Rediscovering the Children's Books of - Christian Library Journal

ChristianLibraryJ O U R N A LVolume V No.1WINTER 2000■■■■■■■■■THIS ISSUE FEATURES:What About Harry Potter?Living in a BookA Boy Named JasonSinging the Songs ofDistant StarsRecent Christmas ReleasesA Few Clicks Away to FunThe Third Quest for theHistorical JesusRediscovering the Children’sBooks of Jesse StuartClassics Revisited

A Letter from the EditorDear Readers,As I write, we are a few weeks into the new century.Reflecting on the past and looking forward to the future, I seethat many Christian schools and churches have done much todevelop libraries which will enlighten, enrich, and entertaintheir patrons. But many other such schools and churches haveyet to make that commitment, and I pray that as we move intothe new century, these schools and churches will move forwardin this area.I am personally a strong proponent of the public library,working as a professional librarian in a county library systemmyself. But we cannot expect the public library to build itscollection based on the philosophies of our Christian churchesand schools. Many public libraries are responding to the needfor Christian literature, and we are thankful for that. But onlythe Christian library can build its entire collection based on theJudeo-Christian viewpoint, looking hard to find those materialswhich will meet the needs of its patrons in philosophy as wellas subject matter.If your Christian church or school is not working hard todevelop its library, I urge you to become one of the voicesneeded to encourage such a move. You will never regret it, andthose with whom you worship, teach, and study will benefit.By the time youreceive this issue, ourweb page may be upand running. Ouraddress iswww.christianlibraryj.comand the page is beingdeveloped now.Access it often tolearn of upcomingfeatures in CLJ, readabout publicationschedules, and otherinformation aboutCLJ.Tell your fellowlibrarians, teachers,and general readersabout our site.In Christ’s love,Nancy L. HeschEditor and Publisher

The Christian Library Journal invitesprospective reviewers and writers to writefor information. The Christian LibraryJournal is published quarterly Septemberthrough August by Christian LibraryServices. Subscriptions $45 per year; $55in Canada. Back issues $4.50 as supplieslast. Bulk postage paid at Billings,Montana. Indexed in ChristianPeriodical Index. Addresscorrespondence to Christian LibraryServices, 671 Sheri Lane, Sheridan, WY82801-5430. POSTMASTER: Sendaddress changes to CLJ, 671 Sheri Lane,Sheridan, WY 82801-5430. Copyright2000 by Christian Library Services.Volume V No. 1WINTER 2000ISSN 1097-1262ChristianLibraryJ O U R N A LPhone (307) 672-2884Fax (307) 672-2876Email heschclj@cyberhighway.netwww.christianlibraryj.comT A B L E O F C O N T E N T SLETTER FROM THE EDITORC O L U M N S a n d A R T I C L E SInside Front CoverSinging the Songs of Distant Stars Andrew Seddon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2The purpose of the Christian LibraryJournal is to provide readers withreviews of both Christian and secularlibrary materials from a Christian point ofview. About 300 books, cassette tapes,and videos from both Christian andsecular publishers are reviewed eachissue. Materials reviewed may reflect abroad range of Christian doctrinalpositions and do not necessarily reflectthe views of the staff of the ChristianLibrary Journal.A Few Clicks Away to Fun Lisa Wroble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4School Librarian’s Corner Debra Stombres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5A Boy Named Jason Eileen Zygarlicke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16Classics Revisited Sylvia Stopforth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31Artifacts and Relics Mary McKinney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52Living in a Book Raymond Legg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57Rediscovering the Children’s Booksof Jesse Stuart Dennis L. Peterson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Recent Christmas Releases Lydia E. Harris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10The Third Quest of the Historical Jesus Dennis Ingolfsland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13Nancy HeschAndrew SeddonRaymond LeggMary McKinneySylvia StopforthEileen ZygarlickeKitty LindstromPublisher & EditorEditor: ArticlesEditor: Adult NonfictionEditor: Adult Fiction,Young Adult NonfictionEditor: YA FictionEditor: Children’s BooksDesign and GraphicsWhat about Harry Potter? Sylvia Stopforth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15R E V I E W SPicture Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16Children’s Fiction : Gr. 2 - 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20Children’s Nonfiction : Gr. 2 - 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24Young Adult Fiction : Gr. 6 - 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30Young Adult Nonfiction : Gr. 6 - 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43Adult Fiction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52Adult Nonfiction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57Cover illustration from Firebird, by KathyTyers, © 1999. Reprinted by permission ofBethany House Publishers.Printed in the U.S.A.O T H E RPublisher List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 1 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

AWord from the Editor: Andrew M. SeddonSinging theSongs ofDistant Stars:The ScienceFiction ofKathy Tyers“There are ideas that a writer gets withoutany notion where they came from,” KathyTyers replies when asked about theinspiration for her novel Firebird, the firstof a trilogy from Bethany House Publishers.“This is one of them.” The novel’s premiseis deceptively simple: What if the arrival ofthe Messiah did not occur until aspacefaring humanity had spread to amultitude of worlds? The conflict betweena Judaic-style culture and a legalisticsociety provides the substrate for a story ofworldviews in conflict, in which the comingof the Messiah is anticipated.Tyers, despite a love of science fictiondeveloped as an eleven-year-old (“Thelibrarian took me and guided me gently tothe junior high section, and I pulled a novelby Ben Bova called The Star Conquerorsoff the shelf. It was space opera, and it waswonderful, and I read it three times before Itook it back to the library”), did not intendto be a writer—she wanted to be amusician. But the need to earn a livingdictated otherwise and Tyers pursueddegrees in microbiology and education. Shecontinued to study music wheneverpossible, and married Mark, a band andchoir teacher. Not until 1983 did the call ofa different type of music claim her, and shedecided to venture into the worlds ofscience fiction—to “write a space adventurekind of book.” Finding herself with acouple of hours a day not devoted to thedemands of motherhood (which she loved),she felt the need for other avenues ofexpression.This, the release of the third Star Warsmovie, Return of the Jedi, and seeing an airshow by the Air Force Thunderbirdsprovided the trigger for her first novel,Firebird. But she didn’t immediately writefor the Christian market. Instead, shesubmitted Firebird to Bantam, “over thetransom, absolutely cold.” They acceptedit, and in 1987, four years after she beganwriting, Firebird was published.Meanwhile, Tyers had completed the sequel,Fusion Fire. The story wasn’t finished.Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be. Bantamdeclined to keep Firebird and Fusion Firein print long enough to bring out the thirdnovel, Crown of Fire, which remainedincomplete. Instead, they asked for standalonebooks. Tyers complied with CrystalWitness about a servant who finds herselfhired by both sides in a palace intrigue tospy on each other; Shivering World aboutgenetic engineering and terraforming; andOne Mind’s Eye, an “alien invasioncodependency novel”. She also wrote aStar Wars novel, The Truce at Bakura,several short stories set in the Star Warsuniverse, and a non-fiction book of travel,Exploring the Northern Rockies.But then came a painful decision. Facedwith a conflict between her writing careerand her marriage, she gave up writing. “Ilaid science fiction at the foot of the cross,”she says, “and backed away, praying that ifGod ever wanted me to write again, hewould give me back my career.” Two yearspassed, the desire to write persisted, and theFirebird series continued to call to her. Butthe prospects of completing the seriesseemed bleak until Bethany House editorand science fiction fan Steve Laube metTyers at Mount Hermon Christian Writer’sconference.Tyers proposed a contemporary womens’romance, but Laube asked what Tyers reallywanted to write.“I couldn’t believe it,” Tyers says. “I tookout of my satchel an outline for five novelsin the Firebird series, adapted for theChristian market, and laid it on the tablebetween us. “This is what I really want todo.”Bethany House contracted for three novels,of which the first, Firebird, was released inMay (Fusion Fire and Crown of Fire arescheduled for publication later in 1999 and2000, respectively). Rewriting the booksfor the Christian market involved Tyers in aconscious effort to bring to the forefrontthemes that had been previously in thebackground. “I was amazed how manythings in the re-write just flowed naturallyfrom what was already there,” she says.“Occasionally, I had the sensation that I wasfinally finishing something that I had leftunfinished before and that it should havebeen that way in the first place.”Her role as a Christian writer, she relates, isto tell a good story. “C.S. Lewis said thatwhat we ‘are’ comes through in our writing,whether or not we try to put it there. Theplot ideas that occur to me and thecharacters who spring to life in my mindcome out of a baptized imagination.” Tyersis aware of her character’s sufferings: “I tryto pray about scenes in which my characterssuffer,” she says. “I try to be sensitive tothe Holy Spirit’s leading about how muchpain would be ‘too much’ and what wouldbe ‘too shallow, or too little,’ and evenwhether or not a certain scene belongs inthe story at all. Beyond that scene by sceneanalysis, I have made a conscious effort inthe Firebird series to give each book aspiritual ‘theme’ and try to eliminate scenesthat have no bearing on it.”The new Firebird series is the first time shehas consciously aligned novels aroundspiritual themes. (Her secularly publishednovels were circumspect in their Christiancontent.) Firebird’s theme is that Godexists, is good, and is worthy of lifelongservice. Fusion Fire (which has asomewhat ‘Old Testament’ feel) is about theexistence of evil, both as an external enemyW I N T E R 2 0 0 0 2 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

and an internal flaw in every human.Crown of Fire will deal with the danger ofgoing back to the old ways and pride’sdeadly consequences. Tyers has been aChristian as long as she can remember. “Iwas always taken to Sunday School. I can’tremember a time when I didn’t want to getcloser to God, though I didn’t get seriousabout looking into Christianity until mysenior year of high school.” An encounterwith a Gospel tract triggered a renewedinterest in spiritual matters. The next yearshe discovered C.S. Lewis’ books, whichalso helped to strengthen her commitment.Currently, Tyers and Mark attend theEvangelical Free Church in Bozeman,Montana, where Kathy also serves aschurch librarian, taking over a library thatshe found to be a dumping ground for theChristian books that people didn’t want andusing some of her royalty money to buynew volumes for it.Writers who have influenced her includeDorothy Sayers (“I really admire her workand her witness”); C.S. Lewis (“I go backand re-read Lewis now that I have spent alot of time writing, and I find myselfanalyzing his style, which is anexperience”); and J.R.R. Tolkein whoseLord of the Rings she has read “more timesthan I care to admit.” Her current favoriteauthors include Jan Karon (the MitfordSeries), Bodie Thoene (Zion Chronicles),and Michael D. O’Brien (Father Elijah).“One of my friends told me years ago thatthe downside of being a writer is you willno longer be able to read for pleasure,” shesays, “and I hope I never get to that point. Ihave a friend who is an orchestrator inHollywood, and he says that music has lostthe ability to move him, and I think that’stragic.” Although there are still many booksthat are well written, she has “gotten a lotbetter at putting a book down and sayingit’s not worth my time to finish it. In fact,I’ve caught friends of mine reading books,saying, “Oh, this is terrible” and I’ve said tothem, “Why bother finishing it, you’vealready wasted the money, why waste thetime?” And they look at me as if they’venever thought of such a thing. What awonderful freedom it is not to have to finisha book just because you’ve started it.”As to whether there is any such thing as a“Christian novel,” Tyers says, “Everycharacter in every novel ever written has animplied spirituality.” She reluctantlydefines a Christian novel as “one in whichthe characters’ spirituality is Christian ormoving toward Christian, or influenced byChristianity, where that is an integral part ofthe plot.”Amongst her own books, Firebird hasalways been her favorite. “I don’t knowwhy, unless it’s the fact that I know thesecharacters so well. They have become dearfriends of mine. I was in mourning when Iwasn’t able to finish the series for Bantam.I also have always loved the Romeo andJuliet kind of story, the idea of people whogrew up on different banks of the riverovercoming and reaching through to eachother.”Musical elements play a prominent role inTyer’s novels, particularly in One Mind’sEye and Fusion Fire. “I have tried to workmusic or the arts into all books that I’vewritten,” she says. “That is something Ihave found missing in a lot of sciencefiction that will cover futuristic politics andmilitary strategies and so forth, but forgetsthat people spend a lot of time and effort inmusic and the arts. I don’t think that issomething the human race will ever lose. Ithink that after the Lord comes back, therole of musicians and artists is going to befabulous and enjoyable, and I want to playflute in the Heaven Symphony Orchestra.”Not the harp? “No, no, no, there are plentyof harpers; just the flute, thank you.”As to a deeper connection between herwriting and music, she says, “I listen forinspiration. If I cannot get into the moodand I have to sit down and write, I willsometimes put on a soundtrack album.Over many years playing flute in bands andorchestras, I find myself running a mentalmovie sometimes with a piece of music thatI am playing that I know very well.” InRespighi’s The Pines of Rome, for example,she sees in the last movement, ‘The Pines ofthe Appian Way,’ a depiction of the viadolorosa in all its harrowing reality.In Fusion Fire particularly, her leadcharacter refers frequently to God asMighty Singer. “Lady Firebird has a visionat the end of Firebird where, facing death,she is unable to comprehend that God couldexist. She prays, “Show me” and Godspeaks to her in a language she canunderstand, which is through music—ashaving sung the universe into existence.That goes back not only to the NarniaChronicles but also the Ainulindalë inTolkien’s Silmarillion. I think it’s awonderful image.”The connection between science fiction andmusic isn’t as farfetched as it may seem.Music speaks to humanity at a deep level.All cultures have music. Music isfrequently mentioned in the Bible,frequently in reference to creation and thewonders of the universe. Even though theHebrews weren’t privy to our knowledge orthe awe-inspiring images provided by theHubble space telescope, they, like theirforefather Abraham, gazed into the heavenscreated by God. Both music and sciencefiction sing the language of wonder, of theimagination.As we explore the wonders of the universein flights of imagination we also exploreourselves. We explore humanity—as aspecies, as creatures in relationship to eachother and to God.Firebird is not about space battles and fancytechnology, although it has these. At itsheart it is about the human spirit, theworkings of God, and the complexcounterpoint and rhythms of God, creation,and humanity. Firebird illustrates thecontrast between a person enslaved bylegalism and one who is living in thefreedom of the Spirit. It is a story of Godreaching out to his children, becominginvolved in Creation. It is a story aboutLove, in a universe where God is not onlyauthor but participant. But if science fictionis the exploration of God, Creation, andhumanity, why hasn’t the genre taken off inthe Christian market and found a nichebetween other genres that are consideredChristian—general fiction, historical novels,romance novels, contemporary thrillers? Inthis regard, Christian science fiction isC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 3 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

fighting the negative image imposed by itssecular proponents, who all too often envisage auniverse and a future without God.As Tyers notes, “a lot of science fiction that ispublished in the secular market has elements init that have no place in a Christian bookstore andhave very little place in a Christian home. I amunable to read most secular science fiction forthe same reason. It’s full of sex, language, andviolence that pushes the limits. True, sciencefiction as a genre pushes limits. That’s the pointof science fiction. But in my opinion it’ssupposed to push the limits of speculation, ofimagination, of what the future might be like,what turns history could take. Those to me arelimits that ought to be pushed, where theimagination really can be challenged.” Thequestionable elements indicate that sciencefiction has followed other secular fiction intodecline.What Tyers wants to do in her Christian novelsis feed an imagination committed to andrenewed by God. So far, she has looked nofarther ahead than the three contracted and fiveprojected Firebird novels. “I’m trying to leavethat in God’s hands,” she says.Tyers learned the lesson of trusting God for herwriting. And now her books sing the music ofthe universe, of God and eternity.Novels by Kathy Tyers:Firebird Series:Firebird, Bethany House Publishers, 1999 (originalversion Bantam Spectra 1987)Fusion Fire, Bethany House Publishers, 1999(original version Bantam Spectra 1988)Crown of Fire, Bethany House Publishers,forthcoming 2000Crystal Witness, Bantam Spectra 1989Shivering World, Bantam Spectra 1991Star Wars: The Truce at Bakura, Bantam Spectra1993One Mind’s Eye, Bantam Spectra 1996A Few Clicks Awayto Fun!by Lisa WrobleThe Internet may contain a wealth ofresources, but finding the gems can behazardous for children. To make it easierfor your youngest patrons to findwholesome, entertaining websites,consider bookmarking a few of thesefavorites. Some contain activities to playon-site. Many contain crafts andactivities to do at home.Begin with Kids Click!http://www.sunsite.berkely.edu/KidsClick!— a search engine designed especially forchildren by librarians across the U.S.Children may enter keywords to searchthe web, or link to various sites listed bycategories, such as Health & Well-Being,Science & Math. (Weird & Mysteriouslists a subcategory of witchcraft, however,the Religion & Mythology category listsvery good sites for Christianity andGeneral Religion.)To find recipes for fun,start with:Rainy Day Resource pagehttp://www.cp.duluth.mn.us/~sarahThis is a great site for children or theirparents. It contains recipes for fun food,such as soft pretzels, as well as fun times.Make edible peanut butter play dough,modeling dough, finger paint, or slime.Plus, learn how to make pine cone birdfeeders or paper airplanes and link tocoloring pages which can be printed outand colored at home.Crafts for Kidshttp://craftsforkids.miningco.comcontains easy crafts for children to make,plus holiday and gift ideas. Don’t missthe Bible crafts link on this page–a mustfor lots of great ideas. At Kids’ Questhttp://www.christiananswers.net/kids/home.html learn about our Heavenly Fatherby exploring his marvelous Rain Forestcreations through activities, mazes, videoclips, and stories.Look, Learn & Dohttp://www.looklearnanddo.com/documents/home.html is filled with historicalfun facts, simple science projects, corkcrafts, puzzles, games and more.For more along the educational line,Bizarre Stuff You Can Make in YourKitchenhttp://freeweb.pdq.net/headstrong/includes instructions for many simpleprojects, many with science principles atwork, from casting animals tracks throughmaking a cloud in a bottle or a snowstormin a can. Teachers and librarians will findthis site helpful for planning specialprograms.With a little help from you, children willfind fun on the Internet just a few clicksaway!Lisa A. Wroble writes children'snonfiction from her home inPlymouth, Michigan. She alsoworks as a library aide inchildren's services at Redford Twp.District Library in Redford,Michigan.W I N T E R 2 0 0 0 4 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

School Librarian’s s CornerWelcome back to the School Library Corner ofChristian Library Journal.by Debra StombresTechnology in Schools:1999 Crown Award goes to :Frindle by Andrew ClementsRunners-up are:Child of the Wolves by Elizabeth HallHarry the Poisonous Centipedeby Lynne Reid Banks1999 Lamplighter Award goes to:Two Mighty Rivers by Mari HanesRunner-up is:Even Stephen by Johanna HurwitzWeb Site of Interest toChristian Librarians!www.4america.comUnderwritten by The RenewingAmerica Foundation,4america.com is a site dedicated toteaching virtues through Americanhistory. Designed for junior highand high school age participants,this is a useful site for classroomand homeschool curriculum and/orextra credit projects. It is anextension of the ministry of thebooks, The Light and the Glory,and From Sea to Shining Sea byPeter Marshall & David Manuel.Encyclopedias in every way, shape and form are still the basic and most used tools in a schoollibrary reference collection. When CD-Rom and Online versions of popular encyclopediasjoined the market, it became much less expensive for librarians to provide the most currentresources. The market is now fiercely competitive, which means that librarians no longer simplychoose between favorite publishers and titles, often difficult enough, but rather from amongseveral versions of each title with each version offering a different array of bells and whistlesranging from multimedia presentations to research assistants and tools. Almost all versions ofeach encyclopedia I looked at include a current dictionary and maps, many include almanacs,virtual tours and more. As I attempt to sort all of this out, be considering your own needs andwishes for your library.A point in favor of computerized encyclopedias is that students often have at least one CD-Romreference source at their home and are therefore more familiar with online search methods thanwith traditional paper index searching. Students also love to be able to print out the article(s)that pertain to their project instead of checking out or photocopying the original print version. Ihave thus spoiled my students to the point where I must drag them over to print versions whenall the computers are in use.Because CD-Rom versions are cheaper, we can afford to update them more often than we couldpaper editions. Occasionally a great combination deal is offered when a print edition and CD-Rom are bundled together. And frequently substantial rebates are available so always check theencyclopedia’s promotional web site.CD-Rom encyclopedias come both in stand-alone versions and networked versions. If you wishto network an encyclopedia and make it available to more than one user at a time, you must paya licensing fee. In most cases institutional pricing is determined on a site by site basis; contactyour area representative for the product you are interested in. Any prices I have included hereare merely to give you a ball-park figure and may change at any time.Other considerations include the cost of paper and ink for students printing the articles. Whilewe do charge for photo copies, we do not charge for computer print outs. I do ask that studentsonly print when working on school related projects.Most CD-Rom encyclopedias now incorporate links to web articles, allowing for even morecontent. Obviously you can only use this feature if the CD-Rom encyclopedia is running on awork station that has Web access.For the purposes of this article, I am not going to include hardware requirements. I wish topresent as much content information as possible. Suffice it to say that the more powerful thecomputer, the better the encyclopedia will perform. And with each annual upgrade the hardwarerequirements become greater.ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA ON CD-ROM: While writing this article, I looked at the1999 Standard Edition, Institutional Version. With more than 73,000 articles by Nobel Prizewinningcontributors this is a great value for a school library. We also use a networked edition ofC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 5 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

Britannica 1997 that is among the mostpopular reference tools in our high schoollibrary. Britannica uses Netscape Navigatoras its search tool. I have found this usefulwhen teaching internet searching withoutactually going on-line. For in-depth text onalmost every subject conceivable, EB is amust-have. The Standard Edition includesthousands of images but no video clips orextra multi-media features. This is one ofthe few encyclopedias that does not requirea computer sound card as it is not mediaheavy.This is much less distracting in thelibrary. EB supports Boolean searches aswell as actual typed-in questions. Maps,geography, politics, and cultural statisticsare available by “Navigating the Compass.”Internet links are available. Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, TenthEdition is included. Stand-alone pricing is$49.00, add-on workstations are $39.00. Amultimedia version is available, addingvideos and animation. Intended for homeuse, the multimedia version retails for$89.99, with add-ons being $70.00.ENCYCLOPEDIA AMERICANA ONCD-ROM. Grolier, 1999. While somemulti-media features are available, thestrength in this product is the 45,000scholarly articles written by over 6,500contributors. Just as the print version, thisis written for the more mature researcherand useful for a high school or collegelibrary. A built in Web browser takes you toapproved Web links for additionalinformation. (You must be connected viayour own ISP, Internet Service Provider.)Set up as a book shelf with severalselections, this networkable CD-Romincludes the entire text of the EncyclopediaAmericana, Merriam-Webster CollegiateDictionary, Tenth Edition, HeliconPublishing Company’s Chronology of WorldHistory, and Academic Press’ Dictionary ofScience & Technology. I found this producteasy to navigate and useful to my students.While the paper set retails for $995.00, thestand-alone CD-Rom retails for $179. TheNetwork licensing fee is $495.00. CallGrolier at 800-243-7256 for systemrequirements and most current pricing.1999 GROLIER MULTIMEDIAENCYCLOPEDIA DELUXE Betweenthe 36,000 articles on the CD-Roms and the22,000 linked to Encyclopedia AmericanaOnline and the New Book of KnowledgeOnline, 58,000 comprehensive articles areavailable. Additionally, 22,000 web linkswith content summaries are updatedmonthly. These CDs include 100 360degree panoramas, 1,200 maps, and theAmerican Heritage College Dictionary. Ienjoyed spinning around in Stonehenge inthe panorama view. Included is a 65 pageActivities and Study Guide for home andclassroom use. Because of the arrangedchoice of web links, this encyclopediatargets elementary through college ageusers. The 2000 edition will include anadditional 50 historical panoramas, new andimproved research starters for homeworkhelp and even more web links. Retail price,$59.95.The Grolier Reference Suite includes theabove as well as Bartlett’s FamiliarQuotations, the Hammond Atlas of theWorld and the Wall Street Journal Almanacand retails for $89.99.WORLD BOOK: Available in threeformats, World Book could take over a PCas a single source reference library. Forlibrary use, the Standard Edition is a greatbuy. The full-text of the 22 volume WorldBook is included without extensivemultimedia features. This version doesinclude a 360-degree virtual realitycollection of photos and footage from theSan Diego Zoo, and a one-year freesubscription to the Internet World Book.Retail is $39.95, contact your representativefor educational pricing.The Deluxe Edition, on two CD-Roms addsfull-length videos, simulations, animation’s,and helpful study wizards. Consider thisoption if your library provides wordprocessing and study aids. $69.95.The Family Reference Suite on three CD-Roms is designed to be a home library andmeet all of a family’s reference and studyneeds. As well as the above, it includes theMerriam-Webster Reference Library, threealmanacs and ViaVoice Gold speechrecognition technology. $99.95.For additional information and hardwarerequirements call 800-508-1610.ENCARTA 99: Microsoft Encarta has beena pioneer product in the multimediaencyclopedia market. Microsoft competeshead to head with the popular World Bookand now offers three versions of the popularCD-Rom product. The Standard Edition isa single CD-Rom containing over 40,000articles and a variety of multimediaelements. “Natural Language Search”allows for typed in questions as well assubject or category searching. While stillproviding excellent multimedia features andarticles, Microsoft also makes extensive useof Web links. The CD-Rom will link you totheir online Web Directory, an EncartaSearch Engine (powered by Infoseek), anEncarta News Service, also powered byInfoseek and the Online Encarta Librarywhich is a fee based Online Encyclopediaowned by Information Access Companyowned in turn by the Gale Group. EncartaStandard edition sells for $39.95.The Deluxe edition includes virtual toursand a homework center for research andwriting assistance and retails for $69.95.The Encarta Reference Suite includes all ofthe above as well as Encarta Virtual Globeand Microsoft Bookshelf making it an entirereference library retailing for $99.95.Educational pricing is available throughMicrosoft.COMPTON’S ENCYCLOPEDIA. TheLearning Company, 1999. From Compton’sHome Library collection, this 2-CDmultimedia encyclopedia is a nice additionto a school library collection. It includes all40,000 articles from the print edition. Themap collection is extensive though maps aresmall, and the star charts are fascinating. Itincludes web links, an available Onlinelibrarian for emailed questions, a dictionary,thesaurus and report helps for students.Retails for $29.95. For educationalinformation go to www.learningco.comONLINE Encyclopedias:If you provide internet access in yourlibrary, there are several encyclopedias withonline options that could save you moneyand increase information available. Theprimary drawback of an online source isyour connection speed and ISP reliability.No matter how good the encyclopedia is, ifyou cannot stay connected or information iscoming in slowly, it is not a preferableW I N T E R 2 0 0 0 6 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

option. Since our library’s internet access islimited to my desk PC, we do not subscribeto an online encyclopedia. I did, however,try out the free trial periods where available.http://www.funkandwagnalls.comFor those of you on a budget, try Funk &Wagnalls Online Multimedia Encyclopedia.It’s free to join this site. They offer thecomplete unabridged 29-volumeencyclopedia enhanced by multimedia andupdated monthly. Included is RandomHouse Webster’s College Dictionary and aPronunciation key, Writer’s guide, charts,facts, and Reuters World News Serviceupdated hourly. This is one of the fewencyclopedia sites where the current eventsproved to really be current. Encyclopediaarticles were quite satisfying, pictures weregood, and I did not run into the expectedadvertising a free site usually contains.Animations, maps, flags, etc. Rivalmultimedia encyclopedias. You can “powersearch”all references at once!http://www.encyclopedia.comAlso free on the Web is the Electric Library.This is all 17,000 articles from The ConciseColumbia Electronic Encyclopedia, ThirdEdition. These are short, text entries andinclude web links and cross-references.http://www.comptons.com/school/This online version of Compton’sEncyclopedia from the Learning Company isonly offered for schools. It is a 12 monthsubscription service licensing an entireschool, including lesson plans, narrated slideshows with 360 degree viewing, sound,video and more. The search engine is veryquick. Besides encyclopedia articles, youcan choose to search approved web links.The Comptons home page includes links tocurrent event coverage; however I foundthese links anywhere from 2 weeks to 6months out of date the day I tested them. Aone year subscription costs $499.00. Call800-828-2608 x1440 for information. A free30-day free trial period is available.www.eblast .comEblast is a free web search engine offered byEncyclopedia Britannica. It is a useful toolfor navigating the web for researchpurposes.www.eb.comThis is the full Encyclopedia BritannicaOnline. This site includes the completeencyclopedia of over 72,000 articles, over10,000 illustrations and Merriam Webster’sCollegiate Dictionary. There is moremultimedia available here than on theMultimedia CD-Rom verison. Also includedis an internet directory to 130,000 rated Weblinks. These sites are reviewed byBritannica editors and rated between oneand five stars. Between articles and weblinks, there is a lot of information availablehere on many subjects. Individuals canregister for only $5.00 per month. Sitelicenses for schools and libraries aredetermined by student population andnumber of workstations beginning with 300or fewer students for $295 per year andrapidly going up from there. You mayrequest a 7 day free trial. 800-621-3900.www.wbonline.worldbook.comWorld Book Online boasts access “to over31,000 encyclopedia articles, 6,000 weblinks, 25,000 periodical articles, 800 videos,animations, sounds, 400 interactive maps,100 3-D bubble views...” Like the printversion, the articles are easier for children toread while still thorough in their coverage ofthe subject. The opening page includes a“What happened on this day in history”, aswell as monthly event information such asholidays and famous birthdays. The currentevents links were two to three weeks old,but very interesting. Maps were excellentand include population density, averagerainfall, etc. Multimedia clips rival any CD-Rom and links to UMI full-text periodicalswere easily found. Talk about filling a highschool bibliography requirement with onestop searching! Call 800-508-1610 forinformation on World Book Products, or askyour local representative for free trialinformation for your school library.Grolier offers three online encyclopedias,http://go.grolier.comNew Book of Knowledge offers up to datenews, I found it current as of the beginningof the week. This is targeted for elementaryschool students and offers all of the printencyclopedia along with projects andquestions for the classroom.Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia Onlineincludes the 36,000 articles from the printand CD-Rom versions, over 15,000 linkedarticles, 300 tables, 300 fact boxes, andmore, with content updated monthly. Thistargets junior high and high school students.For college research and for high school,Encyclopedia Americana Online. Again, all45,000 articles from the print and CD-Romversions are available as well as theAmericana Journal, a searchable database ofcurrent events, and the Wall Street JournalAlmanac.School pricing is based on purchasing alicense for a combination of two or three ofthe above and upon school enrollment.www.encarta.comYou will find two options at this web site.The Encarta Concise Free Encyclopediawill offers over 16,000 short articles on abroad array of topics. For brief and conciseinformation, this is a valuable tool.Encarta Online Deluxe is comparable to theMultimedia CD-Rom Deluxe version,including over 40,000 articles, photos,illustrations and panoramic views. EncartaOnline offers over 800 side bars, over 500maps, and video clips. Both the ConciseFree Encyclopedia and the Online Deluxeinclude links to over 13,500 web sites.Individual subscriptions are $49.95 per year,or $6.95 per month. Other reference sourcesare available through a subscription to theEncarta Online Library, information isavailable at the same web site.By the time this article is in print, many ofthe 2000 editions will be available. Lookfor bigger and better versions of the samefeatures, better speech recognition functions,increased use of panoramic photos,multimedia presentations, etc. With thefaster processing speeds and internetconnections, I believe we will see more andmore dependence on the Web links to addcontent and multimedia to the EncyclopediaCD-Roms and Reference Suites.C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 7 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

Rediscoveringthe Children’s Books ofJESSE STUARTAs Christian parents, teachers, andlibrarians, we desire to find enjoyable, wellwritten books that reinforce the values weare trying to instill in our children andstudents without coming across as“preachy” or moralistic. Too often,however, we have access only to books byauthors who do not share our values or whooffer a weak, watered-down version of thosevalues.Jesse Stuart is one of those authors whopresent the type of writing we seek. Stuartwas highly acclaimed during his lifetime andwon many awards. But then he passed intonear oblivion as the book marketers soughtto entertain more than to instruct, andembraced relativism and situation ethics.Today, however, his books are making asteady comeback. The Jesse StuartFoundation in Ashland, Kentucky, is makinga concentrated effort to restore Stuart’schildren's writings to the libraries, homes,and classrooms of the nation.James M. Gifford, executive director of theFoundation, says that Stuart's children'sbooks “are a guideline to the solid values ofAmerica's past. In Jesse's books, readers willfind people who value hard work, who lovetheir families, their land, and their country;who believe in education, honesty, thrift, andcompassion—people who play by the rules.”It's important that as children learn how toread their reading material includes storiesthat have a foundation of truth by which theycan learn the values that make for bothindividual and national success. As Giffordemphasizes, “They need to learn, fromreading, the unalterable principles of rightand wrong.” And that's exactly what they'llfind when they read Stuart's books.The Foundation has begun reprinting Stuart'spublished works and publishing manypreviously unpublished writings in an effortto preserve both Stuart's legacy and hisvalues. They have produced more than 40editions of his works. Teachers, librarians,parents, and fans of Stuart's writing haveaccess to both the books and also videotapes,plays, and school and civic presentationsabout Stuart, other Appalachian writers, andthe Appalachian way of life.A college professor introduced me to JesseStuart shortly after I had become aneducation major. “If you want to develop aheart for teaching,” he admonished the class,“read The Thread That Runs So True byJesse Stuart.”That evening, I bought the only copy of thebook in the campus bookstore. Over thenext couple of days, my other studiessuffered as I devoured that inspiring book.Later, I read Stuart’s other autobiographicalbooks, and they proved to be not only a greatencouragement to me in my early years as ateacher but also later as a writer. Recallinghow he overcame seemingly insurmountableobstacles gave me the courage to perseverethrough my own problems.It wasn't until one of my daughters found oneof Stuart’s children's books in the locallibrary that I learned their true value. Anavid reader, Elissa came home with APenny's Worth of Character, which I laterlearned was Stuart's most acclaimedchildren's work. She ended up reading everyStuart book in the children's sections ofevery branch of the Knox County LibrarySystem. With her interest piqued, we readThe Thread That Runs So True as a family,followed shortly thereafter by another of hisautobiographical books, To Teach, To Love.Jesse Stuart was born in 1906 in GreenupCounty, Kentucky. His family was poor,eking out a subsistence living on the steep,rocky hillsides. But his parents taught himand his six siblings the value of honesty, hardwork, and a good reputation.Stuart loved learning, and when he reachedhigh school he encountered the writings ofRobert Burns. He began to experiment withwriting, and his teachers encouraged him topush himself to learn and to write.When he graduated from high school (thefirst of his family to do so), Stuart hitchhikedto Berea College without having applied,hoping to be admitted so he could pursue hislove of learning. A kind professor therereferred him to a colleague at LincolnMemorial University in Harrogate,Tennessee. Stuart arrived on campuspenniless, with a cardboard suitcase in hishand, but LMU agreed to enroll him. Heworked hard at his studies, and he worked atevery job he could find on campus to pay hisway. He graduated in three years and twosummer sessions and returned to GreenupCounty, where he taught school for a year.His thirst for knowledge was insatiable,W I N T E R 2 0 0 0 8 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

however, so he enrolled in graduate classesat Vanderbilt University. Although he nevergained his master's degree, he receivedadvice that set him upon the road to literarysuccess. One of his professors, DonaldDavidson, a member of the renownedFugitive poets and the Agrarian writers thenhaunting Vanderbilt, counseled him: “Goback to your people. Go back and write ofthem. Don't change and follow the moodsof these times. Be your honest self. Goback and write of your country.... Yourcountry has your material.”Stuart took that advice and returned to thehillsides of Kentucky. As he guided theplow behind the mule in the cornfield, hecomposed lines of poetry and dreamed upplots for his books and short stories. At theend of the row, he rested the tired mulewhile he found a broad leaf and penned hislines on its back. Later at night, hetransferred his work to sheets of paper,which eventually found their way to thepublishing houses and from there into thebooks and magazines of the nation.In his first published collection of poems,Man With a Bull-Tongue Plow, Stuart wrote,These are my people and I sing of them.I know these people I am singing of.I live with them and I was born of themWhere high hills shoulder to the skiesabove.In each of Stuart's children's books, hepresented a young pre-teen (usually a boy)who faced a problem and overcame it,learning in the process an important lessonabout character, or gaining a newappreciation for his heritage and way of life.Stuart's style is deceptively simple, butperhaps that is the best way to communicateto young readers the values we want them toadopt as their own. His style is colloquial,representing clearly the simple, ruggedquaintness of his mountain people. Theplots of his books are easy to follow, and hisvocabulary is simple, making his books easyfor young readers or slow older readers. Butthey are not so simplistic as to elude theinterest of either good older readers ornonreaders. His books are excellent forparents to read aloud to their young children.A recurring theme of Stuart's books is lovefor and respectful stewardship of nature.His is a commonsense approach toconservation, not the politically correctenvironmentalism of today. He recognizedthat the earth is God's gift to man and thatman is responsible to the Creator for how heuses that gift. He leads readers to arespectful awe and understanding of plants,animals, and weather, and man's placeamong them.Also evident in his writings is a plethora ofsensual imagery. His readers feel the hotsand beneath the character's feet or the coolwater as it swishes past his ankles or themomentary Dickensonian “zero at the bone”that comes at the sight of a snake. Thereader quickly learns to detect the differenthowls of a hound in pursuit of a 'coon or afox. And he feels the sweet satisfaction thatcomes from doing an honest day’s work,earning one's keep by the sweat of his brow.Noticeably absent from Stuart's children'sbooks is the profanity that often plaguesmore modern writers' works. Stuartbelieved that he could help his readersdiscern an evil character without spewingvulgarity and filth from his mouth, and sensethe cruelties and wickedness of life withoutactually painting them in lurid detail.Jesse Stuart died on February 17, 1984.Thanks to the work of his many fans and theJesse Stuart Foundation, his writings live onfor another generation to enjoy. Through hisbooks, he continues to teach. Perhaps that isexactly as he would have had it, for he oncewrote, “First, last, and always, I am ateacher. I am firm in my belief that ateacher lives on and on through his students.Good teaching is forever, and the teacher isimmortal.”Yes, Jesse Stuart lives on. And perhaps nomore so than in his children's books. Theyshould be in every Christian library in thenation, not only providing an enjoyable readbut also exposing young readers to thecharacter traits that reinforce the instructionthey are receiving from their Bible studiesand parental training.A SUMMARY OF STUART'SCHILDREN'S BOOKSThe Beatinest Boy—A self-reliant orphanworks hard to earn a Christmas present forhis grandmother.A Penny's Worth of Character—A boywants something badly and is tempted todeceive someone to get it, but, in the end, helearns some important lessons about honestyand integrity.Red Mule—A boy comes to understand themotivation and resulting lifestyle of a manwhom everyone else misunderstands andmisjudges.The Rightful Owner—A boy finds a dog,cares for him, and grows to love him as hisown, only to have the dog's real owner claimhim.Andy Finds a Way—A boy tries to save hispet calf from being sold for veal.ARide With Huey the Engineer—A youngboy loves the engineer and the smallmountain steam railroad that serves hiscommunity.Old Ben—A boy befriends a snake andlearns that the only good snake is notnecessarily a dead one.Come To My Tomorrowland—A girl findsan injured albino fawn and fights to keep it.Dennis L. Peterson is a freelance editor andwriter with many publication credits. He hastwelve years of classroom teaching experience,and was formerly a senior technical editor withLockheed Martin Energy Systems Inc.C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 9 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

RecentChristmasReleasesby Lydia E. HarrisChristmas books warm our hearts, enhance ourcelebrations, and retell the ageless story of Jesus’birth. Consider these releases from the ninetiesas you celebrate the holiday season and enter thenew millennium.1. Barnes, Emilie. THE TWELVE TEASOF CHRISTMAS, illustrated by SandyLynam Clough. Harvest House, 1999.ISBN 0-7369-0052-7. HBB, $16.99, 96pages. This quick read brimming with ideasand inspiration includes twelve theme teaswith menus and recipes, plus suggestions fordecorations and entertainment. Delicateteacup paintings enhance this beautiful giftbook.2. Frame, Jeron Ashford, editor.DISCOVERING CHRISTMAS: ATreasury of Useful Resources forChurches and Families. Judson Press,1998. ISBN 0-8170-1293-1. PAP, $14.00,112 pages. A creative collection of activitiesand ideas suitable for home or church, thisresource can be used year after year. Itincludes stories, dramas, songs, crafts,recipes, and Advent devotions centered onthe true meaning of Christmas.3. Gietzen, Jean. IF YOU'RE MISSINGBABY JESUS: A True Story thatEmbraces the Spirit of Christmas.Multnomah, 1999. ISBN 1-57673-498-6.HBB, $9.99, 48 pages. When a familypurchases a nativity set that mistakenlyincludes two figurines of baby Jesus, theytry to find who bought the manger scenewith baby Jesus missing. The surprisingoutcome teaches their family and others thatgiving is the heart of Christmas. Set in 1943in North Dakota, this heartwarming truestory is suitable to read aloud as a family.4. Harnish, James A. COME HOMEFOR CHRISTMAS. Abingdon Press,1999. ISBN 0-687-07509-2. PAP, $4.00, 48pages. With meaningful reflections for eachSunday of Advent, this study for adultsincludes Scripture, prayer, study questions,and a focus for the coming week. Suitablefor group and individual study.5. Hibbard, Ann. FAMILYCELEBRATIONS AT CHRISTMAS.Baker, 1988, 1993. ISBN 0-8010-1070-5.PAP, $8.99, 185 pages. This excellentresource provides a two-year supply ofmeaningful devotions for December 1through 24. Also included are ideas tocelebrate Epiphany and Christmas pluspatterns and instructions for related projects.Families looking for ways to honor Christduring Christmas will find this book useful.6. Hornsby, Sarah. JESUS, BE IN MYCHRISTMAS: Morning and EveningMeditations for Every Day of Advent.Chosen Books, 1992. ISBN 0-8007-9254-8.PAP, $9.99, 127 pages. A Christmasdevotional with brief twice-a-day readingsfor all four weeks of Advent. Designed tohelp readers focus on Jesus, each includesScripture, reflection, and prayer.7. Lowry, Mark. MARY, DID YOUKNOW? Countryman, 1998. ISBN 0-8499-5445-2. HBB, $12.99, 64 pages. Thissix-inch-square gift book with CD recordingof “Mary, Did You Know?” is based on thesong's lyrics. Scriptures, quotes, andreflections are woven together to express themeaning behind Jesus' humanity and deity.Jill Briscoe, Joni Eareckson Tada, and EdithSchaeffer are some of the authors quoted.8. Russo, Steve. KEEPING CHRIST INCHRISTMAS: Helping Families FindTheir Focus. Harvest House, 1999. ISBN0-7369-0166-3. PAP, $6.99, 140 pages. Apractical book to help families keep theirChristmas celebrations Christ-centered. Itanswers questions about Santa, traditions,how to teach the true meaning of Christmas,and more.9. Schwartzentruber, Michael and KathySinclair, editors. SIMPLIFY ANDCELEBRATE: Embracing the Soul ofChristmas. Northstone, 1997. ISBN 1-896836-14-3. PAP, $15.95, 208 pages. Aunique resource, it suggests ways to simplifyChristmas to make the celebrationmeaningful rather than commercialized.Reflections and activities for Adventcomprise over half the book. Useful forindividuals, families, and church/communitygroups.10. Swindoll, Charles, Max Lucado, andCharles Colson. THE GLORY OFCHRISTMAS. Word, 1996. ISBN 0-8499-5273-5. HBB, $12.99, 144 pages. A lovelygift book with inspirational writings by threewell-known Christian communicators.Some reflections focus on Christmas; allencourage Christian maturity.11. Wheeler, Joe, compiler and editor.GREAT STORIES REMEMBERED.Focus on the Family, 1996. ISBN 1-56179-459-7. HBB, $19.99, 373 pages. Thisanthology of tales, adventures, and lifeexperiences dating back to the turn of thecentury makes great family reading.Divided by seasons of the year with somespecifically for winter and Christmas, thewell-written stories touch young and oldalike.12. Yates, Cynthia. THE COMPLETEGUIDE TO CREATIVE GIFT-GIVING.Servant, 1997. ISBN 0-89283-997-X. PAP,$10.99, 235 pages. The practical andcreative gift suggestions in this book areappropriate for children, adults, and hard-tobuy-forpeople. With ideas galore, thisresource is useful all year, not just atW I N T E R 2 0 0 0 1 0 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

Christmas.Children's Christmas Books1. Anders, Isabel. THE REAL NIGHTBEFORE CHRISTMAS, illustrated byShelly Rasche. Concordia, 1999. ISBN 0-570-05480-X. HBB, $7.99, 32 pages. Atakeoff from the familiar poem, “`Twas theNight before Christmas,” the book tells thenativity story in rhyming verse. Childrenages four to seven will enjoy this die-cutbook with cutout cover, entertaining rhymes,and bright illustrations. Consider it forchildren's Advent devotions.2. Anderson, Sandra Myhr. LET'S GETREADY FOR CHRISTMAS: AdventActivities for Preschool Children,illustrated by Jeff Carnehl. Augsburg, 1993.ISBN 0-8066-2662-3. PAP, $7.99, 32 pages.Divided into four themes, this excellentcollection of Advent stories, activities, andsongs focuses on the true meaning ofChristmas. It's suitable for three- to fiveyearolds and their parents or teachers to useat home, church, or day school.3. Bowman, Crystal. JONATHANJAMES SAYS, “CHRISTMAS ISCOMING!” illustrated by Karen Maizel.Zondervan, 1999. ISBN 0-310-21210-3.PAP, $4.99, 45 pages. Part of the Learn toRead series, the three charming storiescenter around giving at Christmas andpromote biblical values. Suited forbeginning readers four to eight.4. Ford, June, compiler. A CHILD'SGARDEN OF VERSES, illustrated byThomas Kinkade. Thomas Nelson, 1999.ISBN 0-8499-5869-5. HBB, $24.99, 208pages. A beautiful 9-by-12- inch gift bookwith Scriptures, prayers, and poemsfeaturing classic works of Robert LouisStevenson with artwork by ThomasKinkade. A useful index and table ofcontents complete this year-round collectionthat includes a few Christmas selections.5. Gaither, Gloria. MY FATHER'SANGELS, illustrated by BarbaraHranilovich. Zondervan, 1999. ISBN 0310-23104-3 HBB, $14.99, 32 pages. Thislarge-format picture book with cassette is asong about angelic protection. The tapeincludes vocal and instrumental music.Children four to eight will be comforted bythe soothing words and music and enjoy theenchanting artwork.6. Haidle, Helen. THECANDYMAKER'S GIFT: TheInspirational Legend of the Candy Cane,illustrated by David Haidle. Honor Books,1996, 1998. ISBN 1-56292-150-9. HBB,$12.99, 32 pages. A candymaker, wanting tosurprise his granddaughter with a gift thatconveys the real meaning of Christmas, asksGod for inspiration. In answer to his prayer,he creates a candy cane whose colors, flavor,and shape tell the story of Jesus. Thischarming storybook with detailedillustrations includes a variety of familyactivities at the end.7. Haidle, Helen. THE FIRSTCHRISTMAS TREE: A Legend fromLong Ago, illustrated by David andElizabeth Haidle. Baker, 1997. ISBN 0-8010-4393-X. HBB, $12.99, 32 pages.According to legend, a little fir tree doesn'tfeel worthy to celebrate Jesus' birth withother forest creatures and trees because hedoesn't have a gift to bring. God sees hishumble heart and sends stars from heaven tolight up his branches. Each Christmasthereafter, glittering stars light up the firstChristmas tree. Ideas for family discussionsand activities are included.8. Haidle, Helen. THE REAL 12 DAYSOF CHRISTMAS, illustrated by CelesteHenriquez. Multnomah, 1997. ISBN 1-57673-201-0. HBB, $14.99, 30 pages. Thewell-known carol, “The Twelve Days ofChristmas” takes on new meaning with thisexplanation of the symbolic significancebehind each phrase. For example, “my truelove” refers to God, a “partridge” is anancient symbol of Christ, and “five goldrings” represent the first five books of theOld Testament. Ideas for celebrations andtraditions are included at the end.9. Harrast, Tracy. THE CHRISTMASSTORY, illustrated by Carl Moore.Zondervan, 1998. ISBN 0-310-97585-9.HBB, $6.99, 18 pages. Part of the Peek-a-Bible series with flaps that lift, it tells thestory of Jesus' birth. An interactivestorybook for children six and under thatincludes cartoon-style characters.10. Hoffman, Patricia A. INBETHLEHEM TOWN, illustrated byNancy Munger. Concordia, 1999. ISBN 0-570-05564-4. HBB, $10.99, 24 pages. Partof the new Undercover Bible Story series forages four to seven, the book features apuzzle and Bible storybook in one. Childrentake apart the puzzle as the story unfolds andfind another picture underneath. Then theycan assemble the puzzle and start over.11. A KING IS BORN illustrated by BenMahan. Standard, 1996. ISBN 0-7847-0563-1. HBB, $7.99, 10 pages. This sturdyboard book with bright illustrations andcutout pages will appeal to preschoolers.The story, told simply and briefly, includesthe angel's visit to Mary, the trip toBethlehem, Jesus' birth in the stable, theangel's message to the shepherds, and theshepherds' worship of Jesus.12. Kramlich, Carolyn Walz. MARY'STREASURE BOX, illustrated by WalterPorter. Thomas Nelson, 1998. ISBN 0-8499-5834-2. HBB, $12.99, 32 pages.Mary's wooden treasure box, built by Jesus,contains special objects related to his life.When her granddaughter visits, Mary sharesprecious memories of Jesus and lessonsfrom items in the box. A dear story forchildren and families that includes realisticillustrations.13. Lucado, Max. THE CRIPPLEDLAMB, illustrated by Liz Bonham. Word,1994. ISBN 0-8499-1005-6. HBB, $14.99,32 pages. Although crippled, Joshua thelamb learns God has a special purpose forhim. He witnesses the birth of Jesus andgives him a needed gift. This precious storycan be enjoyed all year and is suitable forchildren four to eight. Also available: 5thanniversary edition which includes a CDwith the story and songs.14. Lucado, Max. JACOB'S GIFT,illustrated by Robert Hunt. Thomas Nelson,1998. ISBN 0-8499-5830-X. HBB, $14.9932 pages. Jacob has a special woodworkingtalent and learns a valuable lesson when heshares the feed trough he builds with a newbaby. An endearing story for children andthe family enhanced by realistic illustrations.15. Maier, Paul L. THE VERY FIRSTCHRISTMAS. Concordia, 1998. ISBN 0-C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 1 1 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

570-05064-2. HBB, $14.99, 32 pages.Eight-year-old Christopher thinks he's tooold for fairy tales, so his mother reads himthe Christmas story from the Bible. Thisstimulates challenging questions and awonderful mother-son discussion. Suitablefor ages five to ten and written at the thirdgradereading level, this 1999 GoldMedallion winner in the elementarychildren's category includes rich colorillustrations by Francisco Ordaz.16. Osborn, Susan Titus and ChristineTangvald. CHILDREN AROUND THEWORLD CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS!,illustrated by Jodie McCallum. Standard,1996. ISBN 0-7847-0356-6. PAP, $4.99, 28pages. This fun, educational book includesbright illustrations and tells of Christmascustoms from Saudi Arabia, Norway, SriLanka, Brazil, Hawaii, France, Africa,Mexico, Russia, and China. Suitable forchildren three to eight, it includes directionsto make Mexican pinatas, Norwegian ricepudding, nativity figures from France, andpaper chains from Sri Lanka.17. SING-ALONG CHRISTMASSONGS, illustrated by Laura GibbonsNikiel. Zondervan, 1999. ISBN 0310-978637. HBB, $12.99, 22 pages. Thislarge-format book features ten Christmascarols with sound chips for each carol. Aunique way to teach Bible-based songs tochildren two to six, it includes brightillustrations and lyrics to familiar carolssuch as “Silent Night,” “Joy to the World,”and “We Three Kings.”18. Tangvald, Christine Harder. JUSTLOOK IN THE STABLE, illustrated byJenny Williams. Concordia, 1999. ISBN 0-570-07559-9. PAP, $1.99, 16 pages. Thebouncy rhythm, rhyming verse, and detailedillustrations in this new Arch Book willdelight children ages five to nine. It sharesthe angels' message to the shepherds andtheir visit to the stable, inviting readers tolook in the stable to see God's gift of love inJesus.19. 2000 YEARS SINCE THEN.Concordia, 1999. ISBN 0-570-05566-2.HBB, $6.99, 22 pages. Children ages fourto seven can mark the millennium with thisdie-cut, accordian-fold board book. Writtenin bouncy, lyrical verse, it takes readers on atour of Jesus' life from his birth and earthlyministry to his resurrection and ascension.This novelty book can be set up as astanding birthday cake that reads, “HappyBirthday, Jesus.”Children two to five will enjoy thefollowing six mini-board books for under adollar, 10 pages each and published byConcordia in 1999: MARY'S HOUSE, THEBETHLEHEM INN, A BORROWEDSTABLE, SHEPHERDS' FIELDS, WISEMEN'S PALACE, and HEROD'S PALACE.Each book tells a portion of the Christmasstory from Luke or Matthew.Lydia E. Harris, M.A., is a freelance writerinvolved in prayer ministry in her church,community, and Moms In Touch International.She writes for numerous publications includingTHE STANDARD, CELEBRATE LIFE, ANDREJOICE! and lives in Seattle, Washington.CONFERENCETIMEWILL BE HEREBEFORE WEKNOW ITWant to share CLJwith others?Ask us for sample issues toshare with other librariansand/or administrators atyour regional conferenceof libraries or Christianschools.We are happy to send upto 50 copies (as supplieslast).Christian Library Services671 Sheri LaneSheridan, WY 82801Fax (307) 672-2876heschclj@cyberhighway.netwww.christianlibraryj.comW I N T E R 2 0 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

The ThirdQuest fortheHistoricalJesusby Dennis IngolfslandA virtual flood of information about Jesushas been produced in the last ten years:articles, TV programs, videoteleconferences, lectures, debates and books.The wide variety of opinions presented maymake it difficult for librarians to makeeffective selection decisions in this area.The purpose of this article is to providelibrarians with some background for makingsuch book purchasing decisions.For well over 1000 years people whobelieved in Jesus generally accepted thepicture of Jesus presented in the fourGospels. This began to change abruptly in1778 with the posthumous publication of the“Wolfenbuttel Fragments” written byHarmann Samuel Reimarus (1694-1769).Reimarus attacked the Gospels’ view ofJesus by arguing, among other things, thatJesus’ miracles and resurrection neverhappened.Reimarus was followed by H.E.G. Paulus(1761-1851), David Strauss (1808-1874),William Wrede (1859-1906), and others whoall agreed that the Gospels could not beaccurate portrayals of the life of Jesus.Having dismissed the evidence, each writerthen sought to inform the reader as to whatthe historical Jesus was really like. This“Quest for the Historical Jesus,” or “OldQuest” as it came to be called, ended withthe work of Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965)who argued that scholars had not discoveredthe historical Jesus at all, but had simplyconstructed a picture of Jesus in their ownimage.The “Old Quest” was followed by a shorttime of extreme skepticism, sometimescalled the period of “no quest.” RudolfBultmann (1884-1976) summed up thefeelings of many scholars during the time ofno quest when he wrote that we could knowalmost nothing about the Jesus of history.In 1953 the German scholar Ernst Kasemannchallenged the extreme skepticism ofBultmann when he asserted that somethingof the historical Jesus could be recovered bycritically analyzing the Biblical text todiscover the authentic words of Jesus.Kaseman was followed by GuntherBornkamm, Ernst Fuchs, James Robinsonand others in seeking to learn more aboutJesus from critical analysis of the Gospelsand existential application of Jesus’ words.This period, from 1953 through about 1980has come to be called the “New Quest forthe Historical Jesus.” Scholars differ as towhen or if the New Quest ended, but whenexistential philosophy was no longer invogue, the New Quest seemed to fizzle aswell.Since the 1980’s, the historical study ofJesus has been called the Third Quest for theHistorical Jesus. Third Quest scholars are awidely diverse group. Opinions range fromthose of John Dominic Crossan andElizabeth Schussler Fiorenza who are veryskeptical about the reliability of the Gospels,to scholars like Craig Blomberg and RobertStein who are convinced that the Gospelsare highly reliable. Third Quest opinionsabout Jesus are also diverse, ranging fromCynic Sage, religious reformer, politicalrevolutionary, exorcist/miracle worker, toembodiment of God. About the only thingcommon to most Third Quest scholars is aserious commitment to study Jesus from agenuinely historical perspective.Particularly important non-evangelicalauthors in the Third Quest include: E.P.Sanders, Geza Vermes, Sean Freyne, GerdTheissen, Richard Horsley, John Meier,Marcus Borg, James Charlesworth,Raymond Brown. Prominent evangelicalauthors include: Ben Witherington, N.T.Wright, Craig Blomberg, MarcusBockmuehl, Robert Stein, GrahamTwelftree, James Dunn and Darrell Bock.Of particular interest is the public relationscampaign of the Jesus Seminar, led primarilyby Robert Funk and John Dominic Crossan.The Jesus Seminar is a group of mostlyradical left wing New Testament scholarsformed in 1985 to discuss and vote, bycasting colored beads, on whether Jesusactually said and did the things attributed tohim by the gospels. Their work, which wasextremely skeptical, has been stronglyattacked by both evangelicals and nonevangelicalscholars alike. Unfortunately,the public is often misled to believe that theJesus Seminar views represent those of mostscholars.As part of the research for my doctoraldissertation, I recently polled some of thenation's top evangelical and non-evangelicalJesus scholars about the most significantcollege level books on Jesus published in thelast ten years. Below is an annotatedbibliography of the top six books in bothcategories.EVANGELICAL BOOKS:Blomberg, Craig. Jesus and the Gospels.Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1997. (ISBN0805410589).Jesus and the Gospels provides a comprehensiveoverview of issues surrounding the study of thehistorical Jesus. It includes discussion ofhistorical background, critical and literaryanalysis, analysis of each Gospel, discussion ofthe trustworthiness of the Gospels and anoverview of Jesus’ life as a whole. The book isan outstanding introduction to Jesus studies.Green, Joel B. and Scott McKnight. Dictionaryof Jesus and the Gospels. Downers Grove, IL:Intervarsity Press, 1992 (ISBN 0830817778).The Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels is analphabetical arrangement of articles on a widerange of topics related to the study of Jesus. Thebook includes articles on the birth, death, ethics,temptation, trial and resurrection of Jesus as wellC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 1 3 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

as other related subjects such as archaeology,form and redaction criticism, the Herodiandynasty, etc. The contributors include some ofthe foremost evangelical scholars in the worldtoday.Harris, Murray J. Jesus as God. Grand Rapids:Baker, 1992, 1998 (ISBN 0801021952).Jesus as God is a scholarly analysis of NewTestament passages that directly attribute deity toJesus. Harris examines each passage in theoriginal Greek, discussing both grammatical andtextual issues. He analyzes the arguments on allsides of the issue in a thorough, logical andobjective manner. Jesus as God is an outstandingpiece of scholarship but unfortunately, only thosewith a knowledge of Greek will benefit fullyfrom the book.Wilkins, Michael J. and J.P. Moreland. JesusUnder Fire. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995(ISBN 0310617006).Jesus Under Fire is a collection of essaysproviding a basic overview of the current debateon Jesus. The book provides a critique of theJesus Seminar’s attacks on the traditional view ofJesus, discusses Jesus’ words, actions, miracles,resurrection and historical evidence for Jesusoutside the New Testament. The articles werewritten by some of the most prominent authors inevangelicalism including Craig Blomberg, DarrellBock, Gary Habermas, Craig Evans and WilliamLane Craig.Witherington, Ben. The Christology of Jesus.Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1990.Witherington is one of the top evangelical Jesusscholars in America. The Christology of Jesusargues that Jesus was a prophet, healer, exorcistand sage who saw himself as the embodiment ofthe wisdom of God. The Christology of Jesus isone of the foremost scholarly evangelicalcontributions to the Third Quest for the historicalJesus.Wright, N.T. Jesus and the Victory of God.Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1996. (ISBN0800626826).Jesus and the Victory of God provides a historicalintroduction to the field of Jesus studies and adevastating critique of the Jesus Seminar. Wrightprovides a detailed and painstakingreconstruction of Jesus in his historical, culturaland religious background. According to Wright,Jesus was a prophet, healer, and exorcist whothought of his vocation as embodying thereturning and redeeming action of God.Although Wright’s book is somewhatcontroversial, it may be one of the bestcontributions to the study of the historical Jesusever produced.NON-EVANGELICAL BOOKS:Borg, Marcus. Jesus in ContemporaryScholarship. Valley Forge, PA :Trinity PressInternational, 1994.Jesus in Contemporary Scholarship reviewsseveral contemporary books on the historicalJesus, discusses Jesus’ eschatology and politics,and analyzes the worldview framework throughwhich people see history. Borg concludes with asection on the church in which he rejects“believing the Christian story” and emphasizes“living within the Christian story.” Borg doesn’texplain why people should live within a storythey no longer believe.Crossan, John Dominic. The Historical Jesus.San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1991 (ISBN0060616075).The Historical Jesus provides the historicalbackground and methodology for studying Jesushistorically. Crossan’s methodology involvesdividing the sources for Jesus’ life into “strata”according to date, and counting the number ofindependent sources attesting to a particular eventor saying. While sounding good in theory,Crossan’s arbitrary dating methods and hiscontroversial use of hypothetical documentsseriously undermines his case. Crossan’s viewsJesus as a Cynic sage who proclaimed anegalitarian kingdom. While Crossan’s work hasreceived wide recognition, his methodology hasbeen strongly criticized by evangelical and nonevangelicalscholars alike.Fiorenza, Elizabeth Schussler. Jesus: Miriam’sChild; Sophia’s Prophet.Jesus; Miriams Child; Sophia’s Prophet is afurther expansion on the ideas in Fiorenza’searlier book In Memory of Her. In these booksFiorenza provides a feminist perspective arguingthat the New Testament is strongly biased againstwomen (this in spite of the numerous pro-womenstatements Fiorenza finds therein) and thereforemust be re-interpreted to discover women’s trueplace in early Christianity. Fiorenza views Jesusas a prophet of Sophia or God, who led a renewalmovement which involved an egalitarian“discipleship of equals” in opposition to thedominant patriarchal ideas of his time.Funk, Robert. Honest to Jesus. San Francisco:HarperSanFrancisco, 1996 (ISBN 0060627581).In Honest to Jesus Funk thoroughly attacks thetraditional view of Jesus and the New Testament.Funk’s views are summarized in twenty-onetheses in which he states that his aim is to setJesus free from Scriptural and creedal prisons; toview Jesus as a subversive and irreverent sage; tostop making Jesus the object of faith; to demoteJesus from the divine Son of God; to abandon theidea of blood atonement and to view the NewTestament as a record of very biased attempts toinvent Christianity.Funk, Robert and Roy Hoover, eds. The FiveGospels. New York: Macmillan, 1993 (ISBN0025419498).The Five Gospels is a presentation of the resultsof the Jesus Seminar meetings. The bookexamines the sayings of Jesus and color-codesthe canonical gospels and the Gospel of Thomasaccording to the consensus of these votes. Thework of the Jesus Seminar has been stronglycriticized by both evangelicals and nonevangelicalsalike.Meier, John P. A Marginal Jew. New York:Doubleday, 1991.Meier’s two-volume work, A Marginal Jew, isone of the most thorough and exhaustive studieson Jesus ever published. Volume one provides adetailed analysis of the sources for Jesus’ life andan overview of the language, status, and familylife of Jesus. Volume two uses standard historicalcriteria to provide a nearly exhaustive analysis ofJesus’ miracles, exorcisms and healings. Meierconcludes that many of the events recorded in thegospels were not creations of the early church asmany non-evangelicals believe, but actually goback to events in the life of Jesus. Meier’s workis one of the most significant non-evangelicalworks in the third quest for the historical Jesus.Dennis Ingolfsland is college librarian atBryant College, Dayton, Tennessee.W I N T E R 2 0 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

Our readers ask:What about Harry Potter?by Sylvia Stopforth, YA Fiction EditorHarry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, by J.K.Rowling. Scholastic, 1998.Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, byJ.K. Rowling. Scholastic, 1998.Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, byJ.K. Rowling. Scholastic, 1999.It seems everyone is talking about Harry Potterthese days. Children clamour for these titles,and then post glowing reviews on amazon.com;parents line up outside bookstores in the weehours of the morning in anticipation of the latestrelease in this series by J.K. Rowling. On theother hand, according to a column inNewsweek, parents in five states want thesebest sellers pulled off school library shelves. 1What's all the fuss about? For a start, authorJ.K. Rowling spins a fine tale—familiar, yetengagingly original. Harry Potter is an orphan.As is the case with most paper-and-inkorphans, he is at the mercy of nasty,unimaginative, and completely unsympatheticcharacters... specifically, the Dursleys, his aunt,uncle, and cousin, who live at 4 Privet Drive,Little Whinging.Life seems unbearable for the bright elevenyear-old,who lives in a cupboard beneath thestairs, until the day he learns that he is, in fact,a wizard. On top of that, he finds he is to beginhis formal schooling in all things wizardly atHogwart's, an ancient school for wizards andwitches, which exists cheek-by-jowl with theworld of the Muggles (average, everyday nonmagicaltypes), unbeknownst to the latter.Getting there is tricky for the uninitiated, butHarry manages and, feeling rather nervous,joins the crowd of other first year students. Heis assigned to Gryffindor house, where hequickly finds two true friends—the studiousHermoine and the loyal Ron—and discovers hehas some hidden talents, as well as dangerousenemies.And so, as in all proper fantasies, the scene isset for the battle between good and evil. Throwin some spirited Quidditch matches (acomplicated game played on broomsticks), abully or two, and some boarding-school hijinks,and the scene is set for a book childrenclamour for, and parents line up to buy.But there are those who have some concernsabout these titles. For one thing, Rowling'sstories do contain frightening villains. To be fair,they are clearly identified as such, and theauthor makes it very clear whose side she ison. She does not glamorize evil, and sheensures (in the first three books, at any rate)that good wins out in the end. In other words,there are spine-tingling moments aplenty, butdefinitely no goosebump!Another sticking point may be the use of theterm "witch" to describe female students andteachers at Hogwarts. In generally acceptedfantasy jargon, this word is used to designatecharacters associated with evil and blackmagic. But in Rowling's world there is only onemagic, which (depending on the character andmotivation of those who wield it) can be usedfor good or evil. In this sense, the underlyingphilosophy has more in common with StarWars, in which the "Force" is used to further thecause of right but is also corrupted or tapped toserve the dark side, than with the Judeo-Christian worldview which sees God as thesource of all that is good and incorruptible.Good and evil do exist in Harry's world, butthere is no reference to an ultimate source ofeither.Returning to the "witch" reference, however, dokeep in mind such exceptions as the GoodWitch in The Wizard of Oz. Also keep in mindthe fact that when children read fantasy, theyare most adept in their ability to ferret out therules of a particular world and then to viewcharacters and events accordingly. As long asthe author is consistent and clear, there is littleroom for misinterpretation or confusion.It would be difficult to fault the series based onits magical context without condemning some ofthe best-loved classics of childrens' literature.But what about the course list at Hogwart's?Students are required to take such classes asPotions, Defence Against the Dark Arts, and—in third year—Divination. For the most part,these classes simply provide an opportunity forRowling to inject humor and wit into her books,and to make her protagonist's problem-solvingabilities more believable as they acquire newskills.But there is a somewhat disturbing momentnear the end of book three when the Divinationteacher falls into a trance and speaks in a voicethat is not her own. All I can offer here is thatHarry himself finds this episode disturbing;what's more, throughout the balance of thebook, the Divination teacher's crackpotprophesies are depicted as ridiculous andfacile.Finally, some concerned readers take issuewith the occasional occurrences of violence inthese books. They are all integral to the actionpackedplot, however, and are neithergratuitous nor overly-detailed.Reviewer Lee Siegel puts it like this: "Harry andhis friends... are good kids, but they are notinnocent... They usually do the right thing, andthey always feel bad when they do the wrongthing." Siegel continues, "Rowling'scomplicated violence has a functional purposetoo. It draws in children who might otherwisebe won away by empty fantasies of violence." 2All in all, the Harry Potter books are a goodread, capable of maintaining the interest ofchildren and adults alike for 300+ pages. Theauthor speaks to such important themes asbelieving in oneself, finding one's true identity,and being loyal to friends.That said, comparisons with such works as TheLion, the Witch and the Wardrobe or Alice inWonderland 3 are a tad over-ambitious.Rowling delivers a fast-paced plot, likeable,well-rounded protagonists, and a generousdollop of humour, but I somehow doubt thatuniversity students will be analyzing her novelsdecades from now. Fialkoff sums it up well forreaders of the Library Journal; "Harry Pottermay not be great literature, but it's certainlygreat escapism." 4A word to the wise: Rowling has suggested thather seven-part series may become darker asHarry grows older, so it would be wise to keepan eye on developments. As always, there isno substitute for the guidance of caring andinformed parents, teachers, and librarians.1"Hurry, Harry!" by Paul O'Donnell et al.Newsweek (11/01/99) v. 134, n. 18, p. 6.2"Fear of Not Flying," by Lee Siegel. NewRepublic (11.22.99) v. 221, n. 21, pp. 40-45.3"Wild About Harry," by Paul Gray. Time -Canadian Edition (9/20/99) v. 154, n. 12 pp.47-52.4"Potter for Parents," by Francine Fialkoff.Library Journal (10/14/99) v. 124, n. 17, p.60.Sylvia Stopforth is a librarian at TrinityWestern University in British Columbia,Canada, and is also Young Adult FictionEditor for CLJ.C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 1 5 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

BOOK REVIEWSPICTURE BOOKSAWord from the Editor: Eileen ZygarlickeA BOY NAMED JASONOf all the students who influenced me andimpacted my life, one boy truly opened myeyes to the importance of children’sliterature.The day he shuffled into my classroom Iknew there was something special aboutJason. His tousled, chocolate-colored hairand freckled face endeared me to himimmediately. While the others in the classjabbered incessantly, Jason remained quiet,eyes fixed on his desktop. I came tounderstand why Jason seemed different fromthe rest. It was because he felt differentfrom the rest. Although smart, Jason was apoor reader, which affected his performancein school. I set out to change that.The world of books gives children like Jasonthe chance to succeed by offering them arespite from their world of social isolation.Instead of being the object of ridicule orteasing, these children can immersethemselves in the swashbuckling adventuresof Treasure Island, the mysteries of theTrixie Beldon, or the love for an animal as inMy Friend Flicka. They can take time outfrom their world and get caught up inanother-one where they can become theheroes of the story rather than the person onthe outside looking in.Instead of watching our young people turn tothe slash and gash YA and children’s novels,we need to nurture in them discerning tastesas to what is and is not appropriate to readand why. Guides such as CLJ help in theselection process.Books become friends through the ages,even formula books like Nancy Drew. Eventoday I look back fondly to the times I spentas a child transported to another time andplace through the characters and settings ofthe books I read. A chance meeting with aformer student reinforced this idea. Shedidn’t talk so much about the class itself butrather the novels we digested and grew tolove as a class.As children gain confidence in their readingabilities, they also gain confidence in theirreal lives as I learned with Jason. Many anafternoon, he and I discussed the latestadventure he experienced through the writtenword. The change in Jason, though gradual,was dramatic. As he conquered hisdeficiencies and grew to love to read ratherthan abhor it, he no longer shuffled around.In fact, he joined in the jabbering with themasses flowing through the hallways of theschool. Jason no longer looked down at hisdesk; instead, he looked up, waiting for hisnext reading adventure to begin.There really is no greater satisfaction thantaking a self-conscious boy and, with thehelp of books, transforming him into onewith confidence. Be on the lookout for theJasons in your area. You never know wherea good book will take them.Quality (Literary)R A T I N G S Y S T E M* Acceptability (Ethical/Moral Concerns)5 Excellent—among the very best of this type 5 No questionable elements4 Good—well written; strong recommendation 4 Slight concerns3 Average -readers will enjoy 3 Moderate concerns2 Fair—can recommend, but not as well written 2 Barely acceptable1 Poor—cannot recommend 1 Too questionable to recommend★ Outstanding Book of Its Genre* Acceptability does not refer to doctrinal position, unless the doctrine is anti-Christian.W I N T E R 2 0 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

PICTURE BOOKSLittle Lions, by Jim Arnosky. LCCN9649837. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons,Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers,1998. ISBN 0399229442, HBB, $15.99.E. Pumas--Fiction; Animals--Infancy--Fiction. 30 p.K - Gr. 4.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Jim Arnosky, author/illustrator of over a dozennature books, released his newest work, LittleLions. Each page showcases his fine art skills.Using fluid browns, yellows, and golds, hecontrasts small lion cubs sitting between motherlion's large paws while all three are perched ona sunny ledge with Monarch butterflies flittingacross a mountain desert backdrop. The large,simple text describes the antics of little lions,hinting at skills they'll need to learn for survival.Little Lions is a pleasure to read aloud.Arnosky's playful and loving images betweenmother and cubs make for a warm-and-fuzzybook best for sharing from adult to child on a lapor in a classroom."But now they're only kittens, on a sunnymountain step...playing, purring, meowing, withmother always near."Kimn Swenson Gollnick, Freelance Writer, HomeschoolMother, Marysville, WAThe Lost Lamb, written by Melody Carlson;illustrated by Steve Björkman. Wheaton,Ill.: Crossway Books, 1999. ISBN1581340729, HBB, $10.99.E. Lambs--Fiction; Shepherds--Fiction; Parables--Fiction. 40 p. PS - Gr. 4.Quality—5 Acceptability—5The shepherd looks out over his flock, andnotices the setting of the sun. He leads his flockhome, while constantly encouraging his flock tonot tarry. There are one hundred sheep, and heknows all of their names, “from lamb to ewe.”The names given to the lambs are whimsical,and yet familiar with the children of yesterday,today, and tomorrow.As he finishes counting he realizes that one ofhis lambs is missing. Making sure the otherninety-nine are safely tucked in at the farm, theshepherd leaves to search for the missing lamb.Great distances he travels in search of his lostlamb, calling out the lamb’s name. Finally, thelamb is found, and the shepherd rejoices. Hecomforts the lamb, and carries him home. Theshepherd admits to being tired from his search,but reassures the lamb of his joy in finding thelost one. Once back at the farm, the shepherdinvolves all the sheep in a celebration of the lostsheep that was found.The Lost Lamb is a charming and delightfulbook by Melody Carlson, and reads like aworship song. Your heart will sing, your spiritwill soar, and your faith will be refreshed. Themusic of the words mixed with the frivolity ofthe watercolor illustrations will be appreciatedand enjoyed by all ages. The durability of thelibrary binding adds to the book’s appeal.Debby Willett, Teacher, Home School Parent, Canyon, TXIt's My Birthday, Too! written by LynneJonell; illustrated by Petra Mathers. LCCN9749635. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons,Penguin Putnam, 1999. ISBN 0399233237,HBB, $12.99.E. Brothers--Fiction; Parties--Fiction; Birthdays--Fiction; Dogs--Fiction. 24 p. PS - Gr. 2.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Robbie wants to do everything his big brotherChristopher does. As Christopher’s birthdayapproaches, Robbie begs to share in the fun.Although Robbie promises he won’t spoilChristopher’s big day like he did last year, hiselder sibling remains skeptical. Robbie decideshe won't be the little brother any longer, he'll bea dog! Christopher likes the idea, saying hewould rather have a puppy than a brotheranyway.Quickly seeing a way to win his big brother'sheart, Robbie plays the role of puppy to a tee.He follows commands and does tricks. He evenchews on shoelaces and drools, much to thedelight of the party guests. During the singingof "Happy Birthday," Robbie howls along. Allof Christopher's friends wish they had a puppytoo. But Christopher comes to realize that,"Puppies are nothing but trouble. I'd rather havea brother." Robbie grins from ear-to-ear.It's My Birthday, Too! provides an amusingcontext for illustrator Petra Mathers's child-like,stick drawings. The characters created byauthor Lynne Jonell are full of expression,exhibiting true-to-life interactions. Smallchildren are delighted with the plot and see theinherent sweetness in this simple tale.John T. Perrodin, Attorney, Editor, Homeschool Father,Colorado Springs, COThe Cat Barked? by Lydia Monks. LCCN9810134. New York: Dial Books for YoungReaders, Penguin Putnam, 1999. ISBN0803723385, HBB, $13.99.E. Cats--Fiction; Dogs--Fiction; Self-acceptance--Fiction; Stories in rhyme. 24 p. PS - Gr. 2.Quality—5 Acceptability—5"I wish I were a dog," says the orange-coloredcat. Dogs go to parks and bark. They guardhouses and catch crooks. But a young girl withheart shaped lips points out to the cat all thethings dogs have to do that are not pleasant.They have to eat bones and do tricks. Certainlythe cat enjoys catching its own supper andseeing in the dark. By the end of the book, thecat is pleased with his lot.Author Lydia Monks has created her first picturebook, and it explodes with color. Throughpainting and collage, The Cat Barked demandsattention. Young readers, teachers, and parentswill delight in the expressive shapes and details.The quality of line is excellent; the palette isintense. This book offers images that are freshand new. The engaging cover invites readers todiscover what lies between the pages.The message of The Cat Barked is clear. We areall different with positive and negative aspectsin our lives.Lorie Ann Grover, Freelance Writer/Illustrator, Sumner, WAIce Cream Larry, by Daniel Pinkwater;illustrated by Jill Pinkwater. LCCN 988832.Tarrytown, N.Y.: Cavendish Children'sBooks, Marshall Cavendish, 1999. ISBN0761450432, HBB, $15.95.E. Polar bear--Fiction; Bears--Fiction; Ice cream, ices,etc.--Fiction; Humorous stories. 32 p. PS - Gr. 2.Quality—4 Acceptability—4Larry is a polar bear who lives in a hotel alongwith his very good friend Mildred. One day aLarry leaves the hotel and becomes quite hot, sohe asks the local ice cream store owner if hecould cool off in her freezer. Unfortunately,while in the freezer Larry gets hungry and heeats 250 pounds of ice cream. Even thoughLarry has eaten all this ice cream he says, "I donot feel sick.” The ice cream store owner is veryupset with Larry and demands that Mildred'sdad pay for all the ice cream that was eaten.Mildred takes Larry home and the famous Mr.Berg of the Iceberg Ice Cream Company comesto visit Larry. Mr. Berg wants Larry to be hismascot and so Larry travels to Baltimore,Maryland, to see the ice cream company. Theice cream company creates Larry Bars thatinclude Larry's picture on all the wrappers. TheLarry Bars, even in the gourmet—codfish—flavor, become a treat for all. Happily Larry ispaid, not with money, but with Larry Bars.Daniel Pinkwater's Larry first appeared in HotelLarry, which children will want to read so theywill know why Larry lives in a hotel. Ice CreamLarry will delight readers with its humor andhumorous illustrations.Connie J. Weaver, Church Librarian, Newville, PAUncle Phil's Diner, by Helena Clare Pittman.LCCN 9644326. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda,Lerner Publications, 1998. ISBN1575050838, HBB, $14.95.E. Fathers and daughters--Fiction; Winter--Fiction;Diners--Fiction. 31 p. PS - Gr. 3.Quality—5 Acceptability—5“Think warm, Ruthie,” Pappa tells her on theirjourney to Uncle Phil’s Diner, braving the bittercold of an early morning snow. Their journey toUncle Phil’s Diner serves as a backdrop to aseries of snapshots from Ruthie”s memories.Ruthie begins by remembering the hot summerday she spent helping her Aunt Ida preserveblueberries. “Think warm, Ruthie.” AgainPappa reminds her. Ruthie and her Pappa playC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 1 7 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

PICTURE BOOKSgames along the way to keep themselves warm.Just thinking of the pancake breakfast thatawaits them, Ruthie and her Pappa continue ontheir cold morning journey. At one point Pappaspeaks of the cold, and Ruthie has theopportunity to remind him to “Just think warm.”Ruthie and her Pappa finally reach Uncle Phil’sDiner and are rewarded with the delicious sightsand smells of Uncle Phil’s cooking. The wordimagery is rich, from ‘blue morning shadows’,‘to white mountains line the sidewalk.’ Pittmanhas included a copy of Uncle Phil’s BlueberryPancakes, just in case the reader can’t resist.The book is laid out like a photo album,complete with corner-keepers for theillustrations. The story is easy to read, and theillustrations are beautifully drawn.Debby Willett, Teacher, Home School Parent, Canyon, TXThe American Wei, by Marion HessPomeranc; illustrated by DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan. LCCN 9718202. Morton Grove, Ill.:Albert Whitman, 1998. ISBN 0807503126,HBB, $15.95.E. Naturalization--Fiction; Emigration andimmigration--Fiction; Chinese Americans--Fiction;Tooth fairy--Fiction. 30 p. PS - Gr. 1.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Wei is excited. Today he and his family aregoing to become citizens of the United States.Wei has a very wobbly tooth, which comes outon the way to the ceremonies and is lost. Peopleof many nationalities help look for the toothbefore rushing to the ceremony.Author Marion Hess Pomeranc takes anexperience common to all children, losing atooth, and uses it to teach about naturalization.The American Wei, which opens with a one-pageexplanation of naturalization process, deliversan interesting story-line. Color illustrations byDyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan breathe life into thecharacters and make the book one children willenjoy looking at on their own or with a parent.Children who have gone through thenaturalization process or those who have lost atooth will enjoy The American Wei.Jane Mouttet, Missionary School Librarian, Window Rock,AZDónde Está Jesús (Pascua de Resurrección).ISBN 0570099285.(Where is Jesus? (Easter), by Mary ManzSimon. (Listen to Me Read)E. Bible stories--N.T.; Jesus Christ--Resurrection. 18p.Oh! Oh! (Jonás y el Pez). ISBN 0570099358,PAP.(Oh! Oh! (Jonah and the Fish.))E. Bible stories--O.T.; Jonah (Biblical prophet). 18 p.PS - Gr. 1.Por Mary Manz Simon. EditorialConcordia. (Concordia Publishing)((Oyeme Leer.) . (Listen to Me Read.))Quality—5 Acceptability—5Estos libros son magníficos para los niñosporque están llenos de colores y tienen menos detreinta y dos palabras fáciles. Los cuentos sonde la Biblia y son interesantes. Los colores sonvibrantes y los dibujos son buenos. Yo se los leoa mi nieta a veces y a ella le gustan. Haymuchos cuentos en la serie y los recomiendoporque son buenos tienr en su casa.These books are magnificent for the childrenbecause they are filled with color and have lessthan thirty-two easy words. The stories are fromthe Bible and are very interesting. The colorsare vibrant and the drawings are good. I readthem to my granddaughter at times and she likesthem. There are many stories in the series and Irecommend them because they are good to havearound your house.Bianca Elliott, Teacher, Linwood, KSStella and Roy Go Camping, by Ashley Wolff.LCCN 9845244. New York: DuttonChildren's Books, Penguin Putnam Booksfor Young Readers, 1998. ISBN 0525458646,HBB, $15.99.E. Bears--Fiction; Animal tracks--Fiction; Camping--Fiction. 38 p. PS - Gr. 2.Quality—5 Acceptability—5In author/illustrator Ashley Wolff’s Stella andRoy Go Camping, a sequel to Stella and Roy, thebantering siblings are on a camping trip andsearching for animal tracks. Stella has learnedto read and carries an animal identification trackbook. While Roy spots the tracks, Stellaidentifies the animals."Look, Stella, baby bear tracks!" shouts Roy."Sorry, Roy," says Stella. And so goes the hikeall the way up to Lone Pine Lake. It's not untilnight, when everyone else is asleep, that Roysees a bear. In the morning, the bear tracks evenconvince big sister, Stella.While Stella and Roy spot tracks, the reader hasfun spotting the animals hiding in the spreads.Certain animals follow the charactersthroughout the book. Wolff's painted prints arerich in color with pleasing layouts andcompositions. Further animal information isprovided at the close without beingoverwhelming.Lorie Ann Grover, Freelance Writer/Illustrator, Sumner, WAKing Longshanks, by Jane Yolen; illustratedby Victoria Chess. LCCN 9448359. SanDiego: Harcourt, 1998. ISBN 0152000135,HBB, $15.00.E. Fairy tales; Frogs--Fiction. 29 p. K - Gr. 3.Quality—5 Acceptability—5King Long Shanks is a frog who is royallypleased with himself. His handsome legs andfine coloring are admired by all. Eager toimpress, he hires two visiting tailors to makehim an outfit for the upcoming summer parade.Their special cloth, the tailors claim, can only beseen by people who are true, good, honest,smart, and loyal. This claim, of course, is false,but as the invisible cloth is sewn, no one daressay anything. However, when King LongShanks proudly parades through town wearingnothing, a bold tadpole speaks up and the wholetown grins, giggles, and guffaws. The loyalqueen saves the day by quietly tearing her owngown and covering her husband with it.Jane Yolen adds her own humor and flair to thisunique retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's“The Emperor's New Clothes”. The flatteringtailors are poets. The eccentric king zaps bugswith his tongue when he doesn't know what tosay. Full pages of text alternate with colorfulpictures of kingdom life. Illustrator VictoriaChess' watercolor, colored pencil, and inkdrawings complement the text and add to thefun.Destined to elicit enchanted smiles fromlistening children, King Long Shanks is anentertaining read-aloud choice for primarychildren. For preschoolers, the humorouspictures hold interest, yet the detailed text maybe overwhelming. This book will appeal tochildren transitioning into chapter books, as theycan read longer passages, but still take pleasurein fanciful illustrations.Karen Brehmer, Teacher, Silverdale, WAW I N T E R 2 0 0 0 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

(903) 295-1203beairdc@aol.comC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 1 9 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

BOOK REVIEWSCHILDREN’S FICTIONSearch for a Fawn, by Esther Bender;illustrated by Edna Bender. LCCN 9822275.Scottdale, Pa.: Herald Press, 1998. ISBN0836190998, PBB, $8.99.F. Brothers--Fiction; Stepfamilies--Fiction;Grandmothers--Fiction; Deer--Fiction. 30 p. Gr. 2 -5.Quality—3 Acceptability—5Brothers Copper and Skeet and stepbrotherTucker go for a two week visit to theirgrandmother's farm. While visiting they decideto search for the rare albino fawn that has beenspotted around the countryside. The searchprovides many adventures, including overnightcampouts, a "ghost" sighting, and a night spentin a shed while a violent storm rages outside.The search and its adventures help Copper toboth deal with his grandfather's death and beginto accept his stepbrother as part of the family.Search for a Fawn by Esther Bender is a storyabout acceptance. Although Copper struggles toaccept the loss of his grandfather and theaddition of a brother, ultimately he is able tocome to terms with both. Unfortunately, how heachieves this is unclear and the reader is leftwondering exactly what brought about thechange. Also, a fuller plot and less descriptionwould make this a more exciting and interestingstory. Illustrator Edna Bender's depictions offarm life are lovely and help greatly in bringingthe story to life.Kerri A. Cunningham, Librarian, Camano Island, WADisappearing Acts, by Betsy Byars. (AHerculean Jones Mystery.) LCCN 9729434.New York: Viking, Penguin Putnam, 1998.ISBN 0670877352, HBB, $14.99.F. Fathers and sons--Fiction; Mystery fiction. 120 p.Gr. 5 - 9.Quality—4 Acceptability—3Herculeah Jones is an amateur detective whoseems to find more than her share of mysteriesand dead bodies. Her rather squeamishsidekick, Meat McMannis, loves a mystery, too,but when he finds his own mysterious dead bodyin the Funny Bonz restroom, it's anything butfunny. When the body disappears, Herculeahand Meat are on the case. The plot thickens asthe pair begins their search for Marcie Mullet,the woman whose wallet was found near thecrime scene.Herculeah herself is also knee-deep into anothermystery which involves Meat's father, a manwho left his family several years ago. Hersleuthing uncovers his identity, but she wondersif Meat can handle the truth she's found.Bringing suspense and thrill together works wellfor the author Betsy Byars. Disappearing Actsis a fast-paced book which gives reality a real gofor the money. Unfortunately, some of the tacticsused to gain this realism borders heavily on theseedier things of life. There are sexualundertones in this book, including inappropriateresponses and jokes about bra sizes and breasts,that are offensive. Overall, the book is wellwritten, but the content demands caution.Beth Loughner, Freelance Writer, Registered Nurse,Columbus, OHHeart to Heart, by Sandra Byrd. (SecretSisters; 1.) Colorado Springs: WaterbrookPress, 1998. ISBN 1578560152, PAP, $5.95.F. Friendship--Fiction; Schools--Fiction. 106 p. Gr.4 - 6.Quality—5 Acceptability—5After a friendless and lonely first year atCoronado Elementary School, Tess Thomas islooking forward to sixth grade. Over thesummer she has made a friend; popular Colleenhas even called her "best friend." When they areplaced in different sixth grade classes, Colleenrenews former friendships, forming a club withthe popular girls. Tess begins to doubt whethertheir friendship can last. Colleen reassures herthat everything is okay but asks Tess to completean initiation prank to prove her loyalty to theothers in the club. After Tess fails the twochances she has been given, she becomes thetarget of ridicule. Devastated, she questions herbeliefs and wonders what is right. As she faceseach challenge, she discovers what is importantto her and what true friendship is all about.With short, easy to read chapters, Heart to Heartis appealing for the reader reluctant to commit tolarger novels. Author Sandra Byrd tenderlyaddresses issues relevant to any preteen,especially the choices one must make inrelationships between peers, teachers, andparents. Tess begins to explore what she hasheard about God, giving the reader a glimpse ofa new relationship to come in future books of theseries. For a child who enjoys books in theBabysitter's Club series, this book offers a freshalternative.Karen Brehmer, Teacher, Silverdale, WAThe White Pony : A Tale of Great Love, bySandra Byrd; paintings by Sarah Waldron.Colorado Springs: Waterbrook, 1999. ISBN1578561922, HBB, $14.95.F. Indians of North America--Fiction. 32 p. K - Gr.3.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Starlight, lives with her family in a nativevillage on the plains. Whenever she is allowedto request a story from the village elders, shealways chooses the same one, the story of thewhite pony in which a handsome young bravepays an unheard of bride-price for a youngwoman that the village considersunmarriageable, a bride-price that includes hisfavorite white pony.Author Sandra Byrd has successfully adaptedthis traditional allegory of God’s great love inredeeming his people to the Native Americansetting. Paintings by Sarah Waldronincorporating Native American designs withlovely action drawings of horses and village life,are sure to inspire the young horse lover toreturn to this tale as often as Starlight herselfdoes.Judy A. Driscoll, Teacher, Poulsbo, WASpotlight on Cody, by Betsy Duffey;illustrated by Ellen Thompson. LCCN9817461. New York: Viking, PenguinPutnam, 1998. ISBN 0670880779, HBB,$14.99.F. Talent shows--Fiction; Schools--Fiction. 74 p. Gr.2 - 6.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Every child who has ever wondered what makeshim or her special will find this book veryreassuring. Poor Cody! He desperately wants todo something terrific for his school's talent showand even imagines the announcer introducingthe Amazing Cody. But there's a problem. Hehas no talent to speak of. What's worse, hecomes from a long line of marginally giftedindividuals. His Aunt Dot can clog. Maybe hecould try that. But just the sound of that activitydoesn't set well with Cody. "He needed a talentthat didn't make it sound like he was about to dosomething gross."Finally, he settles on juggling. Even his turning-W I N T E R 2 0 0 0 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 FICTIONforty-father can do that. However, he starts outpoorly and manages to land an egg—splat ontop of his father's birthday cake. He learns laterthat you start by juggling one item at a time, asingle orange, for example. Downcast, Codyimagines the program announcer saying, "CodyMichaels will now juggle one orange."As Cody tries to encourage his father, who isfeeling positively ancient, he realizes that he hasa knack for drawing. His card boosts Dad'ssagging spirits, and Cody discovers that he justmight be able to do something for the talentshow after all. Both touching and well-written,Betsy Duffey's Spotlight on Cody is a treasure.The expressive line drawings by EllenThompson are a perfect complement to thequick-moving, humorous text. Kids will lovethis latest Cody classic.John T. Perrodin, Attorney, Editor, Homeschool Father,Colorado Springs, COOut of the Ocean, by Debra Frasier. LCCN965274. San Diego: Harcourt, 1998. ISBN0152588493, HBB, $16.00.F. Beaches--Fiction; Nature--Fiction. 30 p. PS - Gr.3.Quality—5 Acceptability—5When Debra Frasier takes you on a romp on thebeach, you’re sure to find treasure, especially ifyou have spent time combing the beachesbetween the leaves of Out of the Ocean. Theauthor combines her love of collages, bothpaper, and natural, with photography to create alively look at what can be found on a beach, andhints about what can be done with thesetreasures. An ocean journal at the back of thebook describes some of the treasures mentioned,giving scientific or historic perspective to beachlife and beach treasures. Here is a feast for theeyes, as well as the imagination!Judy A. Driscoll, Teacher, Poulsbo, WANany e Isaías: Pascua Hoy, Pascua ParaSiempre, por Carol Greene. CPH FamilyFilms, Concordia. VID, $.(Nanny and Isaiah: Easter Today and EasterForever, by Carol Greene.)F. Easter--Fiction; Jesus Christ--Resurrection--Fiction. 1 videocassette. PS - Gr. 6.Quality—4 Acceptability—4Me gusta este video porque el cuento es sobreuna maestra que muere antes de la Pascua y hayuna chica que tiene problemas sobre la muerte.La chica tiene miedo porque su mamá tiene ungripe fuerte y piensa que mamá va a morir comosu maestra. Durante el video hay una canciónbonita y es fácil aprender con un tema animado.Los niños que tengan miedo de la muertenecesitan mirar este video. Los niños que tenganpreguntas sobre la Pascua también necesitanmirar este video de Concordia PublishingHouse. Es para las edades 4 a 11 y este video fuedoblado en Quito, Ecuador. Es muy bueno.I like this video because it is about a teacher thatdies before Easter and there is a girl who hasproblems about death. The girl is afraid becauseher mother has a bad cold and she thinks that shewill die like her teacher. During the video thereis a beautiful song, easy to learn with anencouraging theme. Children that have fear ofdeath need to watch this video. Children thathave questions about Easter also need to watchthis video from Concordia Publishing House. Itis for children four to eleven, and was dubbed inQuito, Ecuador. It is very good.Bianca Elliott, Teacher, Linwood, KSSong Lee and the "I Hate You" Notes, bySuzy Kline; pictures by Frank Remkiewicz.LCCN 9841376. New York: Viking, PenguinPutnam, 1999. ISBN 0670878871, HBB,$13.99.F. Schools--Fiction; Behavior--Fiction; KoreanAmericans--Fiction. 51 p. Gr. 2 - 5.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Because of her sunny disposition, Song Lee isone of the most popular kids in Miss Mackle'sthird grade class. But when she starts receivinganonymous hate mail, her smiles disappear.Concerned, her friends Doug and Harry decideto find out why. By clever deduction, the boysdiscover that Mary, Song Lee's friend, is theculprit. Why would Mary do such a thing?Song Lee makes the class laugh; she scores ahome run in gym; she knows the answers inmath. And Mary is jealous and vengeful anddetermined to make her feel bad. Only whenSong Lee sends a nasty note of her own doesMary realize how hurtful her actions have been,and the girls reconcile.Suzy Kline sends several messages through herentertaining story: Stand up for yourself. Losingsleep can make you irritable. Envy andresentment are unattractive to others.Friendship can conquer hurt, if both parties arewilling to try. While the "eye-for-an-eye"solution might smack of dubious wisdom, themanner in which Song Lee composes her lettercelebrates courage rather than an inappropriatemeekness. Frank Remkiewicz's illustrations arebreezily amusing and reinforce the tone of thetext. This book is the fourth in a series of SongLee adventures and should be appreciated bygirls as well as boys.Marcy Stewart Froemke, Asst. Prof. of Education, BryanCollege, Dayton, TN★The Crippled Lamb, by Max Lucado, withJenna, Andrea, and Sara Lucado; illustratedby Liz Bonham. LCCN 9419865. Nashville:Tommy Nelson, Thomas Nelson, 1999. ISBN0849959799, HBB, w/CI, $17.99.E. Sheep--Fiction; Jesus Christ--Nativity--Fiction. 32p. PS - Gr. 3.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Max Lucado and his daughters created this storyfive years ago as a verbal bedtime game, addinga character or plot twist each night until TheCrippled Lamb resulted. To celebrate the fifthanniversary of The Crippled Lamb's firstprinting, publisher Tommy Nelson re-issued thisgift book version, including a special bonus—afree CD with Jodi Benson's touching narrationand singing.The story revolves around a crippled lambnamed Joshua and his longing to belong. Heleans on his friend, Abigail the cow, whoencourages him by saying, “Don't be sad, littleJoshua. God has a special place for those whofeel left out." When the shepherds take thesheep to a new meadow but leave Joshua behindbecause he can't keep up, he feels even worse.Abigail reminds him not to be sad.It's rare to find a fresh angle on the Christmasstory, but Lucado and his daughters succeed,and it's far more than a holiday tale. TheCrippled Lamb aptly captures the universallongings for acceptance and purpose, whiletactfully dealing with inner feelings related to aphysical disability. Such layers add depthwithout overdoing sentimentality. LizBonham's tender paintings reflect a Monetquality. True to initial expectations, this editionis on its way to becoming a favorite familyclassic.Kimn Swenson Gollnick, Freelance Writer & HomeschoolMother, Marysville, WARock River, by Bill Maynard. LCCN9742156. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons,Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers,1998. ISBN 0399232249, HBB, $15.99.F. Rivers--Fiction; Courage--Fiction; Brothers--Fiction; Death--Fiction. 104 p. Gr. 4 - 6.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Luke used to watch in admiration as his brotherRobert climbed boulders and jumped across theswirling river. But Robert died in the river.Luke now wonders if he has any bravery at all.It seems whenever his friends goad him to dodaring acts, Luke backs out. Stuck in a bet overwho can catch the biggest fish this summer,daring deeds might be necessary to win.Bill Maynard's middle grade novel, Rock River,offers an exciting story with an exemplary maincharacter. Luke struggles with peer pressure buttakes the right path at each junction. He listensto his parents' voices in his mind, reminding himof his brother's death. Their advice encourageshim not to take stupid chances. Luke'sobedience gives him the impression he is notbrave or fearless. But when a dangerous rescueis necessary, Luke doesn't hesitate to help in theprecarious situation. He is the hero because heacts at the right time despite his fear.Readers will be engaged with Luke's concerns,his dangerous situations, and his resolve to dothe right thing. Parents and teachers will cheerC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 2 1 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

CHILDREN’ S FICTIONMaynard for providing a believable, positivemain character.Lorie Ann Grover, Freelance Writer/Illustrator, Sumner, WABeautiful Warrior : The Legend of the Nun'sKung Fu, by Emily Arnold McCully. LCCN973823. New York: Scholastic, 1998. ISBN0590374877, HBB, $16.95.F. Kung Fu--Fiction; China--Fiction. 36 p. Gr. 3 - 6.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Long ago during the Ming Dynasty, a little girl,Jingyong, is born, and her father has high hopesfor her. Because he sees something special inher, he refuses to allow her young life to bedetermined by others, as was the Chinesecustom at that time.Jingyong was allowed to study academics as ifshe were a son. One day while she was outriding her horse, she became permanentlyseparated from her parents and had to begintaking care of herself. She decided she wantedto study kung-fu with some Buddhist monks,and went to them to see if they would allow that.Normally monks do not accept girls in theirmonasteries, but Jingyong persevered, and wasaccepted. She became a Buddhist nun anddeveloped a quite a reputation for her skill, andreceived a new name, Wu Mei.Wu Mei came across a young girl who was inneed of help, and this young girl became astudent of Wu Mei’s. Mingyi was an apt pupil,and learned everything she could in a years time.Different styles of kung-fu were developed overtime, including the Wing Chun style. It isthought that Mingyi might be the developer ofthe Wing Chun kung-fu style.Beautiful Warrior is an easy read, and a goodexample of what girls can accomplish when theytry. Children will enjoy Jingyong’s journey asshe learns and grows. The watercolorillustrations are beautiful and bring the words tolife.Debby Willett, Teacher, Home School Parent, Canyon, TXGrandpa's Gamble, by Richard Michelson;illustrated by Barry Moser. LCCN 9752633.Tarrytown, N.Y.: Cavendish Children'sBooks, Marshall Cavendish, 1999. ISBN0761450343, HBB, $15.95.F. Grandfathers--Fiction; Jews--United States--Fiction; Immigrants--Fiction; Prayer--Fiction. 32 p.Gr. 2 - 3.Quality—3 Acceptability—5Grandpa Sam is always sleeping and his boredgrandchildren must be very quiet so as to notdisturb him. However, one day thegrandchildren learn how Grandpa came toAmerica from Poland. Grandpa's family isJewish and they were treated very poorly. Dueto hunger and beatings, Grandpa was sent toAmerica. When Grandpa arrives in New Yorkhe is taught how to be a pickpocket and how togamble. Grandpa becomes very rich so he getsmarried and has a little girl. Unfortunately,Grandpa's precious daughter becomes ill and allof his money cannot save her. The doctors tellGrandpa that only a miracle can help his littledaughter. So, Grandpa prays for forgivenessand for his daughter's health. Prayers areanswered and Grandpa never ever gamblesagain. The grandchildren are duly impressedand so now they are glad to be quiet whileGrandpa sleeps.This touching story contains very nice sepiaillustrations. Award winning illustrator Moserportrays the bored expressions of the childrenquite well. The prominent use of Jewish termswill require readers unfamiliar with those termsto read the definitions that are included in theauthor's note at the end of the book.Connie J. Weaver, Church Librarian, Newville, PASelina and the Shoo-Fly Pie, written byBarbara Smucker; illustrated by JanetWilson; quilts by Lucy Anne Holliday. NewYork: Stoddart Kids, 1998. ISBN0773730184, HBB, $15.95.F. Mennonites--Fiction; Family--Fiction; Canada--Fiction. 30 p. Gr. 1 - 3.Quality—5 Acceptability—5In Selina and the Shoo-fly Pie, Selina has justmoved with her family from Pennsylvania toUpper Canada, leaving her grandmother andother relatives behind. Although she likes hernew home and is learning how to quilt, she stillmisses her relatives, especially her grandmother.When some family relations from Pennsylvaniasojourn to Canada, they bring news thatGrandma and Cousin Henry are coming to visitSelina's family in order to escape the perils ofthe Civil War. Grandma promises in her letterthat she will teach Selina to bake a Shoo-fly Piesince it is Henry's favorite. The companyarrives and Selina notices how somber and shyHenry appears. Selina's father takes Henry tothe sawmill while Grandma and Selina bakepies. Upon Henry's return, he is a differentperson, filled with enthusiasm for life ratherthan contemplating the horrors of war.Author Barbara Smucker does an adequate jobof introducing characters and creating a plot.Illustrator Janet Wilson adds a depth anddimension to the story with her illustrations andhelps breathe life into Selina and Grandma aswell as the other characters. The pictures arevivid, realistic, and winsome. A cascade ofcolors fills each page, enticing the reader to turnthe page merely to see what scene is capturednext. An inviting book that parent and child willenjoy for many readings.Eileen Zygarlicke, Freelance Writer & Editor, GrandForks, NDW I N T E R 2 0 0 0 2 2 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 FICTIONMany series titles are similar incomposition and quality toother titles in the series.Following are some series titlesfrom series we have previouslyreviewed. Readers are referredback to the original review forfurther information about theseries.The Boxcar ChildrenMysteries Mystery, created byGertrude Chandler Warner;illustrated by Charles Tang.Morton Grove, Ill.: AlbertWhitman, HBB, $13.95.Last reviewed Winter/Spring.1999.Quality—4 Acceptability—5The Black Pearl. ISBN0807507830, 1998.F. Brothers and sisters--Fiction,Orphans--Fiction, Mystery fiction,Hawaii--Fiction. 121 p.The Cereal Box Mystery. ISBN0807505757, 1998.F. Brothers and sisters--Fiction,Orphans--Fiction, Mystery fiction.111 p.The Panther Mystery,. LCCN9819107, ISBN 0807563277,1998.F. Brothers and sisters--Fiction,Orphans--Fiction, Mystery fiction,Everglades (Florida)--Fiction. 121p.The Mystery of the StolenSword. (#67.) LCCN 9839740,ISBN 0807576220, 1998.F. Brothers and sisters--Fiction,Orphans--Fiction, Mystery fiction,Orchards--Fiction. 121 p.The Mystery of the Queen'sJewels. (Special #11.) LCCN9824725, ISBN 0807554502,1998.F. Brothers and sisters--Fiction,Orphans--Fiction, Mystery fiction,London (England)--Fiction. 121p.The Mystery at Peacock Hall.ISBN 0807554448, 1999.F. Brothers and sisters--Fiction,Orphans--Fiction, Mystery fiction.121 p.The Windy City Mystery. ISBN0807554472, 1999.F. Brothers and sisters--Fiction,Orphans--Fiction, Mystery fiction,Chicago (Illinois)--Fiction. 120 p.The Basketball Mystery. (#68.)LCCN 9830728, ISBN0807505757, 1999.F. Brothers and sisters--Fiction,Orphans--Fiction, Mystery fiction,Basketball--Fiction. 135 p.The Movie Star Mystery. (#69.)LCCN 9854785, ISBN0807553034, 1999.F. Brothers and sisters--Fiction,Orphans--Fiction, Mystery fiction,Actors and actresses--Fiction. 119p.The Mystery of the Pirate's Map.(#70.) ISBN 0807554537, 1999.F. Brothers and sisters--Fiction,Orphans--Fiction, Mystery fiction,Buried treasure--Fiction. 121 p.The Ghost Town Mystery. (#71.) LCCN 9922474, ISBN0807528587, 1999.F. Brothers and sisters--Fiction,Orphans--Fiction, Mystery fiction,Ghost towns--Fiction, RockyMountains--Fiction. 121 p.The Mystery in the Mall. (#72.)LCCN 9935489, ISBN0807554561, 1999.F. Brothers and sisters--Fiction,Orphans--Fiction, Mystery fiction,Shopping malls--Fiction. 115 p.The Mystery of the Black Raven.(Special #12.) LCCN 9854886,ISBN 0807529885, 1999.F. Brothers and sisters--Fiction,Orphans--Fiction, Mystery fiction,Alaska--Fiction. 133 p.The Mystery in New York.(Special #13.) LCCN 9934254,ISBN 0807554596, 1999.F. Brothers and sisters--Fiction,Orphans--Fiction, Mystery fiction,New York (N.Y.)--Fiction,Stealing--Fiction. 121 p.C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 2 3 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

BOOK REVIEWSCHILDREN’S NONFICTION100’s—Philosophy & PsyschologyThe Goodbye Boat, by Mary Joslin;illustrated by Claire St. Louis Little. LCCN9844940. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Booksfor Young Readers, Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1999.ISBN 080285186X, HBB, $16.00.155.9. God in children; Bereavement in children;Children and death; Love (Psychology) in children.28 p. PS - Gr. 3.Quality—5 Acceptability—5A young, unnamed boy and girl have to saygoodbye to someone they dearly love as theywatch her die. With a boat used as a symbol,they watch her sail out onto a stormy sea andaway from their lives. Their love for this elderlywoman is gently explored, as well as the painand sorrow they feel as she slips out of theirlives. Ultimately, however, the book ends withhope as the woman is seen sailing "somewherenew" where dawn is just breaking.The Goodbye Boat by Mary Joslin concisely andpoetically deals with the process of pain andgrief. In less than thirty-five words, Joslinevokes love, death, grief, sorrow, renewal, and,finally, hope. Because of the simplicity andminimalism of the book, the reader is able tofocus on its central message that death is not theend, but something that simply carries lovedones out of sight.Claire St. Louis Little's illustrations are bothrealistic and beautiful, and her rich use of colorin depicting the moods of the characters helps tomake the story believable and effective. TheGoodbye Boat is a wonderful book for teachingchildren how to say goodbye to a loved one and,even more importantly, how to believe.Kerri A. Cunningham, Librarian, Camano Island, WA200’s—ReligionThe Bible, by Rick Osborne and K. ChristieBowler. (I Want to Know.) LCCN 9738952.Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998. ISBN0310220890, HBB, $9.99.220.6. Bible. 32 p. Gr. 3 - 8.Quality—5 Acceptability—5How does one know the Bible is inspired byGod? What are the best ways to memorizeScripture? When was the Bible first printed?The answer to these and many more questionsare answered in The Bible. Rick Osborne and K.Christie Bowler have made this book not onlyaccurate but fun to read. Explaining majorpoints of the Bible and how it applies to livestoday is a tall task. The Bible manages toaccomplish this task beautifully with funactivities, great photos, cartoons, and reading.While this book has a textbook feel to it, theactivities and bright layout will definitely attractreaders outside the classroom. Parents andteachers will also appreciate this structuredresource when teaching important Bible basics.All quoted Scripture is from the NewInternational Reader's Version.Beth Loughner, Freelance Writer, Registered Nurse,Columbus, OHIn the Beginning : The Story of Creation.LCCN 9745994. Wheaton, Ill.: CrosswayBooks, Crossway Books, 1998. ISBN0891079971, HBB, $14.99.222. Creation; Bible stories--O.T. 48 p. PS - Gr. 7.Quality—5 Acceptability—5In The Beginning is a pictorial interpretation ofthe first chapter of Genesis. The scriptures areprinted in the book, but it's the pictures that stealthe show. Real life photography is used to detaileach of the seven days of creation. Forty-sixphotographs are used. From NASA's "A Viewof the Earth from the Moon" demonstrating thefirst day of creation, to Tim Davis' "Red-eyedtree frog" on the sixth day, each day of creationis visually created for the reader.This beautiful book could be used not only as ahelpful tool for learning about the seven days ofcreation, but for a photograpy class as well.Most of these breath-taking pictures are twopages wide, giving even more depth to theirbeauty. This book is truly able to capture themajesty of God's natural creation. A list ofphotography credits is provided.Patricia A. Youmans, MLIS, Homeschool Parent, SiloamSprings, ARPrecious Moments : Noah's Ark, illustratedby Sam Butcher. LCCN 9830869. GrandRapids: Baker Books, Baker Book House,1998. ISBN 0801044111, HBB, $12.99.222. Noah (Biblical figure); Noah's art; Bible stories--O.T. 28 p. PS.Quality—3 Acceptability—5Precious Moments: Noah's Ark is a simplifiedversion of the biblical story, illustrated withPrecious Moments characters, which stand outas the most important feature in the volume.Each large, single page picture shows a set ofanimals working their way toward the ark. Thetwo elephants are wearing hair bows and abowler hat as they walk "trunk in trunk" to theark. The two zebras are so soft and rounded thata child might want to pick each one up andcuddle it. The pastel colors are soft, the lines arerounded and the landscape is gentle and rolling.The mice are especially appealing as theytransport their luggage via a "tortoise express.”Off-setting the peaceful appearance of eachpicture is a background of slightly threateningstorm clouds, indicating the rains to come.Filling the border around the text on opposingpages are gray swirls suggesting ocean waves.But this is as dramatic as the story gets. Itspeaceful, happy characters are usually smiling,despite the soulful appearance of their eyes. Atthe end of the story the sun breaks out again anda rainbow is formed. Noah and the reader arereminded that God keeps his promises.Donna E. Brown, Church Librarian, Portland, ORLa Historia de Jesús: Historias del Nuevo, porSarah Fletcher y traducido y editado porHector Hoppe. CPH Recursos Étnicos,Concordia. ISBN 0570099706, PAP, $.(The History of Jesus: Stories from the NewTestament for Little Children, by SarahFletcher and translated and edited by HectorHoppe. Concordia Publishing House.)225.9. Bible stories--N.T. 31 p. Gr. 1 - 4.Quality—4 Acceptability—5Este es un libro pequeño de la historia de Jesús.Empieza con su nacimiento y termina con su vaal cielo. Cada cuento tiene una página para elcuento y, debajo de la página, hay un verso fácilpara que el niño lo aprenda. También, hay unapágina de dibujos del tema. Este es un libro quelos padres les leen antes de que los niños seduerman o al tiempo del cuento.This is a small book of the story of Jesus. Itbegins with his nativity and finishes with hisgoing to heaven. Each story has a page for thestory and, at the bottom of the page, there is aneasy verse for the child to learn. Also, there is apage full illustration of the theme. This is abook that parents read before bedtime or at storytime.Bianca Elliott, Teacher, Linwood, KSW I N T E R 2 0 0 0 2 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 NONFICTIONThe Jesus Book, retold by LaVonne Neff;illustrated by Toni Goffe. Chicago: LoyolaPress, 1999. ISBN 0829413731, HBB, $9.95.232. Jesus Christ; Bible stories--N.T. 83 p. PS - Gr.3.Quality—5 Acceptability—5The Jesus Book is a collection of well-knownstories about the life of Christ. Full of detailsconcerning Jesus' birth, ministry, death, andresurrection, this volume also includes parablesof the runaway son, the lost sheep, the workersin the vineyard, and the two builders—one wiseand the other one foolish.Author LaVonne Neff has a knack for getting atthe heart of the scripture while showingsensitivity for how much a young child canunderstand. The wise men are shown visiting atwo-year-old Jesus instead of paying homage toan infant, as many junior editions do. Only onestory, "Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Boy," slightlystrays from accuracy. The Bible refers to theparalytic as a grown man. The text andaccompanying illustrations show a young boybeing healed. Though a small point, childrenwell-versed in the story will notice the error.Illustrator, Toni Goffe, whose delightfuldrawings can be found in The Rhyme Bible(Gold'n'Honey/Questar Books, 1996, ISBN 0-88070-829-8) and The Rhyme Bible PrayerBook (Gold'n'Honey/Questar Books, 1997,ISBN 1-57673-054-9) obviously honed artisticskills with The Jesus Book. You can see thesame warm smiles, rich details, colorfulcostumes, and those trademark scruffy beards inthis re-issue of a 1994 edition from GreatBritain. An excellent addition to a library'sreligious section, this book both teaches andentertains.John T. Perrodin, Attorney, Editor, Homeschool Father,Colorado Springs, CO300’s—Social SciencesPrecious Moments : Twelve Days ofChristmas. Grand Rapids: Baker Books,Baker Book House, 1998. ISBN 0801044103,HBB, $12.99.394.2. Christmas poetry. 28 p. PS.Quality—3 Acceptability—5The opening page of Precious Moments : TheTwelve Days of Christmas says that Christmashas been a time for songs and the giving of giftsfor many years and that "just as God gave us avery special gift at Christmas, we give gifts toeach other, too." The Twelve Days of Christmastells the story of twelve gifts given onconsecutive days at Christmas time. The bookinvites the reader to look for a special gift oneach page and to "share your Christmas cheerwith the people you love.”The twenty-four pages of text and illustrationdepict each of the twelve gifts in cute and oftenhumorous terms. Four calling birds are usingtelephones; six geese are laying sound asleep, onfluffy pillows; the nine ladies dancing are ladybugs, lined up on a twig; and the ten lords a-leaping are frogs.Each illustration has large "Precious Moments"animals and children characterized by soft lines,colors, and "tear-drop" eyes. The children addto the activities of the animals by providingviolin accompaniment for three French hens,trying to collect eggs from sleeping geese, orproviding twelve rabbits with a set of drums onwhich to thump with their big, soft feet. Theborders add to the musical theme with faintmusical notes and measures on a beigebackground.The book revolves around a Christmas themebut encourages readers and listeners to give thegifts of "loving, caring and sharing...all yearlong.”Precious Moments: Twelve Days of Christmaswill have the greatest appeal for toddlers andpre-school age children or fans of the PreciousMoments characters.Donna E. Brown, Church Librarian, Portland, ORFollow the Stars : A Native AmericanWoodlands Tale, retold and illustrated byKristina Rodanas. LCCN 957103. NewYork: Marshall Cavendish, 1998. ISBN0761450297, HBB, $15.95.398.2. Summer--Folklore; Ojibwa Indians--Folklore;Indians of North America--Folklore; Folklore--NorthAmerica. 32 p. Gr. 2 - 5.Quality—5 Acceptability—5When spring doesn't come to their forest, Fisherlistens to the wisdom of the stars and leads theanimals on a quest to find the birds of summer.After journeying for days the animals comeupon an Indian village with flowers and leafytrees. They hear cooing from the wigwams.Together the animals become like one horriblebeast and they scare the humans away. Quicklythe animals free the birds and they flee homejust as the Indians return. Only Fisher staysbehind, to release the last of the birds. He ischased by the people and he climbs high into atree. Not knowing what to do, he hears the starscalling him. He jumps into the night andbecomes part of the stars, forever to guide thosein need.Based on tales from the Eastern WoodlandsIndian storytelling tradition, this legendcombines elements from the natural and spiritworld. The Fisher is immortalized as hebecomes what we call the Big Dipper. Thisprovides a common link across cultures, as theNorth Star is commonly identified as a friendlyguide for those needing direction. Easy flowingprose makes this an enjoyable selection forindividual reading or for read-aloud sharing.Rich colored pencil and watercolor washpaintings, with beautiful color contrasts, givethe story warmth and depth. An excellentaddition to any collection, Follow the Stars byKristina Rodanas would especially enhance ateacher's American Indian or legends unit.Karen Brehmer, Teacher, Silverdale, WA400’s—LanguageMore Simple Signs, by Cindy Wheeler.LCCN 9726797. New York: Viking, PenguinPutnam Books for Young Readers, 1998.ISBN 0670874779, HBB, $14.99.419. Sign language. 28 p. PS - Gr. 3.Quality—5 Acceptability—5As a sequel to her Simple Signs, Cindy Wheelerhas revisited the sign language scene with MoreSimple Signs in which she introduces the veryyoung learner to the world of sign language withthirty basic words which a child can use in everyday conversation. Each page is colorfullyillustrated with a fanciful picture of the word,the word spelled out in bold black letters, and aclear ink drawing reproducing the action of thehands in producing the sign. A short hint at thebottom of each illustration describes the actionso that the child can relate the action to the wordand picture.In this way Cindy has covered all three learningmodalities, seeing, hearing, and doing, to teachthe child. A variety of common nouns, verbs,colors, adverbs, and manners are presented.Whether it be guiding her thumb down herbonnet strings to depict a girl, or scratchingone’s ribs like a monkey for monkey, the youngchild is sure to be intrigued with thisintroduction to sign language.Judy A. Driscoll, Teacher, Poulsbo, WA500’s—Natural Sciences & MathematicsAnimal Defenses : How Animals DefendThemselves, by Etta Kaner; illustrated byPat Stephens. Buffalo, N.Y.: Kids Can Press,Kids Can Press, 1999. ISBN 1550744194,HBB, $10.95.591.47. Animal defenses; Animal weapons. 40 p. Gr.2 - 5.Quality—3 Acceptability—5Animal Defenses : How Animals ProtectThemselves is a simple book on the variousmethods animals use to protect themselves.Author Etta Kaner breaks up their tactics intoeight different categories including "Putting on ashow" (looking dangerous), "Can you find me?(camouflage), "Copycats", "You can't hurt me"(armor), "Warning, stay away" (bright colors)and more.The animals within the same defense categoriesdon't seem to follow the same pattern ofprotection. An example of this is in the category"Playing Tricks;" two animals play dead, oneplays injured, one loses a tail, another has a fakeappearance, and the last one tries to hide, thenshoots ink. The patterns are not clear enough forC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 2 5 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

CHILDREN’ S NONFICTIONa younger child, yet the information is presentedtoo simplistically for the fact-minded group ofchildren, seven years and up.Animal Defenses is a bright, oversized bookwith color illustrations by Pat Stephens. Most ofthe pictures are well done, but several, includingones of the toad and the sloth, are below theoverall standard of the book.Joanne M. Haffly, Freelance Writer, Homeschool Mother,Gig Harbor, WALittle Bull : Growing Up in Africa's ElephantKingdom, by Ellen Foley James. New York:Sterling, Sterling Publishing, 1998. ISBN080692098X, HBB, $12.95.599.6. Elephants. 49 p. K - Gr. 3.Quality—5 Acceptability—5For those who have been enchanted with wildanimal films on the Discovery Channel, authorEllen Foley James has captured on paper withword and photograph the story of Little Bull, aninfant elephant. Young readers will giggle at theantics of the baby elephant trying to stand on hishead, and feel the desperation of the elephantherd during the hot drought of summer. Whenthe rains come and the grass grows again, thereader can almost hear the life-giving raindrops,and feel the cooling breezes. A glossary andindex in the back of the book give additionalhelp to those inquisitive minds who always wantto know more.Judy A. Driscoll, Teacher, Poulsbo, WA600’s—Technology (Applied Sciences)A Doctor's Life : A Visual History of Doctorsand Nurses Through the Ages, by RodStorring. New York: Dutton Children'sBooks, Penguin Putnam, 1998. ISBN0525675779, HBB, $17.99.610. Physicians--History. 48 p. Gr. 4 - 7.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Beginning with a Roman doctor in ca. 50 A. D.and ending with a 1960s family physician, ADoctor's Life : A Visual History of Doctors andNurses Through the Ages draws the readertoward its pages. Author Rod Storring providesbiographical snapshots of famous physicians,nurses, and midwives throughout the centuries.Like the Usborne and DK books, this book isfilled with color photographs such as: surgicaltools including knives, saws, forceps; falseteeth; historical reenactments with costumedmodels; and medical equipment such aswheelchairs, doctor bags, dried herbs, andmedicine bottles.Although the book was aimed for ages nine andabove, the curious as young as four can be foundenjoying the horrors of medical practices goneby. The book is not visually graphic althoughsome of the procedures described will delight anine-year-old boy.Joanne M. Haffly, Freelance Writer, Homeschool Mother,Gig Harbor, WA700’s—The Arts and RecreationThe Life of Jesus in Masterpieces of Art, byMary Pope Osborne. LCCN 9860316. NewYork: Viking, Penguin Putnam, 1998. ISBN0670873136, HBB, $17.99.704.9. Jesus Christ. 48 p. Gr. 3 - Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5The Life of Jesus in Masterpieces of Art doesjust what its title suggests: it clearly and simplyretells the life of Jesus and illustrates its manystories with the great masterpieces of Europeanpainters. In retelling the life of Jesus, authorMary Pope Osborne has selectively chosenevents from all four gospels and woven themtogether to read like a picture book story. Eventschosen include everything from the nativity tothe feeding of the five thousand, the Passover,the parable of the prodigal son, and thecrucifixion. The result is a full, rich, exciting,and readable story.Forty-one breath-taking illustrations areincluded in the book. Paintings by Botticelli,Brueghel, Pouissin and many other artists arebeautifully reproduced and carefully placed soas to serve as illustrations to each event depictedin the story. An Afterward reproduces thepaintings again, smaller this time. with the titlesof each painting, the names of the artists, and thecorresponding dates of either the painting or thepainter's life.The Life of Jesus in Masterpieces of Art is abeautiful book for all ages, and Mary PopeOsborne has done a wonderful job of freshlyretelling a story that has been told for the pasttwo thousand years.Kerri A. Cunningham, Librarian, Camano Island, WA800’s—Literature & RhetoricBiographies of Christian Authors Who Writefor Young Readers, Vol.1 & 2, by PeggyPickering. Fishers, Ind.: Peggy Pickering,1992. ISBN , PAP, $20.00.809. Authors--Christian. 146 and 101 p. K - Adult.Quality—3 Acceptability—5In her two volumes on Biographies of ChristianAuthors Who Write for Young Readers, PeggyPickering specifically addresses young readers.She highlights topics of interest to the targetgroup: the lives of the authors as children, theireducation, spiritual experiences they have had,what they have written, what led them tobecome writers—and specifically writers forchildren, their families, and their otheroccupations, past and present. In both volumesentries are arranged alphabetically by theauthors' last names. (In each volume, ahusband-and-wife team is treated as a singleentry.) Each entry begins on a new page, andmost entries are one to two pages in length, withonly a few shorter or longer than that. Noillustrations are included on the single-column 81/2 x 11 inch pages with standard manuscriptmargins. All entries begin with lists of children'stitles written by those authors and nearly all endwith addresses for writing to the authors.Several of the entries are primarily short miniautobiographieswritten by the authors, or lettersby them which are addressed to children.Interview format is used in a few other entries.Most entries include at least some directquotations from the authors. Consistentlyaddressing her young readers as "you,"Pickering frequently adds her own editorialcomments or rhetorical questions.Entries for women outnumber those for men.Each volume includes thirteen men among thefifty-two entries in Volume One and the thirtynineentries in Volume Two. If women authorsare married, widowed, or divorced, Pickeringconsistently refers to them by their married lastnames, even when relating childhood events.For many women, there is nothing in the entrywhich indicates what the woman's maiden namehad been, while for others the form of the namemay provide a clue. More than half of theentries in Volume One contain the authors'birthdates, plus a few with birth years. Most ofthe entries in Volume Two give no birthinformation. While there is no index in VolumeOne, a two-page index to Volume Two includesseries, topics, and two individual book titles.Occasional errors (mostly typographical andspelling) appear in titles of books or series, anda couple in authors' names. This could hamperchildren or adults using these volumes forreference. For several of the authors included inVolume One, their books for young readers arenow out of print, although many may still beavailable in homes and libraries. Approximatelyone-third of the authors included by Pickeringappear in Walker's Developing Christian FictionCollections for Children and Adults, and Walkerhas short biographical sketches for less than halfof those [CLJ, 4, (2/3):77,78 (1999)]. Pickeringhas brought together, in a style geared to youngreaders, information not easily found elsewhere.Donna W. Bowling, Library/Educational Consultant,Siloam Springs, ARUnder the Breadfruit Tree : Island Poems, byMonica Gunning; illustrated by FabriciaVanden Broeck. LCCN 9191408.Honesdale, Pa.: Boyds Mills, 1998. ISBN1563975394, HBB, $15.95.811. Caribbean poetry (English); Caribbean Area--Poetry. 48 p. Gr. 2 - 5.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Under the Breadfruit Tree : Island Poems is acollection of original poetry based upon poetMonica Gunning's childhood in Jamaica. Thethirty-six poems present snapshots of Gunning'sW I N T E R 2 0 0 0 2 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 NONFICTIONfamily, her friends, and the events that shapedthe lives of those in her Caribbean community.Poem topics include everything from Grandmaand Aunt Jane's bickering to best friend Connie'sdeath and night walks with Grandpa. Eachpoem serves to capture the essence of the poet'sJamaican life by portraying both the happy andthe sad times, the beautiful and theheartbreaking.Monica Gunning's poetry is wonderfully unique.Her language is rich and surprising and thepoems beautifully evoke the sights, sounds, andflavor of Jamaica. Also, poem topics are variedenough that they present a picture of the islandthat feels full and complete. Fabricio VandenBroeck's black and white illustrations aredeliberately simple yet they do an outstandingjob of visually depicting Jamaican life.Kerri A. Cunningham, Librarian, Camano Island, WATea Party Today : Poems to Sip and Savor, byEileen Spinelli; illustrated by Karen Dugan.LCCN 9777901. Honesdale, Pa.: Wordsong,Boyds Mills Press, 1999. ISBN 1563976625,HBB, $15.95.811.54. Parties--Poetry; American poetry. 32 p. Gr. 1- 4.Quality—5 Acceptability—5In the introduction to Tea Party Today: Poems toSip and Savor, author Eileen Spinelli shares herfirst childhood memories of tea parties. Shedelights the reader with sometimes silly,sometimes serious poems about having tea aloneor with friends, in bed or at the beach.Illustrator Karen Dugan's cheerful picturesreflect the multicultural audience which TeaParty Today targets. Unlike other tea partybooks which are directed toward girls, this bookappeals to both sexes.The author includes teatime tips along with eachpoem. Whether the tips are recipes, invitationsideas, or tea party games, the young child is sureto find something of interest. The book wouldbe a charming gift along with a first porcelaintea set.Joanne M. Haffly, Freelance Writer, Homeschool Mother,Gig Harbor, WA900’s—Geography, History, & BiographyThe Kids Guide to the Millennium, written byAnn Love and Jane Drake; illustrated by BillSlavin. Buffalo, N.Y.: Kids Can, 1998. ISBN1550745565, HBB, $12.95.909. Millennium; Two thousand, A.D.; Civilization--History; Twenty-first century--Forecasts. 64 p. Gr. 3- 7.Quality—4 Acceptability—5Be ready for this event because there will not beanother like it, not in a thousand years. It is thecelebration of the century. The Kids Guide tothe Millennium is sixty-four pages filled withideas of celebrating the year 2000. From earthconscience,native-plant gardens to millennialmindedparty supplies, Ann Love and JaneDrake explore the possibilities of seizing themoment. Some ideas reflect on pastmillenniums. Others preserve the present orimagine the future. Children ages eight to twelvecan accomplish most activities with littlesupervision using common materials..Running through the book is a timeline ofnoteworthy events, inventions, andaccomplishments which happened in the past2000 years. The object is to feel a sense of timeand celebrate our part in it. Bill Slavin'sillustrations simplify the instructions and addhumor to the historical facts.Melinda Torgerson, Freelance Writer, Newport, WASaint Patrick, by Ann Tompert; illustrated byMichael Garland. LCCN 9772774.Honesdale, Pa.: Boyds Mills, 1998. ISBN1563976595, HBB, $14.95.921 (291). Patrick, Saint, 373?-463?--Biography;Christian saints--Ireland. 30 p. Gr. 1 - 4.Quality—5 Acceptability—5A welcome volume for teachers looking forstories of the early saints of the church,especially those connected to holidays like SaintPatrick’s Day, is Saint Patrick. The story ofPatrick’s life and work from boyhood to hisdeath is an inspiration for future missionaries.Wonderfully expressive illustrations by MichaelGarland, combined with illuminated Celtic knotborders surrounding the text, capture the settingof early life in Ireland, and the feel of ancientwritings. An author’s note on the last page givesadditional information about the writings of St.Patrick as well as some of the legends thatsurround his work. This is a book to be savored.Judy A. Driscoll, Teacher, Poulsbo, WAAlexander Graham Bell : An Inventive Life,written by Elizabeth MacLeod. Buffalo,N.Y.: Kids Can Press, 1999. ISBN1550744569, HBB, $12.95.921 (621.38). Bell, Alexander Graham, 1847-1922;Inventors--Biography. 32 p. Gr. 3 - 6.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Alexander Graham Bell is best known forinventing the telephone, but not many realize heactually invented many different things such asair conditioners, water purifiers, hydrofoils, andiceberg detectors. His life-long passion was, infact, to help the deaf communicate. In this bookauthor Elizabeth MacLeod explores his life andinventions, giving readers a fascinating look atBell's long, creative legacy. She tells us Belldidn't invent for honor or money. "Theinventor," she quotes Bell as saying, "is a manwho looks around upon the world and is notcontented with things as they are. He wants toimprove whatever he sees, he wants to benefitthe world…." MacLeod does an excellent jobshowing a balanced view of Bell's life and work.The text is set off-center to allow for sidebarsoffering colorful bits of informationcomplementing the text. An added bonus is thenumber of illustrations, rare photographs, andeven an original sketch by Bell himself. Tyingit all together is a small, detailed drawing ofAlexander Graham Bell who appears on eachpage with a bubble caption above his head,stating a bit of fact or humor. Back matterincludes a timeline of Bell's life, a list of Internetsites, and a short index. Nicely done.Kimn Swenson Gollnick, Freelance Writer & HomeschoolMother, Marysville, WAWith Open Hands : A Story About BiddyMason, by Jeri Chase Ferris; illustrated byRalph L. Ramstad. (A Creative MindsBiography.) LCCN 9816247. Minneapolis:Carolrhoda Books, Lerner Publications,1999. ISBN 1575053306, HBB, $21.27.921 (973). Mason, Biddy, 1818-1891; Slaves; Afro-Americans--Biography; Women--Biography. 64 p.Gr. 3 - 6.Quality—4 Acceptability—5With Open Hands : A Story about Biddy Masonis the biography of a black slave who becomesone of the richest women in Southern California.Bridget "Biddy" Mason was born a slave inGeorgia in 1818. Taken from her family, Biddygrows up as the property of John Smithson. Asa young adult, she is given to a Mormon couple,Robert and Rebecca Smith, as a weddingpresent.Author Jeri Chase Ferris tastefully deals withthe issue of Biddy's three illegitimate childrenfathered by slave owner Robert Smith. Biddytravels with her young children and the Smithfamily to Utah and then to Southern Californiawhere Biddy is freed from her life of slavery.There she uses her skills as a nurse to help othersand support her family. Slowly she saves hermoney until she can buy property piece bypiece, an investment that eventually proves to befinancially fruitful.Aside from nursing the sick and feeding thepoor, Biddy helps establish the First AfricanMethodist Episcopal Church (FAME) whichmeets in her home until members can afford abuilding.Throughout the book, the illustrator Ralph L.Ramstad inserts black and white drawings.Each drawing adds character and historicalflavor to the overall essence of the biography.Joanne M. Haffly, Freelance Writer, Homeschool Mother,Gig Harbor, WA★C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 2 7 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

CHILDREN’ S NONFICTIONThe Wild West, by Tim Wood. (See ThroughHistory.) LCCN 9760690. New York:Viking, Penguin Putnam, 1998. ISBN0670875287, HBB, $19.99.978. The West (U.S.); Frontier and pioneer life. 48 p.Gr. 3 - 6.Quality—5 Acceptability—5The Wild West is an informative book about howpeople discovered and later tamed the westernpart of the United States. Some of the topicscovered are: the Revolutionary War,frontiersmen, the Alamo, the buffalo, wagontrains, gold mines, cowboys, outlaws, Indians,lawmen, stagecoaches, the railroad and theIndustrial boom. The very informative text isdivided into accurate descriptions written inshort paragraph style. Illustrations range fromactual photographs to amazingly well donedrawings.This particular series has four "see-throughscenes.” One of the scenes depict prospectorspanning for gold. The see-through scene isflipped over and the reader is then able to lookat how bandits are robbing the prospectors. Onthe same topic, the reader is able to see theoutside of a large mining company and thebuilding. Numbered diagrams give the readerterms to the various aspects of the illustration,such as a prospector and settling tanks. Theother three see-through scenes are a cattle ranch,a frontier town and a railroad locomotive.An index and table of contents is available. Thisis just a fabulously entertaining way to visualizeUnited States history.Connie J. Weaver, Church Librarian, Newville, PAPeople of Salmon and Cedar, by Ron Hirschi;illustrated by Deborah Cooper withphotographs by Edward S. Curtis. LCCN9433075. New York: Cobblehill Books,Penguin Putnam, 1996. ISBN 0525651837,HBB, $16.99.979.7. Indians of North America--Fishing--Washington (State); Indians of North America--Food--Washington (State); Cedar--Social aspects--Washington (State). 42 p. Gr. 4 - 8.Quality—5 Acceptability—3Ron Hirschi grew up in the Pacific Northwestand worked as a fisheries biologist for the PortGamble S' Klallam Tribe (also known as"Clallum"). During that time, he learned muchabout coastal tribal customs regarding fishingand hunting, which he weaves throughout thisnonfiction book.The author describes the devastating deaths ofNorthwest Native Americans after theEuropeans exposed them to smallpox in the1850s. He also mentions the treaties offered tothe tribes, which were violated soon after, andthe terrible poverty and trauma of the tribes.Unfortunately, Hirschi's narrative of eventscomes across as slanted, with negativegeneralizations of white settlers, while nativepeoples are cast as all-wise, all-knowing, trueconservationists. The author also makes broadstatements without quoting sources. He doesnot include a bibliography or recommendedreading list, which may have been helpful tostudents. Readers should also be aware Hirschistates pantheistic beliefs as facts, such as: "Allparts of the earth are sacred," directing readersto embrace "giving thanks to the cedar" andsalmon in a spiritual sense of obligation andgratitude. Also, one illustration depicting"salmon people" includes partial nudity.This is a tough book to rate. It's beautiful andmuch of the information about NorthwestNative Americans is interesting. The originalphotographs obtained from the University ofWashington Special Collections department adddepth and interest. Careful teachers might inviteolder students to separate fact from the apparentbiases behind the text and discuss them.Kimn Swenson Gollnick, Freelance Writer & HomeschoolMother, Marysville, WAzxW I N T E R 2 0 0 0 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 NONFICTIONMany series titles are similar incomposition and quality to other titles inthe series. Following are some seriestitles from series we have previouslyreviewed. Readers are referred back tothe original review for furtherinformation about the series.Celebrate the States, Tarrytown, N.Y.:Benchmark Books, HBB, $24.95.Last reviewed Fall.1998.Quality—3 Acceptability—5Wyoming, by Guy Baldwin. LCCN9738590, ISBN 76140662X, 1999.978.7. Wyoming. 144 p.Kentucky, by Tracy Barrett. LCCN9738589, ISBN 0761406573, 1999.976.9. Kentucky. 144 p.West Virginia, by Nancy Hoffman. LCCN9732927, ISBN 0761406654, 1999.975.4. West Virginia. 144 p.Rhode Island, by Ted Klein. LCCN9747727, ISBN 0761404171, 1999.974.5. Rhode Island. 144 p.New Mexico, by Melissa McDaniel.LCCN 9826425, ISBN 76140659X, 1999.978.9. New Mexico. 144 p.New Hampshire, by Steve Otfinoski.LCCN 9750379, ISBN 0761406697, 1999.974.2. New Hampshire. 144 p.Minnesota, by Martin Schwabacher.LCCN 9839891, ISBN 0761406581, 1999.977.6. Minnesota. 144 p.Ohio, by Victoria Sherrow. LCCN9715041, ISBN 0761406565, 1999.977.1. Ohio. 144 p.Mississippi, by David Shirley. LCCN9819496, ISBN 0761406646, 1999.976.2. Mississippi. 144 p.Washington, by Rebecca Stefoff. LCCN9748937, ISBN 0761404228, 1999.979.7. Washington. 144 p.Arkansas, by Linda Jacobs Altman. LCCN9843959, ISBN 0761406727, 2000.976.7. Arkansas. 144 p.Massachusetts, by Suzanne LeVert. LCCN9852549, ISBN 0761406662, 2000.974.4. Massachusetts. 144 p.New Jersey, by Wendy Moragne. LCCN9843948, ISBN 0761406735, 2000.974.9. New Jersey. 144 p.Maryland, by Leslie Rauth. LCCN9843960, ISBN 0761406719, 2000.975.2. Maryland. 144 p.Idaho, by Rebecca Stefoff. LCCN9848995, ISBN 0761406638, 2000.979.6. Idaho. 144 p.First Field Guide, New York: Scholastic,HBB, $17.95.Last reviewed Winter/Spring.1999.Quality—5 Acceptability—5National Audubon Society First FieldGuide to Trees, by Brian Cassie. (FirstField Guide.) LCCN 9821855, ISBN590054724, 1999.582.16. Trees. 159 p.National Audubon Society First FieldGuide to Reptiles, by John L. Behler.(First Field Guide.) LCCN 988332, ISBN590054678, 1999.597.9. Reptiles. 160 p.If You Were a.. New York: BenchmarkBooks, HBB, $14.95.Last reviewed Winter/Spring.1999.Quality—4 Acceptability—5If You Were a.. Ballplayer, by VirginiaSchomp. (If You Were a..) LCCN9912651, ISBN 761409173, 2000.796.3. Ball games, Athletes, Occupations,Vocational guidance. 32 p.If You Were a.. Pilot, by Virginia Schomp.(If You Were a..) LCCN 9932142, ISBN76140919X, 2000.629.13. Aeronautics--Vocational guidance, Airpilots, Airplanes--Piloting, Occupations,Vocational guidance. 32 p.If You Were a.. Teacher, by VirginiaSchomp. (If You Were a..) LCCN9934643, ISBN 761409165, 2000.371.1. Teachers, Teaching--Vocationalguidance, Occupations, Vocational guidance.32 p.If You Were a.. Zookeeper, by VirginiaSchomp. (If You Were a..) LCCN9834701, ISBN 761409181, 2000.636.088. Zoo keepers, Zoos, Occupations,Vocational guidance. 32 p.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 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

BOOK REVIEWSYOUNG ADULT FICTIONThe Monkey Tree, by Janet S. Anderson.LCCN 9824315. New York: Dutton, PenguinPutnam, 1998. ISBN 0525460322, HBB,$15.99.F. Artists--Fiction; Self-perception--Fiction; Familylife--Fiction; Friendship--Fiction; Great-uncles--Fiction. 152 p. Gr. 5 - 8.Quality—4 Acceptability—4Susanna and her family come across the countryto her Grandmother’s funeral in a small farmingvillage. Susanna is introverted and gifted in art,and has recently lost her two best friends: onemoved away, and the other abandoned her to amore popular set. Susanna is at a very painfultime and trying to find herself. Her grandmotherhas kept her own brother Louie in a roomupstairs for twenty years, taking care of him inhis mental illness. As Susanna gets to knowUncle Louie and enjoy the beautiful art work inhis room, she dreams of helping him to becomenormal through their similar gifts. Her dreamdoes not work out, but she comes to know whattrue friendship is really about and what isimportant in her life.The neighbor girl, April, is involved in thechurch youth group, and becomes a friend. Sheis very, very fat; and some description of thismay be offensive, as the girl’s father calls hernames like “lard-butt.” April seems to deal withthis abuse in some decent coping ways, but alsoby eating what she feels like eating.Janet Anderson masterfully weaves descriptionsof the physical surroundings through herobvious love of art. She notes patterns andbeauty and makes the reader see the old houseand the events that happen. Some of herlanguage is poetic: “Space and silence clearedthings, just as they always did, cleared the air.”“Would she ever know it again, that solid, safe,certain sense of who she was, where shebelonged?” She also hooks the reader intoSusanna’s feelings and thoughts about her life,as she empathizes with and serves her greatuncle.Parts of the book seem a little strange,almost surreal in the way people treat each other,but it is because we are brought into the middleof a real life type scenario depicting life as it is.Judy Belcher, Teacher, Bremerton, WALost in the War, by Nancy Antle. LCCN9718234. New York: Dial Books for YoungReaders, Penguin Putnam, 1998. ISBN0803722990, HBB, $15.99.F. Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975--Fiction; Schools--Fiction; Depression, Mental--Fiction. 137 p. Gr. 4 -8.Quality—5Acceptability—5While her aunt is out of town, Lisa Grey mustcalm and comfort her mother during a storm.During this storm, her mother, who is a VietnamWar veteran, relives the agony of war. Duringthe war that took her husband’s life, Lisa’smother served as an army nurse. When Lisa’smother became depressed, she left her job as anemergency room nurse to become a school nurseat Lisa’s school. Lisa begins to notice situationsthat frighten her mother. A student injured insoftball game triggers memories of a young manshe tended and comforted while he died in thewar. Lisa sees how this affects her mother. Sheis able to deal with her feelings of loss as sherealizes that her mother is dealing with feelingsof loss and trauma.Antle expresses the feelings that Lisa worksthrough as any twelve-year-old might deal withdifficult situations. The honesty of unsurefeelings about discussing the Vietnam War inclass when her family is having such troublebecause of the war will compel the reader tocontinue the story. The universal story ofrealizing that our parents are individuals whohave dealt with pain and do not have all theanswers will connect with readers.Carol M. Jones, Children’s Librarian, Champaign, ILWilderness, by Karen Ball. Sisters, Ore.:Palisades, Multnomah Publishers, 1999.ISBN 1576735524, PAP, $6.99.F. Romance fiction; Christian fiction. Gr. 11 -Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Mady and her best friend, Eva, promised eachother that if they were still single at age thirtyfive,they would do something outrageoustogether, like take a survival adventure trip inthe northern Cascades of Washington.Unfortunately Eva’s last-minute broken legrequires Mady to go by herself, unsure of howshe’ll fit in with a group of total strangers forfour days. She becomes even more disheartenedwhen she finds herself paired with Jason, a manwho brings out the worst in her, including hertemper, and her natural tendency to be accidentprone.Jason is not too thrilled to be on this trip either,when he discovers he’ll be spending timeinexperienced folk, rather than ruggedoutdoorsmen up for any challenge. Hedefinitely does not want to be paired withanyone he’ll have to protect, or “shepherd,”even though he is naturally gifted in that area.Once a brilliant preacher, Jason is running fromGod, with a hardened heart and a cynicalattitude toward life. He wants nothing to dowith Mady, whose faith in God seemsunshakable.As partners, Mady and Jason reluctantly set outfor their last adventure experience of thetrip–finding their way to four checkpoints andback, relying on only a map, a compass, andeach other. When Mady slips off a cliff into araging river and Jason follows her, they findthemselves far from any check points, with noradio, no map, and no easy way back. As theywork together to survive in the wilderness forthree days, Mady’s faith is challenged insignificant ways, and Jason’s heart is graduallysoftened enough for him to hear the Lord callinghim to come home, like the prodigal son.Wilderness starts off like any typical romance,but it soon plumbs the depths of importantspiritual truths. Karen Ball has written apowerful story in Wilderness, a book that is atestament to the sufficiency of God to supply allour needs—not wantsÑeven in the most tryingof circumstances. Mady and Jason’s storiesremind us that Christians will experience trialsand troubles in this world; God will not shield usfrom themÑbut neither will he desert us. He isthere to walk with us through the most difficulttimes. Jason learns a hard lesson about servingGod over self, and letting go of pride; and Madylearns the importance of following Godwherever He leads, even if obedience bringshardship.Sherri Beeler, Teacher, Medford, ORMaverick Mania, by Sigmund Brouwer.(Sports Mystery Series; 1.) LCCN 9814576.Nashville: Tommy Nelson, Thomas Nelson,1998. ISBN 084995813X, PAP, $5.99.F. Kidnapping--Fiction; Soccer--Fiction; Mysteryfiction. 115 p. Gr. 5 - 8.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Maverick Mania features Caleb Riggins, star ofthe high school soccer team, who is groundedfrom playing in any of the elimination gameswhich could send his team to the nationals. Hecomes to the fourth game, but his father forciblyremoves him from the field. Matt Carr, Caleb’sfriend, is worried about Caleb and goes to seehim. The house is deserted and protected byguard dogs kept in check by an invisible fence.W I N T E R / S P R I N G , 1 9 9 9 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

YOUNG ADULTFICTIONA Note from the Editor: by Sylvia StopforthCLASSICSREVISITEDWe would like to share our secondannotated list of classics with our CLJreaders.BOYDS MILLS PRESSThe Emperor’s New Clothes, retold byChristine San Jose, illustrated by AnasstaijaArchipowa, 1998, HBB, $15.95. Preschool- Grade 4.Archipowa’s illustrations have a certainaged quality, as if they’ve been tucked awayin someone’s attic for many years. Thisquality lends an air of faded elegance to thesumptuous costumes and extravagant wigsparading across the pages of Hans ChristianAndersen’s humorous and insightful tale ofan emperor fallen prey to a galloping caseof the vanities. With her retelling, ChristineSan Jose infuses the story with a newliveliness. Her occasional asides draw thereader into the narrative. This book’s largeformat and clean, white backgrounds makeit an excellent choice for a story-timesession.The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, byWashington Irving, illustrated by MichaelGarland, 1992, HBB, $15.95, 62 p. Allages.This edition of Irving’s classic Americanfolktale, first published in 1820, is aluxurious wallow for readers of all ages.The author indulges himself in unhurrieddescriptions of abundant, lush countryside;his words are chosen as much for theirshape and sound as for their meaning.Illustrator Michael Garland takes an equallyindulgent approach to his work, makinglavish use of color and realistic detail, sothat Ichabod’s prominent proboscis fairlyleaps off the page. All of this provides theideal context for the tale of theoverconfident and highly suggestibleIchabod, whose senses—particularly in thecullinary arena—are almost feverish in theirintensity.HERALD PRESSHenner’s Lydia, by Marguerite de Angeli,1998, PBB, $14.95, 72 p. Preschool—Grade 4.Award-winning author and gifted artist,Marguerite de Angeli wrote and illustratedHenner’s Lydia in the 1930’s. Lydia’sfather, Henry—or Henner as he is known—has promised her that she can accompanyhim on his next trip to the market inLancaster, but only if she completes her firstpiece-work, a small hooked rug. Lydia hasthe best intentions, but there are so manywonderful things to see and do in theConestoga Valley in the fall, and her quickmind is easily distracted. The author’ssketchy drawings, some in black and white,others in vibrant autumnal colors, perfectlycomplement the abundant yet simple life ofher Amish characters. Her narrative voice, acomfortable blend of fractured English andGerman, rounds out this heartwarming tale,pleasing to both the eye and the ear.VIKINGThe Little Mermaid and Other Fairy Tales,by Hans Christian Andersen, collected andwith an introduction by Neil Philip,illustrated by Isabelle Brent, 1998, HBB,$21.99, 139 p. All ages.Complete with gilt-edged pages and jeweltonedillustrations by Isabelle Brent, thiscollection of Andersen’s tales will delightchildren of all ages—and discerning adultsas well. Tucked between the colorfulborders, reminiscent of illustratedmanuscripts, traditional favorites such as“The Emperor’s New Clothes” and “TheLittle Match Girl” rub shoulders with theless familiar “The Goblin at the Grocer’s,”or “The Gardener and His Master.”Whatever the title, the reader can expect atale that captivates and entertains, whilesimultaneously revealing the the hiddendepths of human nature.VIKINGThe Whole StoryFrankenstein, by Mary Shelley, illustratedby Philippe Munch, 1997, HBB, 25.99, 253p. Gr. 7 and up.With their “The Whole Story” series, Vikinghas taken a novel approach (no punintended) to the reprinting of classics. Thepaper is thick and and glossy, margins arewide and friendly, and pictures aregenerously distributed throughout; but inaddition to the new illustrations by Munch,these books contain reprints of old etchings,diagrams showing scientific discoveries ofthe time, and brief biographical sketcheswhich help to shed light upon unclear, datedreferences within the narrative. This allowsreaders of Shelley’s timeless classic toexperience her tale with some sense of howreaders of her time might have approachedit.WILLIAM MORROW AND COMPANYBooks of WonderA Child’s Garden of Verses, by Robert LouisStevenson, illustrated by Diane Goode,1998, HBB, $18.00, 119 p. All ages.Stevenson was a somewhat sickly child, andso his whimsical reflections on childhoodare often touched by a certain poignancy.While they are firmly rooted in the concreteworld of ants, whistles, and toy soldiers,they also manage to convey the intangibles,the immediacy of childhood, the short butintensely lived joys, and the dreams thatsometimes seem more real than the wakingworld.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 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

YOUNG ADULTFICTIONA Child’s Garden of Verses was firstpublished in 1885, with no illustrations.Since that time, many artists have tried tocapture the spirit of his words. DianeGoode’s rumpled pastel children dancethrough puddles, tumble in the hayloft, andcrown themselves king and queen, withconfidence and delight. No page escapesher creative flourishes. The table ofcontents and clearly numbered pagesfacilitate quick access to favorites, while theheavy paper and reinforced binding providea durable receptacle for these gems.More Books of WonderThe Jungle Book: The Mowgli Stories, byRudyard Kipling, illustrated by JerryPinkney, 1995, HBB, $ 258 p. All agesThe Lost Princess of Oz, by L. Frank Baum,illustrated by John R. Neill, 1998, HBB,$24.00, 318 p. Gr. 1—5.——Rinkitink in Oz, 1998, HBB, $22.00,318 p. Gr. 1—5.The Story of Doctor Dolittle, by HughLofting, illustrated by Michael Hague, 1997,HBB, $20.00, 159 p. All ages.Tales of Edgar Allan Poe, illustrated byBarry Moser, 1991, HBB, $ 308 p. Gr. 8and up.The Three Musketeers, by AlexandreDumas, illustrated by Tom Kidd, 1998,HBB, $25.00, 633 p. Gr. 5 and up.All of Morrow’s Books of Wonder have thelook and feel of books from another era,when books were prized possessions, to becherished, read again and again, and passeddown through generations. Thesereinforced trade editions are all hardcover,and have a most satisfying heft, thanks tothe smooth, cream-colored paper. They areall graced with striking, full-page colorplates and are a pleasure to handle as wellas to read. The tales of Dumas, Kipling,and Poe have been reissued intact, but someminor changes were made to Lofting’sengaging story of the doctor who communeswith the animals. Patricia and FredrickMcKissack took pains to maintain theintegrity of the original, while revising someof the more disturbing references to racialstereotypes. Baum’s books deserve specialmention, because some of our readers maynot be aware that the famous author of thebook Hollywood immortalized in “TheWizard of Oz” wrote many more tales set inhis fantasic world. These books are printedin a larger typeface, and each sports overone hundred of Neill’s original illustrations,including a dozen full-page color plates.Baum’s rollicking yarns are peopled withthe progeny of a vivid and fertileimagination, yet they lay claim to a simplecharm, with their gentle morals and kindheartedprotagonists.WM. B. EERDMANS PUBLISHING CO.The Christian Eclectic Readers, by WilliamH. McGuffey, revised by Charles and BettyBurger, 1998, PBB, $50.00. Gr. 1—10.—The Christian Eclectic First Reader,81 p.—The Christian Eclectic Second Reader,193 p.—The Christian Eclectic Third Reader,160 p.—The Christian Eclectic Fourth Reader,363 p.—Study Guide to the Christian EclecticReaders, 193 p.The McGuffy Readers have been arespected resource for teachers andhomeschool parents for well over a century.(They even received mention in an episodeof The Little House on the Prairie televisionseries!) Originally published in 1836, TheChristian Eclectic Readers provide a tenyearcurriculum within a Christian context.Each lesson is followed by questions andvocabulary lists, which facilitate instructionin comprehension, reading, and spellingskills. The first four volumes of this fivevolumeset have been revised and edited bythe Burgers, consultants, writers, editors,and homeschool parents. They haveretained the flavor of the original, and whilethis makes for some interesting historicalobservations, children brought up on Novaand the National Geographic may findsome of the natural science referencesoutdated and inaccurate. Betty Burger hasadded a fifth volume, a study guide forinstructors, which presents generaloverviews, goals, and guidelines for eachlesson. Appendices include suggestedsources for project ideas and sampleoutlines for assignments.Matt notices a folded piece of paper stuck in oneof the dog’s collars. The next night with hisfriend Steve, Matt recovers the note and finds itto be a plea for help from Caleb. The two stakeout the Riggins’ home and follow Mr. Rigginswhen he shows up. Mr. Riggins captures Steve,not knowing that Matt is hiding, and takes him tojoin Caleb. Mr. Riggins, who is not reallyCaleb’s father, is intent on killing both Steve andCaleb and only quick thinking by Matt avertstheir demise.Sigmund Brower scores a goal with soccer fansand mystery buffs grades six through eight as hecreates believable characters with dimension.The writing, sprinkled with clues to help thereader solve the mystery and with a moral lessonabout appreciating family no matter howdifferent they may seem, is fast-paced enoughfor reluctant readers. Matt, the main character, isa person young people can relate to. Eventhough Matt’s life isn’t perfect, he grows toappreciate his family despite their quirkiness.Eileen Zygarlicke, Freelance Writer & Editor, Grand Forks,NDWings of Dawn, by Sigmund Brouwer.Colorado Springs: Chariot Victor Books,1999. ISBN 1564767566, PAP, $12.99.F. . 456 p. Gr. 11 - Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Thomas is a Merlin, part of a small, secret groupchosen to fight the corruption of the Druids inthe 1300’s, much as the legendary Merlin usedhis druidic knowledge as a sword ofrighteousness against the evil Druids of his day.Reared as an orphan, Thomas is trained andprepared from his childhood to avenge the deathof his parents and re-establish his rightfulposition as ruler of Magnus—once thestronghold of Merlins, now under druidiccontrol. With the help of a mysterious knight, astrange old man, a beautiful young womanposing as a horribly scarred servant, and achurch custodian, Thomas begins his quest.Complications arise when it is clear that Thomasdoes not understand many of the mysteriessurrounding his quest and the secrets of Magnus.Furthermore, he does not know who to trust ashe unravels bits and pieces of the story.W I N T E R 2 0 0 0 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

YOUNG ADULTFICTIONLikewise, the Merlins who wish to help himcannot fully trust him or reveal themselves tohim. They fear that when his nurse and teacherdied, Thomas may have been contacted andswayed by the enemy, and may have committedhimself to the druidic cause. Until Thomas’loyalties are tested, nothing can be revealed thatmight destroy generations of the Merlins’ workin combating the druidic plans to take control ofsociety. Their goal is to undermine the people’strue faith in God, causing them to question theking of England’s power (which the peoplebelieve is given him by the Roman church andthe authority of God), thus allowing the Druidsto seize control.Through his trials, Thomas, who has seen thecorruption of the church and rejected anythingto do with God, comes to recognize the powerand reality of God and the importance ofbringing the light of truth into the world,regardless of the personal cost. Ultimately he,along with the help of the few remainingMerlins, is successful in his quest for truth, butonly after great struggle, persecution,misunderstanding, and frustration.Wings of Dawn, by Sigmund Brouwer(originally published as Magnus in 1995) has anintricate plot; the reader is constantly surprisedat the events that unfold. Indeed, at times thetwists and turns of the story are so rapid andcomplex that it becomes difficult to follow, oreven to know what to believe and whichcharacters to trust. In this sense, the reader is aspuzzled as Thomas is, as he sorts out themystery surrounding Thomas’ birth, his quest,and the Merlins. Brouwer has created a storywith appealing characters and a clear message ofthe importance of knowledge and truth inpreventing darkness from sweeping the landthrough ignorance and superstition. Brouweralso points out the clear distinction betweenfaith, which is God-made, and religion, which isman-made and therefore often flawed orsusceptible to corruption.Sherri Beeler, Teacher, Medford, ORHeat, by Michael Cadnum. LCCN 9740938.New York: Viking, Penguin Putnam, 1998.ISBN 0670878863, HBB, $15.99.F. Diving--Fiction; Accidents--Fiction; Fathers anddaughters--Fiction; Remarriage--Fiction. 196 p. Gr. 7- 10.Quality—3 Acceptability—3Bonnie Chamberlain is a high schoolsophomore whose life centers around diving forher school’s swim team. The book opens aftershe has hit her head on the diving platform. Theplot of the book moves through Bonnie’sphysical and emotional recovery from herconcussion. Although the doctors release her todive again she wages emotional battle with herunfamiliar fear of diving.Written in first person from Bonnie’s viewpoint,the story has a great amount of interiormonologue. Her thoughts and insights containmaturity and adult speech patterns beyond ahigh school sophomore. Michael Cadnumeffectively takes the reader deep into the worldof competitive diving, but he lacks goodtransition from chapter to chapter. Even withinscenes, Cadnum jerks the reader around inBonnie’s interior dialogues, jumping among themany subplots. Too frequent flashbacks causeconfusion, distracting the reader from thepresent story. Cadnum includes many scenes ofirrelevant material.There is a little profanity. And, allthoughCadnum resolves Bonnie’s emotional conflictwith diving again, none of the subplots are tiedup. The book ends abruptly.Jo Huddleston, Freelance Writer, Author, Former Teacher,Auburn, ALP.S. Longer Letter Later, by Paula Danzigerand Ann M. Martin. LCCN 9719120. NewYork: Scholastic, Scholastic, 1998. ISBN0590213105, HBB, $15.95.F. Friendship--Fiction; Moving, Household--Fiction;Letters--Fiction. 234 p. Gr. 6 - 8.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Elizabeth and Tara*Starr are the best of friendsuntil an awful thing happens. Tara*Starr'sparents move to Ohio and the friends are splitapart. Elizabeth is quiet and shy whereasTara*Starr is an outgoing, independent free soul.The girls tell each other in letters what ishappening in their lives. Tara*Starr consolesElizabeth when her dad has been down sizedfrom his executive position. Elizabeth's parentsmust learn how to budget money for the firsttime in their lives. Unfortunately, Elizabeth'sdad does not handle the layoff very well, turningto alcohol and overspending on his credit cards.Tara*Starr joins the drama club, makes newfriends, goes out on a date but also learns thather parents are about to have a baby. Tara*Starrdoes not want a new baby therefore, she ignoresher parents. Meanwhile, Elizabeth must leaveher mansion to live in a one bedroom apartment.As the year progresses, the girls have to learnhow to deal not only with their families but alsoon how to maintain a long distance relationshipthat does not always ride smoothly.So much is conveyed throughout the reading ofthese two friends' letters to each other that thereader really feels a part of the girls' lives. PaulaDanziger (The Cat Ate My Gymsuit) and AnnMartin (The Babysitters Club Series) havedevised an extremely creative way to portrayhow these girls will experience the ups anddowns of real life friendships.Connie Weaver, Church Librarian, Newville, PASecond Cousins, by Virginia Hamilton.LCCN 9812859. New York: The Blue SkyPress, Scholastic, 1998. ISBN 0590473689,HBB, $14.95.F. Cousins--Fiction; Afro-Americans--Fiction. 168 p.Gr. 6 - 8.Quality—3 Acceptability—3After witnessing the drowning of her cousinPatty Ann, twelve-year-old Cammy wonders ifher life will ever be the same. Little does sheknow that the future holds nothing but changesfor her. Elodie, Cammy’s twelve-year-old thirdcousin, comes to live with Cammy and the twobecome inseparable. The anticipation of theirfamily reunion keeps them excited. However,when Cammie and Elodie meet cousins fromQueens, New York, their relationship with eachother changes as the four cousins try to forgebonds with one another. Cammie, feeling herfriendship with Elodie threatened by thepresence of one of the cousins, finds herselfbecoming attached to the other New Yorkcousin. Through a series of events, Cammiediscovers that one of her New York cousins, theone she has befriended, is really her sister.Although the summer has a surprise ending,Cammie comes to realize that change happensand it can be good.Author Virginia Hamilton uses fragmentedsentences and thoughts to communicate theideas of Cammy to the reader. Although SecondCousins is interesting and unique, young readersmay have difficulty becoming interested in thestory since the writing is jerky rather thansmooth. The story is written from the point ofview of a young black girl, using authentic blackdialect. The plot is a bit slow.Eileen Zygarlicke, Freelance Writer & Editor, GrandForks, NDHonor's Quest, by Kristen Heitzmann.(Rocky Mountain Legacy; 3.) Minneapolis:Bethany House, 1999. ISBN 0764220330,PAP, $9.99.F. Colorado--Fiction; Frontier and pioneer life--Fiction; Christian fiction. 283 p. Gr. 11 - Adult.Quality—3 Acceptability—5In Book Three of the Rocky Mountain Legacy,Abbie Farrel faces a series of changes and eventragedy in her life. A visit to Charleston forAbbie and her husband Monte, is prompted bythe death of Monte's sister, Francis, and arequest that the couple raise her young daughter,Jeannette. Three-year-old "Jenny" has had littlecorrection or discipline during her lifetime and itfalls to Abbey to provide all of the lovingdiscipline that the child requires.As the small family returns to their ranch inColorado, Abbey learns that the pregnancy shehas longed for has finally become a fact. Whileshe and Monte work to build up their ranch andanticipate the birth of their first child, tragedyhits their family. Suddenly Abbie is left withoverwhelming responsibility, grief, andconsuming anger. In her determination to savethe ranch for her child, she rejects the help of theman who promised to look after her.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 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

YOUNG ADULTFICTIONThe author provides a spiritual dimension toAbbie's struggle as she comes to terms with thecharacter of God and His sovereign will.Honor's Quest is best read as part of the series.Donna E. Brown, Church Librarian, Portland, ORAn Unlikely Prince, by Barbara Jean Hicks.(Once Upon a Dream.) Colorado Springs:Waterbrook Press, 1998. ISBN 1578561221,PAP, $6.95.F. Humorous fiction. 254 p. Gr. 11 - Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Suzie Wyatt doesn't know quite what to thinkwhen she encounters Mr. Stuff-Shirt, HarrisonHunt. Her new neighbor may be handsome, buthe certainly isn't Prince Charming. But allHarrison really wants is some peace and quiet,some solitude in which to write his book. Hesoon discovers there's no such commoditywhenever Suzie's around. Suzie and her daycarechildren drive him absolutely crazy withtheir noise and antics. His other neighbor, thesourly Mrs. Pfefferkuchen, has a solution—shutdown the day-care. Harrison can't help butagree.It's not Suzie's fault she encounters one disasterafter another trying to befriend Harrison. Somethings simply can't be controlled. It's just thatpoor Harrison always seems to be at the wrongplace at the wrong time. Harrison soondiscovers, though, fun-loving Suzie has theability to melt hearts—especially his. But is ittoo late? Helping Mrs. Pfefferkuchen shut downthe day-care center certainly won't help himscore any points with the woman.Barbara Jean Hicks injects a wonderful dose ofhumor into this story and its characters. Readerswill smile and even laugh aloud as the pageswhiz by. An Unlikely Prince is a uniqueromance filled with spiritual truths dealing incompassion and humbleness. The author takesgreat pains to make the hero different,unstereotypical, and she successfully pulls it off.Harrison is a methodical, shy, uptight man whocan blush, but he also has the ability to beromantic without changing who he is.Beth Loughner, Freelance Writer, Registered Nurse,Columbus, OHThe Maze, by Will Hobbs. LCCN 9810791.New York: Morrow Junior Books, WilliamMorrow, 1998. ISBN 0688150926, HBB,$15.00.F. Runaways--Fiction; Foster home care--Fiction;Condors--Fiction; Endangered species--Fiction;Wildlife conservation--Fiction; Canyonlands NationalPark (Utah)--Fiction. 198 p. Gr. 7 - 12.Quality—5 Acceptability—5The Maze by Will Hobbs begins as Rick Walker,fearing for his life, escapes from Blue CanyonYouth Detention Center in the Nevada desert.While trying to get as far away from Nevada aspossible, he stows away in the back of a truckand find himself in Utah, at the CanyonlandNational Park, just outside a network of canyonsknown as the Maze. He stumbles into the campof Lon Peregrino, a biologist who reintroducescondors into the wild. As Rick spends time withLon, he begins to help with the work ofmonitoring the young condors, and eventuallycomes to love and respect them as much as Lon.This also gives Rick time to do some soulsearching and forgiving, which Lon encourageshim to do. Rick is also involved in helping toprotect the condors from men who want to lootthe area’s Native American ruins, and whoeventually want Lon and Rick out of there, at allcosts.Award winner Will Hobbs has written anothergreat book that uses the natural beauty of adesert and six majestic condors to bring a youngboy to the simple act of forgiveness. Althoughthere are no mentions of God in this book, thereis a sense that Rick is moved by the beauty ofcreation. The reader is able to see the struggle inRick as he tries to come to terms with his pastand those who have let him down. Thecharacterization is full and complete and there isenough action to keep a youth’s interest.Canyonlands National Park truly exists and Mr.Hobbs does include a brief description of howhe came to use this park in his story. A helpfulmap of the park is included.Patricia A. Youmans, MLIS, Homeschool Parent, SiloamSprings, ARAshes and Lace, by B. J. Hoff. (Song of Erin;2) LCCN 9933318. Wheaton, Ill.: TyndaleHouse, 1999. ISBN 0842314792, PAP, $11.99.F. Irish Americans--New York (State)--Fiction;Christian fiction. 421 p. Gr. 10 - Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5When Terese Sheridan begins her voyage fromIreland to America with two orphans in tow andan illegitimate baby on the way, she littlesuspects the challenges she will face. Teresehopes to be reunited with her brother Cavan, heronly family member yet living. However, whenshe is detained at the docks in a quarantinehospital with terrible living conditions, Terese isdriven to desperate measures. She steals anotherwoman's health certificate to escape quarantine,and then finds herself on the streets of New Yorkwith no place to go. Severely stricken bypneumonia shortly thereafter, Terese collapses,and awakens in a mission hospital after a closebrush with death. Here she is tenderly cared forby the good Doctor Leslie, and by the genteelSamantha Harte, the sweetheart ofnewspapermen, Jack Kane, who is Cavan'semployer.Jack has always been a man in control—a manwho could get whatever he wanted if he pushedhard enough—everything, that is, exceptSamantha. Though she loves him deeply,Samantha refuses to marry Jack because he doesnot share her faith in God, and because she hadbeen so abused by her now-deceased husbandthat she would be unable to give Jack children.Jack pressures Terese into giving her illegitimatechild up for his adoption, thinking that if he cangive Samantha a child in this way, he canconvince her to marry him. When Terese, whoclaimed that the child was a product of rape,reveals that the child's father is actually BradyKane, Jack's wayward brother, Jack unleasheshis explosive anger, and his violence frightensSamantha. When he comes to his senses, Jackfears he has lost her trust and any chance of afuture relationship.Not until Jack loses all he has worked for whenan arson burns his newspaper building to theground does he realize what is truly important.Jack goes into the burning building to save thelife of a young boy trapped inside. The situationis hopeless, but he hears the Lord's reassuringvoice as snatches of scripture flow through hismind. Jack cries out to the Lord in completesurrender, and God miraculously delivers himand the boy through the fire without a burn.Ultimately Jack is reconciled with Samantha,Terese, and eventually his own brother, Brady.He grows in his faith and becomes a strong,godly influence through his rebuilt newspaper,the Vanguard.Ashes and Lace by B.J. Hoff is the second andfinal book in the Song of Erin series. Hoff takesan unflinching look at the corrupt nature ofmankind and shows how God can bring aboutchange in even the hardest of hearts and thedarkest of lives. Jack surrenders to the Lord hisneed to be in control; Samantha allows the Lordto teach her to trust again, and to heal her fromyears of physical abuse; Terese learns to acceptGod's forgiveness for her promiscuity andfoolish choices; and Brady trusts God daily inhis struggle against alcoholism. Once againHoff writes an encouraging story of redemptionand reconciliation—one that is best enjoyed byfirst reading book one, Cloth of Heaven.Sherri Beeler, Teacher, Medford, ORThe Emerald Isle, by Angela Elwell Hunt.(The Heirs of Cahira O’Connor; 4.) :Waterbrook, 1999. ISBN 1578561809, PAP,$11.95.F. Ireland--Fiction; Christian fiction. 416 p. Gr. 10 -Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5When God told Kathleen to wait a momentbefore crossing the street, she had no idea she’dbe meeting Maddy, the Irish woman who wouldfall in love with and marry Kathleen’s bestfriend Taylor—or that Kathleen would be goingto Ireland with them to be Taylor’s “best man” atthe wedding. Kathleen, not big on adventure, isreluctant to make the trip. She’s afraid of beinga third wheel, and Kathleen is not sure how shefeels about Maddy marrying the man she hadplanned to marry someday. But Kathleen,uniquely distinguished by the white streak in herW I N T E R 2 0 0 0 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

YOUNG ADULTFICTIONred hair, has been researching her Irishancestors—particularly the four women whoshare her piebaldness, and Taylor convincesKathleen that there is no better place thanIreland for her to research the final woman,Cahira, a Gael princess.Kathleen and Taylor stay with Maddy’s familyon their bed and breakfast dairy farm, andKathleen soon realizes there is extreme tensionbetween Maddy’s brother Patrick, whoconstantly suggests new ways to improve thefarm, and Maddy’s father, who is of the oldschool and vehemently resists any change.Kathleen researches Cahira’s story, discoveringthat she was instrumental in bridging theconflict between the Gaels and the Normans bymarrying a Norman soldier. Kathleen findsherself cast in a similar role as her presenceenables Patrick and his father to bridge thechasm between them, and to find a saving faithin Christ. Additionally, Kathleen realizes that allof Cahira’s piebald descendants were simplyordinary women who rose to the occasion inunusual circumstances. Kathleen finds her owntrue love in Patrick and serves happily as a wifeand mother, confident in her ability to facewhatever challenges life brings by trusting in thestrength of the Lord.The Emerald Isle, by Angela Elwell Hunt is thefourth and final book in the Heirs of CahiraO’Connor series, and will be best enjoyed byreaders who have read the first three books inthe series. Written as two stories in one, thebook brings Kathleen’s own story to a satisfyingconclusion, tying together the threads of herown search for her role in life as prompted byher research into the stories of the O’Connorwomen. Through Kathleen, readers arereminded that the joy we experience is in directproportion to the pain we are willing to bear,which often means stepping out of our “comfortzone” and allowing the Lord to stretch our faith.Kathleen also learns the importance of not beingashamed of being a Christian, as she findsconfidence in her relationship with the Lordthrough encouraging Patrick in his new-foundfaith.Sherri Beeler, Teacher, Medford, ORThe Only Outcast, by Julie Johnston.Plattsburgh, N.Y.: Tundra, 1998. ISBN0887767054, HBB, $14.95.F. Fathers and sons--Fiction. 221 p. Gr. 5 - 8.Quality—3 Acceptability—3Fred is the eldest of four kids, and at sixteen,feels pretty totally awkward. He is getting toknow himself and coming of age, and he seeshimself as a total outcast, thence the title of thebook. His mother died before the beginning ofthe story. He, his two brothers, and one sistertravel to their grandparents cabin to spend thesummer. They are joined by a couple of auntsand a cousin. The older boys make a camp onthe edge of the lake. They spend their summertraveling the lake in an old boat and doingchores and growing up.The story takes place in Canada in the summerof 1904, definitely a bygone time. The boys areinterested in an old spooky cabin that hasterrible stories about it, and indeed, Fred fallsthrough the floor and lands on a skeleton. Fredhas a stutter, for which, along with many otherthings, his father puts him down, and manyothers make fun of him. He falls in love. He hasreal compassion on others who may be hurtingdown inside. He comes to see his father’sfoibles, and is able to communicate with him.There is one reference to a Sunday Schoollesson, in which the teacher preaches aboutsomebody in the Bible who spilled his seed onthe ground. The teacher says that every timethey waste their seed, they lose a portion of theirbrain fluid, and the more they lose the stupiderthey become. In a couple of other places in thebook, reference is made to this lesson when Fredfeels really stupid. There is also a reference todropping ‘a silent but deadly rose’ for passinggas.This book is written in first person, often fromthe viewpoint of an observer, with a bit of ajournal attitude. It comes from a feminine styleviewpoint, continually internalizing aboutfeelings. Fred is definitely an introvert; and thereader gets to know him very well, but not quiteunderstand him. Most of the othercharacterization seemed pretty stereotypical.Some of the descriptions are poetic and enablethe reader to see clearly what the characters see.Judy Belcher, Teacher, Bremerton, WAThe Power and the Glory, by Clint Kelly. (Inthe Shadow of the Mountain; 2.)Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1999. ISBN1556619561, PAP, $10.99.F. Armenia--History--Fition; Turkey--History--Fiction. 270 p. Gr. 10 - Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5At the end of World War I the Armenian peopleare struggling to find their place among theirTurkish supplanters. The unrest and factiousuprisings among their own people have createdtension in the marriage of the "Fox" and his lady.He debates the wisdom of having obtained awife during the hazards of rebuilding hishomeland. He finds himself torn in severaldirections trying to protect her and influencinghis people in the right direction. Will inflictingthe Turks with the same actions the Armeniansreceived help rebuild their homeland? Is theeffort his wife has put into trying to make a lifeduring such dangerous times a futile attempt?Clint Kelly continues the saga of Tatul andAdrine Sarafian in The Power and the Glory.History, culture, and life at the heart ofcivilization is again resurrected. To continue totrust God when beaten down time after time andallow his sovereign will to orchestrate the affairsof man toward justice is the crux of this book.Debbie A. Lindsay, Homeschool Parent, Eatonville, WAIn the Stone Circle, by Elizabeth CodyKimmel. LCCN 9714737. New York:Scholastic, 1998. ISBN 0590213083, HBB,$15.95.F. Haunted houses--Wales--Fiction; Wales--Fiction;Mothers and daughters--Fiction. 225 p. Gr. 7 - 10.Quality—4 Acceptability—4An intriguing blend of ghost story and historicalnovel, In the Stone Circle marks Elizabeth CodyKimmel’s first time out as an author. Althoughuneven at times, the book will definitely interestyoung adult readers who want to go beyond astraightforward retelling of an historical event.Cristyn suffers from the usual fourteen-year-oldwoes: whether or not Mr. Right will ask her tothe school dance; friend problems; and, ofcourse, a parent who just isn’t with it. Herwidowed father has raised her from a youngchild, and Cristyn knows next to nothing abouther mother. But when her father takes her on asummer-long research trip to Wales, hermother’s birthplace, she begins to learn abouther mother, her father, family life, and herself.She grows from a self-centered, slang-talkingteen to a maturing young woman withcompassion not only for her father and his newlove-interest, but also for an ancient Welsh ghosttrapped in Cristyn’s rented stone house.The use of slang expressions in the first fewchapters of the book can be annoying. But asthe plot unfolds, Kimmel abandons the slang infavor of plot action. In the Stone Circle makesa satisfying read for teenage girls.Georgia Beaverson, Freelance Writer & Editor, Madison,WIOn Assignment, by Marilyn Kok. (APalisades Contemporary Romance.) Sisters,Ore.: Palisades, Multnomah Publishers,1998. ISBN 1576732797, PAP, $9.99.F. Photography--Fiction; Singapore--Fiction. 264 p.Gr. 10 - Adult.Quality—3 Acceptability—5Tessa Brooks has come to Singapore onassignment to photograph not only a nativefamily, but also to see if she still has feelings forher ex-fiancé, Michael. Michael is a banker thatworks as a loan officer for corporations inSingapore. Even though Tessa believes she isover her love for Michael, she still has not beenable to commit herself to any other man.Michael is also still carrying a torch for Tessaand would like very much to become more thanher step cousin, but there is the original problemthat they both have very demanding careers.While Tessa and Michael are trying to sort outtheir feelings, a sinister bank employee fromTessa's past is determined to keep her fromidentifying his real name.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 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

YOUNG ADULTFICTIONThe description of the various sites in Singaporegives the reader the impression that the authorhas indeed been to this far-off place. The authordescribes not only elements of Buddhism, butsome extremely deep Christian philosophy thatmay leave readers confused or simply skimmingthese sections. Unfortunately, the charactersnever really seem to feel like they are someoneyou know. The ending is disappointing in thatthe criminal element is not brought to justice.This may be the author's way to leading into aseries based upon Tessa and Michael.Connie Weaver, Church Librarian, Newville, PAIn Time of Trouble, by Nancy J. Lindquist.That's Life! Communications, 1999. ISBN0968549500, PAP, $6.95.F. . 196 p. Gr. 9 - Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Eighteen-year-old twin brothers, Shane andSandy are blond, athletic and competitive. Theywere once inseparable. But when Sandybecomes class president, is a star athlete, andhonor student, Shane feels left out and unable tocompete. He establishes a new set of friendswho drink, experiment with drugs, and throwwild parties. Soon Shane is fired from his job,gets his car taken away by his dad, and fails inschool. The growing distance between thebrothers becomes an uncrossable chasm.In a downward spiral, Shane considers suicide.A classmate tells him about Jesus and secondchances, then invites him to a youth rally. Shanescoffs at first, though he realizes he needs asecond chance at life. However, he seriouslyquestions if anyone can start over. He acceptsChrist at the rally and expects his life toimprove. Instead, it gets worse. Friends andfamily who are skeptical, even hostileimmediately test his faith. Friends jeer, hisfather won't let him attend church, and one girlfriend leaves him while another takes revenge.N.J. Lindquist, author of In Time Of Trouble,weaves an engrossing story depicting an angry,confused young man, with realism and in-depthknowledge of how a teen thinks and feels.Although not the ordinary story of religion andwitnessing, teens and adults alike will laugh,cry, and cheer for Shane throughout thisrefreshing book. The only criticism is it endstoo soon.Gail Welborn, Freelance Writer, Everett, WAA Match Made in Heaven, by ShariMacDonald. (The Salinger Sisters;2.)Colorado Springs: Waterbrook, 1999. ISBN157856137X, PAP, $6.95.F. Dating--Fiction; Romance fiction; Christian fiction.246 p. Gr. 9 - Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—5“Rent-a-Yenta” proclaims the sign on the doorof Lucy Salinger’s match-making business inLos Angeles. Lucy has always had a specialinstinct for pairing people with their life-mates.The only match she hasn’t made is her own. Butwhen Campbell Howard, a charming Christianpsychologist comes to her for help in finding awife, Lucy is smitten, and finds it difficult toadhere to her company policy of not datingclients. Lucy purposefully mis-matches himwith three women clients, so she can at leastmaintain some contact with Campbell, even if itis business-related. Unfortunately, each timeLucy meets with Campbell she ends up makinga complete fool of herself one way or another.Campbell, however, is astute enough to realizeLucy’s bizarre actions are more related to herfear of getting involved with someone, only tobe abandoned later on, just as Lucy’s ex-fianceeabandoned her at the altar some years earlier.With patience, persistence, and understanding,Campbell is able to convince Lucy that he trulycares for her, and that she can trust him.Gradually Lucy is able to turn her fears over tothe Lord, and enter with confidence into arelationship with Campbell.A Match Made in Heaven, by Shari MacDonald,is a romance that deals fairly seriously withsome emotional and spiritual issues. As a result,the book is mis-labeled with the “GiggleGuarantee” which promises that if the book“fails to tickle your funny bone,” you canexchange the book for another in the “A Timefor Laughter...and Romance” line. There aresome lighter moments in the story, but thedialogue seems somewhat contrived in thesescenes, and the situations Lucy finds herself inare often more ludicrous than realistic. Thebook is definitely worth reading, however. Thisis the second book in the Salinger Sister series,but it is easily read and understood on its own.Sherri Beeler, Teacher, Medford, ORThe Perfect Wife, by Shari MacDonald. (TheSalinger Sisters;3.) LCCN 9914976.Colorado Springs: Waterbrook, 1999. ISBN1578561388, PAP, $6.95.F. Christian fiction. 242 p. Gr. 9 - Adult.Quality—3 Acceptability—5One little white lie. That’s all it took to getBrody Collins embroiled in a tangle of lies socomplex that extricating himself requires brutalhonesty—and the possible loss of the woman heloves. As editor of the prestigious CaliforniaDream magazine, Brody inveigles an invitationto the biggest wedding of the year so he can getphotographs and the inside scoop before hiscompetitors do. He runs into Felicia, a girl hewas smitten with in high school, who is now anewly-divorced mother of three. Brody findsher still attractive after all these years, and shebecomes even more appealing when hediscovers that her ex-husband Robert ran offwith Hollywood actress Tiffany Diamond.Recognizing an incredible story opportunity,Brody offers to fill Felicia’s need for a nanny,figuring that he can convince Felicia to sell herstory and give him an exclusive interview.Brody, the rather wealthy owner of Child’s Playmagazine, implies that he has a lot moreexperience with children than he actually does,which makes his exploits as a nanny ratherinteresting. He moves into the guest cottagebehind Felicia’s house and pretends that he isstruggling financially, even going so far as todrive a beat-up looking car to make thedeception more realistic. As he spends timewith the children, cooks meals for Felicia, andeats with the family when she comes home fromwork in the evenings, Brody finds himselffalling in love with her. And Felicia, who haddetermined that she was done with men, findsherself strangely attracted to him.The story climaxes when Felicia finds out aboutBrody’s deception the day Robert and Tiffanycome to pick up the kids. Felicia races home toconfront Brody, and finds him and aphotographer on the doorstep just as Robert andTiffany are driving away. Assuming the worst,Felicia explodes in anger and Brody is forced toconfess his lengthy and elaborate deception.Brody, however, realizing that he loves Feliciafar too much to hurt her, had refused to gothrough with the plan, had forbidden thephotographer to take pictures, and wassubsequently fired from his job at CaliforniaDream. He apologizes to Felicia and confesseshis love for her; she willingly forgives him, andagrees to marry him.Of the three books in the Salinger Sister series,The Perfect Wife, by Shari MacDonald is themost humorous; it actually lives up to the“giggle guarantee” (if the book doesn’t makeyou laugh, it’s free). The story is somewhatunrealistic, however. For a woman as badly hurtas Felicia seems to be from her previousmarriage, she jumps into another seriousrelationship in less than a week’s time. Sheexpresses concern that her ex-husband had notshared her faith in God, yet Brody is describedas a “social Christian” and little mention is madeof any spiritual growth throughout the story; yet,Felicia does not seem particularly concernedabout this. Additionally, for a woman who hasbeen badly crushed and deceived by her exhusband,she seems all too eager to forgive andforget Brody’s lies. Despite these weaknesses,the book is an enjoyable, light read.Sherri Beeler, Teacher, Medford, ORThe Eagle's Shadow, by Nora Martin. LCCN96029902. New York: Scholastic, ScholasticPress, 1997. ISBN 0590360876, HBB, $15.95.F. Tlingit Indians--Fiction; Indians of North America--Alaska--Fiction; Alaska--Fiction; Alcoholism--Fiction. 172 p. Gr. 5 - 8.Quality—5 Acceptability—5When he learns that he will be stationed inJapan, Clearie’s father sends her to live with hermother’s mother. Since her mother abandonedW I N T E R 2 0 0 0 3 6 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

YOUNG ADULTFICTIONher, Clearie joins a family and a life that shedoes not know. When she arrives, she finds hermother’s sister cold and bitter. Soon Cleariediscovers the secret of her mother’sdisappearance and its link to the town’s despisedtrader, Henry Jonee. Clearie gains confidence asshe settles in, learns to weave, gets to know heraunt better, and makes trusted friends. With thisconfidence and the help of family and friends,she is able to report the illegal activities ofHenry Jonee.Nora Martin crafts an excellent story of theimportance of knowing our heritage,perseverance, and integrity. Although Cleariefeels as if her family is distant, she learns thattheir love is strong and deep as she comes toknow them better. The treasure of knowingone’s history and family along with theresolution Clearie finds as she grows tounderstand the culture of her mother’s familycreates a story which readers will find bothcomforting and compelling.Carol M. Jones, Children's Librarian, Champaign, ILNephilim, by Lynn A. Marzulli. SanFrancisco: HarperCollins, 1999. ISBN0310220114, PAP, $12.99.F. Christian fiction. 352 p. Gr. 11 - Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—5Nephilim: a race of Old Testament giants—offspring of human women and fallen angels,some say; a race so evil during Noah’s time thatGod wiped them out with the flood. Do theystill exist? And is there a connection betweenthem and so-called “extra-terrestrial” activity?News reporter Art “Mac” MacKenzie is sent ona top-secret assignment to Israel to find out theanswers to these questions. What he discoversis shocking. Not only are the Nephilim back,but they are working with the U.S. governmentin a top-secret laboratory creating human-alienhybrids, and preparing for the “great deception”which will usher in the age of the anti-Christ.When Mac is shown the remains of one of theNephilim uncovered in an archaeological dig inIsrael, he is amazed at the possible connection toalien activity. His search for answers leads tothe beginning of his spiritual journey from hardheartednesstoward God for the death of his son,to healing and release as he comes to know theGod of the Bible who is “a man of sorrows,acquainted with grief.” As Mac returns to theUnited States to continue his probe into extraterrestrialactivity, he is called upon to fight theNephilim demons not by might, but with hisspiritual weapons.Nephilim, by L.A. Marzulli is an intriguing talefilled with numerous scriptural and historicalreferences to the Nephilim, and to the spiritualwar that rages in realms unseen to us. Theconnections Marzulli makes between demonicactivity, extra-terrestrial experiences, and theend times seem entirely plausible, which is whatmakes the story so fascinating. Nephilim comeswith the guarantee that if you don’t “love thisbook” it’s free. There probably won’t be manytakers on this offer, although Marzulli doesleave some questions unanswered, and theending is somewhat anti-climactic after all thebuild-up of suspense. The book is left openended,however, perhaps to allow followingbooks to continue the story, which would delightscience-fiction fans.Sherri Beeler, Teacher, Medford, ORWings of Healing, by Alan Morris.(Guardians of the North; 5.) LCCN 996631.Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1999. ISBN1556616961, PAP, $8.99.F. North West Mounted Police (Canada)--Fiction;Siksika Indians--Alberta--Fiction; Frontier and pioneerlife--Alberta--Fiction; Women missionaries--Alberta--Fiction; Epidemics--Alberta--Fiction; Fort Macleod(Alta.)--Fiction. 270 p. Gr. 10 - Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Full characters and appealing story line againcompliment this fifth story in the Guardians ofthe North series. Alan Morris creates abelievable and exciting tale amid the ruggedCanadian landscape. Reena O’Donnell,missionary to the friendly Blackfoot tribe, ismore than distressed to learn that thegovernment is closing in on the Indians’freedom. As reservations become the up andcoming way to deal with the native American,both Reena and Canadian Mounty, HunterStone, try to fight the new orders that threaten todehumanize the unsuspecting tribe.To add to the difficulties, a plague of the flu hashit the settlers and Indians alike, taking its toll indeaths. The only doctor succumbs to thedisease, and now, a new and rather rogue youngphysician comes on the scene to complicate thedesperate fight for life. Major Briggs, the newsuperintendent, and Indian hater, adds distrustand tension to an already tumultuous timewithin the fort.Wings of Healing is another excellent read forthose who enjoy pioneering and conflict againsta strong backdrop of faith, as well as enjoying atouch of romance.Mary McKinney, Former Teacher & Freelance Writer, PortOrchard, WAThe Beginning of Sorrows : Enmeshed in Evil,by Gilbert, Lynn, and Alan Morris. (TheOmega Trilogy; 1.) Nashville: ThomasNelson, 1999. ISBN 0078527000, PAP,$12.99.F. . 192 p. Gr. 11 - Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5In the year 2050, America is winding down as asuper-power, and it is the Germanic Union ofNation-States that has gradually grown instrength, taking an active role in policing affairsall over the world, and maintaining numerousmilitary bases in the U.S. America has beentransformed by MAB, the Man and BiosphereProject which effected a massive relocation ofthe population into co-op cities to allow for the“re-wilding” of the earth. This project waslargely supported by two ultraenvironmentalists:Vice President Aristide LucaTherion, and his mistress, Minden Lauer, the“Lady of Light,” and spiritual leader of theEarth’s Light religious group. Surprisinglyenough, people seemed willing to give up manyof their property rights and civil liberties asgovernment programs gave them nationalizedhealth care, food credits, low-cost housing, andpersonal multi-media computers through theCyclops system. Of course, the MAB programwasn’t fully complete, and in areas like Texasthere were always rebels who resisted relocationand stubbornly continued to live off the land.When an American scientist discovers a newlife-form, Therion and Minden get ahold of amutated version of it that literally eatselectricity. With the help of the Germans, theyplan to release the “ohm-bug” at strategiclocations throughout the U.S. The “ohm-bug”has been supposedly engineered to effect a threeday blackout in those areas, thus allowing thegovernment to evacuate the remaining citizensto co-op cities and fulfill the completion of theMAB project. However, the Germans takeadvantage of this opportunity to black-out notonly the designated areas, but the entire U.S. forweeks, thus bringing the country to its kneeswhile the military is totally defenseless. Theirplan succeeds, and the blame is falsely placed onthe terrorist actions of radical Christian groupsthroughout the country. As the story concludes,small groups of people introduced throughoutthe story—usually with at least one Christianamong them—struggle to survive the best theycan in this world of literal and spiritual darkness.The Beginning of Sorrows, by Gilbert, Lynn, andAlan Morris is a top-notch book that sets thestage for the books to follow in the OmegaTrilogy. The book jumps, Tom Clancy style,from person to person and location to location,gradually weaving the stories together to formthe larger picture. The characters are widelyvaried and intriguing, and the book whets thereader’s appetite for more of the unique blend ofrealistic sci-fi and the connection to possible endtimes events yet to come.Sherri Beeler, Teacher, Medford, ORThe Right Hand of God, by Gilbert Morris.(The Liberty Bell; 6.) LCCN 996388.Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1999. ISBN1556615701, PAP, $9.99.F. United States--History--Revolution, 1776-1783--Fiction; United States--History--Revolution, 1776-1783--Participation, German--Fiction; Hessianmercenaries--Fiction. 283 p. Gr. 10 - Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—5The Right Hand of God chronicles the era of theC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 3 7 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

YOUNG ADULTFICTIONRevolutionary War through the adventures ofthe Bradford family. Jacob Steiner, Hessiansoldier and prisoner of war, escapes and findssanctuary in the Bradford's storage barn. RachelBradford discovers the wounded and starvingHessian. During her administrations she battleswith her own internal conflict. Once the man ishealed, must she obey her civic duty and reporthim?Gilbert Morris concentrates book six of TheLiberty Bell series on the winter of suffering atValley Forge and the role that German soldiersparticipated in the English army.With all of the characters that have beenintroduced up to this point, Mr. Morris hasdeveloped their relationships and maintains themultiple threads of each contribution withoutconfusion and unwieldy repetitions. The bookhas a satisfying conclusion yet strongly hintsthat there will be more forthcoming about all theindividuals who have come under the umbrellaof the Bradford family.Debbie A. Lindsey, Homeschool Parent, Eatonville, WASirena, by Donna Jo Napoli. LCCN 9748391.New York: Scholastic, 1998. ISBN0590383884, HBB, $15.95.F. Mermaids--Fiction; Mythology, Greek--Fiction;Aegean Sea Region--Fiction. 210 p. Gr. 11 - Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—1Author Donna Jo Napoli creates the character ofSirena, a seventeen-year-old mermaid in searchof a human man with whom she can mate andthereby gain immortality. Sirena finds the man,Philoctetes, abandoned by fellow sailors, on anisland. He is hurt and near death, yet Sirenanurses him back to health. Although Philocteteslives on the island for close to ten years, hiscountrymen come to retrieve him to fight in thebattle of Troy. Here Philoctetes is faced with thedecision to go or stay with Sirena whom he hasgrown to love. This is the story of how love canovercome natural barriers and become lasting.The book is a reference guide to Greekmythology. There are a few instances where theauthor sensually describes Sirena’s body and theeventual union between the two. AlthoughNapoli is skilled in writing and the book istechnically good, the theme and use ofmythology and sexual references make thisbook difficult to recommend.Eileen Zygarlicke, Freelance Writer & Editor, GrandForks, NDTripping Over Skyscrapers, by Wendy LeeNentwig. (Unmistakably Cooper Ellis; 1.)ISBN 0764220659.F. Friendship--Fiction; Christian life--Fiction;Modelling--Fiction. 158 p.Quality—4 Acceptability—4Moonstruck in Manhattan, by Wendy LeeNentwig. (Unmistakably Cooper Ellis; 2.)LCCN 99185341. ISBN 0764220667.F. Friendship--Fiction; Christian life--Fiction;Modelling--Fiction. 155 p. Quality—3Acceptability—4Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1998. PAP, $5.99.Gr. 7 - 12.Fifteen-year-old Cooper Ellis lives in a high riseapartment in Manhattan. She and her bestfriends, Claire and Alex, begin an after-schoolreading group in their high school to discussC.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters. Cooper ismodeling for fashion magazines, Claire is anaspiring fashion designer, and Alex is dreamingof a career as a movie producer. Each week thethree teens get together to watch old videos atCooper’s apartment while her folks go out fordinner.In Wendy Nentwig’s first book of the series,Unmistakably Cooper Ellis, the Reading Groupis started and Cooper begins her modelingcareer. Cooper has to learn to deal with changesin her life. Josh begins to show serious interestin Cooper in Moonstruck in Manhattan andtakes her to a school dance for their first date.Alex is jealous of Josh and Claire is jealous ofCooper so there is a lot of petty teen dialoguethroughout the book. Cooper’s modeling careergets a boost when a famous photographer takesa liking to her. However, his treatment ofCooper makes her uncomfortable, and when ona photo shoot the photographer, other models,and crew all smoke marijuana and drink, Cooperleaves. This prompts her to talk to her motherand some of the pressure she was carrying aloneis relieved.Cooper’s parents are driven by their careers andaspirations for their only child. Much detail isgiven to the food Cooper’s family eats, thevideos the teens watch, and the faddish clothingCooper wears.Patricia J. Perry, Retured Librarian, Westerville, OHIn His Steps : The Promise, by JoeyO'Connor. LCCN 9840721. Grand Rapids:Fleming H. Revell, Baker Books, 1998. ISBN0800756789, PAP, $8.99.F. Christian life--Fiction. 184 p. Gr. 10 - Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Written over one hundred years ago, JoeyO'Connor has modernized Charles Sheldon'sclassic that asks, "What would Jesus do?" InHis Steps: The Promise, details choices andresulting problems framed by asking thequestion in a contemporary setting.Reverend Max Henry, pastor of First Church inCalifornia, concludes his Sunday message with,"…today we have looked at learning to love,steps of faith, obeying God's word, andimitating the life of Christ." A vagrant slipsfrom the back pew and comes down the centeraisle, a sour, dirty smell preceding him.Interrupting the service, he says, "I'm not abeggar, I'm homeless…Lose your job, …andyou could be just like me in three months." Hispresence and words confront parishioners andchallenge their sincerity. The vagrant'sstatements disturb Reverend Max. When thevagrant dies the following week, he challengesthe congregation to commit to a one-yearpromise to ask, " What would Jesus do?" beforemaking any decision.Many take the pastor's challenge. Young andwealthy Gina Paige purchases and renovates abuilding for the homeless. Rikki Winslow,talented singer, walks away from a majorsinging contract to use her talents at the newmission in spite of strong family disapproval.Alex Powers, recognized high school computergenius, turns down employment and millions ofdollars in stock options, refusing to sign with acompany linked to pornographic websites.Those who sometimes question their ownmotives and decision-making will appreciatethis updated classic.Gail Welborn, Freelance Writer, Everett, WA★The Hidden Heart, by Jane Orcutt. ColoradoSprings: Waterbrook Press, 1998. ISBN1578560535, PAP, $7.95.F. Christian fiction. 323 p. Gr. 11 - Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Elizabeth Cameron has never been goodenough—not good enough for God, not goodenough for her father; not good enough foranyone. After the death of her father, she hasonly one place to turn. Maybe it won't be so badjoining a group of religious, celibate womenwho call themselves Sanctificationists. Maybeshe can start her life anew. Taking her five-yearoldIndian charge, she heads for Belton, Texas.But the stagecoach trip barely begins beforefellow-rider Caleb Martin is ready to blowsteam out his ears from Elizabeth's prudish,Bible spouting behavior. The woman isimpossible!But Caleb has no choice in the matter. To winhis freedom from the State of Texas, he has tofulfill one last assignment—Elizabeth Cameron.Little does he know of the inner torment rippingthrough Elizabeth's heart day after day. Shecan't forget the horrible torment she enduredwhen captured at the age of twelve by savageIndians or how she watched as they murderedher mother and sister. Why hadn't they killedher, too! They'd already killed her spirit, whynot her body? Caleb is busy fighting his owndemons. The gunslinger is trying hard to facehis past before it ruins his future.Learning to distinguish holy fear from unhealthyfright of God becomes key in The Hidden Heart.Jane Orcutt takes readers through several heartwrenching dramas, capturing the emotion as ifthe hero and heroine were real. As eachcharacter deals with issues relating to God's loveand sovereignty, the reader will be challenged toW I N T E R 2 0 0 0 3 8 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

YOUNG ADULTFICTIONexamine his or her own hearts. This romance isnot an "easy" or relaxing book, but thoughtprovokingand spiritually stretching. Oncestarted, it can't be put down.Beth Loughner, Freelance Writer, Registered Nurse,Columbus, OHWestward the Dream, by Judith Pella andTracie Peterson. (Ribbons West; 1.)Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1998. ISBN0764220713, PAP, $10.99.F. United States--History--Fiction; Pioneer andfrontier life--Fiction; Railroads--Fiction. 316 p. Gr.11 - Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—5In the first of the Ribbons West series, a sequelto Ribbons of Steel, authors Judith Pella andTracie Peterson continue the saga of theBaldwin family in Westward the Dream.Brenton Baldwin, finishing his apprenticeship inphotography, faces tough decisions as the CivilWar intensifies and his parents are in Russia.Through a series of events he and his sister,Jordana, find themselves heading west in searchof their sister, Victoria, and her husband KiernanO'Connor. The Baldwins are joined in theirjourney by Kiernan's sister, Caitlin, recentlyarrived from Ireland. Brenton is employed byBilly Vanderbilt to photograph the land wherethe Transcontinental Railroad is to be built. Asthe trio make their way across the continent,Brenton's feelings for Caitlin grow. However,because she lacks a relationship and a belief inGod, Brenton struggles with his emotions.Victoria and Keirnan have struggles of their ownwhen Victoria must conquer the temptation ofthe allure of another man.The main theme of the book deals with watchingyour heart. Pella and Peterson show the frailtyof the human heart and the importance ofkeeping your heart pure in the eyes of God.Although predictable in parts, it is good to seemain characters with depth struggling withfeelings that have been taboo to explore in thepast. Pella and Peterson create the struggles andthe characters to bring those problems to life.This is a book many will appreciate and relateto.Eileen Zygarlicke, Freelance Writer & Editor, GrandForks, NDHidden in a Whisper, by Tracie Peterson.(Westward Chronicles; 2.) Minneapolis:Bethany House, 1999. ISBN 0764221132,PAP, $9.99.F. West (U.S.)--Fiction; Harvey Girls--Fiction. 284 p.Gr. 10 - Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—5Though happy with her position as headmanager of the Harvey House girls at the soonto open restaurant, Rachel must quell herlonging for what she knows she will neverhave—a family. She will always love Braeden,but because of his impropriety with anotherwoman, she has left her former life to the past tobegin anew.During the hectic days of preparation for thegrand opening of the new resort, Rachel is calledfrom her busy schedule to be introduced to thenew house manager with whom she will have towork very closely. Looking up for theintroduction, her eyes collide with those of theman she has forever relegated to her past.In Hidden in a Whisper Tracie Petersoncontinues the series of the Westward Chronicleswhich pursues the history of the Harvey HouseRestaurants that were established along theSanta Fe Railroad lines. The story traces the lifeof one of the characters and works through thedifficulties that are a result of listening to gossipand the destruction of trust that is one of its grimreapers.Debbie A. Lindsey, Homeschool Parent, Eatonville, WAMax the Mighty, by Rodman Philbrick.LCCN 9711762. New York: The Blue SkyPress, Scholastic, 1998. ISBN 0590188925,HBB, $16.95.F. Runaways--Fiction; Friendship--Fiction. 166 p.Gr. 4 - 8.Quality—4 Acceptability—4“My name is Maxwell Kane and the thing youshould know about me is this: even though I’ma big dude with a face like the moon and earsthat stick out like radar scoops and humongousfeet like the abominable snowman, inside I’m areal weenie.” This opening line from Max theMighty reflects the tone of Philbrick’s sequel tohis first novel, Freak the Mighty, continuingwith the main character Max. The authorcombines first person with present tense,sometimes with long rambling sentences as ifMax is telling us the story even while it’shappening. For instance, Max tells us, “I askWorm if she’s hungry and she nods and Joeshows her how to blow on the spoon so shewon’t burn her mouth.” Or: “‘So,’ she goes,‘Now you’re Max the Mighty.’” Undeniably,this gives Max (or perhaps the author) a strong,unique voice. On the other hand, Philbrick riskslosing some readers early by complicating anotherwise interesting story. Max, a fourteenyear-oldboy who’s unusually large, saves a girlnicknamed Worm from her step-father’sphysical abuse. He finds himself on the run ashe helps her get to Montana to find her realfather. Nearly two-thirds of the way through,the story intensifies when the author delvesdeeper into the characters’ fears and wishes, themost powerful section of the book. It’s riveting.In spite of the story’s strong points, readersshould be aware Max is severely negative,repeatedly calling himself stupid. In savingWorm, Max takes her on the run from parentsand authorities, hitching a ride with strangersacross country. Domestic and street abuse isportrayed in two scenes early in the story,perhaps providing Max’s motive for helpingWorm.On a happy note, Max learns in the end that he’sokay, just the way he is. “I’ll never be normal,”he says, “not in a million years, and I like it thatway just fine, thank you. And that’s the truth.”Kimn Swenson Gollnick, Freelance Writer & HomeschoolMother, Marysville, WASerenity's Desire, by Kay Rizzo. (SerenityInn Series; 1.) LCCN 9815560. ISBN0805463739.F. Western fiction; Romance fiction. 271 p.Serenity's Quest, by Kay Rizzo. (Serenity InnSeries; 2.) LCCN 9820316. ISBN0805416749.F. Western fiction; Romance fiction. 264 p..Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 1998. PAP, $7.99Gr. 9 - Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—5In the first book of the Serenity Inn series,author Kay Rizzo introduces the character ofseventeen-year-old Serenity Pownell, daughterof a New York State Assemblyman, in the yearsprior to the Civil War. While attending a"Finishing Academy for Young Ladies",Serenity receives the shocking news that hermother has been killed in a carriage accident.Called home, she further learns that herwidowed father is planning to remarry and thatthe woman he is to marry was one of hermother's closest friends. While doing all thatshe can to undermine this relationship, Serenityalso sets out on a path to learn more about hermother through the reading of journals and hermother's Bible. In doing so, she learns that hermother had an abiding faith in God, a faith thatSerenity is lacking.Further change comes to Serenity's world whenshe discovers that her home is being used as astation on the Underground Railroad. Duringone disastrous night Serenity's childhood homeis destroyed by fire and her remaining family isscattered. Now she must move into completelyunfamiliar territory with only the help of herfriend and protector, Caleb Cunard, and a newfound faith in the God that her mother knew andtrusted.In book two of the series, Serenity's faith andtrust in God grow as she matures into a lovingand wise young woman. While still grievingover the death of her mother, Serenity receivesword that her father is missing at sea andpresumed dead. Left with a sizable inheritance,Serenity must learn whom to trust and who maywant her only for her money. Trusting in Godand following the family friends who havetreated her as one of their own, Serenity goeswest and in the process finds love in the form oftheir eldest son, and her protector, Caleb.Donna E. Brown, Church Librarian, Portland, ORC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 3 9 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

YOUNG ADULTFICTIONBest Friends, by Debra White Smith.(Promises Romance.) Colorado Springs:Chariot Victor, 1000. ISBN 1564767213,PAP, $9.99.F. Christian fiction; Romance fiction. Gr. 9 - Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Something is wrong with Beth’s best friendScott. She’s known him since forever, but latelyhe’s been acting strangely and she even wondersif maybe he has a personality disorder! There’snothing wrong with Scott that love won’t cure,but he hasn’t a clue how to let Beth know he’sfallen in love with her without ruining theirlong-standing friendship.Then Hollywood-gorgeous Michael takes aroom at Beth’s bed and breakfast for the summerand starts turning on the charm. Beth falls hardand fast, to Scott’s utter dismay. What does Godthink He’s doing? He promised Scott that Bethwas the woman for him. Was he mistaken inhearing what he thought had been God’s voice?Scott had been so confident! If he was mistakenin this, then could Scott even be sure of his ownsalvation?Michael is a fraud through and through. Hecares nothing for Bet—only for a valuablepainting that he believes is secreted somewherein the bed and breakfast. Michael woos Beth tokeep her distracted while he searches for thepainting. When he finds it, he’ll disappear, sellit for a million dollars to a discreet client, andnever have to work for the rest of his life. As thestory unfolds, Michael is caught in hisdeception, and slowly but surely Beth awakensto an abiding love for Scott, to the great glee ofher family, who had long ago figured out thattheir marriage was inevitable.Best Friends, by Debra White Smith, is a wellwrittenstory with very realistic characters,which makes it extremely funny in places. Thereader can easily identify with Scott’s risingfrustration and jealousy, and Beth’s completepuzzlement over Scott’s behavior towards herand her relationship with Michael, as Scott istorn between love and common sense. Thereality of the characters also makes the strugglesand sometimes violent upheavals between Bethand Scott all the more poignant andheartbreaking. Although the book is a lightheartedromance, it is one with substance anddepth. Both Beth and Scott grapple with somedifficult spiritual issues. Scott needs completehealing from the emotional scars his alcoholicfather left him, and Beth needs release fromdeep-seated feelings of inferiority that havesteadily driven a wedge between herself and hersister. Finally, both Beth and Scott struggledaily with making choices that demonstrate theirChristian witness, rather than contradicting it orhiding it. The book gives a clear reminder of thehealing and cleansing power of the Holy Spirit,and the importance of seeking God’s will andbeing willing to wait for His direction andtiming.Sherri Beeler, Teacher, Medford, ORHawaiian Sunrise, by Lauraine Snelling.LCCN 996641. Minneapolis: BethanyHouse, 1999. ISBN 155661991X, PAP, $9.99.F. Christian fiction. 285 p. Gr. 10 - Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—5Lauraine Snelling is an accomplished, awardwinning author that has another winner inHawaiian Sunrise. Her heroine, MaddyMorton, suffers all the ills that are theconsequences of a rebellious childhood andfinds her way back to the paradise home she lefton the big island of Hawaii. Unfortunately, thechanges in her father and the farm he raised heron are all too real, and this Cinderella endingmust go through several twists before itscompletion.Abuse, single parenting, loss of loved ones,rebuilding prodigal relationships, and life’schallenges in general are handled beautifullyand skillfully as Snelling takes her maincharacter back to God as well as home. Shedoes a particularly realistic job of includingscripture and prayer in her story line. The actionis not at all syrupy as Ms. Morton faces ahaunting past, stubborn relatives, wild boars,and thundering tropical storms.. Maddy provessubstantially that man, or woman, cannot standalone. Loving people and a handsome, caringHawaiian hero complete the circle that ensureGod’s care for His lost sheep. Take a trip toHawaii with Lauraine Snelling in this wellwritten, powerful book.Jim McKinney, Port Orchard, WATender Mercies, by Lauraine Snelling. (RedRiver of the North; 5.) LCCN 996410.Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1999. ISBN0764220896, PAP, $10.99.F. Norwegian Americans--Dakota Territory--Fiction;Christian fiction. 300 p. Gr. 10 - Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—5Mary Martha MacCallister arrives to visit herbrother Zeb and family in the Dakota Territory.She helps the school children under Pastor JohnSolberg and soon develops close relationshipswith them. Pastor John, dubious of matchmakingparishioners, keeps his distance fromMary Martha, but privately asks God for a wife.When she returns to Missouri unexpectedly tocare for her ailing mother, Pastor Johnfaithfully keeps watch over his church flock asthey deal with the hardships of immigrant livingon the prairies in the 1880's. During MaryMartha's absence, Zeb's wife and baby die inchildbirth enfolding Zeb in bitterness, achallenge she understands, having just buriedtheir mother.Lauraine Snelling portrays the daily life ofcharacters in Tender Mercies accurately forreaders intrigued with historical fiction. Newinventions (sewing machine), the railroad,statehood questions and the beginnings ofwomen's suffrage bring welcome andchallenging turns to the lives of Dakotapioneers. While the relationship themes are notnew (life, death, harshness of pioneering),Snelling writes with respect for each characteras a child of God. The reoccurring theme ofGod's sovereignty in life is unmistakable. Noless than four stories spiral simultaneously asreaders witness God's hand in each. The storiesmove along expertly and appeal to readers whoidentify with life's daily struggles and victories.Although being familiar with the whole serieswill give a richer picture, this volume standsalone.Carolyn Hearing, Freelance Writer, Virginia, MNI Am Mordred : A Tale From Camelot, byNancy Springer. LCCN 9739740. New York:Philomel Books, Penguin Putnam, 1998.ISBN 0399213439, HBB, $16.99.F. Mordred (Legendary character)--Fiction; Arthur,King--Fiction; Fathers and sons--Fiction; Knights andknighthood--Fiction; England--Fiction. 184 p. Gr. 6 -10.Quality—5 Acceptability—4The plethora of books being published about theKing Arthur legend makes it difficult for anewcomer to stand apart from the pack.Difficult, but not impossible. Nancy Springerreveals a finely-drawn, deeply felt character in IAm Mordred.The tale opens with a riveting scene of Arthur’sattempt to destroy his misbegotten son by killinga group of male babies, setting them adrift in alittle coracle. The story sweeps on throughMordred’s miraculous survival, his befriendingby the sorceress Nyneve, his fifth-wheelchildhood spent in the court of his naturalmother and stepfather, his introduction to court,and his first quest as a knight of the RoundTable. Throughout the book Mordred struggleswith questions that surround his identity. Hisprimary, conflicting desires are to hate the fatherwho tried to kill him and yet yearning for Arthurto acknowledge him as his true son.Lovers of fantasy and folklore will enjoy thisunusual story. Not only is the action exciting,but the deep questions it raises make it a book toread again and again. Nancy Springer haswritten a winner! Magic and occult practicesare included in the story.Georgia Beaverson, Freelance Writer & Editor, Madison,WIMarigolds for Mourning, by AudreyStallsmith. (A Thyme Will Tell Mystery;2.)Colorado Springs: Waterbrook Press, 1998.ISBN 1578560543, PAP, $6.95.F. Mystery fiction. 290 p. Gr. 10 - Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—5Farmer Regan Culver returns to help her policechief fiancé (Matt Olin) solve another mysteryW I N T E R 2 0 0 0 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

YOUNG ADULTFICTIONinvolving the town of Hayden. OnHomecoming Day, the high school sponsoredlocal business owners to come into the school topresent informative workshops. While Regan issetting up her Victorian floral display, herassistant Gabe becomes the recipient of a racialincident. Individualist Lucerne Abiel and muchloved quarterback Jack Dawson come to Gabe'srescue. Unfortunately, after the dance, Jack(who is allergic to bee stings) becomes thevictim of a hideous crime wherein Jack is stungand now lays in a coma on a hospital bed. Wasthe incident truly a racial crime or was theresome other devious plot in hand such asrevenge. Regan and Matt, who are having somerocky times in their new found love, are tryingto discover why the incident was made to looklike a racial crime since more attempts havebeen made on Jack's life while in the hospital.Meanwhile, Gabe and Lucerne stumble acrossclues that just may put their lives in jeopardy.Readers may want to read book one, Rosemaryfor Remembrance, before they read this seriesinstallment. Since many characters involved arehigh school seniors, this could be suggested toyoung adult mystery readers. There arepassages that move quite slowly, however, thereare other scenes that are action packed andexciting. The ending does leave the readerhanging, so we know that more books are beingplanned to this gardening mystery series.Connie Weaver, Church Librarian, Newville, PAFirebird, by Kathy Tyers. (Firebird; 1.)LCCN 996368. Minneapolis: BethanyHouse, 1999. ISBN 0764222147, PAP, $8.99.F. Science fiction; Christian fiction. 288 p. Gr. 9 -Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—5Lady Firebird is the daughter of the queen, butshe is the third-born child and therefore awastling–a daughter who will live just longenough for her older sisters to assume theirtitles, and then be ordered to seek an honorableend to her life. Since wastlings are notconsidered heirs, her only hope lies in livingwell, honoring the holy Powers by completeallegiance to the nine Disciplines, and bringingglory to Netaia in her death. Firebird willinglyenlists in the Netaian Planetary Navy, and whenher geis, or death orders come, she accepts,leading her flight team into the front lines ofbattle against the Federation. In a tight point ofcombat, Firebird allows her flight team toescape in safety while she draws the enemy’sfire. Her plans for an honorable and gloriousdeath are thwarted, however, when she iscaptured rather than shot down. Her last attemptat honor fails as she is saved from self-poisoningby Brennen, a Federation telepath.As he accesses Firebird’s mind to interrogateher, Brennen is surprised and deeply affected bythis woman of great strength, capacity, and amind so utterly connatural to his own. Firebirdis granted political asylum; gradually Brennanwins her trust and encourages Firebird to see thevalue of the life so she is so ready to cast off forthe sake of her honor and her country’s deeptraditions. When Netaia commits unspeakableacts against the Federation, Firebird’scommitment to her country is weakened—evenmore-so when terms of Netaia’s surrender to theFederation demand Firebird’s return to face thefiring squad for having disgraced her country byfailing to kill herself. After agonizing over hersituation, Firebird decides to forsake Netaiantraditions, and help the Federation, the enemy ofher people.When it appears that Netaian rebels have brokenthe terms of the planet’s surrender by importingbasium for the production of ecologicallyharmful weapons, Firebird is certain thatPhoena, her power-hungry sister, is behind theplot. Firebird is convinced that Phoena hasconverted a secret Netaian mountain hide-awayinto a lab for producing warheads. TheFederation does not take her concern seriouslyenough, but Brennan does. Prompted by hisconscience and the guidance of the EternalSpeaker, the Creator of the universe whom heworships, Brennan goes against direct militaryorders, taking Firebird with him, and secretlyflies to Netaia to destroy the lab. Their missionis successful, and through a series of events,Firebird comes to realize for herself the realityand awesomeness of the Eternal Speaker.Forsaking the emptiness of her allegiance to the“Powers” and the nine Disciplines, shesurrenders herself to the Holy One, and to herlove for Brennen.Firebird, by Kathy Tyers, presents an intriguingscience fiction story that assumes the delay ofthe birth of Christ until after interplanetarysettlement has begun. Various planetarysystems are lost in the beliefs of false gods andtraditions, as was Firebird’s; but the truth ispreserved and passed on by God’s chosen onessuch as Brennen, born into the small, almostexclusive group of Sentinels, who havepreserved and followed the inspired writings ofthe Holy One, and who eagerly await thefulfillment of the prophecy’s about the comingSavior. Although the story lags a bit in places,the plot is strong, and the main characters welldevelopedwithin their worlds; Firebird’sNetaian traditions and societal structure arefascinating, as is the unique relationshipBrennen shares with her as a telepath. Giventhe relative lack of Christian science fictionavailable, Tyers’ book provides an exciting andmuch-needed addition to this genre.Sherri Beeler, Teacher, Medford, OREvery Little Thing About You, by Lori Wick.(The Yellow Rose Trilogy; 1.) LCCN9918882. Eugene, Ore.: Harvest House,1999. ISBN 0736901043, PAP, $10.99.F. Western fiction; Romance fiction; Christian fiction.299 p. Gr. 9 - Adult.Quality—4Acceptability—5Slater Rawlings rides into Shotgun, Texas, andthe first person he confronts is the deputysheriff, who demands he turn over his gun. Thatwouldn’t be so bad except Liberty Drake is theprettiest little gal he’s ever seen. A solitary man,Slater discovers God, a church family, and thelove of his life in this small western town. Butit’s not easy going. As he begins to discover hislove for Liberty he also wants to protect herfrom the dangers of her job. Liberty’s as strongwilledas any woman libber of the 1990’s andfigures she can handle it on her own.Lori Wick has given us a heroine we’ll applaudin her eighteenth book for Harvest HousePublishers. Every Little Thing About You is thefirst book in Wick’s new, The Yellow RoseTrilogy. This is a good western tale with moreromance than you’ll find in L’Amour and morein depth characters than you’ll find in almostany western. The theme of strong family valuesand how they influence choices runs throughoutthe book.Myrtlemay Pittman Crane, Freelance Writer & Editor,Alderwood Manor, WASweetbriar Hope, by Brenda Wilbee.(Sweetbriar; 6.) LCCN 9841196. GrandRapids: Fleming H. Revell, Baker Books,1999. ISBN 0800756959, PAP, $11.99.F. Denny, Louisa Boren--Fiction; Frontier and pioneerlife--Washington (State)--Fiction; Women pioneers--Washington (State)--Fiction; Seattle (Wash.)--History--Fiction; Denny, David Thomas--Fiction. 317 p. Gr.10 - Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Indian wars amid the hardships of pioneeringreveal the true grit of those who willinglysacrificed to settle new territory in the Seattlearea. In this sixth Sweetbriar sequel, BrendaWilbee again displays her expertise in history.With authentic accounts heading each chapter,the story unfolds through the eyes of Louisa andDavid Denny, as they face the trials and dangersof warring Indian parties and misguidedgovernment authorities.Throughout these treacherous times, the readeris allowed to share in the undying love of thisspecial couple along with their strong faith inGod. The beauty of the Pacific Northwest, aswell as the misery of its frequent rain, becomesthe backdrop to the unfolding drama.Sweetbriar Hope reveals how the entire townhas to occupy the small blockhouse for weekson end as they huddle together for protection.This unbelievable living situation is finallydispelled in a surprising way as God trulyblesses the kind intentions and actions of Davidtoward the Indians.The actual sight of this drama still holds its placewithin the Seattle landscape in the form ofspecial parks set aside in the heart of the presentdaycity. For the history buff, as well as thosewho enjoy pioneering tales, Sweetbriar HopeC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 4 1 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

YOUNG ADULTFICTIONwill be a satisfying read.Mary McKinney, Former Teacher & Freelance Writer, PortOrchard, WAThe Crown of Eden, by Thomas M. Williams.Word, 1999. ISBN 0849916100, PAP, $12.99.F. Christian fiction; Fantasy. 372 p. Gr. 11 - Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5King Perivale once united seven kingdoms intoa mighty empire after gaining the Crown ofEden in a terrible battle against the evilMorgultha. But in the twelfth year of his reign,Perivale and his men rode into battle and werenever seen again; the legendary Crown of Edenwas lost. The empire deteriorated and fell intodisunity as hard times fell upon the land.However, hope lay in the ancient prophecy ofthe Seven Kingdoms which foretold themarriage of King Tallis’ daughter and KingAfron’s son which would unite the kingdoms ofMeridan and Valomar and usher in the rebirth ofthe empire.Morgultha, greedy for power, seeks to place herown devil-spawned son on the throne byswitching King Afron’s son for her own at birth.Fortunately she does not reckon on the angel ofthe Master of the Universe stealing the trueking’s son away before she can kill him. Thingsseem to go according to her plan, however. The“parents” of Lomar, Morgultha’s son, die amysterious death, and the orphaned “prince” isreared to be a spoiled, selfish, vulgar man. ThePrincess Volanna desperately tries to findsomething to respect in Lomar, in deference tothe prophecy, and to the pledge her father andKing Afron made for them to marry. Shediscovers, however, that he loves nothing buthimself; his life is dedicated to experiencing asmuch pleasure as he can. Inflicting pain doesnot bother him, and he will do whatever it takesto gain more power, and with it, the newpleasures that it brings.Fearful and distraught, Volanna spends her dayswandering in Braegan Wood, trying to find away out of her dilemma. Here she meetsAradon, a blacksmith’s son who is training to bea knight. Their friendship rapidly develops, andeven though Volanna guards her heart againsthim, her love for Aradon becomes solidifiedwhen she is abducted by Morgultha’s minionsand Aradon rescues her. In the process, Aradonstumbles across the long lost Crown of Eden.When he returns Volanna safely to the castle,Lomar accuses Aradon of abducting Volanna.Aradon escapes capture, but a price is put on hishead and he is forced to go into hiding. Aradonbecomes a champion of the people, secretlyrighting many wrongs practiced by Lomar’spower-hungry men, and he gains the support ofthe commoners. When Aradon reveals to afriend that he has the Crown of Eden, they presshim to claim the throne for himself, since hewould clearly have the backing of the peoplewho so admire his chivalry, and who despise thebrutalities practiced upon them by Lomar.Crown of Eden by Thomas Williams is amasterfully told fairy-tale fantasy comparable inboth style and wisdom to the works of GeorgeMcDonald, C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R. Tolkien. Thebook is filled with spiritual truths and deals witha number of challenging issues on a allegoricallevel. It is a book to be read slowly, and to besavored. The book is never predictable; at timesit seems hopeless that things will ever work out,allowing the reader to feel the characters’ owndespair and frustration.The evil in this book, particularly evidenced inLomar, is truly black, chilling, and despicable.Nothing is too graphically described, but thereare brief references throughout to torture andcruelty, and to suggestions of sexual immorality,including the repeatedly wanton behavior of avillage cake-maker, an implied rape scene, and ahint at bestiality.Sherri Beeler, Teacher, Medford, ORIf You Come Softly, by Jacqueline Woodson.LCCN 9732212. New York: G. P. Putnam'sSons, Penguin Putnam, 1998. ISBN0399231129, HBB, $15.99.F. Interracial dating--Fiction; Afro-Americans--Fiction; Family life--Fiction; New (N.Y.)--Fiction;Schools--Fiction. 181 p. Gr. 8 - 12.Quality—5 Acceptability—2Fifteen year olds Miah and Ellie run into eachother their first day at a private high school inNew York City. Their spirits somehow connect,and they basically fall in love with each otherthen, although they don’t really talk for severalweeks. The problem is that Miah (Jeremiah) isa black basketball player, the son of well-knownwealthy parents, who live across the street fromeach other. Ellie (Elisha) is Jewish, the daughterof a doctor, whose parents don’t communicatewell with each other. Their story is one oftender, young, sweet love, colored by howpeople in their culture deal with a mixed racerelationship.The author obviously knows what it is like to beblack, to always feel black; and she givesmasterful descriptions of what this meanspersonally. Much of Miah’s self talk is about hisblackness. The chapters alternate points of viewand experiences of the two young people. Thismeans that the text is in and out of first person,which is sometimes confusing. The author doesan amazing job making the story seem real, inspite of what might seem like obviousstereotypes: the two meeting literally runninginto each other, their parents being wealthy,Miah dying tragically at the end of the story; thetheme being politically correct. Thedescriptions of feelings are great, but the readinglevel is pretty basic for the intended audience.The author assumes a knowledge of New YorkCity and its culture.A basic theme of the book is about peopleaccepting other people and their relationships.This tolerance viewpoint is demonstrated in aconversation Ellie has with her older sister, onthe phone from San Francisco. They talk aboutthe commitment ceremony that Anne and herfemale roommate are planning to have. Aparallel is assumed between accepting same sexrelationships and inter-racial ones.Other questionable material may be in theparents’ relationships. Ellie’s mother had leftthe family two different times in her growing up,and while Ellie has a lot of difficulty withtrusting because of this, the idea seems to bepresented as a fact of life. Miah’s father worksin movies and is living with his girlfriend, andwhile Miah has trouble with that relationship,the author casts no moral judgment on the lifehis father has chosen to live.Judy Belcher, Teacher, Bremerton, WAThe Cook's Family, by Laurence Yep. LCCN9723892. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons,Penguin Putnam, 1998. ISBN 0399229078,HBB, $15.99.F. Chinese Americans--Fiction; Family problems--Fiction; Grandmothers--Fiction; Interracial marriage--Fiction. 184 p. Gr. 6 - 10.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Robin Lee, a half-Chinese twelve-year-old, hasa close relationship with her grandmother whohas been in America a year. Robin loves todance, which her grandmother supports,although Robin’s mother doesn’t.While in Chinatown of San Francisco, the twosee a commotion in front of a Chineserestaurant. The waiter follows irate customersonto the sidewalk where he sees Robin and hergrandmother. He tells them his cook, Wolf,misses his family and therefore won’t cook; heenlists Robin and her grandmother to pretend tobe the cook’s wife and daughter. A delightfulstory ensues that involves a fantasy family forRobin and her grandmother when they visit therestaurant for three consecutive Saturdays.Robin welcomes her Saturdays being a partWolf’s “family.” Her fantasy falls apart whenshe learns that Wolf’s real daughter is illegally inthis country and Wolf leaves his job to flee withher and protect her from the immigrationofficials. Robin applies the lessons learned inher fantasy family toward improving her ownfamily’s relationships.Laurence Yep weaves adventure with mysteriesof the Chinese culture of family, making TheCook’s Family an enjoyable, interesting read.All of the characters are animated andmemorable, especially Robin and hergrandmother. Yep has obvious knowledge of theChinese culture and of an aspiring twelve-yearoldballerina.Jo Huddleston, Freelance Writer, Author, Former Teacher,Auburn, ALW I N T E R 2 0 0 0 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

BOOK REVIEWSYOUNG ADULT NONFICTION000’s—GeneralitiesDecision Points : Boolean Logic for ComputerUsers and Beginning Online Searchers, byJanaye M. and Robert S. Houghton. LCCN9853624. Colorado Springs: LibrariesUnlimited, 1999. ISBN 1563086727, PAP,$20.00.025.04. Electronic information resource searching;Computer logic; Algebra, Boolean. 155 p. Gr. 5 -Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5AND, OR, NOT, and their variouscombinations-these Boolean logic concepts,added to If -- then logic, provide a frameworkfor making decisions in everyday life situations.They also are especially useful for searching andmanaging the avalanche of informationavailable by computers and online through theInternet. In Decision Points: Boolean Logic forComputer Users and Beginning OnlineSearchers, the authors gradually present theselogic principles, using practical situations facedby young people. They then apply theseprinciples to computer searching tasks. Thelatter half of the book presents strategicconsiderations for approaching variouscategories of information sources accessed bycomputer. Safety, relevance, and accuracy arefactors in making decisions on where to hunt forneeded information: whether from individuals,online library and bookstore catalogs, or any ofvarying types of search engines.Expanding on and going beyond principlespresented in their earlier book, Circuit Sense(CLJ 3 (3):37), Janaye and Robert Houghtonprovide a unique approach to the developmentof searching strategy and informationmanagement skills in this day of informationoverload. Specifically designed for youngpeople, the simply presented concepts areequally useful to adults. The layout featuresgenerous use of white space, with simple blackand white illustrations and occasional logic truthtables. The forty learning activities includedmay be reproduced for classroom use. (Ananswer key is provided for all except the thirteenonline activities.) The "Table of SelectedBoolean Features" for representative onlineinformation resources also indicates if "familyfiltered." In addition to many websitereferences, a few book references and an indexare included.Donna W. Bowling, Library/Educational Consultant,Siloam Springs, AR200’s—ReligionDictionary of Biblical Imagery. Generaleditors, Leland Ryken, James C. Wilhoit,Tremper Longman III. LCCN 9816945 .Downers Grove, Ill.: Intervarsity Press,1998. ISBN 0830814515, HBB, $39.99.220.3. Bible--Language, style--Dictionaries;Symbolism in the Bible--Dictionaries, 1058 p.Quality—5 Acceptability—5More than a dictionary, Dictionary of BiblicalImagery is a massive reference tool for pastors,teachers, and students of the Bible. Here youwill find an exhaustive listing of literary images,symbols, and motifs found in scripture, plus aseventy-five-page index—half subject index,half scripture reference index.Editors Ryken, Wilhoit, and Longman havebrought together more than 150 specialists inBible and literature to build a complete andvaried interpretive study, more than 850 articles:everything from Aaron's rod to Zion. Do youwant to know about stories in the Bible? Youwill find entries for travel stories, love stories,murder stories. There are joy and sorrow,strength and weakness, heaven and hell. Entriesfor each book of the Bible detail the literaryimages used in them. Asterisks within articlespoint you to other entries you can find in thedictionary.The Bible deals with the real world, usescommon, concrete images to teach spirituallessons. Considering just the body, you will findentries for feet and hands, tongue, mouth, throat,toe, shoulder, hair, head, heart, stomach, neck,knees, and hair.My only suggestion for improvement would beto attribute each entry to its author. It is, in all,a work I will reach for often in my studies.R. Jeanette Hardage, Freelance Writer, Sonora, CAA Dictionary of Bible Types, by Walter L.Wilson. LCCN 9929809. Peabody, Mass.:Hendrickson, 1999. ISBN 1565634187, HBB,$29.95.220.6. Symbolism in the Bible--Dictionaries;Typology (Theology)--Dictionaries. 470 p. Gr. 7 -Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—5Originally published in 1957 by Wm. B.Eerdmans Publishing, as Wilson's Dictionary ofBible Types, Hendrickson Publishers updatedWalter Wilson's work in 1999. Wilson died in1969 after serving as medical doctor, pastor, anddedicated Bible student. He used his medicalknowledge often in sermon illustrations and wasa well-known soul winner.The dictionary surveys 1,000 alphabeticallyarranged symbols and types in the Bible fromAdam to washpot to yoke. In addition to theunmistakable types of Christ, the church, manand the tabernacle, Wilson includes unusualentries such as: caterpillar, toe, and tooth! Asection on how to study types is included.Realizing the differences of opinion concerningthe meaning of types, Wilson wisely separatesthe (a) pure types from (b) those that seem sobecause of their use and (c) those that arequestionable. He uses the a,b,c formatthroughout. In addition, some types, such asloose, may offer all three categories in theirexplanations.The Dictionary of Bible Types is easy to read andfurnishes Scripture references in support of eachtype. Wilson's love of the Word is evident in theIntroduction as he encourages the reader torealize the Bible is "boundless, limitless andmeasureless", therefore," if the reader shouldfind other symbolical meanings" it will be causefor thanksgiving. If there is difference ofopinion, no criticism will result. Wilson'shonesty embodies the strength and value of thisstudy-help. This reference will enrich church,Christian schoo, and family libraries.Carolyn Hearing, Freelance Writer, Virginia, MNConversations in Time with Men and Womenof the Bible, by Herbert O'Driscoll. LCCN9926295. Cambridge, Mass.: CowleyPublications, 1999. ISBN 156101155X, PAP,$10.95.220.9. Bible--Biography; Imaginary conversations;Christian life--Anglican authors. 158 p. Gr. 10 -Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—4Written in the first person, Conversations inTime is exactly what the name implies—conversations between O'Driscoll and suchpeople as Isaiah, Abraham, Ruth, and St. John.But not only heroes—Caiphas, Joab, Delilah,and Michal also step into O'Driscoll's purview.Using this unusual format enables O'Driscoll toC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 4 3 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

YOUNG ADULTNONFICTIONhe is invited to join a small group traveling toSudan to free slaves, he is both fascinated andfrightened. In this book Mr. Bombay talkshonestly about his fears of going into non-safeareas and enduring physical hardships that hissoft body isn't prepared to handle. But he couldnever refuse this opportunity to free slaves andfeed the hungry.Let My People Go! offers pages of black andwhite pictures with clarifying captions, a list ofinfluential people who can change the situationin Sudan, and contacts for mission agenciesworking in the area. From its captivating coverwith a child's eye peeking out from his safetyzone, to the clear black and white pictures, to theuseful who-to-contact information in the back ofthe book, Let My People Go! will haunt you.Barbara Beyer300’s—Social SciencesField Guide to the Birds of North America,edited by Jon L. Dunn. Washington, D.C.:National Geographic, 1999. ISBN0702274512, HBB, $21.95.598.2. Birds--North America. 480 p. Gr. 8 - Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5New World Blackbirds : The Icterids, byAlvaro Jaramillo and Peter Burke. LCCN9834714. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton Univ.Press, 1999. ISBN 0691006806, HBB,$49.50.598.8. Blackbirds; Birds--Identification. 431 p. Gr.10 - Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Eastern/Central Bird Songs. Boston:Houghton Mifflin, 1999. ISBN 0395975220,CDR, $20.00.598.8. Birdsongs. 1 CD, 74 min. Gr. 10 - Adult.Quality—3 Acceptability—5Western Bird Songs. Boston: HoughtonMifflin, 1999. ISBN 0395975190, CDR,$25.00.598.8. Birdsongs. 2 CDs, 143 min. Gr. 10 - Adult.Quality—3 Acceptability—5Stokes Field Guide to Bird Songs : EasternRegion, by Kevin Colver, with Donald &Lillian Stokes. Time Warner Audio Books,1999. ISBN 1570424837, CDR, $29.98.598.8. Birdsongs. 3 CDs, 210 min. Gr. 10 - Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Stokes Field Guide to Bird Songs : WesternRegion, by Lang Elliott, with Donald &Lillian Stokes. Time Warner Audio Books,1998. ISBN 1570425884, CDR, $34.98.598.8. Birdsongs. 4 CDs, 300 min. Gr. 10 - Adult.Issues in the Environment, by Patricia D.Netzley. LCCN 9725894. ISBN 1560064757.333.7. Environmentalism--United States;Environmental protection--Economic aspects;Environmental law--United States. 96 p.Issues in Biomedical Ethics, by Lisa Yount.LCCN 9730784. ISBN 1560064765.174.2. Medical ethics; Bioethics. 128 p.Issues in Sports, by Stephen Currie. LCCN9727451. ISBN 1560064773.306.4. Sports--United States--Sociological aspects.96 p.(Contemporary Issues.) San Diego: Lucent Books,Greenhaven Press, 1998. HBB, $22.45. Gr. 6 - 12.Quality—5 Acceptability—4Contemporary Issues Series seeks to provide apoint/counter point discussion on importantissues to young people. The books reviewed inthis series were written by peopleknowledgeable in their field. The format forRecent Birding ReleasesQuality—5Acceptability—5The Large Gulls of North America, by Jon L.Dunn. (Advanced Birding Video Series; 1.): Peregrine Video Productions, 1997. ISBN,VID, $34.95.598.3. Gulls. 1 videocassette, 119 min. Gr. 10 -Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5As one of the fastest growing hobbies in NorthAmerica, birdwatching, or birding as it hascome to be known, is opening the door for agreater and greater number of publications, in avariety of formats. Whether you want toidentify a bird in your backyard, or, distinguishthe age and moult of a more esoteric speciesfound on vacation, there are a growing array ofresources available to assist you in the process.The purpose of this extended review is topresent a sampling of new tools available tolibrary users with an interest in this aspect of thenatural world.As you go out to watch birds the primary toolwhich should be in your hand (or backpack) isthe field guide. The Field Guide to the Birds ofNorth America (3rd edition) is the mostcomprehensive and up-to-date guide available.Covering all species known to breed in NorthAmerica, this revised edition has added eightyadditional species and revised names, rangemaps, and text accounts to bring the user thelatest identification information available. Thisguide is geared to the more advancedbirder/naturalist and the massive amount ofinformation presented can be somewhatoverwhelming for a neophyte. For aninteresting aside, check out a behind-the-sceneslook at the process and people involved in themajor revision of this standard guide:http://www.virtualbirder.com/vbirder/shelf/guieach book starts by focusing on the issue, andthen, in following chapters, giving a morethorough discussion. Each book begins with anintroductory chapter that sets the tone for thebook. The information is presented in anunbiased manner and the works consultedsection is beneficial for further inquiry. Theindex, charts, pictures, and political cartoons allcontribute to the education of the student on thesubject. There is also a section for the student towrite for more information. The books aredurable and the pages and type are conducive toreading. Each edition is short enough for themiddle/junior high student to read and yetcomplete enough in information for the studentto arrive at an intelligent opinion.The environment issue discusses the topics ofenvironmentalism and the economy,Endangered Species Act, garbage, andAmericans and the environment. The sportsissue discusses the topics of the demands ofdes/ngs/index.htmlMoving beyond the mere identification of birdspecies, an increasing number of publicationsare focused on a particular family of birds. NewWorld Blackbirds by Jaramillo & Burke is anexample of this genre. It provides detailedwritten and visual assistance to those interestedin a more in-depth understanding of this familyof birds. Using color plates and range maps,black and white illustrations as well as thoroughtextual descriptions and bibliographies, theauthors provide relevant information on the 103species which comprise the Icterid family.For many people a picture may not be worth athousand words. Their learning style focuseson the aural rather than the visual. For the studyand observation of birds a number ofCD/audiocassette products have beendeveloped. The two main competitors for awider North American market are: Peterson’sEastern / Central Birds Songs and Western BirdSongs, and, Stokes Field Guide to Bird Songs:Eastern Region and Western Region.Finally, in this multimedia era the use of videoin the description of bird species has finallymatured. The Large Gulls of North America isthe first of a series of “advanced birding” videosproduced by Peregrine Video Productions andtakes advantage of slow motion, side-by-sidecomparisons, freeze frames and other specialeffects. This is definitely a resource that mustbe viewed repeatedly to gain full advantage ofthe depth of information provided.Books, CDs, and videos are all useful tools inour growing understanding and identification ofthe natural world.Ted Goshulak, University Librarian, Langley, BCC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 4 5 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

YOUNG ADULTNONFICTIONsports on young people, the "student-athlete"debate, drug usage in sports, gender bias, androle models. The biomedical issue deals withallocation of health care, assisted death, animalresearch, and gene therapy. Each chapterpresents the information and then shows thereader the point and counterpoint to the topicbeing discussed. The student is encouraged tohave an informed opinion and then to act on it.This series would be helpful in the middleschool or the high school debate team.Bianca Elliott, Teacher, Linwood, KS600’s—Technology (Applied Sciences)They Never Gave Up : Adventures in EarlyAviation, by Michael Wilkey. Victoria, B.C.:Orca, 1998. ISBN 1551430770, PAP, $9.95.629.13. Aeronautics--Biography; Aeronautics--History; Flight; Paper airplanes. 120 p. Gr. 6 - 8.Quality—4 Acceptability—5In the early 1900's, the ancient dream of manbecame a reality. He learned to fly. Althoughthe theory of flight seemed to bloom suddenly asif by magic, it actually grew from seeds ofundaunted determination. Not only did the forceof gravity need to be overcome, so did the scornof social criticism. However, once thepossibility of flight was achieved, scorn meltedinto enthusiasm.They Never Gave Up chronicles the efforts ofearly North American aviators beginning withthe Wright brothers first flight in 1903. JohnMcCury flew his plane off the ice of Bras d'OrLake in Nova Scotia four years later, becomingthe first Canadian pilot. There were manydreamers and designers in those days. TheUnderwood brothers' manned kite looked like aflying saucer. William Gibson pursued hispassion for flying in secret, fearing his bankerswould think he was crazy. Once airplanesbecame more dependable, airmail deliveries ledthe way for commercial cargo and passengerflights.Michael Wilkey's fascination with flight showshis writing as well as in the details of his pen andink illustrations. Each story has a tone ofexperience, as if he himself had been a part ofthe adventure. To help readers understand thedifficulties of flight theory, Wilkey has includedseveral simple experiments on aerodynamics, achart identifying the essential parts on anairplane, and diagrams explaining the functionof different wing types. The instructions forfolding paper airplanes will encourage readersto become participators in discovering flight.Melinda Torgerson, Freelance Writer, Newport, WAThe Twelve Teas of Christmas : Sharing theSeason with Those You Love, by EmilieBarnes; paintings by Sandy Lynam Clough.LCCN 9914124. Eugene, Ore.: HarvestHouse, 1999. ISBN 0736900527, HBB,$16.99.641.5. Afternoon teas; Christmas cookery. 96 p. Gr.10 - Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—5Emilie Barnes, author of If Teacups Could Talk,and artist Sandy Lynam Clough team up tocreate another winning gift book. Brimmingwith inspiration and steeped with warmth, TheTwelve Teas of Christmas combines imaginativeideas with delicate paintings of teacups, teapots,and Christmas decorations. Also sprinkledthroughout are tea information, dates of historicChristmas happenings, and Christmas customs.The book features twelve tea celebrations withmenus, recipes, entertaining, and decoratingideas for each. Tea themes include: friendship,family, joy, warmth, sharing, merriment, peace,dreams, tradition, giving, creation, and stillness.The emphasis for each celebration is onhospitality and sharing rather than on tea andhow to serve it.With a dozen original celebrations, the bookcontains ideas to suit everyone’s taste. Begin inearly December with a friendship tea that salutescompanionship and Christmas. Or celebratefamily with a teatime that develops traditionsand builds rich memories. If a Victorian themesuits you, try a celebration of joy that pampersguests. Or combine a tea party and sleepoverwith a drive to see neighborhood Christmaslights. Consider a caroling tea party or motherdaughtertea with an angel theme. To minimizethe after-Christmas letdown, plan a teatime inJanuary that focuses on stillness and reflection.With more ideas than you can use in one year,enjoy the celebrations for seasons to come.Recipes include sandwiches, sweets, breads,fruit, spreads, and beverages. They range fromfamiliar tea fare to new tastes. The instructionsfor some recipes are incomplete, and the booklacks an index. Weak in tea information butstrong in creativity and beauty, tea lovers willdelight in this quick read.Lydia E. Harris, Former Teacher & Freelance Writer,Seattle, WA21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership : FollowThem and People Will Follow You, by John C.Maxwell. LCCN 988365. Nashville: ThomasNelson, 1998. ISBN 0785274316, HBB,$17.99.658.4. Leadership; Industrial management. 233 p.Gr. 10 - Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—5Whether bungling through a leadership position,or desiring to master techniques of worthyleadership, 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadershipprovides a blueprint for any leader yearning toimprove. Based on sound biblical principles,Maxwell identifies 21 laws which, whenpracticed, equip the leader with the necessarytools to fulfill his or her leadership role. From“The Law of the Lid” (Leadership AbilityDetermines a Person’s Level of Effectiveness)to “The Law of Connection” (Leaders Touch aHeart Before They Ask for a Hand) JohnMaxwell, an ex-pastor turned leadershipspecialist, details what it takes to lead others.Filled with examples from his pastoral years aswell as current and historical figures, he deftlyapplies the laws to life’s situations. Maxwelldevelops the precepts chronologically, althougheach chapter stands alone. The last section,“The Law of Legacy” (A leader’s Lasting Valueis Measured by Succession) emphasizespassage of leadership principles. Zig Ziglar saysin the introduction, “It’s loaded with hope,direction, encouragement, and specificprocedures.”Church leaders, SS teachers, pastors, as well asChristians working in a secular position, will beenriched with this easy to read help. 21Irrefutable Laws of Leadership reads like aconversation with a good friend, and itscredibility stems from the honesty of Maxwell’sexamples, which include successes and failuresin leadership. Visuals to clarify and illustrateprinciples are included, in addtion to extensivenotes for further direction in personal research.Carolyn Hearing, Freelance Writer, Virginia, MN700’s—The Arts and RecreationWithin Reach : My Everest Story, by MarkPfetzer and Jack Galvin. LCCN 9829215.New York: Dutton, Penguin Putnam, 1998.ISBN 0525460896, HBB, $16.95.796.52. Pfetzer, Mark; Mountaineers; Everest, Mount(China and Nepal); Youths' writings. 224 p. Gr. 7 -12.Quality—4 Acceptability—3Mark Pfetzer, with the help of Jack Galvin, haswritten his personal story of triumph andsetback as he attempts to become the youngestever to summit Mt. Everest. Within Reachchronicles how he climbed his first mountain,19,029 ft., at age fourteen. After climbingseveral mountains over a two year period, hemade his first attempt on Everest at age fifteen.However the physical stress kept him from thesummit. His second, and most promising trip toEverest, was made a year later. Unfortunately, aflash storm caused eight deaths the day beforehe was to summit. He was on the mountainduring that storm, only a couple thousand feetfrom the summit, yet had to turn back. Pfetzergives detailed descriptions of eight climbs, somesuccessful, some not. He describes the complexorganization involved in climbing mountains,such as raising finances, training, team bonding,and acclimatizing (getting physically used to thelow oxygen on the mountain).The fact that Mark Pfetzer, a sixteen-year-old, isallowed to get out of school to do something soambitious without the supervision of his parentswill appeal to most young readers. However,Mr. Pfetzer does an admirable job of allowingW I N T E R 2 0 0 0 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

YOUNG ADULTNONFICTIONthe reader to really "see" the mountain,understand the difficulties and intricacies ofclimbing, and feel the joy of his successes aswell as the heartaches of the failures. Thecharacterization of Mark is well developed tothe extent of his mountain climbing. There islittle insight into his family life other than thefact that his father has cancer at the end of hisstory. The reader really knows nothing outsideof Mark's climbing. Detailing day-to-day eventson eight different climbs can become a littlemonotonous unless one is deeply interested inthe subject.There are eight pages of color pictures fromvarious climbs. Also included is a timeline ofthe mountains climbed, a roster of the peopleinvolved in each of Mark's climbs, and aglossary of mountain climbing terms whichproves to be very helpful. There is mildprofanity and instances of lying to get aroundthe rules.Patricia A. Youmans, MLIS, Homeschool Parent, SiloamSprings, AR900’s—Geography, History, & BiographyWitnesses to War : Eight True-Life Stories ofNazi Persecution, by Michael Leapman. NewYork: Viking, Penguin Putnam, 1998. ISBN0670873861, HBB, $16.99.920 (940.53). Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945);Holocaust survivors. 128 p. Gr. 9 - Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Michael Leapman writes of the Germans' hatredof the Jewish people, thinking them an inferiorrace. He tells how they sought to get rid of thechildren of Jews and other minority races,knowing the children would grow up to increasethe numbers of their races. In Witnesses to War,Leapman writes the stories of eight childrenwho suffered through the cruelties of subjectionto the atrocities of war.Leapman describes how these minority childrenwere separated from their parents and abouttheir lack of proper nourishment, medical care,and clothing while in custody of the Germans.He relates how TB and polio spread.From interviews with these surviving adults,Leapman tells how some children were chosenfor "Germanization" after their physical featureswere determined to closely match the Germanrace. The goal of Germanization, Leapmanwrites, was to aid more thorough populating ofall of Europe when the Germans conquered thecontinent. The author recounts how relieforganizations rescued groups of these childrenand removed them to Britain.Authentic photographs of these eight childrentaken during the war accompany Leapman'srealistic accounts about their lives. The readerwon't soon forget his vivid descriptive narrativerelating their experiences. Evidence ofLeapman's excellent research on his topic isapparent throughout the book. In Witnesses toWar, Leapman presents an eye-opening accountof the realities of war.Jo Huddleston, Freelance Writer, Author, Former Teacher,Auburn, ALLouisa May Alcott, by Amy Ruth.(Biography.) LCCN 9747283. Minneapolis:A&E and Lerner, Lerner Publishing Group,1999. ISBN 0822549387, HBB, $25.26.921 (813). Alcott, Louisa May, 1832-1888; Authors,American; Women--Biography. 128 p. Gr. 6 - 9.Quality—4 Acceptability—4Louisa May Alcott, by Amy Ruth, presents arealistic look at the life of a writer whose worksare loved and enjoyed by many. The readerbecomes acquainted with Louisa in her struggleson the road to reaching her dream of being awriter, and then her delight at the successfulacceptance of her writings. We are given aglimpse into the community around her, thesituations and people that influenced her, and therestlessness of her family as they moved fromone situation to another, attempting to make lifework for them. Louisa’s personal life isrevealed as she tenderly cares for others as anurse during the Civil War, as she lovinglywatches over a dying sister, and then near theend of her life as she becomes 'mother' to heryoung niece.Amy Ruth has provided an enjoyable andinformational book about Louisa Alcott, herfamily, and family friends including HenryDavid Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson.There are many references to her journal entries,giving insight into her personal thoughts. Blackand white photos are throughout the book. Atthe beginning of the book we see Louise as ayoung child and near the end is a photo takenduring the last years of her life. Some are notgood quality, but helpful in giving a visualrepresentation of life during those days. At theback of the book is additional informationincluding an epilogue, a list of sources, abibliography of the writings of Louisa, otherbook sources, and magazine and newspaperarticles, a detailed index and acknowledgementof photos included.Lynette Sorenson, College Librarian, Kirkland, WANo Pretty Pictures : A Child of War, by AnitaLobel. LCCN 9748392. New York:Greenwillow Books, William Morrow, 1998.ISBN 0688159354, HBB, $16.00.921 (940.53). Lobel, Anita--Childhood and youth;Jews--Poland--Kraków--Biography; Holocaust, Jewish(1939-1945); Holocaust survivors. 193 p. Gr. 5 - 8.Quality—4 Acceptability—4Anita Lobel recalls her experiences duringWorld War II as a Jewish child in Poland. Herfather escaped to Eastern Russia, and Anita andher brother lived in the countryside for a while.They were eventually captured and taken tovarious concentration camps. Theymiraculously survived, which she attributes tothe Catholic beliefs that her nanny taught her.She lived in a home in Sweden until her parentswere reunited after the war and they found herand came and got her. This is a very interestingaccount, and includes many of the realities andhorrors of war from the eyes of a ten-year-oldchild and the perspective of her own memories.This narrative is written in a pretty simple andstraightforward style, which makes it quitepowerful. The reality of her words make thereader visualize what actually happened. Thesentences are clipped, as if written by someonewhose first language was not English. She saysthey were numb in their feelings, and the story iswritten that way, a bit distantly. The language isoccasionally earthy and crude.Several pages of black and white photos areincluded of Anita's family before, during, andafter the war. The reader definitely gains insightfrom the tale that is told, a different saga than isoften projected in WW II—they are "we hid"type of stories.Judy Belcher, Teacher, Bremerton, WAThomas Jefferson : Father of Liberty, by JeriChase Ferris. (Trailblazers Biographies.)LCCN 9746039. Minneapolis: LernerPublishing Group, 1998. ISBN 1575050099,HBB, $23.93.921 (973.4). Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826;Presidents. 112 p. Gr. 3 - 8.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Thomas Jefferson "wrote piles, masses, heaps ofpapers and letters." He never argued exceptwith his pen. This was a defining factor of hislife, along with his love for his home,Monticello. He kept precise documents of all ofhis possessions and work there, including hisslaves. He did try several times in his life tosettle the problem of slavery. He was extremelyintelligent; he read Shakespeare at six years old,and at nine studied Latin, Greek, and French.His library had books in seven languages.Jefferson was the early American leader whobelieved that people could rule themselves, andthis responsibility didn't need to be left to thewealthy. At times in his life he was rich; but atthe end of his life, he was very much in debt. Hewanted to be remembered for being the authorof the Declaration of Independence and theStatute of Virginia for Religious Freedom, andthe Father of the University of Virginia.Jeri Chase Ferris has written an excellentbiography of this great American, one thatmakes the reader feel like he or she knows theman himself, what he believed in, and how hethought. This book is thorough, and written inthe language that middle grade students caneasily understand. The illustrations includeblack and white photographs of paintings,documents, furniture, architectural drawings ofhis house, and other relevant material. Asection titled "Notes" at the end of the bookC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 4 7 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

YOUNG ADULTNONFICTIONgives some additional fascinating information.An ample bibliography specially denotes booksthat these students could easily read, and theindex is comprehensive.Judy Belcher, Teacher, Bremerton, WAThe Holocaust Overview, by Ann Byers.LCCN 9737637. ISBN 0766010627.940.53. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945); Germany--Politics and government--1933-1945. 128 p.Quality—5 Acceptability—4The Holocaust Camps, by Ann Byers. LCCN9737642. ISBN 0894909959.940.53. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945); World War,1939-1945--Concentration camps. 128 p..Quality—5 Acceptability—4The Holocaust Ghettos, by Linda AltmanJacobs. LCCN 9737638. ISBN 0894909940.940.53. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945); Jewishghettos. 112 p.Quality—5 Acceptability—4(The Holocaust Remembered Series.) Springfield,N.J.: Enslow Publishers, 1998. HBB, $19.95. Gr. 6 -12.The Holocaust Remembered series is a must forthe libraries of America. The series presents aneasy to read account of the Holocaust, focusingon certain aspects such as the ghettos or thecamps. Each book can stand alone, as there islittle overlap or repetitive information betweenthe books. Each book contains clear picturesand maps as well as charts to help the readervisualize the material. The index andbibliography section is great for themiddle/junior high student and above forproviding more information. The paper isdurable as is the cover. The writing is straightforward and non-emotional.Ms. Beyers tells in the Overview how theHolocaust began with Hitler's rise to power. Shethen chronicles the steps he and other keyfigures took and why they began the "FinalSolution." She carefully states the facts in termsthat the younger student will understand and at apace that will keep him/her mesmerized. Whilethe information is mature, Beyers presents itcarefully and appropriately for the targeted agegroup. In the book about the Holocaust camps,Ms. Byers presents the history of why the campswere started and who first occupied them, aswell as what their use was. She differentiatesbetween the camps in a simplified manner, suchas one camp was used for munitions whileanother was used for extermination. Sheexplains what life was like in these camps andthe liberation of the camps. Both of her bookscontain a timeline to enhance the student'sunderstanding of the material.Ms. Altman provides a brief overview of thewar, explains the history and the location of thefirst ghettos, and takes the reader into theghettos. As with the other books in the series,the photographs, drawings, maps, and charts arevery helpful without taking away from the text.The index and bibliography will provide thestudent with more information. The onlycaution is that these books cover a difficultsubject and while neither of the authors seek tomake the material harsh, it is still a dark periodof history and these books may be difficult forsome readers.Bianca Elliott, Teacher, Linwood, KSRussia, rev. ed., by Michael Kort. (Nations inTransition.) LCCN 9810751. New York:Facts on File, 1998. ISBN 0816037760, HBB,$19.95.947.09. Russia (Federation). 200 p. Gr. 7 - 12.Quality—4 Acceptability—5As part of the Nations in Transition series,Russia shows the people as they rebuild acountry that had once been dominated by theCommunists. It outlines the people's strugglesagainst nature, against other nations, and againstthemselves. The author, Michael Kort, not onlylooks at the daily life of the Russian people, butalso examines Russian culture, economy,history, and religion.I found Kort's Chronology of Russian History,(pps 186-192) an excellent resource. Kortbegins in the mid-9th century and takes thereader step by step to the appointment of theprime minister in 1998. The book is richlyillustrated with black and white photos ofRussia's common people as well as the country'swell-known people like Vladimir Lenin, JosephStalin, and Alexandr Solzhenitsyn. The bookalso includes photos of places and maps.The author includes a two page list ofsuggestions for further reading, and provides amore than adequate index. Overall, MichaelKort presents a credible review of Russia andher people.Dell Smith KleinEast Timor : Island in Turmoil, by TaroMcGuinn. (World in Conflict.) LCCN9713683. Minneapolis: Lerner PublicationsCo., 1998. ISBN 0822535556, HBB, $25.26.959.8. Timor Timur (Indonesia)--History; TimorTimur (Indonesia)--Ethnic relations. 88 p. Gr. 7 - 12.Quality—3 Acceptability—4East Timor, a part of the island of Timor, andlocated 400 miles northwest of Australia, is acountry that was once part of Portugal, and isnow controlled by Indonesia. Past problems andthe present situation produces pain for thepeople who inhabit this small island in the SouthPacific. The past history of this small country isdiscussed, including the civil war where anestimated 200,000 Timorese were killed by theIndonesian military. The human rights of thepeople in this small country have been violated,while the rest of the world was unaware of whatwas happening or did not seem to care aboutdoing anything to help these people. Theconflict continues as Indonesia claims thatpeople of East Timor can not make it withouttheir help, while most of the East Timorese feelthat they can exist independently.Maps and black and white and colored photosadd to the understanding of the situation andcondition in East Timor. A word list withdefinitions is at the beginning, those words inthe text are bold. At the end is an index, selectedbibliography containing both older and currentbooks, and an epilogue that includes how tokeep current happenings in Timor. Achronology is also provided dating from 1400'sto 1997. The introduction contains goodinformation, but could have given morepersonal information about the people ratherthan talking about the conflict. This is a veryuseful source to students doing research onhuman rights or on countries in conflict.Lynette Sorenson, College Librarian, Kirkland, WAW I N T E R 2 0 0 0 4 8 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

YOUNG ADULTNONFICTIONMany series titles are similar incomposition and quality to other titles inthe series. Following are some seriestitles from series we have previouslyreviewed. Readers are referred back tothe original review for furtherinformation about the series.African-American Biographies,Springfield, N.J.: Enslow Publishers,HBB, $19.95.Last reviewed Winter/Spring.1999.Quality—5 Acceptability—5W. E. B. Du Bois : Champion of CivilRights, by Mark Rowh.LCCN 9850787,ISBN 0766012093, 1999.921 (305.896). De Bois, W. E. B. (WilliamEdward Burkrardt), 1868-1963, Civil rightsworkers, Afro-Americans--Biography. 128 p.Walter Dean Myers : Writer for RealTeens, by Denise M. Jordan.LCCN9850788, ISBN 0766012069, 1999.921 (813). Myers, Walter Dean, 1937-,Authors, American, Afro-Americans--Biography. 128 p.Collective Biographies, Springfield,N.J.: Enslow Publishers, HBB, $19.95.Last reviewed Winter/Spring.1999.Quality—5 Acceptability—4American Computer Pioneers, by MaryNorthrup. LCCN 9724155, ISBN0766010538, 1998.920 (004). Computers--History, Computers--Biography, Inventors, Businessmen. 112 p.American Tycoons, by Carl R. Green andWilliam R. Sanford. LCCN 9850786,ISBN 0766011127, 1999.920 (338.092). Businesspeople. 112 p.American Science Fiction and FantasyWriters, by Claire L. Datnow. (CollectiveBiographies.) LCCN 988846, ISBN0766010902, 1999.920 (813). Authors, American, Science fiction--History and criticism, Fantasy--History andcriticism. 128 p.Cultures of the Past, Tarrytown, N.Y.:Benchmark Books, HBB, $19.95.Last reviewed March.1998.Quality—5 Acceptability—5The Ancient Hebrews, by Kenny Mann.LCCN 976551, ISBN 0761403027, 1999.909. Jews--History, Bible. O.T.--History ofBiblical events. 80 p.Mesopotamia, by Pamela F. Service.LCCN 9654611, ISBN 0761403019, 1999.935. Iraq--Civilization--To 634. 80 p.Elizabethan England, by Ruth Ashby.LCCN 9643868, ISBN 0761402691, 1999.942.05. Great Britain--History--Elizabeth,1558-1603, England--Social life and customs--16th century. 80 p.Spain in the Age of Exploration, byHeather Millar. LCCN 972090, ISBN0761403035, 1999.946. Spain--Civilization--711-1516, Spain--Civilization--1516-1700. 80 p.Belarus, by Patricia Levy. LCCN9748562, ISBN 0761408118, 1998.947.8. Belarus. 128 p.Cultures of the World, New York:Marshall Cavendish, HBB, $24.95.Last reviewed March.1996.Quality—4 Acceptability—4Liberia, by Patricia Levy. LCCN 9743613,ISBN 76140810X, 1998.966.62. Liberia. 128 p.Tanzania, by Jay Heale. LCCN 9742180,ISBN 0761408096, 1998.967.8. Tanzania. 128 p.Guatemala, by Sean Sheehan. LCCN9744619, ISBN 0761408126, 1998.972.81. Guatemala. 128 p.New Zealand, by Roselynn Smelt. LCCN9742179, ISBN 0761408088, 1998.993. New Zealand. 128 p.Papua New Guinea, by Ingrid Gascoigne.LCCN 9743611, ISBN 0761408134, 1998.995.3. Papua New Guinea. 128 p.Czech Republic, by Efstathia Sioras.LCCN 9830290, ISBN 0761408703, 1999.943.71. Czech Republic. 128 p.Estonia, by Michael Spilling. LCCN9843682, ISBN 0761409513, 1999.947.98. Estonia. 128 p.Mongolia, by Guek-Cheng Pang. LCCN9831987, ISBN 0761409548, 1999.951.7. Mongolia. 128 p.Yemen, by Anna Hestler. LCCN 9853993,ISBN 0761409564, 1999.953.3. Yemen. 128 p.Kuwait, by Maria O'Shea. LCCN9825833, ISBN 0761408711, 1999.953.67. Kuwait. 128 p.Bangladesh, by Mariam Whyte. LCCN9822428, ISBN 76140869X, 1999.954.92. Bangladesh. 128 p.Senegal, by Elizabeth L. Berg. LCCN987790, ISBN 76140872X, 1999.966.3. Senegal. 128 p.Ghana, by Patricia Levy. LCCN 9849004,ISBN 0761409521, 1999.966.7. Ghana. 128 p.Angola, by Sean Sheehan. LCCN9851963, ISBN 76140953X, 1999.967.3. Angola. 128 p.Democratic Republic of the Congo, by JayHeale. LCCN 9828538, ISBN0761408746, 1999.967.51. Congo (Democratic Republic). 128 p.Honduras, by Leta McGaffey. LCCN9854908, ISBN 0761409556, 1999.972.83. Honduras. 128 p.Uruguay, by Leslie Jermyn. LCCN9827375, ISBN 0761408738, 1999.989.5. Uruguay. 128 p.Latvia, by Robert Barlas. LCCN 9930168,ISBN 0761409777, 2000.947.96. Latvia. 128 p.Cyprus, by Michael Spilling. LCCN9931942, ISBN 0761409785, 2000.956.93. Cyprus. 128 p.Côte D'Ivoire, by Patricia Sheehan. LCCN9927250, ISBN 0761409807, 2000.966.68. Côte D'Ivoire. 128 p.Uganda, by Robert Barlas. LCCN9927577, ISBN 0761409815, 2000.967.6. Uganda. 128 p.Barbados, by Marie Louise Elias. LCCN9927594, ISBN 0761409769, 2000.972.98. Barbados. 128 p.Paraguay, by Leslie Jermyn. LCCN9927257, ISBN 0761409793, 2000.989.2. Paraguay. 128 p.C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 4 9 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

YOUNG ADULTNONFICTIONHistorical American Biographies,Springfield, N.J.: Enslow Publishers,HBB, $19.95.Last reviewed Fall.1998.Quality—4 Acceptability—5 (or Quality—3 Acceptability—4, depending on the subject)Mark Twain : Legendary Writer andHumorist, by Lynda Pflueger. 9831293,ISBN 0766010937, 1999.921 (818). Twain, Mark, 1835-1910, Authors,American, Humorists. 128 p.Billy the Kid : Outlaw of the Wild West, byRoger A. Bruns. 9916689, ISBN0766010910, 2000.920 (364.15). Billy, the Kid, Robbers andoutlaws, Frontier and pioneer life--Southwest.128 p.The Wright Brothers : Inventors of theAirplane, by Wendie C. Old. 9939585,ISBN 0766010953, 2000.920 (629.24). Wright, Orville, 1871-1948,Wright, Wilbur, 1867-1912, Aeronautics--Biography, Inventors. 128 p.Mary Todd Lincoln : Tragic First Lady ofthe Civil War, by Mary E. Hull. 9920080,ISBN 0766012522, 2000.921 (973.7). Lincoln, Mary Todd, 1818-1882,First ladies, Women--Biography. 128 p.George Armstrong Custer : Civil WarGeneral and Western Legend, by ZacharyKent. 9927496, ISBN 0766012557, 2000.921 (973.8). Custer, George Armstrong, 1839-1876, Generals. 128 p.Jim Bowie : Hero of the Alamo, by AnnGraham Gaines. 9914239, ISBN0766012530, 2000.921 (976.4). Bowie, James, d. 1836, Pioneers,Alamo (San Antonio, Tex.)--Siege, 1836,Texas--History--Revolution, 1835-1836. 128 p.Daniel Boone : Frontier Legend, by PatMcCarthy. 9924578, ISBN 0766012565,2000.921 (976.9). Boone, Daniel, 1723-1820,Pioneers, Frontier and pioneer life. 128 p.The Panama Canal in American History,by Ann Graham Gaines. (In AmericanHistory.) LCCN 9814477, ISBN0766012166, 1999.972.8. Panama Canal (Panama). 128 p.Slavery and Abolition in AmericanHistory, by Linda Jacobs Altman. LCCN9919885, ISBN 0766011240, 1999.973.7. Antislavery movements, Slavery--History, Abolitionists. 128 p.Reconstruction Following the Civil War inAmerican History, by Marsha Ziff. LCCN9846740, ISBN 0766011402, 1999.973.8. Reconstruction, United States--History--1865-1898. 128 p.The Alaska Purchase in American History,by David K. Fremon. LCCN 9848913,ISBN 0766011380, 1999.979.8. Alaska--History--To 1867, Russians--Alaska--History, Alaska--Annexation to theUnited States. 128 p.The Lindbergh Baby Kidnapping inAmerican History, by Judith Edwards.LCCN 9930815, ISBN 0766012999, 2000.364.15. Lindbergh, Charles Augustus, 1930-1932--Kidnapping, 1932, Lindbergh, Charles A.(Charles Augustus), 1902-1974, Hauptmann,Bruno Richard, 1899-1936, Kidnapping. 128 p.The Vietnam Antiwar Movement inAmerican History, by Anita LouiseMcCormick. LCCN 9937118, ISBN0766012956, 2000.959.7. Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975,Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975--Protestmovements. 128 p.The Louisiana Purchase in AmericanHistory, by Ann Gaines. LCCN 9924659,ISBN 0766013014, 2000.973.4. Louisiana Purchase, United States--History--1801-1809. 128 p.Nations in Transition, New York: Factson File, HBB, $19.95.Last reviewed This issue.Quality—4 Acceptability—5People to Know, Springfield, N.J.:Enslow Publishers, HBB, $19.95.Last reviewed Winter/Spring.1999.Quality—4 Acceptability—5Ernest Hemingway : Writer andAdventurer, by Della A. Yannuzzi. LCCN9733351, ISBN 0894909797, 1998.921 (813). Hemingway, Ernest, 1899-1961,Authors, American. 112 p.Robert Ballard : Oceanographer WhoDiscovered the Titanic, by Christine M.Hill. LCCN 9854437, ISBN 076601147X,1999.921 (551.46). Ballard, Robert D.,Oceanographers, Titanic (Steamship),Shipwrecks. 128 p.Frank Lloyd Wright : Visionary Architect,by David K. Wright. LCCN 9729056,ISBN 0766010325, 1999.921 (720). Wright, Frank Lloyd, 1867-1959,Architects. 128 p.Jack London : A Writer's AdventurousLife, by Elaine Slivinski Lisandrelli.LCCN 9850565, ISBN 0766011445, 1999.921 (813). London, Jack, 1876-1916, Authors,American. 128 p.Al Gore : Leader for the New Millennium,by Laura S. Jeffrey. LCCN 9852498,ISBN 0766012328, 1999.921 (973.929). Gore, Albert, 1948-, Vice-Presidents. 112 p.Madeleine Albright : First WomanSecretary of State, by Barbara Kramer.LCCN 9921294, ISBN 0766011437, 2000.921 (327.73). Albright, Madeleine Korbel,Cabinet officers, Ambassadors, Women--Biography. 112 p.Rosie O'Donnell : Talk Show Host andComedian, by Virginia Meachum. LCCN9926875, ISBN 0766011488, 2000.921 (792.7). O'Donnell, Rosie, Comedians,Entertainers, Women--Biography. 112 p.In American History, Springfield,N.J.: Enslow Publishers, HBB,$19.95.Last reviewed Winter/Spring.1999.Quality—4 Acceptability—4Ukraine, by Steven Otfinoski. LCCN987988, ISBN 0816037574, 1998.947.7. Ukraine. 122 p.Bulgaria, by Steven Otfinoski. LCCN9810577, ISBN 0816037051, 1998.949.9. Bulgaria. 118 p.Port Cities of North America,Minneapolis: Lerner Publications, HBB,$23.93.Last reviewed Winter/Spring.1999.Quality—4 Acceptability—5Destination San Juan, by Herón Márquez.(Port Cities of North America.) LCCN9639489, ISBN 0822527928, 1998.W I N T E R 2 0 0 0 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

YOUNG ADULTNONFICTION972.95. San Juan (P.R.). 80 p.Science Projects, Springfield, N.J.:Enslow Publishers, HBB, $19 .95.Last reviewed October.1995.Quality—4 Acceptability—5Science Fair Projects—Planning,Presenting, Succeeding, by RobertGardner. LCCN 988667, ISBN0894909495, 1999.507.8. Science projects--Methodology. 104 p.Science Projects About Math, by RobertGardner. LCCN 986820, ISBN0894909509, 1999.507.8. Mathematics--Experiments, Science--Experiments, Science projects, Experiments.112 p.Science Projects About Physics in theHome, by Robert Gardner. LCCN 986822,ISBN 0894909487, 1999.507.8. Physics--Experiments, Experiments,Science projects. 112 p.Science Projects About Kitchen Chemistry,by Robert Gardner. LCCN 9835050, ISBN0894909533, 1999.540.78. Chemistry--Experiments, Experiments,Science projects. 128 p.Science Projects About Plants, by RobertGardner. LCCN 986821, ISBN0894909525, 1999.580.78. Botany projects, Plants--Experiments,Science projects, Experiments. 112 p.Science Projects About the Environmentand Ecology, by Robert Gardner. LCCN9835049, ISBN 0894909517, 1999.628. Environmental science--Experiments,Ecology--Experiments, Experiments, Scienceprojects. 112 p.Science Projects About the Science BehindMagic, by Robert Gardner. LCCN9923826, ISBN 076601164X, 2000.507.8. Science projects, Magic tricks. 128 p.Science Projects About the Physics ofSports, by Robert Gardner. LCCN9934119, ISBN 766011674, 2000.530. Sports--Experiments, Force and energy--Experiments, Motion--Experiments,Experiments, Science projects. 128 p.Science Projects About Methods ofMeasuring, by Robert Gardner. LCCN9935532, ISBN 0766011690, 2000.530.8. Measurement--Experiments,Experiments, Science projects. 128 p.Sports Great Books, Springfield, N.J.:Enslow Publishers, HBB, $16.95.Last reviewed September.1996.Quality—4 Acceptability—5Sports Great Dikembe Mutombo, by JohnAlbert Torres. LCCN 9930160, ISBN0766012670, 2000.921 (796.323). Mutombo, Dikembe, Basketballplayers. 64 p.Sports Reports, Springfield, N.J.:Enslow Publishers, HBB, $19.95.Last reviewed Fall.1998.Quality—4 Acceptability—5Scott Hamilton : Star Figure Skater, byBarry Wilner. LCCN 9835035, ISBN0766012360, 1999.921 (796.91). Hamilton, Scott, 1958-, Iceskaters. 104 p.The Drama of American History,Tarrytown, N.Y.: Benchmark Books,HBB, $20.95.Last reviewed Winter/Spring.1999.Quality—5 Acceptability—5A Century of Immigration, 1820-1924, byChristopher Collier and James LincolnCollier. LCCN 983358, ISBN0761408215, 2000.304.87. United States--Emigration andimmigration--History, Immigrants--Fiction,Slavery--History. 95 p.The Rise of Industry, 1860-1900, byChristopher Collier and James LincolnCollier. LCCN 9838528, ISBN0761408207, 2000.338.1. Industries--History, Technology--History, United States--Economic conditions--1865-1918. 94 p.Slavery and the Coming of the Civil War,1831-1861, by Christopher Collier andJames Lincoln Collier. LCCN 982620,ISBN 0761408177, 2000.973.3. United States--History--1815-1861,United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865,Slavery--History. 93 p.The Civil War, 1860-1865, by ChristopherCollier and James Lincoln Collier. LCCN9749178, ISBN 0761408185, 2000.973.7. United States--History--Civil War,1861-1865. 95 p.Reconstruction and the Rise of Jim Crow,1864-1896, by Christopher Collier andJames Lincoln Collier. LCCN 988821,ISBN 0761408193, 2000.975. Reconstruction, Afro-Americans--History--1863-1877, Afro-Americans--History--1877-1964, Afro-Americans--Civil rights, Racerelations. 93 p.United States Presidents, Springfield,N.J.: Enslow Publishers, HBB, $19.95.Last reviewed Fall.1998.Quality—4 Acceptability—5John F. Kennedy, by Karen BornemannSpies. LCCN 9829553, ISBN0766010392, 1999.921 (973.922). Kennedy, John F. (JohnFitzgerald), 1917-1963, Presidents, UnitedStates--Politics and government--1961-1974.160 p.Bill Clinton, by Michael A. Schuman.LCCN 9853046, ISBN 0766010368, 1999.921 (973.929). Clinton, Bill, 1946-, Presidents,United States--Politics and government--1993-.128 p.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 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

BOOK REVIEWSADULT FICTIONThe Slash Brokers, by Jeff S. Barganier.LCCN 9870960. Lafayette, La.: HuntingtonHouse, 1998. ISBN 1563841509, PAP, $14.99.F. Stock brokers--Fiction; Crime--Fiction. 252 p.Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—5The Slash Brokers is not an easy book; not easyto read, not easy to digest, not easy to believe itis based on truth. Yet this novel deals withgruesome events that are actually taking place inparts of our world today. Slash brokers are thosethat harvest human body parts and abortedfetuses. Barganier weaves a fascinating tale as awakeup call to the American people. Hischaracters read like members of an espionagethriller as they infiltrate companies dealing inthese deadly practices, placing their own lives atrisk all the while.Interesting though it may be, The Slash Brokersis filled with plots and subplots that are notalways discernibly linked together. Manyinvestment terms are used that are not easilyunderstood by casual readers and the very smallprint may prove quite difficult for some readers.This book has a message of Christianity woventhroughout with many strong Christiancharacters as main participants. There areseveral incidents mentioned of Christiansimbibing beer or wine and partaking of cigars.For those libraries with a large fiction collectionand readers interested in this genre, Barganier'sThe Slash Brokers may be a good addition.Ceil Carey, School Librarian, Plano, ILOne Shenandoah Winter : A Novel, by T.Davis Bunn. LCCN 9819987. Nashville:Thomas Nelson, 1998. ISBN 0785272178,HBB, $12.99.F. Appalachian Mountains--Fiction; Physicians--Fiction; Death--Fiction. 265 p. Adult.Quality—3 Acceptability—5Connie Wilkes, assistant mayor for the town ofHillsboro, works long and hard to bring a doctorto town. She is at first pleased when Dr. NathanReynolds accepts the challenge. Dr. Reynolds,on the other hand, complains about the clinic,calling it "a gallery for medical nightmares!" Inspite of his rancorous attitude and horrible bedsidemanner, the doctor is accepted by thetownspeople after he cures the minister's baby.However, the doctor clashes with Connie overthings trivial to major and hurts the feelings ofjust about everyone in Hillsboro.Pappa Joe, Connie's uncle, falls ill. The old manhas lived alone "on the mountain" for manyyears and doesn't give up his freedom easily.The doctor, after spending the night at PappaJoe's cabin, gets involved, not only in hismedical, but in his spiritual life. It is at thispoint, the doctor begins to look at his own pastand future with new eyes.Dawn, the daughter of Connie's best friend,plans to marry a man that Connie believes hasno future. As Connie struggles with thisdilemma, she learns much about herself andA Note from the Editor: by Mary McKinneyArtifacts andRelicsReligious artifactsand relics havebeen the basis ofmany aninteresting storyand legend.Looking back to the now classic The Robeand The Silver Chalice, we see that objectsthat potentially had been used by JesusChrist when he walked the earth havebecome the focus for revealing the Christianmessage and the power of God. Those earlynovels, also produced as well-knownmovies, were just the forerunners of manyand varied renditions of using “sacredobjects” to point to Jesus Christ as the Sonof God.Whether we personally feel these ideas areprobable or perhaps sacrilegious, matterslittle, for the quest continues. The Ark ofthe Covenant has received great notoriety,not only in the fiction field, and the cinema,i.e. In Search of the Lost Ark, (Indiana Jonesstyle), but in the non-fiction realm, i.e. InSearch of Temple Treasures, by RandallPrice. Great controversy surrounds the hopeof finding this coveted artifact, and greatpotential exists for more exciting adventuresto be written.Two recent novels have emerged that bringthese interests and possibilities to theforefront. The Iron Lance, an historicalnovel about the Crusades, focuses on thespearhead used at Christ’s crucifixion.Stephen Lawhead, an expert on Celtichistory, unfolds a fascinating andenlightening account of this infamous eventin the history of the church.The second novel, A Ship Possessed, byAlton Gansky, is set in modern times andcoincidentally centers around the samereligious artifact, the spearhead that piercedChrist’s side. Though very different insubject matter, both stories relate similarquests within their respective story lines.The bottom line is that there are somefascinating “reads” out there that not onlymay give you a glimpse into the historicalpast, but show the impact of Jesus Christover the last two thousand years. If youenjoy inspirational novels filled withadventure and mystery and with asupernatural twist, then you’ll relish thesetwo new novels as well as some of thoseolder classics.W I N T E R 2 0 0 0 5 2 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

ADULTFICTIONothers. As Christmas draws close, lives aretransformed, but the events on Christmas daystand like a breath of freshness in thisAppalachian valley.Illustrations are black and white drawings thatadd to the beauty of this book. The author, T.Davis Bunn, captures the quaint language,traditions and culture of Appalachia in OneShenandoah Winter. At times the story movesslowly and predictably, but Bunn leaves us witha satisfying closing.Dell Smith Klein, Writer, Teacher, Catalina, AZShades of Light, by Marilyn Carlson. (APalisades Contemporary Romance.) LCCN9812014. Sisters, Ore.: Palisades,Multnomah Publishers, 1998. ISBN1576732835, PAP, $9.99.F. Widows--Fiction; Interior decoration--Fiction. 222p. Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—5Gwen Sullivan's passion for life dies when adrunken driver kills her husband before the startof Shades of Light. A thirty-eight-year-oldwidow of two years, Gwen attends a dinnerparty given by a friend, Candice Mallard.Candice tells Gwen she needs to get a life and byevening's end Candice hires Gwen to work ather interior design company.When Candice misses an office appointmentwith Oliver Black, a divorced potential client, heasks Gwen to join him to see a building he'sbuying. Oliver likes Gwen's ideas for restoringand redecorating the old mansion.Candice refuses to be Oliver'sdecorator and warns Gwen againstseeing him socially. When Candice'sonly reason is that Oliver is not whathe seems, Gwen becomes confusedwhether to accept Oliver's invitation out. Shelearns Oliver was an intoxicated driver involvedin an auto accident. Gwen becomes tornbetween remembering the cause of herhusband's death and building a relationship withOliver.Candice finally gives Gwen the responsibility offinishing a decorating job. When Gwen deviatesfrom Candice's original designs, to please theclient, Candice fires her. Gwen searches forresolution in her relationship with Oliver and inher employment options, emerging as a moreconfident person than a few weeks earlier.Melody Carlson creates a likable character inGwen Sullivan. The book is a light andenjoyable read, keeping the reader in mildsuspense to the end. Mentions of God andChristianity are sparse.Jo Huddleston, Freelance Writer, Author, FormerTeacher, Auburn, ALThe Citadel and the Lamb, by Ethel Herr.(The Seekers; 3.) Minneapolis: BethanyHouse, 1998. ISBN 1556617488, PAP, $9.99.F. Holland--History--Fiction; Persecution--Fiction.320 p. Adult.Quality—3 Acceptability—4Author Ethel Herr sets her story in the late 1500sin the area now known as Holland, but at thattime known as the Low Lands. The city ofLeyden, was located on the Rhine River andbuilt on at least forty islands. It was dominatedby a hill of land on top of which was a fortresstower known as the Citadel.After centuries of battles over possession of thearea and the Citadel, the Low Lands were left toSpanish King Philip, who spoke only Spanish.He considered it his mission to impose theCatholic religion on all his territories, and hisattempts were met with opposition from thepopulace, who wanted freedom to select theirreligion. There followed battles and sieges, darkhours of starvation and plague, with citizens'resistance eventually wearing down. Willemvan Oranje, a German prince with Lowlandholdings and a mission to preserve the religiousfreedom, urged the people to resist King Philip'spersecution.The fictional characters are numerous and achallenge to follow. But they depict thehardships suffered by the citizens, and how itwas difficult to know whom to trust among theirfriends. They were routed out of their homes,and had to meet secretly to worship in theirchosen faith. They offer inspiring examples offorefathers who had to fight so desperately forthe religious freedom we tend to take for grantedtoday. There are scenes of suffering andtorture—a time when superstition played asmuch a role in medicine as herbs. Supernaturalcreatures were considered credible, and crimewas common.This is a trip back in time to scenes of religiouspersecution and the hardy souls that survivedthem or died for their beliefs.Barbara Goy Taenzler, Freelance Writer,Glenwood, IAThe Eternity Gene : A Novel, by Robert DonHughes. LCCN 9843296. Nashville:Broadman & Holman, 1999. ISBN0805460004, PAP, $12.99.F. Science fiction. 341 p. Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Dr. Jack Brennen, a seminary professor, isabducted a second time by alien demons andtaken into deep time travels. The demons'governing body is The Ultrastructure, a sixmember panel representing all global areas.This Ultrastructure controls world governmentsand rules the earth from within through theloyalty of those they have deceived.Jack observes the demons as they harvest largenumbers of humans from around the world andfrom different time periods. As the complicatedplot unfolds, Jack concludes they are searchingfor the key to eternal life. If they find it, Jackreasons, all humans on earth will live forever.This will effectively lock heaven's door from theoutside when believers won't ever die and go tobe with God. Or could they be searching for agene that would enable them to destroyChristianity?The Eternity Gene is a sequel to The Fallen.Robert Don Hughes effectively weaves all thesubplots with appropriate suspense to hold thereader's interest. The beginning of the book is alittle slow while Hughes gives the readerbackground about Dr. Brennen's previousencounter with these alien demons. Hugheswrites with keen insight, portraying a world ofthe near future. He also mixes in some surprisesfor the potential future of our world.In this science-fiction novel, Hughes gives usvivid, living characters that linger in the reader'smind. He leaves a few loose threads of plot; justenough so that another sequel would bewelcome.Jo Huddleston, Freelance Writer, Author, FormerTeacher, Auburn, ALDeep Dixie, by Annie Jones. Sisters, Ore.:Alabaster Books, Multnomah Publishers,1999. ISBN 1576734110, PAP, $11.99.F. Fathers and daughters--Fiction; Adoption--Fiction.343 p. Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—5When Marci abandoned her infant daughter, herunmarried brother, Riley, stepped in and playedfather for six years, rearing Wendy as his ownchild. Now he has to go to court to get Marci tocompletely sever her parental rights so he cancontinue to rear Wendy without the threat ofMarci one day showing up to claim herdaughter. But when Riley’s mother breaks herhip in a bad fall, she is no longer able to lookafter Wendy while Riley is at work. In order todemonstrate that he is able to provide a stablehome-life for Wendy, Riley buys into apartnership with the Fulton-Leigh company—ajob that will allow him to spend more time withWendy—and he moves to Fulton’s Dominion.After initially locking horns with his newpartner, Dixie (who recently took over the reinsof the company after her father’s death), shegraciously opens her home to Riley, Wendy, andhis invalid mother until he is able to find a placeof his own.Riley finds himself becoming fond of the crazyFulton household with its eclectic mix of a shoplifting,sometimes-magician grandfather; aneccentric aunt who dresses her dog in awardrobe equal to her own; and a frail, elderlyNegro woman with great wisdom and a quirkysense of humor. But most of all he finds himselffalling for Dixie, who is struggling to come toterms with the death of her father, her newbusiness responsibilities, and some shockingsecrets she uncovers in the family Bible hiddenC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 5 3 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

ADULTFICTIONin her father’s safe. Together Riley and Dixiesort through their difficulties, come to somepoint of reconciliation with various estrangedfamily members, and transform their businesspartnership in to a marriage.Deep Dixie, by Annie Jones, emphasizes theimportance of repairing broken relationshipsbefore it is too late, and the importance ofputting one’s faith into action. Jones alsoreminds the reader to not be too proud to accepthelp when it is offered, as God may answerone’s needs in unexpected ways. The book ismildly amusing in places, but is fairlypredictable, and fails to fully engage the readerin the lives of the characters in a personal way.Sherri Beeler, Teacher, Medford, ORThe Chairman, by Harry Lee Kraus, Jr.LCCN 9846847. Wheaton, Ill.: CrosswayBooks, 1999. ISBN 1581340389, PAP, $12.99.F. Handicapped--Fiction; Marriage--Fiction. 475 p.Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5When Nathan McAllister awakens in thehospital, he has no memory of the dayssurrounding the shooting that made him aquadraplegic. Now the former police officermust adjust to changes that affect hisrelationships with everyone: his estranged wife,his young daughter, his friends and associates.Most of all, the man whose life once definedindependence, leadership, and machismo mustcome to terms with total reliance on others andGod.As he questions his fellow police officers aboutthe drug bust that robbed him so tragically, hebecomes frustrated at their reticence. Whywon't they answer his queries? Could it be hisaccidental shooting by his best friend andpartner was no accident? To Nathan's surprise,the police have disturbing questions of theirown: Why did he enter the drug house withouthis weapon? His integrity challenged, thedisabled man becomes even more assertiveabout discovering the truth, a truth that involvesthe death of a teen which may or may not havebeen a suicide.Parallel to Nathan's dilemma is the story of thechairman of the neurosurgical unit at BrightonUniversity Hospital, Dr. Ryan Hannah. A mandriven to be the best, he has been conductingresearch into spinal regeneration. His results arepromising but circumvented by animal's rightsprotestors. Is Nathan a good candidate for thefirst human trials of his experimental, butpotentially dangerous, drug?In The Chairman, Dr. Kraus has written a multitexturedmedical thriller that ventures farbeyond the genre. His characterizations arerealistic, the suspense escalating on each page.But much more than this, his work focuses onsignificant themes of forgiveness, reconcilation,and the search for what constitutes the trueworth of a man. If some fiction is light asdessert, The Chairman is a fully satisfyingentree. A truly entertaining and significant readby an intelligent and insightful author.Marcy Stewart Froemke, Asst. Prof. of Education,Bryan College, Dayton, TNA Winter's Love, by Madeleine L'Engle.LCCN 96376. Wheaton, Ill.: Harold Shaw,1999. ISBN 0877888892, PAP, $15.99.F. Marriage--Fiction; Switzerland--Fiction. 335 p.Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—3A Winter's Love, a 1957 publication newlybound and offered again, focuses onrelationships: Emily Bowen and her husbandCourtney; Emily and Abe; Emily and Gertrudede Croisenois; Gertrude and Kaarlo; Virginiaand Mimi; Sam and Mimi; Virginia and Snider.Other characters round out the story set in aFrench alpine village at Christmas time.Emily feels cut off because Courtney has lost hisprofessorship and this winter spends his timewriting academic papers. At least he tries, butwith little success. She knows he needs heremotionally, though he insists he can getthrough this trying time alone. Their goodfriend from New York, Abe Fielding, and hisson Sam, also come to this village. Old feelingsbetween Emily and Abe surface again, strongerthan ever. Emily willingly follows Abe's lead.Soon she must make a life-changing decision:should she leave Courtney's world and enterAbe's?While the adults face their feelings andshortcomings, the young people struggle withtheir own. Virginia dislikes Snider, calledBeanie, because he makes unpleasant remarksabout Mimi, a Jew. Why should one's religionmatter, Virginia wonders, as Beanie pursues her.Mimi thinks she's in love with Sam and he withher, but she doesn't understand him. Then, theyall ask why Gertrude and Kaarlo live togetherbut don't get married.L'Engle tackles these true-to-life knottyproblems while still including sound insightsabout love and marriage. Her good writingbrings them out through dialogue and Emily'sbattle within herself. She splices into the storyline ordinary happenings at the Bowen villa andat Gertrude's chalet, emotional hurts from thepast, and eccentric people. In her usual style, thewriter includes details of sight, sound, touch,taste, and feel that draw the reader completelyinto the story.Betty M. Hockett, Freelance Writer, Newberg, ORThe Quest, by Nancy Moser. (The MustardSeed; 2.) LCCN 9922049. Sisters, Ore.:Alabaster Books, Multnomah Publishers,1999. ISBN 1576734102, PAP, $11.95.F. Christian fiction. 406 p. Adult.Quality—5Acceptability—5Two years have passed as The Quest calls backthose who had originally been chosen to receivea special invitation from God. Walter, Julia,Natalie, Kathy, and Father Del have gone onwith their lives—each a little more tuned in tothe Lord. Although each is trying to honor theLord, we find our main characters livingtypically “safe” lifestyles. Now, they are facedwith a series of events that challenges them totake a strong stand for their faith.Nancy Moser has again written a page-turner asshe takes the reader to the next level of faith andcommitment to God. As usual, the story lineholds the reader’s interest as the well-roundedcharacters face life-changing decisions. Thecharacters are ordinary enough that readers canfind of bit of themselves within the flaws andstrengths revealed. Filled with challengingscriptures, The Quest has a mirrors a bit of FrankPeretti’s books as we see the battle for good andevil come to the forefront. Although this secondbook in the series can stand alone, the readerwill appreciate being familiar with thecharacters from the first book.Mary McKinney, Former Teacher & FreelanceWriter, Port Orchard, WALeota's Garden, by Francine Rivers. LCCN9925963. Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House,1999. ISBN 084233498X, HBB, $17.97.F. Christian fiction; Gardening--Fiction; Family life--Fiction. 425 p. Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—5Leota: an old woman, estranged from herchildren, wallowing in self-pity; Corban: a selfcentered,impatient, “know-it-all” collegestudent; and Anne: torn between being the“perfect child,” and starting her own life awayfrom Nora, her controlling mother. These threepeople are an unlikely match, but as they slowlyform a vital relationship, all three learn somevery difficult lessons about life and love, blameand forgiveness.Leota, once a vital, lively woman who lovedtending her large flower garden, is aging, andunable to tend the garden which has fallen intopitiable disrepair. Corban, who needs a casestudy with the elderly to get an A on a collegepaper, volunteers, rather grudgingly, to helpLeota once a week. He finds her abrasive anddifficult to get along with, and she finds himequally impolite and arrogant. Anne, Leota’sgranddaughter, after years of keeping the peacewith her mother, has moved out on her own,and, in a rather bold move, contacts Leota, thegrandmother her mother purposely isolated herfrom all her life.As Leota and Anne get to know each other,Anne offers to help Leota restore her garden,and with Corban’s help they slowly begin torepair the damage with Leota’s careful direction.As their relationships grow, Leota shares theW I N T E R 2 0 0 0 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

ADULTFICTIONfamily history with Anne, which helps explainher mother’s severed relationship from Leota,and the cause of her deep bitterness. The tellinghelps Leota recognize things she needs to askthe Lord’s forgiveness for, and through hergrowing love for her granddaughter, Leota isbrought out of her self-pity and begins to reachout to Corban as well. Corban learns a fewthings about himself as he gradually develops arespect and appreciation for Leota and herwisdom. Anne gains self-confidence andflourishes in her relationship with the Lord.When Leota has a stroke and Nora is faced withthe possibility of her death, Anne confronts herwith truth that is difficult to hear about herself,but is necessary to plant the seeds ofreconciliation and forgiveness. Not until Easter,a few months after Leota’s death, do those seedsbegin to sprout, when Anne, who inheritedLeota’s house, holds a resurrection celebrationin the now fully-restored garden. There Norasets aside her guilt and bitterness to see the loveher mother had for her, and recognize her needto love her own daughter less selfishly.True to form, Francine Rivers sets aside morefrivolous plot-lines to grapple with thecomplexities of experiencing the fullness of lifein Christ in the face of seemingly hopelesssituations—in this case severely strained familyrelationship, caused by the root of bitterness.The book is long, and is somewhat difficult toread because the pain, constant negativity, andbleakness of the character’s lives. Hope finallybegins to shine through at the end, and thehealing begins that was so desperately needed.Rivers does not give easy answers, nor does shetie up the story with a neat, clean ending. Theredemptive process has begun, but thecompletion of its work will take time to erase theyears of pain and emotional scarring. However,the promise remains that just as Leota’s restoredgarden blooms again, so will these relationshipsbe restored, as Christ, who begins a good work,will be faithful to complete it.Sherri Beeler, Teacher, Medford, ORResting in the Bosom of the Lamb, by AugustaTrobaugh. LCCN 9831305. Grand Rapids:Baker Books, 1999. ISBN 0801011701, HBB,$19.99.F. Afro-American women--Southern States--Fiction;Afro-Americans--Southern States--Fiction; Agedwomen--Southern States--Fiction; Secrets--SouthernStates--Fiction; Psychological fiction; Christianfiction. 229 p. Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Miss Cora, Pet, Wynona, and Lauralee, all oldand older, live together, though less mindful ofskin color and place in life than in their youngeryears. They have much to remember and talkabout, but some memories cannot easily rise outof forgetfulness. Instead they act like a thornunder the skin, prickling but remaining invisibleuntil the sore breaks open.Because family means everything to Miss Cora,she continually adds to the Family Book, writtenby "great-grandmama's hand and mygrandmama's and my mama's and now in mine."She plans to “pass it on to the ones who comeafter us, so they'll know who we were, and theycan put their own stories in here for the oneswho come after them." Pet worries, "Not gonnabe a living soul coming after us."As Pet tells the story, questions fly off eachpage. What dark event made Lauraleeunsmiling and almost untalkative? Why doesMiss Addie, the neighbor across the street,admonish Pet to "...make Cora remember."Remember what? Why does Pet find this sodifficult? What about the story of Wynona'shusband? What secret does only Pet and MissAddie know?Throughout Resting in the Bosom of the Lamb,past and present mesh together into a perfecttapestry of family details, suspense, andsurprise. In spite of shameful happenings, loveand tradition permeate the story. Along the wayTrobaugh gives hints, then clarifies, but she doesnot assuage reader anticipation until the finalpage.Resting in the Bosom of the Lamb counts as acan't-lay-it-down book, not only because of thestory but for the excellent writing, as well.Betty M. Hockett, Freelance Writer, Newberg, ORVoices from the Titanic, by Jim Walker.(Mysteries in Time Series; 2.) LCCN9843017. Nashville: Broadman & Holman,1999. ISBN 0805417710, PAP, $13.99.F. Titanic (Steamship)--Fiction; Mystery fiction. 459p. Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Author Jim Walker continues his Titanic serieswith Voices from the Titanic, picking up whereMurder on the Titanic leaves off. The storybegins with the main characters MorganFairfield and Margaret Hastings arriving in NewYork City aboard the Carpethania. Fairfield, acub reporter for the New York Herald, is teamedup with experienced crime reporter, "Call"McCall; the two try to uncover evidence thatMorgan's friend, Hunter Kennedy, wasmurdered aboard the Titanic. The more theydig, the closer they come to solving the crime,despite Call's being framed by the police formurder. Complications arise when someoneclaiming to be Hunter Kennedy surfaces andmeets up with Fairfield, who confronts theimposter. Through a series of events, Morganand Call discover the murderer and in theprocess uncover and foil a plot to send ashipment of firearms to the IRA in Ireland.The main theme of this novel, woven skillfullythroughout, is dealing with pride, which canstand in the way of forgiveness and happiness.The biggest change comes in Call, a hardenedreporter who has made a practice of alienatingpeople and keeping walls up. Throughconsistency of character, Morgan manages tocreate fissures in Call's rigid exterior causingCall to begin to change.The plot of the novel, with just enough twists tokeep it interesting, is unique and wellconstructed with clues for the readers sprinkledthroughout the action. Voices from the Titanic issuspenseful enough to keep the pages turning.Eileen Zygarlicke, Freelance Writer & Editor,Grand Forks, NDThe Undying Fire, by H.G. Wells. LCCN9815991. Nashville: Broadman and Holman,1998. ISBN 0805416730, PAP, $9.99.F. . 179 p. Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—5H.G Wells creates an interesting scenario of theclassical tale of Job, set in the early twentiethcentury. Although the characters reflect thetrials and ills of a more modern society than Jobof the bible, the same heartfelt cry comesforth—to know and understand this God of theuniverse. Job Huss, the headmaster of a school,finds his world crashing down around him whenhis health, loved ones, and circumstances allcome under attack. Unfortunately, his “friends”,in their misguided advise, become part of theproblem instead of the solution. The bottom lineof course, is that Job Huss, i.e. mankind, mustdiscover that the undying fire that burns in everyman’s heart can only be satisfied by relationshipand trust in God Almighty.The language is challenging in places, moretypically reflecting when it was first publishedin 1919. The story is thought-provoking and attimes, convicting, as the reader wades throughthe many troubles of Job and finally arrives atthe other side—the proper acknowledgment ofGod—and the final restoration of relationships,health and provision.Mary McKinney, Former Teacher & FreelanceWriter, Port Orchard, WAThe Dark Sun Rises, by Denise Wlliams.(Roots of Faith; 1.) Minneapolis: BethanyHouse, 1998. ISBN 1556618824, PAP, $11.99.F. Slavery--Fiction; Literacy--Fiction; Christianfiction. 448 p. Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Joseph could read, and for that offense histongue was nearly severed from its root by theknife of Brant, his master’s son. As a Negroslave, Joseph was forbidden to read, write, orteach other slaves to do the same. An educatedslave was considered a dangerous slave whowould stir up rebellion and unrest, for witheducation comes power and freedom, and aseveryone knew, the Negro mind was too small todeal with such knowledge properly.Abram, Joseph’s owner, returns home to findJoseph in incredible pain, wracked with fever,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 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

ADULTFICTIONand unable to speak but the most rudimentary ofsounds. Joseph was dear to Abram’s heart,having grown up side by side with his own sonBrant, later to become Abram’s personal servingman. The discovery of Joseph’s ability to readrocks Abram’s world and beliefs to the core. Agodly man, Abram had worked for years tobring God’s word of salvation to his slaves. AllJoseph wanted was to be able to read thescriptures for himself. But was it possible thatJoseph was not the only slave with suchintellectual abilities? If so, Abram asks himself,“What does God desire for the Negro? Andwhat does he expect from Christian masters?”To settle this matter for himself Abram secretlysends Joseph to Charleston to give him a fullclassical education, and gather proof of what apure African is capable of learning. Josephrevels in his new-found, relative freedom as anorder clerk in a mill. By the grace of God histongue heals so that he can speak again. Hedrinks in the education he receives after workinghours, and studies “to show himself approvedunto God.” As a Negro, Joseph is continuallyunder suspicion, and faces the constant threat ofpunishment or hanging for the least offense.When white men create an “incident” causinghis Negro teacher to be arrested, it is discoveredthat Joseph has used his literacy to help Negrofriends of his be smuggled to the north. Josephis arrested and sentenced to be hanged.However, out of respect for the severe illness ofMaster Abram, Joseph is instead sentenced toninety days in the workhouse chipping gravel.When he is finally released to return theplantation he arrives broken, sick, andexhausted, only to find Abram on his deathbed.Tenderly, Joseph nurses Abram, who begs hisforgiveness and insists that in his sick room,there will be no division of the races–they willtreat each other as equals, friends, and brothersin the Lord.By law, Abram is not allowed to set Joseph free,though he deeply desires to do so. Havingpetitioned the court for Joseph’s manumission,occasionally awarded in exceptionalcircumstances, Abram’s last act is to sign thosefreedom papers when they, by a miracle of God,arrive in the hands of an attorney. Upon hisdeath, Brant inherits the plantation. However,the manumission papers cannot be found, andJoseph is put back to work in the fields with theother slaves. While Brant is in the northhoneymooning with his new wife, Joseph iscaptured by trouble-makers, whipped,imprisoned, and is threatened to be burned aliveby Rensler, a white man who despises him andhas continually made trouble for him all his life.Joseph learns that the patrollers raided the Brantplantation and the male slaves were severelybeaten; his wife and unborn child drowned inthe river trying to escape the danger on a raftwith the other women and children. In completedespair, Joseph takes out Abram’s Bible that hadbeen smuggled to him, and turns to it forcomfort. There, miraculously, he discovers hisfreedom papers folded in the pages. Brantreturns home just in time to take action againstRensler, prevent Joseph’s death, and put him ona boat headed north, a free man at last.The Dark Sun Rises, by Denise Williamson, isan incredible book that belongs on the shelf nextto the likes of Uncle Tom’s Cabin. The book isa powerful testimony of the abuses of slavery,the corruption of worldly slave owners, and thequandary of godly slave owners. ThroughJoseph’s pain, humiliation, and frustration, thespirit of God works mightily in him,transforming his life and the lives of thosearound him. He refuses to allow his extremecircumstances overcome him, but instead takescomfort in the fact that he belongs to God andGod alone—that God is the one true master ofall men. The images in this book are harsh anddifficult to stomach at times, inducing bitternessand rage in the reader at the hopelessness of theslaves’ plight. Joseph, however, turns this angerinto forgiveness and strength and gives witnessto the incredible redeeming power of God. Hereadily embraces “servanthood under thelordship of Christ.”The Dark Sun Rises does not limit itself tosympathy for the Negro, however. It dealssignificantly with the spiritual growth of Abram;of his son Brant, and Brant’s new wife; of Gund,the white over-seer who finds greater friendshipand Christian fellowship with the slaves than hedoes with people of his own race; and of Rosa,once the daughter of a Haitian slave owner, nowfalsely enslaved herself, and experiencing theabuses of the system she was once part of.Through their trials each of these people growand are stretched in faith and understanding ofthe ongoing struggle to walk humbly, whatevertheir lot. As Joseph’s teacher said, “The proudman would conquer others. The Christian’sambition must be to conquer himself.”Sherri Beeler, Teacher, Medford, ORW I N T E R 2 0 0 0 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

BOOK REVIEWSADULT NONFICTION000’s—GeneralitiesHow to Grow a Young Reader : Books fromEvery Age for Readers of Every Age, byKathryn Lindskoog and Ranelda MackHunsicker. LCCN 9851648. Wheaton, Ill.:Harold Shaw Publishers, 1999. ISBN0877884080, PAP, $14.99.011.62. Children--Books and reading; Reading--Parent participation; Children's literature--Bibliography. 391 p. Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5In the updated and expanded edition of How toGrow A Young Reader, authors KathrynLindskoog and Randelda Mack Hunsickerintroduce over 1,800 best loved books. Manytitles are old friends such as C. S. Lewis’ TheNarnian Chronicles, Grimm’s Fairy Tales, andBunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. Other less knownbooks are also listed with brief descriptions.The authors include biographical information onsome of the authors along with pertinenthistorical events which prompted some of thewritings.A Note from the Editor: by Ray LeggLivingin aBook“Aim at heaven and you get earth thrown in;aim at earth and you get neither.”C.S. LewisOn Monday, December 21, 1998,presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwinappeared as a guest on the NBC TodayShow. During the interview, Katie Couricasked whether, in light of the vote toimpeach the President by the House ofRepresentatives, the resignation of SpeakerelectLivingston (R. LA), and the bombingof Iraq, it would be possible for Goodwin tofind a date or time comparable to Saturday,December 19, 1998, anywhere else in U. S.history.Goodwin compared the impeachment ofWilliam Jefferson Clinton with that ofAndrew Johnson, but said the two events arenot alike. While issues of war remainedunder consideration, she believes hadJohnson been convicted, his arch-enemy(then Speaker of the House), would hadbecome president because there was no VicePresident. Lincoln had been assassinatedand Johnson had already ascended. InGoodwin’s opinion, that would have resultedin a wholesale shift of national policieswhich could have been disastrous. As shesees it, should Clinton be convicted, Al Gorewould become President and things wouldbasically remain status quo—Democrat forDemocrat rather than Democrat forRepublican as in Johnson’s case.Asked, then, because polls suggest U. S.citizens would prefer to keep Clinton inoffice in spite of a partisan congressionalwill to do otherwise, if there was anothertime in history where the will of the peopleleaned in one direction and the Congress inanother, Goodwin likened the presentcondition in Washington to that whichprevailed in the late 1950s. During thoseyears, the majority of the people favoredsome sort of Civil Rights legislation andCongress did not. Congress was controlledby a block of southern Democrats whowould not consider the matter.Unfortunately, Goodwin said, theatmosphere of hostility and bitterness inWashington today will continue, as it didthen, until a voice of reason sounds forthacross the land to bring both sides of thedebate together—a voice that will ring outas one heard in the 1960s; that will embracethe message of nonpartisan reconciliation;one voice dedicated to changing the worldforever like that raised by Martin LutherKing, Jr.It seems to me that one of the tasks beforeus is to make our children and young peoplein general aware of the world around themand to make them aware that they are, in asense, “living in a book.” History is not justsomething to grind through because teachersand parents want to make them miserable. Itis the living record of their lives written,sometimes, at the same time they are livingit. They need to understand that reading notonly tells them what happened in the past,but also that it can give them the tools tocope with what is going on around them. Itcan help them make sense of their worldwhen little seems sensible.We are living in a time when cynicismseems to be running rampant and whengiving up or looking away seems to be thebest course of action. My suggestion is thatwe keep encouraging those in our charge toread in the hopes that one of them mightlearn the lessons of history and become thevoice of reason in a world which seems outof control.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 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

ADULTNONFICTIONDivided into fifteen chapters, the book begins bydescribing the rich resources in children’sliterature, the “dragon” television, and methodsfor promoting reading within the family.Further chapters cover “Tried and True”books—the familiar classics includingPinocchio, Treasure Island, Sir Gibbie, andothers, fairy tales, biographies, historical fiction,and more. From fantasy books to poetry books,How to Grow a Young Reader is chock full ofinformation.This book is not the most comprehensive bookavailable on children’s classics. But it providesa nice balance of information withoutoverwhelming the reader. It would make a nicegift for a parent, grandparent, or teacher or as alibrary resource guide.Joanne M. Haffly, Freelance Writer, HomeschoolMother, Gig Harbor, WA100’s—Philosophy & PsyschologySopa de Pollo Para El Alma : Relatos QueConmueven El Corazon Y Ponen Fuego En ElEspiritu, by Jack Canfield and Mark VictorHansen. Health Communications, 1995.ISBN 1558743537, PAP, $12.95.(Chicken Soup for the Soul, by Jack Canfieldand Mark Victor Hansen.)158. Spiritual life. 305 p. Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—4Este es un libro para alentar su alma y espíritu.En este libro hay muchos cuentos, algunosbreves y algunos largos, que nos alientanmeditar en Dios y en sus obras. Muchos de loscuentos son de los Estados Unidos pero las ideasson universales. Las categorías son sobre lascosas importantes de su vida como el amor, sussueños, sus obstáculos, etc. Esta es una seriepopular ahora y hay libros para los adolescentes,madres, padres, y cada persona que vive.(This is a book to encourage your soul and spirit.In this book there are many stories, some shortand some long, that encourage us to meditate onGod and his works. Many of the stories are fromthe U.S. but the ideas are universal. Thecategories are over the important things of yourlife like love, your dreams, your obstacles, etc.This is a popular series now and there are booksfor teenagers, mothers, fathers, and every personthat lives.)Bianca Elliott, Teacher, Linwood, KSRelativism : Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air,by Francis J. Beckwith and Gregory Koukl.LCCN 9817425. Grand Rapids: BakerBooks, 1998. ISBN 0801058066, PAP, $14.99.171.7. Ethical relativism--Controversial literature.188 p. Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—5As pervasive as relativism is in our society, it issurprising to note that few have challenged itstenets. But two authors, Frank Beckwith andGregory Koukl, offer a critique and confront the"unofficial creed of American culture" inRelativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid Air. Intheir book the authors show how relativism hastrickled down from academia and affected ourlives in such arenas as education, medicine,marriage, etc. And neither Beckwith nor Kouklshy away from controversial issues, includingabortion, euthanasia, homosexuality, and valuesclarification.As the authors note, relativism leads to "ethicalnothingness." Truth is non-existent. In otherwords, anything goes. Yet Beckwith and Kouklpoint out that the logical outworking ofrelativism is dangerous. They quote Hitler, whodeclared the following at Auschwitz: "I freedGermany from the stupid and degradingfallacies of conscience and morality...We willtrain young people before whom the world willtremble."Particularly interesting is the authors' discussionof how relativism has led to the acceptance of allideas. To disagree with a viewpoint istantamount to intolerance. However, Beckwithand Koukl make a distinction between "classicaltolerance" and "contemporary tolerance." Theformer says, "I don't think your view is correct,but I'll listen to it." The latter claims, "All viewsare valid." Contemporary tolerance hasabolished rational discourse. Nothing is right;nothing is wrong. Ironically, relativists hold thattolerance is the supreme virtue. In other words,it is an absolute...which renders this positionuntenable and as nonsensical as the statement, "Ican't utter a word of English" or "Never saynever." But relativists, as the authors point out,are not tolerant of absolutists or non-relativists.In fact, they are intolerant of those whom theyperceive to be intolerant. They themselves donot embrace all ideas as equally valid!Particularly helpful chapters include"Relativism's Seven Fatal Flaws" and "Tactics toRefute Relativism." These sections render thebook a valuable reference tool. Not only do theyoutline and define the salient points of thephilosophy, but also they show how to confrontit.Relativism, in a word, is self-refuting andunlivable. The authors contend that truth existsand it is absolute. What is more, theydemonstrate how morality points us towardGod. "Morals are not disembodied principlesbut personal commands," the authors explain,"and so a violation is not just a broken rule butan offense against the person who made therule." In short, the authors accomplish theirtwofold purpose: They write about a complexsubject for the lay reader, yet they write about acomplex topic for the lay reader in anintellectually rigorous fashion.A work in "philosophical apologetics,"Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Airaddresses the origin and nature of truth. It is ofthe same caliber as the writings of Os Guinness,Francis Schaeffer, and C.S. Lewis. Again, it isone of a few titles that solely focus onrelativism; for this reason, it is unique.C. Brian Smith, Freelance Writer, Bloomington,IN200’s—ReligionThe Knowing Jesus Study Bible. GrandRapids: Zondervan, 1999. ISBN0310921252, HBB, $32.99.220. Bible. Adult.Quality—5Acceptability—5The Knowing Jesus Study Bible is an NIVtranslation that is really more a devotional Biblethan a study Bible. Designed to be read in oneyear, the main feature of this Bible is the 365devotions, spread every few pages throughoutthe entire Bible. Each devotion comments onthe adjacent passage and relates it to Jesus. Thedevotional pages, called Discoveries, arefollowed by a "Self Discovery" which usuallyconsists one or two questions designed to causethe reader to apply the passage personally. Alsoscattered throughout the Bible are numerousinserts called "Jesus Focus" which point outvarious background or theological pointsrelating to Jesus.Study helps in this Bible include numerouscharts, a good concordance, a couple of colormaps, some textual notes and many crossreferences.The Bible also includes severalbeautiful color picture inserts. Those who arelooking for an in-depth study Bible with detailedcommentary notes like the NIV Study Bible, forexample, will likely be disappointed with TheKnowing Jesus Study Bible. For those lookingfor reverent, conservative, and practicaldevotional Bible, this one is worthy ofconsideration.Dennis Ingolfsland, University Librarian, Dayton,TNNuevo Testamento Devociones para la Mujercon Salmos y Proverbios (NIV). EditorialVida, 1996. ISBN 0829723900, PAP, $12.99.(Spanish Women's Devotional New Testamentwith Psalms and Proverbs.)220. Bible. N.T.--Spanish language materials. 659 p.Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—5¡Increíble! Me gusta mucho este libro porquetiene las cosas que yo necesito. Es en la NuevaVersión Internacional y es muy fácil leer. Tienenotas e información importante paracomprender el libro de Dios. Pero hay muchomás en este libro. Por ejemplo, hay una tabla depesos y medidas, un plan de lectura, un índice detemas de las meditaciones devociones y unglosario. Pero, a mí, mi cosa favorita de estaBiblia es las Meditaciones de mujeres. Ellas noson solamente de EE.UU. pero son del mundoW I N T E R 2 0 0 0 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

ADULTNONFICTIONlatino.No es posible para mí recomendar a unaescritora pero tocante a sus circunstancias hayuna mujer que puede hablar a su situación. Hayuna parte que se llama Datos biográficos de lasautoras y me interesa mucho. Si usted conoce auna mujer que lee en español, éste es un regalopara ella.Incredible! I like this book a lot because it hasthings that I need. It is in the New InternationalVersion and is very easy to read. It has notes andimportant information to understanding thebook of God. But there is much more in thisbook. For example, there is a table of weightsand measures, a reading plan, an index ofmeditation themes and devotions and a glossary.But, to me, my favorite thing is the Meditationsfor Women. They are not written only bywomen from USA but from the latina world. Itis not possible for me to recommend one writerbut depending on your circumstances there is awoman who can speak to your situation. Thereis a part called "Biographical Information" ofthe authors and it is very interesting to me. Ifyou have a woman that reads Spanish, this is thegift for her.Bianca Elliott, Teacher, Linwood, KS★The Journey from Texts to Translations : TheOrigin and Development of the Bible, by PaulD. Wegner. LCCN 9911224. Grand Rapids:Baker Books, 1999. ISBN 0801021693, HBB,$33.99.220. Bible--History; Bible. English--Versions--History. 462 p. Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5The subtitle of this book says it well: it is thestory of the "origin and development of theBible." This is the best and most readablediscussion of the origins of the Bible I have everseen anywhere. The book is divided into fivesections; each part discusses pertinent mattersrelating to the transmission of the biblical text intranslation. The first part presents generalinformation about the Old and New Testaments,including historical backgrounds, interpretiveproblems, and a discussion of the unity of thebiblical text as a whole. The second part givesan overview of the important problem of thecanonization of the Bible, i.e. how it cametogether as a single book. Included in thissection also is material on the apocryphalwritings which are not included in the Protestanttext of the Bible but are included in the RomanCatholic version. Part three examines thetransmission of the Hebrew and Greekmanuscripts of the Bible and how they are usedin textual criticism. The fourth part of this booklooks at early historical translations and versionsof the Bible. Then in part five, Wegner traces ahistory of the English Bible with all of itstranslations and versions through history, rightup to the present day.This book is incredibly helpful in many respects.There are extensive end notes at the end of thebook; there are good indices, and there helpfulbibliographies at the end of each chapter. Inaddition, the book is full of excellent charts,pictures, and photographs of famousmanuscripts and people.It is hard for me to overemphasize the value andsignificance of this book. It is a wonderfulreference as well as an excellent textbook for acourse in the history of the Bible.Paul C. Boling, Asst. Professor/Philosophy &Bible, Dayton, TN★Encountering the Old Testament : A ChristianSurvey, by Bill T. Arnold and Bryan E. Beyer.LCCN 9818612. Grand Rapids: BakerBooks, 1999. ISBN 0801021766, HBB,$49.99.221.6. Bible. O.T.--Textbooks. 512 p. Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5This book is an outstanding survey text of theOld Testament. It can be used as a personalreference book or as a textbook for a course inOld Testament introduction. The authors havedone an excellent job presenting keyinformation in a very interesting and readablestyle. The book also contains a wealth of studyhelps and aids, including an interactive CD forcomputer use.The book begins with a brief discussion ofgeneral material on the origins, transmission,and interpretation of the Old Testament, as wellas a summary of the history of Israel and thegeography of the Middle East. Each chapterbegins with an outline and a statement of theobjectives of that chapter. Following thepresentation of the material, there is a chaptersummary, a chart of key terms, people, andplaces, a list of study questions, and suggestionsfor further reading on the issues of the chapter.Everything is color-coded and marked foremphasis. There are many helpful photographsand maps for easy reference throughout the text,as well as helpful indices at the end.The authors take a generally evangelicalapproach to the text of the Old Testament, butthey discuss alternative interpretations at keypoints; e.g. the dual authorship of Isaiah isdiscussed, as well the documentary hypothesisof the authorship of the Pentateuch. The bodyof the text is divided into sections on thePentateuch, historical books, poetic books, andthe prophets. Each book of the Old Testament isintroduced, outlined, and briefly discussedsection by section. Each type of literature, e.g.poetry, is explained as well.This is one of the finest and most up-to-date OldTestament survey texts I have seen. It will servemany Christians and others who are interested inthe Bible well.Paul C. Boling, Asst. Professor/Philosophy &Bible, Dayton, TNSomething New Under the Sun : AncientWisdom for Contemporary Living, by RayPritchard. LCCN 99158328. Chicago:Moody Press, 1998. ISBN 0802481566, HBB,$14.99.223. Prayerbooks and devotions; Ecclesiastes (Bible.O.T.). 314 p. Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—5The book of Ecclesiastes is surely one of themost neglected books in the Bible. It'sdepressing, hard to understand, negativistic... oris it? Ray Pritchard would say no—not if weunderstand Solomon's motives and methods inwriting. Ecclesiastes is a realistic book; it has,so to speak, both feet firmly on the ground.Something New Under the Sun is not acommentary on Ecclesiastes. It is, rather, acollection of an even 100 devotional meditations(approximately eight per chapter). Pritchard hasselected passages and themes applicable tomodern life. Each is intended to draw out theinsights found in this book of wisdom. And theyare, perhaps surprisingly, quite relevant. Thereis nothing new under the sun-people today arereally no different than in Solomon's reign.This book was not meant to replacecommentaries on the Biblical text but it canserve as a valuable introduction to Ecclesiastesand (as intended) a devotional for busy people.Andrew M. Seddon, Writer and Physician,Billings, MT★New Dimensions in Evangelical Thought :Essays in Honor of Millard J. Erickson.,edited by David S. Dockery. LCCN 9750064.Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press,1998. ISBN 0830815171, HBB, $34.99.230. Evangelicalism; Theology. 470 p. Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5This excellent volume is a series of essayswritten in honor of Millard J. Erickson, aprominent evangelical theologian and writer.There are a total of twenty-six essays. The firsttwo are personal tributes to Erickson, one ofwhich is written by his advisor at NorthwesternUniversity, William Hordern. The rest of thebook is divided into essays on biblical theology,historical theology, systematic theology, andapplied theology. The last section is abibliographical essay on Erickson's writings,and following this is a complete listing of all ofhis works. There are helpful indices organizedby name, subject, and Scripture reference at thevery end of the text.Each of the essays in this collection is written bya well-informed expert on each topic, and eachauthor discusses the present status of thought inhis field, as well as the history of thought in thatC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 5 9 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

ADULTNONFICTIONfield. Following this historical survey of thefield, the authors give suggestions on hot issuesbeing discussed today and in the future. Forexample, in the section on historical theology,there are interesting articles on the trends inpatristic theology, Eastern Orthodox thought, aswell as Reformation theology, Baptist theology,Pentecostal theology, and American theologicaleducation. In the section on systematictheology, each author discusses a particular areaof theology, such as Scripture, the doctrine ofGod, salvation, angels, Holy Spirit, the church,and others. These are excellent discussions ofcurrent topics in these fields of study; most arewritten in a style that the serious student oftheology can understand and enjoy. Each essayincludes a list of references for further study atthe end. The points of view of the authors varydenominationally and theologically, so the bookis balanced in its perspectives.One of the most interesting sections of this bookis the one on applied theology. In this sectionauthors discuss current thought and issues in thechurch and culture, ethics, spirituality,evangelism, and worship. This section alone isworth the price of this book.This book is not for beginners, but anyoneinterested in current thought on importantbiblical and theological issues will enjoy thiswork immensely. It is one of the best suchworks I have seen.Paul C. Boling, Asst. Professor/Philosophy &Bible, Dayton, TNWhat a Christian Believes, by Ray Pritchard.LCCN 9823783. Wheaton, Ill.: CrosswayBooks, 1998. ISBN 1581340168, PAP, $9.99.230. Theology, Doctrinal--Popular works. 159 p.Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—5Beginning with the history of the Bible, itsinspiration, and reliability, Ray Pritchard takesthe reader on a step by step journey of the verybasics of Christianity. Using the scriptures forsupport, along with personal stories and aconversational format, the topics presentedinclude what a Christian believes about theBible, God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit,creation, forgiveness of sins, angels anddemons, heaven and hell, and the secondcoming.At the end of each chapter Mr. Pritchard asks afew questions for consideration and listsscriptures to ponder. At the back of the book isa list of recommended reading materials alongwith how to contact the author. The mainobjective of the book is to increase the desire forfurther study of the Bible. There is a chance formarginal disagreements regarding some of thesubjects discussed due to denominationalinterpretations. If this stimulates closerinspection of the subjects, then the goal of thisbook is achieved. The size and quality makethis an excellent tool for witnessing.Debbie Lindsay, Homeschool Parent, Eatonville,WABright Evening Star : Mystery of theReincarnation, by Madeleine L'Engle.LCCN 9721410. Wheaton, Ill.: HaroldShaw, 1997. ISBN 0877880794, HBB, $17.99.232. Jesus Christ--Biography; Incarnation--Meditations; L'Engle, Madeleine; Christian biography.165 p. Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Madeleine L’Engle, a firm believer in the valueof story and a renowned storyteller, once againinvites readers into her own life. This time sheleads us to consider anew God’s love in sendinghis Son, Jesus, to earth, becoming part of hisown creation. Throughout Bright Evening Starshe proclaims and affirms, “God is love.”Vignettes from L’Engle’s daily life, childhood tothe present, give good starting points for hertheological discussions. She thinks deeply andasks difficult questions about God, Jesus, theTrinity, and what Jesus meant by certainstatements. Then, even more amazing and lessunderstandable, how could he be fully divineand fully human at the same time? L’Engleadmits that many times she cannot find theanswers, yet she no longer feels bothered bylack of provable facts. As she points out, theGospels tell enough to show us all we need toknow about Jesus. Rather than trying to provethe impossible, she understands she has tobelieve by faith. She calls readers to alsobelieve by faith.The love that made Jesus willing to become ahuman being passes our comprehension.L’Engle reminds readers by her example tothank him for being born for us, for living all theway to death, then dying for us.Every page of Bright Evening Star provokesreaders to ponder the questions she poses. Onereading will not suffice. It will remain a goodresource for devotional reading. Betty M.HockettPinches of Salt, Prisms of Light : OrdinaryPeople, Extraordinary Stories, written andcompiled by Carmen Leal and Eva MarieEverson. Ontario: Essence Publishing, 1999.ISBN 1553060121, PAP, $14.95.242. Devotional literature, Canadian; Christian life.309 p. Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Similar to the popular "Chicken Soup for theSoul" books, this new book by Carmen Leal andEva Marie Everson offers a collection of 101true inspirational stories and poems.Contributing authors include Michelle Akers,starting striker on the world-champion U.S.Women's Soccer Team, along with insights bynurses, clergy, performers, journalists, retiredteachers, homeschool mothers, and even atwelve-year-old writer.Pinches of Salt, Prisms of Light is nicelyorganized in eleven sections. Each sectiondescribes instances of sharing (or receiving)God's love in everyday situations: "Salt andLight in Family," "In Neighborhood," "InFriendship," and includes surprising butworthwhile sections such as "Salt and Light inTravel," "To the Unlovely," "In Death andDying," and even "In Cyberspace." Quotesappear above each story, offering the perfectlead-ins to each.The cover hosts a beautiful color painting of adoorway surrounded by ferns and flowers on aglossy white background. Artist Esther Horvathdescribes the stories in Pinches of Salt, Prismsof Light as "a doorway into learning somethingabout yourself and the world around you... [and]a closer relationship with God." Because thestories are short and sections clearly labeled, thisbook can be easily read in snatches, jumpingfrom section to section, or straight through. Itcould even be adapted as a once-a-daydevotional. Nicely designed and well thoughtout, this book makes a beautiful gift for a friendor loved one, or a get-well "pick-me-up" gift.An appendix and details about the contributorsappear in the back.Kimn Swenson Gollnick, Freelance Writer &Homeschool Mother, Marysville, WATruffles from Heaven : Discovering the SweetGift of God's Grace, by Kali Schnieders.LCCN 99028092. Colorado Springs:Chariot Victor Books, 1999. ISBN1564767647, HBB, $12.99.242.21. Christian life. 120 p. Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—5In this autobiographical book, Schneidersdescribes some of the struggles of life, and howGod walks through those struggles with us,delivering grace in surprising ways. She seeshim extending his grace the way a suitor extendsa box of chocolates: full of love, promising allgood things. She closes each chapter with a"nougat center"—a Bible verse that reminds usof God's promises.The daughter of divorced parents, Schneidersstruggled with her self-image. She competed inbeauty pageants, hoping a crown would bringher father back. She longed for a husband, onewho would stay with her always. Quietly, Godassured her that he would be her father, hewould be her husband, and that he would bewith her always. He gave her tokens of hisaffection and meaning for her life.Some of the tokens God gave her were silly littlethings such as elusive key lime yogurt. Otherswere undeniable miracles—like the time shewon an African safari in a sales contest. Sheknew her prize was not the result of her salesskills, but that God had graciously supplied thecontact that would generate the sales goals.W I N T E R 2 0 0 0 6 0 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

ADULTNONFICTIONOnce, after a move to a new home, her newchurch gave her the assignment of finding aguest speaker for a luncheon. God made it clearto her that she was to be that speaker and thatopportunity launched her speaking ministry.Schneider is blessed with a storytelling gift.Women will identify with her struggles, andalternately be moved to tears and laughter.Andrea R. Huelsenbeck, Freelance Writer, Tempe,AZPrayers Women Pray : Intimate Moments withGod, by Quin Sherrer and RuthanneGarlock. LCCN 9746403. Ann Arbor,Mich.: Vine Books, Servant Publications,1998. ISBN 1569550875, PAP, $9.99.242.84. Women--Prayer-books and devotions--English. 167 p. Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Prayers Women Pray is written for the busymodern woman who feels pressured by manytasks and concerns, with little time available forquiet meditation. When she does pray she is sooverwhelmed by all facets of her life that shedoes not know how to communicate with Godeffectively.Prayers Women Pray provides beautifullyworded prayers to help women pray about themany aspects of modern life. This bookcontains prayers for family, friends, jobs,community, and nation. It has prayers formilestones such as marriage, pregnancy, birth,illness and death. Prayers are included for thegood times as well as those hard times whenprayer is extremely difficult.Organized into key themes, this book gives awoman easy access to just the right prayer forany situation. The authors have providedpowerful prayers for those extremely difficultsituations such as infidelity, a child’s drugaddiction or unwanted pregnancy, abuse andanger, when a woman may feel unable or evenunworthy to ask for God’s help and mercy.Scriptures for meditation are provided at the endof each section. These help us to realize thatGod does understand our situation, and isalways there to share it with us.Prayers Women Pray is an excellent devotionalbook for all women who want to communicatehonestly with the Lord. It contains prayers andscriptures to help the modern woman cope withthe many joys and sorrows of her daily life, andto help her to understand that she is not alone inher situation, that others feel exactly the sameway, and that the Lord is always with her.Virginia E. Brown, Freelance Writer, Sheridan,WYA Passion for Prayer : Experiencing DeeperIntimacy with God, by Tom Elliff. LCCN9748676. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books,1998. ISBN 0891079637, HBB, $15.99.248.32. Prayer--Christianity; Christian life. 224 p.Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Tom Elliff, a Southern Baptist pastor and formermissionary to Zimbabwe, challenges readerswith "a new call to prayer." In A Passion forPrayer, Elliff states that believers are called topray, to keep on praying, and to pray withpassion.To do this, Elliff looks at some of the basicingredients of prayer and relates them to what hecalls persevering prayer. The author contendsthat prayer is a believer's most effective but alsomost often unused weapon. Throughout thebook he cites supportive Scriptures as heexplores personal and intercessory prayer,prayer for grace to forgive, prayer during thehard times, prayer for blessing, and more.The author urges believers to establish aconsistent prayer life as mentioned in Luke 18:1that will result in effective prayer. In addition toconsistency in praying, Elliff stresses thatpraying and reading his Word are inseparable forvictorious Christian living.Pastor Elliff presents an in-depth study into thearea of prayer. He gives personal anecdotes thatoffer clear understanding of the Scripturesconcerning prayer. The book flows well andprovocative questions for reflection and prayerappear at the end of each chapter. A Passion forPrayer would be beneficial to the reader whowants to establish a stronger prayer life. Elliffguides the reader toward that goal with Scriptureas the foundation of his writing.Jo Huddleston, Freelance Writer, Author, FormerTeacher, Auburn, ALFar From Home : The Soul's Search forIntimacy with God, by Joseph M. Stowell.Chicago: Moody Press, 1998. ISBN0802410863, HBB, $17.99.248.4. Christian life; Spiritual life--Christianity. 182p. Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Knowing God and having an intimaterelationship with him should be everyChristian's goal, but accomplishing such a taskisn't always easy. Far From Home exploresGod's original design for a relationship with hispeople, the common distractions, and thecorrective measures Christians can use to ‘comehome' again. Joseph Stowell uses a progressiveanalogy of the Prodigal Son to get each pointacross. The basic message remains the same:plug into God through worship, praise,obedience, and purity. The most practicalchapter is on "Connectedness" where severalwell-known Christian figures share personalexperiences and how-to ideas about personaldevotions and prayer.Far From Home stays on a very personal level.Whether seasoned or new to the faith, readerswill appreciate this priceless look at scripturesand the practical analogies derived from them.Beth Loughner, Freelance Writer, RegisteredNurse, Columbus, OHCalled to Rebellion : The Key to SingleheartedLove for Christ, by Sandy Snavely.LCCN 9924177. Sisters, Ore.: Multnomah,1999. ISBN 1576734196, PAP, $10.99.248.8. Christian women--Religious life. 320 p.Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5In her first book, Sandy Snavely calls women torebel against the Imposter, the devil, and turnback to the heart of the Master, God. BecauseGod created us and loves us, Snavely remindsreaders throughout Called to Rebellion, he hasthe right to rule over us. On the other hand, thedevil aims to unseat God from his rightful placein our lives.To rebel against sin, Snavely declares,strengthens our resolve to say yes to God. Thisrebellion leads to a “Single-Hearted Love forChrist” in order to live a “Single-Hearted Life inChrist.” She skillfully reveals how the Impostertakes great care to make his lies and deceitfulpractices sound and look acceptable, while inactuality he opposes everything the Masteroffers.Snavely readily gives illustrations from her ownlife at home and at work as she sought a new lifein Christ through rebelling against the Imposter.She writes without hesitation, in a manner sureto convict readers, yet in a can’t-put-the-bookdown style. Scripture verses lace together theideas, challenges, and encouragement. Womeninterested in reading more in this vein willappreciate the bibliography at the end of thebook.Betty M. Hockett, Freelance Writer, Newberg, ORShattered Hopes, Renewed Hearts : What toDo With Wishes That Don't Come True, byMaribeth Ekey; foreward by Paul Meier.LCCN 9812813. Ann Arbor: Vine Books,Servant Publications, 1998. ISBN1569550123, PAP, $11.99.248.8. Loss (Psychology)--Religious aspects--Christianity; Consolation. 224 p. Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—5In a discussion of the nature of 'life formulas'people live by, this clinical psychologist teacheson how to wish realistically. She would have thereader consider defensive wishes that werenever fulfilled in childhood and how they oftengovern our relational thinking. Withcompassionate insight as well as clinicalprecision, she illustrates with short case studyexamples the route to dreaming possible dreamsand letting go of dysfunctional wishes.C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 6 1 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

ADULTNONFICTIONReaders will be intrigued with the fascinatingprocess as clients explore why they spoilrelationships that would be good for them orwhy bitterness has become a habitual responseto life. Ekey elaborates on how depression ischronic mourning, how bitterness and shamerefuse to let go of the ideal. Comparing theprocess of healing with the renovation of an oldhouse, the author notes: "Souls need to beexcavated from the debris of defensive wishes."She goes on to say that though the processseems endless and futile at times, "there is a soulin there and it can be restored."Using biblical references as they support herpsychological premises gives a Christian patinato the work. While the premises appear sound,the solutions are uniquely psychological,analytical, with no discussion of Jesus as healeror the power of the Holy Spirit to break theyokes of illusions.Carol B. Taylor, Freelance Writer, Poulsbo, WAThe Lady, Her Lover, and Her Lord, by T. D.Jakes. LCCN 986298. New York: G.P.Putnam's Sons, Penguin Putnam, 1998.ISBN 0399144145, HBB, $19.95.248.8. Marriage; Christian women--Religious life;Christian women--Conduct of life. 208 p. Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—5Popular pastor, speaker, and author Bishop T.D.Jakes, addresses the hurting, modern woman inThe Lady, Her Lover, and Her Lord. Drawingupon the Scriptures for help and encouragement,Jakes leads readers who have suffered abuse andneglect along a journey of inner transformation.The heart of his message is the power of theliving God to restore the battered spirit andenable her to enter into relationships of genuine,lasting love and commitment. Critical to thisdelicate and complex issue is the necessity of thewoman's seeing herself through the eyes ofChrist. According to Jakes, the redemptivework of the Savior doesn't end at cleansing fromsin—it can go on to polish every facet of awoman's life until she becomes the unique andbeautiful individual intended by a lovingCreator. Jakes' presentation of the Proverbs 31woman makes it clear that this passage ofScripture isn't pie in the sky, but a livable giftfrom God.The book's metaphoric style is at once itsstrongest and weakest feature. The richness ofthe poetic content is touching ("In his arms, lovefound its definition"), but its redundance makesit at times laborious reading. The bishop's usageof repetitive sentiment occasionally slows thebook's progress.Still, Jakes has a feel for the subject matter andthose who read this book will find anunderstanding friend who will help themdiscover the superb tapestry of a woman's lifethat lies behind the damaged veneer.Kevin M. Reeves, Freelance Writer, Haines, AKThe Secret of Self-Control : What God WantsYou to Know About Taking Charge of YourLife, by Dr. Richard L. Ganz. LCCN9820504. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books,1998. ISBN 158134015X, PAP, $11.99.248.8. Self-control; Thought and thinking. 208 p.Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—5Is there hope for a Christian to find liberationfrom a bad habit? How can a Christian nurtureand establish a good habit? Can the spirit-filledlife ever be attained?Drawing upon his years of expertise and trainingin the field of counseling, coupled with personalexperience, Dr. Richard L. Ganz reveals thejourney a person is able to take to gain selfcontrol; a biblical fruit of the Spirit. In TheSecret of Self Control, Dr. Ganz demonstratesthat it must begin with the desire to serve JesusChrist. Gleaning wisdom from the ultimateguide book, The Holy Bible, the reader isencouraged to climb the ladder one rung at atime that will lead to a fuller understanding andactualization of self control in a world thatrevolves around self-love.Each chapter ends with a pause for reflectionexercise of several questions for introspectionand self assessment in applying the principlesdiscussed. This self-help book will be avaluable asset for every Christian’s library.Debbie A. Lindsay, Homeschool Parent,Eatonville, WAThe Velveteen Woman : Becoming RealThrough God's Transforming Love, byBrenda Waggoner. LCCN 9925891.Colorado Springs: Chariot Victor, 1999.ISBN 1564767485, HBB, $13.99.248.8. Christian women--Religious life. 208 p.Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—5Brenda Waggoner sees in the children's classicstory The Velveteen Rabbit an allegory forspiritual growth. A certified Christiancounselor, she wants to take women from thebrand new plush bunny stage (masks of falseperfection) to the threadbare, well worn "real"stage (the persons God created them to be).Using the story line of The Velveteen Rabbit as arough outline, Waggoner explores the barriers toauthenticity which we erect in order to appearperfect. She attacks self-righteousness andcontrolling impulses. She urges Christians tolive with paradox and questions. Just becausewe are believers doesn't mean that we no longerfail.Waggoner uses many excerpts from literatureand from cinema to illustrate her points. Shealso uses her own experiences and those offriends and acquaintances. She ties it alltogether with a thread of scripture. Each chapterends with a Fake Fur Conception (actually amisconception) and a Real Skin Reality (a truthabout how God really works in our lives).Questions for group discussion or privatemeditation are grouped at the end of the book.Although The Velveteen Woman is written forwomen, it is a message all Christians couldbenefit from.Andrea R. Huelsenbeck, Freelance Writer, Tempe,AZToward Holy Ground : Spiritual Directions forthe Second Half of Life, by MargaretGuenther. LCCN 9519074. Cambridge,Mass.: Cowley Publications, 1995. ISBN1561011142, PAP, $10.95.248.8. Middle aged persons--Religious life; Christianaged--Religious life; Spiritual life--Christianity. 151p. Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—3The second half of life, says Margaret Guenther,is when we are finally grown up—pastchildhood, the teen years, and young adulthood.It is a time of maturity, when perspectiveschange. It is the "second half" of life, and comeswith its own special needs and concerns. It istowards this period of life that Guenther haswritten Toward Holy Ground: SpiritualDirections for the Second Half of Life.Guenther (an Episcopal priest) uses St. Anne(the mother of Mary) as her example. Anne is alegendary character, but was popular in theMiddle Ages. Guenther's journey discusses lifein terms of kinship, craft, healing, andwholeness, then moves on to preparation fordying, and ministry with the aged. Toward HolyGround aims to be a book of practicalspirituality for mid-life—a period when in thepress of modern society it is all too easy tooverlook the most important aspects of life—and makes many valuable points.It is regrettable (or a sad commentary on thechurch) that Guenther points towards thegay/lesbian community as an example ofcommunal love. And using a legendarycharacter as the basis for theological reflectionmay leave us wondering why there wasn't a realperson to fit the bill. But the middle years willconfront an increasing number of us, and we'dbe wise to take seriously the special needs thatarise during this time.Andrew M. Seddon, Writer and Physician,Billings, MTParent-Child Retreats : Spiritual Retreats forChildren Ages 7-10 and Their Parents, byLynne Knickerbocker and others. Denver:Living the Good News, MorehousePublishing, 1998. ISBN 1889108375, PAP,$17.95.249. Retreats; Spiritual life. 214 p. Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—5W I N T E R 2 0 0 0 6 2 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

ADULTNONFICTIONOften Christian parents feel frustrated as theyattempt to juggle the many aspects of their busylives, and at the same time, build a strong faithfoundation for their children. Many parents arealso unsure of exactly how to share theirprecious faith with their children. Parent-ChildRetreats is an excellent resource to help fill theseneeds.Retreats in this book emphasize the true natureof Jesus and help parents and children learn toshare the acceptance, love, and forgiveness ofGod. Even though these retreats can become avaluable part of a religious education program,the authors stress the importance of keeping theenvironment distinct from the normal classroomsetting.Parent-Child Retreats includes step-by-stepguides for retreats for parents and children,including instructions for children’s activities,parent sessions, and the parent-child sharingtime at the end of the retreat. Included also areretreats for the children only with a follow-upfor parents.An earlier book by the same authors entitledParent-Child Retreats: Spiritual Experiences forChildren Ages 3-6 (Living the Good News, Inc.,1997) can be used in conjunction with this bookto plan retreats in which the entire family canshare and grow in their faith. Schedules andretreat themes are similar to facilitate familyretreats.Parent-Child Retreats would be a valuable assetto religious education programs, giving them anexcellent resource for enriching andstrengthening the faith of both children andparents. Faith should be a family affair, andparent-child retreats are an excellent means fordeepening and strengthening family faith andfamily ties.Virginia E. Brown, Freelance Writer, Sheridan,WYApóstoles a la Ciudad, por Roger Greenway.Libros Desafío. ISBN 155883088X, PAP, $.(Apostles to the City, by Roger Greenway.)266. City missions. 101 p. Adult.Quality—Acceptability—Doctor Greenway fue un misionero en la Ciudadde México y después fue el Secretario para deMisiónes Mundialiales Latinoaméricas de laIglesia Cristiana Reformada de Norteamérica.Naturalmente, él tiene un corazón para loslatinos y otras personas del mundo también. Eneste libro él usa seis personas bíblicas parademostrar cómo traer a Cristo a las ciudades delmundo. Me gusta este libro porque demostró enmuchas maneras cómo el Señor ve al mundo ynos quiere hablar de él y vive para él en laciudad.El doctor Greenway describe las ciudadesclaramente y refiere a las profetas como Jonás yBernabé y como ellos hacían una diferencia ensus ciudades y cómo nosotros la podemos hacertambién. No hay visuales ni fotos pero haymuchas ideas para ayudar su ciudad. Léalo.Doctor Greenway was a missionary to MexicoCity and afterwards was the Secretary forLatinamerican World Missions for the ChristianReformed Church of North America. Naturally,he has a heart for latinos and other persons of theworld also. In this book he uses six Biblicalpersons to demonstrate how to bring Christ tothe cities of the world. I like this book becauseit demonstrates in many ways how the Lord seasthe world and He wants us to speak of Him andlive for Him in the city. Doctor Greenwaydescribes the cities clearly and refers to theprophets like Jonas and Barnabas and how theymade a difference in their cities and how we cando it too. There are no visuals or pictures butthere are many ideas to help your city. Read it.Bianca Elliott, Teacher, Linwood, KSJoining Children on the Spiritual Journey :Nurturing a Live of Faith, by CatherineStonehouse. LCCN 9748468. GrandRapids: Baker Books, 1998. ISBN0801058074, PAP, $15.99.268. Christian education of children. 237 p. Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—5A deep love for children and concern for theirspiritual development is evident in thisthoroughly researched book. Dr. Stonehouseexplores scientific research on the variousdevelopmental stages of children in an approachthat integrates theology and science. Shebelieves that since God is the source of truth,and he made the universe, science and theologyshould be in harmony. She sees a dynamicinteraction of Scripture with tradition, reason,and experience.The author’s goal for children is a maturingfaith, a deepening relationship with Jesus Christthrough which one becomes more Christlike.Children are a part of the community of faithand so the community itself is critical to theirdevelopment. The spiritual formation of parentsand other caring adults has a direct impact onchildren. Attention is given to helping adultsthemselves be the role models and nurturers thatchildren need. Insight is given into howchildren think and reason, which is differentfrom adults. The various views on childdevelopment are thoroughly explained and welldocumented in footnotes for all relevant views.This is a reference book as well as a uniquedocumentation of an area of a child’sdevelopment which has not been studied in thismanner before. The index is helpful. Scientificresearch on a child’s development, point ofview, understanding of right and wrong is easyto find in the book. It is thorough but concise,easy to read because it is so personal. Theauthor’s tone is like a friend sharing insights andinformation. She is not dogmatic on any onepoint of view. Information is there; the readerchooses how he wishes to use it. Dr.Stonehouse’s integrated approach harmonizesscience and theology, with the traditional,pragmatic and biblical approaches. There is nota program for religious instruction given.This book deals with spiritual formation and, assuch, is useful for adults in understanding thechildren in their sphere of influence who are atvarious stages. It is a freeing and upliftingexperience to go through this book and gainbetter understanding of children without havinga heavy burden placed on one. The authorenables someone to do what he is doing withchildren better than before.Lauralee Boling, Dayton, TNEarly Christian Traditions, by RebeccaLyman. (The New Church's Teaching Series;6.) LCCN 9922972. Cambridge, Mass.:Cowley Publications, 1999. ISBN1561011614, PAP, $11.95.270.1. Church history--Primitive and early church, ca.30-600. 178 p. Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—5Continuing the series designed to helpAnglicans understand the basis of their Christianfaith, Early Christian Traditions takes the readerback to the first six centuries of Christianity.What kind of a world did the first Christians livein? How did the beliefs we now acceptdevelop? What struggles—social, religious,theological—did our predecessors face? Lymanconsiders such topics as the world of the earlychurch, apostolic Christianity, Christianity andsocial crisis, Imperial Christianity, early imagesof Christ, the nature of God, and concludes withthe church in late antiquity (i.e. the era ofAugustine).It is a daunting task to cover such a complexperiod in a short book, but Lyman accomplishesthe task well. It would be very easy to becomeoverwhelmed by obscure theological disputes,but Lyman paints with a broad brush. While thescholar may wish for more detail, the lay personwill be glad for an overview that presentsmaterial clearly without becoming boggeddown.The era of the early Christians is one thatperhaps we don't think of often. But the earlyChristians faced a world not so very differentfrom our own, and struggled with many of thesame issues which we face today. EarlyChristian Traditions presents a readable andvaluable introduction to this period of history.Andrew M. Seddon, Writer and Physician,Billings, MTUnriddling Our Times : Reflections on theGathering Cultural Crisis, edited by OsGuinness. LCCN 9932958. Grand Rapids:Baker Books, 1999. ISBN 080105981X, PAP,C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 6 3 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

ADULTNONFICTION$8.99.270.8. Christian ethics; Moral conditions. 141 p.Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Unriddling Our Times is not a book of answers,but a call to reflection. Christian's can't respondto the forces at work in our society unless wesee, study, and understand those forces. Wemust remember the lessons of history andrecover the vision of Christianity as the onlyanswer to the problems facing the world.In Part One Guinness examines the need formodern prophets who will speak the truth of theevils abroad in modern society. This isillustrated by an extended extract from NaziresisterReinhold Schneider's 1937 novel LasCasas Before Charles V; ostensibly aboutSpanish atrocities in the New World, it was ahidden denunciation of Nazi activity against theJews.Part Two discusses the erosion of truth and theneed to recapture it—because truth is ‘essentialto resist manipulation' and ‘as a basis forfreedom and fulfillment.’ Truth matters, and weredefine it or relativize it to our peril. As ademonstration of the power of truth, theremainder of Part Two is a portrait of AleksandrSolzhenitsyn and his quest to reveal the truestate of affairs of the Soviet Union.Part Three is the most disturbing of all. Howhave the changes in the cultural underpinningsof society affected the people in it? ShirleyJackson's famous story “The Lottery” isfollowed by an essay by professor KayHaugaard. When all truth has been relativizedand no one is in possession of moral absolutesand capable of judging, nothing—and no-one—is safe.Guinness is no scare-monger; he freely admitsthat crises may build up only to pass awaywithout disaster. Unriddling Our Times thus is abook to provoke thought; to encourageChristians to educate themselves about theirfaith and to re-embrace the foundations of thatfaith; and to understand at a deep level how theworld differs. Most important of all, he calls usto speak the truth to our world—whether itwants to hear that truth or not.Andrew M. Seddon, Writer and Physician,Billings, MTThe Mystery and Meaning of the Dead SeaScrolls, by Hershel Shanks. LCCN 9729391.New York: Random House, 1998. ISBN0679457577, HBB, $25.00.296.16. Dead Sea scrolls. 246 p. Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Over fifty years have passed since the discoveryof the Dead Sea Scrolls, yet much about them isstill unknown. In The Mystery and Meaning ofthe Dead Sea Scrolls, Hershel Shanks (editor ofthe Biblical Archaeology Review) lays outrelevant events that have occurred since theirdiscovery. He provides an historical overviewof the world at the time of the writing of thescrolls. He presents textual criticism from manyscholars and offers his own analysis of thescrolls.Shanks presents the information in a clear andstraightforward style, providing the generalreader with a thorough introduction to thescrolls. Interesting anecdotes about people anddiscoveries are scattered throughout the wellresearched facts. Although he uses a scientificapproach and is rather objective, some of theauthor's conclusions may be offensive to somebelievers. The Christian reader will feelsomething is missing in the discussion ofChristianity and the Bible, as Shanks' analysislacks the feeling and reverence for Scripturebeing the inspired, inerrant Word of God.The Mystery and Meaning of the Dead SeaScrolls is a good starting point for adult readerswanting to know about the background, content,and possible interpretations of the scrolls.Karen Brehmer, Teacher, Silverdale, WA300’s—Social SciencesAt the Heart of Every Great Father : Findingthe Heart of Jesus, by Clark Cothern. LCCN9732501. Sisters, Ore.: Multnomah, 1998.ISBN 1576732134, PAP, $10.99.306.87. Fathers; Father and child; Fatherhood. 220 p.Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—5At the Heart of Every Great Father is a warmand witty guide for fathers to encourage them tobe the best they can be for their children. Ineach chapter Clark Cothern magnifies a fruit ofthe Spirit with a story from his childhood orfrom the interactions with his own children.Fathers are asked to strive to imitate Jesus Christand to request divine help and forgiveness ifthey have botched the effort. But the Holy Spiritmust first be in charge of the inner being of eachman because exercising fatherhood with onesown wisdom and strength will be a certainfailure. The book ends with an invitation andhow to surrender to the Lordship of Jesus.Though this book is intended for fathers it willalso provide valuable insights for mothers.Debbie A. Lindsay, Homeschool Parent,Eatonville, WABlinded by Might : Can the Religious RightSave America, by Cal Thomas and EdDobson. LCCN 9850196. Grand Rapids:Zondervan, 1999. ISBN 0310226503, PAP,$19.99.320.5. Evangelicalism; Christianity and politics;Conservatism. 281 p. Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Believing that the main purpose of governmentis to promote an ordered society, andChristianity’s purpose is to live godly livesbefore others, Cal Thomas and Ed Dobson(unrelated to Dr. James Dobson), join forces todemonstrate that the Moral Majority and otherChristian-based political movements fail toprovide the changes in direction America needs,to eliminate abortion and pornography, andreturn to traditional values. The compromisingvital to political success jeopardizesChristianity, and they deem the political arenacontrary to religion. The journalist and thepastor cite the inability of Christians torecognize politics’ seducing power leading tospiritual compromise. “Let the church be thechurch.” Since morality cannot be legislated,they admonish Christians to stop murmuring atan unsaved world.Although the authors intersperse comments tothe contrary, the reader may conclude thatpolitics is off limits to Christians. Thedistinction of how to participate in the culturalstruggle and remain pure is unclear. Dobson andThomas, both former Moral Majority leaders,openly criticize others (James Dobson, JerryFalwell, Pat Robertson, and Gary Bauer) whostill advocate political involvement.U.S. Senator John Ashcroft challenges Thomas’thinking in one of the book’s ten interviews withvarious cultural and political leaders. He rightlysays, “it’s not ‘either/or’ but ‘both/and” to thefalse dichotomy Thomas sets up betweenpolitical and religious activities. Blinded byMight creates a stir in conservative Christianand political camps but lacks the focused visionit advocates in the epilogue. A worthy book forthe concerned Christian’s shelf.Carolyn L. Hearing, Freelance Writer, Virginia,MNUna Guía de Estudio y Acción: AlcoholismoAlcohol y Otras Drogas, por William R.Lenters y Mariano Avila A. Libros Desafío.ISBN 155883091X, PAP.(A Study Guide and Action: Alcoholism,Alcohol and Other Drugs, by William R.Lenters and Mariano Ávila A.)362.29. Alcoholism--Spanish language materials;Drug abuse--Spanish language materials. 115 p.Adult.Quality—Acceptability—Este libro es difícil leer porque es al revés parami. Hay lecciones al principio y después haylecturas sobre las lecciones que son muyinformativas. Los escritores indican quealcoholismo es una enfermedad genéticabioquímica, cuando una persona abusa elalcohol está en una situación de una adicción ydependencia psicológica. Esta es una diferenciamuy importante. La doctora Mariano ÁvilaArteaga dijo que este estudio es útil y valioso alos latinos. Ella era la traductora del libro. Estelibro fue escrito por la Sínodo de la IglesiaCristiana Reformada de Norte América y es deW I N T E R 2 0 0 0 6 4 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

ADULTNONFICTIONsu punto de vista. Me gusta este libro porquevivía en una familia de alcoholismo y este librome explica el por qué y las razones de esteproblema. Recomiendo este libro práctico a lasfamilias y personas que sufren directamente oindirectamente de esta enfermedad. Tienemucha información que otras personasnecesitan.This book is difficult for me to read because it isin reverse. There are lessons at the first and afterare readings over the lessons that are veryinformative. The writers indicate thatalcoholism is a genetic biochemical sickness,while a person who abuses alcohol is in asituation of addiction and psychologicaldependency. This is a very important difference.Doctor Mariano Avila Arteaga said that thisstudy is useful and valuable to latinos. She wasthe translator for the book. This book waswritten by the Christian Reformed Synod ofNorth America and is from their point of view. Ilike this book because I lived in an alcoholicfamily and this book explains to me why and thereasons for the problem. I recommend thispractical book to the families and persons whosuffer directly or indirectly of this sickness. Ithas a lot of information that others need.Bianca Elliott, Teacher, Linwood, KSNone Dare Call It Education, by John A.Stormer. Florissant, Mo.: Liberty Bell Press,1998. ISBN 0914053124, HBB, $21.95.370. Education--United States--1945-. 207 p. Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5“America has lived through a revolution thathas transformed the culture and way of life ofmillions of Americans.” So writes John Stormerin None Dare Call It Education, the author ofbest selling None Dare Call It Treason. Stormertraces the downfall of public education fromDewey to the “dumbing down” of students, theschool being the vehicle used by radicaleducators to create a “new social order.” Heidentifies twelve concepts foundational toAmerica’s traditional way of life and culturefrom marriage and family, to absolutes, thatschools erode. When the public rises up andsays, “No,” at the front door to theimplementation of liberal programs, he exposestechniques “educational reformers” use toexecute them at “the back door.”Additional topics discussed are Goals 200,School-to-Work, Outcome Based Education,Mental Health provisions, and techniques formanipulating bright students.Meticulously documenting all facts, None DareCall It Education fairly reports what educatorsthemselves say about their agenda. He includespoints of view from liberal to conservativethink-tanks, legislators, parents, journalists, andschool board members to present a wellbalancedpicture of the issues. Readers will findthe index also detailed.This is a must read for every one who loveschildren and wants them protected.Carolyn L. Hearing, Freelance Writer, Virginia,MNAcross the Centuries : Teaching Units forTimeless Children's Literature from aChristian Perspective, Level B, Vol. 1 (IraSleeps Over / The Snowy Day / Ox-Cart Man/ The Hundred Penny Box / Little House inthe Big Woods), by Linda Causey and DebbieBible.372.64. . 176 p. Adult.Across the Centuries : Teaching Units forTimeless Children's Literature from aChristian Perspective, Level C, Vol. 1 (TheLion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe / StoneFox / Homer Price / Misty [ofChincoteague]), by Debbie Bible.372.64. . 175 p. Adult.Across the Centuries : Teaching Units forTimeless Children's Literature from aChristian Perspective, Level D, Vol. 1 (TheDoor in the Wall / Amos Fortune: Free Man/ Caddie Woodlawn / Island of the BlueDolphins), by Annette Rose and DarleneTroxel.372.64. . 176 p. Adult.Across the Centuries : Teaching Units forTimeless Children's Literature from aChristian Perspective, Level E, Vol. 1 (TheBronze Bow / Anne Frank: The Diary of aYoung Girl / Treasure Island / Anne of GreenGables), by Wendi Pollard.Christian Academic Publications and Services, 1998.PAP, $19.95.372.64. . 192 p. Adult.Quality—3 Acceptability—5Children's literature study guides from aChristian perspective provide a real service toteachers in Christian schools and home schools.Each volume in the Across the Centuries seriesprovides teaching units for four or five qualitychildren's books. Each of these teaching unitsinclude: an introduction including informationabout the author, an instructional plan withsuggested teaching and assessment activities(many with answer keys), an enrichment sectionwith additional suggested projects, relatedbooks, and occasional Internet addresses.Geared to activities suggested in theinstructional plan, approximately half the pagesin each unit consist of illustrated black-linemasters which can be reproduced for classroomuse. Units incorporate higher order thinkingskills and include: vocabulary studies, researchprojects, creative writing, and some crossdisciplinaryactivities.Supplementary books appeal to a broader agerange than the two grade levels targeted by theteaching guides, so teachers at other grade levelsmay find certain units useful for their classes.Several of the unfortunate errors occur only inthe instructional plan sections (e.g., publicationhistory of book, Level C, p. 5). However,teachers should be alert to make occasionalcorrections before duplicating certain activitypages. They range from repeated misspelling ofa character's name (Level D, p. 121, cf. 98) toactivities designed for integration with othersubject areas. Examples include place namehistory (Teton Mountains, Level C, p. 70), andmisidentification of sea mammal (elephant seal,Level D, p. 167). Particularly ironic are threetypographical errors in the Latin Vulgate Bibletext to be copied "with no mistakes" (Level D, p.39). The simple black and white illustrations areusually fine, but the orientation of family tree onthe activity page is reversed from theinstructional plan as written (Level B, p. 122, cf.111; see also Level E, p. 87, cf. 66). Illustrationsfor gravitational pull in tide behavior areconfusing (Level D, p. 122). Some suggestedactivities may not be age appropriate (e.g.multiplication by 8 and division by 15 in grades1 and 2, Level B, p. 102).New volumes for Levels B-E, are now in press,along with Volume 1 for Level A (Preschool -Kindergarten). Level F (High School) is in theplanning stage. These guides are less expensiveand more visually appealing than comparableBible-based literature study guides for singlebooks produced by Progeny Press. Progenyguides are somewhat more reflective andapproach vocabulary words using the text of thebooks themselves, rather than inventingdifferent sentences. Each series has its ownstrengths.Donna W. Bowling, Library/EducationalConsultant, Siloam Springs, ARThe Cause of Christian Education, 2nd ed.,by Richard J. Edlin ; with an introduction byAlbert D. Greene, Jr. ; and an annotatedbibliography compiled by Harro VanBrummelen. LCCN 945536. Northport,Ala.: Vision Press, Vision Press, 1998. ISBN1885219075, PAP, $16.95.377. Church schools--United States; Christianeducation--United States---Philosophy. 269 p. Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Edlin presents an excellent book consideringChristian education from an educator's point ofview. He has served in such roles as teacherthrough administrator on several continents. Hewrites having more experience with MK's(missionary kids), but keeps his material flexibleenough for all types of students. Hisexperiences with SIM (Sudan Interior Mission)enhances his understanding of unique teachingsituations. The chapters are in-depth andaddress the topic completely using currentresearch, logic, and Scripture.The book is written for lay people as well asthose in the education profession. The first twochapters examine the why of ChristianC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 6 5 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

Evangel adW I N T E R 2 0 0 0 6 6 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

ADULTNONFICTIONeducation and how public schools are notneutral in their education of students. The nexteight chapters look at the logistics of a Christianschool, such as how one is formed, the role ofboard members, the vision and missionstatement of the school, as well as the roles andassignments of the major people in a Christianschool. The last chapter deals with Christianteachers in the public school. Most chaptershave charts, checklists, or other notationsystems to enhance the understanding of thematerial. The notes at the end of each chapterare good sources for further research ordocumentation of the statements within thechapter. Edlin also provides appendicesdiscussing Christian school materials (anannotated list) and a Cultural SensitivityDiscriminator test that helps teachers understandtheir students. The last appendix Edlin adds is aURL list that will help Christian schoolsconsiderably in locating information. The bookis dogmatic in addressing the issue of sendingchildren to public or Christian schools but stopsshort of offending the reader.Bianca Elliott, Teacher, Linwood, KSSay Please, Say Thank You : The Respect WeOwe One Another, by Donald McCullough.LCCN 9822401. New York: G. P. Putnam'sSons, Penguin Putnam, 1998. ISBN0399144390, HBB, $21.95.395. Etiquette; Respect for persons. 286 p. Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5"We can fan the hidden spark of goodness inanother person until it bursts into flame,"summarizes Donald McCullough's recentrelease, Say Please, Say Thank You. Thirty-sixeasy to read chapters tell how courtesy isdisappearing and why we need it. Each chaptergives an example illustrated with a short storyfrom personal experience.Chapters include showing respect, ourdependence on others, consideration of other'stime, property, and feelings, developingpatience, and being aware of physical and sexualboundaries. The examples are often candid andsometimes humorous.Chapter three discusses white lies. The authorrealizes the subject is controversial, but quotesAristotle, "Speaking the right truth to the rightperson at the right time in the right way for theright reason." McCullough believes white liesare acceptable in the interest of the larger truth,and often prevent hurt feelings.Chapter four talks about violence and our needto curb it. He discusses how we add to thementality that breeds violence withinconsideration and how that can lead others andourselves to Hell that the Bible speaks of.McCullough says, "The heart of courtesy isrespect for persons; it has less to do withmanners than a manner of relating."McCullough believes humans have eternalworth and should be treated with dignity, andrespect. He believes common acts of courtesyplay a significant role in creating the climate fora more humane society.Gail Welborn, Freelance Writer, Everett, WA600’s—Technology (Applied Sciences)Worldproofing Your Kids : Helping MomsPrepare Their Kids to Navigate Today'sTurbulent Times, by Lael F. Arrington.LCCN 9711017. Wheaton, Ill.: CrosswayBooks, 1997. ISBN 0891079564, PAP, $12.99.649.1. Child rearing; Parenting; Mother and child.304 p. Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5How do we help our kids discern right andwrong? Do you know what a "worldview" is,and can you identify yours? Can we help shapethe worldview of our children? Author andspeaker Lael Arrington, known for her seminarson cultural apologetics, mapped a way inWorldproofing Your Kids: Helping MomsPrepare Their Kids to Navigate Today'sTurbulent Times. The material she covers in thisbook is extensive, making it difficult to absorbin one reading; but it's a good resource to referto over and over again as situations or questionsarise.In the first section, Arrington deals with truthand how it fits in a culture that is no longerChristian. In the second section, she deals withrights and personal beliefs, revolving aroundpersonal value (chapters cover evolution, animalversus human life, abortion, aging and dying).In the third section, she addresses work, leisure,and the importance of developing a biblicalwork ethic; she contrasts this with theentertainment and self-gratification influencesof our current culture. And in the fourth section,Arrington discusses citizenship—our sense ofbelonging, politics, dual responsibilities toGod's kingdom and earthly governments, andhow to bring lasting meaning to our lives. Afinal section, probably the best for its simplicityand pure interactivity, suggests scripturereadings and questions for each chapter-makingthis book an excellent Bible study guide forindividuals, families, Christian schools, andsmall church groups.An excerpt of Arrington's book can be found inthe Focus on the Family Magazine in an articletitled, "Hey, Mom, What's a Worldview?"(April 1998). Forward by Howard and JeanneHendricks; index also included.Kimn Swenson Gollnick, Freelance Writer &Homeschool Mother, Marysville, WA700’s—The Arts and RecreationTruth About Rock, by Steve Peters and MarkLittleton. LCCN 9733957. Minneapolis:Bethany House, 1997. ISBN 0764220535,PAP, $13.99.781.66. Rock music--History and criticism; Rockmusic--Reviews; Music and morals; Rock music--Religious aspects--Christianity. 205 p. Adult.Quality—3 Acceptability—4Peters and Littleton have done primary researchfor many years on the topic of rock music. Thisbook helps to relay the information gleaned overthe years and be put into the hands of parentsand other interested parties. Peters and Littletonhave updated their research to include thecurrent (1998) artists and how their lyrics andpersonal lives match up with Judeo-Christianstandards. The answers are not good.The twelve short chapters cover such issues as abrief history of rock and roll, lifestyles portrayedin the music as well as the singers’ lives, albumgraphics, Christian music, sections for the rockmusic listener and the parent, and finishes withan alphabetical review of the artists themselves.The print is easy to read and the book has acover that grabs the reader. The pictures withinare covers from the albums and are notappropriate for the very young reader. Thelanguage used in the book is quotes from theartists themselves with the main part ofinappropriate words blanked out. The bookexplains rather graphically what the musicianslike to do on the road with their fans and whattranspires at the concerts.Bianca Elliott, Teacher, Linwood, KS800’s—Literature & RhetoricA Complete Guide to Writing for Publication,Susan Titus Osborn, general editor.Phoenix: ACW Press, 1999. ISBN1892525097, PAP, $15.00.808. Authorship; Christian literature--Authorship.215 p. Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Both beginning and seasoned writers willbenefit from this extensive guide filled withadvice from twenty-four accomplished authors.Topics range from getting started to negotiatingbook contracts to working with agents tospeaking in public. These experts tell how towrite for various markets—Christian andsecular, children through adults, fiction and nonfiction.They give specific guidance on how tobenefit from writers' conferences, use theInternet for research, write query letters andarticles, and self-edit. Additional chapters coverwriting humor, poetry, mysteries, romancenovels, gift books, devotionals, educationalmaterials, and more.A glossary of writing terms would havestrengthened this well-written resource.Although no index or appendix is included,chapter end notes are added when needed.Highly recommended for writers, would-beauthors, and libraries.Lydia E. Harris, Former Teacher & FreelanceWriter, Seattle, WAC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 6 7 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

ADULTNONFICTIONIs There a Book Inside You? Writing Alone orwith a Collaborator, by Dan Poynter andMindy Bindham. Santa Barbara, Cal.: ParaPublishing, 1998. ISBN 1568600461, PAP,$14.95.808. Authorship. 228 p. Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Is there a book inside you waiting to be born? Ifso, this comprehensive how-to manual willguide you through the birthing process fromconception to publication. With numerouspublished books to their credit, Poynter andBingham share the inside story of how to getpublished alone or with help. Is There a BookInside You? a newly-revised Writer's DigestBook Club main selection, is a valuable resourcefor beginning or established writers.The authors provide useful evaluation tools toassess writing motives, strengths, and topicmarketability. Included are five T's ofauthorship to score yourself on: time,temperament, talent, training, and territory (aplace to write). Add to this the specificguidelines for choosing topics and titles, andyou have a book already worth its purchaseprice. For example, the authors recommendtitles of six words or less with a longer, moredescriptive subtitle. A good title grabs attention,indicates the subject, and limits the scope.After strengths and weaknesses are identified,the authors suggest a realistic writing plan. Anincluded planning sheet for research, writing,and publication deadlines helps writers organizeand stay on schedule. Chapters cover bookstructure, necessary tools, organization andresearch, writing, revising, editing, andcompleting the manuscript. Numerous secretsfor success are shared such as: write the backcovercopy before starting, begin with theeasiest chapter, and write the first chapter last.Book collaboration is addressed along with tipsfor locating and hiring coauthors, editors,ghostwriters, and other collaborators. A writingpartnership may be advantageous when a personwith ideas and experience lacks time or theability to write. They recommend interviewingnumerous individuals to find someone with acompatible temperament and work style.The last section discusses several publishingoptions and includes eight reasons to selfpublish.The detailed self-publishing quiz helpsreaders decide if it's right for them.Poynter and Bingham present a realistic pictureof the time, energy, and relational sacrificesrequired to author books. Readers who take theplunge will value their expert step-by-stepcoaching and the extensive resources in theappendix. Although I read a borrowed copy,now I've ordered my own.Lydia E. Harris, Former Teacher & FreelanceWriter, Seattle, WAWrite His Answer : A Bible Study for ChristianWriters, by Marlene Bagnull. Phoenix: ACWPress, 1999. ISBN 1892525127, PAP, $12.00.808. Authorship; Christian literature--Authorship.169 p. Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5Marlene Bagnull, freelance writer, editor, andconference director, draws from personalexperience and God's Word to create anoutstanding Bible study for writers. Havingwalked in writers' shoes, she understands theirstruggles and presents clear footprints of truth tofollow. For example, her chapter, "Finding OurPlace," discusses the pitfall of writerscomparing themselves with others. Bagnullwrites, "Frequently I receive letters from writerswho are questioning their call because they'vefallen into the trap of comparing themselveswith other writers. Convincing themselves thatthey don't have what it takes, they are in dangerof missing the uniqueness of the gifts God hasgiven them. It is not the Lord's intention that webe carbon copies of one another."Reading this newly expanded version is likehaving a mature, experienced writer providespiritual mentoring through the peaks andvalleys of a writer's life. Thirty-three chaptersoffer encouragement deeply rooted in God'sWord. Timely topics include: overcomingprocrastination, discouragement anddisappointment; maintaining a balanced life;and learning patience. Bagnull's warmth andtransparency enable readers to identify with herand feel uplifted rather than condemned. Sheshares struggles such as, "Instead of being ledand empowered by God's Spirit, all toofrequently I drive myself to make things happenin my own strength." Bagnull continues,"Knowing the Lord needs to be our focus, ourpassion, our heart's greatest desire. It's only outof the overflow of our relationship with him thatwe have anything worthwhile to say or write.And it's only as we learn what it means tosurrender all that we discover the joy of beingled instead of driven."Brimming with powerful insights that inspire aresponse to God's call, this one-of-a-kind bookdeserves frequent reading. Nine usefulappendices contain information on critiquegroups, writing a testimony, recommendedresources, and more. Writers and those whoencourage them will appreciate this book.Scriptural lessons are also applicable to otherprofessions.Lydia E. Harris, Former Teacher & FreelanceWriter, Seattle, WAInvitation to the Classics : A Guide to BooksYou've Always Wanted to Read, edited byLouise Cowan and Os Guinness. LCCN9743058. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1998.ISBN 0801011566, HBB, $34.99.809. Literature--History and criticism; Christianityand literature. 384 p. Adult.Quality—5 Acceptability—5For the many people who have often wanted toread more of the classics, and others as well, adistinguished group of Christian scholars extendthis Invitation to the Classics. Followingintroductory essays on classics and theirimportance, sixty-five short chapters provideindividual introductions to seventy-five Westernliterary classics by seventy different authors,beginning with Homer and concluding withSolzhenitsyn.Along with discussions of the featured literaryworks, each chapter provides background on theauthors, highlighting relevant faith perspectivesand mentioning other significant publishedworks. Chapters conclude with suggestedsections on “issues to explore” from a Christianviewpoint and references “for further study.”Other chapters interspersed throughout thebook, which focus on significant literature ofvarious periods, countries, or literary genres,refer to over 180 additional authors. Each fourto-sixpage chapter includes colored illustrationsof the authors and scenes relating to the literaryworks. Among the sidebars which highlight keyquotations from the various texts, a few includeoriginal language quotes along with the Englishtranslations.Under the sponsorship of the Trinity Forum,Louise Cowan and Os Guinness have drawntogether contributions from a diverse group ofcommitted Christian scholars associated withevangelical Protestant, Roman Catholic, andsecular institutions. Their stated purpose is “tointroduce the Western literary masterworks in aclear and simple style that is mature inseriousness and tone and Christian inperspective.” The featured classic authorsinclude five women (others appear in thegeneral chapters), and thirteen of the forty-ninecontributing scholars are women. Severalminority authors and Third World authors arediscussed in the final general chapter onContemporary Writers. Most of the classicsselected appear on such standard lists as GreatBooks of the Western World, along with someadditional significant Christian works, such asseveral mentioned in Terry Glaspey’s annotatedbibliography of Great Books of the ChristianTradition. Discussions on individual selectionsare more comprehensive than in CliftonFadiman’s The Lifetime Reading Plan.Designed for the adult reader, this book couldalso be useful for curriculum planning and as asupplemental resource for both teachers andstudents at the high school and university levels.Donna W. Bowling, Library/EducationalConsultant, Siloam Springs, AR900’s—Geography, History, & BiographyUncommon Gifts : Transforming LearningDisabilities into Blessings, by James S. Evans.W I N T E R 2 0 0 0 6 8 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

ADULTNONFICTIONLCCN 9810408. Wheaton, Ill.: CrosswayBooks, 1998. ISBN 0877888493, PAP, $12.99.921 (362.1). Evans, James S. (James Stewart), 1959-;Dyslexics--United States--Biography; Hyperkinisia--Patients--United States--Biography; Christian life--1960-. 236 p. Adult.Quality—4 Acceptability—5James S. Evans is the son of Colleen TownsendEvans and Louis Evans, who write a foreword tothis book. From an early age James wasafflicted with dyslexia, attention deficit, andhyperactivity. This book is a revision of his1983 book titled An Uncommon Gift andcontinues his story to include his adulthood andmarriage.In Uncommon Gifts, Evans offers insight, help,inspiration, and hope for millions of Americanswith learning disabilities and for their families.His goal is to help those with disabilities to learnself-discipline, and to help the members of theirfamilies. Evans is encouraged that today there isresearch and remediation available to thelearning disabled that was not available when hecame through the education system. Hecompares today's capable school systems withthose of his youth when learning differenceswere sometimes denied.While his learning differences affected himacademically in his youth, now in his adult yearshis hyperactivity affects his relationships. Hewrites that his learning difference has been ablessing because he has learned to have"dependence on God and on committedrelationships."Uncommon Gifts is an anecdotal account ofEvans' meeting the challenges of his learningdifference. Although there is little transitionfrom chapter to chapter, he provides aneducational source in this area of learningdisabilities. This book will help families andteachers of the learning disabled to betterunderstand their low self-image and lack of selfloveand, therefore, have realistic expectationsof them.Jo Huddleston, Freelance Writer, Author, FormerTeacher, Auburn, ALC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 6 9 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

PUBLISHERSThe following is a list of publishers whose titles are reviewed or discussed in this issue of CLJ. Use these addresses and phonenumbers to order books reviewed in this and all past issues.. Any of them will be glad to send you catalogs and informationabout cataloging and discounts. “C” at the end of a listing indicates a publisher of primarily Christian materials.A&E See LernerPublications.ACW Press, Order Dept.,5501 N. Seventh Ave., PMB502, Phoenix, AZ 85013.800-931-2665. CAlabaster Books SeeMultnomah. CAlbert Whitman and Co.,Order Dept., 6340 OaktonSt., Morton Grove, IL60053-2723. 800-255-7675.Baker Book House, OrderDept., P.O. Box 6287, GrandRapids, MI 49507. 800-877-2665. CBeacon Hill Press, OrderDept., 2923 Troost Ave., P.O.Box 419527, Kansas City,MO 64141-6527. 816-931-1900. CBenchmark Books SeeMarshall Cavendish.Bethany House Publishers,Order Dept., 11400Hampshire Ave. S.,Bloomington, MN 55438-2852. 800-328-6109. CBlue Sky Press SeeScholastic.Boyd Mills Press, OrderDept., 815 Church St.,Honesdale, PA 18431. 800-949-7777.Broadman & HolmanPublishers, Order Dept., 1279th Ave. N., Nashville, TN37234-0143. 800-251-3225.CCarolrhoda Books SeeLerner Publ. Group.Cavendish Children's BooksSee Marshall Cavendish.Chariot Victor Publishing,Order Dept., 4050 Lee VanceView, Colorado Springs, CO80918. 719-536-3271. CCobblehill See PenguinPutnam.Concordia Publishing House,Order Dept., 3558 S.Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, MO63118-3968. 800-325-3040.CCowley Publications, OrderDept., 28 Temple Place,Boston, MA 02111. 800-225-1534. CCrossway Books, OrderDept., 1300 Crescent St.,Wheaton, IL 60187. 800-635-7993. CDial Books for YoungReaders See PenguinPutnma.Dutton See PenguinPutnam.Editorial Vida See VidaPublishers.Eerdman's Books for YoungReaders See Wm. B.Eerdman Publishing Co..Enslow Publishers, OrderDept., Box 398, BerkeleyHeights, NJ 07922-0398.Essence Publishing, OrderDept., 44 Moira St., W.,Belleville, ON K8P 1S3,Canada. 800-238-6376.Facts on File, Inc., OrderDept., 11 Penn Plz, NewYork, NY 10001-2006. 212-967-8800.Fleming H. Revell SeeBaker Book House. CG. P. Putnam's Sons SeePenguin Putnam.Greenwillow See Wm.Morrow.Harcourt Brace & Company,Order Dept., Children'sBooks Division, 525 B Street,Ste.1900, San Diego, CA92101. 619-699-6435.Harold Shaw Publishers,Order Dept., P.O. Box 567,Wheaton, IL 60189. 630-665-6700. CHarperCollins Publishers,Order Dept., 10 E. 53rd St.,New York, NY 10022. 212-207-7000.Harvest House Publishers,Order Dept., 1075Arrowsmith, Eugene, OR97402. 800-547-8979. CHealth Communications,Order Dept., 3201 S.W. 15thSt., Deerfield, FL 33442-8157. 800-851-9100.Hendrickson Publishers,Order Dept., 140 Summit St.,P.O. Box 3473, Peabody, MA01961-3473.Herald Press, Order Dept.,616 Walnut Ave., Scottdale,PA 15683-1999. 800-245-7894. CHoughton Mifflin, OrderDept., Children's TradeBooks, 222 Berkeley St.,Boston, MA 02116-3764.800-225-3362.Huntington House, OrderDept., 104 Row 2, Suite A1 &A2, Lafayette, LA 70508.318-237-7049.InterVarsity Press, OrderDept., P.O. Box 1400,Downers Grove, IL 60515.630-887-2500. CKids Can Press, Great LakesCustoms, 4500 WitmerIndustrial Est, Niagara Falls,NY 14305-1386.Lerner Publishing Group,Order Dept., 241 FirstAvenue North, Minneapolis,MN 55401. 800-328-4929,x366.Liberty Bell Press, OrderDept., PO Box 32-A,Florissant, MO 63032.Libraries Unlimited/TeacherIdeas Press, Order Dept.,P.O. Box 6633, Englewood,CO 80155-6633. 800-237-6124 x1.Libros Desafío, Order Dept.,2850 Kalamazoo Ave., SE,Grand Rapids, MI 45960.800-333-8300.Living the Good News, OrderDept., 3101 N. 7th Street,Harrisburg, PA 17110. 800-824-1813. CLoyola Press, Order Dept.,3441 N. Ashland Ave.,Chicago, Il 60657. 800-256-0589. CLucent Books SeeGreenhaven Press.Marshall Cavendish, OrderDept., 99 White Plains Road,PO Box 2001, Tarrytown, NY10591. 800-821-9881.Moody Press, Order Dept.,820 N. LaSalle Blvd.,Chicago, IL 60610. 312-329-2108. CMorrow Junior Books SeeWm. Morrow.Multnomah Publishers Inc.,Order Dept., P.O. Box 1720,Sisters, OR 97759. 800-929-0910. CNational Geographic Society,Order Dept., P.O.Box 1640,Washington, DC 20013-1640. 800-647-5463.Orca Book Publishers, OrderDept., P.O. Box 468, Custer,WA 98240-0468. 800-210-5277.Palisades See MultnomahPublishers. CPara Publishing, Order Dept.,P.O.Box 8206, SantaBarbara, CA 93118-8206.800-727-2782.Peggy Pickering, 12206Colbarn Place, Fishers, IN46038.Peregrine Video Productions,Order Dept., 7583 EstateCircle, Niwot, CO 80503.W I N T E R 2 0 0 0 7 0 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

PUBLISHERSPhilomel See PenguinPutnam.Princeton University Press,Order Dept., 41 William St.,Princeton, NJ 08540. 609-258-4900.Random House, Order Dept.,11th Floor, 201 E. 50th, NewYork, NY 10022. 212-751-2600.Scholastic, Inc., Order Dept.,555 Broadway, New York, NY10012-3999. 212-343-6100.Sterling Publishing, OrderDept., 387 Park Ave. S., NewYork, NY 10016. 212-532-7160.Stoddart Kids, Great LakesCustoms, 4500 WitmerIndustrial Est, Niagara Falls,NY 14305-1386.That's Life Communications,Order Dept., PO Box 487,Markham, ON L3P3R1,Canada. Tollfree 877-THATSLI(FE). CThomas Nelson Publishers,Order Dept., 506 Nelson Pl.,P.O. Box 141000, Nashville,TN 37214. 615-889-9000.CTime Warner Audio Books,Care of: Little Brown & Co., 3Center Plaza, Boston, MA02108. 800-759-0190.Tommy Nelson, Order Dept.,404 BNA Dr., Bldg. 200, Ste.508, Nashville, TN 37217.615-902-2314. CTundra Books, Order Dept.,481 University Avenue, Suite802, Toronto, ON M5G 2E9,Canada. 416-598-4786.Tyndale House Publishers,Order Dept., 351 ExecutiveDr., P.O. Box 80, Wheaton, IL60189. 630-668-8300. CVida Publishers, Order Dept.,8325 NW 53rd St., Suite 100,Miami, FL 33166, FL 33166.800-843-2548.Viking See PenguinPutnam.Vine Books See ServantPublications. CVision Press, Order Dept.,PO Box 1106, Northport, AL35476.Waterbrook Press, OrderDept., 5446 North AcademyBlvd., Suite 200, ColoradeSprings, CO 80918.Westminster Press, OrderDept., 100 Witherspoon St.,Louisville, KY 40202-1396.502-569-5891. CWilliam Morrow and Co.,Order Dept., 1350 Ave. of theAmericas, New York, NY10019. 212-261-6500.Word Publishing, OrderDept., PO Box 141000,Nashville, TN 37214. 615-902-3400. CWordsong See Boyds MillsPress.Zondervan Publishing House,Attn: Zondervan ChurchSource, 5300 Patterson Ave.S.E., Grand Rapids, MI49530. 800-727-3480. CZondervankidz, Order Dept.,5300 Patterson Ave. S.E.,Grand Rapids, MI 49530.616-732-8013. CC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 7 1 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

INDEX2000 Years Since Then 1221 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership 46Across the Centuries 65African-American Biographies 49Al Gore 50Alaska Purchase... 50Alexander Graham Bell 27Altman, Linda Jacobs 29, 48, 50American Computer Pioneers 49American Heritage Collegiate Dict 6American Science Fiction... 49American Tycoons 49American Wei 18Americana Journal 7Ancient Hebrews 49Anders, Isabel 11Andersen, Hans Christian 31Anderson, Janet S. 30Anderson, Sandra Myhr 11Andy Finds a Way 9Angola 49Animal Defenses 25Antle, Nancy 30Apostles to the city 63Apóstoles a la ciudad 63Archipowa, Anastassija 31Arkansas 29Arnold, Bill T. 59Arnosky, Jim 17Arrington, Lael F. 66Ashby, Ruth 49Ashes and Lace 34At the Heart of Every Great Father 64Bagnull, Marlene 67Baldwin, Guy 29Ball, Karen 30Bangladesh 49Banks, Lynne Reid 5Barbados 49Barganier, Jeff S. 52Barlas, Robert 49Barnes, Emilie 10, 46Barrett, Tracy 29Bartlett's Familiar Quotations 6Basketball Mystery 23Baum, L. Frank 31, 32Beatinest Boy 9Beautiful Warrior 22Beckwith, Francis J. 58Beginning of Sorrows 37Behler, John L. 29Belarus 49Bender, Edna 20Bender, Esther 20Berg, Elizabeth L. 49Best Friends 40Bethlehem Inn 12Beyer, Bryan E. 59Bible 24Bible, Debbie 65Bible, Debbie 65Bill Clinton 51Billy the Kid 50Bingham, Mindy 67Biographies of Christian Authors 26Biography 47Björkman, Steve 17Black Pearl Mystery 23Blinded by Might 64Blomberg, Craig 13Bombay, Cal R. 44Bonham, Liz 11Books of Wonder 31, 32Borg, Marcus 13Borrowed Stable 12Bova, Ben 2Bowler, K. Christie 24Bowman, Crystal 11Boxcar Children Mysteries 23Brent, Isabelle 31Bright Evening Star 54Brouwer, Sigmund 30, 32Bruns, Roger A. 50Bulgaria 50Bunn, T. Davis 52Burger, Betty 32Burger, Charles 32Burke, Peter 45Butcher, Sam 24Byars, Betsy 20Byers, Ann 48Byrd, Sandra 20Cadnum, Michael 33Called to Rebellion 61Candymaker's Gift 11Canfield, Jack 58Carlson, Melody 17, 53Carnehl, Jeff 11Cassie, Brian 29Cat Barked? 17Cause of Christian Education 65Causey, Linda 65Celebrate the States 29Century of Immigration 51Cereal Box Mystery 23Chairman 54Chess, Victoria 18Chicken Soup for the Soul 58Child of the Wolves 5Child's Garden of Verses 2Child's Garden of Verses Coll... 11Children Around the World... 12Christian Eclectic Readers 32Christian Eclectic Readers... 32Christmas Story 11Christology of Jesus 13Chronology of World History 6Citadel and the Lamb 53Civil War, 1860-1865 51Clements, Andrew 5Clough, Sandy Lynam 46Collective Biographies 49Collier, Christopher 51Collier, James Lincoln 51Colson, Charles 10Colver, Kevin 45Come Home for Christmas 10Come to My Tomorrowland 9Complete Guide to Creative... 11Complete Guide to Writing... 66Compton's Encyclopedia 6, 7Concise Columbia Electronic Ency 7Contemporary Issues 45Conversations in Time with Men... 43Cook's Family 42Cooper, Deborah 28Copan, Paul 44Côte D'Ivoire 49Cothern, Clark 64Cowan, Louise 67Creative Minds Biography 27Crippled Lamb 11, 21Crossan, John Dominic 13Crown of Eden 42Crown of Fire 2,3Crystal Witness 2Cultures of the Past 49Cultures of the World 49Currie, Stephen 45Curtis, Edward S. 28Cyprus 49Czech Republic 49Daniel Boone : Frontier Legend 50Danziger, Paula 33Dark Sun Rises 55Datnow, Claire L. 49de Angeli, Marguerite 1Decision Points 43Deep Dixie 53Democratic Republic of the Congo 49Destination San Juan 50Dictionary of Bible Types 43Dictionary of Biblical Imagery 43Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels 13Dictionary of Science & Technology 6DiSalve-Ryan, DyAnne 18Disappearing Acts 20Discovering Christmas 10Dobson, Ed 64Dockery, David S. 59Doctor's Life 26Dónde Está Jesús 18Drake, Jane 27Drama of American History 51Drama of American History 51Drama of American History 51Drama of American History 51Drama of American History 51Duffey, Betsy 20Dugan, Karen 27Dumas, Alexandre 32Dunn, Jon L. 45Eagle's Shadow 36Early Christian Traditions 63East Timor : Island in Turmoil 48Eastern/Central Bird Songs 45Eclectic First Reader 32Eclectic Fourth Reader 32Eclectic Second Reader 32Eclectic Third Reader 32Edlin, Richard J. 65Edmondson, Jeff 44Edwards, Judith 50Ekey, Maribeth 61Electric Library 7Elias, Marie Louise 49Elizabethan England 49Elliff, Tom 61Elliott, Lang 45Emerald Isle 34Emperor's New Clothes 31Encarta 99 : Deluxe Edition 6Encarta 99 : Standard Edition 6Encarta Concise Free Encyclopedia 7Encarta Online Deluxe 6Encarta Online Library 7Encarta Reference Suite 6Encountering the Old Testament 59Encyclopedia Americana 6, 7Encyclopedia Britannica 6, 7Ernest Hemingway 50Estonia 49Eternity Gene 53Evans, James S. 67Even Stephen 5Everson, Eva Marie 60Every Little Thing About You 41Exploring the Northern Rockies 2Family Celebrations at Christmas 10Far From Home 61Ferris, Jeri Chase 27, 47Field Guide...Birds of North America 45Fiorenza, Elizabeth Schussler 13Firebird 2, 3, 41Firebird 2, 3, 41First Christmas Tree 11First Field Guide 29First Field Guide to Reptiles 29First Field Guide to Trees 29Five Gospels 13Fletcher, Sarah 24Follow the Stars 25W I N T E R 2 0 0 0 7 2 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

INDEXFord, June 11Frame, Jeron Ashford 10Frank Lloyd Wright 50Frankenstein 31Frasier, Debra 21Fremon, David K. 50Frindle 5Funk & Wagnalls...Encyclopedia 7Funk, Robert 13Fusion Fire 2Gaines, Ann 50Gaines, Ann Graham 50Gaither, Gloria 11Galvin, Jack 46Gansky, Alton 52Ganz, Richard L. 62Gardner, Robert 51Garland, Michael 27, 31Garlock, Ruthanne 61Gascoigne, Ingrid 49George Armstrong Custer 50Ghana 49Ghost Town Mystery 23Gietzen, Jean 10Glory of Christmas 10Goffe, Toni 25Goodbye Boat 24Goode, Diane 2Grandpa's Gamble 22Great Stories Remembered 10Green, Carl R. 49Green, Joel B. 13Greene, Carol 21Greenway, Roger 63Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia 6, 7Guardians of the North 37Guatemala 49Guenther, Margaret 62Guinness, Os 63Guinness, Os 67Gunning, Monica 26Hague, Michael 32Haidle, David 11Haidle, Helen 11Hall, Elizabeth 5Hamilton, Virginia 33Hammond Atlas of the World 6Hanes, Mari 5Hansen, Mark Victor 58Harnish, James A. 10Harrast, Tracy 11Harris, Murray J. 13Harry Potter...Chamber of Secrets 15Harry Potter...Sorcerer's Stone 15Harry Potter..Prisoner of Azkaban 15Harry the Poisonous Centipede 5Hawaiian Sunrise 40Heale, Jay 49Heart to Heart 20Heat 33Heirs of Cahira O’Connor 34Heitzmann, Kristen 33Henner's Lydia 1Henriquez, Celeste 11Herculean Jones Mystery 20Herod's Palace 12Herr, Ethel 53Hestler, Anna 49Hibbard, Ann 10Hicks, Barbara Jean 34Hidden Heart 38Hidden in a Whisper 39Hill, Christine M. 50Hirschi, Ron 28Historical American Biographies 50Historical Jesus 13History of Jesus 24Hobbs, Will 34Hoff, B. J. 34Hoffman, Nancy 29Hoffman, Patricia A. 11Holliday, Lucy Anne 22Holocaust Camps 48Holocaust Ghettos 48Holocaust Overview 48Holocaust Remembered Series 48Honduras 49Honest to Jesus 13Honor's Quest 33Hoover, Roy 13Hoppe, Hector 24Hornsby, Sarah 10Houghton, Janaye M. 43Houghton, Robert S. 43How to Grow a Young Reader 57Hranilovich, Barbara 11Hughes, Robert Don 53Hull, Mary E. 50Hunsicker, Ranelda Mack 57Hunt, Angela Elwell 34Hunt, Robert 11Hurwitz, Johanna 5I Am Mordred 40I Want to Know 24Ice Cream Larry 17Idaho 29If You Come Softly 42If You Were a... 29If You Were a... Ballplayer 29If You Were a... Pilot 29If You Were a... Teacher 29If You Were a... Zookeeper 29If You're Missing Baby Jesus 10In American History 50In Bethlehem Town 11In His Steps : The Promise 38In Search of Temple Treasures 52In the Beginning 24In the Shadow of the Mountain 35In the Stone Circle 35In Time of Trouble 36Invitation to the Classics 67Iron Lance 52Irving, Washington 31Is There a Book Inside You? 67Issues in Biomedical Ethics 45Issues in Sports 45Issues in the Environment 45It's My Birthday, Too! 17Jack London 50Jacob's Gift 11Jakes, T. D. 62James, Ellen Foley 26Jaramillo, Alvaro 45Jeffrey, Laura S. 50Jermyn, Leslie 49Jesus and the Gospels 13Jesus and the Victory of God 13Jesus as God 13Jesus Book 25Jesus in Cont. Scholarship 13Jesus Under Fire 13Jesus, Be in My Christmas 10Jesus: Miriam's Child... 13Jim Bowie : Hero of the Alamo 50John F. Kennedy 51Johnston, Julie 35Joining Children...Spiritual Journey 63Jonathan James Says, "Christmas... 11Jonell, Lynne 17Jones, Annie 53Jordan, Denise M. 49Joslin, Mary 24Journey from Texts to Trans... 59Jungle Book 32Just Look in the Stable 12Kaner, Etta 25Karmlich, Carolyn Walz 11Keeping Christ in Christmas 10Kelly, Clint 35Kent, Zachary 50Kentucky 29Kidd, Tom 32Kids Guide to the Millennium 27Kimmel, Elizabeth Cody 35King Is Born 11King Longshanks 18Kinkade, Thomas 11Kipling, Rudyard 32Klein, Ted 29Kline, Suzy 21Knickerbocker, Lynne 62Knowing Jesus Study Bible 58Kok, Marilyn 35Kort, Michael 48Koukl, Gregory 58Kramer, Barbara 50Kraus, Harry Lee, Jr. 54Kuwait 49L'Engle, Madeleine 54La Historia de Jesús 24Lady, Her Lover, and Her Lord 62Large Gulls of North America 45Latvia 49Lawhead, Stephen 52Leal, Carmen 60Leapman, Michael 47Legend of Sleepy Hollow 31Lenters, William R. 64Leota's Garden 54Let My People Go! 44Let's Get Ready for Christmas 11LeVert, Suzanne 29Levy, Patricia 49Liberia 49Liberty Bell 37Life of Jesus in Masterpieces... 26Lindbergh Baby Kidnapping... 50Lindquist, Nancy J. 36Lindskoog, Kathryn 57Lisandrelli, Elaine Slivinski 50Listen to Me Read 18Little Bull 26Little Lions 17Little Mermaid & Other Fairy Tales 31Littleton, Mark 66Lobel, Anita 47Lofting, Hugh 32Longman, Tremper 43Lost in the War 30Lost Lamb 17Lost Princess of Oz 32Louisa May Alcott 47Louisiana Purchase... 50Love, Ann 27Lowry, Mark 10Lucado, Max 11Lucado, Max 10Lyman, Rebecca 63MacDonald, Shari 36MacLeod, Elizabeth 27Madeleine Albright 50Mahan, Ben 11Maier, Paul L. 12Maizel, Karen 11Man with a Bull-Tongue Plow 9Mann, Kenny 49Marginal Jew 13Mariano, Avila A. 64Marigolds for Mourning 40Mark Twain 50Márquez, Herón 50C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 7 3 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

INDEXMartin, Ann M. 33Martin, Nora 36Mary Todd Lincoln 50Mary's House 12Mary's Treasure Box 11Mary, Did You Know? 10Maryland 29Marzulli, Lynn A. 37Massachusetts 29Match Made in Heaven 36Mathers, Petra 17Maverick Mania 30Max the Mighty 39Maxwell, John C. 46Maynard, Bill 21Maze 34McCallum, Jodie 12McCarthy, Pat 50McCormick, Anita Louise 50McCullough, Donald 66McCully, Emily Arnold 22McDaniel, Melissa 29McGaffey, Leta 49McGuffey, William H. 32McGuinn, Taro 48McKnight, Scott 13Meachum, Virginia 50Meier, John P. 13Merriam-Webster Reference Lib. 6Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dict. 6, 7Mesopotamia 49Michelson, Richard 22Millar, Heather 49Millennium Myth 44Minnesota 29Mississippi 29Mongolia 49Monkey Tree 30Monks, Lydia 17Moonstruck in Manhattan 38Moore, Carl 11Moragne, Wendy 29More Simple Signs 25Moreland, J. P. 13Morris, Alan 37Morris, Alan 37Morris, Gilbert 37Morris, Lynn 37Moser, Barry 22, 32Moser, Nancy 54Movie Star Mystery 23Munch, Philippe 31Munger, Nancy 11Mustard Seed. 54My Father's Angels 11Mysteries in Time Series 55Mystery & Meaning of the Dead... 64Mystery at Peacock Hall 23Mystery in New York 23Mystery in the Mall 23Mystery of the Black Raven 23Mystery of the Pirate's Map 23Mystery of the Queen's Jewels 23Mystery of the Stolen Sword 23Nanny and Isaiah 21Nany e Isaías 21Napoli, Donna Jo 38National Audubon Soc First Field 29Nations in Transition 48, 50Neff, LaVonne 25Neill, John R. 31, 32Nentwig, Wendy Lee 38Nephilim 37Netzley, Patricia D. 45New Book of Knowledge 6, 7New Church's Teaching Series 63New Dimensions in Evangelical... 59New Hampshire 29New Jersey 29New Mexico 29New World Blackbirds 45New Zealand 49Nikiel, Laura Gibbons 12No Pretty Pictures 47None Dare Call It Education 65Northrup, Mary 49Nuevo Testamento Devociones... 58O'Connor, Joey 38O'Driscoll, Herbert 43O'Shea, Maria 49Oh! Oh! (Jonah and the Fish) 18Oh! OH! (Jonás y el Pez) 18Ohio 29Old Ben 9Old, Wendie C. 50Omega Trilogy 37On Assignment 35Once Upon a Dream 34One Mind's Eye 2,3One Shenandoah Winter 52Only Outcast 35Orcutt, Jane 38Osborn, Susan Titus 12, 66Osborne, Mary Pope 26Osborne, Rick 24Otfinoski, Steven 29, 50Out of the Ocean 21Oyeme Leer 18P.S. Longer Letter Later 33Palisades Cont. Romance 35, 53Panama Canal 50Pang, Guek-Cheng 49Panther Mystery 23Papua New Guinea 49Paraguay 49Parent-Child Retreats 62Passion for Prayer 61Pella, Judith 39Penny's Worth of Character 8, 9People of Salmon and Cedar 28People to Know 50Perfect Wife 36Peters, Steve 66Peterson, Tracie 39Peterson, Tracie 39Pfetzer, Mark 46Pflueger, Lynda 50Philbrick, Rodman 39Philip, Neil 31Pickering, Peggy 26Pinches of Salt, Prisms of Light 60Pinkney, Jerry 32Pinkwater, Daniel 17Pinkwater, Jill 17Pittman, Helena Clare 17Poe, Edgar Allan 32Pollard, Wendi 65Pomeranc, Marion Hess 18Port Cities of North America 50Porter, Walter 11Power and the Glory 35Poynter, Dan 67Prayers Women Pray 61Precious Moments Noah's Ark 24Precious Moments Twelve... 25Price, Randall 52Pritchard, Ray 59, 60Promises Romance 40Quest 54Radically Plugged In 44Ramstad, Ralph L. 27Random House Webster's Coll... 7Rasche, Shelly 11Rauth, Leslie 29Real 12 Days of Christmas 11Real Night Before Christmas 11Reconstruction & the Rise of... 51Reconstruction Following... 50Red Mule 9Red River of the North 40Reimarus, Harmann Samuel 12Relativism 58Remkiewicz, Frank 21Resting in the Bosom of the Lamb 55Rhode Island 29Ribbons West 39Ride with Huey the Engineer 9Right Hand of God 37Rightful Owner 9Rinkitink in Oz 31Rise of Industry, 1860-1900 51Rivers, Francine 54Rizzo, Kay 39Robe 52Robert Ballard 50Rock River 21Rocky Mountain Legacy 33Rodanas, Kristina 25Roots of Faith 55Rose, Annette 65Rosie O'Donnell 50Ross, Michael 44Rowh, Mark 49Rowling, J.K. 15Russia 48Russo, Steve 10Ruth, Amy 47Ryken, Leland 43Saint Patrick 27Salinger Sisters 36Salinger Sisters 36San José, Christine 31Sanford, William R. 49Say Please, Say Thank You 66Schnieders, Kali 60Schomp, Virginia 29Schuman, Michael A. 51Schwabacher, Martin 29Schwartzentruber, Michael 10Science Fair Projects—Planning... 51Science Projects 51Science Projects About Math 51Science Projects About Plants 51Science Projects...Behind Magic 51Science Projects...Environment... 51Science Projects...Kitchen Chemistry51Science Projects...Measuring 51Science Projects...Physics... 51Science Projects...Sports 51Scott Hamilton 51Search for a Fawn 20Second Cousins 33Secret of Self-Control 62Secret Sisters 20See Through History 28Seekers 53Selina and the Shoo-Fly Pie 22Senegal 49Serenity Inn Series 39Serenity's Desire 39Serenity's Quest 39Service, Pamela F. 49Shades of Light 53Shanks, Hershel 64Shattered Hopes, Renewed Hearts 61Sheehan, Patricia 49Sheehan, Sean 49Shelley, Mary 31Shepherds' Fields 12Sherrer, Quin 61Sherrow, Victoria 29Ship Possessed 52W I N T E R 2 0 0 0 7 4 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

Shirley, David 29Shivering World 2Silver Chalice 52Simon, Mary Manz 18Simplify and Celebrate 10Sinclair, Kathy 10Sing-Along Christmas Songs 12Sioras, Efstathia 49Sirena 38Slash Brokers 52Slavery and Abolition... 50Slavery...Coming of the Civil... 51Slavin, Bill 27Smelt, Roselynn 49Smith, Debra White 40Smucker, Barbara 22Snavely, Sandy 61Snelling, Lauraine 40Something New Under the Sun 59Song Lee..."I Hate You" Notes 21Song of Erin 34Sopa de Pollo Para El Alma 58Spain in the Age of Exploration 49Spanish Women's Devotional... 58Spies, Karen Bornemann 51Spilling, Michael 49Spinelli, Eileen 27Sports Great Books 51Sports Great Dikembe Mutombo 51Sports Mystery Series 30Sports Reports 51Spotlight on Cody 20Springer, Nancy 40St. Louis Little, Claire 24Stallsmith, Audrey 40Star Conquerors 2Stefoff, Rebecca 29Stella & Roy Go Camping 18Stephens, Pat 25Stevenson, Robert Louis 2Stevenson, Robert Louis 11Stokes Field Guide to Bird Songs 45Stokes, Donald 45Stokes, Lillian 45Stonehouse, Catherine 63Stormer, John A. 65Storring, Rod 26Story of Dr. Dolittle 32Stowell, Joseph M. 61Stuart, Jesse 8, 9Study Guide and Action 64Sweetbriar 41Sweetbriar Hope 41Swindoll, Charles 10Tales of Edgar Allan Poe 32Tang, Charles 23Tangvald, Christine 12Tangvald, Christine 12Tanzania 49Tea Party Today 27Tender Mercies 40They Never Gave Up 46Thomas Jefferson 47Thomas, Cal 64Thompson, Ellen 20Thread That Runs So True 9Three Musketeers 32Thyme Will Tell Mystery 40To Teach, To Love 9Tompert, Ann 27Torres, John Albert 51Toward Holy Ground 62Trailblazers Biographies 47Tripping Over Skyscrapers 38Trobaugh, Augusta 55Troxel, Darlene 65Truce at Bakura 2True for You, But Not for Me 44Truffles from Heaven 60Truth About Rock 66Twelve Teas of Christmas 10, 46Two Mighty Rivers 5Tyers, Kathy 2, 3, 41Uganda 49Ukraine 50Una Guía de Estudio y Acción 64Uncle Phil's Diner 17Uncommon Gifts 67Under the Breadfruit Tree 26Undying Fire 55United States Presidents 51Unlikely Prince 34Unmistakably Cooper Ellis 38Unriddling Our Times 63Uruguay 49Vanden Broeck, Fabricio 26Velveteen Woman 62Very First Christmas 12Vietnam Antiwar Movement 50Voices from the Titanic 55W. E. B. Du Bois 49Waggoner, Brenda 62Waldron, Sarah 20Walker, Jim 55Wall Street Journal Almanac 6,7Walter Dean Myers 49Warner, Gertrude Chandler 23Washington 29Wegner, Paul D. 59Wells, H.G. 55West Virginia 29Western Bird Songs 45Westward Chronicles 39Westward the Dream 39What a Christian Believes 60Wheeler, Cindy 25Wheeler, Joe 10Where is Jesus? (Easter) 18White Pony 20Whole Story 31Whyte, Mariam 49Wick, Lori 41Wilbee, Brenda 41Wild West 28Wilderness 30Wilhoit, James C. 43Wilkey, Michael 46Wilkins, Michael J. 13Williams, Denise 55Williams, Jenny 12Williams, Thomas 42Wilner, Barry 51Wilson, Janet 22Wilson, Walter L. 43Windy City Mystery 23Wings of Dawn 32Wings of Healing 37Winter's Love 54Wise Men's Palace 12With Open Hands 27Witherington, Ben 13Within Reach 46Witnesses to War 47Wolfenbuttel Fragments 12Wolff, Ashley 18Wood, Tim 28Woodson, Jacqueline 42World Book : Deluxe Edition 6World Book : Family Reference Site 6World Book : Standard Edition 6World Book Online 7World in Conflict 48Worldproofing Your Kids 66Wright Brothers 50Wright, David K. 50Wright, N. T. 13, 44Write His Answer 67Wyoming 29Yannuzzi, Della A. 50Yates, Cynthia 11Yellow Rose Trilogy 41Yemen 49Yep, Laurence 42Yolen, Jane 18Yount, Lisa 45Ziff, Marsha 50INDEXC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 7 5 W I N T E R 2 0 0 0

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