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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
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