Libraries Alive - National Church Library Association

Teen & Young
Adult reviewer
needed
Are you or someone at your
church knowledgeable about
Teen and Young Adult media?
Libraries Alive is looking for a
volunteer who is in touch with
today’s youth and has an eye
for good writing to review
materials for our Teen and
Young Adult section. An added
bonus: reviewers get to keep
every book they review.
Submit a writing sample
(mock review) to Sue Benish,
Libraries Alive editor:
suebenish@churchlibraries.org
the features that would make it truly useful.
The book is organized in three sections:
Geography of the Bible, Understanding
the Old Testament, and Understanding
the New Testament. In many ways it is
much like a Bible atlas and could be used
by anyone with a similar type of question.
The maps included have several different
formats and levels of quality. Some maps
are rather fuzzy and not as easy to read
as would be desirable. There are some
interesting lists and charts – such as a
Chronology, a list of Peoples and Lands of
the Ancient Near East, etc. but the lack of
any index to the book’s content is a serious
flaw. For most libraries, a proper Bible
atlas, such as the Zondervan Atlas of the Bible
also reviewed in this issue, will serve needs
better. Rating: 2 —KLF
JERUSALEM
AT THE TIME OF
JESUS. Ritmeyer,
Leen and Kathleen.
72p, Abingdon 2009,
9781426706943 [956.94]
This appealing guide to
the city of Jerusalem is organized by place
name or sight within the city.
Each entry is fully described
in text and extensively
illustrated with photos, line
drawings, and cutaway
drawings; most are in full
color. Valuable to those who wish to enrich
their Bible study by better understanding
the historical city of Jerusalem, or those
planning a trip to the Holy Land. There
is no index, but the table of contents is
quite complete. Overall, a useful reference.
Originally published in 2004 in Israel.
Rating: 4 —KLF
LION GUIDE TO THE
BIBLE. Walker, Peter.
320p, Lion Hudson 2010,
9780745952925 [220.61]
This is a very accessible,
easy-to-read and
understand introduction
to the Bible. It follows the structure
of the Old and New Testaments,
providing a chapter on each book
of the Bible containing a synopsis,
summaries of key messages, important
background, and interpretation. Many
full-color illustrations, charts, and maps
12
are provided. However, this volume does
not provide detailed exegesis, and does not
replace a scholarly commentary. What it
does do well is engage the general reader
gently and informatively on the Bible,
proving to be a very engaging companion
volume. Also recommended for youth. The
author, Peter Walker, has written a number
of other well-regarded companion volumes
to the Bible. Rating: 4 —KLF
THE ONE-STOP BIBLE
ATLAS (One Stop
Series). Page, Nick. 128p,
Lion Hudson 2010,
9780745953526 [220.91]
Libraries who want an
easy-to-use, modestly
priced Bible atlas with clear maps and
diagrams and straightforward, readable
commentary will be pleased with Nick
Page’s One-Stop Bible Atlas. While not a
substitute for a more detailed, scholarly
Bible atlas such as the Zondervan Atlas of
the Bible, this book is designed to be very
approachable, even for youth. The writing
is informal and enjoyable, with a spice of
humor; there are some unique and useful
maps included, such as
Jesus’ movements within
Jerusalem day-by-day
during Holy Week. There
are place, person, and
general indexes, although
they are concise. There is no concordance
or coordinates given to locate specific
places on maps. Overall, well worth the
money. Nick Page is a prolific author, with
over sixty books to his credit including,
together with his wife Claire, many
children’s books. Rating: 3 —KLF
� Click on book covers to
compare prices and purchase
books onine.
ZONDERVAN ATLAS
OF THE BIBLE.
Rasmussen, Carl G. 303p,
Zondervan 2010,
9780310270508 [220.91]
On all counts—accuracy,
usability, quality, and
comprehensiveness—this atlas scores
well. The atlas starts with a geographical
section that covers the physical geography,
topology, and climate of Israel, Jordan,
Syria, Lebanon, and Mesopotamia. The
historical section that follows commences
with the Pre-Patriarchal period and covers
both Hebrew Bible and New Testament