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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 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 2 1 S P R I N G 2 0 0 1
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ADULT NONFICTION ★ Come what may,
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REFERENCE 371.35025. Distance educa
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REFERENCE (610-756). From essays su
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INDEX David Livingstone 41 Davidson
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INDEX Mohr, Joseph 28 Mollel, Tolol
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