PDF - Christian Library Journal

HIGH SCHOOL
FICTION
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
S P R I N G 2 0 0 1 5 0 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L