and Melvin Hoddle have fashioned a
fast-paced story with one emergency after
another, both inside the hospital and elsewhere.
Since Melvin Hoddle practices emergency
medicine, descriptions of injuries, illnesses, and
medical procedures hold an aura of real-life.
Several plots successfully woven together create
the theme: compassion costs, but it’s worth it.
A large number of characters, primary and
secondary, with others who make only a minor
appearance, add to the hustle and bustle of A
Solemn Oath. The writer rounds them out into
real people who create in readers disgust,
sympathy, and love, along with chuckles. The
medical setting makes a welcome change in
current fiction.
Betty M. Hockett, Freelance Writer, Teacher, Speaker, Newberg,
Oregon
Suncatchers, by Jamie Langston Turner.
LCCN 00009991. Minneapolis: Bethany
House, 2000. ISBN 0754224158, PAP,
$10.00.
F. South Carolina--Fiction; Separated people--Fiction;
Evangelicalism--Fiction; Journalists--Fiction;
Christian fiction. 389 p. Adult.
Suncatchers could carry the subtitle, The
Revitalization of Perry Warren. What starts out
as an assignment to write a book about “fire and
brimstone fanatics” ends up as a life-changing
year for Perry.
When cracks in his marriage to Dinah open
wide, Perry leaves her and their son Troy behind
and goes to Derby, South Carolina. He moves
into his sister’s empty house; immediately his
next-door neighbors, Eldeen, Jewel, and Joe
Leonard, befriend him.
Eldeen, elderly, dressed in odd clothes and
talking constantly but at times eloquently,
amazes Perry. He finds Jewel and her teen-aged
son, Joe Leonard, who plays the tuba, intriguing.
Under the guise of studying them, he goes along
to the Church of the Open Door. Folks there
also welcome him, but he resolves not to
become involved. Concerns for Dinah and Troy
continually pierce his mind.
Sunday services, weekly prayer meetings, the
Fourth of July celebration, Wilderness Gospel
Camp, a wedding, youth activities, and Joe
Leonard’s injury, melt Perry’s resolve like snow
in the sun. He sometimes feels preached at and
at other times wonders about authenticity of all
Eldeen and others say about God and answers to
prayer. He surprises himself with certain
spontaneous reactions.
Turner has created a character-driven story that
moves slowly, even sometimes tediously, yet
steadily to accomplish her goal. No real twists
and turns of plot to keep readers going, but the
characters do that themselves. She reveals a
master-hand at describing details and showing
characters rather than merely telling about them.
Eldeen, believable, humorous, and always
replete with something to say, bears well the
weight of spiritual admonisher. Her words spin
out naturally, full of advice, Scriptures, love, and
understanding. Well-crafted flashbacks, Perry’s
remembrances, reveal much about him and
Dinah.
In Suncatchers, Turner avoids a preachy tone
while speaking to many real-life situations. She
expertly presents a message of encouragement
to believers and invitation to non-believers. The
book’s title is a metaphor for this message.
Readers will find at the end of the book sixteen
questions intended as discussion helps for
reading groups.
Betty M. Hockett, Freelance Writer, Teacher, Speaker, Newberg,
Oregon
Tidings of peace, by Tracie Peterson.
LCCN 00010525. Minneapolis: Bethany
House, 2000. ISBN 0764222910, PAP,
$9.99.
F. World War, 1939-1945--Fiction; Christian fiction;
War stories, American. 299 p. Adult (High school).
Tidings of Peace is four novellas of love during
World War II. The author writes of four
different, unrelated couples, and their individual
journeys to love. David is a young man who
escaped death aboard the USS Arizona because
he was AWOL. Fulfilling a promise given to his
deceased captain, Kenny, David travels to
Washington State to visit Kenny’s family.
David is determined to end his life through
suicide immediately following the visit. But,
when David arrives, he finds a family ready to
welcome him as if he was their own. David is
sure that if they knew his past, especially
Kenny’s beautiful sister Rachel, they would
reject him, as so many had in the past.
In the South Pacific, Erik bails out of his
burning plane and finds himself on an island that
is either deserted or, worse yet, full of cannibals.
Erik had not been receiving mail from his
fiancee nor his family back home and has been
filled with fear and rejection. Now, he is
convinced he will never leave this island alive,
because God must have rejected him, too.
Melody is facing the birth of her first child, and
her husband is fighting in Europe. When her
parents discovered she was pregnant prior to her
marriage, they threw her out of their house. Will
Melody find reconciliation with her family?
Will she be able to face this pregnancy and
delivery feeling so alone?
Clara is excited, because she has just discovered
she will be stationed with the Red Cross in the
same location as her fiancee in Europe. But,
rumors circle around that his company will be
moving out on the eve of their wedding day.
Clara is determined that she will be married in a
real white wedding dress. Now, she is not even
sure it the wedding will take place.
The author, Tracie Peterson, writes these
novellas in the style of Grace Livingston Hill.
The similarities are in the content and also the
settings/era of the stories. Having read other
works by Tracie Peterson and enjoying them
immensely, I found these stories to be lacking in
depth and found my interest steadily decreasing.
Tammy Williams, Freelance Writer, Social Worker, Port Orchard,
Washington
Ties that bind, by Judith Pella and Tracie
Peterson. (Ribbons west; 3.) LCCN
99050592. Minneapolis: Bethany House,
2000. ISBN 076422073X, PAP, $10.99.
F. Railroads--West (U.S.)--History--19th century--
Fiction; Frontier and pioneer life--West (U.S.)--
Fiction; Women journalists--West (U.S.)--Fiction. 285
p. Adult.
Those who have read the first two books in the
Ribbons West series, will be delighted to
continue following the life of the Baldwin
children as they move west to Sacramento and
become part of the building of the
Transcontinental Railroad. Jordana Baldwin,
feeling out of sorts living with her brother and
his new wife, decides to embark on a career of
her own, writing stories for New York
newspapers about the building of the Central
Pacific Railroad. At the same time she forms an
alliance with Charles Crocker, head of that
railroad, to serve as a spy for him in trying to
finger those responsible for the theft and
sabotage which has been plaguing the railroad’s
progress. Against her family’s wishes, she
disguises herself as young male reporter Joe
Baldwin, and lives in the railroad camps in order
to be accepted by the rough railroad workers.
Across the continent, Jordana’s long time friend
Captain Rich O’Brian leaves the army and
(unbeknownst to her) is hired by the Union
Pacific Railroad as their spy. The intrigue builds
when their paths cross and they become
involved in each other’s missions. The two
young adventurers not only manage to solve the
mysteries they face on the railroad, but at the
same time explore and solve some of the
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problems which they face in their personal lives,
crises of faith, family, and career.
Authors Judith Pella and Tracie Peterson show
their expertise as Christian writers in creating
believable characters who are able to live and
share their faith without clubbing others over the
head with it. Their witness is natural without
resorting to fantastic miracles and instantaneous
conversions to make their point.
Judy Driscoll, Retired Teacher, Poulsbo, Washington
True devotion, by Dee Henderson.
(Palisades pure romance.) LCCN
00008387. Sisters, Ore.: Multnomah,
2000. ISBN 1576736202, PAP, $6.99.
F. United States. Navy. SEALS--Fiction; Widows--
Fiction; Christian fiction; Love stories. 352 p. Adult
(High school).
SEAL is the acronym for an elite branch of the
U. S. Navy special forces. From the sea, air, or
land, they get the job done. This is the basis
upon which True Devotion is built.
Kelly, a young widow whose SEAL husband
Nick is killed in the line of duty, grapples with
her loss. Blaming God, she feigns spirituality
before everyone, and now caught in the ocean’s
riptide while attempting to rescue a surfer, they
drift further out to sea. With plenty of time to
scrutinize her life and possible death she
confesses her folly.
Joe, Nick’s buddy and their mutual friend, is
Kelly’s mainstay when she needs emotional
cleansing and support following Nick’s death.
They explore the possibility of becoming more
than friends, but have many issues to surmount.
Kelly yearns for a family but is reluctant to risk
being a SEAL wife again. Joe is in the SEALs
to stay and cannot justify being an absent father
while on lengthy missions. Both determine to
seek God’s will and guidance as they explore
furthering their relationship.
Dee Henderson infuses this romance with facts
regarding the tactics and terminology of a Navy
SEAL team and briefly explains where she
diverges from fact. She details several SEAL
team missions which injects a bit of action and
mystery as the plot unfolds. The characters
interact realistically as they resolve their
respective grief as spouse and friend. The
conclusion is weakened by a sense of deja vu
because Kelly again finds herself floating in the
ocean awaiting rescue.
Debbie Lindsay, Homeschool Parent, Eatonville, Washington
Unseen riches, by Gilbert Morris and J.
Landon Ferguson. (The chronicles of the
golden frontier; 2.) LCCN 98051867.
Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 1999.
ISBN 1581340222, PAP, $11.99.
F. Newspaper publishing--Fiction; Women publishers-
-Fiction; Colorado--Fiction; Western stories; Love
stories. 332 p. Adult.
Newspaper editor, Jennifer DeSpain, and Jason
Stone, her assistant, have established a
successful newspaper in Virginia City during
Nevada’s gold rush. Now they are ready to face
new challenges. Jennifer, her children, Jason,
and their good friends Lita and Abe are moving
to Black Hawk, Colorado, to establish a
newspaper in the Colorado gold fields. On the
train to Colorado, the notorious Kissing Bandit
steals all of Jennifer’s money as well as a kiss.
Although all of Jennifer’s capital for the
newspaper is gone, Jason and Abe still have
some money, which they pool to get the paper
started. A serious accident leaves Jason
paralyzed, and Jennifer is unable to print the
newspaper by herself. Help comes in the form
of a preacher and a handsome rancher.
In Unseen Riches, Jennifer, her family, and
friends face the temptations and tragedies of life
in the Colorado gold fields together, but they all
must work out their own problems through their
faith in God. How they accomplish this, get the
scoop of the century for the newspaper, and
discover the identity of the Kissing Bandit keeps
the reader turning pages right to the end.
Unseen Riches is the second in The Chronicles
of the Golden Frontier Series. The reader who
has not read Riches Untold may have a difficult
time understanding the relationship between the
characters. Although this book is historical
fiction, some great liberties have been taken
with history, with the characters riding from Salt
Lake through the Colorado Rockies to Golden,
Colorado. Actually, the Union Pacific ran north
of Colorado through Wyoming to avoid the
mountains. However, this book is exciting with
a good Christian message. Hopefully the reader
may also be inspired to read other true stories
about heroines of the Colorado gold rush
including Virginia Cornell’s Doc Susie: The
True Story of a Country Physician in the
Colorado Rockies, Ballantine Books, 1992.
Many excellent books have also been written
about the “unsinkable” Molly Brown, who not
only survived the gold rush, but was also a
heroine of the sinking of the Titanic.
Virginia Brown, Library Assistant, Freelance Writer, Former
Teacher, Sheridan, Wyoming
Unveiled, by Francine Rivers. (Lineage of
grace.) LCCN 99086431. Wheaton, Ill.:
Tyndale House Publishers, 2000. ISBN
0842319476, HBB, $12.99.
F. Tamar, daughter-in-law of Judah--Fiction; Bible.
O.T. Genesis--History of Biblical events--Fiction;
Women in the Bible--Fiction; Biographical fiction;
Religious fiction. 173 p. Adult.
Given in marriage to unite two households,
fourteen-year-old Tamar finds herself in an
unloving and abusive marriage. Accepting the
physical abuse from her husband and verbal
abuse from mother-in-law, Tamar dedicates
herself to becoming the best person and wife she
can be. When her husband chokes to death
without leaving an heir, Tamar is given to Onan,
the second son. Instead of wanting to
impregnate her, Onan spills his seed and again
Tamar is left childless. Onan dies suddenly and
Judah, son of Jacob and brother of Joseph, sends
Tamar back to her father’s house, despite the
fact that she should be given to the youngest son
in marriage. Tamar struggles for over six years
to accept her fate. She has forsaken the
Canaanite gods and yearns to know Judah’s
God. In a final act of desperation, Tamar
disguises herself as a temple prostitute and lures
her father-in-law to sleep with her. She becomes
pregnant and averts death when Judah realizes
he is the father.
Author Francine Rivers does a masterful job in
Unveiled. She takes a small story in the Bible
with one-dimensional people and brings them to
life. The characterization is strong and
consistent and the dynamics between the people
realistic. At the end of this novella there is a sixsection
study designed to give the reader more
information from the Bible about Tamar and her
story. This study can be done individually or in
a group setting and helps the reader see the
Biblical story in a new light.
Eileen Zygarlicke, Freelance Writer/Editor, Grand Forks, North
Dakota
When joy came to stay, by Karen
Kingsbury. LCCN 00009451. Sisters,
Ore.: Multnomah, 2000. ISBN
1576737462, PAP, $11.99.
F. Women--Fiction; Identity (Psychology)--Fiction;
Psychological fiction; Christian fiction; Depression--
Fiction. 387 p. Adult.
Picture-perfect Maggie Stovall puts her name
into the church’s prayer circle basket. When
assigned to pray, Laura is faithful to the leading
of God to pray at odd times and places, and the
cracks in the mask begin to show. As Maggie
experiences bizarre occurrences that lead her to
fear a nervous breakdown, she checks herself
into a private Christian hospital. In When Joy
Came to Stay Karen Kingsbury manages to refer
to a brief seduction in the past with no doubt that
the consequences of that sin and the subsequent
deception about the birth of a daughter given up
for adoption have seeded Maggie’s current
difficulty.
Maggie deludes herself that her husband Ben is
to blame because of his standards of purity that
engendered her fear of disclosure. Fearing that
she will be unacceptable to him when the truth
comes out, she refuses to see him and demands
a divorce. Finally recognizing the necessity of
vulnerability for growth and healing, Maggie
finds her way through a maze of self-deceit and
guilt to sort out the conflicts that have shortcircuited
her life.
Her bewildered husband, an assistant DA too
busy building his career to see his wife’s pain
until her abrupt departure, begins an odyssey to
discover the reason for her behavior and any
possible way out of the confusion for both of
them. The truths discovered are made more
difficult, as they are first thrown at him by a
despicable character he can’t believe that
Maggie ever knew. As he fits more pieces to the
puzzle he fights through rage to indifference.
Then surprised by a fierce love for the child he
finds whose hope and faith overcomes her
sadness, Ben is led to compassion. He becomes
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determined to reach his wife, ask for forgiveness
and convince her of his continued love.
Even though it is a novel rather than a dry
treatise on a mental disorder, this book pictures
potentially real behaviors and experiences
related to depression. Characters as revealed
through dialogue and description of their
emotions and actions are realistic. Motivations
as people struggle with their circumstances,
stretching their faith are believable. Although
there is graphic description of the abuse suffered
by the child in the story, the ending is a hoped
for and predictable, if idealized one. Both
husband and wife learn about the cost of
deception, the healing of truth and forgiveness,
the power of God’s kind of love, and the reality
of intercessory prayer as a source of spiritual
strength. The reader is drawn repeatedly to trust
in God over personal understanding. The
faithfulness of God sustains the characters and
the reader to a joyful resolution.
Carol B. Taylor, Freelance Writer, Certified Social Worker, Poulsbo,
Washington
When shadows fall, by Patricia H.
Rushford. (Helen Bradley mysteries.)
LCCN 00008487. Minneapolis: Bethany
House, 2000. ISBN 155661733X, PAP,
$9.99.
F. Christian fiction; Mystery and detective stories;
Policewomen--Fiction; Bradley, Helen (Fictitious
character)--Fiction. 238 p. Adult (High school).
Helen Bradley, retired police officer, once again
proves her agility when she survives being
locked in a storage closet, pushed onto rocks,
shot at, banged on the nose by a fleeing culprit,
and being in a car accident. All this happens
because Helen, a retired policewoman, cannot
resist the temptation to help investigate two
murders at Bay Village on the Oregon coast.
Before Helen and the police find answers for all
the questions facing them, they must solve a
third murder.
Rosie, Helen’s best friend, acts irresponsibly,
and evidence of her involvement in the crimes
goes against her. Additional complications arise
when a newcomer claims his father was one of
the murder victims.
Helen plunges headlong into the situation in
spite of her own personal crisis. Why did J.B.,
her husband of only a short while, suddenly
leave one morning without an explanation?
Helen wants to believe he had to return to
another undercover job, even though retired. On
the other hand, dubious thoughts make her
wonder, “Is he seeing another woman?”
Patricia H. Rushford takes readers on a busy
spin from first to last in When Shadows Fall. At
the end, everything becomes clear, and Helen
discovers her worst fears have melted away.
This Helen Bradley #4 will not disappoint
anyone who has met her before. Once again
Rushford brings her to life with everyday
details—the kind of tea Helen prefers, color and
style of clothes, feelings and emotions. The
conversational writing style helps readers feel as
if they participate in Helen’s life. She’s a good
friend to take along on vacation or to invite in
for a lazy day of reading.
Betty M. Hockett, Freelance Writer, Teacher, Speaker, Newberg,
Oregon
Whispering stones, by Sally Hawthorne.
LCCN 98040562. San Antonio: Langmarc
Publishing, 1998. ISBN 1880292602, PAP,
$12.95.
F. Grandmothers--Arizona--Fiction; Castles--Arizona-
-Fiction. 192 p. Adult (High school).
Sari Wyatt resents being ordered to Arizona by a
grandmother she has never met. Raised in India
by her missionary parents, Sari blames her
grandmother for much of the hardship in her life
and harbors bitter feelings toward her. On
arriving in Arizona, Sari discovers her
grandmother lives in a castle and is a real
Duchess. Although Monty, her grandmother’s
adopted son, tries to reassure her, Sari wonders
if the Whispering Stones in her bedroom are
warning her to leave.
Surprised to hear her grandmother has
disappeared before she arrived, Sari is more
surprised when no one seems to care. The
whispering Sari heard is explained when she
finds a secret passage in the wall. Oscar
Drayton, her grandmother’s lawyer, is found
stabbed. Jessica, Monty’s wife, becomes
increasingly resentful of Sari. Ron, Jessica’s
cousin, wants to know Sari better. Although
Sari broke her engagement to Michael before
leaving New York, she still loves him and can’t
understand her attraction to Ron.
While searching her grandmother’s room for
clues to where she may be, Marianne, the maid,
interrupts and challenges Sari to forgive her
grandmother. Realizing she needs God’s help to
resolve her problems, Sari asks Him to forgive
her. Although there are still questions to be
answered and problems to be resolved, Sari is
now able to face them.
Sally Hawthorne spins a tale of love and
forgiveness. Her love and knowledge of castles
is evident. Each chapter ends with a situation
that urges you to read on.
Barbara Bryden, Freelance Writer, Olympia, Washington
Woman of means, by Thom Lemmons.
(Daughters of faith; 2.) LCCN 99088654.
Sisters, Ore.: Multnomah, 2000. ISBN
1576736121, PAP, $10.99.
F. Lydia (Biblical character)--Fiction; Bible. N.T.--
History of Biblical events--Fiction; Women in the
Bible--Fiction; Biographical fiction; Christian fiction.
346 p. Adult (High school).
Woman of Means is a story of Lydia, the woman
mentioned in Acts 16:14 as a dealer in purple
cloth. From Lydia’s deathbed the story is told in
a series of flashbacks that are at times, confusing
and disruptive to the smooth flow of the
storyline. The reader learns of Lydia’s young
love for Menander in a flashback, also of her
fascination with the apostle Paul at a later date.
Lydia, as a young girl, is a headstrong tomboy.
Her mother is absorbed in arts, drama, and
music. Her father spends most of his time on his
business, which leaves Lydia to her own
devices. At sixteen she falls in love with
Menander, and against her father’s better
judgement he agrees to their marriage. After
their first child is born, Menander decides to join
the army. Shortly after he leaves, Lydia
discovers she is pregnant again. When
Menander is killed, Lydia is left to fend for
herself and her children.
In a time when women did not normally deal in
the world of commerce, Lydia makes her mark
in Philippi. Even when she becomes a Christian
late in life, her faith doesn’t seem to do much for
her irascible character.
Author, Thom Lemmons has done his research.
Careful attention to details puts the reader into
the Roman colony of Philippi of 28 A.D. The
characters drink wine, a normal part of that
culture and does not depict drunkenness.
Myrtlemay Pittman Crane, Freelance Writer, Editor, Alderwood
Manor, Washington
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BOOK REVIEWS
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100’s—Philosophy & Psychology
Holy people, holy lives : law and Gospel in
bioethics, by Richard C. Eyer. LCCN
00008495. St. Louis, Mo.: Concordia,
2000. ISBN 0570052556, PAP, $16.99.
174.’2. Medical ethics; Bioethics; Christian ethics.
167 p. Adult.
This book is a good place to start for anyone
interested in the areas of theology and bioethics.
Written from an overt, non-apologetic Christian
mindset, Eyer uses the format of real world
situations that are used to model philosophies
both old and new. This will benefit the reader
greatly as many readers may not have had, or
not had in a long time, a philosophy class that
contained Christian thinkers. Eyer then
systematically presents the mindset of each of
these philosophies in the field of bioethics. This
is a large field and Eyer admits that it is for each
person to decide how to live out Christian ethics
but he maintains that once the facts are
presented the Christian will know the “mind of
Christ” and therefore will know what action
needs to be taken.
The book is attractive and the type easy to
manage. There are end notes, a detailed
bibliography, and an appendix which is
especially helpful for its explanations.
Reverend Eyer discusses topics such as
abortion, quality of life, reproduction, and
genetic engineering with great care and
consideration.
Bianca Elliott, Teacher, Linwood, Kansas
200’s—Religion
★
Surprised by faith : a scientist shares his
personal, life-changing discoveries about
God, the Bible, and personal fulfillment,
by Dr. Don Bierle. Lynnwood, Wash.:
Emerald Books, 1992. ISBN 1883002338,
PAP, $8.99.
220.8. Bible and science. 120 p. Adult.
Can a person come to faith through the intellect
or is it merely an emotive response or is it some
combination of the two? That is the question
answered by Dr. Don Bierle, who although
raised in a Christian home, was never a believer
until he was in college. Like many others, he
believed that faith in Christ was an ignorant
superstition for the emotionally and mentally
weak. In Surprised by Faith he takes us step by
step through an apologetic breakdown of how a
person truly comes to faith.
In this succinct book he leads the reader through
the basic scientific proofs of Christianity
through the essence of what belief truly is and
then finally confronts the reader with the
question we all must answer—“what will you
do with Christ?” Each chapter has thought
provoking quotes both by the faithful and by
those who have chosen to reject or are
undecided about faith in Christ. His style and
arguments are reminiscent of Josh McDowell
A Note from the Editor: by Ray Legg
Turning on
their
“Wanter”
I am one of the
fortunate ones—I love what I do. I am a
teacher. I enjoy having the opportunity
to stimulate and challenge students in
my classes, and watching them develop
as people as we interact with subject
matter brings joy to my days.
But with that joy comes an attendant
frustration. Not all of those enrolled in
any given class are there because they
want to be. Many are registered because
they need the credit and the only thing
they want from the class is, out. They
are the ones I find to be most
challenging. How do I get them to
WANT to be there and WANT to learn
and WANT to take something away from
the class other than a grade? How do I
help them develop an interest in what
they are doing?
It occurs to me that many of the readers
of this publication might face a similar
problem. Many of the people entering
the library are there because there is no
other place they would rather be. Their
only frustration is that they cannot take
out every book on the shelves in which
they are interested. There are the others,
also. They are the ones who are there
because they are forced by assignment,
parent, or other necessity to interact with
books. But read? Horrors!
So, how do we get the non-readers
interested? What can we do to make
reading as painless as possible until they
come to actually enjoy it? The local
library has come up with an interesting
twist on an old idea. It has put together
a reading list and formed discussion
circles that meet regularly. The twist
comes in that the leaders of the groups
come from all walks and levels of life.
There are moms, teachers, college
professors (I am doing The Grapes of
Wrath), and even high school students.
This mix of perspectives should prove to
be both interesting and informative. But
I think the greatest asset of this approach
will be getting everyone on every level
interested in reading. It may prove to be
a very useful tool in not only getting
people to the library but helping them
enjoy the time there. And who knows?
if they enjoy it they may want to come
back. And if they come back, it may
just be because they want to, and isn’t
that the goal?
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and C.S. Lewis. In fact, Dr. Bierle quotes Lewis
quite a few times and the title Surprised by Faith
is similar to Surprised by Joy, Lewis’ account of
his own spiritual awakening.
Each chapter is concluded with several
interactive questions which confront the reader
on his/her own belief or lack of belief. A
wonderful addition is the inclusion of easy to
understand charts. What an appropriate book to
give to unbelievers to challenge them in a
logical, non-confrontive manner. It would also
be useful to share with new Christians to
provide to them an easy to understand basis for
their faith or to use in a small group setting as a
study guide.
Teresa O’Donley, Library Media Specialist, Bayhmonte Christian
School, Scotts Valley, California
Ten commandments, produced by EO
International. Worcester, Pa.: Gateway
Films, Vision Video, 1999. ISBN
1563643898, VID, $79.99.
222. Ten Commandments (Bible. O.T.). 5
videocassettes (60 min. ea.) : sd., col. Adult (High
school).
Adrian Snell offers each commandment’s
application, biblical context, and helpful points,
and while he is talking, interesting pictures
appear in the background. The viewer is
introduced to a current day situation where
another person is highlighted to accentuate the
application of this commandment, e.g. in the
Second Commandment, “Do not bow down to
anything” we meet a woman, originally part of
Koresh’s Waco commune, and her journey in
coming to understand this commandment.
There are no loose ends but neither is the
contemporary story perfectly laid out—the
viewer is able to think and apply the truths
evident in the situation. Snell, an accomplished
pianist and guitarist, and singer of such songs as
“City of Peace” and “My Heart Shall Mourn,”
has produced twelve solo albums over his
twenty-five year musical career. His narration
adds a quiet, smooth, inviting touch without any
overtones of headtalk.
The quality of the video and narration adds to
the series. The discussion is short and easy to
follow, and fast moving with the background
scenes. In addition, the discussion includes the
current day situation and other applications to
probe the commandment’s meaning. Each
commandment segment stands by itself and can
be viewed in that setting. An introduction to the
commandments, and periodic reference to
another commandment, also notes how these
guides fit together and present a picture of
healthy life.
Teachers can use these with confidence in high
school classes, and adults will be challenged at
their applicability to one’s life. There is no
heavy theological jargon, and the viewer is
likely to see the commandment in a new or
expanded manner, e.g. Commandment Eight,
“Do not steal,” considers overt theft and ripping
someone off but also considers how negligence,
waste, indifference, and disregard become
significant theft. The discussion also notes a
connection between stealing and self-respect.
Recommended for all church and Christian
school libraries.
Leroy Hommerding, Director, Fort Myers Beach P.L. District, Fort
Myers, Florida
The ways of God : how God reveals
himself before a watching world, by
Henry T. Blackaby and Roy T. Edgemon.
LCCN 00031290. Nashville: Broadman &
Holman, 2000. ISBN 0805423737, HBB,
$17.99.
231.7. Providence of God; God--Attributes; Christian
life. 180 p. Adult.
Beginning with the assertion that God’s ways
are not our ways, the authors guide readers
through various evidences of the nature and
ways of God. Each of six chapters is organized
around facets of God’s character such as love,
sovereignty, holiness, and truth. Scripture in
boxes breaks up the text. A summary ends each
chapter with a focus to pray and think about.
Five short chapters on leading a group
discussion on the ways of God complete the
volume. Numerous examples from scripture
illustrate each point. The authors discuss ways
people avoid truth, rationalize their actions, and
avoid God’s assignments. We are encouraged to
know his ways and thoughts so we can “identify
and respond to his working in our lives.”
While a direct route may be the human choice,
God’s purpose is more than the task at hand; it is
the drawing of people to himself. First he makes
himself available. Then God forgives, calls into
being that which was not, teaches and works
though those that fear and believe him. Insights
into the nature of God enable us to find the
purpose, promise, and reliability of his perfect
love. Choosing to trust God, we can accept his
wisdom and believe he will provide for us
because he is sovereign over provisions,
circumstances, and fears. We can allow God to
shape our lives with his holiness through
repentance and obedience. As we do so we are
available to instruction and correction and
escape the destruction of sin, becoming more
fruitful. He says that his word will accomplish
what he desires. Unbelief rejects the truth and
Jesus rejects unbelief. God is eternal and the
authors remind us that what we do here in time
affects us in eternity. We move into alignment
with God’s purpose when we can desire to share
God’s power and love even with those who
reject us.
Roy Edgemon and Henry Blackaby ask us in
The Ways of God to recognize the contrast of
living in time; of thinking we have time to
forgive or repent later, needing to justify our
anger or rebellion now. “Eternal life is a
relationship with a person,” far beyond head
knowledge. “The clearest way to know the
ways of God is to know him personally through
this son, his spirit, and his word. When we have
Christ living within us, we can begin to
understand God’s ways of love, God’s sovereign
ways, His ways of holiness and truth, and his
eternal ways. As God transforms us into His
image, we can function in his ways and serve his
purpose.”
This book would be especially helpful for
someone who is unsure where to start reading
God’s word. Specific pointers to scripture
encourage understanding of basic Christian
principles, as well as the nature of God. While
it doesn’t engender spontaneous enthusiasm for
the subject, short periods of reading should
engage and encourage thoughtful meditation in
all but the most jaded reader. The guidance in
this book would be useful for revitalizing
perhaps even that unfortunate soul.
Carol B. Taylor, Freelance Writer/Certified Social Worker, Poulsbo,
Washington
Our covenant God : learning to trust Him,
by Kay Arthur. LCCN 99011808.
Colorado Springs: Waterbrook Press,
1999. ISBN 1578561825, HBB, $19.95.
231.7’6. Covenants--Religious aspects--Christianity;
Trust in God--Christianity. 276 p. Adult.
Covenant: perhaps this not too familiar word has
escaped your notice and your understanding;
yet, as a Christian, it is an essential and rich
word that encompasses the very promises and
blessings of God himself. Actually, it embraces
the very essence of who God is. Kay Arthur, a
well-known Bible teacher, presents a wealth of
information about our covenant making-God.
Without understanding what this covenant is, we
cannot partake in or enjoy all that the Lord has
intended.
In the book Our Covenant God we find rich
truths that will bring the Christian into a closer
and more relevant relationship with God.
Although these precepts are not always simple
to grasp, the reader will enjoy unfolding
revelation of who God is and who we are in
Him. Step by step, truth is revealed and
celebrated in its simplicity and impact on the
believer. Glimpses into the joy the author
experiences in sharing these rich insights gives
one an occasional sense of Max Lucado style—
sincere and insightful eloquence and
enthusiasm. Anyone desiring to grow in the
knowledge and love of God will welcome the
teachings within this book.
Mary McKinney, Former Teacher, Freelance Writer, Editor, Port
Orchard, Washington
★
Sister Wendy’s nativity, by Sister Wendy
Beckett. LCCN 99167653. Chicago:
Loyola Press, 1998. ISBN 0829413677,
HBB, $24.95.
232.92. Jesus Christ--Nativity; Jesus Christ--Art;
Jesus Christ--Biography. 95 p. Adult (High school).
In her own inimitable style, Sister Wendy
Beckett presents the nativity of Christ using a
series of beautiful miniatures and illuminations
from manuscripts in the Vatican’s Apostolic
Library. Sister Wendy’s Nativity expresses both
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her insights into the paintings and the scriptures
prompting the paintings. Sister Wendy believes,
“Jesus was born into the real world, and so the
wonder of his birth must be framed by what
came before and by what happened after it.” As
a result, the book is divided into four sections
and the birth of Christ becomes a part of the
whole story. In the first section, Preparing the
Way, she discusses creation, Adam and Eve, and
the ancestry of Jesus. The Holy Birth is the
second section and Christ Among Us the third.
After presenting highlights of Christ’s life, she
moves to the final section, Death and
Resurrection. The book ends with a painting of
a scene in heaven to which Sister Wendy adds
thoughtfully, “Jesus came down from heaven to
take us back with him. Whether we consciously
accept this or not, it is so.”
Sister Wendy, a world-renowned art historian,
draws attention to the expressive faces and
bodies of the people in the paintings and
explains the pictures within the pictures. Her
astute assessment of the paintings and
knowledge of scripture are combined to create a
book that will delight everyone who has seen
her on television and serve as a special
introduction to those who have not.
This is the first time some of these lovely
colored miniatures and illuminations from the
ninth to fifteenth centuries have been seen by the
public. They are part of a group exhibited by the
Vatican Library and the Italian Ministry of
Culture to celebrate the third Christian
millennium.
Barbara Bryden, Freelance Writer, Olympia, Washington
Gifted for good : every woman’s guide to
her spiritual gifts, by Kathryn Deering.
LCCN 00020906. Ann Arbor, Mich.: Vine
Books, Servant Publications, 2000. ISBN
1569550891, PAP, $10.99.
234.’13’082. Christian women--Religious life; Gifts,
Spiritual. 206 p. Adult.
Kathryn Deering,, senior editor at Servant
Publications, presents a unique resource
designed especially to assist women in
identifying and cultivating their spiritual gifts.
In Gifted for Good Deering assumes the Holy
Spirit has given every born-again believer one
or more gifts, and describes the discovery
process: experiment, evaluate, expect
confirmation, take initiative, and pray. She
recommends using spiritual gift questionnaires
only after personal searching.
Deering lovingly refers to her work as Aunt
Agnes, a replacement for bygone days, when
women encouraged each other in intergenerational
family living situations. She
imparts this heart to heart wisdom for each of
twenty-seven gifts through interesting, unusual
true stories of women who discover in
surprising ways how God has equipped them to
serve in the Body of Christ. Encouragement
abounds for the new Christian as well as for the
mature Christian who wants to grow in her
understanding of the subtle changes and blends
of her gifts over time.
Having thoroughly researched the field and
borrowed from others’ works, Deering explains
the differences between spiritual gifts and
natural talents, how people misunderstand and
misuse gifts, and cautions against the legalism
of rigid human lists, which may limit the Holy
Spirit’s appropriation of the gifts. A selfdescribed
charismatic Christian, she admits that
her list, which includes the gifts of tongues, their
interpretation, miracles, and deliverance, is a
“representative sampling.” Helpful for
individuals, Sunday School classes, small group
studies, or mentoring, the book contains a
comprehensive appendix describing positive
and negative personal traits for all gifts
discussed.
Enlightening readers with engaging personal
examples and clear teaching, the text enables
women to find or develop spiritual gifts and say
delightfully, “I would rather do this for God than
anything else in the world!”
Rhonda Marie Lackey, Writer, Former Teacher/Librarian, Tukwila,
Washington
The way of forgiveness : how to heal life’s
hurts and restore broken relationships, by
Patrick J. Brennan. LCCN 00022949.
Ann Arbor, Mich.: Charis, Servant
Publications, 2000. ISBN 1569551715,
PAP, $9.99.
234.’5. Brennan, Patrick J.; Catholic church--
Doctrines; Forgiveness--Religious aspects--Catholic
Church; Reconciliation--Religious aspects--Catholic
Church. 216 p. Adult.
Father Brennan presents a contemplative and
intimate method to practice what he calls the
way of forgiveness. As a Roman Catholic priest
he explains the R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian
Initiation of Adults) which then became the
Order of Penitents. He goes on in the following
chapters to explain how this order may be
modified and used in the believer’s life.
The book contains three powerful chapters that
contain mini sections that close with scripture
and prayer. The power in the book is the
simplicity and the yearning for the reader to
contemplatively consider their role in
forgiveness. Especially helpful is the
recognition that with some sins the “forgiver”
needs time to process the hurt. Father Brennan
indicates that the “forgiver” desires to forgive
but the pain must be dealt with and this means
the “forgivee” needs to be patient. Father
Brennen uses many examples for how to forgive
from his own life. His candidness regarding his
dismissal from a position and his striving to not
be bitter was very helpful. In the back of the
book is a synthesis of the material he articulates
earlier in the book. There is a ten step “Process
of Sorrow and Repentance” and a ten step
“Process of Forgiveness.”
The paperback is of good quality and the print is
perfect. This is a must for church libraries with
hurting people.
Bianca Elliott, Teacher, Linwood, Kansas
★
Follow me : experience the loving
leadership of Jesus, by Jan David
Hettinga. LCCN 96009482. Colorado
Springs, Colo.: NavPress, 1996. ISBN
0891099824, PAP, $14.00.
234.’6120. Jesus Christ--Lordship; Salvation;
Spiritual life--Christianity; Kingdom of God. 271 p.
Adult.
“Tell me who your leader is—Boris Yeltsin,
Louis Farrankhan..Gloria Steinem or Billy
Graham—and I can immediately tell you all
kinds of things about you..even if your leader is
yourself, which is what most of us prefer,”
writes Pastor Jan Hettinga, Senior Pastor of
Northshore Baptist Church, Seattle,
Washington.
In twenty-nine, short, easy-to-read chapters,
Hettinga asks the thought-provoking question,
“Who do you follow?” He addresses the current
lack of worldwide leadership today. His
research might surprise most readers. He bases
his assumptions on personal observation,
opinion polls, and a distressed, worldwide
populace. He claims leadership is further
compromised by the breakdown of the family
unit where 50% of the western world is intimate
with the word divorce. “Is it any wonder,” he
asks, “why the coming generation’s motto is to
question authority?” He says society should be
able to look to the church for leadership
examples and moral authority. But, the
disturbing truth is that Christians struggle with
these issues as well.
The chapters are broken into five sections. In
each Hettinga shows why Jesus is the safest
leader to follow. Then discusses why we reject
the leadership of Jesus in an unsafe world filled
with sin and rebellion. Next, he reveals how to
get back on track and into personal relationship
with Him, rather than just the practice of
religion. After that he explains why there is no
formula, only followers who teach by example
through faith. Subsequently he discloses how to
have a healthy fear of the Lord and blossom as a
Christian within that context.
Each section ends with “Taking Another Step,”
comprised of meditative questions to ensure a
complete understanding. The author illustrates
whom you follow determines where you go and
cites the differences between following and
believing. He writes, “Believing is a spectator
sport, following is what makes you a player.”
An engaging and thought provoking read,
Follow Me is sorely needed in our world today
to show people how to experience a personal
relationship with Jesus, one where you can
become the follower He created you to be.
Gail Welborn, Freelance Writer/Reporter, Everett, Washington
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Good news about injustice : a witness of
courage in a hurting world, by Gary A.
Haugen. LCCN 99017480. Downers
Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1999.
ISBN 0830822240, PAP, $11.99.
241.’622. Christianity and justice. 200 p. Adult.
Haugen has seen so much hurting. As director
of the United Nations genocide investigation,
Haugen went to Rwanda and saw the carnage
first-hand. Additionally, he has witnessed the
effects of apartheid in South Africa and guerrilla
war in the Philippines. But it was not only in the
far corners of the world that Haugen saw others
in need; he saw need for justice in the United
States as well. Haugen doesn’t gloss over the
carnage nor does he dwell on it as one who has
no hope. He simply states the situation in all its
ugliness to underscore the biblical teaching
regarding God’s heart concerning injustice. His
goal is not only to bring together the ones with
needs with those who can meet those needs such
as attorneys, judges, officers, etc. but also to
equip other Christians to pray, send money, or
whatever needs to be done.
In 1994 the International Justice Mission was
formed to make Christian public justice
professionals available to serve Global Christian
workers when they encounter cases of abuse or
oppression in their communities. As a result,
Christian workers have professionals they can
call upon throughout the world to help them
with matters involving injustice. If that were all
this book did it would be required reading, but
Haugen takes the issue of justice and shows it as
dear to the heart of God. In three units Haugen
provides an introduction to the injustice of our
world, the character of our God, and the
opportunity for God’s people to make a
difference.
This book has specific questions and answers to
pressing problems in the world. Haugen never
over simplifies but rather states the exact
reasons for why there needs to be this service
and how it needs to be done. All of the
situations are carefully noted in the back of the
book. Additionally, there is a page for additional
resources. This is a must read for the Christian
church.
Bianca Elliott, Teacher, Linwood, Kansas
Joy to the world : the stories behind your
favorite Christmas carols, by Kenneth W.
Osbeck. Grand Rapids: Kregel
Publications, 2000. ISBN 0825434394,
PAP/CD, $17.00.
242.’335. Christmas--Prayer-books and devotions--
English; Carols, English--History and criticism. 112
p.; CD-ROM. Adult (All ages).
Kenneth W. Osbeck tells the stories behind
twenty-five beloved Christmas carols in Joy to
the World! Familiar carols such as “Silent
Night!” “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing,” and
“Away in a Manger” are among the carols
featured. Also included are less familiar ones
like “While by Our Sheep,” “Once in Royal
David’s City,” and “Lo! How a Rose E’er
Blooming.”
Each chapter contains the inspiration behind the
carol, a devotional thought, Scripture, and the
complete musical score with lyrics. Interesting,
little-known information adds new meaning to
each song. For example, “Ring the Bells” was
published in 1958 by Harry Bollback. He was
standing in line at a bus station in Sao Paulo,
Brazil, when he heard bells ringing for The
Virgin Mary. His thoughts turned to the birth of
Jesus and the words and music came to him.
When he arrived at his friend’s home, he sat
down and played it. “I had nothing to do with
the writing of it. The Lord just gave it to me.”
Filled with inspiration, the volume is suitable for
personal and family devotions. With twentyfive
songs, there’s one for each day from
December first through Christmas Day.
The book comes packaged with a CD also
entitled Joy to the World! The Discovery
Singers perform the carols found in the book.
Families will appreciate this book/CD combo
that adds enrichment to Christmas celebrations.
Lydia E. Harris, Freelance Writer & Educator, Seattle, Washington
Women of prayer : an anthology of
everyday prayers from women around the
world, compiled by Dorothy Stewart.
LCCN 98028274. Chicago: Loyola Press,
1999. ISBN 0829412808, HBB, $18.95.
242.’643. Prayers; Women--Prayer-books and
devotions. 291 p. Adult.
This collection of international prayers
expresses the act of praying from a variety of
pray-ers. Some are from individuals, others
more generic like ‘women of Canada.’ Many of
the prayers are contemporary and others from
women of past ages. Some prayers are oneliners
and others are longer and more reflective.
Some lend themselves to use for public
occasions and others for private use.
The prayers encompass life situations such as
matters of trust and hope, forgiveness and
devotion, excitement, and crying in desperation.
Prayers are about work and friends, about
families and individuals, about concerns for
peace and justice, and sometimes, just about
being.
Of particular help are an index of subjects, and
an index of first lines of the prayers. One is sure
to find something, whether it’s the quiet
elegance of Helen Steiner Rice, “And little do
we realize how contented we would be, if we
knew that we were beautiful when our hearts are
touched by Thee” or the direct approach of
Stewart herself, “Here I am, Lord, inquiring of
you. Please, is there an answer?” or Jan
Pichard’s paraphrase of Psalm 105:1-5, “We
thank you, God! We want to tell the world what
you have done: your wonderful works..”
Stewart is also author of Women of Vision
(Loyola Press, 2000).
Leroy Hommerding, Director, Fort Myers Beach P.L. District, Fort
Myers, Florida
The perfect catch : lessons for life from a
bass fisherman, by H. Norman Wright.
LCCN 99050953. Minneapolis: Bethany
House, 2000. ISBN 0764222953, HBB,
$14.99.
242.’68. Fishing--Religious aspects--Christianity;
Fishers--Religious life. 287 p. Adult.
The sixty short stories in The Perfect Catch
weave real-life fishing experiences, scripture,
and applicable lessons for life in general
together. Even those with little or no fishing
experience will find enough here to make the
readings worthwhile. The stories lend
themselves to meditation, or as a daily or
periodic reminder about the eternal values of
life. The careful blend of Old and New
Testament stories make this a way to appreciate
Scripture even more. Amid the fishing tips and
fish tales (tall but true), one learns biblical
thoughts about creation, learning, relationships,
priorities, disappointments, and challenges.
Wright is an avid bass fisherman and a licensed
marriage, family and child therapist. Macauley
has provided some illustrations for this work,
and as Wright’s adult daughter, shares his
delight for fishing.
Leroy Hommerding, Director, Fort Myers Beach P.L. District, Fort
Myers, Florida
The image maker, by Terry M. Crist.
LCCN 00100889. Lake Mary, Fla.:
Creation House, 2000. ISBN 0884196372,
PAP, $12.99.
248. Christian life. 222 p. Adult.
The modern-day proliferation of self-help gurus,
New Age philosophies entering churches and
schools, and the growth of humanism and
pantheism serve as the backdrop to The Image
Maker. Self-pride, self-esteem, and selffulfillment
are discussed and Crist offers a
paradigm that enables the reader to understand
one’s identity that comes from a biblical
worldview and relationship with God. He
enables the reader to understand that our God
generated identity is the key to being free from
addictions and dependencies. It makes for
quality individual reading, and could also be
used well for reflection in group discussion. I
particularly like the way Crist is able to point out
less than welcome developments in our culture
without harping on the negativity but instead
offering a positive way to move ourselves
forward in Christ.
Crist is the father of three sons, spiritual
overseer of a network of churches, and
companion to wife Judith. He has an endearing
knack to filter in the truths of Christianity into
his discussion in a way that makes such heavy
words like redemption, justification,
incarnation, or righteousness seem not only right
but easily digestible.
Recommended for church libraries and in
collections where readers seek self-help
guidance.
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Leroy Hommerding, Director, Fort Myers Beach P.L. District, Fort
Myers, Florida
The Cleavers don’t live here anymore :
bringing hope and radical forgiveness to
the bewilderment, betrayal, and bitterness
of real family life, by Laurie Sharlene
Hall. LCCN 99088896. Ann Arbor,
Mich.: Vine Books, Servant Publications,
2000. ISBN 1569551316, PAP, $10.99.
248.4. Married persons--Religious life; Marriage--
Religious aspects--Christianity. 218 p. Adult.
This is Laurie Hall’s second book. Her first,
Affair of the Mind, discussed her ordeal with her
husband’s addiction to pornography. She
references that book in her new book taking the
reader to the next level when there has been a
betrayal in the marriage—forgiveness. Her
book is written as if one is sitting across from
her drinking coffee in the kitchen. Her honest
discussions of her sadness and experiences will
connect with those hurting. Most importantly,
her appropriate use of humor make this book
one to read and turn to in the hard times. She
presents, in the opening chapters, an overview
of our hurting society. She spends much of her
time reporting statistics of the situation in the
church and in the world. Throughout her book
Hall doesn’t mince words or gloss over the
situation of a hurting man or woman where trust
has been destroyed. She simply states that there
is a specific process that has brought her and her
husband peace. She presents her ideas regarding
how marriage is not understood well in three
units entitled, dealing with the outward realities,
dealing with the inward realities, and dealing
with the ongoing realities.
Each chapter begins with a quote of an
individual and scripture. She then proceeds to
rip any pretense for the reader to remain
unforgiving in their present situation. Each
chapter ends with questions that force the reader
to examine himself/herself rather than the other
person.
The book is a quality paperback. Hall discusses
depression, pornography and its effects, abuse,
as well as other topics candidly. Appendix A is
a table indicating how one can discern abusive
leadership. Appendix B is a listing of
recommended reading ordered by topicality.
She qualifies this reading list by stating that she
doesn’t endorse every book; she just found it
generally helpful in her understanding of
forgiveness. Her notes section is worth reading
on its own.
Bianca Elliott, Teacher, Linwood, Kansas
Visioneering, by Andy Stanley. LCCN
99015763. Sisters, Ore.: Multnomah,
1999. ISBN 1576735389, HBB, $18.99.
248.4. Nehemiah (Governor of Juday); Success--
Religious aspects--Christianity. 272 p. Adult.
Using the Book of Nehemiah as a running
illustration, Visioneering describes the process
of recognizing, developing, implementing, and
maintaining a vision. The book constantly
reminds the reader that visions begin, end, and
have their purpose in glorifying God and
expanding His Kingdom. The text introduces
two new words into the lexicon: “visioneering,”
the process of developing and maintaining
vision; and “visioncasting,” the sharing of a
vision with others.
Visioneering’s eighteen chapters thoroughly
cover a number of topics: vision birth, prayer,
faith, moral authority, and godly purpose. The
book also addresses vital topics such as
planning, public relations, organizational
behavior, and team development. Visioneering
covers the secular and religious aspects of vision
in a natural, smooth manner. Appropriately, the
book ends with a challenge: “Pay the price.
Embrace the vision.”
Visioneering is well written, well researched and
well organized. Author Andy Stanley marches
through the Book of Nehemiah in an orderly,
thorough way. Despite that order and structure,
the book is an engaging read. Additionally,
Pastor Stanley goes out of his way to tie
everything, at every opportunity, back to our
Lord and the building of His Kingdom.
Anyone who reads the text should develop a
complete understanding of vision. The entire
subject is made accessible and understandable.
While remaining true to a scriptural and biblical
basis, Visioneering does not become
sanctimonious or dogmatic. It’s easy to imagine
any secular businessman picking up this book
and being enriched by its content.
Visioneering will, by its nature, be most valuable
to the leaders and managers of organizations and
institutions. Any parent, pastor, teacher or
leader should find something of value within
these pages. Happily, even those who seek to
simply manage themselves with benefit from
reading this book.
This book is a valuable and important resource
for anyone who wants to get something done.
Kirk Hunt, Instructor, Pima County Community College, Business
& Industry Division, Tucson, Arizona
Husbands and fathers : rediscover the
Creator’s purpose for men, by Derek
Prince; foreword by Edwin Louis Cole.
LCCN 99038439. Grand Rapids: Chosen
Books, Baker Book House, 2000. ISBN
0800792742, PAP, $9.99.
248.8’421. Christian men--Religious life; Husbands--
Religious life; Fathers--Religious life. 160 p. Adult.
Husbands and Fathers is a thought-provoking,
discussion-starting, quick-reading, experiencebased
book written by Pentecostal preacherteacher
Derek Prince. Prince draws on his own
experience as the father of nine daughters and
the husband of two wives to provide practical
advice.
Much of what he shares has the grandfatherly
feel that readers might expect from an eighty
year old evangelist who remains active in
Christian ministry despite the very recent homegoing
of his second wife. Herein lies a problem.
Much of his solid, practical, experiential advice
Prince labels as biblical advice. While the
principles he shares with readers may transcend
many cultural walls, this does not make them
biblical. Examples include this bold statement:
“If the wife does not submit willingly to her
husband’s headship, there is only one way he
can take that position—by self-assertive
domination.” While this is a debatable claim
even within the most conservative of
evangelical circles, Prince couches it in a section
addressing “what the Bible has to say” about
wives.
Readers should be prepared for several casual,
but not too frequent, references to speaking in
tongues and the filling of the Holy Spirit.
Additionally, Prince’s treatment of the historic
meaning and nature of “covenant” relationships
is interesting. Unfortunately, his observations
seem to be that of an amateur theologian rather
than a biblical scholar.
The greatest reward awaits the reader who
completes his study of this book. Prince’s
advice and insight regarding spiritual fatherhood
is gratifying and affirming. Detailing the life
and teaching of Paul, Prince provides creative
and original perspectives for fathers, single men,
and childless husbands. These later portions of
the book were a wonderful surprise and will,
unfortunately, miss their target audience because
of the book’s misdirected title.
Maturing Christian men and the women who
care about them will benefit from discussion
based on Husbands and Fathers.
Daniel S. Brown, Professor of Communication, Indiana Wesleyan
University, Indianapolis, Indiana
★
When couples pray together, by Jan Stoop
and David Stoop. LCCN 99059126. Ann
Arbor, Mich.: Vine Books, Servant
Publications, 2000. ISBN 1569551081,
PAP, $10.99.
248.8’44. Spouses--Religious life; Marriage--
Religious aspects--Christianity; Prayer--Christianity.
180 p. Adult.
Authors David and Jan Stoop struggled to pray
together during their early years of marriage.
Jan yearned for spiritual intimacy with Dave,
but he resisted when she suggested they join in
prayer. Problems like theirs are not uncommon.
Informal statistics reveal only four percent of
Christian couples actually pray together on a
regular basis.
Whether marriage partners already pray together
or want to start, When Couples Pray Together
has much to offer. It brims with stories of
praying couples, answered prayers, and practical
guidance. Written in a friendly tone, it covers
why couples should pray together, why they
don’t, and how to begin.
The Stoops, now grandparents, have prayed
with each other daily for almost thirty years and
list marital stability as an important benefit.
While divorce statistics soar even among
Christians, one marriage ministry reported: If
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couples pray together regularly, only one in
1,500 gets divorced.
Couples in this book testified that their prayer
times enhanced spiritual intimacy with God and
each other. When couples unite in prayer, God
releases his incredible power. Jesus promised,
“If two of you on earth agree about anything you
ask for, it will be done” (Matthew 18:19 NIV).
This book cites exciting answers as husbands
and wives agreed in prayer. But even when
prayers weren’t answered as hoped, praying
together sustained them during dark times.
Since numerous benefits result from praying
together, why don’t more Christian couples do
so? One hindrance is our natural resistance to
change. Other barriers include busyness,
personality differences, fear, laziness, marital
conflicts, plus evil, unseen forces. But the
authors don’t leave readers stuck with these
difficulties. They offer suggestions to overcome
resistance and barriers, then challenge married
partners to begin praying. Discussion questions
and sample prayers are included to help couples
start. I highly recommend this motivating,
quick read.
Lydia E. Harris, Freelance Writer & Educator, Seattle, Washington
★
Chronic kids, constant hope : help and
encouragement for parents of children
with chronic conditions, by Elizabeth
Hoekstra and Mary Bradford. LCCN
00009201. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books,
Good News Publishers, 2000. ISBN
1581341849, PAP, $12.99.
248.845. Parents of chronically ill children--Religious
life; Chronic diseases in children--Religious aspects--
Christianity. 206 p. Adult.
One-third of American families are estimated to
have children with life-altering diseases.
Authors Elizabeth Hoekstra and Mary Bradford,
both sisters and nurses, are mothers of such
children. In Chronic Kids, Constant Hope, they
share struggles and triumphs and offer help and
encouragement to parents with chronically ill
children. Written with compassion and
sensitivity, the book brims with Scripture, hope,
and practical advice.
The authors understand the hurt,
disappointment, and grief parents feel and cover
pertinent topics. They aren’t afraid to tackle
difficult questions and provide honest answers.
Subjects include anger towards God, prayers for
healing, medical care, how to respond when
others are insensitive, educating yourself about
disease, bonding as a family unit, how chronic
disease affects siblings, schooling for the ill
child, and much more. The authors discuss
ways to cope emotionally, physically, and
spiritually, and encourage readers to hope in
God, who will not disappoint them. They
suggest parents write stories of their children’s
illnesses so they can testify about God’s
faithfulness, provision, and protection when
asked about their children.
Parents of chronic kids will be comforted to
know they aren’t alone in coping with their
situations and will value this supportive
resource. It offers tremendous help to raise
well-adjusted children who know God has a
purpose for their illness and lives. Also included
are useful Scripture verses and an appendix with
resources. I strongly recommend this resource
for families with chronic kids and others who
deal with them.
Lydia E. Harris, Freelance Writer & Educator, Seattle, Washington
Real family values : leading your family
into the 21st century with clarity and
conviction, by Robert Lewis. LCCN
99050892. Sisters, Ore.: Multnomah
Publishers, 2000. ISBN 1576736679, PAP,
$12.99.
248.8’45. Family--Religious life; Christian ethics.
265 p. Adult.
Real Family Values sets out to clarify the values
that are part of our cultural milieu and how these
values help us understand the real forces at work
in the changes we experience in life. It also
seeks to offer suggestions and guidance as to
how one can remove any moral confusion in the
home and one’s family.
This book will be resource for anyone interested
in issues involved in many topics including nofault
divorce, new definitions of what
constitutes a family, safe sex, and values-neutral
schools are affecting our culture. Lewis is able
to bridge discussion and deal with the
polarization of those who belong in one camp or
another, e.g., pro-choice or pro-life, pro
alternative lifestyles or anti homosexuals. His
frank discussion and open-heart can enable
adults to look farther, and discussion or study
groups to probe the issues.
Lewis pastors a church in Little Rock, Arkansas,
and he and his wife Sherard have four children.
He has also helped lead and develop a Men’s
Fraternity ministry. A graduate of the University
of Arkansas, Western Theological Seminary, and
Talbot Theological Seminary, Dr. Lewis has
written several books, including Rocking the
Roles: Building a Win-Win Marriage (Navpress,
1999). He has appeared on radio and television
programs including Family Life Today, Focus
on the Family, and The 700 Club.
Leroy Hommerding, Director, Fort Myers Beach P.L. District, Fort
Myers, Florida
The shaping of a Christian family, by
Elisabeth Elliot. LCCN 00031082. Grand
Rapids: Fleming H. Revell, Baker Book
House, 2000. ISBN 080075736X, PAP,
$12.99.
248.8’45’0922. Howard family; Family--Religious
life; Parenting--Religious aspects--Christianity. 217 p.
Adult.
For many years, author Elisabeth Elliott has
been an example of godly womanhood and
faithful Christian service. Widowed in her
twenties when husband Jim Elliott and four
companions were massacred by Ecuador
Indians they were attempting to reach for Christ,
she returned to Ecuador with toddler daughter
Valerie in tow to live for eleven years,
ministering to the very tribe that had killed her
husband. She was widowed a second time in
later years when husband, Addison Leitch, died
of cancer. Despite the tragedies she has
endured, Elliott believes fervently in the
goodness and mercy of God and, with the help
of husband Lars Gren, shares her trust in and
love for God with hundreds of thousands of
people annually through her books, magazine
articles, and radio program Gateway to Joy.
But how did she become the woman she is
today? What is her secret? Part of the answer to
that is in the pages of The Shaping of a
Christian Family, as Elliott tells of her
childhood and growing up years and the
example and training she received from parents
Philip and Katherine Howard. In the
introduction she says, “Let’s live before our
children that they may be able to truly honor
us..,” she then goes on to honor her parents and
the way they chose to raise their children, using
excerpts from her mother’s autobiography, her
father’s speeches, her memories, and those of
her siblings. She includes eight pages of family
photos and a suggested reading list for parents
and ends, in the afterword, by saying
“[although] the principles [written about in this
book] are sound and biblical, I believe, their
application will differ in different times and in
different homes” and then encouraging readers
to ask God for help in building their own homes.
Betty Winslow, Librarian, Bowling Green Christian Academy,
Bowling Green, Ohio
★
A light in the shadows : emerging from the
darkness of depression, by William L.
Coleman. LCCN 00023352. Ann Arbor,
Mich.: Vine Books, Servant Publications,
2000. ISBN 1569551510, PAP, $10.99.
248.8’525. Depression, Mental--Religious aspects--
Christianity; Depressed persons--Religious life. 192
p. Adult.
This book is a must for any Christian who is
living with depression personally or who knows
anyone who is living with the disease. A
Christian counselor who lives with depression
discusses the deep pathos and mind-set of a
depressed person. His writing resonates with
the peace of God and yet the pain of depression.
There are five parts with short, one to two page
stories that provide the reader with clear vision
into the mind of the depressed. There are mini
chapters that clearly show the depressed are able
to experience joy.
Coleman spends precious print space to remind
others regarding what to do and not do as well as
what to say or not say. These insightful
suggestions are offered to help those suffering
with depression as well as those who have loved
ones experiencing depression. Coleman writes
from the heart and his humor and self-analysis
are powerful to read. Many of the mini sections
end with a scripture verse. Especially helpful is
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the closing chapter wherein Pat Coleman,
spouse, offers thoughts to help the spouse of a
depressed person cope with the situation.
The attractive cover and inviting format make
this book easy to pick up. The book is written
from the perspective that depression is a disease
that Christians may get. Coleman uses Old and
New Testament biblical stories to explain his
thoughts and positions. This book would be
checked out often in many libraries.
Bianca Elliott, Teacher, Linwood, Kansas
Daring to live on the edge : the adventure
of faith and finances, by Loren
Cunningham; with Janice Rogers.
Seattle: WYAM Publishing, 1991. ISBN
0927545063, PAP, $8.99.
254.8. Finance; Christian life. 197 p. Adult.
Loren Cunningham is the founder of Youth With
A Mission (YWAM) and knows from firsthand
experience to expect big things from God.
Daring to Live on the Edge is a book both for
those who make a living doing ministry and
those who are financial supporters of ministry.
With chapters entitled Living by Faith in the 9 to
5 World and How to Ask for Money,
Cunningham addresses these widely divergent
audiences, and does so admirably. The subtitle,
The Adventure of Faith and Finances, points
directly to the goal of the book which is to
encourage people to live by faith in both the
giving and the receiving of money. This is not
another Larry Burkett/ Ron Blue how-tobudget-your-money
book. Cunningham shows
that a person choosing to live by faith will
experience God in a deeper way. To support his
stance, he uses numerous examples of people
living by faith in extreme circumstances.
Though this book emphasizes faith,
Cunningham carefully differentiates between
God providing for our needs and God giving us
our wants. This is not a book about God giving
us our wants. It is about having faith in God’s
provision when He has called you to minister.
By giving, even a little, we may never know
how much God can use our little bit to show his
faithfulness to someone. Overall, Daring to
Live on the Edge is a very balanced view of
finances from one who has seen God do
amazing things.
Robert M. Lindsey, Associate Library Director, Hannibal, Missouri
Against the night : living in the new dark
ages, by Charles Colson with Ellen Santilli
Vaughn. LCCN 99026124. Ann Arbor,
Mich.: Vine Books, Servant Publications,
1999. ISBN 1569551448, PAP, $10.99.
261.’0973’09048. Christianity and culture; Christian
life--Biblical teaching. 221 p. Adult.
Chuck Colson’s book, Against the Night, first
published in 1989, is available in this new
printing which includes a new preface written
by the author and a study guide. The book was
widely read in its first release and will, no doubt,
enjoy the praise of a new generation of
Christians that is struggling with the same issues
of how the Church of Jesus Christ should relate
to the fallen culture in which it finds itself.
Colson sounds the clarion that the Church is not
changing the world. Many times its
ineffectiveness is linked directly to its desire to
be “relevant” and “adaptable” to the pagan
society. Unfortunately, this is not what God
requires of His Church, Colson argues. Instead,
the author reminds us that Christ calls His
Church to be the Church, to be obedient to His
commands. Of course, the upshot is that this
obedience actually will result in a changed
culture. Thus, much of our desire to “change the
world” is misdirected and ill-advised. Our
desire—challenges Colson—must be obedience
to the Lord.
To support his claim Colson provides an
outstanding series of essays that provide lessons
in the history of culture. Colson transcends
contemporary theological divisions as he
effortlessly wraps quotations from Roman
Catholic theologians around stories about
pietistic evangelical successes. Colson is one
whose experience sees beyond denominational
labels to what God is actually accomplishing
among His people. Quite often Colson shares
personal anecdotes about his ministry
experiences as a lecturer, lobbyist, and an
advocate for prison reform. He peppers the
narrative with examples from his days in the
Nixon White House, Watergate, federal prison,
and now the lecture circuit.
Christians who think about how the Church
functions in a postmodern society marked by a
seeming lack of absolutes are encouraged to
read this book thoroughly; those who have read
it before are advised to revisit it.
Daniel S. Brown, Professor of Communication, Indiana Wesleyan
University, Indianapolis, Indiana
Any given day in the life of the Bible,
Wycliffe Bible Translators. LCCN
93200095. Portland, Ore.: Multnomah
Publishers, 1992. ISBN 0880705132, PAP,
$12.95.
266.023. Wycliffe Bible Translators--Pictorial works;
Bible--Translating--History. 168 p. Adult (High
school).
October 1, 1991, was like Any Given Day in the
Life of the Bible—except that on that day over
100 members of Wycliffe Bible Translators in
fifty countries took thousands of color
photographs to provide a glimpse into a portion
of the many varied peoples and activities
involved in the worldwide Bible translation
effort. This lavish 8 1/2“ x 11” book includes
nearly 300 of those photographs, arranged by
hours in a “dawn to dusk” sequence. Missionary
linguists from several different countries go
through the daily routines of their lives as they
build friendships, learn unwritten languages,
and work with native speakers to produce Bible
translations for those who have n ever had the
Scriptures in the language of their heart. The
team of technical specialists supporting the
work of Wycliffe field linguists includes radio
technicians, airplane pilots, computer
specialists, graphic artists, audio and video
specialists, scholars, teachers for “missionary
kids,” literacy workers, government liaison and
administrative personnel, to name a few. As part
of their language learning process, these
missionaries often build personal friendships
through medical and community development
activities. Members of the lay ministry,
Wycliffe Associates, contribute to hands-on
building projects around the world.
The printing and binding are top quality—the
gutters on the several double-page spreads line
up beautifully. Several inset photos and
occasional pages with black background and
white text provide visual variety. Captions
accompanying photos identify people groups,
geographic locations, the names of personnel
featured, and the photographers. (Due to low
contrast, some eyes may need magnifying
glasses to read text comments printed over a
very few double-page spreads.) Scripture
passages interspersed throughout the book relate
to the diverse activities portrayed. Any Given
Day demonstrates how many people throughout
the world affect, and are affected by, the work
of Wycliffe Bible Translators.
Donna W. Bowling, Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics
Library, Dallas, Texas
★
In the image of God : faces and souls that
reflect their creator, by Hyatt Moore and
artists of Wycliffe Bible Translators.
Orlando, Fl.: Wycliffe Bible Translators,
1999. ISBN 0938978160, PAP, $19.95.
266.023. Wycliffe Bible Translators--Pictorial works.
148 p. Adult.
An oversized paperback book, In the Image of
God contains page after page of illustrations
depicting mankind from all over the world. The
book is divided into the following areas: North
America, Central America, South America,
Eurasia/Asia, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. All
illustrators are Wycliffe Bible Translators. The
artists (amateur and professional) portray the
image of God’s likeness in conjunction with
Bible verses. Hyatt Moore writes a paragraph of
comments that correspond to the Bible verses
and the artwork. The illustrations range from:
pen and ink drawings, oil on canvas,
photographs of sculpture, watercolor, and
acrylic on canvas. For each geographic region,
the illustrators have given the reader a glimpse
of what the native people look like at work and
at play.
There is no index nor is there a table of contents
included. The illustrations are mainly color but
there are some in black and white. The last page
of the book explains the Bibleless People Prayer
Project. An address and website are listed for
those readers who may be interested in learning
more about the project.
Connie J. Weaver, Church & Reference Librarian, Newville,
Pennsylvania
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★
Come what may, by Betty M. Hockett.
LCCN 98073586. Newberg, Ore.: Barclay
Press, 1998. ISBN 0913342890, PAP,
$15.00.
266.’092. El Sembrador (Honduras); Hawk, Don;
Hawk, Twana; Missions--Honduras. 253 p. Adult
(High school).
Kneeling in his cornfield, Don Hawk answers
yes to God’s unexpected plan for his life. Come
What May is the true story of Twana and Don
Hawk who left all they knew in 1947 to be
missionaries in Honduras. Because their vision
was unique, they were not given the financial
support of the missionary board. Undaunted,
the Hawks sold their prospering Ohio farm and
moved to the Central American jungle using
their own money. Through difficult times, they
never waiver from their goal to have a selfsupporting
farm school that teaches
disadvantaged boys a vocation and tells them
about Christ’s love. Overcoming many
obstacles, the school is eventually selfsupporting
and also validated by the Honduran
government. Many boys’ lives are forever
changed, and many neighbors come to know
Christ as a result of Don and Twana’s tireless
work. The name of the school, “El Sembrador,”
means The Sower. Many seeds of faith are
planted at the school and many former students
go on to the ministry. Some seeds are still
waiting to sprout and Twana continues to pray
for those. El Sembrador is still in existence
today and operated by Don and Twana’s
children and grandchildren.
Author Betty M. Hockett does a fine job of
making the Hawk’s struggles, joys, and answers
to prayer come to life for the reader. This book
is an exciting biography with a touch of humor
which adults and teens will enjoy reading. To
make for easier reading, Hockett put the
pronunciation for the many Spanish words in
parentheses. A fifteen-page photo album is
included. Putting faces to names adds an extra
dimension to the story. Following God,
wherever he leads, no matter what, is an
important lesson at any age.
Elizabeth Coleman, Freelance Writer, Tumwater, Washington
Is that really you, God? : hearing the voice
of God, by Loren Cunningham; with
Janice Rogers. LCCN 84001862. Seattle:
WYAM Publishing, 1984. ISBN
0310607116, PAP, $8.99.
267. Youth With a Mission, Inc.; Cunningham, Loren;
Christian biography. 157 p. Adult.
This book is really two books enmeshed in one:
a chronicle of the Youth With a Mission
ministry, and a how-to on recognizing God’s
direction.
Youth With A Mission (YWAM) started with a
vision Cunningham saw of waves of young
people spreading across continents with the
good news of Jesus Christ. He took it from
vision to reality by seeking God’s leading and
learning to obey with pure motives. Along the
way he battled with setbacks and with pride and
struggled to keep in close relationship with God.
He lists his failures as well as his successes,
including what he learned from each.
He periodically went off by himself to fast, pray,
and read scripture, inspired by Jesus’ forty days
in the wilderness before His public ministry. He
received confirmation of God’s leading through
other people and through extraordinary means.
And he saw his ministry multiply as he
remained in communion with God.
Cunningham tells YWAM’s story in a
straightforward but entertaining manner,
recording the contributions of family, friends,
and others. He closes the book with a chapter
listing twelve principles to keep in mind while
pursuing the Lord’s direction.
Andrea R. Huelsenbeck, Freelance Writer and Drama Minister,
Tempe, Arizona
Please pray for us : praying for persecuted
Christians in 52 nations, Johan
Companjen, general editor. LCCN
00009992. Minneapolis: Bethany House,
2000. ISBN 0764224166, PAP, $9.99.
272.’0’090511. Persecution--Prayer-books and
devotions--English. 219 p. Adult.
Companjen, as the general editor, has provided
an excellent reference for Christians who would
like information regarding how to pray more
effectively for specific countries. He is the
president of Open Doors International that deals
with the persecuted church around the world.
His commitment to the persecuted church is
documented in the contributor page of the book.
Justin Long has done the research for this book.
Long has had over ten years experience specific
to missions and unreached peoples and
countries. Companjen has selected 52 nations
where prayer is critical. He chose 52 countries
so one may pray for a different country each
week. The countries are presented
alphabetically in the book. On page eleven is a
powerful chart indicating the 52 countries where
persecution against Christians is the worst.
Present in each chapter is a brief description of
the country with a statistical box inset.
Additionally, there are short paragraphs
pertaining to church life in the country,
persecution of people, the future for the country
and/or church, and specific prayer topics. Every
now and then the people who are in the front
lines in the targeted country share an interesting
story. This would be an excellent addition to
any library.
Bianca Elliott, Teacher, Linwood, Kansas
Guerrilla hostage, by Denise Marie Siino.
LCCN 98042893. Grand Rapids: Fleming
H. Revell, Baker Books, 1999. ISBN
0800756932, PAP, $9.99.
278.61. Rising, Ray--Captivity, 1994-1996; Hostages-
-Colombia--Biography; Hostages--United States--
Biography; Summer Institute of Linguistics--
Biography. 239 p. Adult (High school).
Denise Marie Siino writes a gripping story about
the kidnapping of Ray Rising in Colombia and
his subsequent two years as a prisoner. Siino
begins Guerrilla Hostage with a little
background information on the political
situation in Colombia and moves into the day of
the kidnapping. The Risings were in Colombia
working with Wycliffe Bible Translators. After
his capture, Ray does his best to remain a
faithful witness in circumstances that most of us
cannot imagine. To remain hidden from the
Colombian army, the guerrilla groups move
often and change personnel frequently. Rising
suffers the suspense of wondering which will
kill him first, the kidnappers or the jungle. He
experiences extreme loneliness and doubt.
Allowed to have a New Testament that included
some Psalms, Ray spends significant portions of
each day reading and wrestling with the “why’s”
and “how much longer’s.” Through it all, God
shows that He is indeed in control even though
Rising may never know why the Lord permitted
this circumstance or what eternal effect his
captivity will have.
Siino portrays the terrorists as human beings
with feelings and motivations of their own. She
assists us in picturing them as Ray came to see
them. While some captors taunt and harass
Rising, others risk rebuke by befriending him.
Beginning the book with some background on
Colombia helps put the story in context.
Additional features include appendix of names,
eight pages of pictures and footnotes. Some
important details contained in the footnotes are
not used in the text. Readers from high school
through adult would enjoy this journey of faith.
Robert M. Lindsey, Associate Library Director, Hannibal, Missouri
300’s—Social Sciences
When love dies : how to save a hopeless
marriage, by Judy Bodmer. LCCN
99024421. Nashville: Word Publishing,
1999. ISBN 0849937140, PAP, $12.00.
306.8’1. Marriage; Marriage--Psychological aspects;
Love; Divorce; Interpersonal relations. 194 p. Adult.
Writing from personal experience, Judy
Bodmer, in When Love Dies, fills fourteen
chapters with wisdom, doses of humor, and
scriptures that restore hope for marriages headed
toward divorce. Each chapter begins with a
scripture text, or inspirational quote, and ends
with an action designed to challenge the reader.
For example, chapter two tells these truths about
divorce: a core of depression and a sense of
personal failure pervades those who experience
divorce; a divorcee’s standard of living (for
women) will go down 73 percent; children are
seriously affected for life. The action item in
this chapter includes a prayer written by Thomas
Kempis regarding surrender to Christ. Other
recommended actions include acting in love
toward your spouse because the Bible
commands it, a specific plan to symbolically
forgive your spouse, and reading Matthew 5, 6,
and 7 of The Message.
“The decision to leave your husband is not made
in a moment; but is arrived at over time,” writes
Bodmer. Then she illustrates how to recognize
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your part in the estranged marriage and why
forgiveness is the cornerstone to healing and
peace. “Just as Christ’s forgiveness is
unconditional so must yours be.” Bodmer
describes the path to forgiveness, what it means,
and how to do it when it doesn’t seem possible.
Her use of anecdotes to demonstrate hard truth
is especially appealing because of the clarity
each story brings.
Each chapter contains excellent information on
issues found in divorce, such as anger, mental or
physical sexual involvement, betrayal, and
defining the real problems. A comprehensive
notes and bibliography section provides further
resources. This book is comparable to Anna
Kristin Carrols’ excellent resource, Together
Forever, which is now out of print, and would
make a good replacement. Bodmer’s book
could change the direction of your life and your
marriage.
Gail Welborn, Freelance Writer/Reporter, Everett, Washington
600’s—Technology (Applied Sciences)
A quiet world : living with hearing loss, by
David G. Myers. LCCN 00038153. New
Haven: Yale Univ. Press, 2000. ISBN
0300084390, HBB, $18.50.
617.8. Deafness--Popular works; Hearing disorders--
Popular works; Hearing aids. 176 p. Adult.
In this book, David Myers introduces us to the
world of the hard of hearing. Written in the form
of an occasional journal over a period of ten
years, Myers looks at this issue from both a
professional and a personal perspective. For it is
during this ten-year period that Myers himself
wrestles with a gradual loss of hearing. As a
professor of psychology at Hope College in
Michigan, and, the author of a number of
psychology textbooks, Myers is well qualified
to chronicle the physiology and psychology of
hearing loss. However, as a person enmeshed in
the day-to-day struggle of coming to terms with
his condition, Myers must face the uncertainties
like the rest of us. It is here that his work shines.
For there is a tension between Myers’
presentation of the search for technological
advances in hearing aid devices, and his
personal love/hate relationship with his present
equipment. On the one hand, Myers lays out the
various components of hearing loss: alienation
in relationships, communication struggles, and
the essential support played by family and
friends. On the other hand, there is the personal
angst as Myers endeavors to teach, give public
interviews, and live a “normal” social life. The
juxtaposition of these two perspectives is the
genius of the book.
A Quiet World is a good introduction to the
challenges faced by the hard of hearing, and the
present and potential progress made in the area
of technology. It offers “outsiders” a glimpse
into this often-neglected world. Myers also
includes an appendix of resources for the hard of
hearing, which provides information on
publications, resource centers, and organizations
supporting these individuals.
Ted Goshulak, University Librarian, Langley, British Columbia,
Canada
Read to me : raising kids who love to read,
revised and updated by Bernice E.
Cullinan. LCCN 00027178. New York:
Scholastic, 2000. ISBN 043908721X, PAP,
$6.95.
649.58. Children--United States--Books and reading;
Reading--parent participation--United States. 151 p.
Adult.
In 1979 Jim Trelease self-published the first
edition of his The Read-Aloud Handbook.
Many revisions later, it remains the
quintessential guide to the correlation between
reading aloud to children and their future
academic success.
What Trelease’s book does in scholarly fashion,
Cullinan’s does simply and concisely. Half the
size of Trelease’s tome, Read to Me is less
intimidating to parents who might be reluctant
readers themselves.
In the first thirty pages, Cullinan makes the case
for reading out loud to children. She shares
some heartbreaking statistics: 82% of prison
inmates are school dropouts and 60% are
illiterate. But female inmates can be coaxed to
learn to read using children’s picture books—
which they, in turn, read to their own children on
visiting days.
Cullinan points out that just as a child needs
models for speech, “he needs models for
reading, too. He needs to hear what reading
sounds like when it is done by a competent
reader.” Otherwise, kids miss the flow, the
larger picture, as they get bogged down in the
chain of individual words.
If parents do not read to their preschooler, all is
not lost. One teacher who began reading out
loud to a class of struggling sixth graders saw a
leap in their comprehension—and discovered
the kids were reading ahead because they were
eager to find out what would happen next.
The body of Read to Me is made up of how-to
chapters, with tips on getting started and
suggestions for related activities. Cullinan
describes how to read to a child from infancy
through age twelve. Her book list is less
extensive than Trelease’s, with briefer
summaries, but she also includes a list of
children’s magazines, wonderful tools to delight
young readers. This inexpensive book would
make a wonderful gift for new parents.
Andrea R. Huelsenbeck, Freelance Writer and Drama Minister,
Tempe, Arizona
Kids in danger, by Ross Campbell with
Carole Sanderson Streeter. Colorado
Springs: Chariot Victor, 1999. ISBN
0781433916, PAP, $10.99.
649.’7. Anger in children; Child rearing; Conflict
(Psychology) in children. 187 p. Adult.
Originally published in 1995, Kids in Danger is
meant to help parents, teachers, and all
concerned recognize anger in children, its
possible causes and manifestations, as well as
definitive methods in handling the anger of a
child. Dr. Campbell uses short, easy to
understand vignettes of real life situations to
exemplify his points. He also explains what
anger is and what it is used for in a positive
setting. Laced throughout is Scripture to
undergird his points. Dr. Campbell spends
much of his book discussing passive aggression.
He sees this manifested in many young people’s
(and adults) lives. His visual anger ladder helps
individuals track the activities that display anger
negatively or positively. Dr. Campbell also
describes what he calls the “25%/75%” person.
The 25%’s are people who are pro-authority and
the 75%’s are those who are anti-authority. He
believes that all people fall somewhere on the
spectrum of these two categories. He also
believes that proper identification of which one
we lean to will help us handle our anger more
effectively.
The book is an attractive paperback with many
helpful sections. The notes section is useful as
are his tables and visuals within the book. The
two sections I like are the section for parents of
children with special needs, and Christians and
anger. The special needs child also needs to
learn how to handle anger and Dr. Campbell
helps the parent(s) to see how and why this
needs to be done. The section discussion
Christians and anger is helpful in showing how
pastors have suffered from anger displayed to
them and how unmanaged anger may create a
sociopath in the sheepfold.
Bianca Elliott, Teacher, Linwood, Kansas
★
The alphabet makers, a presentation from
the Museum of the Alphabet, Waxhaw,
North Carolina. Huntington Beach,
Calif.: Summer Institute of Linguistics,
1991. ISBN 0938978136, PAP, $13.95.
813.’54’20. Language and languages; Alphabet. 95 p.
Adult (High school).
On the outskirts of Waxhaw, North Carolina,
The Museum of the Alphabet stands as a unique
educational resource. In a 4900 square foot
building, the history of writing in the world’s
many different languages and scripts comes
alive. Using photographs and paintings,
sculptures and weavings, quiz boxes and
models, a special focus of this multimedia
exhibition is on people who have contributed to
this history. The museum is a dream-child of
Cameron Townsend, the founder of Wycliffe
Bible Translators and the Summer Institute of
Linguistics, and utilizes the efforts of noted
linguists, artists, and many volunteers.
This 9 x 12 book is not an ordinary museum
guide book. Rather, artistically arranged fullcolor
photographs of the museum’s paintings,
maps, charts, and other artifacts illustrate the
narrative history of writing in the diverse
languages of the world. Fine detail in several
illustrations invites the use of a magnifying
glass. A floor plan of the museum in the
introduction to The Alphabet Makers indicates
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ADULT
NONFICTION
the order of topics. More than forty different
language scripts are described and illustrated.
Several systems of numbers, musical notations,
Braille and Moon alphabets for the blind, and
one hand sign alphabet for the deaf are included.
The development of the manufacture of paper
and later the movable type printing press made
significant contributions to the advance of
writing. Through the years, the worldwide
effort for Bible translation has benefited from,
and frequently encouraged, the development of
new alphabets. As previously unwritten
languages are reduced to writing, they
sometimes demand the invention of new
alphabet letters to represent special sounds in
those languages. Today computers facilitate the
development and use of the special characters
needed to produce printed materials. Attractive
for browsing, this book is useful for study or
reference. Includes generous bibliography, but
no subject index.
Donna W. Bowling, Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics
Library, Dallas, Texas
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BOOK REVIEWS
REFERENCE
000’s—Generalities
The church librarian’s handbook : a
complete guide for the library and
resource center in Christian education,
3rd ed., by Betty McMichael. LCCN
98007885. Grand Rapids: Baker Books,
1998. ISBN 0801057728, PAP, $17.99.
027.6. Church libraries--United States--Handbooks,
manuals, etc.; Church libraries--Canada--Handbooks,
manuals, etc. 288 p. Adult.
The Church Librarian’s Handbook by Betty
McMichael provides all the information any size
church library would need to get started or to
make improvements in existing systems.
Intended primarily for the church librarian, but
also directed at other interested church staffers,
McMichael’s book offers twelve chapters, four
appendices, a lengthy bibliography and index.
The first chapter presents the hypothetical
launching of a church library, delineating all the
pitfalls one might encounter. Overall, however,
the tone of this vade mecum is that of inspiration
and enthusiasm. Ensuing chapters delve into
staffing, book and AV selection, establishing
policies, preparing materials, promotion of the
library, financing, budgeting, and computer
usage. The author intersperses germane biblical
references throughout her text. There are a lot of
ideas and guidance to draw from in this book
and it is obvious the author has a great deal of
experience.
Results from surveys of church libraries are
provided in almost every chapter to arm the
neophyte librarian with what is at least an
“average” figure or goal. For example, the
average church library has 240 square feet; 26%
of church libraries check out 1-19 books per
week. Church library budgets are recommended
to fall within one-half to one percent of the total
church operating budget.
At least half the value of the book is in the
voluminous appendices, which give names and
addresses of suppliers and associations, a
classification system, and subject headings. The
bibliography appears comprehensive but
somewhat dated. Bibliography entries appear to
be current as of the publication date of the book
but there are titles that are too old to serve wellfor
example, Computer Basics for Librarians
and Information Scientists which has a
publication date of 1981.
If there is a drawback to the book, it is
timeliness. Although this, the third edition, was
published in 1998, readers are still referred to
Wilson Library Bulletin—defunct since 1995.
The address for Christian Library Journal given
in the appendix is five years old. Also, the
illustrations seem dated and, while computers
are mentioned, primacy is given to doing things
by hand.
David W. Rash, Public Services Librarian & History Instructor,
Everett Community College
(Editor’s note: CLJ’s address has changed several times in the past
five years. Please see our current address on the contents page of
this issue.)
200’s—Religion
Index of biblical images : similes,
metaphors, and symbols in Scripture :
based on the text of The new international
version of the Bible, by Warren W.
Wiersbe. LCCN 00710334. Grand
Rapids: Baker Books, 2000. ISBN
0801091071, PAP, $9.99.
220.6. Metaphor in the Bible--Indexes. 127 p. Adult.
Over 400 figures of speech are indexed in this
easy-to-use paperback designed primarily for
preachers and teachers of the Word. Preachers
who are teaching through the book of John may
be interested in how other writers use the image
of “bread,” for example. The index provides
thirteen categories which show “bread” used to
mean, among other things, “Christ,” “The Body
of Christ,” “Sorrow/discipline,” “Poverty,”
“Friendship,” and “Sin.”
The metaphors are arranged in alphabetical
order from “Account” to “Wrestle.” The author
confesses his own frustration in creating
categories and assigning passages. When is a
given passage metaphorical and when is it not?
Eschatological concepts are considered
symbolic and this, of course, reflects Wiersbe’s
dispensational theology. Likewise, Paul’s text
about “Isaac” and “Ishmael” in Galatians 4:28-
31 is labeled “God’s Children” and “Legalism”
respectively. Missing from the book is any
significant commentary other than the brief
introduction and acknowledgements; even the
“brief phrases” that commonly appear in
concordances are absent. The index is a list of
biblical references formatted in three columns
per page. From Wiersbe, the evangelical
Christian reader expects more, frankly.
While the book is disappointing on these counts,
it is important to note that preachers yearning for
fresh and creative ways of exposing biblical
truth are always looking for new tools to create
their messages. This is one such tool that many
will find helpful because it points them in the
pathway of creative and original thinking.
Daniel S. Brown, Professor of Communication, Indiana Wesleyan
University, Indianapolis, Indiana
The Baker atlas of Christian history,
[edited by] Tim Dowley. Grand Rapids:
Baker Books, 1997. ISBN 0801022487,
HBB, $29.99.
270. Christian Church--History--Maps. 160 p. Adult
(High school).
This atlas is a re-issue of Dowley’s earlier Atlas
of the Bible and Christianity. The new title (just
released in fall 2000) more accurately reflects
the scope and content of this unique reference
book: it covers the span of church history.
Organized in four sections—Old Testament,
New Testament, Early Church, and Modern
Church—the work is comprehensive and yet
accessible to the curious. The atlas contains
over 160 computer-generated maps in full color;
50 beautiful full-color photographs; numerous
charts; latitude and longitude references; sound
commentary; and an indispensable index and
gazetteer. Dowley has edited numerous
volumes on Christian history and doctrine over
the years. This book is yet another pleasant and
profitable fruit of his efforts. It not only
includes the expected archeological maps of
ancient Hebrew history and Paul’s missionary
journeys; Dowley and his editing team have
created maps and charts representing the spread
of Christianity—its various Christian sects and
movements—from the beginning of the church
to the late 20th century. This is the type of
reference that converts the casual consumer into
a devotee. Reports of data are unbelievably
manageable and understandable in this format.
The graphics paint the history of Christian
proliferation in page after page. Rather than
focusing on stories of individuals, however, this
reference work shows in sweeping detail the
societal and cultural shifts in page after page.
The various waves of Church growth and
development are quite striking when viewed in
this manner. The comparative religious details
are impressive when seen graphically. The
religious affiliations of the world population are
visually summarized; scholarly commentary,
including caveats and warnings about how to
interpret and apply the information, is well done
and written from an evangelical perspective
throughout the work.
Daniel S. Brown, Professor of Communication, Indiana Wesleyan
University, Indianapolis, Indiana
300’s—Social Sciences
Baker’s guide to Christian distance
education : online learning for all ages, by
Jason D. Baker. LCCN 00040382. Grand
Rapids: Baker Books, Baker Book House,
2000. ISBN 0801063418, PAP, $13.99.
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REFERENCE
371.35025. Distance education--United States--
Directories; University extension--United States--
Directories; Computer-assisted instruction--United
States--Directories; Church colleges--United States--
Directories. 223 p. Adult (High school).
Whether you’re looking for K-12 home
schooling or want to earn an undergraduate or
graduate degree, this guide will help the reader
discover the options available for Christian
distance learning. As a reference took, Baker’s
Guide to Christian Distance Education features
aspects of distance learning such as models of
distance course delivery, understanding
accreditation, and a directory of 100 different
programs outlined with profiles covering
kindergarten through high school and accredited
Christian certificate and degree programs
(ranging from bachelor’s through doctoral level)
that are delivered via various distance education
methods.
Baker has a passion to equip people with a
biblical worldview. As a distance student
himself, he writes with conviction and
experience. His earlier books include Parents’
Computer Companion (Baker Book, 1999) and
Christian Cyberspace Companion (Baker Book,
1997). He and his wife and two sons live in
Baltimore, Maryland.
Christian libraries, and adults seeking to locate
what is available for lifelong learning or to
deepen skills, will find in this guide succinct,
easy-to-follow advice and programs outlined in
detail.
Leroy Hommerding, Director, Fort Myers Beach P.L. District, Fort
Myers, Florida
A dictionary of folklore, by David
Pickering. LCCN 00703027. New York:
Facts on File, 1999. ISBN 0816042500,
HBB, $40.00.
398. Folklore--Dictionaries; Mythology--Dictionaries.
324 p. High school (Adult).
A Dictionary of Folklore, written by David
Pickering, gives the reader of folklore and ethnic
mythologies a source for quick identification of
terms, symbols, and persons found in tales from
around the world. Pickering’s book is most
complete in its coverage of the European
traditions, but it also contains entries from
American Indian, African, and South American
traditions as well as from the Far East. The
explanations are succinct, noting terms within
the definitions which are themselves defined
elsewhere. Alternate names or terms are
provided with ”see“ and ”see also“ references to
direct the reader to the proper term or a fuller
explanation of aspects of a given definition.
A Dictionary of Folklore is the perfect armchair
guide for those just beginning to delve into the
more serious treatment of the world of folk and
fairy tales that is encountered in typical high
school literature curricula. The definitions,
arranged alphabetically regardless of source, are
of the precise length and simplicity to satisfy the
need for a quick explanation of those allusions
often found in literature as well as those works
falling into the fantasy genre. Cross-referencing
is extensive and clear, giving every help to the
reader in finding the correct or most complete
sense of an entry. Also impressive is the
geographic scope. For such a small work, it
touches on major traditions from all over the
globe, excepting those from the ancient world.
If there is any material weakness in Pickering’s
work, it might be in its lack of a pronunciation
guide for the many words from non-English
sources and of a selected bibliography for those
who would like to pursue this subject further.
Pamela A. Todd, Librarian/English Teacher, Chalcedon Christian
School, Cumming, Georgia
400’s—Language
Descriptionary : a thematic dictionary,
2nd ed., by Marc McCutcheon. LCCN
99089026. New York: Facts on File, 2000.
ISBN 0816041059, HBB, $45.00.
423.1. English language--Synonyms and antonyms;
Description (Rhetoric)--Dictionaries; English
language--Terms and phrases; Figures of speech--
Dictionaries; English language--Dictionaries. 560 p.
Adult (High school).
Can’t think of the word on the tip of your
tongue? Intrigued with discoveries when
searching for that right word? Then consult
Descriptionary by Mark McCutcheon. This
560-page volume fits perfectly on the shelf
between a dictionary and a thesaurus. In doing
a crossword, I needed a word for ‘age of
majority.’ I checked the alphabetical index ‘age
of majority’ where it says page 217. Going to
217, one finds the phrase in the criminal and tort
law section with the description “when one
legally becomes adult, usually considered to be
of age 18.” Legal fit the crossword but even
more interesting were the many words in law
made simple and easy to understand.
McCutcheon’s reference aid is divided into
twenty-two broad subject areas, e.g.,
architecture, medicine, tools; and these are
divided further into 194 sub topics. The reader
will find not only a definition and synonyms but
components and technical words that make this
journey a fun one. Under ‘space flight,’ e.g., one
finds the various satellites and space probes with
technical words such as avionics, blackout,
gimbal, and retro rocket, and in addition a list of
shuttle acronyms.
Dozens of new terms reflect current usage in
fields such as the Internet, medicine, finance, the
performing arts, science, sports, politics, and the
government. A closing chapter, “1,050 Words
and Expressions You Should Know,” include
basic vocabulary and expressions to expand
one’s comprehension. Examples include c’est la
vie, hubris, Holy Grail, WASP, and wistful.
Adults will find this a tool one comes back to.
Some readers will linger in the interesting
directions offered when searching for a
particular word. The unusual word arrangement
enables one to find a variety of words to
instantly increase practical vocabulary.
Christian school libraries will find this a helpful
title for high schoolers.
Leroy Hommerding, Director, Fort Myers Beach P.L. District, Fort
Myers, Florida
500’s—Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Birding in the American West : a
handbook, by Kevin J. Zimmer. LCCN
99053727. Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell Univ.
Press, 2000. ISBN 080148328X, HBB,
$49.95.
598.’07’23478. Bird watching--West (U.S.); Birds--
West (U.S.)--Identification. 402 p. Adult.
Birds of North America, by Kenn
Kaufman. (Kaufman focus guides.)
LCCN 00056717. New York: Houghton
Mifflin, 2000. ISBN 0395964644, PAP,
$20.00.
598.’097. Birds--North America--Identification;
Birds--North America--Pictorial works. 384 p. Adult.
National Audubon Society the Sibley
master guide to birds : field identification,
written and illustrated by David Allen
Sibley. LCCN 00041239. New York:
Alfred A. Knopf, 2000. ISBN 0679451226,
PAP, $35.00.
598.’097. Birds--North America--Identification. 544
p. Adult.
With the continuing growth in the number of
birders (or bird-watchers) in North American
over the past two decades, it is hardly surprising
that the number of new guides and handbooks
published continues to escalate. Following in
the footsteps of Roger Tory Peterson these three
books all strive to assist the observer in
accurately identifying the bird species they
encounter. Kaufman, Sibley, and Zimmer are all
part of the new generation of experts who are
passing on their experience and expertise to a
broader public in well-produced volumes of upto-date
information. Birds of North America
most clearly follows the legacy of Roger Tory
Peterson. However, Kaufman has ventured out
into a new technological frontier as he uses
digitally enhanced photographs to emphasize
the significant field marks crucial to identifying
a particular species of bird. Over 2000
photographs were scanned into computer files
and corrected for color consistency, size, and
lighting. This is the first field guide to adopt the
technique. Besides the photo-enhanced images,
the field guide itself primarily follows the
familiar Peterson structure. The arrangement of
species is not however consistent with the latest
AOU list, as birds are grouped together by
similar features rather than taxonomy. Colorcoded
tabs divide the book into sixteen sections
for quick thumb indexing. The range maps and
species and voice descriptions are well done,
providing a succinct description of each bird, its
habits, and habitat. Kaufman’s stated objective
with this work is to attract a whole new section
of the population to birding. Birds of North
America does an admirable job of fulfilling that
goal.
Within weeks of the publication of Kaufman’s
book, a second guide made its appearance on
bookshelves. David Sibley’s NAS Sibley Guide
to Birds was more than ten years in the making,
and is much larger in size and scope than
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REFERENCE
Kaufman’s work. With more than 66,000
watercolor illustrations describing 810 species
(and 350 regional populations), Sibley has
broken new ground with this reference work.
Each species of bird is presented in an average
of a dozen illustrations and is shown in all
plumages. Unique to this guide is the extensive
use of small sketches showing head-on or tail-on
views of birds in flight. The layout features
illustrations, text, and maps all on one page;
another unique feature. The Sibley Guide
begins with a thorough introduction focusing
particularly on bird topography. Throughout the
guide an introductory page is provided for each
family or group of related families of birds. The
total package is a massive work setting a new
standard for North America field guides. Both
Kaufman and Sibley’s books are innovative and
provide the birding community; from the
“uninitiated” to the “converted,” with
identification tools of high quality.
Birding in the American West is a companion
handbook that can be used together with the
field guides reviewed above. Both Kaufman
and Sibley provide users with accurate and
detailed information on the physical
identification of species. Zimmer’s book is
meant to fill the gaps left by those resources.
Identifying birds is only the beginning; knowing
where to find them is quite another thing. It is
here that Zimmer provides expert guidance.
Despite the geographically limited scope of the
book the general concepts apply across all of
North America. Birding in the American West
provides birders with the general concepts and
framework needed to develop good
identification skills as well as to investigate the
important elements of determining where
species occur and why (habitat recognition,
elevation, key plant species, nest site
availability, time of day, and time of year).
Zimmer also devotes a chapter to the art of
taking field notes of your sightings. The final
two chapters are spent looking at difficult
identification issues and focusing on where
particular Western specialty birds can be found.
With its use of drawings and photographs to
supplement the text, this work is a goldmine of
hard-to-find information. Time spent digesting
the wealth of data in this book will definitely
pay off in developing greater skills in the field.
Ted Goshulak, University Librarian, Langley, British Columbia,
Canada
800’s—Literature & Rhetoric
Contemporary Christian authors : lives
and works, by Janice DeLong and Rachel
Schwedt. LCCN 99041563. Lanham,
Md.: Scarecrow Press, 2000. ISBN
0810836882, HBB, $45.00.
810.9’3823. Christian fiction, American--Biobibliography--Dictionaries;
Novelists, American--20th
century--Biography--Dictionaries. 385 p. Adult (High
school).
Inspirational fiction, Christian fiction, novels
without gratuitous violence or sex—few
libraries have not felt the interest or noticed the
requests for titles in this new and growing genre.
Contemporary Christian Authors by Delong and
Schwedt focuses on writers who have achieved
a wide readership through at least one
outstanding contribution, although most have
penned numerous titles.
Styles of the writers included here vary, from
picturesque historical fiction to adventure
stories to areas of spiritual warfare and
prophecy, but all the works contain a
commitment to a philosophy based on
traditional values and a Christian worldview.
Christian librarians will be able to suggest
additional authors for patrons, and readers can
learn a lot about individual authors.
The A to Z format of writer’s entries include a
picture of the author, a professional section
listing education completed, career, awards and
memberships. The publications section offers
an inventory of the author’s published works,
and an expanded biographical narrative in the
personal section offers glimpses into each
writer’s research techniques and literary
elements emphasized. A summary section
highlights one or more titles that represent the
author’s style with a brief synopsis.
Randy Alcorn, Stephen Bly, Will Cunningham,
Doris Elaine Fell, Angela Elwell Hunt, Paul
McCusker, Judith Pella, Michael Waite, and
Lance Wubbels are among the sixty-eight
authors highlighted. A cross-index of titles and
authors makes location even easier.
Delong holds degrees in education and has
taught in both public and parochial schools and
along with husband, Robert, is raising four
children. Schwendt holds a library science
degree and has been a teacher and librarian in
both private and public schools. She and
husband, Ronald, have two grown children.
Leroy Hommerding, Director, Fort Myers Beach P.L. District, Fort
Myers, Florida
The Facts on File companion to the
American short story, edited by Abby H.P.
Werlock. LCCN 99037703. New York:
Facts on File, 2000. ISBN 0816031649,
HBB, $65.00.
813.’0103. Short stories, American--Encyclopedias.
542 p. Adult (High school).
Focusing on American short story authors from
the early 19th century to the 1990s, The Facts on
File Companion to the American Short Story has
made special efforts to include all authors of
merit, including previously ignored writers of
both genders from all major cultural
backgrounds. This Companion contains author
entries in an A to Z format that include dates,
biographies, lists of stories and their critical
reception, and selected bibliographies.
Individual entries, also alphabetical, appear on
literary terms, themes, motifs, locales,
influential critics, and major short story prize
awards. Appendices include winners of selected
prizes, stories listed by subject and setting, and a
selected bibliography of historical events that
have influenced short story writers, and
theoretical approaches to the short story. The
index is a treasure—making it easy to find all
references and major treatment of authors, titles,
and subjects.
The clear, jargon-free style makes the 675
entries in this guide something high schoolers
can use with understanding and skill, and which
Christian libraries will find contains a lot of
content in very short space. Both scholars and
students can wean something from the analysis
offered here. One particular strength is that the
interpretations of the stories are not just factual
synopses of the stories but energizing and new
ways of looking at them.
Werlock is associate professor emeritus of
English with a doctorate in American studies.
She lives in Troy, Pennsylvania.
Leroy Hommerding, Director, Fort Myers Beach P.L. District, Fort
Myers, Florida
900’s—Geography, History, and
Biography
Chronology of world history, by H.E.L.
Mellersh. LCCN 99019300. Santa
Barbara, Calif.: ABC-CLIO, 1999. ISBN
1576071553, HBB, $375.00.
902.’02. Chronology, Historical. 4 v. Adult (High
school).
The four volume reference set Chronology of
World History is divided by the following time
periods: Volume I: Prehistory- AD 1491, The
Ancient and Medieval World; Volume II 1492-
1775: The Expanding World; Volume III: 1776-
1900, The Changing World; and Volume IV:
1901-1998, The Modern World. This series is
compiled by a team of editors and overseen by
advisory board of individuals from numerous
universities and colleges.
Within each volume, the entries are divided into
four main categories and twenty-five
subcategories. The main categories are: Politics,
Government, and Economics; Science,
Technology, and Medicine; Arts and Ideas; and
Society. The subcategories are arranged
alphabetically beneath each category. Scattered
throughout each volume are boxes of “special
features” highlighting major events
chronologically. Each time- period closes with
a section on the births and deaths of prominent
individuals.
An extensive index in the back of each volume
assists the researcher in finding items of interest.
Each entry of information is a sentence or two.
With the information limited to a sentence or
two, the references aid one more in the
acquisition of trivia knowledge than a deep
understanding of historical events. These books
are “who” and “when” references. For
information on the “why” and “how” of
historical events one would use an encyclopedia
or more comprehensive book.
The gems within the books are the mini essays
found throughout the pages. For example, an
entire page is dedicated to the Rise of Islam
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REFERENCE
(610-756). From essays such as this, the reader
is given a basic overview of complex issues.
It is interesting to note the editors’ choice to
divide the volumes according to historically
significant time periods in American history.
Through Volume III, the books seem to be
balanced with a variety of political, scientific,
and cultural details.
Volume IV: 1901-1998, The Modern World,
holds a more media dependent view. The
editors allot ten to twelve pages per year to
cover happenings in modern history. The
second part of the 20th century dedicates a full
page or more per year to movies released,
naming the director and the actors. While
Religion, Math, Education, and Health and
Medicine sections contain a couple of
paragraphs each, numerous sitcoms such as
Gilligan’s Island, 3rd Rock from the Sun, and
Friends each rate a paragraph detailing the
program theme and the cast.
Top Tony, Emmy, and Oscar awards are listed
for each year. Also, the sports section lists the
results of the Super Bowl, Stanley Cup, and the
World Series giving the appearance that the
fourth volume is dominated by major U.S.A.
media events rather than milestones in world
history. This series is not illustrated.
Joanne M. Haffly, Homeschool Parent/Writer, Gig Harbor,
Washington
Timelines 2000 on file, Rev. ed., by the
Diagram Group. LCCN 00039333. New
York: Facts on File, 2000. ISBN
0816042772, HBB, $390.00.
902.’02. World history--Chronology. 4 v. Adult
(High school).
Want history in outline form? Like to compare
one period with another, or one culture’s
happenings with another? Want a loose-leaf
resource that can be copied and encourages
chronological thinking, historical
comprehension, and issues analysis? Timelines
on File offers a broad cultural and social picture
of history and is sure to find a home in Christian
high schools and libraries.
The set consists of four volumes, which access
historic information on world history, social,
economic, cultural and scientific events. Over
40,000 dates are arranged by period, region, and
by theme. One can consult just a page or linger
longer in a particular area of interest. The
attractive illustration and charts make it easy for
high school students to use.
The Ancient and Medieval World (Prehistory-
1500 CE) follows the usual pattern with sections
devoted to an outline of world history, Middle
and Near East, European, American history,
African, and Asian history. Subjects and topic
consideration are laid out and covered the same
in all four volumes: religion, science and
technology, and the arts.
The Expanding World (1500-1900) offers an
outline of world history, then American history,
and separate sections devoted to Canadian,
Latin American, European, Middle East,
African, Asian, and Australasian history.
The 20th Century has twelve sections with same
breakdown as The Expanding World, except
added are sections on Latin American and the
Caribbean, and one specifically on U.S. history.
Nations and States has eight sections with focus
on North American (each of the fifty states are
handled separately), Central America and
Caribbean (with each of the countries
highlighted from Belize and Costa Rica to
Trinidad and Tobago), South America
(Argentina to Venezuela), European (Albania to
Yugoslavia), African (Algeria to Togo), Middle
East/Western Asian (Afghanistan to
Turkmenistan), South and East Asian
(Bangladesh to Vietnam), and Australasian
(Australia to Western Samoa).
Each of the loose-leaf pages consists of hard
stock paper and is attractively laid out. All of
the material may be photocopied for research
and student use.
Leroy Hommerding, Director, Fort Myers Beach P.L. District, Fort
Myers, Florida
Historical atlas of exploration : 1492-1600,
by Angus Knostam. LCCN 99086935.
New York: Checkmark Books, Facts on
File, 2000. ISBN 0816042489, HBB,
$35.00.
910.’9. Discoveries in geography. 192 p. Adult
(High school).
Within the pages of the Historical Atlas of
Exploration, 1492-1600, author Angus Knostam
tackles the complicated history of global
exploration authorized by the governments of
Portugal, Spain, England, and France during the
Age of Exploration. He touches briefly on the
role of the Christian Church mentioning the
“priests brought to convert the natives.” A
section is given to critiquing the history of the
church and the pope during the 15th century.
Objectives listed for some of the explorers is to
spread Christianity throughout the new found
lands, along with a desire for exploration,
wealth, and personal glory.
Beginning with Portugal’s Prince Henry the
Navigator, the author provides biographical
sketches of prominent navigators spanning a
century and a half. The influence of European
exploration toward native cultures is detailed
including the brutality of the explorers and their
crews. The author also discusses tribal
behaviors such as cannibalism, slavery, and
human sacrifices which occurred among some
of the tribes encountered. The book is
extensively illustrated with historic maps and
paintings and drawings depicting the time
period. The various artists have drawn the
native people in their normal state of dress so
partial nudity is commonplace.
Joanne M. Haffly, Homeschool Parent/Writer, Gig Harbor,
Washington
★
Encyclopedia of archaeology. The great
archaeologists, edited by Tim Murray.
LCCN 99052159. Santa Barbara, Calif.:
ABC-CLIO, 1999. ISBN 1576071995,
HBB, $150.00.
930.1’092’2. Archaeologists--Biography--
Encyclopedias. 2 v. Adult (High school).
The Encyclopedia of Archaeology. The Great
Archaeologists is two volumes in a five volume
set on archaeology. The editor Tim Murray
chose fifty-eight archaeologists who contributed
significant archaeological advancements as
subjects. Each biographical essay was
researched and written by practicing
archaeologists. The sketches are listed
chronologically.
The articles are scholarly works directed toward
a readership who has a working knowledge of
archaeology or access additional information on
the subject such as the following three volumes
of the series. The writers often accept the reader
understands associations of individuals within
the field of archaeology. Each biography
concludes with a bibliography of primary and
secondary sources for further reading.
An alphabetically list of entries is placed at the
beginning of each volume. The second book
closes with a glossary of archaeological terms
and an index. Throughout the books, black and
white photographs show portraits of the subject,
crew, and archaeological digs.
Much of the archaeology theory written
supports a evolutionary perspective but the
advancement of important anthropological
information of ancient cultures cannot be
forgotten.
Joanne M. Haffly, Homeschool Parent/Writer, Gig Harbor,
Washington
C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 8 3 S P R I N G 2 0 0 1

INDEX
$66 summer 38
100 best games 28
A. Lincoln and me 10
Adventures down under 35
Adventures in Misty Falls 17
African skies 57
Against the night 76
Ahmek 16
Alcorn, Stephen 45
Alexander Hamilton 44
Alexander, Hannah 66
Alexander, Sue 15
All about turtles 26
All you ever need 16
Aloha Cove 35
Alphabet makers 78
Amazing life of Benjamin Franklin 29
Amazing secret 31
Amy Carmichael 41
Anastasia 31
Ancient strife 58
And the angels were silent 8
Anders, Isabel 7, 53
Any given day in the life of the Bible 76
Apple, Margot 10
April and May 48
Arch books 8
Armadillo tattletale 16
Armistead, John 38
Arnosky, Jim 26
Arthur, Kay 71
As you wish 52
AstroKids 18, 21
Awakening 66
Backwater 47
Baer, Judy 62
Bailey, Linda 15
Bailey, Wendy 15
Bainton, Roland H. 9
Baker atlas of Christian history 80
Baker's guide...distance education 80
Baker, Jason D. 80
Banks, Timothy 17
Barnyard prayers 29
Baseball for breakfast 16
Bates, Ivan 10
Batty Hattie 31
Bauer, Joan 47
Bayer, John F. 65
Bear on the train 10
Beck, Andrea 12
Beckett, Wendy 71
Before and after Easter 8
Bell, James Scott 59
Bell, Mary Reeves 50
Beneath the mockingbird's wings 59
Benge, Geoff 56
Benge, Janet 56
Benjamin's box 7
Bernardin, James 7
Best friends forever 62
Best of Wilfred Grenfell 3
Between two flags 39
Betz, Adrienne 22
Bierle, Don 70
Big bad beans 16
Big Truck and Little Truck 10
Big truths for little kids 25
Birding in the American West 81
Birds of North America 81
Bjorkman, Steve 12
Black hands, white sails 43
Blackaby, Henry T. 71
Blackwood, Gary 50
Bladholm, Cheri 27
Blessing in disguise 59
Blind justice 59
Blizzard 30
Bloodhounds, Inc. 17, 18, 19
Bly, Stephen 64
Bodmer, Judy 77
Bolton, Martha 13
Bond, Peter 42
Boomer's big surprise 10
Borden, Louise 10
Bourgeois, Paulette 13
Bowler, K. Christie 7
Boys life adventure Bible storybook 22
Bradford, Mary 75
Brave Martha 10
Breathing new life into Lent 8
Brennan, Patrick J. 72
Brief history of Canada 57
Bright 'n beautiful 10
Brinkerhoff, Shirley 50
Brouwer, Sigmund 8, 9
Brown, Terry K. 31, 37, 51
Bruce 54
Building the book Cathedral 43
Bumblebee at Apple Tree Lane 11
Bunting, Eve 11
Burkhart, Jeffrey E. 8
Butterfield, Ned 11
Butterfly house 11
Butternut Hollow Pond 26
By the light of a thousand stars 59
Byrd, Sandra 18, 20
Cabs, cameras, and catastrophes 47
Caledonia 58
Campbell, Elspeth 19
Campbell, Ross 78
Can-do Thanksgiving 11
Captain's hat 17
Card, Michael 20
Caribbean Island adventure 33, 38
Carlson, Melody 7, 11, 12, 13, 32, 47, 61, 63
Carpenter's cloth 8
Carr, Jan 10
Case of the missing minds 17
Cassie, you're a winner 17
Chat freak 31
Child's garden of prayers 25
Chisholm, Sarah Reid 7
Christ in Easter 8
Christenson, Larry 27
Christian heroes, then and now 56
Christmas doll 17
Christmas story 24
Christy and Todd 52
Chronic kids, constant hope 75
chronicles of the golden frontier 68
Chronology of world history 82
Church librarian's handbook 80
Civil liberties 55
Clark, Brenda 13
Cleavers don't live here anymore 74
Close call 17
Cochran, Brian 7
Cody unplugged 18
Coffey, Tim 15
Coleman, William L. 75
Collins, Heather 30
Colson, Charles W. 8, 76
Come what may 77
Command the sun 60
Companjen, Johan 77
Contemporary Christian authors 82
Cooper, Patrick 14
Costello, Angela Ward 7
Cote, Nancy 11
Coyote at Pinon Place 11
Crafts for all seasons 27
Creation 24
Criss, Keith 8
Crist, Terry M. 73
Crown of fire 60
Cry freedom 60
Cul-de-sac kids 16
Cullinan, Bernice E. 78
Cunningham, Loren 76, 77
Cutrer, William 63
Darcy and friends 31
Daring to live on the edge 76
Daughter of Twin Oaks 60
Daughters of faith 69
S P R I N G 2 0 0 1 8 4 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

INDEX
David Livingstone 41
Davidson, Alice Joyce 7
Davis, Bryan 7, 8
Day Jesus died 7
Day the circus came to town 11
Dear America 33, 36, 37
Deering, Kathryn 72
Deines, Brian 10
DeLong, Janice 82
Denenberg, Barry 37
Dennard, Deborah 11
dePaola, Tomie 15
Descriptionary 81
Developing Christian fiction collections 32
Diagram Group 83
Diamond of the Rockies 65
Diary of a teenage girl 47
DiCianni, Ron 20
Dictionary of folklore 81
Divine symphony 61
DK guide to space 42
Dooling, Michael 29
Dow, Rosey 65
Dowd, John 33, 38
Dowley, Tim 80
Down North on the Labrador 3
Downs, Sandra 26
Draw 3-D 43
Drawn by a China moon 33
Dream a little dream 35
DuBosque, Doug 43
Duffey, Betsy 18
Durbin, William 34
DusÎková, Mája 28
Dyson, Marianne J. 43
Earth's fiery fury 26
Easter ABCs 7
Easter Bunny, are you for real? 7
Easter hunt 7
Easter promise 7
Easter story 24
Easy credit 55
Ebert, Len 8
Edgemon, Roy T. 71
Edwards, Dennis 22
El Nino and La Nino 42
Elephant tears 47
Elliot bakes a cake 12
Elliot Moose story 12
Elliot, Elisabeth 75
Elmer, Robert 18, 21, 35, 38
Emergency! 27
Empson, Lila 7
Encyclopedia of archaeology 83
Enemy pie 12
Enright, Vicky 27
Enslow, Anne 44
Enslow, Ridley 44
EO International 71
Erickson, David L. 13
Eva's summer vacation 18
Eversole, Robyn 15
Everything book 12
Everything I long for 61
Exodus 23
Exploring planet earth 26
Eyer, Richard C. 70
Facts on File...American short story 82
Faith to grow on 23
Family celebrations at Easter 8
Family countdown to Easter 8
Fangorn 35, 49
Fangs for the memories 18
Fantastic faith 12
Farmer Brown's field trip 12
Farnes, Catherine 49, 50
Fenton, John 9
Ferguson, J. Landon 68
Final quest 58
Final week of Jesus 8
Firebird 60
Fireside storie of love, life… 61
Fisherman's Saint 3
Fleming, Denise 12, 27
Follow me 72
For such a time 61
Forever friends 13
Forget me not 35
Forging freedom 44
Forgotten 48
Fortner, Tama 25
Forty years for Labrador 3
Frangipane, Francis 58
Franklin's class trip 13
Franklin's neighborhood 13
Free stuff for crafty kids…internet 22
From sacrifice to celebration 9
Gaard, Betty 51
Gabriel, God, and the fuzzy blanket 13
Galvin, Laura Gates 11
Gavitt, Anne 33, 35
Gay, Kathleen 55
Genzo, John Paul 11
Giblin, James Cross 29
Gifted for good 72
Girl who chased away sorrow 33
Glahn, Sandra 63
Glaser, Linda 26
Glorious morning! 9
God's will, God's best for your life 54
Godwain, Laura 29
Gold, Alison Leslie 45
Good news about injustice 73
Good night, sleep tight 28
Good ol' Noah had an ark, E-I-E-I-O 13
Gottfried, Ted 45
Graham, Paula W. 44
Graver, Jane 26
Graves, Keith 16
Great galaxy goof 18
Great railroad race 33
Greenwood, Barbara 30
Gregory, Fran 38
Gregory, Kristiana 33
Grenfell of Labrador 3
Grenfell, Wilfred 3
Griessman, Annette 13
Guerrilla hostage 77
Gunn, Robin Jones 51, 52
Haidle, David 24
Haidle, Elizabeth 24
Haidle, Helen 24
Hall, Laurie Sharlene 74
Hambrick, Sharon 39
Hansen, Gloria 22
Harris, Larnelle 8
Harris, Robert J. 49
Haugen, Gary A. 73
Hawthorne, Sally 69
Hayford, Jack 9
Heathersleigh homecoming 62
Hehenberger, Shelly 25
Heim, Judy 22
Heinz, Brian J. 26
Heitzmann, Kristen 62, 65
Helen Bradley mysteries 69
Help! My friend's in trouble! 54
Henderson, Dee 68
Hermes, Patricia 37
Heroines of the golden west 64
Hettings, Jan David 72
Hey, that's not what the Bible says! 22
Hibbard, Ann 8
Hidden treasures : N.T. 23
Hidden treasures : O.T. 23
Higgs, Liz Curtis 7
Historical atlas of exploration 83
Hockett, Betty M. 77
Hoekstra, Elizabeth 75
Hogsty Reef 33
Holiday hero 18
Holland, Gay 26
Hollingsworth, Mary 61
Hollow tree 34
Holocaust 45
C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 8 5 S P R I N G 2 0 0 1

INDEX
Holt, Kristi 31
Holy people, holy lives 70
Honigsberg, Peter Jan 15
Honor's reward 62
Horse whispers in the air 48
Horsefeathers 48
Horton, David 22
How you are changing 26
Howard, Evan Drake 9
Hudson Taylor 41
Hunt, Angela Elwell 8
Hunt, Richie 25
Hunt, Susan 25
Husbands and fathers 74
Hyland, Hilary 40
I want my mummy 19
I want to know 7
I've just seen Jesus 8
Image maker 73
Imperial legions 62
In the image of God 76
Index of biblical images 80
Intercessory prayer 58
Iraq : old land, new nation in conflict 57
Is that really you, God? 77
Issacs, Anne 52
Ivy and Allison 48
Jackson, Dave 33, 35, 41
Jackson, Neta 33, 35, 41
Jacques, Brian 35, 49
Jantz, Stan 54
Jay Jay the jet plane 10, 12
Jennings, Sharon 13
Jenny McGrady mystery 48
Jenny's story 62
Jensen, Steve 31
Jesus 7
Johnson, Cathy Ann 24
Johnson, Jane 29
Johnson, Kevin 54
Johnson, Lois Walfred 41
Johnston, Julie 54
Jolliff, William 56
Jonathan Edwards 56
Jones, Annie 64
Jones, Ivan 28
Jones, Mal 28
Jones, Martha Tannery 39
Jonke, Tim 8
Jordan, John 28
Josephine's fortune 63
Journal of August Pelletier 34
Journal of Joshua Loper 34
Journal of Otto Peltonen 34
Journey to the end of the earth 35
Joy to the world 73
Joyner, Rick 58
Kaufman focus guides 81
Kaufman, Kenn 81
Kelly, Theresa 35
Kent, Reneé 17
Kerr, James 3
Kest, Kristin 11
Ketteman, Helen 16
Kids Can...jumbo book of gardening 27
Kids in danger 78
Kindig, Tess Eileen 51
King, Tara Calahan 12
Kingsbury, Karen 64, 68
Kinkade, Thomas 25
Kit 48
Klauba, Douglas 13, 16
Knostam, Angus 83
Koala Beach outbreak 35
Krensky, Stephen 19
Kurisu, Jane 7, 27
Labrador days 3
Labrador logbook 3
Labrador looks at the Orient 3
Ladwig, Tim 8
LaRochelle, David 8
Larsen, Carolyn 24
Larson, Elyse 61
Lasky, Kathryn 34
Last safe house 30
Laurel 48
Lawson, Julie 10
Learning about sex series 26
Leaving Cuba 55
Legend of Luke 35
Legend of the Easter Egg 7
Lemmons, Thom 69
Leppard, Lois Gladys 36
Let's talk about it stories for kids 41
Lethal harvest 63
Lewin, Ted 10
Lewis, Beverly 16, 65
Lewis, E. B. 14
Lewis, Robert 75
Liberty bell 60
Light in the shadows 75
Like gold refined 63
Lindley, Thomas 28
Lineage of grace 68
Lion and the mouse 25
List 63
Little dogs on the prairie 28
Little girls devotional storybook… 24
Liu, Lesley 19
Living on Nothing Atoll 35
Lollar, Phil 28
Look-alikes 28
Look-alikes, jr. 28
Looking for you all my life 63
Lord Brocktree 49
Lost Romance Ranch 64
Louise goes wild 19
Love ya like a sister 54
Luba and the wren 25
Lucado, Max 8, 9, 16
Lunn, Janet 34
Luther, Martin 9
Luv@first site 51
Lyon, Tammie 7
MacArthur, John 23
Macaulay, David 43
MacGregor family adventures 47
Machalek, Jan 18
Mackall, Dandi Daley 37, 48
Maendel, Rachel 20
Magnificent monarchs 26
Maier, Paul L. 8, 24
Malvehy, Terry Kretzer 49
Man's faith 3
Mandie and the buried stranger 36
Mandie and the dark alley 36
Mandie and the seaside rendezvous 36
Mandie book 36
Marchiano, Bruce 9
Marquesa 64
Marsden, Hannah 20
Marstall, Bob 26
Martin Luther 41
Martin Luther's Easter book 9
Martyrs to madness 45
Mary and the empty tomb 7
Masada 45
Masoff, Joy 27
Matthew passion 9
McCarver, Aaron 59
McCutcheon, Marc 81
McDowell, Josh 54
McGeorge, Constance W. 10
McGill, Alice 14
McKissack, Fredrick L. 43
McKissack, Patricia 37, 43
McMichael, Betty 80
Mei Fuh : memories from China 19
Mellersh, H.E.L. 82
Men of faith 56
Mercati, Cynthia 20
Meyer, Carolyn 31
Meyer, Jeff 21
Midwife's song 64
Miller, Calvin 61
S P R I N G 2 0 0 1 8 6 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

INDEX
Mohr, Joseph 28
Mollel, Tololwa M. 14
Molly Bannaky 14
Moment of weakness 64
Moore, Hyatt 76
Moore, Joan Trusty 9
Moore, Tom 3
Moores, Ian 42
Morison, Frank 9
Morris, Gerald 38
Morris, Gilbert 59, 60, 68
Morris, Karyn 27
Morse, Tony 15
Mrs. Mack 14
Munger, Nancy 7
Munson, Derek 12
Murphy, Jim 30
Murray, Tim 83
Museum of the Alphabet 78
Music of the American colonies 44
My America 37
My Bible friends 7
My dear Noel 29
My heart is on the ground 36
My name is America 34
My rows and piles of coins 14
My secret war 36
Myers, Bill 16, 17, 18, 19
Myers, David G. 78
Myers, Walter Dean 34
Myra, Harold 7
Mystery of the attic lion 19
Mystery of the backdoor bundle 19
Mystery of the golden reindeer 19
Myth maker : J.R.R. Tolkien 44
NAS the Sibley master guide to birds 81
Nate Saint 56
Natti, Susanna 19
Nature's fury 42
Nazi Germany 45
Neavill, Michelle 7
Neimark, Anne E. 44
Nelles, Lyn Boyer 13
Nentwig, Wendy Lee 47, 51
Never trust a squirrel! 14
Nielsen, Virginia 31
Night of Las Posadas 15
Nikki Sheridan series 50
Nordberg, Bette 66
Nordstrom, Joe 19
Northern neighbors 3
Nzingha 37
O'Neal, Debbie Trafton 8
Off the rocks 3
Oke, Janette 63
Old enough to know 54
Omega deception 65
On the cross road 9
One eye laughing, the other weeping 37
One more time, mama 15
Opposing viewpoints 55
Ordaz, Francisco 24
Ordaz, Tim 8
Orphan train west for young adults 48
Osbeck, Kenneth W. 73
Osborne, Mary Pope 36
Osborne, Rick 7
Our covenant God 71
Our strange new land 37
Out of hiding 49
Owens, Carolyn 55
Palisades pure romance 57, 68
Parable of the lily 7
Partridge, Elizabeth 56
Passage to Little Bighorn 49
Passport to danger 50
Patty, Sandi 8
Peace rebel 38
Peart, Jane 48
Peck, Richard 52
Pella, Judith 67
Perez, Eulalia 28
Perfect catch 73
Petal power 20
Peter's first Easter 8
Peterson, Tracie 66, 67
Pferdehirt, Julia 41
Phillips, Michael 58, 62
Pickering, David 81
Pillow of dreams 15
Place in the heart 35
Place to come home to 61
Please pray for us 77
Poetry of John Greenleaf Whittier 56
Pogány, Susan Browning 55
Polacco, Patricia 14, 25
Pomeranc, Marion Hess 11
Pope, William 3
Portrait of lies 37
Powell, Linda 7
Prairie legacy 63
Pregnant and single 55
Preston, Jeff 23
Prince, Derek 74
Prize of life 3
Promise breaker 38
Promise of Zion 38
Queen's own fool 49
Quiet world 78
Rachel, a Hutterite girl 20
Rare and endangered 38
Ray, Brenda 64
Read to me 78
Real family values 75
Real life begins after high school 54
Reaping the whirlwind 65
Red berry wool 15
Red River of the North 59
Redemption of Sarah Cain 65
Reinhard, B.J. 25
Restless spirit 56
Ribbons west 67
Riccio, Frank 16
Richards, J. T. 3
Richards, Jon 42
Ridenour, Fritz 54
Riendeau, Roger 57
Rinaldi, Ann 36
Rispin, Karen 57
Rius, Maria 28
Rivers, Francine 68
Rizzo, Kay D. 63
Rock, Lois 22
Rocky mountain legacy 62
Roddy, Lee 39
Rogers, Janice 76, 77
Roggow, Linda 55
Roleff, Tamara L. 55
Rompkey, Ronald 3
Rose legacy 65
Rosen, Michael J. 20
Rosenburg, John 44
Ross, Bill 22
Ross, Kathy 27
Route 66 64
Royal diaries 31, 37
Rubel, David 29
Rushford, Patricia H. 48, 69
Sanji's seed 25
Savage damsel and the dwarf 38
Sayre, April Pulley 42
Schaeffer, Edith 19
Schalesky, Marlo 60
Scholastic atlas of the US 29
Scholastic treasury of quotations… 22
Schwedt, Rachel 82
Science factory 42
Seaside High 35
Second chances 66
Second choices 50
Secret of the Mezuzah 50
Secret refuge 60
Secret room 20
Secret sisters 18, 20
Secrets of Heathersleigh Hall 62
C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 8 7 S P R I N G 2 0 0 1

INDEX
Seddon, Andrew M. 62
Selecting books for the elementary… 6
Selznick, Brian 29
Serenity Bay 66
Serenity Inn series 63
Seven sisters 66
Sex smart 55
Shakespeare's scribe 50
Shaping of a Christian family 75
Sharratt, Nick 39
Shed, Gred 11
Sheets, Dutch 58
Shellenberger, Susie 54
Sibley, David Allen 81
Sierra Jensen series 51
Siino, Denise Marie 77
Silent night, holy night 28
Simon, Mary Manz 23
Sister Wendy's nativity 71
Six hours one Friday 9
Slender thread 66
Smith, Carol 51
Smith, Debra White 66
Smith, Michael W. 54
Smith, Wesley E. 41
Smithsonian's backyard 11
Snapshots of Grenfell 3
Snelling, Lauraine 59, 60
Snow 50
Soentpiet, Chris K. 14
Solemn oath 66
Soman, David 15
Space station science 43
Speaking of journals 44
Special fate : Chiune Sugihara 45
Spencer, William 57
Spider Storch's desperate deal 39
Spirit of Appalachia 59
Stand by me 35
Stanley, Andy 74
Steiner, Joan 28
Stephens, Claire Gatrell 6
Stewart, Dorothy 73
Stine, Cheryl 8
Stockman, Jack 7
Stoop, David A. 74
Stoop, Jan 74
Story of the empty tomb 8
Storyteller's collection 32
Stowe, Robert E. 8
Stranger online 51
Strasser, Todd 17
Streeter, Carole Sanderson 78
Stuart's run to faith 39
Subway tokens in the sand 51
Suddenly one morning 9
Suncatchers 67
Surprise in disguise 8
Surprised by faith 70
Swindoll, Charles R. 9
Tada, Joni Eareckson 13, 21, 31
Take my hand 51
Talbott, Hudson 44
Tale of three trees 8
Tales of the Labrador 3
Tell me why 20
Ten commandments 71
Terror from the Gulf 39
Thanks for being my friend 41
Thanksgiving wish 20
Theft 51
Thompson, Ellen 18
Thompson, Ian 42
Thompson, John 20
Three battlegrounds 58
Three cousins detective club 19
Throop, Sarah Alison 53
Tidings of peace 67
Ties that bind 67
Timelines 2000 on file 83
Todays girls.com 31, 37, 51
Toddy 48
Tomorrow I’ll miss you 35
Torn thread 52
Trailblazer books 33, 35
Trailblazer curriculum guide 41
Trapped between the lash and the gun 39
Trout, Richard 47
True devotion 68
Turk, Caron 24
Turner, Ann 33
Turner, Jamie Langston 59, 67
Tyers, Kathy 60
Unforgettable summer 31
Unmistakably Cooper Ellis 47, 51
Unseen riches 68
Until tomorrow 52
Unveiled 68
Uprising at dawn 39
Using Coretta Scott King award books 6
Van Orden, Phyllis 6
Vaughan, David J. 56
Vaughn, Ellen Santilli 76
Very first Easter 8, 24
Visioneering 74
Vogel, Carol Garbuny 42
Walburg, Lori 7
Waldman, Neil 45
Walker, Barbara A. 32
Walters, Catherine 14
Wangerin, Walter, Jr. 8
Watson, Patrick 16
Watts, Bernadette 25
Way of forgiveness 72
Ways of God 71
Weeping chamber 9
Weinman, Brad 44
Weiss, Ann E. 55
Werlock, Abby H.P. 82
When Addie was scared 15
When couples pray together 74
When joy came to stay 68
When love dies 77
When shadows fall 69
Where once there was a wood 27
Whispering pines series 61, 63
Whispering stones 69
Whitlow, Robert 63
Whitmore, Arvella 39
Whittier, John Greenleaf 56
Who moved the stone? 9
Whyte, Mary 10
Wiersbe, Warren W. 80
Wildsmith, Brian 23, 24
Wilfred Grenfell 3
William Grenfell : His Life and Work 3
Williams, Anita 17
Willner-Pardo, Gina 39
Wimbush, David 18, 19
Winding road to freedom 52
Winds of freedom 60
Wisehart, Randall 52
Woman of means 69
Women of prayer 73
Women of valor 61
Wonderful way babies are made 27
Woodruff, Elvira 17
Woodworth, Viki 8
Words of gold 22
Wreck of the Ethie 40
Wright, H. Norman 73
Wycliffe Bible Translators 76
Year down yonder 52
Year of the child 53
Yesterday, today, forever 9
Yippee ti-yay happy birthday 28
Yolen, Jane 49
You've got a friend 21
Young warriors 41
Young, Sarah 22
Zero-G headache 21
Zimmer, Kevin J. 81
S P R I N G 2 0 0 1 8 8 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

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