1998 - Christian Library Journal

ChristianLibraryJ O U R N A LVolume IV No.1Fall 1998THIS ISSUE FEATURES:■ On Frank Peretti■ Accelerated Reader; Crownand Lamplighter Nominees■ An Armchair Pilgrimage■ 1998 Christmas Releases■ Using Poetry with Children:Book Nook■ Joan Rawlins Biggar:Daring to Dream■ And if not...■ Series Fiction■ Libraries in theInformation Age

A Letter from the EditorDear Readers,I want to thank each of you who have renewed your subscription andshared your copies of CLJ with another library. We are breaking evenfinancially at last, and continue to grow. This is our first issue as aquarterly, with over 300 reviews for your use. We hope you find it usefulin the operation of your library and in your materials selection.Another note of thanks to Mary McKinney, who has agreed to takeover the editing of all children’s reviews, formerly done by Mary Jarvis,who has returned to work and is not able to continue as an editor. And wethank Mary Jarvis and all of our editors, writers, and reviewers, who sharetheir skills and knowledge with us on a voluntary basis.Our readers continue to send suggestions, recently that we reviewmore Christian books for the public library, and that we review no Christianbooks, since Christians already know about them. Meeting the needs ofseveral types of libraries and numerous individuals is challenging, but weencourage you to appreciate the many types of readers at CLJ and theirneeds. Without each group—school libraries, church libraries, universitylibraries, public libraries, and individuals—CLJ could not continue to exist.Have something you’d like to see an article on? Or ideas to help CLJimprove? Let us hear from you. Your ideas can make a difference forlibraries across the U.S. and around the world.In Christ’s love,Nancy L. HeschEditor and Publisher

I eat my peas with honey.I’ve done it all my life.It makes the peas taste funny.But it keeps them on my knife.M A R YJ ”’ SBOOK NOOK“Oh for a book and a shady nook,either indoors or out.”John WilsonBy Mary JarvisI listened with delight recently as four- yearold Amy recited these words for me. Blue eyesdancing and brown curls bobbing, she enjoyedthe magic of rhyme as much as I did.There is something about the succinctpictures and rhythm of words that lendfascination to poetry. So often the Englishlanguage is most expressive and colorful whenset to poetry. Vivid word pictures sing to usthrough poetry, whether it be metered rhyme orfree verse.Because of the sound and cadence, theyoung child loves rhyming words. Listen to athree year old making up pairs of rhymingwords. They will do it for days on end. Themusic and rhythm fascinates them. The toddlerloves poetry, whether it be Mother Goose orother simple poems. As the child learns to talkand use language, there is a wonderfulfascination with words and the pictures andfeelings they invoke. Poetry is the perfectvehicle for listening to and experimenting withlanguage.Teachers or parents can give childrenwords that will fill their minds with pictures,dreams, and ideals. We can give them wordsthat will shape their minds so they can makethose marvelous leaps of imagination that nocomputer will ever be able to rival. Poetry goesto the essence of things from the inside out. Apoem can capture an image of sight, sound, orfeeling that illuminates truth or a moment intime. Children need to listen to poetry. Theyneed to learn poetry and they need to write theirown poetry.Children should be inundated with poetry.In my own teaching I found it helpful to keep acard file of poems. I categorized my fileaccording to topics such as animals, color,weather, or feelings. My box of cards washandy when we were discussing a particulartopic. Short poems that were especially fun ormeaningful were posted on the bulletin board forstudents to learn. A short rhyme might go up onthe classroom door at the children’s eye level. Ifrequently heard them chanting the rhyme asthey played or sometimes the whole class wouldF A L L , 1 9 9 8 2 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

chant a poem quietly as we moved down the hall.Other times penmanship lessons were enhanced withpoetry written on the board.First and second graders love to make up shortpoems. Have children dictate to you so that you cancapture these gems on paper. By the time youngstersreach third and fourth grade they will write poetry freely.The beauty of poetry is that it goes to the essence ofthings from the inside out. In teaching children tocreate their own poetry this inner expression is the goal.So much of modern poetry does not rhyme, but weavesits magic with a quick, vivid word picture. Known asfree verse, we recognize it as poetry when it reveals theunconscious or takes us somewhere new. Poems don’thave to be logical. But good poetry gives us an ‘Aha!’experience of insight and beauty. Lightning may strikeon any line. We become more aware of ourselves andour world when we hear the word pictures of poetry.Listen to Carl Sandburg describe early morning:Daybreak comes firstin thin splinters shimmering.What images do these lines bring to mind? Canwe explore them with children and help them to writeand express their own experiences with dawn?Many of us are timid about trying to write poetrybut children love it and reveal surprising insight andcreativity. In her book Poemcrazy, Susan GoldsmithWooldridge shares some of the exercises she has donewith numerous children. She believes we can set upcircumstances in which poems are likely to happen.“Playing with words we can get to the place wherepoems come from,” she says.She suggests beginning with children makingcollective word pools. I did this in my own teaching,letting children suggest nouns, verbs, adjectives arounda certain topic. Put them on the board or a sheet ofbutcher paper. Once ideas begin, it’s difficult to get allthe words down. This stimulates thinking. Suggest afocus. Set boundaries of four or six lines. Giveexamples and then turn students loose. A few withlanguage difficulties may need to dictate to you. Youwill be amazed at results.Fifth grade Monica writes for Wooldridge,I used to be a nightmarebut now I am a cloud.When I sit and look at the skyI find I’m something morethan just a person.One technique Wooldridge uses when enablingchildren to write poetry is:✔ Name it. Give an object a real or made up name.✔ Describe it. What does it look like?✔ Bring me. Ask for a quality the object has that Ipersonally need.Seventh grader Lupe writes:Dead rosecrinkly as paperbring me love.And Serena,Leaflike a red spoon with a thin handleor a heart balloon on a stringbring me magic.Another similar approach I have used is to havestudents choose one word and write associations andfeelings it triggers. Pick a color, an object, a person.This will give focus and allow for feelings and rhythm tobe expressed.Poetry is a bridge; a bridge between this and that,the past and the present, light and dark, what we cansee and what we can’t, a bridge between you and me.Let’s read it, listen to it, and share it with our children.Let’s cross this bridge and meet in the middle, clasphands, and delight in life.New books of poetry reviewed in this issue of CLJ:The Llama Who Had No Pajama by Betty Fraser, HarcourtBrace, K - PrimaryAntarctic Antics by Judy Sierra,Harcourt Brace & Co., K -Primary.Grassroots : Poems by Carl Sandburg, illustrated by WendellMinor, Harcourt Brace, Third - Sixth Grade.Insectlopedia by Douglas Florian, Harcourt Brace, Primary -Sixth Grade.Cactus Poems by Frank Asch & Ted Levin, Harcourt Brace &Co., Primary - Sixth Grade.Work CitedPoemcrazy by Susan Goldsmith Wooldridge,Three RiversPress New York. 1996.C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 3 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

AWord from the Editor: Andrew M. SeddonTAKE ANARMCHAIRPILGRIMAGEQuestion a pilgrim in the Middle Ages on his reasons forembarking on a hazardous journey, and—if you couldunderstand his English—you might receive a variety ofanswers. One pilgrim might be visiting a holy site to venerate theremains of a saint and obtain an indulgence for sins. Anothermight hope for a blessing or a cure. Yet another to expressdevotion or piety. And some might be simply curious. At best,pilgrimage involved the hope of deepening spirituality; at worst, itbordered on modern tourism.In an earlier time, for the Celtic saints of the Dark Ages, pilgrimagewas a total revocation of a prior way of life, a voluntary exile to anew location in the service of God.One of my dreams is to take a pilgrimage, and walk one of theancient pathways traversed by the devout in England, Wales, orScotland. I haven’t yet realized this dream. But it isn’t necessaryto leave home to accomplish a pilgrimage. I have taken severalpilgrimages of the armchair variety.My latest was to Canterbury, whose shrine of Thomas Becket was afavored location in the middle ages (even though Becket wasn’teverybody’s ideal of a saint). For my guide, I took The Road toCanterbury by Shirley du Boulay, an account of her pilgrimagewalking the Pilgrim Way from Winchester to Canterbury. And Iread Howard Loxton’s Pilgrimage to Canterbury for a nonfictionaccount of the life of Becket and the whole institution ofpilgrimage. For music, I listened to Sir George Dyson’sCanterbury Pilgrims, a choral depiction of the travelers fromChaucer’s Canterbury Tales.In the near future my next pilgrimage will be to Ireland, to visit themonastery founded by St. Kevin. The books: Glendalough, aCeltic Pilgrimage by Michael Rodgers and Marcus Losack, andIreland Through the Ages by Michael Jenner.The Celtic saints are my favorites, and Britain my favoreddestination. Keith Sugden’s Walking the Pilgrim Ways is a wellillustratedguide to the ancient sites scattered throughout Britain.But medieval pilgrims traveled great distances, to Rome and theHoly Land. H. V. Morton’s now classic books In the Steps of theMaster and In the Steps of St. Paul are old but worthwhile treks tothese destinations. More modern examples are Jesus and Paul,Places They Knew by F.F. Bruce, and F. LaGard Smith’s MeetingGod in Holy Places. St. Francis of Assisi is arguably one of themost popular saints, and could be a guide to Italy. Every countryhas its saints and holy places.So, to set up a pilgrimage, choose a time—an hour, a day, aweekend free from interruption; and place—a getaway, a quiet parkor lake, at home or church or, if necessary, in a classroom for agroup pilgrimage. Choose a place to visit—one of the cradles ofChristianity, or a place with a long Christian tradition. Select asaint, or alternatively a topic, to explore. Choose an aspect ofspirituality that would be valuable to your life, something thatinterests you, something with which you’re not familiar.And then... walk away for a brief time from daily life into anadventure. It is easy to be a vicarious traveler; why not make aspiritual journey out of it?SUGGESTED READINGS:Canterbury:The Road to Canterbury, Shirley Du Boulay, Morehouse Pub., 1994.Pilgrimage to Canterbury, Howard Loxton, David & Charles, 1978.Listening: The Canterbury Pilgrims, Sir George Dyson, Chandos 9531(2)A must for lovers of the 20th century English choral tradition.The Pilgrim Ways, Britain and Ireland:Walking the Pilgrim Ways, Keith Sugden, David & Charles, 1991.Celtic Journeys, Shirley Toulson, HarperCollins, 1995.Glendalough, a Celtic Pilgrimage, Michael Rodgers and Marcus Losack,Morehouse Pub., 1996.Ireland Through the Ages, Michael Jenner, Michael Joseph, 1992.Celtic Saints:Columba, Pilgrim and Penitent, Ian Bradley, Wild Goose, 1996.Columba, Ian Finlay, Chambers, 1992.Fire of the North, The Illustrated Life of St. Cuthbert, David Adam, SPCK, 1993.The Spirituality of St. Patrick, Lesley Whiteside, Columba Press, 1996.St. Patrick, George Otto Simms, O’Brien Press, 199The Confession of St. Patrick, D.R. Howlett, Triumph Books, 1996.Wisdom of the Celtic Saints, Edward Sellner, Ave Maria Press, 1993The Soul of Celtic Spirituality in the Lives of Its Saints, Michael Mitton,Twenty-Third Publications, 1996.(Continued on page .)F A L L , 1 9 9 8 4 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

SCHOOLLIBRARIAN’SCORNERby Debra StombresWelcome to the School Librarian’sCorner of CLJ! This is our place todiscuss issues particular to schoollibrarians. This month we will lookat the popular reading software,Accelerated Reader, discuss thesuccess of Phil Vischer of VegieTales,and look for some help in basiclibrary skills for the school librarian!So, get your cup of coffee and let’schat!AWARDS TO NOTE:NOMINEES FOR THE 1998/99CROWN AWARD:Child of the Wolves, by Elizabeth Hall.The Christmas Miracle of JonathanToomey, by Susan Wojciechowski.A Different Kind of Courage, by EllenHoward.ADrop of Water, by Walter Wick.Esther’s Story, by Diane Wolkstein.Family Tree, by Katherine Ayers.Frindle, by Andrew Clements.Harry the Poisonous Centipede, byLynne Reid Banks.Iditarod Dream, by Ted Wood.The Indian School, Gloria Whelan.The Inside-Outside book of Libraries, byRoxie Munro.Inventors, by Martin W. Sandler.The Most Beautiful Roof in the World, byKathryn Lasky.On Board the Titanic, by Shelley Tanaka.Riot, by Mary Casanova.Spring Break, by Johanna Hurwitz.The Silver Balloon, by Susan Bonners.Sweet Memories Still, by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock.The Tarantula in My Purse, by JeanCraighead George.Tracks in the Snow, by Jucy JaneBledsoe.NOMINEES FOR THE 1998/99LAMPLIGHTER AWARD:Black Horses For the King, by AnneMcCaffrey.Bring Back Yesterday, by Harriet Sirof.Even Stephen, by Johanna Hurwitz.Gideon’s People, by Carolyn Meyer.Growing Up in Coal Country, by SusanCampbell Bartoletti.The Myth Maker, by Anne E. Niemark.Sarah With an H, by Hadley Irwin.Search for the Shadowman, by JoanLowry Nixon.Two Mighty Rivers, by Mari Hanes.Washington City Is Burning, by HarrietteGillem Robinet.(For information on participating in theCrown/Lamplighter Awards, contact SandraMorrow, National Christian Schools Assn., 11908North Lamar, Austin, TX 78753. (312) 835-3983;fax (312) 8352184.)TECHNOLOGY IN SCHOOLS:Could you use a tool that can makereading more fun for your students,increase your library’s circulation, andeven determine if your students havereally read their books before they getcredit for a book report? Let’s take alook at a very popular computer readingprogram called Accelerated Reader!Accelerated Reader is a softwaresolution that is sweeping schools acrossthe country. While some of us wonderhow technology is going to solveeducational problems in the magnitude inwhich it is being promoted, here we finda technology that really is making adifference in education.Just what is Accelerated Reader?It is a system of tests, each between 10and 20 multiple choice questions, thatwill both prove the student has actuallyread the book, and offer rewards basedon the number of questions answeredcorrectly, calculated with the readinglevel. This takes a lot of the burden offyour teachers. Rather than requiring xamount of book reports, a teacher canassign students to earn x amount ofpoints, or to pass a test at a certainC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 5 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

eading level.Why mention this to librarians? In myexperience teachers are requiring fewerbook reports than in the past. Much ofour fiction collection was not circulatingas well as it should and students were notgrowing in their love of reading. Whenwe added AR, our circulation shot up.We offered a store of prizes in the libraryonce a month where students could spendthe points they had earned from passingtests. Our top 20 elementary studentpoint earners enjoyed a pizza party in thelibrary at the end of the promotion.How does one choose and acquiretests? First you must purchase a licenseand then you may put tests on as manycomputers within the school as you wish,networked or otherwise. Tests arepurchased in chunks, from 25 to 50 testsper set. Many school book vendors nowsell books in sets to match the test sets.Until recently one could only buy tests insets already constructed. This meant youwould probably buy tests for titles youdo not own along with the tests you dowant. AR recently designed a programfor choosing your own set of tests. Thedrawback is that tests are much moreexpensive this way.There are a couple of test sets for popularChristian titles.There is also a method for creating andtyping in your own tests. We have takenadvantage of this when adding nominatedtitles for the Crown/Lamplighter awardbooks.For more information contact AdvantageLearning Systems at 1-800-338-4204 or callyour favorite book vendor.CELEBRITY OF THE MONTH:Phil Vischer, best known for thewonderful video series, VeggieTales, isthe subject of our discussion in this issue.Both church and elementary schoollibrarians who have circulating videocollections appreciate his contribution tothe art form. These videos are evenbeginning to appear in children’sdepartments of public libraries. Onelocal public library cannot keep theircopy on the shelf.Phil Vischer met his partner in Big IdeaProductions, Mike Nawrocki, when theywere involved in a puppet ministry asstudents of St. Paul Bible College inMinnesota. Phil worked for eight yearsas a computer animator for a Chicagoproduction company before beginning hisown company in 1989. When the twowere ready to launch the first VeggieTale,they chose vegetables, not as the result ofa long-time dream cartoon, but becausethe technology and budget available tothem did not allow for arms and legs.Big Idea Productions has grown to overthirty employees, but is still rather afamily business for Phil Vischer. Hismother, Scottie May of West Chicago,who has a doctorate in early childhooddevelopment, acts as content advisor.His wife Lisa provides one of the voicesand sings the closing Bible verse song.“We don’t consider ourselves a Christiancompany,” Lisa Vischer has been quotedas saying. “Instead, we are a mediacompany with a Christian worldview, andthat will impact every decision.” Theircharacters are humorous, lovable andconsistent. Their plots are Bible-based,moral, hilariously funny, and creative.Kids love them, and adults do not tire ofthem. Will they enter mainstreampopular media? They will if PhilVischer’s dreams for the series cometrue.(Information taken from the Chicago Tribune,Feb. 15, 1998, Section 17.)QUESTIONANSWER&QWhere can I getsome basic library skills trainingand connect with otherlibrarians from similar backgrounds?AThere are many ways to pick upand polish library skills withoutreturning to college. Librarysystems and state libraries offerseminars on specific areas oflibrarianship and/or technology. Journalssuch as this one offer timely articles.Check out Linworth Publishing’s Webpage for information on their collection oflibrary journals and their ProfessionalGrowth Series of publications.http://www.linworth.comFor concentrated library skills trainingand encouragement in an encouraging,Christian environment, let merecommend two conferences. Theannual Christian School LibrariansConference, early in July, is held onHarding University Campus In SearcyArkansas. For information contactSuzanne Spurrier or Teri Buss at 501-279-4354. The second conference is aone day conference in Wheaton, Illinois,put on by ECLA, Evangelical ChurchLibrary Association. Church libraries andChristian school libraries have much incommon; therefore the ECLA isextending its ministry to encompassChristian schools. For information aboutthe organization and the Fall conferencecall ECLA/Churchmart at 1-800-223-0001or check out their web page athttp://members.aol.com/ECLAssoc/index.htmlF A L L , 1 9 9 8 6 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

JOAN RAWLINS BIGGAR: DARING TO DREAMby Kimn Swenson GollnickTo those closest to her, Joan RawlinsBiggar comes off as friendly, witty,and comforting all at once, like agirlish best-friend and grandmother rolledinto one. Woven throughout her life, andparticularly after her husband's death, isBiggar's commitment to God. She takessolace in a favorite scripture: "Since ancienttimes no one has heard, no ear has perceived,no eye has seen any God besides you, whoacts on behalf of those who wait for him."(Isaiah 64:4) Her life and her stories reflectthis deep, personal faith.When Joan (pronounced "Jo-anne") MarieRawlins Biggar was a young girl in the1940's, there were no computers, Nintendo,or television to fuel her young imagination—only books. She dreamed of traveling to newplaces, and thought someday she'd writestories about them.When she was only ten years old, Biggarsold her first story for one dollar to TheWashington Farmer. Two years later, Biggarwrote a successful play to help raise moneyfor a new roof on the local communitycenter. At thirteen, she sold her first sciencefiction piece, a story about going to themoon. Her dreams soared.In spite of her early success as a youngwriter, Biggar became a teacher, graduatingfrom Seattle Pacific College (nowUniversity) in 1958. Looking back, teaching"was a very good background for a writer,"Biggar said, "because a lot of things that mykids [in my classes] did...inspired charactersand events in my books...." She keeps intouch with today's kids by substitute teachingand working in a special program for homeschooledchildren at a local Christian school.But in the beginning, after teaching for fouryears in the local school district, Biggar'sdreams of travel made her restless. Shescheduled job interviews across the WestCoast and handed a letter of resignation toher principal with a request that he give it tothe district office if he didn't hear from her.Then she left the state.Her principal forgot to turn in the letter, sothe school district renewed her contract andBiggar returned to Washington. One monthlater, she met her husband, Bob Biggar. Shequotes one of her favorite Bible verses: "Andwe know that in all things God works for thegood of those who love him..." (Romans8:28).When they moved to Alaska, Biggarcontinued to teach; she later used the settingin one of her books, Danger at Half MoonLake.And teaching spawned Biggar's adult writingcareer. To satisfy state requirements toremain current as a teacher, Biggar enrolledin classes that matched her dreams of travel:languages, photography, art, and journalism.She also signed up for classes under CharlesKeim, Dean of the English Department at theUniversity of Alaska at Fairbanks."He was the best writing teacher anyonecould ever have," Biggar recalls. She wroteseveral magazine articles, personalityprofiles, devotionals, and a few children'sstories, all of which were published. "Iwould say that he (Keim) was the one thatgot me started," she says.During a teaching break, Biggar sat in arestaurant three mornings a week while herchildren were in school and began writingher first juvenile book, Treasure at MorningGulch. Keim critiqued it. "That's really howI learned to write, was re-writing that book,"she said.The Biggars returned to Washington State in1981 when Bob suffered a heart attack. Henever fully recovered. Joan's dreams slippedinto the background. "There were a lot ofhard years then," she comments. "That'swhen I did a lot of writing." She alsocontinued praying for God's will.Then one day, while carrying a stack ofpapers out to the garbage, Joan caught sightof a rumpled brochure for a writer'sconference. She recalls, "It was like the Lordsaid, 'This is for you, Joan.'"The brochure was for the Warm BeachChristian Writers' Conference; she registered.Today, she credits that experience forpropelling her dream forward. She metestablished writers, and later joined a critiquegroup. She decided to start her second book,Danger at Half Moon Lake, using the area inAlaska she'd grown to love as the backdropfor the story.She did extra research for her books whenshe accompanied her husband Bob in hisconsulting business, visiting interestingplaces in Yakima, Washington; southernOregon; and Arizona. She wrote Shipwreckon the Lights after visiting one of the lastworking lighthouses in the world, in BritishColumbia. High Desert Secrets followed,based on her experiences in Oregon.Concordia Publishing House offered apublishing contract for these books in 1991and 1992 as the "Adventure Quest" series(now out of print). To encourage otherwriters, Joan tells them it took over twentyyears before she saw her books published. Itwasn't until then that Joan realized what hadhappened—she'd written about places faraway from the little valley where she'd grownup. Her childhood dream had come true.Her newest series released by ConcordiaPublishing House is the "Megan ParnellMysteries" series, geared for ages 10-14(reviews appear in this issue of CLJ). Herhusband helped with research, exploringplaces with her on Whidbey Island, FortEbey, and Fort Casey, which later became thesetting for her fifth book (and the first of theC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 7 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

Megan Parnell mysteries), Missing onCastaway Island. Sadly, he didn't see thesecond series published. After a longstruggle with poor health, Bob died in 1994.Biggar continues her hallmark tradition ofweaving facts into her stories—items ofhistory, geography, and personal experiencescollected during her travels—and sheincludes sympathetic characters of variousracial backgrounds. Additional titles in hernew series include Mysery at Camp Galena,Trouble in Yakima Valley, and Trapped atHaunted Canyon.Biggar has also written an adult historicalnovel and a young adult fantasy novel, whichwas a finalist in the 1998 Pacific NorthwestWriter's Conference annual writingcompetition.Biggar also received First Place in theprestigious literary competition sponsored bythe Klondike Gold Rush CentennialCommittee of Washington State in 1997, forher nonfiction entry: "The Abercrombie Trail,All-American Route to the Gold Field."Biggar regularly hosts a critique group in herhome; she served on the board of theNorthwest Christian Writers' Association fortwo terms; and she occasionally gives schooland library presentations. Wherever shegoes, you can be certain that Joan RawlinsBiggar gently encourages her audience tofree their imaginations, but most of all, neverto forget their dreams.NEW SERIES - MEGAN PARNELLMYSTERIES (ages 10-14), published byConcordia Publishing House:Missing on Castaway Island (1997, ISBN 0-570-05015-4). Megan and her step-brother,Peter, help a Vietnamese girl solve themystery of her missing brother and findGodly solutions to multi-culturalism,prejudice, and blended families.Mystery at Camp Galena (1997, ISBN 0-570-05016-2). Megan and Peter take jobs ascamp counselors, and Megan finds herselfcompeting with another girl for the affectionsof Sean, a handsome fellow counselor. Sheand Peter also uncover who is damaging theforest ecology around the camp.Trouble in Yakima Valley (1998, ISBN 0-570-05031-6). Megan and Peter spend timehelping at their great-uncle's ranch in EasternWashington when things start going wrong.Who is sabotaging the apple orchard? Andwhy is someone causing trouble for theSalinas family? Is it because they areHispanic?Trapped in Haunted Canyon (1998, releasedin June). Megan and Peter didn't know thatspending Christmas on a cattle ranch inArizona could turn dangerous. Caught in asudden storm with Megan's childhood friendAaron, the three are trapped in an ancientIndian cave. Pothunters illegally digging upartifacts come along and the kids try toescape without being seen, but only Megangets away. How can she help Aaron andPeter? And how can they stop the illegalacitivities?ADVENTURE QUEST SERIES (ages 8-12), published by Concordia (out of print):Treasure at Morning Gulch (1991, ISBN 0-570-04193-7). In Washington's CascadeMountains, three teenagers find anabandoned gold mine.Danger at Half-Moon Lake (1991, ISBN 0-570-04194-5). In Alaska, Billy and anorphaned native Alaskan boy break a liquorsmuggling ring.Shipwreck on the Lights (1992, ISBN 0-570-04710-2). At a lighthouse station in BritishColumbia, four teenagers find adventureinvolving shipwrecks and smuggling.High Desert Secrets (1992, ISBN 0-570-04711-0). On a desert ranch in southeasternOregon, two cousins solve a mysteryinvolving ancient Indian folklore andartifacts.Kimn Gollnick is an award-winning writerand lecturer with many articles to hercredit. She lives in Washington where shehome schools her two children.F A L L , 1 9 9 8 8 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

1998Christmas Releases by Lydia E. HarrisBooks play an important role in our livesat Christmas. They help us prepare ourhearts, celebrate the season, and sharethe message of Jesus. Young and oldalike enjoy a good book. Perhaps you'llwant to add some of these new releases toyour library or give them as gifts tofamily and friends.Adult Christmas Books1Barnes, Emilie. CHRISTMAS IS COMING.Harvest House, 1998. ISBN 1565079124.HBB, $16.99, 144 pages. Full of practicalhelp and ideas, this spiral holiday organizer forfamilies has space to record Christmas planningfor three years. It suggests what to do each weekduring November and December to get ready. Thenumerous tips, lists, and charts, along withcolorful illustrations by Michal Sparks, make it anattractive, useful organizer.2Bunn, T. Davis. ONE SHENANDOAHWINTER. Thomas Nelson, 1998. ISBN0785272178. HBB, $12.99, 265 pages. Thisfiction story is set in the isolated town ofHillsboro, Virginia, during the late autumn of1961. An angry doctor arrives in the ruralcommunity to begin his medical practice. Heclashes with the assistant mayor and others. Thehealing that takes place that goes beyondmedicine. By Christmas, unexpected events bringjoy and sorrow, providing a touching story ofredemption.3THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS. ThomasNelson, 1998. ISBN 0785282130. HBB,$14.99, 160 pages. This collection ofmessages by six well-known communicators—Max Lucado, Jack Hayford, David Jeremiah, JohnMaxwell, Bill Hybels, and Rick Warren—isdesigned for gift giving or personal use. Theirinspirational thoughts bring a fresh perspective tothe familiar Christmas story, helping readers seespiritual truths they may have overlooked.4.Higgs, Liz Curtis. WHILE SHEPHERDSWASHED THEIR FLOCKS. ThomasNelson, 1998. ISBN 0785276130. HBB,$12.99, 85 pages. A collection of humorousthings kids say and do, illustrated with whimsicalart by Dennis Hill. The quotations cover topics ofschool, manners, babies, Christmas, and more.5Lucado, Max. THE CHRISTMAS CROSS.Word, 1998. ISBN 0849915465. HBB,$17.99, 48 pages. A trip into the past holdpromise for the future in this beautifully illustratedgift book/novella. The touching story of familyreconciliation at Christmas is a captivating, quickread. One unique feature is the interactiveelement of the book, with envolopes containingmementos from the story.6McCusker, Paul. EPIPHANY. Zondervan,1998. ISBN 0310225450. HBB, $12.99,137 pages. This novella is a modern-dayfantasy by former writer and producer of Focus onthe Family's Adventures in Odyssey radio series.The story is told from the perspective of Richard,the deceased father, an unseen observer of familyhappenings. His unexpected death, just beforeChristmas, forces his three grown children to facepersonal and family issues. How they resolvetheir struggles results in a heartwarming Christmasstory with lessons for all.7Morgan, D. A CHRISTMAS TOREMEMBER. Harvest House, 1998. ISBN1565078950. HBB, $15.99, 46 pages.Combining gentle artistry and poetry, this giftbook includes nostalgic Christmas memories. Thedetailed, lifelike illustrations of outdoor winterscenes are bordered with handwritten verse.Inspirational quotations from others areinterspersed with the author's poetic writing.8A NOSTALGIC NOEL. Barbour, 1998.ISBN 1577483499. PAP, $9.95, 346 pages.This collection of four Christmas romancenovellas set in days gone by includes CANECREEK by Kay Cornelius, BITTERSWEET byRebecca Germany, A CHRISTMAS GIFT OFLOVE by Darlene Mindrup, and THE HONOROF THE BIG SNOWS by Colleen Reece. You'llmeet a Kentucky school girl, a small-town couple,a woman alone on the Dakota prairie, and an Irishlass in the Canadian wilderness.9REMBRANDT: THE CHRISTMASSTORY. Thomas Nelson, 1998. ISBN0785274642. HBB, $14.99, 72 pages. Thisgift book is a collection of Rembrandt'smasterpieces coupled with text from the NewKing James Version of the gospels. It includesover thirty images related to Christ's birth, fromthe annunciation to Simeon's prophecy.Trudie West. LEGENDS ANDTRADITIONS OF CHRISTMAS.10Revoir,Revised by John Pipe. Judson Press,1998. ISBN 0817012869. PAP, $12.00, 75 pages.A resource for the holiday season with fourAdvent devotional services as well as storiesbehind numerous holiday traditions. Appendicesoffer discussion questions, related activities, andsuggestions for using the book. Appropriate forfamilies, churches, and groups.Tim. CHRISTMAS HEARTS.Promise Press, Barbour, 1998. ISBN11Roehl,1577483774. HBB, $14.99, 112 pages.This attractive gift book contains inspirationalmeditations seen through the eyes of those whosaw Jesus first—including Mary, Elizabeth,Zechariah, Joseph, and the innkeeper. The authordesires to help readers "see" the real Jesus of theBible through these stories. The illustrator, KeithMueller, provides notes about his artwork at theend.OF LOVE. Barbour, 1998.ISBN 1577483502. PAP, $9.95, 35012SEASONpages. Four inspirational Christmasromance novellas are included in this book. THEGOLD STAR by Yvonne Lehman, WHISPERSFROM THE PAST by Loree Lough, SILENTNIGHTS by Tracie Peterson, and HEARTSUNITED by Debra White Smith. The authorsweave tales of gifts and love in a holiday setting.Rubel. CHRISTMASTREASURES. Broadman & Holman,13Shelly,1998. ISBN 0805401946. HBB,$15.00, 160 pages. This collection of Christmasreflections comes from over seventy writers suchas Martin Luther, C.S. Lewis, Henri Nouwen,Charles Wesley, and Max Lucado. It includesquotations from political figures, contemporaryChristian authors, significant figures in churchhistory, and others. This inviting gift book, withC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 9 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

. . . celebrate theseason, and share themessage of Jesus.contemporary illustrations by David Arms, is thesize of a guest book and is bound in a paddedcover.Terry. SIMPLYSENSESATIONAL CHRISTMAS.14Willits,Zondervan, 1998. ISBN 0310218020.HBB, $14.99, 106 pages. Readers will enjoy thisappealing gift book brimming with colorphotographs and ideas for creating cozy homesduring the holidays. The suggestions are simple,sense-filled, and Christ-centered.*Children's Christmas Books1Barnes, Emilie. THE BEST CHRISTMASEVER. Harvest House, 1998. ISBN1565079051. HBB, $14.99, 32 pages.Preteen girls will enjoy this gift book burstingwith ideas for holiday preparations and fun.Recipes, crafts, decorations, and party ideas areenhanced by Michal Sparks' charmingillustrations.*2Byrnes, Trish. THE STORY OFCHRISTMAS, illustrated by Rusty Fletcher.Broadman & Holman, 1998. ISBN0805417001. PAP, $4.99, 20 pages. The story ofJesus' birth is simply told with one sentence perpage. Children can help illustrate the story byplacing reusable stickers of nativity figures onappropriate pages.3.Carlson, Melody. WHAT NICK & HOLLYFOUND IN GRANDPA'S ATTIC.Multnomah, 1998. ISBN 1576733726.HBB, $9.99, 31 pages. Twins Nick and Holly andGrandpa go looking for Christmas ornaments inthe attic but find much more. The familyheirlooms they discover are the springboard forGrandpa to tell the story behind each treasure andhow it relates to Jesus. Suitable for children agesfive to ten, this book is a companion toFamilyLife's Adorenaments, a collection ofornaments like the ones in the story. Steps forleading a child to Christ are included at the end.José Miracles painted the detailed, realisticillustrations.4Damashek, Sandra. WHAT CAN YOU DOON CHRISTMAS DAY? illustrated by PaulHarvey. Broadman & Holman, 1998. ISBN0805416668. HBB, $6.99, 12 pages. Preschoolchildren will enjoy this small touch and look boardbook with different materials to touch. In rhymingverse, it mentions several outdoor winter activitiessuch as sledding and skating and concludes with,"Hooray! It's Jesus’ birthday!"5Davidson, Alice Joyce. MARY & THEBABY JESUS. Zondervan, 1998. ISBN0310973279. HBB, $3.99, 12 pages. Thestory of Jesus' birth is told in rhyming versesuitable for children four and under. TammieLyon provided the colorful illustrations for thisboard book.6Davis, Holly. MY BIRTHDAY, JESUS'BIRTHDAY, illustrated by Nancy Munger.Zondervan, 1998. ISBN 0310974208. HBB,$5.99, 16 pages. This sturdy board book centersaround two elements young children can relateto—babies and birthdays. Each page spreadcompares the early stages of life for a young childtoday with the early stages of life for baby Jesus,describing similarities and differences betweenthem. A delightful book with colorful illustrationsfor children four and under.*7.Finley-Day, Linda. DONALD THEDORMOUSE—WHERE'S OUR BABYJESUS? illustrated by Liz McIntosh.Broadman & Holman, 1998. ISBN 0805412476.HBB, 22 pages, $14.99. Baby Jesus is missingand Donald the dormouse helps find him in timefor the school Christmas play; but he also causescommotion. Children can place the cutout ofDonald in the pockets on several pages. Thecomplete Christmas story is told on the back page.8THE FIRST NOEL, illustrated by Pat Paris.Broadman & Holman, 1998. ISBN0805417931. HBB, $16.95, 10 pages. Basedon the carol, “The First Noel,” this holiday pop-upbook will delight all ages. Five elaborate scenesburst forth with shepherds, the star, wise men, thestable, and baby Jesus.9Fletcher, Sarah. MY CHRISTMASPRAYER BOOK. Concordia, 1998. ISBN0570075467. PAP, $1.99, 16 pages. Writtenin poetry, this Arch Book combines the Christmasstory with related prayers for children. The lastpage leaves space to write your own prayer.David & Helen. THE LIVINGNATIVITY. Honor Books, 1998. ISBN10Haidle,1562925377. HBB, $12.99, 32 pages.David and Helen Haidle team up to write andillustrate a heartwarming story of hope. It's thestory of St. Francis of Assisi, who created the firstknown creche with real-life enactment of Christ'sbirth. The setting is an Italian village. Thecharacters are a crippled peasant boy and a monk.Together they impact an entire village by startingthe tradition of celebrating Christmas with a livingnativity.Lucie. MY MUSICALCHRISTMAS STABLE. Broadman &11Hayward,Holman, 1998. ISBN 0805417923,$14.99. This stand-up musical cardboard stablewith pockets holds four mini paperback books, 12pages each. The books are entitled MARY ANDJOSEPH’S JOY, THE SHEPHERDS’ SURPRISE,THE ANGELS’ NEWS, and THE WISE MAN’SSTAR. Children can push a button and listen to"Silent Night" and watch the shining star as thestories are read. MY MUSICAL CHRISTMASSTABLE is appropriate for children four andolder.Lois. THE CHRISTMASSTORY Cookie Kit. Multnomah, 1998.12Keffer,ISBN 1576733246. PAP, $16.99, 32pages. The kit includes a full-color storybook,cardboard stable, and nine plastic cookie cutters ofF A L L , 1 9 9 8 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

creche figures. The story of Jesus' birth is told inrhyming verse, four lines per page, and illustratedwith brightly colored cookie characters. The ideais to begin a family tradition of baking cookiecharacters and reading the enclosed Christmasstory. Recipes and decorating instructions areincluded.Paul L. THE VERY FIRSTCHRISTMAS. Concordia. ISBN13Maier,0570050642 HBB, $14.99, 32 pages.Eight-year-old Christopher thinks he's too old forfairy tales, so his mother reads him the Christmasstory from the Bible. This stimulates challengingquestions and a wonderful mother-son discussion.Suitable for ages five to ten and written at thethird grade reading level, this picture bookincludes rich color illustrations by FranciscoOrdaz.Debbie Trafton. FAMILYCOUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS,14O’Neal,illustrated by Viki Woodworth.Augsburg, 1998. ISBN 0806637331. PAP,$10.99, 46 pages. Celebrate the Christmas seasonfrom December one through January six with dailysuggested activities, recipes, and crafts from thisbook. Also count the days by placing colorfulstickers on the one-page calendar included. Createrich family memories during Advent, Christmas,and the twelve days that follow, using these ideas.Alan & Linda. MARY'S STORY.Baker Book House, 1998. ISBN15Parry,080104359X. HBB, $12.99, 24 pages.This story tells of Mary's anticipation of marryingJoseph and the birth of Jesus. An interactive book,children can dress paper doll Mary for herwedding, cover baby Jesus with a blanket, andwear the child-sized necklace included as amemento of the story. Since it's fiction, details inthe story are not biblically accurate. Small partsmake it unsuitable for children under three.Christine Harder. HEY, MR.ANGEL! Concordia, 1998. ISBN16Tangvald,0570050588. HBB, $6.99, 32 pages.The illustrations by Jeff Carnehl set the stage forthe nativity story told by an angel to two littleshepherd boys. The bouncy, lyrical verse issuitable for children ages four to seven.DAYS OF CHRISTMAS,illustrated by Sam Butcher. Baker17TWELVEBooks, 1998. ISBN 0801044103.HBB, $12.99, 32 pages. Each page includes oneline from the song, “The Twelve Days ofChristmas” with Precious Moments illustrations ofthe gift given each, e.g., partridge, turtledoves, etc.The last page encourages giving throughout theyear.Jr, Walter. MARY'S FIRSTCHRISTMAS. Zondervan, 1998.18WangerinISBN 0310222168. HBB, $19.99, 48pages. The biblical Christmas narratives form thebasis for this fiction account of Mary telling fiveyear-oldJesus the story of his birth. Written as afour-part bedtime story, each portion emphasizesdeep love: Mary's love for Jesus, Joseph's love forJesus, God's love for Jesus, and Jesus' love for allthe world. This warm retelling of the familiarChristmas story offers a fresh view through theeyes of Mary.*Brenda C. THE CHRISTMASSTORY. Broadman & Holman, 1998.19Ward,ISBN 080541777X. HBB, $7.95, 14pages. The Christmas story is told simply forinfants through five-year-olds in this board book.The illustrations are photographs of babies dressedas characters in the story. Infants are costumed asshepherds, angels, Mary, Joseph, animals, wisemen, and a star.Brian. A CHRISTMASSTORY. Eerdmans, 1998. ISBN20Wildsmith,0802851738. HBB, $17.00, 24 pages.Brian Wildsmith is both author and illustrator ofthis young readers’ picture book with bright colorsand brilliant gold paintings. Rebecca, a young girlfrom Nazareth, accompanies a little donkey toBethlehem in search of his mother. They find thedonkey's mother and infant Jesus in Bethlehem'sstable. They all return to Nazareth and Jesusgrows up with Rebecca as his friend. This versionwas originally published in 1989 by OxfordUniversity Press.Children four and under will enjoy the followingsturdy board books, five by five inches in size,with colorful illustrations by Nancy Munger. Eachone has 12 pages, costs $3.99, and was publishedby Zondervan in 1998.1Davidson, Alice Joyce. THE "J" IS FORJESUS. ISBN 0310975530. A short rhymingstory that tells the meaning of the candy cane.2DeBoer, Jesslyn. FOLLOW THE STAR.ISBN 0310975549. The wise men follow thestar and find Jesus. They give him theirpresents and worship him.3DeBoer, Jesslyn. GETTING READY FORCHRISTMAS. ISBN 0310975611. Theanimals do their part to prepare a manger towelcome Jesus.4VanderKlipp, Michael A. JOY TO THEWORLD. ISBN 031097660X. Youngchildren will enjoy the counting and rhymingin this book. It begins with ten joyful angels andends with one baby Jesus.*Longer review elsewhere in this issue of CLJ.Lydia E. Harris, educator and freelance writer inSeattle, Washington, has presented Christmasworkshops in churches, a community school, andon the radio. She is a syndicated columnist andhas published book reviews, devotions, skits, andarticles.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 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

Observations OnFrank Peretti’s Work & Impactby Richard TerrellThe publication and astonishing success of Frank Peretti'snovel This Present Darkness in 1987 aroused Christian publishing housesto the expressive potential of fiction. By the early 1990s, fiction sections inChristian bookstores overflowed with novels containing themes of evangelicalimport, and by the later 90's some Christian publishing houses were beginningto warn writers that the market for Christian fiction was “glutted." Althoughsuccessful Christian fiction authors existed before Peretti's remarkable success(Stephen Lawhead, for example), it is nevertheless fair to say that Peretti brokeopen the door to a potentially enthusiastic market for imaginative storytelling.He is, as Publishers Weekly religion editor Phyllis Tickle expresses it, "thedaddy, the king, of contemporary Christian fiction."Following in his steps are many others, including people associatedwith distinctive ministries outside the arts such as Larry Burkett, Bob Larson,Dave Hunt, Charles Colson, Pat Robertson, Tim LaHaye, Hal Lindsey andothers. Aspiring Christian writers have evidently taken encouragement fromthis development, because it says that the Christian community is interestedand responsive. While acknowledging Peretti's impact, however, his novelsare not highly regarded by Christian academics, nor is there universalenthusiasm for them in the lay-Christian reading public. Nobody, however,can deny Peretti's popularity and his importance as a catalyst for the new,explosive market for religious fiction.This Present Darkness reveals the reasons for the ambivalencemany people feel toward Peretti’s novels. It is a riveting story, even though thebook contains descriptive language that is ordinary at best, and dialoguethreaded with cliches. This novel, and the others that followed it (Piercing TheDarkness and Prophet), can "hook" readers with vigorously conceived plotsthat unfold stories which take place on the borders of the natural andsupernatural worlds.Whatever their weaknesses, Peretti's books show an appeal not onlyfor his primary audience of evangelicals, but for many people beyond theChristian culture as well. Alissa Rubin, a reviewer for The New Republic,asserts that Peretti’s novels may seem "simplistic" or even "paranoid" while atthe same time possessing "something ... that can keep even a secular reader(myself included) oddly enthralled." 1 She attributes this power to the ancienttheological underpinnings of the books as rooted in Augustinian writings onthe devil and themes of spiritual warfare.Peretti’s earlier novels were published by Crossway, and continueto show up on Christian bestseller lists for fiction, years later. Despite whatmany see as literary shortcomings, Peretti can be a compelling story-teller. Hisbooks are easy to read, and one can enjoy his stylistic "quirkiness" (such as theuse of comic-book style symbolism - *#@!!! - to convey characters' cursing).Certainly a good part of the attraction of his books is their focus oncontemporary social issues of Christian concern like New Age occultism,abortion, and education. Other mainstream publications to notice and reviewPeretti's work include Library Journal, National Review, and Voice LiterarySupplement. Even a basically friendly review in National Review, however,takes note of Peretti's "lack of character development” and simplisticpresentation of episodes leading to mere melodrama rather than profoundspiritual conflict.While one may not expect high literary qualities from Peretti, hisbooks are fun to read and, in their own way, they contribute to the edificationof Christians as well as to the understandings of secular readers. Writing forNational Review, Jarod Lobdell noted that "one can imagine Christians turningto prayer - serious hardworking prayer - after, or indeed while reading thesebooks." 2 Indeed, many evangelicals will testify that the books had preciselythat effect upon them. C. Robert Nixon, writing in Library Journal, callsPiercing The Darkness "a good story," offering "insight into the kind ofreligion that sees demons behind every stump and angels in the hen house." 3This Present Darkness and its follow-up novel Piercing TheDarkness have a quality about them that is sometimes disparaged as “gospelpropaganda.” There is no ambiguity, and the Christian message is deliveredwith a hammering force. The novels are not characterized by subtlety.Prophet, however, is a novel of considerable more nuance than the first two,and one with some splashes of humor as well. In this reviewer's opinion, it isthe strongest of Frank Peretti's "big four" novels of the late 80's and early 90's.What makes the story especially interesting is that the main character is a manwhose faith is qualified by some patterns of doubt. There are elements of faithwhich he has lost, yet he retains a peculiar giftedness from God that puts himat odds with his own secularized worldview.Not only does Mr. Peretti study and read the works of successfulmainstream novelists, he would appear to be interested in refining his craftthrough contact with the broader community of editors of literature andpopular fiction. He and his new publisher (Word) submitted the manuscript ofhis most recent novel, The Oath, to the searching scrutiny of a non-Christianeditor with strong credentials in the New York publishing world in an effort toimprove his style and structure. In doing this, Frank Peretti shows that he isnot content with mere marketplace success, but seeks growth as a writer.Unfortunately, the editing strategy did not work in this case. The Oath is aweak story in almost every aspect, featuring characters that are ciphers - mereconduits for speech who are almost psychologically and spiritually invisible.The plot and action constitute an unwieldy mixture of realism and symbolismthat is, at best, incoherent. Indeed, this book is a major disappointment. Itleaves one with yet another ambivalent feeling, that yearns for the "old" Perettiwith his own unique quirks and oddities. Whatever their failings may be, theearlier books engaged my interest. The Oath, on the other hand, kept measking "When will I get done with this?"Many of us are looking and hoping for a strong Peretti comeback.N O T E S1. Alissa Rubin, "Power Angels," The New Republic (August 20, 1990): 22.2. Jarod Lobdell, “Winging It,” National Review (August 20, 1990): 453. C. Robert Nixon, review of Piercing The Darkness in Library Journal(August, 1989): 165Richard Terrell is Professor of Fine Arts and Humanities at DoaneCollege, Crete, Nebraska, and author of previous critiques ofChristian fiction. He is the author of Resurrecting the Third Reich(Huntington House, 1994).F A L L , 1 9 9 8 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

BOOK REVIEWSPICTURE BOOKSAlphabet Book, by Heather Amery; illustratedby Stephen Cartwright; edited by JennyTyler; designed by Amanda Barlow.(Usborne Farmyard Tales.) Tulsa: Usborne,1998. ISBN 0746030142, HBB, $10.95.E. Alphabet; Farm life—Fiction. 31 p. PS - Gr. 1.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Apple Tree Farm provides the setting for theAlphabet Book. Mrs. Boot, the farmer, herchildren Poppy and Sam, with Rusty their dogand all the animals appear on page after page aseach letter of the alphabet is displayed.On each page the featured letter appears manytimes, always in red. At the top of the page, thebottom, and in a sentence, the letter will appear,followed by a question to answer. As an addedinterest, a little yellow duck is hiding on eachpage.Because of the repeated use of a letter in eachsentence, Heather Amory has made enjoyabletongue twisters that need to be read aloud. Theattractive water color illustrations of StephenCartwright picture all the words used to describethe letter of the alphabet emphasized on eachpage, and more. At the end of the alphabet onepage contains a picture for each letter with thechallenge to find them somewhere in the book.A valuable source for learning letters and forcounting, the scenes pictured on each page willalso be perfect to use as suggestions for originalstories. Marie Knaupp★Humpback Goes North, by Darice Bailer;illustrated by Stephen Marchesi.(Smithsonian Oceanic Collection.) LCCN9747615. Norwalk, Conn.: Soundprints,1998. ISBN 156899527X, KIT, $19.95.E. Whales—Fiction; Mothers and daughters—Fiction.1 32-page hardcover book; 1 audiocassette, 10 min. K- Gr. 3.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Little Whale, a one month old humpback,embarks on an odyssey from Navidad Bank,north of the Dominican Republic, to Maine,USA. Little Whale is astonished by theunfamiliar melodiousness of a male humpbackwhale and her mother’s acrobatics to shake offbarnacles. She is oblivious to the danger of acoast-guard cutter and cruise ship. When thewhales reach the coast of Maine, Little Whalefrolics and her mother feasts on the abundantkrill.Darice Bailer has written a delightful storyinterspersed with facts about humpback whales.The realistic sounds on the audiocassetteaccompanying Peter Thomas’ narration will givechildren a chance to feel they are crossing theocean with Little Whale.Humpback Goes North is an excellent book forintroducing children to humpback whales,especially with Stephen Marchesi’s breathtakingfull page color illustrations surrounding the textand on the selfsame dust jacket and hard cover.The inclusion of supplementary data, a glossary,and points of interest add to the overalleducational value of the book. Dianne WoodmanFranklin Rides a Bike, written by PauletteBourgeois; illustrated by Brenda Clark.Buffalo, N.Y.: Kids Can, 1997. ISBN1550744143, HBB, $10.95.E. Bicycles—Fiction; Determination—Fiction. Unp.PS - Gr. 2.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Franklin the turtle can do many things well but ishaving a difficult time learning to ride a bike. Allof Franklin’s friends have mastered it, have takenoff their training wheels, and are off on newadventures. Franklin is discouraged and hasgiven up until his mother points out that many ofthe things he can do easily were difficult for hisfriends to learn how to do; it took perseverance.Franklin Rides a Bike has colorful, double-pageillustrations by Brenda Clark full of detail thatchildren will enjoy. The storyline of dealing withthe frustration that comes when things don’tcome easily is of tremendous value for all ages.Sally KuhnsMucky Pup, by Ken Brown. New York:Dutton Children’s Books, 1997. ISBN0525458867, HBB, $14.99.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.C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 1 3 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

PICTURE BOOKSE. Dogs—Fiction; Animals—Fiction. Unp. PS - Gr.2.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Mucky Pup earns his name and his exit from thehouse when the farmer’s wife views the mess hehas made of her house. Looking for a playmate,Mucky Pup approaches the rooster, duckling,barn cat, and horse. He is still lonely until hefinds the mucky pig and his mucky mud. After asplendid time, a splash into the pond releases himfrom bath time and prepares him for a nap in hisbasket by the fire. Here he dreams about the funof being a mucky pup.Colorful full page, action packed illustrations tellthe story completely for the child who cannotread. The text can easily be read by thebeginning reader. Children who enjoyunhampered outdoor play will identify with theMucky Pup and his adventures. Marie KnauppI Did It, I’m Sorry, by Caralyn Buehner;pictures by Mark Buehner. LCCN 9710216.New York: Dial Books for Young Readers,1988. ISBN 0803720106, HBB, $15.99.E. Conduct of life—Fiction; Animals—Fiction;Literary recreations. 30 p. K - Gr. 3.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5This clever book by Caralyn and Mark Buehnerprovides an excellent way to introduce moralsand acceptable behavior to young children. Thefirst of fourteen spreads begins with “Do yourwords and actions help, or hurt?” Each brief taleintroduces animal characters in compromisingsituations, such as Bucky Beaver caught at thescene of a gnawed table leg and Ima Scalebodytempted to cheat on a test, and conclude with amultiple choice quiz for the reader to pick theproper response. Bad language, lying, followingthe crowd, consideration, and following the rulesare a few of the principles covered by the tales inI Did It, I’m Sorry. The final spread includes apage recapping the lessons covered in the book,followed by an answer key.Caralyn Buehner’s writing is light and witty,using lots of alliteration to delight youngchildren. A variety of animal characters withinteresting names, such as “Flora Flamingo andher friend Favio,” make the tales, and the lessonsthey teach, memorable. Mark Buehner’s colorfulillustrations are whimsical, adding a light touchto serious lessons. Details, such as the glassesand lipstick on the teacher fish, photos on thewalls of Bucky Beaver’s home, and outside lightsat the Possum Pajama Party, are entertaining andfurther impress each story on the listener. LisaWrobleOne Gray Mouse, by Katherine Burton;illustrations by Kim Fernandes. Buffalo,N.Y.: Kids Can, 1997. HBB, $9.95.E. Mice—Fiction. Unp. PS.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5Though there are many counting books, this is adarling little book, with superb illustrations. Onecan picture a little one sitting on a beloved lapand eagerly looking at the pictures. In eachpicture is a little gray mouse, and it would begreat fun to see if the preschooler can find wherethe mouse is hiding.A charming book for a little person. Would be agreat gift for a birthday party or other occasions.The numbers go from one to ten. KatherineBurton weaves a familiar counting game, andillustrations by Kim Fernandes are inspired.Barbara Goy TaenzlerMama and Papa Have a Store, story andpictures by Amelia Lau Carling. LCCN9710217. New York: Dial Books for YoungReaders, 1998. ISBN 0803720440, HBB,$15.99.E. Stores, Retail—Fiction; Chinese—Fiction;Guatemala—Fiction. 29 p. K - Gr. 2.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5A young Chinese girl and her family live inGuatemala City where her parents had fled yearsearlier when war came to their hometown inChina. They run a store specializing in Chinesegoods and are successful in attracting customersfrom the other cultures in their community withtheir colorful variety of dry goods. The younggirl tells us the events of a typical day in the storeand in their family life in Mama and Papa Havea Store.Amelia Lau Carling adds texture to the text byincluding Spanish words and words that imitatesounds. Her watercolor illustrations provideadditional insight into the cultures of GuatemalaCity and China. The story provides an exampleof a successful blending of cultures. Sally KuhnsIt’s Going to Be Perfect, by Nancy Carlson.LCCN 9727689. New York: Viking, 1988.ISBN 0670878022, HBB, $15.99.E. Growth—Fiction; Mothers and daughters—Fiction.30 p. PS - Gr. 2.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 4It’s Going to be Perfect, the thoughts of a motherbefore her child is born and up through the firstyears in school, is a book for sharing. Each newphase of the child’s life is anticipated, expectingperfection. However nothing happens asimagined. Later in sharing with her child, eachevent the mother declares to be different from herexpectation, but perfect anyway.Children will be delighted with this homeypicture of everyday life. When the book isfinished there could be time for sharing ofpersonal stories, too.The bold vibrant illustrations add to the pleasureof the book. Nancy Carlson has given manyadditional details in the drawings as well and thepresence of a gray cat all through the book.Marie KnauppA Big Trip for the Morrisons, by Penny Carter.LCCN 96052796. New York: Viking, 1997.ISBN 0670870226, HBB, $13.99.E. Voyages and travels—Fiction; Geography—Fiction.Unp. PS - Gr. 2.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5The Morrisons take a trip around the world. Atevery stop and even on the airplane Mr. and Mrs.Morrison find something to complain about, yeton and on they go. When they arrive at home,both parents report having a good time and beginmaking plans for the next trip. In a humorousway Penny Carter communicates an enjoyableexperience in spite of the emphasis on negativeaspects of each place as she relates the events ofA Big Trip for the Morrisons.Many geographical details can be learned abouteach country visited by studying the carefullydetailed illustrations. This book would be avaluable tool to use to prepare young children totake their first trip, and a good resource for thebeginning reader. Marie KnauppBluebonnet at the Texas State Capitol, by MaryBrooke Casad; illustrated by BenjaminVincent. LCCN 97011300. Gretna, La.:Pelican Publishing, 1997. ISBN 1565542320,HBB, $14.95.E. Texas State Capitol (Austin, Tex.)—Fiction. Unp.K - Gr. 3.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 4Bluebonnet, a friendly armadillo, is in Austin,Texas, to visit the state capitol. While there shemeets Mac, a mockingbird, who is the state birdof Texas. Mac lives in a pecan tree, the state treeof Texas. Mac likes to mimic and mockBluebonnet, but he does finally agree to showBluebonnet around the capitol building. Theyhave to sneak around and avoid the tour groups,but Bluebonnet and Mac learn a lot about Texashistory. They learn about Stephen F. Austin, SamHouston, the Alamo, and even get to see thegovernor. They also see a group of children withone dressed like an armadillo and one like alonghorn. This is quite strange, so Mac andBluebonnet get a closer look. They discover theSenate will be voting on a State Mammal. Whichone will it be?Mary Brook Casad has created a charming littlestory to interest children while at the same timeteaching them Texas history. There is a lot ofinformation and a few statistics included in thestory. Sometimes it bogs down a bit, however.The characters in the story are portrayed incartoon format. Benjamin Vincent has created abackdrop of the true life scenery of the Statecapitol of Texas while including our cartooncharacters in the foreground. This creates aninteresting mix for children.F A L L , 1 9 9 8 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

PICTURE BOOKSIf you have interest in the state of Texas or studythis area with younger children, this would be agreat book to include in your unit. Older childrenwould have trouble getting past the childishnessof the book to find the facts. Marcia SnyderMoney Troubles, by Bill Cosby; illustrated byVarnette P. Honeywood. (Little Bill Books forBeginning Readers.) LCCN 9734106. NewYork: Scholastic, 1998. ISBN 0590164023,HBB, $13.95.E. Moneymaking projects—Fiction; Generosity—Fiction; Afro-Americans—Fiction; Easy readingmaterials. 32 p. K - Gr. 2.Shipwreck Saturday, by Bill Cosby; illustratedby Varnette P. Honeywood. (Little Bill Booksfor Beginning Readers.) LCCN 9716833.New York: Scholastic, 1998. ISBN0590164007, HBB, $13.95.E. Toys—Fiction; Family life—Fiction; Afro-Americans—Fiction; Easy reading materials. 29 p. K -Gr. 2.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Money TroublesLittle Bill wants to be famous, and he loves tolook at the stars and planets in the night sky.Determined to buy a telescope, he decides to earnthe money doing chores and recycling aluminumcans. But when he sees a poor child who needsthe can money more than he does, he leaves hiscans near the garbage can so the child can havethem. After trying to save money by having hisfriend cut his hair for him, with disastrous results,Bill decides to take his telescope money and buyfood for the food drive at school. He doesbecome famous in the end. He donates morefood to the food drive than anyone else.Bill Cosby has told a touching story in simplechild-like manner. The short chapter book styleof pages will help the beginning reader feel likehe’s conquered reading chapter books. Colorfuland simple illustrations of Varnette Honeywoodadd just the right amount of humor to the story tokeep the reader turning the pages.Shipwreck SaturdayLittle Bill is excited to sail the model sail boat hemade on the pond at the park. His friend Kikuwarns him not to let it go too far, but Little Billlets it go to the end of the string and a row boatcrosses his line and smashes his boat. Little Billruns home to cry, leaving his boat behind. Theboat is rescued by Kiku and her grandmotherwho turn it into a kite. When Little Bill’s fathercoaxes him to return to the park for his boat, heis surprised and finally pleased with the beautifulkite.Bill Cosby has again told his story in the simplemanner of a young child. The short chapters helpthe beginning reader tackle chapter books.Colorful illustrations of Varnette Honeywoodwith a primitive feel to them add to theenjoyment of the story.The books in this series contain a short letter toparents by Alvin F. Poussaint, child psychiatrist,covering the topic of the book and hints atsharing that topic with their child andunderstanding the child’s development at thatpoint. Judy DriscollMy Birthday, Jesus’ Birthday, by Holly Davis;illustrated by Nancy Munger. Grand Rapids:Zondervan, 1998. ISBN 0310974208, KBB,$5.99.E. Christmas; Birthdays; Jesus Christ—Nativity. 16 p.Toddler - PS.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5When Holly Davis couldn’t find a bookexplaining the Christmas story in terms herpreschooler understood, she wrote her own. MyBirthday, Jesus’ Birthday centers around twoelements young children can relate to—babiesand birthdays. Each spread of pages comparesthe early stages of life for a young child todaywith the early stages of life for Baby Jesus,telling similarities and differences between them.For example, children today are born inhospitals; Jesus was born in a stable. A child’sbirth today is announced by phone calls and birthannouncements, while Jesus’ birth wasannounced by angels and a star. Children wonderwhat they’ll be when they grow up. Jesus knewhe was born to be a Savior. Parents wait ninemonths for the birth of their baby; people waitedthousands of years for Jesus’ birth.Linking two events children love most—theirbirthdays and Christmas—this sturdy board bookcould easily become a year-round favorite. Adelightful book with colorful illustrations byNancy Munger, the book can help parents andpreschool teachers explain Christmas in a wayyoung children can understand. Lydia HarrisBill and Pete to the Rescue, written andillustrated by Tomie DePaola. LCCN9718684. New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons,1998. ISBN 0399232087, HBB, $15.99.E. Crocodile—Fiction; Birds—Fiction; Endangeredspecies—Fiction. 44 p. PS - Gr. 2.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Finally, another Bill and Pete adventure can befound on the shelves! Fans will quickly reach forBill and Pete to the Rescue. This time Bill’scousin, Jane Allison Crocodile, is missing. Theold crocodile has seen her being loaded on a shipwith a hippo, an ibis, and a camel. The BadGuy’s Big Bad Brother is taking Jane to theUnited States. Here is the perfect chance for Billand Pete to travel to Louisiana as stowaways.Pete is captured, caged, but escapes while Billmeets Antoine Pierre Alligator and his family inthe Decatur Bayou. Bill and Pete eventually leada group of gators and reporters to an illegal exoticfarm. Endangered species are freed, and Billfinds his Cousin Jane, and his own father.Tomie de Paola’s latest adventure of Bill and Peteis sure to capture newcomers and older followers.The painted images are consistent with hisprevious works. The bright flat colors commandattention. The layout speeds along the action.The forty-eight page picture book is long, but themystery has to unfold, and the characters have totravel a far way. All will agree the best part isBill’s reunion with his father. They are “one bigfamily” again, “because Bill and Pete came to therescue.” Lorie Ann GroverI Lost My Bear, by Jules Feiffer. LCCN9734475. New York: Morrow, 1998. ISBN0688151485, HBB, $15.93.E. Lost and found possessions; Family life—Fiction.37 p. PS - Gr. 2.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 4Her bear is gone, and she can’t find it anywhere.It’s lost forever and no one will help! Told to“think like a detective,” the young unnamedcharacter begins the search for her favoritestuffed animal. As she hunts through the house,she eventually gets to her sister’s room. Thereshe is told that her sister would never play withher “stupid” bear. A subsequent trip to sister’sroom has the sister telling her, “I’ll kill you!” ifshe loses a borrowed stuffed animal. Finally,after getting sidetracked by discovering lots ofother toys that were lost, the detective is told it’sbedtime. While shrieking about not finding herbear, the missing item is discovered under herbed covers.Several life lessons can be gleaned from thisbook. At one point, the very dramatic protagonistis crying. When no one comes to stop her, shestops herself, learning self-control. Forced tolocate her bear on her own and searchindependently, she realizes she can do it!Both written and illustrated by Jules Feiffer, thebook has a Sunday comics look. Thehandwritten text is part of the artwork on mostpages, with characters frequently speaking inballoons. The watercolor and ink drawings arefun and colorful. The exaggerated dialoguewould make this a great read aloud choice for anexpressive reader. Elizabeth Coleman★Deer Mouse at Old Farm Road, by LauraGates Galvin; illustrated by Katy Bratun.(Smithsonian’a Backyard.) LCCN 9747614.Norwalk, Conn.: Soundprints, 1998. ISBN1568995180, KIT, $19.95.E. Deer mice—Fiction. 1 32-page hardcover book; 1audiocassette, 10 min. PS - Gr. 3.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Deer Mouse builds a nest for her unborn babiesand falls asleep exhausted. Awakening todarkness, she goes in search of food. Whileeating, she hears a whispering in the bushes andtries to scare the hidden creature away with aC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 1 5 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

PICTURE BOOKSsqueaky hiss and a slap of her feet. A catmaterializes and chases Deer Mouse into a gap ina stone wall. Unable to reach Deer Mouse, thecat loses interest. Deer Mouse safely returns toher nest and gives birth to seven tiny mice in theearly morning hours.Laura Gates Galvin has written a charming storyinterspersed with information about a deermouse. The realistic sounds on the audiocassetteaccompanying Alexi Komisar’s narration willgive children the chance to feel they areparticipating in the adventure with Deer Mouse.Deer Mouse at Old Farm Road is an excellentbook for introducing children to deer mice,especially with Katy Bratun’s enchanting fullpage color illustrations surrounding the text andon the selfsame dust jacket and hard cover. Theinclusion of supplementary data, a glossary, andpoints of interest add to the overall educationalvalue of the book. Dianne WoodmanThe Brothers’ Promise, by Frances Harber;illustrations by Thor Wickstrom. LCCN9727868. Morton Grove, Ill.: Whitman, 1998.ISBN 0807509000, HBB, $15.95.E. Jews—Fiction; Brothers—Fiction; Sharing—Fiction. 20 p. K - Gr. 5.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 4Two young boys grow up together in happinesswith their loving and wise father as their guide.They are raised the same, but they are verydifferent. One day, when they are almost men,their father draws them to his side. He is sick anddying. “Divide the land evenly,” he makes thempromise, and “always take care of each other, nomatter what.” Years later, a famine comes to theland, and the two brothers find out how each ofthem has kept their promise.Frances Harber’s story of two brothers, which isan adaptation from a tale in the Jewish Talmud, islively, happy, fun and inspirational. It is acharmer of a book with a fairy tale like quality.These two almost silly brothers even havechildish fears; one of a ghost, the other of agoblin like creature.The joyous mood of the book is partially createdby the colorful and whimsical illustrations ofThor Wickstrom. His paintings, which willdelight anyone of any age, are pleasantlychildlike and yet detailed.Here is a book which makes the reader laugh andcry, teaches the value of strong familyrelationships and the importance of keeping apromise, while also introducing them to theliterature of another nation. The Brother’sPromise is a book whose pages they will enjoyvisiting again and again. Virginia SchnabelThe Flute Concert, by Wolf Harranth;illustrated by Romulus Candea. LCCN9738392. Woodbridge, Ct.: Blackbirch, 1998.ISBN 1567118038, HBB, $15.95.E. Flute—Fiction; Musicians—Fiction; Concerts—Fiction; Lost and found possessions—Fiction. 32 p. K- Gr. 2.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5In the best of Amelia Bedelia spoonerismtradition, Wolf Harranth delights his youngaudience with The Flute Concert, illustrated byRomulus Candea. For anyone who has lostanything important, August Winkelreid becomesa hero. August is the star of the show. At home,he frantically searches for the lost music, but, atthe theatre, he boards an invisible magic carpet.He floats, weightless, through a wonderland ofextraordinary sound. What made the difference?The sage advice of his young niece Cornelia:“Anything is possible if you want it bad enough.”Candea’s pictures border on cartoon, attentiontaken away from the precision of each drawing.The focus, rather, is on the meaning intended. SuHagertyCameron and Me, by Dorothy Joan Harris;illustrated by Marilyn Mets. Toronto:Stoddart Kids, 1997. ISBN 0773730044,HBB, $16.95.E. Babies—Fiction; Brothers—Fiction. Unp. PS - Gr.1.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 4A new baby has invaded Zachary’s house.Suddenly Mom has no time for him, andeveryone is fawning over his little brother,Cameron. Zachary wishes he would go away,even hopes his Mom will forget Cameron andleave him at the store sometime. As Camerongets older, things aren’t getting any better. NowCameron can crawl around and get into his stuff.Zachary keeps hoping he’ll get left at the park.When a new sister arrives, Zachary decides thisis the last straw: he’ll run away from home!When he realizes how upset Cameron would bewithout him, Zachary decides to stay. This timehe wishes that his sister would get left at the storeso it would just be him and Cameron again.Written from Zachary’s perspective, authorDorothy Joan Harris, has captured the egocentricnature of a small child perfectly. WhileZachary’s wish to have his siblings “left behind”may make adults cringe, these are the honestthoughts and emotions of a toddler strugglingwith a new sibling. Because there is no mentionof how each baby arrives at Zachary’s house, thisbook might work well for adoptive parents.Marilyn Mets watercolor artwork helps to add abit more depth to this story. She has drawn theirexpressions exactly right, making Zachary andCameron come to life for the reader. ElizabethColemanThe New Dog, by Barbara Shook Hazen;pictures by R. W. Alley. LCCN 94034964.New York: Dial Books for Young Readers,1997. ISBN 0803718136, HBB, $14.99.E. Dogs—Fiction; Behavior—Fiction. Unp. PS - Gr.2.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Miss Pettibone’s plans for Tootsie’s special dayfail to prepare him for the unfriendly reception onhis first day with Danny’s Dogwalking Group.All the dogs offer to take care of Tootsie. Bruiserknocks him into the gutter, Rex tail-thumps him,Bagels side-bumps him, Fleet runs in circlestangling his leash, Pepe and Pal nip off his earbows, and all this behind Danny’s back.When Tootsie refuses to budge after Bruiserbumps him into the fountain’s pool, Dannythreatens to take him home. However, all thischanges suddenly as Tootsie nabs an escapingrobber while Danny’s string of dogs cowersbehind a parked truck.The New Dog the next morning is Tiny Timmy.Danny’s group again offers to take care of him,but with Tootsie there to step up with thewelcome words, “You’ll do just fine!”Each incident in the story is graphicallyillustrated by the facial expressions of the dogs.Every child who has been the new kid on theblock will empathize with each mishap on thewalk and rejoice at the ending. The story is awonderful illustration of practicing the goldenrule. Marie KnauppIf Somebody Lived Next Door, by LibbyHough; illustrated by Laura McGeeKvasnosky. New York: Dutton Children’sBooks, 1997. ISBN 0525454977, HBB, $10.99.E. Friendship—Fiction; Imagination—Fiction. Unp.PS.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5“Olivia Wendell didn’t have anyone to playwith.” And so she daydreams about what itwould be like to have a family move in next doorin the empty house. She invents the memberswho would be in the family, what animals theywould have, and what they would do together.While she dreams, she plays with miniaturefigures and moves them around to suit her.Humorous illustrations by Laura McGeeKvasnosky add whimsy to the story, and wouldbe fun for the young reader. Text by LibbyHough, is simple, not too original, as evidencedby the goat chasing the dog, the dog chasing thecat, the cat chasing the chickens. A pleasant littlestory. Barbara Goy TaenzlerA Net of Stars, by Jennifer Richard Jacobson;pictures by Greg Shed. LCCN 9633819. NewYork: Dial Books for Young Readers, 1998.ISBN 0803720874, HBB, $15.99.F A L L , 1 9 9 8 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 BOOKSE. Fear—Fiction; Ferris wheels—Fiction. 30 p. PS -Gr. 2.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 4Watching the rides go up at the midway, Ettadreams of overcoming her fear of heights thisyear and finally riding the Ferris wheel. Not yeteight, she can’t ride the zipper with her siblings,Fiona and Harper. To practice for the Ferriswheel, Etta climbs to the roof of the chickencoop. Too scared to even speak, Fiona must helpEtta down. After a failed attempt at the ride,Fiona tries to cheer Etta up by showing her howthe stars make constellations. Studying thepictures in the sky, Etta decides that if the worldshould turn upside down while she’s on the Ferriswheel, the stars would catch her like a net. Onthe last night of the midway, Etta’s father goes toplay bingo, instructing the children to staytogether. Waiting until dark, Etta leaves hersiblings to ride the Ferris wheel by herself.The author, Jennifer Richard Jacobson, perfectlycaptures the feeling of a childhood (and for some,adult) fear and triumph over it. Although hersister Fiona is supportive, Etta must workthrough her anxiety alone. Beautiful illustrationsby Greg Shed compliment the quiet andthoughtful tone of this picture book. Set on afarm in a small community, this is an innocentstory where the biggest concern for the charactersis what ride they’ll choose when the carnivalstarts. A well written story of a child overcomingher biggest fear. Elizabeth ColemanHurricane Henrietta, by Lindsay LeeJohnson; pictures by Wally Neibart. LCCN9644436. New York: Dial Books for YoungReaders, 1998. ISBN 0803719760, HBB,$15.99.E. Hair—Fiction; Humorous stories. 29 p. K - Gr. 3.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5The epitome of bad hair days is represented in thesaga of Hurricane Henrietta who is famous notfor what she has done, but for something she hasnever done; she’s never cut her hair. Thisfurnishes continual entertainment for her friendswho delight in her ability to reach into herflowing brown tresses and retrieve all sorts ofsurprises for show and tell. And when it comesto recess, Henrietta’s hair furnishes moreentertainment than the jungle gym. Henriettaadores walking down the street and feeling herflowing mane fluttering in the breeze behind her.As Henrietta’s hair continues to grow shebecomes the center of the town’s attention,appearing in the newspaper, giving rise to allkinds of dreams of Henrietta dolls, and HenriettaTV shows. But, as in all good stories therecomes a time when Henrietta’s hair begins to bea problem, not just for her, but for the wholeneighborhood, as her hair becomes a safetyhazard for others. Thus she earns her nicknameHurricane! When all of her best efforts tocontrol her hair go for naught, Henrietta finallysubmits to the shears of Francine from the BaldEagle Hair Salon, and recycles her hair to Harrythe wig salesman, thus doing her part for theenvironment, and beginning a new business forHarry. Is Henrietta the same person she alwayswas? Of course, nothing can stop this impishyoung lady, not even a bad hair day! The penciland watercolor paintings of Wally Neibart addjust the right sparkle to this delightful tressfultale. Judy DriscollI Remember Papa, by Helen Ketteman;pictures by Greg Shed. LCCN 9433173. NewYork: Dial Books for Young Readers, 1998.ISBN 0803718489, HBB, $15.99.E. Fathers and sons—Fiction. 30 p. Gr. 3 - 5.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5What more could a boy want than his very ownbaseball glove? I Remember Papa is therecollection of just such a boy. Replete with lovebut knowing money is tight, our boy helps Papawith the farm work, saving every hard earnedquarter. Then one memorable day Papa and heride the train to town to buy Papa work boots andgo to a baseball game. The quarters go into anenvelope and into the boy’s pocket. But... but,those quarters are lost out of his pocket. Papaknows what to do, buy the baseball glove insteadof the work boots. Father and son glue the oldboots back together, and son, of his own volition,works until every quarter he owes is paid back tohis beloved Papa.I Remember Papa comes from the reminiscencesof seasoned author Helen Ketterman about herwonderful father and critically acclaimedillustrator Greg Shed about his brother. Thegouache paintings, hazy with age, bask in thegolden hues of memory. The words themselvesillustrate the story, being italicized duringmemory passages, straight during the actualstory. Both the pictures and the words display thestory from the boy’s perspective. Kettermanpresents loving parents, an obedient, growing,happy child. Together they develop wise love asthey learn about willing sacrifice, the true worthof desires, the value of earning your ownpossessions, family cohesiveness, howintertwined are the hearts of a papa and his son.This story is about a time past, yet includes manyitems children recognize and value today: rootbeer and hot-dogs; baseball; baseball cards;family ties. Donna EggettThe Puddle Pail, by Elisa Kleven. LCCN96045291. New York: Dutton Children’sBooks, 1997. ISBN 0525458034, HBB, $14.99.E. Brothers—Fiction; Crocodiles—Fiction; Collectorsand collecting—Fiction. Unp. PS - Gr. 3.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5Sol, a green crocodile, introduces the fun ofcollecting to his little brother Ernst, a bluecrocodile. But Ernst’s big problem is what tocollect? He doesn’t want to collect shells andfeathers like Sol. With the Puddle Pail in handErnst begins to collect puddles full of reflectedcolors, which becomes a mirror reflecting othercolors, which becomes a drink for a puppy to beErnst’s pet. That Puddle Pail becomes so manythings that Sol decides it is the best collection ofall, until Ernst’s decides to collect shadows.Using a combination of collage and paint,illustrator/author Elisa Kleven presents manyideas in this intriguing story. Her illustrations aresimple, bright, and eye catching. Reminiscent ofthe Curious George series, The Puddle Pailintroduces children to the eclectic joys ofcollecting, the intrigue and usefulness of color,the attraction of hobbies, the designs found oneveryday objects, the fun of playing and workingwith siblings, the usefulness of being your owninimitable self. The Puddle Pail is a happyaddition to the many picture books that useanimals to introduce children to new ideas.Donna EggettBrenda and Edward, by Maryann Kovalski.Buffalo, N.Y.: Kids Can, 1997. ISBN091996477X, HBB, $14.95.E. Dogs—Fiction. Unp. PS - Gr. 2.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 4Brenda and Edward is a happily-ever-after talewritten by Maryann Kovalski. Brenda andEdward are two dogs, one a housewife, the other,a night watchman at a garage. One evening,Edward forgets his lunch, and Brenda tries todeliver it to him. She doesn’t succeed becauseshe is hit by a car and is taken home by the driver.Edward spends the rest of his days looking forBrenda. On the day of his retirement, he catchesthe scent of Brenda on the tires of a car in theauto shop. He obstinately sits in the car and istaken for a reunion with Brenda.Kovalski’s story of fidelity is strong. Sometimesyoung children associate with animal characters,and the fables make their character-buildingmessage. However, the recounting of theaccident and the loneliness of Edward needs ajudgment call by the adult.The drawings are full of detail, colorful witheveryday things for the young child to name. SuHagertyMary’s Treasure Box, by Carolyn WalzKarmlich; illustrated by Walter Porter.LCCN 986487. Nashville: Tommy Nelson,1998. ISBN 0849958342, HBB, $12.99.E. Mary, Blessed Virgin, Saint—Fiction; JesusChrist—Nativity—Fiction; Christmas—Fiction. 32 p.K - Gr. 3.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Sarah always loved visiting her grandmother,Mamme Mary, but most of all when she couldcuddle up next to her and hear the story ofMamme Mary’s trip to Bethlehem. Mammewould bring out the small wooden box filled withremembrances of the birth of her first child, andC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 1 7 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

PICTURE BOOKSshare with Sarah the special memories sheattached to each of the objects. As Sarah listenedagain to the stories Mamme told, she began tolearn not only the history of each object but themeaning attached to it. The small piece of strawreminded her of the humility which Mary andJoseph accepted as the new-born was placed in amanger. And the wool? The gift of kindnessfrom the first visitors to the stall, the shepherds.As Carolyn Kramlich unfolds the story of thefirst Christmas from the viewpoint of agranddaughter of Mary, the mother of Jesus, thereader, too, will discover new meanings attachedto the small objects which were a part of the firstChristmas. Walter Porter’s watercolor paintingsfollow the events of the Christmas story,transporting the reader into another time andplace. As Mary stores these small treasures awayin her small box, new meaning is given to Luke’smemorable verse, “ But Mary kept all thesethings, and pondered them in her heart.” JudyDriscollBlack Cowboy Wild Horses, by Julius Lester;pictures by Jerry Pinkney. LCCN 9725210.New York: Dial Books for Young Readers,1998. ISBN 0803717873, HBB, $16.99.E. Mustang—Fiction; Horses—Fiction; Cowboys—Fiction; African Americans—Fiction. 36 p. Gr. 2 - 5.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Bob Lemmons, a former slave, is a Texascowboy famous for his ability to track animals.When he sets out to round up a herd of wildmustangs, he must track the horses day and night,endure volatile weather, challenge the stallionleader, and, finally, be accepted as one of thembefore he can lead the mustangs back to the ranchcorral.Award-winning author Julius Lester has written atrue, slice-of-life story based on the life of blackcowboy, Bob Lemmons. Through the use ofbeautiful, poetic language, and abundantimagery, Lester successfully evokes the spirit ofthe Old West and its cowboys. Meanwhile, JerryPinkney’s breathtaking watercolor illustrationscapture both the ferocity and the beauty ofwildlife and nature.Black Cowboy Wild Horses is a beautifullywritten and stunningly illustrated book that tellsan often forgotten story of the Old West—thestory of the cowboy of color. Given its beauty, aswell as the histories of its author and illustrator, itseems a likely and worthy candidate for manyfuture awards. Kerri CunninghamJacob’s Gift, by Max Lucado; illustrated byRobert Hunt. LCCN 986490. Nashville:Tommy Nelson, 1998. ISBN 084995830X,HBB, $14.99.E. Jesus Christ—Nativity—Fiction; Carpenters—Fiction; Christmas—Fiction. 32 p. K - Gr. 3.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Master storyteller Max Lucado holds his readersspellbound as he tells the tale of a youngcarpenter’s apprentice who determines tobecome a master carpenter. When his rabbi tellshim that one apprentice will be chosen by therabbi’s nephew to help build the new synagogue,Jacob is certain that it will be he. In order toprove his ability he must finish the special projecthe has begun, a manger on wheels, and present itto his rabbi and the rabbi’s nephew. This projecthas brought snickers from his fellow apprentices.However, the rabbi tells Jacob that God has givenhim the gift of woodworking, and he should useit to help God’s people, for it is in giving to hispeople that he can best give his gift to God. Withrenewed fervor Jacob works late into the night tofinish his project before the deadline. It is whilehe is working that he is led to follow a bright lightinto a nearby stable where a new-born child islying on a small pile of hay on the floor. Seeingthe need of a cradle for the child, Jacob pusheshis nearly finished manger to the stable to beused for the babe. The next day as he isconfessing to his rabbi that he doesn’t have hisproject to present, he discovers that the rabbi’snephew is the same man he had seen in the stablethe night before, and he has indeed given his giftto God and God’s son. Judy DriscollThe Popcorn Tree, by Carolyn Mamchur;illustrated by Laurie McGaw. Toronto:Stoddart Kids, 1998. ISBN 0773728961,HBB, $14.95.E. Christmas—Fiction. 32 p. K - Gr. 4.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5Mickey and Gary want to surprise their mother.They secretly write to Great Aunt Rosa and askher to send the Christmas decorations that theirmother so fondly remembers from her childhood:an angel, birds, glass-blown balls, and jumpingjacks named Boo and Lou. When the ornamentsarrive (with the exception of Boo and Lou),Mickey and Gary try to hide their disappointmentat how old and worn out the decorations are.Sensing that something is wrong, their motherpostpones decorating the tree until Christmasmorning. When the family wakes up ChristmasDay they find a package has been delivered withBoo and Lou inside. Mickey and Gary arethrilled, as are the other ornaments. The tinseltailedbirds take flight and the angel grows newsilver wings.Carolyn Mamchur has written a Christmas storytold from two viewpoints, that of a brother and asister, and forgotten ornaments stored in abasement. Although The Popcorn Tree is a taleabout family, traditions, and memories told inbeautiful and poetic language, it makes for aconfusing story. The different points of view donot blend together well and the reader is leftconfused concerning the children’s unexplainedexcitement over “ragged” Boo and Lou whenthey disliked the other ornaments because theywere “old” and “tarnished.”Laurie McGaw’s illustrations are beautiful andgreatly enhance the story’s theme of familytraditions and memories. The Popcorn Treewould be a useful book for beginning adiscussion on Christmas traditions andmemories. Kerri CunninghamLady Muck, by William Mayne; illustrated byJonathan Heale. LCCN 95014009. Boston:Houghton Mifflin, 1997. ISBN 0395752817,HBB, $15.95.E. Pigs—Fiction; Greed—Fiction. 32 p. PS - Gr. 2.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 4Boark the pig wants to please his pig wife, Sowk.Off he plods to the woods to dig “sweet rooties.”“Walkies” are too much trouble for his spouse.Boark unearths truffles, and it isn’t long beforeSowk has come to check upon his find. Sherefuses to let them eat any. The greedy pigs headoff to the market to sell their “trufflies” for gold.It is Sowk who slowly eats them along the way,unbeknownst to her husband. One truffle is leftto purchase a wheelbarrow. In it, Sowk is pushedby Boark all the way home. She is his LadyMuck.Author William Mayne has crafted a tale of twocrafty pigs in Lady Muck. While Boark wouldhave eaten his truffles behind his wife’s back, itis she who manages to eat them all. She resolvestheir disappearance with a lie which is not foundout. Mayne uses odd language for the pigs’speech and thoughts— “oh, the whifflom of thegreatest pigly tasties... ” Some meaning may belost for the youngest listener, but the uniquesounds may be equally engaging.Jonathan Heale’s woodcuts accompany the text.The thick black forms and lines with mutedwatercolors recreate a village of older times.Spot watercolor illustrations are placed on eachspread. The quality of line is strong in the spots,but the images pale next to the heavy woodcuts.Lorie Ann GroverGood Times with Teddy Bear, by JacquelineMcQuade. New York: Dial Books for YoungReaders, 1997. ISBN 0803720769, HBB,$12.99.E. Bears—Fiction; Teddy bears—Fiction; Play—Fiction. Unp. PS - Gr. 1.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Full page bright, colored paintings accompanythe explanation for each new event in the saga ofone day in the life of Teddy Bear. Each page ofthe text features a bold two inch title with a twosentence explanation. This is ideal for use withbeginning readers.Small children will easily relate to each activityin the day and will want to hear the book readover and over again.The rich texture of each painting enhances thefeeling of Good Times With Teddy Bear asF A L L , 1 9 9 8 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

PICTURE BOOKSJacqueline McQuade encourages the reader tothink of his own memories of good times and thepromise of more to come. Such ordinary eventsas breakfast, playing outside, sipping soup,painting a picture, watching a sunset and readinga book are made special. Marie KnauppJohn Willy and Freddy McGee, by HollyMeade. LCCN 9750362. New York: MarshallCavendish, 1998. ISBN 0761450335, HBB,$15.95.E. Guinea pigs—Fiction. 32 p. PS - K.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Holly Meade has captured a guinea pig tale inJohn Willy and Freddy McGee. With a bowl fullof seeds, a pile of straw, and a two-carrot cage,the living is easy for the two culprits. Life isperfect—perfectly boring. One day, the door isleft open, and they make a break. Around thehassock, across the marble game, and into thedark tunnels of the pool table they scoot.However, life gets more exciting than fun whenthe cat wants to play, too. Home again, as fast asthey can, they scurry. Safe at last—but the dooris still open, inviting another adventure.John Willy and Freddy McGee reads in abreathless hurry. The text scurries acrossMeade’s fanciful cut-paper illustrations, drawingthe reader into the chase. Her choice of colorsreflects the mood of the characters. The boringcage huddles in earth tones. The daring escapebrings out funky shades of red, yellow, andgreen. The text carries a wonderful feel for thesound of action with its alliteration andonomatopoeia. The object of the story, in theauthor’s own words, is “Fun!” Meade alsoillustrated the Caldecott Honor book Hush! AThai Lullaby, and the American Bookseller Pickof the List Small Green Snake. MelindaTorgersonThe Jukebox Man, by Jacqueline K. Ogburn;pictures by James Ransome. LCCN 9540281.New York: Dial Books for Young Readers,1998. ISBN 0803714297, HBB, $15.99.E. Grandfathers—Fiction; Jukeboxes—Fiction. 29 p.K - Gr. 2.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Young Donna gets to go with her grandfather ashe makes his rounds servicing jukeboxes. Shewatches as he changes records and collectsmoney from the machines. She is thrilled whenshe gets to listen to her favorite record, ElvisPresley’s “Blue Suede Shoes.”Donna is embarrassed, but responds respectfullyto the waitress who calls her “honey” and saysshe is “cute as a June bug.” As a special treat,Poppaw gives Donna a recording of “Blue SuedeShoes” to take home with her. She carries it onthe end of the big stick Poppaw uses for hisjukebox keys.In Poppaw’s workshop Donna’s record slips offthe key ring as she twirls it around, and it getssmashed. She is dismayed, but even though herprized record is gone, Poppaw plays her song forher one more time on another machine, andtogether they dance around the workshop.Jacqueline K. Ogburn portrays a time gone bywith a vivacious warmth in The Jukebox Man.James Ransome’s full page, colorful artworkdepicts a very happy girl and her congenialgrandfather. Jeanette HardageWho’s Whose? by Jan Ormerod. LCCN9627998. New York: Lothrop, Lee andShepard, 1997. ISBN 0688146791, HBB,$15.93.E. Family life—Fiction. 24 p. PS - Gr. 1.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5Biddie, Bill, Bea, Bugs, Boo Boo, Maggie,Micky, Mel, Molly, Jenny, Josh, and Jimmy areneighbors. They are constantly over at eachother’s homes, getting involved in differentadventures, and helping each other with eachnew challenge. Neither race, age, nor maritalstatus is a barrier to the friendship between theadults and their numerous children. The threeindividual families have become one big familywho share life’s blessings and trials together.Jan Ormerod has written a sweet story about theclose friendship between three families in whichthe question “Who’s whose?” really has norelevance as they share everything. The author’scolorful drawings with charming details such asthe cat licking up cheese dropped by a child andchildren helping one of the mothers get ready fora date, spilling clothing and jewelry everywhere,help make Who’s Whose? an endearing bookwhich celebrates families everywhere. SusanRobinsonCelia and the Sweet, Sweet Water, byKatherine Paterson; illustrated by VladimirVagin. LCCN 9541632. New York: Clarion,1998. ISBN 0395913241, HBB, $15.00.E. Mothers and daughters—Fiction; Dogs—Fiction;Kindness—Fiction. 29 p. K - Gr. 3.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5“If only I could drink once more the sweet, sweetwater of my childhood, my life would be saved,”says Celia’s mother, Mara, as she lies desperatelyill.After the death of her young husband in a war,Mara takes her infant, Celia, and runs away,settling in a secluded cottage, alone except fortheir dog, Brumble. Although Mara misses herhusband, she and Celia are happy until, ten yearslater, Mara becomes very ill. When Marawhispers her desire to drink of the healing waters,Celia packs up food, a cloak, and her mother’sflute and, accompanied by Brumble, goes off tofind the water of her mother’s childhood. On theway, she meets a wild wood boy, a cold, lonelywoman, and an angry mountain man. Herkindness to them persuades them to help heraccomplish her task. However, as she returns tothe cottage, she drops the bottle and spills thewater. Afraid that her mother will now die, sheweeps over her. Her tears drop onto her mother’sface, reviving her. “... you cannot truly shareanother’s happiness unless you share her tears,”they decide.Newbery Medal and National Book Awardwinner, Katherine Paterson joins with Russianartist, Vladimir Vagin, to create the beautifullywritten and illustrated Celia and the Sweet, SweetWater. Vagin’s large watercolor drawings containstriking details done in vivid colors. Each holdselements that compel the reader to look closely.Paterson introduces a lovable dog, the sad-faced,big, wooly Brumble, that always mutters originalsayings.Readers have learned to count on Paterson’sbooks as worthwhile for a wide-range of ages.Celia and the Sweet, Sweet Water upholds thatopinion, making it a book worthy of enjoymentfor generations to come. Betty M. Hockett andBetty Winslow.You’re Not My Best Friend Anymore, byCharlotte Pomerantz; pictures by DavidSoman. LCCN 9342595. New York: DialBooks for Young Readers, 1998. ISBN0803715595, HBB, $15.99.E. Friendship—Fiction. 30 p. K - Gr. 3.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5What do you do when you live in a house for twofamilies? You become best friends with yourneighbor, which is what Ben and Molly become.They share everything, both at home as they playand do homework, and at school at lunch andplay. They even wear matching T-shirts whichchildren will enjoy watching throughout the bookas the slogans change.Ben and Molly have a plan to save theirallowances to buy a tent so they can camp out inthe back yard. All is going swimmingly until theweek before their shared birthday party. What doyou do when you share a birthday with your bestfriend and all of a sudden your best friend is yourworst enemy? Ben and Molly put up a good frontfor the party, only to please their parents, but inthe end they discover that friendship andforgiveness are much more important than tents.David Soman lends his humor and sensitivity tohis watercolor illustrations for this charmingpicture book. Judy DriscollMr. Putter and Tabby Toot the Horn, byCynthia Rylant; illustrated by ArthurHoward. LCCN 96041768. San Diego:Harcourt Brace, 1998. ISBN 0152002448,HBB, $13.00.C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 1 9 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

PICTURE BOOKSE. Old age—Fiction; Neighbors—Fiction; Music—Fiction. 40 p. K - Gr. 2.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5The elderly Mr. Putter and his cat Tabby areneighbors of Mrs. Teaberry and her dog Zeke.Mr. Putter and Mrs. Teaberry both enjoy music,but Mrs. Teaberry likes country music while Mr.Putter prefers opera. One day Mrs. Teaberrydecide they should join a band. “I can’t play aninstrument,” Mr. Putter protests. “Of course youcan, old people can do anything they want,” Mrs.Teaberry replies. They check out various bands,but can’t find the right one for them. Mr. Puttereven tries to toot a horn. He can’t get it right!Mrs. Teaberry finally discovers the perfectsolution and they are all happy. Mr. Putter andTabby Toot the Horn is just one more engagingsaga in this ongoing series of a grandfatherly gentand his feline friend.Whimsical color illustrations by Arthur Howardhighlight the text. Children will chuckle andenjoy the antics of these two older folks whilelearning the process of decision making andcompromise. The storyline is fast paced and fun.Children will love the humorous outcome. MaryJarvisA Bad Case of Stripes, by David Shannon.LCCN 9654643. New York: Blue Sky Press,1998. ISBN 0590929976, HBB, $15.95.E. Peer pressure—Fiction. 30 p. PS - Gr. 3.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Camilla Cream loves lima beans, but in her effortto fit in with the crowd, she gives them up. Infact, Camilla is so worried about what othersthink about her that she literally becomes herworries. Should she wear red or green on herfirst day of school? Filled with all these doubtsCamilla looks in the mirror dismayed to find thatshe has become striped. After assurances fromthe doctor that she is not running a fever, andtherefore not ill, Camilla goes to school, whereshe quickly becomes the center of attention,changing chameleon like to fit the whims of allher classmates. Asked to remain at home untilthe “stripes” disappear, there follows a series ofmedical and psychological experts all withhelpful suggestions for getting over the stripes,each one of which only makes poor Camillaworse. The climax comes when anEnvironmental Therapist comes to visit and tellsCamilla to breathe deeply and become one withher room. Poor Camilla, breathes deeply andliterally becomes her room with lips as the bedmattresses, and eyes as pictures on the wall. Ittakes a little old lady “as plump and sweet as astrawberry” to solve Camilla’s bad case of stripeswith a healthy dose of lima beans. Camilla vowsto never again become what everyone else wants,but to be the best “self” she can be... and to eatlima beans whenever she likes.David Shannon with his wonderfully fantasticalillustrations has created a far out and entertainingstory. In fact, the events of the story are so unreal(903) 295-1203beairdc@aol.comF A L L , 1 9 9 8 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

PICTURE BOOKSthat the audience can giggle without worry atCamilla’s plight and yet identify with the stressof trying to be what you are not, driving home thepoint of Mr. Shannon’s message: Be yourself.Judy DriscollThe Secret Stars, by Joseph Slate; illustratedby Felipe Dávalos. LCCN 9720624. NewYork: Marshall Cavendish, 1998. ISBN0761450270, HBB, $15.95.E. Stars—Fiction; Epiphany—Fiction;Grandmothers—Fiction; Hispanic Americans—Fiction;New Mexico—Fiction. 32 p. K - Gr. 3.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5When the winter wind and rain turn icy cold inNew Mexico, Pepe and Sila cuddle under thecovers with their grandmother and ask, “How canthe Three Kings ride in such a hard rain?... howwill they find the hay box for their horses... withno stars to guide them?” To calm their fears onthis stormy Epiphany Eve, the grandmothersnuggles closer and lulls them into enchantingsleep with her story of the secret stars which theyfind in the icy patterns of spiders’ webs, theshining ice and water animals of the meadowpond, and even in the chicken coop! Thechildren are still finding stars around them asthey wake in the morning to the delight of thegifts left by the Three Kings.In the telling of this tale Joseph Slate introducesAmerican children to the Mexican traditions ofthe Epiphany which follows our Christmasseason. His careful incorporation of the Mexicanvocabulary into the telling of the tale, along withthe colorful and enchanting illustrations of FelipeDavalos which highlight Mexican art and design,bring this story to life. A perfect addition to theholiday season for those studying traditions fromother lands. Judy DriscollPrairie Willow, story of Maxine Trottier;paintings by Laura Fernandez and RickJacobson. Toronto: Stoddart Kids, 1998.ISBN 0773730672, HBB, $15.95.E. Prairies—Canada—Fiction. 24 p. PS - Gr. 2.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 4“When Emily first saw the prairie she thought ofa green-gold ocean.” What she misses instantlyare trees. Rocking in the wagon at night shedreams of trees. When the first crop is harvested,a bit of money is left over, and her father lets herpurchase a weeping willow by mail. At the firstsign of spring, the tree is planted and quicklytakes root. It stands through her lifetime, as herbrother goes off to war and dies, as her parentsage, as she has children and grandchildren.Emily is finally buried beneath the willow.Maxine Trottier has conveyed the sweepingexpanse of the prairie in Prairie Willow. Thesimile of the land being like an ocean ismaintained throughout the picture book. Thegrass flows like waves, and their sod house is asmall island. With poetic language andconciseness, the reader is taken back to first settleand harvest a fruitful land. One also sees “theway of things on the prairie. Held firmly to theland by its roots and a dream.”Artists Laura Fernandez and Rick Jacobsoncollaborated on the illustrations for PrairieWillow. Most of the paintings offer a warmth andbroad view of the setting. A few pieces bearstatic character poses. Overall the work doesbring the prairie to touch the reader.At the conclusion, Emily has a dream in whichshe is a young girl again. She calls to her littlebrother running toward her across the prairie.Emily has joined her brother in death. Lorie AnnGrover★Morning on the Lake, written by JanBourdeau Waboose; illustrated by KarenReczuch. Buffalo, N.Y.: Kids Can, 1997.ISBN 1550743732, HBB, $15.95.E. Ojibway Indians—Fiction; Grandfathers—Fiction;Indians of North America—Fiction. 32 p. K - Gr. 5.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Above the lake hovers a cloud of mist. The boyawakens and knows it is time. Dressing quickly,he goes to meet his grandfather, who waits forhim in his handmade birchbark canoe. Into thesilent water slides the great boat, and the pair setoff together for an adventure of discovery, wherethe old man will teach the young man how to see,how to listen, and how to be brave.In Morning on the Lake, Jan Bourdau Waboosehas created a masterpiece of awe inspiringwonder. The language is so beautiful and quietthat it lingers in the mind even after turning thepage. Here is a book that teaches beauty,strength, honor, and love, ideals that are sorelylacking in most children’s books today, and itdoes so in a way that will inspire and encouragechildren to explore the world around them.Karen Reczuch’s illustrations match the textperfectly. They are laid out much likephotographs would be, which makes the readerfeel as though they were taking the trip with theboy and his grandfather, while their simplicityand realistic hues add depth and warmth to themagical story.Waboose uses two Native Americans as hersubject matter, focusing on the close relationshipbetween a boy and his grandfather, which makesMorning on the Lake an all around winner.Virginia SchnabelSo Many Bunnies : A Bedtime ABC andCounting Book, by Rich Walton : illustratedby Paige Miglio. LCCN 976471. New York:Lothrop, Lee and Shepard, 1998. ISBN0688136575, HBB, $15.93.E. Bedtime—Fiction; Rabbits—Fiction; Alphabet;Counting; Stories in rhyme. 28 p. PS - Gr. 1.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Old Mother Rabbit is trying to find a place foreach of her baby bunnies to sleep for the night.First she feeds them and kisses them, then beginstucking them in one-by-one. With twenty-sixchildren, Old Mother Rabbit has to get prettycreative to find a bed for everyone. She placesAbel on the table, Blair in a chair, and Carol in abarrel. Each of the bunny’s name begins with adifferent letter of the alphabet, and their “bed”rhymes with their name. With several names,author Rick Walton had to really stretch hisimagination. For example, Ute by the fruit andYale by the scale.Counting skills and letter recognition arecombined in a delightful way in this gentlebedtime book based on the classic children’srhyme, “There was an old woman who lived in ashoe... ”. Old Mother Rabbit, however, is lovingand efficient in this peaceful re-telling.Beautifully illustrated by Paige Miglio, thewatercolor drawings of the Rabbit Family reallymake the book. Even very small children willenjoy just studying the pictures of the bunniesand their unusual sleeping habits. A wonderfulpicture book for bedtime or any quiet moment.Elizabeth ColemanC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 2 1 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

BOOK REVIEWSCHILDREN’S FICTIONYoung Cam Jansen and the Ice Skate Mystery,by David A. Adler; illustrated by SusannaNatti. (Viking Easy-To-Read.) New York:Viking, 1998. ISBN 0670877913, HBB,$13.99.F. Ice skating—Fiction; Mystery fiction; Easy readingmaterials. 32 p. K - Gr. 2.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5Jennifer Jansen has a photographic memory thathas earned her the nickname Camera, or Cam forshort. She and her friend Eric have gone iceskating and run into a problem when Eric loseshis locker key after insisting to his father that hewas old enough and wouldn’t lose it. Cam usesher amazing memory to recreate the images ofEric with the key to solve the mystery.The storyline of Young Cam Jansen and the IceSkate Mystery is very simple, making this a goodchoice for beginning readers. The illustrations bySusanna Natti focus on the interaction of thecharacters with not a lot of background detailwhich would serve to keep the young readerreading rather than examining the pictures. DavidAdler has written a book for younger readers thatintroduces his popular character from mysteriesfor older readers. Sally KuhnsPharaohs and Pyramids, by Tony Allan; editedby Philippa Wingate; designed by MicheleBusby and John Jamieson; illustrated by ToniGoffe. (The Usborne Time Traveler.) Tulsa:Usborne, 1997. ISBN 074603069X, PAP,$6.95.F. Egypt—History—Fiction; Pyramids—Fiction;Pharaohs—Fiction. 32 p. Gr. 3 - 6.Rome and Romans, by Heather Amery andPatricia Vanags; edited by Philippa Wingate;designed by Michele Busby and JohnJamieson; illustrated by Stephen Cartwright.(The Usborne Time Traveler.) Tulsa:Usborne, 1997. ISBN 0746030711, PAP, $6.95.F. Rome, Ancient—Fiction. 32 p. Gr. 3 - 6.Viking Raiders, by Ann Civardi and JamesGraham-Campbell; edited by PhillippaWingate; illustrated by Stephen Cartwright;designed by Michele Busby and JohnJamieson. (The Usborne Time Traveler.)Tulsa: Usborne, 1997. ISBN 0746030738,PAP, $6.95.F. Vikings—Fiction; Great Britain—History—Fiction.32 p. Gr. 3 - 6.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 4In Pharaohs and Pyramids, Nakht, a wealthylandowner who is in charge of the local temple’sland, is introduced. Author Tony Allan followsNakht through daily activities such as travelingthe river Nile and going to school, toextraordinary events such as visiting thePharaoh’s court and fighting in battle. The battlescene shows piles of hands cut off of deadwarriors.A team of authors, Heather Amery and PatriciaVanags, introduce Petronius, a rich governmentofficial, in the book Rome and Romans.Cutaways show the interior of homes, temples,and the baths. There is nudity in the bath scene.It is from the back or vague and undetailed.Chieftain Knut leads a band of fierce warriors inViking Raiders by Anne Civardi and JamesGraham-Campbell. When Knut is not runninghis farm in Norway, he is raiding and pillagingcountries across the sea. The raid scene isgraphic cartoon illustration, showing bloodyswords thrust through victims.Imagine donning a magic helmet and sendingyourself into the past. Usborne Books combinesimagination with cartoon illustrations tointroduce children to three historicalcivilizations: Pharaohs and Pyramids, Rome andRomans, and Viking Raiders. Using cartoonssimilar to Waldo books, The Time Traveler Seriesintroduces a family and follows them to market,work, school, festival, and battle. Burialpreparations and the gods of each culture are alsoexplained. A map of the region is at the front ofeach book and further information is found at theback. Although geared toward elementary age,this series engages the everyone from toddlers toadults with the bright illustrations by Toni Goffeand Stephen Cartwright. Joanne M. HafflyThe Chicken Salad Club, by Marsha DianeArnold; pictures by Julie Downing. LCCN9719375. New York: Dial Books for YoungReaders, 1998. ISBN 0803719159, HBB,$15.99.F. Old age—Fiction; Great-grandfathers—Fiction;Storytelling—Fiction. 29 p. K - Gr. 3.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Nathaniel Hopkins goes to visit his 100-year-oldgreat grandfather after school every day to hearstories. Greatpaw makes lemonade and chickensalad sandwiches, too.Then one day, hundreds of stories later, Greatpawdecides he wants to hear some new stories.Greatpaw advertises a meeting for all century-oldstorytellers. When the time arrives there are nostories and no storytellers. Nathaniel is glad helikes chicken salad sandwiches and lemonade.When taking his dog, Johnson, to hear storiesdoesn’t help, Nathaniel takes Greatpaw to school.Still there are no new stories as the children justsit and look.Then Nathaniel advertises in the paper and SadieJohannsen, who is almost one hundred, answersthe ad. She has lots of stories to share. NowGreatpaw is not lonely and Nathaniel gathers allhis friends the first of each month for stories.Sadie cranks the ice cream maker, Greatpawmakes chicken salad sandwiches, and Nathanielpours lemonade. Now The Chicken Salad Clubis enjoyed by all.Marsha Arnold writes this lively story of a boysharing tales from the past with a greatgrandparent, showing how the need forcompanionship is met for both generations. JulieDowning’s detailed vibrant watercolor picturesgreatly enrich the details of the story.All who share this book will appreciate the valueof good stories and good friends. Marie KnauppWhat’s a Daring Detective Like Me Doing inthe Doghouse? by Linda Bailey. (A StevieDaimond Mystery; 5.) Buffalo, N.Y.: KidsCan, 1997. ISBN 0807588353, PAP, $4.50.F. Mystery fiction. 185 p. Gr. 3 - 6.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Stevie Diamond and her partner, Jesse Kulnikiare always on the lookout for another mystery tosolve. The prankster has hit their city withembarrassing pranks pulled on high levelofficials. This time, he steals the president of theUnited States’ beloved dog. Stevie and Jesseunknowingly have already found the dog, filthyand covered with burrs. Their cleanup jobincludes a haircut to remove the burrs and hennato make the dog’s coat shine. The henna is thewrong kind, however, and turns the dog green.They decide they are now suspects, and must findthe real prankster before they are accused.Systematically evaluating the suspects leadsthem to the prankster, just in time, of course.F A L L , 1 9 9 8 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 FICTIONWhat’s a Daring Detective Like Me Doing in theDoghouse? is a funny, entertaining mystery.Linda Bailey manages to make this preposterousstory seem absolutely believable. The plotunfolds with a good pace; fast enough to keep thereader’s attention without being confusing.Stevie and Jesse are likable twelve-year-oldswith a penchant for solving mysteries. Unlikemany fictitious detectives, they also have normalresponsibilities appropriate for their age. Thetone is upbeat. Cathleen Sovold JohnsonThe Very Best Christmas Ever! by EmilieBarnes with Anne and Elizabeth Buchanan;illustrations by Michal Sparks. LCCN983111. Eugene, Ore.: Harvest House, 1998.ISBN 1565079051, HBB, $14.99.394.2663. Christmas decorations; Christmas cookery;Christmas. 32 p. Gr. 1 - 6.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Emilie and friends invite young readers to jointheir Christmas Club and prepare for the bestChristmas ever. The club meets betweenThanksgiving and Christmas with differentactivities each week. Together the membersmake Advent calendars, cards, ornaments, andgifts. They share favorite family traditions, hosta Peppermint Tea, and go caroling. AfterChristmas the twelve days of Christmas arecelebrated, ending with an Epiphany party.Younger girls will enjoy the creative recipes,crafts, and activities presented. Directions forprojects are thoroughly explained and enhancedby Michal Sparks’ charming illustrations.Besides inspiring a season of fun, The Very BestChristmas Ever! encourages working together,giving to others, and celebrating in special ways.Families with girls through pre-teen will enjoythis book by Emilie Barnes. Lydia HarrisMissing on Castaway Island, by Joan RawlinsBiggar. (Megan Parnell Mysteries; 1.) St.Louis, Mo.: Concordia, 1997. ISBN0570050154, PAP, $5.99.F. Mystery fiction; Christian life—Fiction; Washington(State)—Fiction. 160 p. Gr. 5 - 8.Mystery at Camp Galena, by Joan RawlinsBiggar. (Megan Parnell Mysteries; 2.) St.Louis, Mo.: Concordia, 1997. ISBN0570050162, PAP, $5.99.F. Mystery fiction; Christian life—Fiction; Washington(State)—Fiction. 156 p. Gr. 5 - 8.Trouble in Yakima Valley, by Joan RawlinsBiggar. (Megan Parnell Mysteries; 3.) LCCN9718134. St. Louis, Mo.: Concordia, 1998.ISBN 0570050316, PAP, $5.99.F. Mystery fiction; Christian life—Fiction; Orchards—Fiction; Washington (State)—Fiction. 160 p. Gr. 5 - 8.Trapped in Haunted Canyon, by Joan RawlinsBiggar. (Megan Parnell Mysteries; 4.) LCCN982617. St. Louis, Mo.: Concordia, 1998.ISBN 0570050693, PAP, $5.99.F. Mystery fiction; Kidnapping—Fiction; Christianlife—Fiction; Washington (State)—Fiction. 160 p. Gr.5 - 8.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Sixteen-year-old Megan Parnell and her stepbrotherPeter Lewis uncover mysteries in thisnew series by author and teacher, Joan Biggar.Using the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwestand northern Arizona as her settings, Biggarweaves fact into her fiction with items of history,geography, and nature in a way that entertainsreaders, even as they watch characters solveproblems in a way that glorifies God.In Missing on Castaway Island, Megan strugglesto adjust to life with a new step-brother, Peter.Accompanying their newlywed parents on afamily camping trip to Whidbey Island, theyexplore the abandoned war bunkers at Fort Ebey.Almost by accident, they meet Thuy, a frightenedVietnamese girl whose brother is missing and indanger. Megan and Peter learn to work togetherto help their new friend. Encountering peoplewith New Age beliefs during their search, Meganand Peter recognize how those beliefs conflictwith their own. Thuy eventually decides to askJesus into her heart; Megan finds her own faithstrengthened; and a mystery is solved.In Mystery at Camp Galena, Megan and Petervolunteer to be summer camp counselors.Handsome Sean Bertram signs up, too, but sodoes Willow Elizabeth Hanes—the prettiest girlin honors English. Worse, Willow is assigned asMegan’s cabin partner. During the week, Megantries to overlook Willow’s insensitivity andpettiness, but trouble erupts between them. Inaddition, Megan is worried about two of heryoung campers—one struggles with a secret, theother faces a deadly illness. Mysterious cluesoutside the camp trouble Megan and Peter. Whois damaging the forest ecology, and why?Although diverse, this is a tightly-woven, campexperience book that delivers intrigue, teenagecompetition, folklore, and nature, while carefullydealing with tough issues such as sexualmisconduct and environmental damage.Trouble in Yakima Valley takes us to Megan andPeter’s great-uncle’s ranch in easternWashington. There they work in the appleorchards and meet a migrant-worker family, Mr.and Mrs. Salinas and their children, Luis andRosalia. When accidents start happening in theorchards, Megan suspects someone is usingsabotage to convince her great-uncle to sell hisranch. But who? And why does someone wantto cause trouble for the Salinas family as well? Isit because they are Hispanic? Megan searchesfor answers to these questions, and the truth iseventually revealed.In the fourth book, Trapped in Haunted Canyon,Megan and Peter spend Christmas vacationcamping in Arizona with family friends Chuckand Penny Dale. Megan is pleased to see herchildhood friend Aaron again, especially sincehe’s now a handsome eighteen-year-old.Traveling in the Dales’ fifth-wheeler trailer, theparty visit historic sites in northern Arizona.While exploring one of the areas, the threesomediscover signs of digging. They suspect illegalpot-hunting. A storm, a kidnapping, and a daringrescue keeps readers riveted to the end. Also,Aaron realizes just how much God loves him asa result of the self-sacrificial acts of othersinvolving a lost Irish setter. Kimn SwensonGollnickDance of Darkness, by Sigmund Brouwer.(Wings of Light; 8.) Colorado Springs:Chariot Victor, 1997. ISBN 1564762742, PAP,$4.99.F. Great Britain—History—Fiction; Middle Ages—Fiction. 124 p. Gr. 5 - 8.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Dance of Darkness, book 8 in the Winds of Lightseries, continues the adventures of the Merlins—a group of Christians dedicated to keepingknowledge alive in the Dark Ages, and tospreading the light of Christ. The story takesplace in Europe in 1364 A.D. Bran is a sixteenyear-oldGypsy orphan whose fair features makehim an outcast among the clan. His onlypossession is a medallion of his father’s. TheGypsies are as fearful of the medallion as theyare of the Black Death that still rages acrossEurope.When someone in the clan betrays him, he meetsa young woman, Rachel, and learns that themedallion is the key to a task Bran’s father set outto accomplish sixteen years ago. Rachelchallenges Bran to help her complete that task.In the secret catacombs of the early Christians,under Ancient Rome, their task is nearlycomplete. Bran must use his growing faith andGypsy skills to make sure the result is for good.Sigmund Brouwer subtly weaves in details of14th century life, keeping the tale flowing whileproviding necessary background information.Bran’s character is well-developed and likeable.While Bran finds a sense of belonging, he learnsthat it is the spirit inside that makes the person,not the circumstances in which they were raised.Plot twists throughout the novel make theresolution anything but predictable. Lisa WrobleSuper-fine Valentine, by Bill Cosby;illustrated by Varnette P. Honeywood. LCCN9716563. New York: Scholastic, 1998. ISBN0590164015, HBB, $13.95.F. Valentine’s Day—Fiction; Schools—Fiction. 33 p.K - Gr. 2.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Little Bill is sharing a secret with us, he has acrush on a girl in his class named Mia. Some ofLittle Bill’s classmates catch on to this evenbefore he does, and begin to tease him. The nextday is Valentine’s Day and Little Bill works hardon a special card for Mia, but is thwarted in hisefforts to give it to her by his desire to avoidC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 2 3 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

CHILDREN’S FICTIONbeing laughed at by his friends. His friends trickhim into giving Mia the card but he realizes that,“It’s good to show people that you like them.”Super-Fine Valentine will strike a chord withanyone who has experienced a crush and therelated teasing, or who has worked with youngchildren experiencing crushes. The subjectmatter is dealt with very positively and Little Billgrows as a result, which provides a good messageto young readers, that “suffering” can producesomething good. Varnette P. Honeywoodillustrates Super-Fine Valentine with colorfulimages of Little Bill and his friends. Sally KuhnsMaple Moon, by Connie Brummel Crook andScott Cameron. Toronto: Stoddart Kids,1997. ISBN 0773730176, HBB, $15.95.F. Missisauga Indians—Fiction. 30 p. K - Gr. 3.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 4Rides the Wind is a young Missisauga boy whois somewhat ostracized because of a limp thatprevents him from joining in the games andactivities of the other children. His mother gavehim his name as a reflection of the speed he couldachieve when his dog pulled him on his sled. Thewinter season is especially long and harsh and thetribe runs short on food. One day while the menare out hunting for deer, Rides the Wind venturesinto the woods and is shown by Ninautik, thename of all maple trees, and a red squirrel, howto get “sweet water” from the trunk of the maple.The discovery is initially met with disbelief butthen Rides the Wind is given the opportunity todemonstrate his finding to the chief elders. Thechief regards this as an answer to their prayers toThe Great Creator and renames Rides the Wind,Wise Little Raven.Connie Brummel Crook has developed a legendfor the season called Maple Moon, when the sapbegins to run. The discovery of this resource byyoung Rides the Wind adds a sweet poignancy tothe tale, giving the character an opportunity togive something of value to his tribe. Thechanging of his name to Wise Little Raven,reflects the new appreciation given to the child.Scott Cameron’s illustrations are beautiful, donein a similar fashion to N.C. Wyeth, giving atremendous warmth to Maple Moon. SallyKuhnsRegina Calhoun Eats Dog Food, by LynnCullen. LCCN 96096906. New York: AvonBooks, 1997. ISBN 0380788039, PAP, $3.99.F. Schools—Fiction; Humorous fiction. 92 p. Gr. 3 -5.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Regina is envious of Margaret and Kate’sfriendship. Regina feels she is losing her bestfriend, and tries to regain Margaret’s friendshipby playing jokes on people. The attemptsbackfire with Margaret disappointed in Regina’sbehavior, and Regina pretending to like anunpopular boy. But Regina will not give up,especially with her birthday only days away. AsRegina is about to hand over a twinkie filled withdog food to Kate, she finds out Margaret is stillher best friend. So she pops the twinkie into herown mouth, retches, and misses the surprisebirthday party her friends had planned.Lynn Cullen has written a real-life story in whichjealousy nearly costs a young girl her best friend.Regina resents all the extra time Margaret isdevoting to Kate. But the fear of losingMargaret’s friendship keeps Regina from playinga trick on Kate, and ultimately she grasps thattwo friends are better than none.Regina Calhoun Eats Dog Food illustrates thepowerful bond of genuine friendship. DianneWoodmanThe Secret of Old Zeb, by Carmen AgraDeedy; illustrated by Michael P. White.LCCN 97012346. Atlanta: Peachtree, 1997.ISBN 1561451150, HBB, $16.95.F. Shipbuilding—Fiction; Great-aunts—Fiction. Unp.Gr. 1 - 6.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Sent to live with his great aunt for the summerwhile his parents pursue their dream of climbingMount Kilamanjaro, scrappy Walter Higginsfeels left behind. Referring to his aunt as “theWarden,” Walter’s fears of boredom come true,until his imagination and curiosity bring him intothe life of his aunt’s neighbor, Old Zeb. An oldsalt with the sea is still in his heart, Zeb buildsships in bottles. But he lets Walter in on the histrue building project hidden in the cellar—theGSP or Great Secret Project.Walter spends the remainder of his summerhelping Old Zeb make his dream come true, onlyto learn that Walter cannot share Zeb’s dream butmust find and follow one of his own. Author andstoryteller Carmen Agra Deedy weaves a playfultale ripe with the descriptive language and dramaof oral storytelling. The endpapers of the bookintroduce and conclude the tale as a grownWalter tells his visiting niece about his summerwith Old Zeb. A short glossary of high seassailing terms completes the book.The bright, colorful illustrations by Michael P.White bring the tale to life. The mystery behindthe GSP is cast using pirate treasure-map bordersaround the full-page illustrations. These progressfrom land to clouds as Walter grasps the conceptof choosing his own dream to follow. A captionplate describes each picture like old photo framesand black and white drawings of scenes insidebottles echoes the “long ago” time period. Eachspread is treated as a separate “chapter” in thebook.This story will work well when read aloud toelementary readers or as private reading for olderreaders. Whether young or old, Old Zebencourages us to act upon our dreams. LisaWrobleSo Far from Home : The Diary of MaryDriscoll, an Irish Mill Girl, by BarryDenenberg. (Dear America.) LCCN97005846. New York: Scholastic, 1997. ISBN0590926675, HBB, $9.95.F. Irish-Americans—Fiction; Immigrants—Fiction;Textile workers—Fiction; Lowell (Mass.)—Fiction;Diaries—Fiction. 166 p. Gr. 4 - 8.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5The reader is cleanly drawn into the story and thehistory of the times in So Far From Home byBarry Denenberg. Mary, a fourteen-year-oldIrish girl, details in her diary the struggles andpain of her family in Ireland, her trip to theUnited States, and her work in a textile mill inMaine. The life she lives is full, but hard and sad.The story is written in short sentences in apersonal style. The text uses interestingcolloquial expressions and authentic details ofdaily life. Some black and white prints,photographs, and reprints of documents of eventsfrom the times make it hard to believe that thisstory is not actually detailing true events. Somereferences are made to the superstitions of theIrish and of praying to Mary. A ribbon markeradds to the charm of this book. Judy BelcherTouch the Sky, by Robert Elmer. (The YoungUnderground; 8.) LCCN 974733.Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers,1997. ISBN 1556616619, PAP, $5.99.F. Brothers and sisters—Fiction; Christian life—Fiction; Denmark—Fiction; Mystery fiction. 176 p.Gr. 4 - 8.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 4Thirteen-year-old Peter, his twin sister Elise, andtheir Jewish friend, Henrik, play juniordetectives. Matthias, an adult male Jew andfamily friend, seems to be acting suspiciously.They spy a shady character following Matthias,and before long this man begins to terrorize thechildren. Is Matthias truly a friend or does hehave ulterior motives?Touch the Sky is the eighth in The YoungUnderground series written by Robert Elmer, butthe introduction and conclusion are such that thebook is able to stand alone. The setting is postWorld War II Denmark, when Jewish refugeesare trying to return to Palestine before permissionis officially granted.This mystery, full of action, will especiallyappeal to young readers. There are incidents ofmild violence when the “bad guy” tries to harmsome of the characters, but he is brought tojustice in the end, with little damage done. Someof the action involving the young characters isfar-fetched, but it does add to the excitement ofthis tale.F A L L , 1 9 9 8 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 FICTIONThe story shares the chagrin that a Christianencounters when passing up opportunities toshare his faith, and it also reveals how God cantake even these failures and turn them intosomething useful. The ABC’s of salvation arealso presented when a Jewish boy accepts Jesusas the Messiah.The epilogue at the back of the book gives asmall slice of information on the historicalimpact that this era had on the Jews. DebbieLindsayZamani Goes to Market, by Muriel L.Feelings; illustrated by Tom Feelings. LCCN88070729. Trenton, N.J.: Africa World Press,1990. ISBN 0865430950, PAP, $6.95.F. Africa—Fiction. Unp. Gr. 3 - 5.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5Excitement, adventure, and an early breakfastbegin the day when Zamani goes to market.Many times he has watched Father and his olderbrothers go, but today Zamani will go with themon the two mile walk to the weekly Africanmarket. Since Zamani does his part by leadingthe brown calf, he earns two coins. Now comesthe fun of choosing what he will buy with hiscoins. Instead of buying a white kanzas forhimself to wear, he chooses a beautiful necklacefor his mother. Because of the pride andsatisfaction he receives in giving his gift, he atonce begins making plans to have something tosell on the next market day so he can buy a giftfor his father.The paper cover, quality of paper, andillustrations do not adequately present thebeautiful story of simple unhurried village lifeand the events of a native African market day.Caring family life is shared as well as the simplejoy of giving as Tom Feeling tells how Zamanigoes to market. Marie KnauppPie Magic, by Toby Forward; pictures byLaura Cornell. LCCN 9531829. New York:Beech Tree, 1998 c1995. ISBN 0688158560,PAP, $4.95.F. Weight control—Fiction; Friendship—Fiction;Magic—Fiction. 110 p. Gr. 3 - 7.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 4Pie Magic, by Toby Forward, is a whimsicalfable of Bertie, an unhappy overweight boy.Bertie is so unhappy all he wants to do is eatchocolate bars and hit people. Which of coursemakes him fatter and more unhappy.Fortunately, unbeknownst to him, Bertie hassome friends who secretly decide to help himlose weight and become nicer. It’s the pie magic.Bertie eats a pie and loses weight. But not the fat.He’s now lighter than air and floats like a bigballoon. That’s the problem and to remedy it heends up eating lots of healthful food like oatmealto weigh him down and bicycling all aroundtown looking for the elusive friends who hadgiven him the magic pie. In so doing, Bertiebegins to like the four basic food groups, slimsdown, and learns kindness.Toby Forward, author of one other fantasy forchildren, is an imaginative writer. There arereferences to magic and potions; further there is ahelpful old lady whom Bertie decides must be awitch, and when confronted, she doesn’t deny it.Although written for young children, some of theBritish terms in Pie Magic are used. Forexample, most Americans think of pie as dessert,not dinner.Large print and several full-page sketches willattract young readers. Children who like fairytales will like Pie Magic. And, who knows,maybe overweight readers will be inspired to amore healthful lifestyle as was Bertie. GingerMcGrathAYear with Butch and Spike, by Gail Gauthier.LCCN 9713823. New York: G. P. Putnam’sSons, 1998. ISBN 0399232168, HBB, $16.99.F. Schools—Fiction; Humorous stories. 216 p. Gr. 4 -6.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 4Jasper can’t wait for school to start. He lovesschool, getting new books, and havinghomework every night. But the thought ofhaving “the Cootches” in his sixth grade classmakes him break out in a sweat. All summerJasper watched Butch and Spike. From thelibrary, where Butch and Spike snickered overthe “dirty” pictures in the adult books, to thegrocery store, where they left in a van with a “MyKid Just Beat Up Your Honor Student” bumpersticker on it, Jasper has observed the Couturecousins. Jasper wants to sit as far from Butch andSpike as possible, but Mrs. McNutty assigns hima seat between them.All year Jasper shares a group with Butch andSpike, which complicates his efforts to earn allA’s. But, when “the McNutt” decides to keepSpike in sixth grade, Jasper gives up his chancefor first place in the science fair to help Spikemove up to seventh grade. Butch and Spike findreasons to have good grades and Jasper discoversfun doesn’t have to be goal oriented.Gail Gauthier portrays life in a sixth grade classwith hilarious perception. Well written, thecharacters are nicely rounded with both thedesirable and perhaps not so desirable traits ofeach child presented. Gauthier touches on thebudding sexual interests of the young boys in acarefully worded, realistic way. The jacket art byRichard Hull faithfully follows Gauthier’sdescription of the boys. Barbara BrydenBeware and Stogie, by Jessie Haas, withpictures by the author. LCCN 9733035. NewYork: Greenwillow, 1998. ISBN 0688156053,HBB, $15.00.F. Horses—Fiction; Grandfathers—Fiction; Ranchlife—Fiction. 79 p. Gr. 3 - 6.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Jessie Hass’ latest in her series of Beware books,is sure to capture the hearts of young horselovers. In this adventure, a lightning stormfrightens the cattle and prize horses of Lily’sgrandfather and they escape into the countryside.The next morning young Lily decides to go outon Beware, her trusted horse, and look for them.The biggest concern is that Stogie, hergrandfather’s newest addition to his farm, is ahorse with a wild streak and no one has been ableto ride him since he came to the farm. Lily setsout to find Stogie, unsure of how she will get himhome when she does find him. When Lily findsStogie trapped by his halter in a tree, she andBeware manage to gain his confidence and bringhim home. This small chapter book is livelyenough to hold the interest of middler readerseven if they aren’t horse lovers! Judy DriscollKeeping Barney, by Jessie Haas. LCCN817029. New York: Beech Tree, 1998 c1982.ISBN 0688158595, PAP, $4.50.F. Horses—Fiction; Responsibility—Fiction. 152 p.Gr. 3 - 6.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Sarah loves horses! In Jessie Haas’ bookKeeping Barney there is nothing that Sarah wantsmore than to own a horse of her own; and whenher family moves to the farm in Vermont so thather father can write on his book in a quiet setting,it looks like there might finally be a possibility ofher dream coming true. It is there that Barneycomes into her life: not a horse of her own, butone she can care for and ride and be responsiblefor while the owner is away at college. Sarah isecstatic! Visions of long, wonderful ridesthrough the Vermont countryside and romanticepisodes of a girl and her horse encountering allkinds of adventures dances through her mind.But when dreams become flesh and blood, Sarahdiscovers that being responsible for a horseinvolves much more than she expected. First ofall, Barney has a personality and a will of hisown, and his horsey plans don’t always matchSarah’s. Through the trials and the gradualtriumphs of working with Barney, Sarah findsherself maturing in many ways.Jessie Haas has written a very entertaining bookfor girls and boys, especially those who lovehorses. As Sarah struggles to overcome anumber of obstacles in her relationship withBarney and her hopes and vision of herself as anexpert horseman, the reader is taken along for theride in a very enjoyable and enlightening way.The book encourages the qualities ofresponsibility and perseverance and trust whiledeveloping the very real personalities of bothSarah and Barney.Keeping Barney, though easy to read, holds thereader with a good balance of well writtenadventure and conflict resolution. All the way toC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 2 5 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

CHILDREN’S FICTIONthe end you find yourself wondering if Sarah willfinally get her wish of a horse of her own, andwill it perhaps be Barney. Gayle HabermanI Thought My Soul Would Rise and Fly : TheDiary of Patsy, a Freed Girl, by Joyce Hansen.(Dear America.) LCCN 97002170. NewYork: Scholastic, 1997. ISBN 0590849131,HBB, $9.95.F. African Americans—History—1863-1877—Fiction;Reconstruction—Fiction; United States—History—1865-1898—Fiction; Diaries—Fictio. 197 p. Gr. 3 - 8.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5Patsy is a black slave girl on a plantation in MarsBluff, South Carolina. She has no last name, noknown parents, and a definite limp and stutter.Due to her skin color and physical disabilities,Patsy is assumed to be stupid—destined to a lifespent emptying chamber pots. But Patsy ismentally sharp. She learns how to read and writeby watching and listening when the children ofthe house are being taught. Through a chain ofevents, this shy, disabled girl rises to help otherblacks on the plantation learn to read and writewhen the school they are promised nevermaterializes.Joyce Hansen utilizes the creative approach of ahidden diary to shed light on a slave girl’s life inthe 1860’s. The reader will see first-hand thechanges that occurred on a large cotton plantationas the civil war ended and slaves were freed. Thelife of newly-freed black people is seen as notmuch different—yet in some ways entirelydifferent—than life when they were enslaved.This book gives insight into the Freedmen’sBureau, Black Codes, and the desperation offormer slave owners as their livelihood issubjected to changes beyond their control.I Thought My Soul Would Rise and Fly isgrounded in historical facts. Eleven black-andwhitepictures with notes are included in the backof the book, along with the music for the song“Free at Last,” upon which the book’s title isbased. Children will enjoy learning about thisperiod in history, while teachers and parents willappreciate the historical accuracy. BarbaraBeyerline of a young boy’s adventure in going birdhunting for the first time with his grandfather.For the child who would rather be out doing thehunting than staying at home reading about it,this book is a must. Mrs. Hunter imparts thewisdom of gun care along with the tenCommandments of gun safety right alongsidegood wildlife preservation practices, withoutsounding preachy or dull. Each chapter endswith a hunting vocabulary list so that the readeris not left to guess at what strange terms mean.By the end of the story the reader is well preparedWBE 1/2 page adto plan a hunting trip of his own. The experienceof reading this book will whet the appetite of theyoung outdoorsman to search for others in thisYoung American! Hunting and Fishing Series.Judy DriscollThe Prince of Tarn, by Hazel Hutchins;illustrated by Ruth Ohi. Ontario: AnnickPress, 1997. ISBN 1550374389, PAP, $5.95.F. Fantasy; Writers—Fiction. 144 p. Gr. 4 - 6.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 4Duck Hunting with Grandpa, by Helen WhiteHunter; illustrations by Grant Rozeboom.LCCN 9892611. Cedar Rapids, Iowa: HunterHouse, 1998. ISBN 0966276906, PAP, $7.00.F. Boys and girls—Fiction; Fathers—Fiction;Grandfathers—Fiction; Deer hunting—Fiction. 100 p.Gr. 4 - 8.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Helen Hunter has accomplished a masterful featin combining the hunting stories of hersportsman husband with a field guide to birdhunting. The result is an easy to read andunderstand lesson in hunting, chock full ofhunting information, without sacrificing the storyF A L L , 1 9 9 8 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 FICTIONFred’s mother died when he was five and he hasall but forgotten the magic-filled land she createdespecially for him. Until twelve minutes beforemidnight on his eleventh birthday, when thespoiled Prince of Tarn appears in Fred’s bedroomdemanding to be returned to his royal kingdom.How will Fred manage to send a fictionalcharacter back to an imaginary land? Worse,how will he hide the Prince from his busy-bodyneighbor, Mrs. Tobias? With the help of hisfriend Rebecca, Fred looks for clues in hismother’s notes. When a magic spell whisks allthree of them to Tarn, what they find is not thekingdom the Prince left, nor the one Fred’smother created. Tarn is being overgrown withtrees and brambles—and the Prince is turning towood!To save Tarn and find a way home they mustfigure out how Tarn and reality are connected.Both Fred and the spoiled Prince learn a lot aboutthe magic of friendship and something aboutthemselves as they work together to rewrite thefuture of Tarn. With Rebecca’s help, Fredrecaptures his imagination and fills the void leftby his mother’s death. Award-winning Canadianauthor Hazel Hutchins creates a fast-paced tale ofgrowth powered by hope. Ruth Ohi’s black andwhite ink illustrations chronicle the change in thePrince’s character. Lisa WrobleThe Secret of Platform 13, by Eva Ibbotson;illustrated by Sue Porter. LCCN 9744601.New York: Dutton Children’s Books, 1998.ISBN 0525459294, HBB, $15.99.F. Fairy tales. 231 p. Gr. 5 - 8.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 3Beneath the unused platform of the old KingsCross train station in London is a portal to amagical island. Called a gump, this portal opensonce every nine years for nine days. The princeof the Island is taken up for a visit by his nanniesduring one opening. The human girls, triplets,have been missing the world... and fish fry. Justas the gump is about to close again, the prince isstolen by Mrs. Trottle, the rich wife of a banker.She wants a child—and she always gets what shewants.For nine agonizing years the Island waits for thegump to open again so they can send a rescueparty consisting of Cor the wizard, Gerkie thefay, Hans the giant, and a young hag namedOdge. They are repulsed to learn the prince hasgrown into a fat, whining, spoiled boy namedRaymond Trottle. But they enlist the help ofBen, a boy who lives with and works for theTrottles.Eva Ibbotson’s The Secret of Platform 13 isentertaining and well-written, but the conclusionis no surprise. Suspense comes only at the endwhen time is running out and the gump mayclose once more. Will the rescuers ever getRaymond home, and will the real prince bediscovered? Line drawings by Sue Porter detailthe characters and failed rescues. Lisa WrobleThe Gold Miners’ Rescue, by Dave and NetaJackson; illustrated by Julian Jackson.(Trailblazer Books.) Minneapolis: BethanyHouse Publishers, 1998. ISBN 1556617445,PAP, $5.99.F. Jackson, Sheldon—Fiction; Alaska—Fiction. 144 p.Gr. 4 - 6.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Adam Christian is a young Tananan Indian whois graduating from the Sitka Industrial andTraining School, the best school in Alaska. Theyear is 1897, and as the top student, he is chosento accompany Dr. Sheldon Jackson toWashington, D.C. This historical fiction accountof Sheldon Jackson is told through the eyes of thebright, ambitious, boy who is eager to leavebehind his Indian homeland. Together, Jacksonand Adam travel up the Yukon river and thenacross the United States. Because the gold rushhas depleted food supplies in Alaska, Jacksonconvinces the United States government topurchase reindeer from the Laplanders inNorway to send to Alaska. Adam accompaniesJackson to Norway, where they brave a stormwaiting for the reindeer herders. Another stormaccosts them at sea while they are returning to theU.S. with the reindeer and their Lapp herdsmen.Through his travels with Sheldon Jackson, Adamsorts through his desires for success and comes torealize his destiny may be in helping his ownpeople.Dave and Neta Jackson use a fictitious maincharacter to tell the true story of a Christianmissionary, and it works well. Traveling throughAlaska, Adam Christian meets an alcoholic seacaptain who shows him a town where the nativesall perished because of alcohol. The authors usethese experiences to teach the reader about theeffects of alcohol without seeming to preach.They use the moral dilemmas Adam faces in histravels to emphasize the need for honesty.Through Adam’s eyes, Dr. Sheldon Jackson isportrayed as somewhat stern but kind; a man ofinsight and action. The pencil illustrations byJulian Jackson add interest and clarification tothe text. The distances traveled in the story willbe more impressive if the reader refers to a goodmap. Cathleen Sovold JohnsonA Perfect Landing, by Lynn Kirby. (TheWinning Edge; 1.) LCCN 9746714.Nashville: Tommy Nelson, 1998. ISBN0849958350, PAP, $5.99.F. Ice skating—Fiction; Christian life—Fiction. 128 p.Gr. 5 - 8.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Amy Pederson’s life revolves around figureskating—until her father is critically hurt andunable to work. Finances become tight, forcingAmy to give up skating, and the family torelocate. Once a skating rink is built in the townwhere Amy lives, she is able to skateperiodically. One night Amy attends a churchyouth meeting with her friend Kristen, and thespeaker arouses Amy’s curiosity in God.When Amy learns about a skating competition,she practices, but soon finds that her skates aretoo small. Unable to afford new skates, Amyblames God for her family’s monetary woes.However, once Amy discerns how God hasblessed her, she asks Jesus into her heart and onChristmas Eve receives a pair of skates that fit.After the competition, Amy is told by her fatherthat she can begin skating again full-time.Lynn Kirby has written a story in which a younggirl is discouraged and sometimes feels likegiving up her dream. Through Kristen’s faith inGod, Amy comes to realize that a relationshipwith God is more valuable than skating.A Perfect Landing is a compelling story about thepower of Jesus. The figure skating terms at thebeginning of the book are invaluable for childrenunfamiliar with the sport. Dianne WoodmanHorrible Harry and the Drop of Doom, by SuzyKline; pictures by Frank Remkiewicz. LCCN9735956. New York: Viking, 1998. ISBN0670858298, HBB, $13.99.F. Fear—Fiction; Amusement parks—Fiction;Elevators—Fiction; Korean Americans—Fiction. 58 p.Gr. 2 - 4.Quality - 2 Acceptability - 4Harry is afraid of heights. Now he and the ganghave been invited to a party at the localamusement park. Sidney tells everyone about anew ride, the Drop of Doom, which is a giantelevator that takes people high into the sky, thendrops them again quickly. Harry must face andovercome his fear, while Sidney must finallyadmit that he too was afraid.Horrible Harry and the Drop of Doom is an easyto read book that is part of a series by Suzy Kline.It is just the kind of silliness that grade schoolkids love, however, it is also full of negativename calling and teasing, which is somethingthey certainly get enough of in real life. Thechildren in the story also seem to be a little old intheir speech and mannerisms for second graders,but this particular trait partially compensates forthe negativity when one girl is shown to be beingcaring and nurturing toward Harry and his fear.This is in stark contrast to Sidney’s teasing.Frank Remkiewicz’ simple black and white linedrawings are mostly uninteresting, but childrenwill enjoy the funny expressions on Harry and hisfriend’s faces. Virginia SchnabelThe Trouble with Zinny Weston, by AmyGoldman Koss. LCCN 9728527. New York:Dial Books for Young Readers, 1998. ISBN0803722877, HBB, $15.99.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 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

CHILDREN’S FICTIONF. Animals—Treatment—Fiction; Best friends—Fiction; Friendship—Fiction. 108 p. Gr. 4 - 8.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 4The Trouble with Zinny Weston is a book aboutfriendship in spite of differences. Ava is a lonelynew fifth grader until Zinny arrives and at oncebecomes her best friend. Now even the gorillataunts of Melinda don’t matter any more, but willthe extreme differences between their familiesallow this friendship to survive?Ava’s parents are veterinarians and work withAnimal Protection so Ava’s room is filled withstrange pets. Zinny’s family has just moved fromChicago and their house is in perfect order.Zinny’s previous contact with animals was towear a fur coat.Then the relationship gets off to a bad start whenHoney Bunny, Ava’s pet rabbit, eats Mrs.Weston’s prize petunias. When Mrs. Westonbuilds a large fish pond in her back yard, Avahopes having fish will help, but when the fishstart to disappear and Mrs. Weston sets a trap, thesituation becomes serious. A raccoon is caught,killed, and reported to Animal Protection. and thefriendship is finished.Eventually, however, all is explained. Much ofthe problem has been wrong conclusions andmisunderstandings. The girls decide they canaccept the differences between their parents, andthat the differences between each other are not asstrong as their friendship. Finally when HoneyBunny presents Ava with six baby bunnies, Zinnyasks to keep one, but at Ava’s house.Amy Goldman Koss, an animal lover herself,blends humor, feelings, rumor, and friendshipinto a delightfully fast moving novel. Thoughthere are a few crude comments about aworkman on Mrs. Weston’s pond, it does notdetract from the story. Marie KnauppKangaroo Island : A Story of an AustralianMallee Forest, by Deirdre Langeland;illustrated by Frank Ordaz. (The NatureConservancy.) LCCN 9747612. Norwalk,Conn.: Soundprints, 1998. ISBN 1568995458,KIT, $19.95.F. Western grey kangaroo—Fiction; Kangaroos—Fiction; Kangaroo Island (S. Aust.)—Fiction;Australia—Fiction; Forest ecology—Fiction. 1 36-pagehardcover book; 1 audiocassette, 12 min. Gr. 1 - 6.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Lightning from a summer storm strikes a talleucalyptus tree and starts a forest fire onAustralia’s Kangaroo Island. The fire ragesthrough the forest until the rains come and thefire burns out. Meanwhile an adventurous joeyhas wandered away from his mother and is aloneduring the storm, fire, and drenching rain. Hefinds her after the storm and all is well. Withinweeks the seeds below the blackened forest floorbud and animals rebuild their homes. TheAustralian mallee will survive.Throughout the story, Deidre Langelandintroduces her readers to many differentAustralian animals, trees, and plants. KangarooIsland is beautifully illustrated with detailedwatercolor drawings by Frank Ordaz. Eachanimal is pictured within the text and in theglossary.Several pages of information follow the story.The author includes a map to locate KangarooIsland, more information about the island and thebenefit of forest fires, and a pictorial glossary ofthe animals and plants mentioned in the story.The last two pages open up to show a four-pageillustration of the habitat of Kangaroo Island.A readalong audio tape with page turning signalsand sounds effects from the forest accompaniesthe book. Patricia Perry★Addie’s Forever Friend, by Laurie Lawlor;illustrated by Helen Cogancherry. LCCN9654016. Morton Grove, Ill.: AlbertWhitman, 1997. ISBN 0807501646, HBB,$13.95.F. Brothers and sisters—Fiction; Family life—Fiction;Friendship—Fiction; Iowa—Fiction. 125 p. Gr. 3 - 6.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Addie’s Forever Friend is an adventure story setin the 1800’s on an Iowa farm. Writer LaurieLawlor did extensive research to find timeappropriateaccounts of what life might be reallylike for a family on the prairie.Main characters Addie and Eleanor share a neardrowning experience as well as a fewmischievous escapades that lead to some goodmoral lessons. Addie’s mom is pregnant, and herdad is looking for a new homestead in “Dakota”while the family stays with the wise Aunt Ida andher husband Manfred. Aunt Ida frequents her“praying chair” and always has a kind act of loveor word of wisdom for the children.Addie has two brothers and hopes dearly for anew baby sister. Addie is the more shy,responsible girl, while Eleanor is bold, daring,and adventurous. The two truly are best offriends.The author beautifully intertwines the strugglesof life on the prairie homestead with the deepfaith of a farmer’s wife to send the message to ayoung reader that the Bible is dependable in timeof need, and those who believe can be strong,loving, and trustworthy.At the beginning of each chapter, beautiful,detailed pencil drawings by Helen Cogancherryadd to the sense of time and place of the book andoffer further enjoyment for the reader. Mary JoKrzymanskiIan’s Walk : A Story about Autism, by LaurieLears; illustrations by Karen Ritz. LCCN9727873. Morton Grove, Ill.: Whitman, 1998.ISBN 0807534803, HBB, $14.95.F. Autism—Fiction; Senses and sensation—Fiction;Brothers and sisters—Fiction. 28 p. Gr. 1 - 4.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5What is it like to have a brother who is autistic?Laurie Lears gives us a clue in her simply writtenbook Ian’s Walk, illustrated by Karen Ritz. Ian’sbrain works differently; he seems to hear thingsnot audible to others, he prefers to smell the brickwall at the post office rather than lilacs at theflower stand. Compassion and responsibility arethe crux of Ian’s Walk. Lears pays attention to thedetails, verbally painting a picture of the familymembers’reaction to autism. The element of trustpermeates the storyline, each care taker honest inher reaction to the situation, but ultimately“walking a mile” in the boy’s shoes.The drawings by Karen Ritz are a story inthemselves, the screen door, the box of PowerPops, the lilacs from Mrs. Potter’s flower stand.For a short time, we walk along side of Ian, Taraand Julie, experiencing their world. Su HagertyMandie and the Unwanted Gift, by LoisGladys Leppard. (A Mandie Book; 29.)Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers,1997. ISBN 1556615566, PAP, $4.99.F. Mystery fiction; Buried treasure—Fiction. 173 p.Gr. 3 - 8.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5It is Christmas, 1901, and Mandie—AmandaShaw—is going home for the holidays. She musttell her grandmother that she has invited JonathanGuyer and his father to spend the holidays withthem. Seeking the perfect time to tellGrandmother, Mandie misses severalopportunities to talk to her. The Guyers arriveand Mandie allows her grandmother to come to awrong conclusion. Mandy glosses over herdeception until the last chapter, when sheconfesses, and subsequently receives a lightpunishment from her mother.On her first day home Mandie finds a mysteriouspackage on the porch containing dirt, hollyberries, and ribbons. Mandie’s friends join her asshe seeks to find out the meaning of this gift. Shedoes not discover until Christmas Day that it is amap of the house leading to presents Jonathanhides for her family. (The discerning reader willfind it hard to believe that this box of dirt couldhold together as a treasure map while Mandiecarries it around each day.)Mandie and the Unwanted Gift moves alongrather slowly and covers only six days inMandie’s life. Joe Woodard continues to play animportant part. She plans to marry him somedayand that governs many of her actions. Thistwenty-ninth Mandie book written by LoisLeppard could stand alone; however, a newMandie reader might find the number ofF A L L , 1 9 9 8 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 FICTIONcharacters from previous stories mentionedthroughout this novel somewhat confusing.Patricia PerryThe Belonging Place, by Jean Little. NewYork: Viking, 1997. ISBN 0670875937, HBB,$13.99.F. Family life—Fiction; Emigration and immigration—Fiction; Scotland—Fiction; Canada—Fiction. 124 p.Gr. 3 - 5.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Elspet Mary barely remembers when her motherdied. She was only four years old. A skinny,frightened child, she was taken to live withrelatives she had never seen before. But soon hernew life in the small Scottish village settled intoa comfortable pattern—until the men begantalking about northern Canada. Elspet Maryfinds herself in a turmoil again. What awaits inthe rough wilderness? What will occupy a younggirl’s time in that untamed land? Will there beclose neighbors as there are in the small villageof Glen Buchan?This sweet story is about the love of extendedfamily—and a kitten—and how they impact thelife of a little girl in ways she couldn’t realizeuntil years later. No illustrations are needed inthis book where Jean Little brings charactersalive, and takes the reader inside their humblehome and seated beside the fireplace amongthem. Sometimes the Scottish brogue becomes alittle difficult to follow, but it is well worth theeffort. In a world where children often facemajor family changes, this story reassures us allof belonging. Barbara BeyerFire at the Triangle Factory, by HollyLittlefield; illustrations by Mary O’KeefeYoung. LCCN 9531561. Minneapolis:Carolrhoda Books, 1996. ISBN 0876148682,HBB, $11.96.F. Jews—Fiction; Italian Americans—Fiction;Friendship—Fiction; Triangle Shirtwaist Company—Fire, 1911—Fiction. 48 p. Gr. 5 - 8.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5An exciting fictional account of a true story, Fireat the Triangle Factory is an intriguing historicalperspective of a young woman who worked inunsafe, crowded conditions during the industrialage. As a seamstress, she endured hard work andlong hours, only to experience fire in which shewas barely rescued.This story is entertaining for youth, but becauseof the brevity and historical perspective, may bebetter suited for the classroom. The educationalspin-offs could include: 1) unsafe workingconditions; 2) what do in a fire; 3) Childrenworking during the late 19th century. Mary JoKrzyminskiSoup Kitchen Suspicion, by Dandi DaleyMackall; illustrated by Kay Salem.(Cinnamon Lake Mysteries; 8.) LCCN9730263. St. Louis, Mo.: Concordia, 1998.ISBN 0570053129, PAP, $4.99.F. Mystery fiction; Christian fiction. 79 p. Gr. 1 - 4.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Dandi Daley Mackall has gathered together theCinnamon Lake gang, Molly, Quentin, Haley,Dirt, and Sunny, to solve the mystery of theappearing and disappearing money, silverware,and food at Granny Mae’s church soup kitchen.When scruffy Mr. Budd hangs around the churchhall for every meal, the children are certain he isthe culprit who causes things to disappear. Butwho makes the money appear? How surprisedthey are when they discover that slick and richactingMr. Roosevelt is the pickpocket causingthe kitchen supplies to disappear, and Mr. Buddis the eccentric millionaire benefactor of the soupkitchen. The children learn a great lesson on notjudging a book by its cover.Dandi Mackall has crafted a fast-pacedentertaining adventure sure to keep the youngreader guessing. Scripture references and truthsare presented without sounding preachy, and thechildren are just rascally enough to be believable.Short chapters with lively titles draw the readeron to the next chapter. Kay Salem has lent hertouch with pencil drawings and maps to enhancethe details of the story. Judy DriscollPet-rified! by Dean Marney. New York:Scholastic, 1997. ISBN 0590988301, PAP,$3.99.F. Wizards—Fiction. 105 p. Gr. 3 - 7.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 4It’s quirky, it’s chaotic, and at times, it’sdownright confusing. Dean Marney’s Pet-rified!is an adventurous romp that will keep readersturning pages. It all starts when new neighborsmove into the haunted house next door. Beckythinks it’s a little odd to be moving in atmidnight, but then, she’s not a wizard.The next thing she knows, her beloved beagle,Irving, disappears, and an amazingly-life-likeplastic replica of him appears out of nowhere.Her brother becomes permanently attached to hisgorilla suit, and her parents start acting verystrangely. To top it off, all the children in theneighborhood vanish, and the plants in the areastart growing uncontrollably.Only Becky and her friend, Jeff, seem unaffectedby these bizarre events, and they are determinedto find out what is going on. Their quest leadsthem to the wizards’ cellar, where a giant lizard isabout to turn the missing children into a nice,light snack.Eleven-year-old Becky is the main character andfirst-person narrator. Her tone and language aredirect and informal, and she seems likeableenough; unfortunately, the characters fly throughthe story at such a break-neck pace, it’s difficultto become truly engaged.The conclusion is rather abrupt. Just as the evilwizard is about to end Becky’s life, she thinksabout all the people she loves, and begins to cry.Sure enough, her tears dissolve his magic,proving once more that love conquers all. Themessage is fine, but seems tacked on. SylviaStopforthTime Out! by Janet Holm McHenry.Colorado Springs: Chariot Victor, 1995. PAP,$2.99.F. Basketball—Fiction; Christian fiction. Gr. 2 - 5.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5A. J. finds himself in a dilemma. He wants toplay his beloved basketball, but has acommitment as student council representative forhis fourth grade class. He lobbied hard to win asthe class representative, but he cannot bear thethought of not playing his favorite sport.Also, his twin sister, Emily, wants him to invitesome of his friends and help her get a Bible studygroup organized to meet every Friday afterschool. He brushes off her request and assuresher his friends would never be interested inanything like that.Though he discusses his feelings of conflict withGod, he doesn’t receive the answers that hewants. Trying to fit both activities into hisschedule leaves him feeling rushed andfrustrated. Author Janet Holm McHenry givesthe reader some idea of what it is like to be afourth-grader.Simple illustrations by Donna Kae Nelsonenliven the story. Most students undergo thesame conflict as A. J. in choosing the rightactivities in school. Learning to separate whatone wants to do and what one should do is oftendifficult. This would be a good class-read book.The solution seems a little too pat, but gives thereader some things to think about. Barbara GoyTaenzlerJourney to Japan, by Stacy Towle Morgan;illustrated by Patricia Querin. (The RubySlippers School; 5.) LCCN 97004671.Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers,1997. ISBN 155661604X, PAP, $3.99.F. Christian life—Fiction. 78 p. Gr. 2 - 5.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Hope Brown and her little sister, Annie are twohome-schooled girls. Their dad’s job is takinghim to Japan and the family gets to go along.While there, the girls visit a Japanese high schoolwith their new friends Midori and Yoko.Although Hope is quite apprehensive, she enjoysher time. Later the girls spend the night withtheir new friends. Midori and Yoko’s father isalways angry and seems to be so mean to Midori.He also worships these strange idols. Hope isC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 2 9 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

CHILDREN’S FICTIONlater horrified when Midori is kicked out of herhome for becoming a Christian. Hope had neverseen this type of persecution before.Stacy Towle Morgan has written a story of faithand friendship, about two sisters who travel theworld with their parents finding adventure,experiencing new cultures, and learning moreabout their faith. Hope learns to overcome herfears with God’s help. She also learns a newappreciation for her own family and for thecountry she lives in that allows religiousfreedom.Pamela Querin has added a few black and whitesketches that give you a feel for the culture andthe emotions of the characters. This series ofbooks is written in a way to intrigue young mindsand capture their interests in a new part of theworld. Each book leaves you with a longing toknow where Hope and Annie will findthemselves next time. Marcia SnyderPhantom of the Haunted Church, by BillMyers. (Blood-hounds, Inc.; 3.) LCCN9745451. Minneapolis: Bethany HousePublishers, 1998. ISBN 1556618921, PAP,$5.99.F. Brothers and sisters—Fiction; Greed—Fiction;Christian life—Fiction; Mystery fiction. 128 p. Gr. 3 -6.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 3Melissa and Sean, sister and brother, get involvedin a mystery in an abandoned church. Melissaallows Sean’s sense of adventure to overshadowher good sense, and it gets them both in trouble.A chance statement about treasure in theabandoned church starts the ball rolling. Seandoesn’t know if there is a treasure, he just saysthere is. Spalding, the rich kid whose fatherwants to purchase the building, asks Sean how heknows about the treasure. That leads Melissa,Sean, Spalding, and two of his friends to searchfor the treasure. What the five end up with is alesson in the consequences of being greedy.Bill Myers has written a Christian version of theGoosebumps series. Like Stine’s books, almostevery chapter ends with a horror of some sort. Itdoes make the book a page turner, and a lot ofkids will enjoy this series.At times the Christian aspects of the book seemforced and unlikely. However, they do placePhantom of the Haunted Church a step above thepopular Goosebumps series. Jane MouttetChanging Tunes, by Donna Jo Napoli. LCCN9810034. New York: Dutton Children’sBooks, 1998. ISBN 0525458611, HBB, $15.99.F. Divorce—Fiction; Musicians—Fiction. 130 p. Gr.4 - 8.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 3At ten years of age Eileen’s life changesdramatically when her father moves out, takingthe piano with him. Angry, frustrated, andashamed, Eileen will not tell her best friend whyshe must practice her piano lesson in the schoolauditorium instead of walking home with herafter school. She also refuses to allow Stephanieto come home with her.Changing Tunes produces very difficult days forEileen but new friends begin to fill empty spaces.Mr. Poole, who sweeps the auditorium afterschool, encourages her by listening to herpractice. Mrs. Tilly, the neighbor, has snacksready when she gets home and Eileen is able tohelp her baby-sit Jared, Mrs. Tilley’s grandson.Then at her first visit to her father’s apartment,she begins to see how important the piano andmusic is in her father’s life. Since leaving, herfather has composed a wonderful new song andshe begins to accept his absence even though shedoesn’t understand.Finally, Eileen gains courage to go on as she tellsStephanie, gets a baby sitting job to begin savingmoney to buy a piano, and composes her firstshort song.Donna Jo Napoli was inspired to write this bookbecause of the effect of music she observed in thelife of her own children. A musical instrumentcan provide comfort when feelings cannot be putinto words.Good development of characters and theirfeelings will inspire readers to face their ownproblems and go on.The word damn is used several times in thechapter where Eileen visits her father, but thisdoes not detract from the impact of the story.Marie KnauppTime Like a River, by Randy Perrin; withHannah and Tova Perrin. LCCN 9767391.Oakland, Calif.: RDR Books, 1997. ISBN157143961X, HBB, $7.95.F. Disease—Fiction; Family life—Fiction. 139 p. Gr.4 - 8.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Margie finally has a best friend. Isabel is veryCatholic, and Margie is very Jewish, but theydon’t let these differences stand in the way oftheir friendship. Life is good for Margie, untilone day her mother, a veterinarian, wakes up tofind her hands won’t stop shaking. A tiring seriesof inconclusive tests follows, and Margie beginsto wonder if her mother will ever get better.In the meantime, she and Isabel are working on ahistory project together. With the help of aretired librarian, they find some diaries from1894, and Margie stumbles upon the entries of aChinese doctor whose father died of unknowncauses soon after his hands began to shake. Withthe help of an old stamp, and some moonlight,Margie travels back in time in a desperateattempt fo find help for her mother.This family effort is jam-packed with likeableand believable characters. Loving, stablerelationships abound. Tension arises fromcircumstances and external obstacles, rather thanfrom teenage angst or rebellion.Cultural differences are not brushed under theproverbial rug, or exploited, but rather are seen asopportunities to explore and to reach newunderstandings.Author Randy Perrin had a lot of help from hisyoung daughters, and it shows. Dialogue isnatural, and Margie’s fears about losing hermother are realistically portrayed.Time Like a River is a work of substance, withnever a wasted word or superfluous scene. SylviaStopforthThe Girl Who Ate Chicken Feet, by SandyRichardson. LCCN 97009687. New York:Dial Books for Young Readers, 1998. ISBN0803722540, HBB, $15.99.F. Family life—South Carolina—Fiction; SouthCarolina—Fiction. 186 p. Gr. 5 - 8.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 4The time is the 1960’s in South Carolina, and tenyear-oldSissy (who has a real name but theGypsies stole it) copes with, among other things:a spoiled baby brother; a wonderful grandfatherwho uses words other adults don’t approve of;friends who decide to create their own miracleswhile burning the church down; and learning toappreciate The Girl Who Ate Chicken Feet.Following Sissy into her teen years providesmany sidesplitting moments as sex andemotional maturity rear their bewildering heads.Woven through are the racial tensions of thesixties as they impinge on white Sissy, especiallybecause they affect the black people she loves.The Girl Who Ate Chicken Feet is SandyRichardson’s first book. She clearly remembersthe adventure of adolescence in the sixties’ era,and draws from her own children’s more recentadventures. Adult wisdom does not temperSissy’s narrative. If coach snakes roll after youmouth holding tail, then that’s how it’s written.This book abounds with the absolute truth as seenby Sissy. Maturity and moral growth come toSissy in humorously believable ways.Characterizations are delightful and only as fullas the story requires. Told in the words of anadolescent girl, this coming-of-age storytranscends era. Today’s pre-teens and teens willrelate to Sissy’s problems and her brief flashes ofhard won real wisdom. Donna EggettThe Second Bend in the River, by Ann Rinaldi.New York: Scholastic, 1997. ISBN0590742582, HBB, $15.95.F. Tecumseh, Shawnee Chief, 1768-1813—Fiction;Shawnee Indians—Fiction; Indians of North America—Ohio—Fiction; Frontier and pioneer life—Ohio—Fiction; Ohio—Fiction. 279 p.; 21 cm. Gr. 5 - 9.F A L L , 1 9 9 8 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

CHILDREN’S FICTIONQuality - 4 Acceptability - 4Seven-year-old Rebeccah Galloway waits a longtime to paddle a canoe around the second bend inthe river. Set at the turn of the 19th century, AnnRinaldi’s book draws readers into a rustic worldof homesteads and Indians.Rebeccah, oldest daughter of nine children,works hard along with her family in this newharsh land. She longs for a girlfriend and akitten—both difficult to come by. Instead,surprisingly, an Indian chief becomes one of herbest friends as he repeatedly visits over the years.By age sixteen, a time when her peers announceengagements, Rebeccah realizes she has fallen inlove with Tecumseh. Could Tecumseh, the nowfamousIndian peacemaker between white andred skins, return her love? The real question is:if he does, then what?There is one scene where Rebeccah sees herbrother fondling his girlfriend. There are also afew references to the Indians’ gods.The Second Bend in the River is both entertainingand educational. Once again award-winingRinaldi’s extensive research pays off in areadable, believable story. History buffs willrelish this fact-filled fable, especially theAuthor’s Notes which explain each character’sorigin and many historical scenes. Slavery,American/Indian wars, American/British wars—they’re all included and they’re fascinating!Ginger McGrathCry of Courage, by Lee Roddy. (Between TwoFlags; 1.) Minneapolis: Bethany HousePublishers, 1998. ISBN 076422025X, PAP,$5.99.F. United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Fiction; Slavery—Fiction. 160 p. Gr. 4 - 7.Where Bugles Call, by Lee Roddy. (BetweenTwo Flags; 2.) Minneapolis: Bethany HousePublishers, 1998. ISBN 0764220268, PAP,$5.99.F. Civil War, 1861-1865—Fiction; Slavery—Fiction;Underground railroad—Fiction. 174 p. Gr. 4 - 7.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Emily Lodge comes to live with her aunt anduncle and cousins at Briarstone Plantation inVirginia at the outset of the Civil War. Herfamily in Illinois has died and these are her onlyliving relatives. She disagrees strongly with thispart of her family about slavery and is at timesvery out-spoken about it. Gideon Tugwell,twelve years old, is the middle son in a poorfamily at an adjacent farm. Nat Travis is a slavepurchased by Emily’s family, who has illegallybeen taught to read and write. In Cry of Courage,Lee Roddy brings to life the stories of these threeas they face some hard times.In the first book of the series, Nat Travis ispurchased by Silas Lodge. When Silas goes offto war, Briarstone Plantation is run by hisarrogant son, William. Gideon and his fathertravel to market with their grain, and get veryclose to action at Bull Run, but can’t seem to findIsham, Gideon’s older brother. This bookdefinitely leaves the reader in the lurch.In Where Bugles Call, the second book in theseries, too many of the explanations from the firstbook are included. Gideon finds his brother, whohas been wounded, and the buried gold that heand his father had been paid for the wheat earlier.Then his father dies. Nat and his friend, Sarah,escape and head North in a wagon which alsocarries Emily.These are written as if they are recollections ofGideon Tugwell, later in his life. While there issome character development, there isstereotyping of the blacks and whites, rich andpoor. The Southern position in the Civil War isnot convincingly portrayed, except as evil anddictated by domineering men. Some pretty awfulthings are described, but in realistic ways that thepeople of the time would have actually seen.Judy BelcherLichee Tree, by Ching Yeung Russell. LCCN96084678. Honesdale, Pa.: Boyds Mills, 1997.ISBN 1563976293, HBB, $14.95.F. Fruit trees—Fiction; Family life—China—Fiction;China—Fiction. 182 p. Gr. 5 - 8.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5The lichee tree ten-year-old Ying planted fiveyears ago has burst into bloom, and promises hera wealth of lichee fruits. Living in a small townin China with her grandmother, aunt and uncle,and two cousins, Ying longs to have money to goto Canton and buy beads.Trouble strikes her family when Ghost Walkwants Ying’s cousin, Ah So, to become hissecond concubine, and the family refuses. GhostWalk wields great power, and his wrath bringsone trial after another to anyone who crosseshim. Ah So and her boyfriend escape to Canton.Ying’s uncle gives up his business in order toescape being burned out, gives all the familyvaluables to Ghost Walk, and still has todisappear from his home. Reduced to poverty,Ying’s aunt and grandmother are driven fromtheir home, and Ghost Walk moves in, where hesits in the backyard eating Ying’s preciouslichees.This is not a pretty story. Yet it is a story oftremendous hope, of people who face great loss,but value the love they have for each other morethan their losses. Ching Yeung Russell grew upin China, and her depiction of a child’s life inChina is fascinating. Written in first person, thenarrative shows the confusion of a child trying tomake sense of her world when life doesn’t makesense. Although some of the things that happenseem terrible, the dominant tone of the LicheeTree is one of hope. Cathleen JohnsonRiding Freedom, written by Pam MuñozRyan; drawings by Brian Selznick. LCCN9718040. New York: Scholastic, 1998. ISBN059095766X, HBB, $15.95.F. Parkhurst, Charley, d.1879--Fiction; Mistakenidentity--Fiction; California--History--1850-1950--Fiction. 138 p. Gr. 3 - 6.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 4Charlotte was orphaned at a young age by atragic, horse-drawn wagon accident. She spendsthe next years in an orphanage befriending anddeveloping an affinity with the horses. Herpositive relationships with people are limited tothe stable master, Vern, and a young boy namedHayward. When Hayward is adopted and she isforbidden to work with the horses, twelve-yearoldCharlotte plans her escape. Disguisingherself as a boy, Charlotte buys a one way ticketon the stage. She finds a job as a stable hand,calling herself Charley, and eventually works herway to the position of expert stage driver, neverrevealing her true identity. As an adult, Charlottemoves to California, purchasing property andhorses and developing a way station for the stageline. She also made a point of voting in elections,during the era before women were granted theright to vote, posing as a man until her death.Pam Munoz Ryan’s fascinating book is based onthe facts known about a real life individualnamed Charlotte Parkhurst, alias Charles DarkeyParkhurst, embellished by fiction. Charley’sstory is well-paced and riveting due to theauthor’s talent and the unique subject matter.Brian Selznick provides pencil illustrations thatreveal the vulnerability and inner musings ofCharley, complementing the text to provide afuller image of the character. It may be puzzlingwhy Charlotte Parkhurst chose to continue themasquerade until her death, but the reality is thatshe did, achieving things no woman in her timecould achieve. Sally KuhnsSurprise Party, by Marilyn Sachs. New York:Dutton Children's Books, 1998. ISBN0525459626, HBB, $15.99.F. Brothers and sisters--Fiction; Family life--Fiction;Grandmothers--Fiction. 166 p. Gr. 3 - 6.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 4Surprise Party is an amusing story aboutGenevieve Bishop and her brother Ernest. Gen is“always a darling” yet sometimes frustrated withbeing so perfect. Ernest is a little scamp, forevergetting into trouble at school. A surprise party fortheir parent’s twenty-fifth anniversary bringsthese siblings together but turns into a fiascowhen the size of the celebration gets out of hand.In the midst of their planning, they decide to calltheir maternal grandmother whom they havenever met because of a family quarrel. Grandmashows up at the party, the children find out whythere was a rift, and Ernest begins to shape up hisact. Of course, all is forgiven between grandma,mom, and dad.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 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

CHILDREN’S FICTIONThis story is for younger readers. It is a fast andeasy read, somewhat unbelievable in parts butvery entertaining nonetheless. It contains a goodmessage about the importance of family. Thereis mention of the drinking of champagne. Thisbook would be fine for most schools and, ofcourse, for the public library collection. CeilCareyBecky's Secret Surprise, by Elaine L. Schulte.(The Twelve Candles Club; 12.) LCCN9721119. Minneapolis: Bethany HousePublishers, 1997. ISBN 155661540X, PAP,$5.99.F. Christian life--Fiction; Clubs--Fiction; Stepfamilies--Fiction. 128 p. Gr. 3 - 6.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Becky is miserable. Her mom has just gottenmarried, she has had to move to a new house in anew neighborhood, and her youngest stepbrother,sixteen-year-old Quinn, doesn’t want herfamily around. Worst of all, she has to tell theother TCC members that she can no longer betheir president or attend all the meetings.TCC, the Twelve Candles Club, had started as away to help the girls earn money. Becky hasbeen president since the club started. For severaldays after her announcement to the club, Beckyfeels left out of things and unappreciated. Sheand her friends face some tough issues with aChristian perspective. Cara, one of the TCCers,is getting involved in hypnotism. Becky riskstheir friendship in order to warn her of thedangers, and eventually leads Cara to the Lord.Elaine Schulte has written a book may olderelementary students were waiting for—anotherin the series. Most students this age enjoy booksabout kids their own age, facing the samecircumstances they face. The book’s pace is fastenough to keep the attention of reluctant readers.Becky, Cara, and the other TCCers are like girlsyou’d find in any older elementary classroom.Christian faith is evident throughout Becky’sSecret Surprise. Jane MouttetThe Care and Feeding of Dragons, by BrendaSeabrooke. LCCN 9729423. New York:Dutton Children's Books, 1998. ISBN0525652523, HBB, $15.99.F. Dragons--Fiction; Schools--Fiction; Humorousstories. 120 p. Gr. 4 - 6.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5What a delightful book! The Care and Feedingof Dragons is the very appealing story of AlastairMcKnight’s life in fourth grade. With theformidable Ms. Cassowary as his teacher, the taleof his life with Spike, the little blue dragon,continues. Uncle George, a research scientist atthe Photon Institute expects—and gets—regularscientific reports from Alastair concerning Spike.Add attempted dragonnapers and a paranoidneighbor and you have a wonderful book thatwill cause you to laugh out loud.Young readers will love this amusing sequel toThe Dragon That Ate Summer. Whether at theschool or public library, it won’t stay on the shelflong! Ceil CareyThe Goalie, by Susan Shreve. LCCN 9617025.New York: Beech Tree, 1998 c1996. ISBN0688158587, PAP, $4.50.F. Fathers and daughters--Fiction; Widowers--Fiction;Soccer--Fiction. 95 p. Gr. 3 - 6.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Julia Mac Neil’s mother died in a car crash whenshe was three years old. At the beginning ofSusan Shreve’s story, The Goalie, Julia is noweight years old, her sister Tally nearly three yearsyounger. Julia wants to take her mother’s placeand drives away Bianca the housekeeper with heruncooperative behavior. Spending much time athome being indispensable to her father costs herLila’s friendship.When her father brings Eliza True and her sonBenji home for dinner, Julia’s loneliness andpossessiveness erupt. To complicate her life,Benji competes with her for the position ofgoalkeeper on the soccer team, thwarting herlong held desire. Gradually Julia’s anger and hermother’s memory fade, and she longs for aregular life without so much domesticresponsibility. Benji wins first position on theteam and Julia second, but when Benji is injuredin the championship game, Julia leads them on tovictory. Having achieved this, she has newrespect for herself and others.Young readers will love Julia’s humorous anticsthroughout the book as they understand theemotions causing her behavior. No need forillustrations; they will immerse themselves inJulia’s serious feelings and snicker as she plastersher mother’s pictures on the walls and jerks thetablecloth off at dinner. The author guides thereader gently through the subtle psychologicalchanges which bring Julia from anger intoacceptance of her changed role in newrelationships. A delightful chapter book dealingwith real life problems. Rhonda Marie LackeyPay Attention, Slosh! by Mark Smith;illustrated by Gail Piazza. LCCN 976154.Morton Grove, Ill.: Albert Whitman, 1997.ISBN 0807563781, HBB, $11.95.F. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder--Fiction;Learning disabilities--Fiction. 54 p. Gr. 2 - 4.Quality - 2 Acceptability - 4“Joshua, sit down in your chair and finish yourdinner this minute!” Josh has a problem—hecan’t sit still or pay attention. It seems he’salways getting in trouble. He doesn’t like theway he is but he can’t do better. He wishessomeone would tell him why he’s so weird.Mom and Dad have a meeting with Mrs. Conrad,his teacher. Then they take him to see Dr.Hartnett. Dr. Hartnett explains to him that he hasa problem called ADD. Dr. Hartnett, Mrs.Conrad, and his parents work with Josh to helphim overcome his problem. In the end, a smalldose of medicine is needed to help Joshconcentrate.Mark Smith has written an excellent book on atopic I’ve not seen in books for elementarystudents. Pay Attention, Slosh! will help ADD orADHD students realize that others have the sameproblem they do. The book may also help non-ADD students understand a little better whatclassmates may be struggling with. Adult readerswill also gain insight into ADD. Gail Piazza’spencil drawings complement the text well. JaneMouttetClose Quarters, by Lauraine Snelling. (HighHurdles; 6.) LCCN 9733859. Minneapolis:Bethany House Publishers, 1998. ISBN0764220349, PAP, $5.99.F. Horses--Fiction; Stepfamilies--Fiction; Christianlife--Fiction. 159 p. Gr. 5 - 9.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5In Close Quarters, life is overwhelming DJRandall! Her growing responsibilities includeriding horses and teaching at the Academy, artprojects and an encouraging art teacher, piles ofschoolwork, and a recent illness; add to these anew family, including five-year-old twinbrothers, and it all equals exhaustion andfrustration.DJ is happy for her mother’s joy in her new lovebut still, truth be told, slightly jealous of her stepbrothers,who take up so much of her mother’stime and interest. When a horseshow datecoincides with a one-in-a-million art opportunity,it seems DJ and her mother are on a collisioncourse that can’t be stopped. Only the Lord canintervene to restore right relationships in thisdistraught family.Snelling’s book is fast-paced and a quick read. Itwill be particularly popular with young readerswho love horses. Christian middle schoollibraries will find Close Quarters a circulationfavorite that won’t stay on the shelf long, andlibrarians will be able to recommend itwholeheartedly for its spiritual content. CeilCareyWhichaway, by Glendon and KathrynSwarthout. LCCN 97019585. Flagstaff:Northland, 1997. ISBN 087358676X, PAP,$6.95.F. Survival--Fiction; Fathers and sons--Fiction; Ranchlife--Arizona--Fiction; Arizona--Fiction. 140 p. Gr. 4 -6.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5In winter he boards in town and attends school,but in the summer he lives in the bunkhouse withthe hands on his father’s Arizona ranch. His jobF A L L , 1 9 9 8 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

CHILDREN’S FICTIONis to keep the thirty-one windmills on the twentyonehundred square mile ranch lubricated andrunning smoothly. Heading out one morningtowards Crittenden, he decides on a whim to gothe opposite direction to Crazy Men Mesa.There, he climbs the thirty foot windmill to theplatform and lubricates the gears. Suddenly, adust devil hits the tower. He grabs the mill vaneand is whipped around. He is left hanging, thirtyfeet above the ground, with two broken legs.Surviving the next two days, isolated and injured,tests every bit of his person. The battles he fightsshow the reader his strength, and it is clear he isa winner, and the boy called Whichaway nowknows where he is going.Whichaway is written in a spare, colorful voicereflective of the expansive land of the Southwest.Glendon and Kathryn Swarthout capture thebeauty and loneliness of life where most of thefifteen-year-old’s conversations are with himselfand his horse. A wry humor sets this survivalstory apart from the usual. When the maincharacter faces isolation, pain, and hopelessness,he searches deep within and finds thedetermination an will to live. Whichaway isinspirational but, in the true voice of the hardSouthwest, never maudlin. Cathleen SovoldJohnsonHandshake in Space : The Apollo-Soyuz TestProject, by Sheri Tan; illustrated by HigginsBond. (Odyssey.) LCCN 9747613. Norwalk,Conn.: Soundprints, 1998. ISBN 1568995369,KIT, $19.95.F. Apollo-Soyuz Test Project--Fiction; Time travel--Fiction; School field trips--Fiction. 1 32-pagehardcover book; 1 audiocassette, 16 min. Gr. 2 - 6.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Four friends visit Space Hall in the National Airand Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Lucy iscaught up reading about the Apollo-Soyuzmission and suddenly finds herself a part of themission—as Soviet cosmonaut Alexei A.Leonov. Kevin, wishing he could get a closerlook at the exhibit, finds himself aboard Apolloand in the suit of American astronaut Thomas P.Stafford. Lucy and Kevin experience the thrillthat the space explorers felt in July of 1975 asAmerican and Russian spacecrafts, Apollo andSoyuz, dock. Shari Tan brings her fictionalcharacters back to earth with a greaterappreciation of this historic space mission.Beautifully illustrated in full-color by HigginsBond, the authentic illustrations on each pagehelp the reader visualize the rendezvous. Theauthor includes further information about themission and a glossary at the end of the book.A dramatized audio cassette tape with authenticsound effects by Soundprints accompanies thebook. The narrator provides further informationon the mission following the story. PatriciaPerryThe Viking Treasury of Classics. New York:Viking, 1997. ISBN 0670878461, HBB,$19.99.F. Short stories. 367 p. K - Gr. 9.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 4The Viking Treasury of Classics brings the readera collection of stories and poems that havewithstood the passage of time to becomefavorites of children down through the years. Itoffers stories and poems children return torepeatedly.Jingles, sonnets, fairy tales, mystery, adventure,and legend comprise this Treasury. Some taleshave been abridged judiciously to accommodatethe format. Full-color illustrations bycontemporary artists keep interest high. There isa wide range of reading and interest levelspresented here. This wide span may createdifficulties on either end of the age spectrum bothin appropriateness and vocabulary. If this volumeis approached with the attitude that it is a bookchildren grow into, those hurdles should becleared easily. Mary JarvisSparrows in the Scullery, by Barbara BrooksWallace. LCCN 96050916. New York:Atheneum Bks. for Young Readers, 1997.ISBN 0689815859, HBB, $15.00.F. Orphans--Fiction; Kidnapping--Fiction; Friendship--Fiction. 152 p. Gr. 3 - 6.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5In the dead of night, cruel hands rip ColleyTrevelyan from his bed and his pamperedVictorian life. Now the piercing eyes of Obadiahand Quintilla Crawler oversee his care andeducation at the Broggin Home for Boys. Alongwith the other twenty-four boys, his lessonsconsist of grueling labor in the blasting fumes ofthe glass factory. Colley’s only hope of escape isto survive until his ransom can be paid. But if aransom is required, why are they trying to killhim? An amazing chain of coincidences revealssurprising loyalty in those whom he fears, anddeadly ambitions in those most trusted.Sparrows in the Scullery is a fictional glimpseinto the dark corners of nineteenth centuryhistory where children were exploited to fuel theindustrial revolution. The reader who enjoysclassics such as Oliver Twist will feel quite athome with this story by Barbara Brooks Wallace.Her language is light, and descriptions concise,avoiding the tediousness sometimes found inVictorian style stories. The 152 pages are brokeninto twenty-two short chapters making the bookmanageable for young independent readers.Melinda TorgersonDance, Kayla! by Darwin McBeth Walton.LCCN 9727857. Morton Grove, Ill.:Whitman, 1998. ISBN 0807514535, HBB,$14.95.F. Fathers and daughters--Fiction; Farm life--Fiction;Dance--Fiction; Chicago (Ill.)--Fiction; Afro-Americans--Fiction. 155 p. Gr. 4 - 6.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5When Kayla’s grandmother dies, circumstancesforce her to live with relatives in Chicago andmove from her beloved community in SouthCarolina. Her dream of being a ballerina and herdesire to see her daddy go right along with her.Instead of the wicked family so often portrayedin this type of story, Kayla is blessed with awonderful aunt and uncle and cousins that treather as if she were their sibling. Yet it is a realisticstory, one with troubles and disappointments aswell as the accomplishment of some of herdreams.Dance, Kayla! is a story that will gladden yourheart as Kayla adjusts to her life in a big city anda new family. She is a very appealing heroine,one who will be remembered by readers withhopes that other stories of Kayla will beforthcoming. Young readers in grades fourthrough six will particularly enjoy this book butthe readership could also extend into the uppermiddle grades. Dance, Kayla! will make awelcome addition to any school or public library.Ceil CareyThe Cereal Box Mystery, created by GertrudeChandler Warner; illustrated by CharlesTang. (The Boxcar Children; 65.) MortonGrove, Ill.: Albert Whitman, 1998. ISBN0807511153, PAP, $3.95.F. Mystery fiction. 111 p. Gr. 3 - 6.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5Benny loves Silver Frosted Stars cereal. Thistime, he buys three boxes at once trying to get thelast two silver stars needed to send for thecoveted detective badge. Benny opens up thefirst box of cereal on the sidewalk and finds asilver star. Before anything else can happen,Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny hear a shoutfrom the antique jewelry store. The jeweler hasjust been robbed! A ruby ring, bracelet, andnecklace set have been stolen. Is the quiet Mr.Darden in cahoots with the suspect? Why issomeone interested in Benny’s boxes of cereal?These questions and more plague the childrenuntil they successfully solve The Cereal BoxMystery.Author Gertrude Chandler Warner wrote the firstnineteen books of the Boxcar Children Series.The unknown author that penned the mystery,The Cereal Box Mystery, followed true BoxcarChildren form. The four children solve thepuzzle following the clues before them withouttoo much danger to themselves.The black and white illustrations by Charles Tangadd charm to the book. The latest edition of theseries will be welcomed by young fans eager tohear the latest adventure of The Boxcar Children.Joanne HafflyC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 3 3 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

CHILDREN’S FICTIONThe Mystery in San Francisco, created byGertrude Chandler Warner; illustrated byCharles Tang. (Boxcar Children Mysteries.)Morton Grove, Ill.: Albert Whitman, 1997.ISBN 0807554332, HBB, $13.95.F. Mystery fiction; San Francisco--Fiction. 119 p. Gr.3 - 6.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5In The Mystery in San Francisco, GertrudeChandler Warner's Boxcar Children entanglethemselves unwittingly in an intriguingwaterfront predicament. Henry, Jessie, Violet,and Benny, ages fourteen to six, have come withGrandfather to the city to visit his sister Jane andher husband, Andy Bean. Excited about seeingthe sights, the family rides on fisherman Charlie'sboat and learns that Charlie is in serious trouble.Who is stealing his fish? Who cut his nets andemptied his fuel tank? Will the Vito VittlesRestaurant refuse to buy his "spoiled" fish? A tallman in dark suit and sunglasses and a girl in ayellow slicker appear and disappear in thestrangest places, keeping the children absorbed indetective work.Upper elementary students will not bedisappointed by this new adventure. Charactershave just enough credibility for reader identity.One pencil drawing enlivens a full page in eachof the short chapters, whose large print and amplewhite space invite the reader to relax. The authordefines words such as "carousel," "pier," and"vittles" contextually.This fishing story, replete with geographicalpoints of interest, is a good catch for youngreaders. Rhonda Marie LackeyMysterious Journey : Amelia Earhart's LastFlight, written by Martha Wickham;illustrated by David Lund. (Odyssey.) LCCN977244. Norwalk, Ct.: Soundprints, 1997.ISBN 1568994125, KIT, $19.95.F. Earhart, Amelia, 1897-1937--Fiction; Air pilots--Fiction; Time travel--Fiction; National Air and SpaceMuseum--Fiction. 1 32 p. hardcover book; 1 13 min.audiocassette Gr. 2 - 5.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Lucy and her friends Emma, Kevin, and Tomasare visiting the Amelia Earhart exhibit at theNational Air and Space Museum of theSmithsonian Institution. While there Lucy, anaspiring pilot, finds herself swept back in time.She has become Amelia Earhart on that fatefulnight when she was lost. Lucy experiences allthe trauma and decision that Amelia and her crewhad to make. Would she make the same mistakesand perish?Kevin, Emma, Lucy and Tomas are visiting thePony Express exhibit at the SmithsonianInstitution. The are naturally drawn to a videofeaturing “Boston” Upson. Suddenly, Kevinrealizes that he is outside of Friday’s stationwaiting for another rider to arrive. The first shotshave been fired at Fort Sumter and the Civil Warhas begun. Can Kevin get the news and the mailthrough to the next rider? A blizzard is headingthis way and the river is flooded. What can hedo?These writers have created a series that drawsyou into a period in history. Each book isaccompanied by a cassette tape of the story beingread with the full dramatization of backgroundmusic. You can hear the engine of the plane andthe beating of the horses hoofs. You feel as if youare right there with them. You can feel thesuspense and the drama. Yet in the end yourealize that Emma and Kevin have been sweptaway by their imagination and they are back safeand unharmed. Kevin and Emma are never quitethe same, however, for they have really sensedwhat it was like to be a part of history.The illustrations are bright and vivid,characterizing the young people well. They drawyou further into the story and the adventure. Thepackage of the book and the tape serve well tomake history come alive for young people whohave lost interest. Marcia SnyderThe Secret of the Old Well, by Eric Wiggin.(Hannah's Island; 5.) Lynnwood, Wash.:Emerald Books, 1997. ISBN 1883002281,PAP, $5.99.F. Mystery fiction. 158 p. Gr. 3 - 6.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Hannah and Walt Parmenter live on an island inMaine with their parents and another family. TheParmenters run a tourist lodge. While Mama andHannah are picking blueberries, Hannah’s dog,Hunter, goes crashing through some boards.That crash leads to an adventure for Hannah andWalt.Hunter appears to have fallen into a well, but it isdry. Walt and Papa discover a tunnel leadingdownward at the base of the “well.” Hannahdoes some historical research, and Walt uses hisnewly acquired skills in geometry to solve themystery of why the “well” is there and where thetunnel leads. Hannah makes a discovery thatleads to discussion with a professor ofarchaeology regarding the cause of the Ice Age;he says Noah’s flood caused it.Eric Wiggin has written a high adventuremystery novel for older elementary students. Hedisplays knowledge of creation, evolution, andcarbon-14 dating. The Christian faith of theParmenter family is evident throughout the book.The Secret of the Old Well shows the value ofresearch and math skills, as well as the ability tothink straight in difficult situations. While theend of the story may be somewhat predictable,the biblical and technical explanations are apleasant surprise. Most authors may havethought information about carbon-14 datingabove elementary students, but not Mr. Wiggin.Jane MouttetSkeeter, the Wildly Wacky Raccoon, byVeraLee Wiggins. (Julius and Friends; 4.)Boise, Ida.: Pacific Press Publishing Assn.,1997. ISBN 0816313881, PAP, $5.99.F. Pets--Fiction; Christian life--Fiction; Raccoons--Fiction. 96 p. Gr. 3 - 6.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5The Montgomerys down the street catch araccoon in a cage. She has babies so Mr.Montgomery lets her go. When the motherleaves, she leaves a baby behind. Chris is upsetbecause Mr. Montgomery is going to put thebaby to sleep. Gram agrees to help Chris takecare of the baby, which he eventually namesSkeeter. Skeeter survives and grows into amischievous pet. James, Chris’ younger brother,becomes jealous because Chris is not very goodat sharing his pet. When he sees a family ofraccoons at a nearby creek, James starts feedingthem.The family’s faith in God is evident throughoutthe book. References to family worship, churchattendance, and Chris’s silent prayers forguidance are scattered throughout the book. VeraLee Wiggins has written an enjoyable book forolder elementary students. Drawings by LindaHawkins start off each chapter. Illustrations forthe odd numbered chapters depict a scene in thatchapter. The same drawing of Skeeter starts theeven numbered chapters. Editor Jerry Thomasopens the book with a message about the dangersof wild animals even if they seem tame. JaneMouttetIceland Adventure, by Elizabeth Yates;illustrated by Kathy Pflug; edited by GloriaRepp. Original title: Climbing Higher.LCCN 9739914. Greenville, S.C.: JourneyBooks, 1997. ISBN 0890849358, PAP, $6.49.F. Brothers and sisters--Fiction; Uncles--Fiction;Mountaineering--Fiction; Iceland--Fiction. 115 p. Gr.5 - 9.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 4Adventure in the classic sense is missing here,and that may leave readers feeling cheated oncethey get into the story. There also isn’t muchmystery, at least not in the sense that youngreaders are used to using that word. What thisbook really seems to be is a travelog with a storythrown in to keep the reader’s attention.Iceland Adventure grew out of a trip ElizabethYates made to Iceland when she was young.Readers meet siblings, Michael and Merry Lamb,and their uncle, Anthony Lamb, who have comefrom England to search for Jon Magnusson’s son.The adventure during their stay consists ofclimbing up a mountain—Hecla, known for itsvarying weather—searching for a lost mare andfoal, finding geysers, and sailing across the sea.Continued on p.59.F A L L , 1 9 9 8 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

BOOK REVIEWSCHILDREN’S NONFICTION200’s - ReligionThe Amazing Expedition Bible : Linking God'sWord to the World, by Mary Hollinsgworth;illustrated by Christopher Gray and Daniel J.Hochstatter. Grand Rapids: Baker Books,1997. ISBN 080104328X, HBB, $16.99.220. Bible--History of biblical events; Bible--Antiquities; Bible--Archaeology. 300 p. Gr. 3 - 6.The Amazing Expedition Bible, by MaryHollinsgworth. Grand Rapids: New KidsMedia and Baker Books, 1997. ISBN080100084X, CD, $29.99.220. Bible--History of biblical events; Bible--Antiquities; Bible--Archaeology. 1 CD-Rom Gr. 3 - 6.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5The Amazing Expedition Bible reads like acontemporary history book. Mary Hollingsworthpresents the stories of the Bible in chronologicalorder. Every page has colorful sidebars with avariety of information pertinent to the time theBible story took place, including history,literature, art, philosophy, religion, science, dailylife, and more. Timelines head each of the fiftyeightchapters, showing the biblical events abovethe line and other world events below the line.The accompanying CD-ROM containseverything the book has, plus short film clips.The main menu allows you to choose from storyscreen, picture, timeline, search, expedition, orhelp. Expedition presents a picture and a clockthat times you while you search for the matchingpicture in a story. The user can read a story fromthe book or on the computer monitor, and alsochoose to hear it read aloud.The extraordinary feature of this book and CD-ROM is the colorful multi-faceted presentationof supplementary information. Fascinatingsidebars show, for example, what was happeningin China or Greece at the time of a given biblicalevent. The book alone is outstanding in itslayout, using artwork, photographs, and a varietyof print styles and sizes. The illustrations aresimple and colorful, contributing to the upbeattone of the work. The CD-ROM adds thedimension of multi-media, with its interactiveway of drawing the user into an active learningprocess. It takes a bit of skill to navigate the CD-ROM, but most kids will probably figure it outfaster than I did. Cathleen JohnsonBible Activities : Games, Puzzles, and More.Grand Rapids: New Kids Media, 1998. ISBN0801002486, CD-ROM (Macintosh andWindows) 47.1 MB, $9.99.220. Bible--Games; Games; Puzzles. 1 CD-ROM PS- Gr. 3.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5Bible Activities on CD-ROM provides playerswith a variety of seven different games to play:“Books of the Bible,” “Puzzles,” “Memory,”“Paint,” “What’s Different?,” “Matching,”“Bible Word Jumble.” For each of the gameseither correct or incorrect responses receiveimmediate auditory feedback. In “Books of theBible,” players take randomly arranged titles ofthe books of the Old/New Testament andrearrange them in proper order. In “Puzzles,”players select from colored pictures of twelveOld Testament stories in jigsaw puzzle format tocomplete the picture. The “Memory” gamefeatures nine pairs of cartoon-type pictures whichare masked and randomly arranged in a 3 x 6grid. The “Paint” activity presents ten OldTestament and five New Testament story pictureoutlines for players to color. The “What’sDifferent?” game presents a series of 3 x 3 gridsin which the player chooses one of eight cartoontypedrawings that differs from the others.The “Matching” activity presents a series ofrandomly arranged color photos of animals intheir native habitat. The player is to match thesound to the appropriate animal. In “Bible WordJumble,” players see a picture, a short identifyingdescription, and three to six jumbled letters theyare to rearrange in order.Children in the target audience can enjoy theseactivities, and may not be disturbed byoccasional minor difficulties. In the “Books ofthe Bible” game, a few of the Bible names aresomewhat difficult to read because they arewritten in black on a dark blue which provideslittle contrast. The response to the precedingmove must be completed before the program willaccept the next move. Although educational inconcept, the “Memory,” “What’s Different?,”and even “Matching” games have little directbiblical content. A few of the words in “BibleWord Jumble” may not be found in a Bibleconcordance. Donna BowlingBible Baseball : A Quiz Game with Hundreds ofQuestions. Grand Rapids: New Kids Media,1998. ISBN 0801002508, CD-ROM(Macintosh and Windows) 11.9 MB, $9.99.220. Bible--Games; Games. 1 CD-ROM K - Gr. 4.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5The theme from “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”and a baseball diamond design set the stage forthis Bible Baseball game which is played inmuch the same way as the non-computer version.Two players or teams choose to play as hometeam or visiting team and select up to nineinnings to play. For each time at bat, playerschoose from three difficulty levels: “single(hard), double (harder), triple (hardest).”Multiple choice questions on Bible contentappear on the screen and players click to selectone of three options offered. (A random homerun may give a welcome surprise.)Two colored graphics of a baseball diamondprovide the background for play. The first is aclose-up of the area including home plate and thepitcher’s mound. Announcements and questionsappear on a black “scoreboard” which is loweredover the upper half of the computer screen,covering the pitcher on the mound. Whenplayers make a response, the graphic shifts froma view of the baseball approaching home plate toa view of the entire diamond. Other baseballsounds accompanying the play are music typicalof the ball game and applause. Although thedesign of the text for the questions provides nogreat contrast, the text is legible and provideslittle difficulty for children. A few of thehundreds of questions are ambiguous, but “thedecision of the umpire is final!” This game canprovide many hours of enjoyable Bible reviewfor pairs or groups with access to eitherMacintosh or IBM platforms. Donna BowlingMy 100 All-Time Favorite Bible Stories : ToRead and Hear. Grand Rapids: New KidsMedia, 1998. ISBN 0801002494, CD, $9.99.220. Bible stories; Coloring books. 1 CD-ROM PS -Gr. 3.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5My 100 All-Time Favorite Bible Stories providesten stories to read and/or hear read aloud in eachof ten Bible categories: Beginnings, Bad Things,Power and Love, OT People, God’s Help, Jesus,Favorite Stories, Jesus’ Friends, Miracles, andNT People. When a player selects one 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 5 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

CHILDREN’S NONFICTIONcategories, ten story titles in that category appear.As the cursor passes over each of the titles, the“Sunday-School” type colored picture for thatstory appears for preview. Clicking on the titlefor the story brings up a story with from three toeight pages of text to accompany the picturedisplayed. Players click on arrow buttons to turnpages forward or back.Players may read each page silently or click on aspeaker button to hear the story read aloud. If theplayer moves the cursor over the picture for eachstory, the cursor arrow may turn into a speakericon. Then the player may click the cursorspeaker to hear an accompanying sound. Eachstory picture has from one to three soundsmapped into that picture.Children in the target audience can easilymanipulate this program. The read-aloud optionis particularly appropriate for children learning toread. They are unlikely to be seriously concernedabout occasional minor difficulties. Forexample, the instruction “Preview a story below,then click its picture on the right to play thestory” should actually say, “click on its title.” Ingeneral the stories are appropriate and easy toread. The story about Samuel seems misleadingwhen it reads “At night he slept in the small holyinner room of the tabernacle.” Donna BowlingMy Bible Coloring Book on CD-Rom. GrandRapids: New Kids Media, 1998. ISBN0801002478, CD-ROM (Macintosh andWindows) 111.5 MB, $9.99.220. Bible stories. 1 CD-ROM PS - Gr. 3.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5My Bible Coloring Book on CD-ROM featurestwenty-two Old Testament stories and twentytwoNew Testament stories, each with from fourto ten pages of picture outlines. Players selectpages to color using the color palette and any often “brushes.” The color palette offers shadesand tints of a spectrum of colors, plus manygradations from white, through various shades ofgray, to black. The available brush tools includefilled circles and squares in small, medium, andlarger sizes. Larger empty circles and squares,and two oblique line brushes, are also provided.Although the picture outlines may appearcovered during the time a brush is in use,releasing the mouse button restores the outlines.If players wish to erase a small colored area, thewhite brush tool may be used. The Erase buttoncolors the entire picture with the color selected.At any time players may click on the Bible verseswhich accompany each story picture to hear theverses read aloud.Many children in the target audience will easilymanipulate the brushes to produce a picturewhich satisfies them. Any who are quiteparticular about staying within lines are likely tofind the challenge to their small musclecoordination frustrating. Selecting the desiredcolor from the color palette often requires trialand error adjustments. Children familiar withother coloring programs may miss a fill tool or aprint option. For a few of the Bible passages, theconnection with the accompanying picturesseems strained. Donna BowlingNew Kids Point and Play Bible. GrandRapids: Baker Books, 1998. ISBN080100246X, CD, $29.99. Minimum SystemRequirements: IBM-Compatible PC 486SXwith Windows 3.1 or 95, sound card andspeakers, or Macintosh 7.0; 33 MHz CPU, 8MB RAM, 640x480 color monitor, graphicsadapter w/256 colors, 2x CD-ROM220. Bible stories; Creative activities. 1 CD-ROM K -Gr. 3.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5At the core of this highly interactive program aresixty Bible stories. Each story is retold in about150 words. Participants may read the storiesthemselves or push a “Read to Me” icon. Thereis also a “Big Idea” button, which presents a lifeapplication.Every story has an activity connected with it.These consist of coloring a story-related picture,a concentration game, choosing non-matchingpictures, or two types of puzzles. Theconcentration and matching activities do nothave much connection with the stories. Theslider puzzle and the non-fill-in painting aredifficult.The pictures contain a half dozen areas where aclick causes animation. Some animationcorrelates to the story; some does not. I notedonly one picture that might frighten the youngestusers—an animated tree in the picture dealingwith the story of Jesus’ temptation.Contracting and expanding screen images andunpredictable sound effects—pops, thunks,boings, whooshes, etc.—maintain interest inNew Kids Point and Play Bible on CD-ROM.Packaging is colorful and attractive. Art workconsists of comic book-type drawings. JeannetteHardageBible ABC, written by Eric Metaxas;illustrated by Jim Harris. LCCN 9738515.Nashville: Tommy Nelson, 1998. ISBN0849915244, HBB, $14.99.220.3. Alphabet; Bible. 32 p. PS - Gr. 2.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5With a delightful blend of modern caricature andancient trappings, illustrator Jim Harris rompsthrough the alphabet. He combines his skillswith the light verse of author Eric Metaxas, whoproves he can find a Bible rhyme for any letteryou name. Children will giggle at the Band-Aidon Goliath’s nose and Zaccheus swinging merrilyby his knees from the sycamore tree... .and Y isfor Yahweh, would you believe that can be foundon the same page as the land rover on the moon?Each reading of this book brings to light moredetails to be found and lessons to be learned.Judy DriscollThe Children's Illustrated Bible, stories retoldby Selina Hastings; illustrated by EricThomas and Amy Burch. LCCN 9330814.Green Forest, Ark.: New Leaf, 1994. ISBN0892213329, HBB, $22.95.220.9. Bible stories. 320 p. Gr. 2 - 7.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5What would the high priest wear? How washarvesting done? What is a “timbrel?” What doCherubim look like? The Children’s IllustratedBible by Selina Hastings provides impressivefacts and wonderful, colorful illustrations thataccompany easy to understand, condensedstories of the Bible. Intended for children, yetgiving a practical overview of life during biblicaltimes, an impressive list of consultants haveenhanced this book and made it an excellentguide for anyone who wants to learn what theBible is about. Many maps, charts, andphotographs are included.This outstanding book clarifies details and richlyillustrates the people and places of the Bible.Paula Stewart Marks★The Blessing of the Lord : Stories from the Oldand New Testaments, retold by Gary D.Schmidt; illustrated by Dennis Nolan. LCCN9611402. Grand Rapids: Eerdman'a, 1997.ISBN 0802837891, HBB, $25.00.220.9. Bible stories. 52 p. Gr. 1 - 6.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5The Blessing of the Lord, Gary Schmidt’s freshrendition of twenty-five Old and New TestamentBible stories, surprises the reader withextraordinarily deep and unique points of view.Rather than repeat familiar, predictablestorytelling patterns, Schmidt amazes us with histelescopic insights into characters’ thoughts andfeelings , often luring us into the critical point ofa story, then abandoning us to deliciouscontemplation sans traditional beginning or end.Recognizing the author’s adherence to biblicalnarrative , we muse with Eve on the serpent’sremarks; weep with Hagar in bitterness andjealousy; receive, with the Samaritan woman,piercing silent stares; and know with drowningPharaoh “that the gods of Egypt were only stoneafter all.” We marvel at the faith of Darius whenGod delivers Daniel and see the crucifixion ofJesus through the eyes of the centurion.The blessing of the Lord rests upon the charactersin many cherished stories, enriched by dynamic,colorful paintings by illustrator Dennis Nolan.Blessed is the person who reads this book—childor adult. Rhonda Marie LackeyF A L L , 1 9 9 8 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

CHILDREN’S NONFICTIONDavid Drops a Giant Problem and OtherFearless Heroes, by Jill and Stuart Briscoe;pictures and cartoons by Russ Flint; music byLarry Moore. LCCN 9638564. GrandRapids: Baker Books, 1997. ISBN080104216X, HBB, $14.99.221.9. Bible stories--O.T. 112 p. Gr. 3 - 7.Paul Hits the Beach and Other WildAdventures, by Jill and Stuart Briscoe;pictures and cartoons by Russ Flint; music byLarry Moore. LCCN 9638563. GrandRapids: Baker Books, 1997. ISBN080104202X, HBB, $14.99.225.9. Bible stories--N.T. 112 p. Gr. 3 - 7.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5This series uses a unique multifaceted approachin presenting Bible characters and events. Eacharea is designed to involve the learner. First ashort interesting factual story is given, next is ahumorous Let’s Pretend section, next comes NeatStuff about the person and times, then a LifeLesson to relate to the young reader’s life, finallyLet’s Make a Video puts the reader into the storyin a short drama. Interspersed with this arecolorful heroes, cartoon characters, songs, andmemory verses. This series deserves attention asa special blend of fact and fancy. Pretend areasare well designated and fun, while factual areasare simple and attention grabbing.David Drops a Giant Problem presents glimpsesof Samuel, David, Solomon, Jeremiah, Danieland Jonah. Short introductions of the Biblebooks of history, poetry and prophecy areincluded.Paul Hits the Beach looks at the Acts of theApostles, Peter and Paul’s life, Paul’s letters andjourneys, the general epistles, Timothy andJames, Revelation and John’s vision. PaulaStewart MarksGod's People : Stories from the Old Testament,retold by Geraldine McCaughrean;illustrated by Anna C. Leplar. LCCN 972191.New York: Margaret K. McElderry, 1997.ISBN 068981366X, HBB, $19.95.221.9. Bible stories--O.T. 120 p. Gr. 3 - 6.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 2Geraldine McCaughrean has previously writtenbooks explaining myths and legends. Althoughthe 32 stories that are retold are richly crafted andwell illustrated, many lack scriptural integrity.The creation story blends the biblical story withevolution: “Let the ocean team with life criedGod... there floated life forms too small to see atfirst one cell then two, then worms and jellyfish... ”The addition of details detracts from the originalstory, rather than merely explaining. When theangels strike the men blind at Job’s house, theauthor suggests that the angels threw salt intotheir eyes so they couldn’t see. The tower ofBabel has God pulling a brick from the base ofthe tower and it coming down with the buildersbeing hurled to the four quarters of the Plain ofShinar. Although Geraldine McCaughrean isobviously a gifted story teller, the fictionalizedaccounts may be misleading. Paula StewartMarksEsther's Story, by Diane Wolkstein; illustratedby Juan Wijngaard. LCCN 9415473. NewYork: Mulberry, 1998. ISBN 0688158447,PAP, $4.95.222. Esther, Queen of Persia; Bible stories--O.T. 37 p.Gr. 2 - 5.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Hadassah is eleven and renamed Esther byMordecai at the time of Queen Vashti’sdethronement. She is summoned to the palace ofKing Ahasuerus at age twelve and chosen as thenew queen at age sixteen. When Haman, theprime minister, tosses dice settling on a date forthe annihilation of the Jewish people, Estherhosts a feast for King Ahasuerus and Haman toplead for her people’s lives. Haman is hung, andthe king issues a decree allowing Jews to defendthemselves on the date of their scheduledannihilation. The Jews are victorious andestablish a holiday called Purim derived from aPersian word pur, meaning dice.Diane Wolkstein has written an excellentrendition of the biblical account of Estherintermingled with oral myths and her imaginings.Esther’s Story is related by Esther from ageeleven into her seventies. Juan Wijngaard’sdetailed color illustrations are encapsulated witha mottled brown and gold frame, and the frontcover is illustrated with Esther’s portrait.Children will benefit from the pronunciationguide at the beginning of the book and thesupplementary data about Purim at the end.Dianne WoodmanPsalm Twenty-Three, illustrated by TimLadwig. LCCN 9714082. Grand Rapids:Eerdman'a, 1997. ISBN 0802851606, HBB,$16.00.223. Bible. O.T. Psalm XXIII; African Americans--Fiction; City and town life--Fiction. 32 p. K - Gr. 3.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Tim Ludwig moves Psalm 23 out of quiet fieldsand into an urban city frought with danger. Enterinto a black cityscape and the world of a youngboy and girl being raised by their grandparents.Follow the events of a single day and see how theLord is still the shepherd, restores souls, leadsthrough dangerous paths, comforts and provides.Tim Ludwig’s colorful thought provokingillustrations evoke new contemporary imagesand show Psalm 23 as fresh and relevant intoday’s world. This book brings a powerfulmessage of hope, faith, and comfort into a newsetting and helps readers to see God’s Word asreal and alive. Paula Stewart Marks★God's Little Seeds : A Book of Parables, byBijou Le Tord. LCCN 9812161. GrandRapids: Eerdman'a, 1998. ISBN080285169X, HBB, $15.00.226.8. Jesus Christ--Parables; Parables; Bible stories--N.T. 32 p. PS - Gr. 1.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5A delightful, inspirational book, God’s LittleSeeds captures beauty both through itsillustrations and also through its message.Author and illustrator Bijou LeTord simplifiessome of Jesus’ parables into a level with whichchildren can identify. The parable of the sowerand the parable of the mustard seed are presentedas Jesus’ love for children is woven throughoutthe message. “Jesus spoke to people simply. Hetold stories he called parables. God’s lovenurtures us the same way that the good earthnurtures the little seeds.” The simple manner ofstyle in which this was written, along with thesimple truths of God’s great love for us, are sureto warm the hearts of the listeners.The Monet-like pastel illustrations are bright andabsolutely delightful. Jesus is pictured incolorful robes with children and animals amongstthe beauty of nature. The illustrations aresuperior in quality and enjoyable both forchildren and adults. A great bedtime story! MaryJo KrzymanskiImages of God, by John and KatherinePaterson; illustrated by Alexander Koshkin.LCCN 9721637. New York: Clarion, 1998.ISBN 039570734X, HBB, $20.00.231. God; Symbolism in the Bible. 112 p. K - Gr. 3.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Newbery Medal and National Book Awardwinner, Katherine Paterson, teams with herhusband to produce this book worthy of coffeetable status. Each of the three main sectionscontains from seven to ten images that relate toGod. The Patersons chose some images—potter,shepherd, king— familiar to contemporaries ofthe Bible writers, though less well-known today.Other selections connect more readily withpresent day readers. Every reading, however,gives readers vigorous “glimpses of theAlmighty.”The Patersons use Scriptures from both the Oldand New Testaments even as they remind readersthat images will not teach us everything aboutGod. God reveals Himself in life-situations.They write in conversation style as if they sitacross the table from readers while they explainthese Bible stories. An occasional explanation atthe head of the story or afterward helps readersunderstand difficult words or concepts in thestory.C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 3 7 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

CHILDREN’S NONFICTIONAlexander Koshkin, an artist from Russia,“explores (these images) in art.” Intricate detailand vivid colors produce striking illustrations ofan Old World style. Each one reflects the moodof the story. A shiny dust jacket and the outsideof the book itself bear Koshkin’s drawing.Images of God holds ample ideas for discussionsand questions when parents and children enjoythis book during together-time. Each chaptercalls for pondering over the written text andcloser examination of the art. Betty HockettI Want to Know About Jesus, by Rick Osborneand K. Christie Bowler. LCCN 9738953.Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998. ISBN0310220874, HBB, $9.99.232. Jesus Christ. 32 p. Gr. 2 - 5.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5I Want to Know About Jesus encompasses hisbirth, baptism, teaching methodology, anabridgment of miracles and parables, the LastSupper, perfidy of Judas, death and resurrection,and the importance of believing in Jesus and hislifework. Maps and facts relating to the RomanEmpire and the Jewish people are incorporatedinto the text.Rick Osborne and K. Christie Bowler havewritten an excellent book for children unfamiliarwith Jesus and will reinforce teachings for thosealready familiar with his life. Most of thecolorful illustrations within the text are the stylecharacteristic of The Beginner’s Bible videosmarketed by Time-Life. Dianne WoodmanMary's First Christmas, by Walter WangerinJr.; illustrated by Timothy Ladwig. LCCN9751811. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998.ISBN 0310222168, HBB, $19.99.232.92. Jesus Christ--Nativity; Bible stories--N.T.;Mary, Blessed Virgin, Saint; Christmas. 45 p. K - Gr.5.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5The biblical Christmas narratives form the basisfor this fiction account of Mary telling her fiveyear-oldson Jesus about his birth. She shares thestory to comfort Jesus when he is teased byfriends and injured on the forehead by stonesthrown at him. Mary tenderly recounts theremarkable events—the stable, angels,shepherds, and Magi. Written by WalterWangerin Jr. as a four-part bedtime story, eachportion of Mary’s First Christmas emphasizesdeep love: Mary’s love for Jesus, Joseph’s lovefor him, God’s love for Jesus, and Jesus’ love forall the world. From his mother, Jesus learns themeaning of his name and purpose of his birth.Symbolism foreshadows his death on the cross.This warm retelling of the familiar Christmasstory offers a fresh view through the eyes Mary.Illustrator, Timothy Ladwig, uses unique anglesand aerial perspective in the realistic, full-colorillustrations. This book will appeal to familiesand children. Lydia HarrisThe Circle of Days, by Reeve Lindbergh;illustrated by Cathie Felstead. LCCN9649848. New York: Candlewick Press, 1998.ISBN 0763603570, HBB, $15.99.242. Prayer books and devotions; Nature--Religiousaspects; Creation. 24 p. PS - K.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Saint Francis of Assisi is one of the world’s bestlovedsaints. In 1225, he wrote a hymn that hasbeen adapted to many forms over the centuries.In The Circle of Days, Reeve Lindbergh rewritesCanticle of the Sun as a gentle poem of praisethanking the Lord for the beauties and wondersof creation. The elements of water, wind, and fireare honored as gracious brothers and sisters. Aspecial thanks is given to mother earth, who“cares for each of us from birth.” As soft as alullaby, the verse rocks through desert, orchard,mountain, and sea, naming creatures wild andtame, to settle at last as a request for guidancearound the circle of days.Cathie Felstead’s collage paintings are bright anddreamy, adding to the reflective tone of the book.Many of the sub-illustrations portray naturalcycles, such as the phases of the moon, turn ofseasons, and the germination and maturation ofan acorn into an oak tree. Although written for ayoung audience, The Circle of Days has anageless appeal. Its reverent tone wraps aroundthe reader like the arms of a dear child. SaintFrancis’s childlike directness expresses abedtime prayer and a song of blessing in ameditative study of nature. Melinda TorgersonHush! The Lord Is Talking and Other TrueTales, by Dr. Ronald S. Williams II;illustrated by Nancy Robinson. FortWashington, Pa.: Christian LiteratureCrusade, 1997. ISBN 0875088333, PAP,$10.25.248.4. Christian life; Short stories. 103 p. Gr. 5 - 9.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5Hush, the Lord is Talking contains twenty-fiveentertaining stories that show how the Lord is atwork in everyday life. Each tale is from the lifeof the author, who is also a pastor and seniorelder at Mount Zion Fellowship of the Brethren.Most of the stories are from Dr. Williams’childhood, like falling into the septic tank whilevisiting his cousin, helping to work the cottonand sweet potato fields, or going fishing. A fewtook place when Dr. Williams was older, like therun-in with the quicksand and snakes when hewas in college. Each tale provides a lead-in ofbackground information before getting to thepoint of the story and a related Bible quote foreach lesson learned. All the lessons come fromdaily, ordinary life, like seeing beyond quicksandand snakes to the beauty in each person, notallowing things to get in the way of ourrelationship with Christ, or plain and simple,listening and obeying our elders.The stories contain many personal details, suchas reminiscing about grandmother’s cooking, butthe writing is lively enough to keep the reader’sinterest until the take-away arrives. NancyRobinson’s color illustrations portray the gist ofthe story with a folk art flavor. Additional lineillustrations represent motif from the story, suchas a snake, fruit, or a toad. Lisa WrobleStories to Share : A Family Treasury of Faith,by Patricia St. John. LCCN 9721399.Wheaton, Ill.: Harold Shaw, 1997. ISBN9877888205, HBB, $15.99.249. Christian life--Anecdotes. 157 p. Gr. 3 - 6.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Using a lost boat, rings and roses, a brigand chief,world wide true-life stories of today andyesterday, Patricia St. John presents believable,understandable parables about God the Father,Son, and Holy Spirit and how each child (andadult) can interact with him. There are fortyeightof these Stories To Share, all of them worthsharing repeatedly.Patricia St. John (1919-1993), wartime nurse,missionary, children’s relief worker and author,was beloved by our parents and grandparents.Stories To Share introduces her to a newaudience, modern children and their families.Straight forward with comprehensible punchlines, the stories are engrossing, fun, and thoughtprovoking. Based on real characters, people ofall ages and human experience appear in thenarratives. Divided into twelve sections, thestories cover the Christian experience fromlearning of God and accepting his salvation tobearing the Holy Spirit’s fruit, Christian growthand eternal life. Each story’s format lends itselfto interaction: the tale; discussion, andthoughtful questions about the lesson; aproposscripture to clinch the heart of the lesson; asuitable prayer. Two one page Highlights aidunderstanding: Becoming a Child of God;Growing in Faith. The stories are timeless andpertinent, covering such subjects asembarrassment at admitting your Christianity;murder; our love of possessions; the horror anddanger of war; why God lets us face trouble anddisappointment. Written for adults to read tochildren, this book will be useful in many venueswhere older people share with younger ones.Donna EggettA Child's Book of Celtic Prayers, written andcompiled by Joyce Denham; illustrated byHelen Cann. Chicago: Loyola Press, 1998.ISBN 0829410775, HBB, $14.95.299. Prayer; Celts--Christianity. 25 p. PS - Gr. 2.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5F A L L , 1 9 9 8 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

CHILDREN’S NONFICTIONTo teach a child the simplicity of unceasingprayer, Joyce Denham has written and compiledA Child’s Book of Celtic Prayers (Helen Cann,illustrator). Hem each day with prayer, nothingis too trivial. The book is partitioned intosections: prayers for creation, the home, life’sjourney, for journeys, of blessing. The newlycreated poems take their vocabulary and rhythmfrom the ancients, St. Patrick, Camina Gadelica,and others.The artwork extends the charm of this shortoffering, muted, Celtic borders decorating eachpage, visual vignettes scattered throughout,portrait punctuation for the lyrical poetry.A Celtic Childhood opens with a brief narrativeto explain the background followed by a coupleof paragraphs to amplify the poems themselves, aflow throughout like a tranquil, timeless river.Repetition seems a key component, God theFather, Son, and Spirit permeate the text, theAngel of the endpapers makes unexpectedappearances, stylized sections of blue waves,golden shocks of grain, miniature symbols of theTrinity dot random pages.“A low prayer, a high prayer, I sendthrough space.Arrange them Thyself, O thou King ofGrace.” Su Hagerty300’s - Social SciencesI Have a Dream, by Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr.; foreword by Coretta Scott King;paintings by fifteen Coretta Scott King awardand honor book artists. LCCN 9545189. NewYork: Scholastic, 1997. ISBN 0590205161,HBB, $16.95.305.896. African Americans--Civil rights; Civil rightsmovements--United States--History--209th century;United States--Race Relations. 40 p. Gr. 1 - 6.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Scholastic Press and Coretta Scott King havepublished a beautiful tribute to Mrs. King’s latehusband, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., anoversized book entitled I Have a Dream.Dr. King’s famous “March on Washington”speech addressed to 250,000 people constitutesits composition. Poetic, passionate, andpoignant, the words come alive next to the colorpictures that accompany each page of prose. Astriking volume.Although the book’s large print and brightillustrations will appeal to children, youngchildren will not understand King’s long wordsand mature concepts. However, children willunderstand the pictures.A brief biography follows the speech with a fullpagephotograph of Dr. King. Further, each ofthe fourteen illustrators write a paragraphexplaining his or her interpretation of the part ofthe speech he or she illustrates.I Have a Dream belongs in every library inAmerica, and should be read to every person inAmerica—black or white, young or old. GingerMcGrathThe New Baby at Your House, rev. ed., byJoanna Cole; photographs by MargaretMiller. LCCN 9729267. New York: Morrow,1998. ISBN 0688138981, HBB, $15.93.306.875. Babies; Brothers and sisters. 44 p. PS - Gr.2.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5The New Baby At Your House is written to helpyoung children identify and discuss their manyfeelings concerning the birth of a brother orsister. Several families are featured throughoutthe book, each with a young child adjusting to anew sibling. The reader is asked to share his ownfeelings, thus given the opportunity to identifywith the children in the book.Joanna Cole has written a book that parents andteachers can use to open discussion with childrenabout their feelings concerning new siblings.Margaret Miller’s vivid color photographs of realfamilies, combined with straightforwardlanguage concerning pregnancy (i.e. “pregnant”,“womb”, “uterus”, “umbilical cord”, “breast”)helps children recognize that they are not alone intheir situation. A note to the parents at thebeginning of the book offers guidance andencouragement when dealing with siblingrelationships. A brief list for further reading isincluded as well. Ms. Cole indicates that sheconsulted the Gesell Institute for HumanDevelopment and the former senior editor ofParents magazine for reviewing her manuscript.There are, however, no references as to whatdegree they contributed to this book. There arealso no examples or discussion included aboutfamilies with more than two children.This would be a worthwhile purchase for anyoneanticipating having to work with childrenconcerning sibling relationships. PatriciaYoumansFreedom's Sons : The True Story of theAMISTAD Mutiny, by Suzanne Jurmain.LCCN 9737258. New York: Lothrop, Lee andShepard, 1998. ISBN 068811072X, HBB,$15.00.326. Slavery--United States--Insurrections, etc.;Amistad--Schooner; Antislavery movements--UnitedStates. 128 p. Gr. 5 - 8.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 4In 1839, an African rice farmer named SengsePieh, later known as Cinque, is enslaved for debtand sent to Cuba. Believing that he and hiscompanions were to be killed and eaten, Cinqueplans and carries out a takeover of the shipAmistad, ending up in New York state where thenow starving Africans are arrested. A massivelegal battle ensues.Was Cinque a mutineer or a man wronged? Notuntil the Supreme Court hears his case—he isdefended by former president John QuincyAdams—are Cinque and his friends freed andlater returned to their homeland.In this detailed and well documented book,Suzanne Jurmain not only tells the story but alsowhere she found the information. There is awhole section of explanatory notes as well as abibliography and an index. Several pages ofmaps and illustrations round out the tale.The style is interesting and each twist of thisunusual series of events is well explained foryoung readers. Perhaps the villains seem a shadetoo villainous and the heroes a little to heroic, butthe book is soundly based on documentedhistory. Colleen Drippé★A More Perfect Union : The Story of OurConstitution, by Betsy and Guilio Maestro.LCCN 874083. New York: Lothrop, Lee andShepard, 1987. ISBN 0688068405, HBB,$15.93.342.73. United States--Constitutional Convention(1787); United States--Constitutional history. 48 p. Gr.3 - 6.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5A More Perfect Union begins with reasons for thethirteen colonies’ need to write a governmentaldocument providing unity for the new country ofAmerica. Betty Maestro explains thedevelopment of the Constitution from theConvention in Philadelphia of May, l787 to theadoption of the Bill of Rights several years later.Within her discussions of the Virginia Plan, NewJersey Plan, and Great Compromise, Maestrosprinkles the large bold text with names andaccomplishments of the Convention’s famousmen: Benjamin Franklin, George Washington ,Alexander Hamilton, and others. The readerlearns how draftees made decisions, voted, andworked together in committees. A colorful mapof the thirteen colonies appears near thebeginning, and the book ends with additionalinformation—in easy to read charts—on thepreamble, summary of articles, signers of theConstitution, dates, interesting facts, andsummary of twenty-six amendments.Maestro’s tone communicates the interest,challenge, and importance of her topic. Childrenwill feel excitement and tension as the storyunfolds in this oversized book , and will enjoy theminute details of Giulio Maestro’s full colorillustrations of people, buildings, ships, andcountryside. Spatially dominant illustrations pairwith a powerful but simple text to create aperfectly balanced work of art by this husbandwifeteam. Rhonda Marie LackeyC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 3 9 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

CHILDREN’S NONFICTIONHow to Be School Smart : Super Study Skills,by Elizabeth James and Carol Barkin. (ASchool Survival Guide.) LCCN 9814940.New York: Lothrop, Lee and Shepard, 1998.ISBN 0688161308, HBB, $15.00.371.3. Study skills; Homework; Students--Timemanagement. 95 p. Gr. 3 - 6.How to Write Super School Reports, byElizabeth James and Carol Barkin. (A SchoolSurvival Guide.) LCCN 9813767. New York:Lothrop, Lee and Shepard, 1998. ISBN0688161324, HBB, $15.00.372. Report writing; Research. 90 p. Gr. 3 - 6.How to Write Terrific Book Reports, byElizabeth James and Carol Barkin. (A SchoolSurvival Guide.) LCCN 989198. New York:Lothrop, Lee and Shepard, 1998. ISBN0688161316, HBB, $15.00.372. Report writing; Book reviewing. 80 p. Gr. 3 - 6.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Are you or do you have a student who isachieving at subsistence level in school? ThisSchool Survival series presents easily followedstep by step plans for happily attaining classroomsuccess. James and Barkin are seasoned writersfor young readers, presenting their material at thestudent’s level of understanding. These authorsknow the importance of individual style,organization, and thorough preparation. Theyattack each subject at the very beginning, explainevery step clearly and concisely, and don’t enduntil the desired product is cogently, lucentlyreached.Super Study Skills looks at organization,considering the individual student within his ownfamily space, and how to make a weeklyschedule that fits that student’s actual timespaces. Some subjects covered are study areas,learning styles, actually doing homework,preparation for tests and test taking strategies,what annoys teachers and other school problems.Super School Reports explains what a report is,making it the student’s very own, research, howto capture notes, writing and rewriting the report.It gives a list of reference works for the student’sstudy area. Examples of actual reports in variousstyles and a working outline are included.Terrific Book Reports majors on the collaborationof student with book. Step by step the studentachieves the report: using the library, how to readthe book, organization, several drafts, written andoral reports. Extra ideas add panache: ideas forextra credit; write for free stuff; intriguing ideasfor a “different” book report.Each book in this series concludes with a usefulindex. There is a fourth book in the SchoolSurvival series: How to Do Your Best on Tests.Donna EggettTales of Faith and Wonder : Stories ofChristian Faith from a Master Storyteller, byHans Christian Andersen; illustrated by HalBetzold. LCCN 9622429. Colorado Springs:Chariot Victor, 1997. ISBN 0781401925,HBB, $17.99.398.2. Fairy tales; Short stories. 138 p. Gr. 4 - 6.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Thumbelina, The Little Mermaid, and the UglyDuckling are some of Hans Christian Andersen’sfamous fairy tales retold in the new Tales of Faithand Wonder. Less familiar stories such as FiveOut of One Pod and The Wild Swans areincluded. There are fifteen stories in all.The editor, Angela Elwell Hunt, has revised theOld English words to simple words for youngerreaders, and believes Hans Christian Andersenwould be pleased with this revision. Also, withinthe Editor’s Foreword, is a brief biography of thefamed storyteller which will intrigue somereaders. What pleasure to learn that the origin ofAndersen’s stories’ morals was his faith.Each full-page picture is captioned with anexcerpt, explanation, and/or scripture regardingthat story. The paintings are enchanting in vividcolors and will captivate a child’s eye. However,there may not be enough pictures to hold a verylittle one’s attention.Tales of Faith and Wonder would probably workbest read aloud by an adult while the child studiesthe pictures. It would make a nice birthday giftto a little friend or relative, and would beacceptable to both Christian and non-Christianfamilies. Ginger McGrathA Ring of Tricksters : Animal Tales fromAmerica, the West Indies, and Africa, byVirginia Hamilton; illustrated by BarryMoser. LCCN 9637543. New York: Blue SkyPress, 1997. ISBN 0590473743, HBB, $19.95.398.2. Afro-Americans--Folklore; Trickster; Folklore--Africa; Folklore--West Indies; Folklore--SouthernStates. 111 p. Gr. 3 - 5.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Storytellers will love these tales! VirginiaHamilton tells readers that the tales “grew out ofa common type of African folktale in which avery human-acting animal uses his wit andcunning to take advantage of bigger, strongeranimals.” These trickster tales from America, theWest Indies and Africa show resourcefulness,trickery, cunning and guile to outwit strongerforces. The trickster may, or may not help others,and generally takes care of himself. The tales canbe traced to African Americans in the southernstates, to the West Indies, and Africa.Each part begins with an introduction by theauthor giving background to the stories. In theAmerican tales of Bruh Rabbit will berecognized as Brer Rabbit, who uses his wits toescape dangers. In the West Indian tales, Anansi,the name of the spider or animal trickster uses hiswits in a similar way. This character comes fromAnanse (spider) stories of the Ashanti, whocalled these and other stories Ananisem, a wordmeaning stories. Gullah speech, such as wasspoken during the plantation era and acombination of English, French, Spanish, andAfrican is used at times, but is not hard tounderstand and reads aloud well. The Africantales, porquoi, or how and why tales, explain howand why something is or came to be. In themspider and hare meet their match, often eachother.Barry Moser’s artwork is realistic, humorous,and fanciful. First glance finds some of thepictures very true to life, but with furtherinspection little details appear adding humor.Thoroughly enjoyable stories and a fine additionto the folklore section in libraries. Compare thefirst group to the Julius Lester “Uncle Remus”stories. Leslie RadloffPegasus, as told by Marianne Mayer;illustrated by K. Y. Craft. LCCN 9632442.New York: Morrow, 1998. ISBN 0688133835,HBB, $15.93.398.2. Pegasus (Greek mythology). 37 p. Gr. 3 - 6.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Pegasus is the classic Greek legend of thewinged horse and the young hero, Bellerophon.A jealous king fears that Bellerophon has fallenin love with his wife, so he sends the lad toanother kingdom with a sealed message “PUTTO DEATH THE BEARER OF THISMESSAGE.” Unwilling to kill the youthdirectly, the second king sends Bellerophon toslay the monster, Chimera. The hero asks theadvice of a soothsayer before heading to battle.He is advised to seek out Pegasus, the wingedhorse.The author Marianna Meyer retells the familiarstory of Pegasus and Bellerophon, adding notesregarding the history of these Greek heroes.This is a Greek myth full of gods, soothsayers,muses, and magical fountains of water. Itprovides a simple way of introducing Greekmythology to students of all ages. Awardwinningillustrator Kinuko Y. Craft painted thebeautiful full color illustrations in oilwatercolors. The book adds dimension to thestudy of Ancient Greece and Greek mythology.The paintings alone make the book worthowning. Joanne HafflyRapunzel, retold and illustrated by Paul O.Zelinzky. LCCN 96050260. New York:Dutton Children's Books, 1997. ISBN0525456074, HBB, $16.99.398.2. Fairy tales; Folklore--Germany. Unp. K - Gr.3.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5F A L L , 1 9 9 8 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

CHILDREN’S NONFICTIONThis is the retelling of the classic German folktale Rapunzel. Through the years there havebeen several versions of this story. Paul Zelinskyhas combined several to create what he sees asthe best. In this story the wife urges her husbandto steal rapunzel (or parsley) from theneighboring garden. The husband is caught inthe act and agrees to give the child to thesorceress when she is born, in order to save hiswife. The child grows and becomes verybeautiful. The sorceress locks her in a tower inthe forest to hide and protect her from the world.There are no doors in this tower; the only way inis for Rapunzel to let down her hair. One day aprince discovers Rapunzel and they are marriedin the tower, without the sorceress’ knowledge.They are however found out and Rapunzel is castout into the wilderness, and the prince, blinded,wanders in the forest. They do find each othereventually, Rapunzel gives birth to twins, andthey live happily ever after.Zelinsky has created a sense of Renaissance artwith his oil paintings, accompanied by Italianlandscapes. There is a formal type of beautyfound in his art, making a magnificent book. Theillustrations are very large and colorful oftencovering an entire page. Zelinsky is known notonly for his illustrations but also his cleverretelling of other familiar stories such as Hanseland Gretel and Rumpelstiltskin. If you arelooking for folk tales, this book is a rare find.You would not be disappointed. Marcia SnyderDiane Goode's Book of Giants and LittlePeople, by Diane Goode. LCCN 97006991.New York: Dutton Children's Books, 1997.ISBN 0525456600, HBB, $17.99.398.21. Giants--Literary collections; Fairies--Literarycollections; Size--Literary collections. 64 p. K - Gr. 5.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5A book of folktales, nursery rhymes, and poemsis always a delight. This book is a collection thatis centered around the extraordinarily large orsmall, such as giants, elves, and fairies. Theseordinary characters can, by wit and courage,control their own fates. There is no confusionhere between right and wrong; right always wins.Anything is possible as things are exaggerated tothe extreme. One example is ‘How big-mouthwrestled the giant.’ In this story a young boybrags about everything, but one day confronts agiant and saves himself, while learning a lesson.Other examples of stories are: the shoemaker andthe elves, the little men, and three strong women.Diane Goode is known for putting togetherwonderful literary collections. Several of herother collections include Diane Goode’s book ofSilly Stories and Songs, Diane Goode’s Book ofAmerican Folk Tales and Songs, and DianeGoode’s Book of Scary Stories and Songs. Alongwith the stories, she has included a section calledNotes on the Stories. In this section she gives thebackgrounds and what each story is trying toteach. This would be very helpful while workingon a unit of different folktales. Each story isillustrated with bright, vibrant colors and life-likecharacters. Each characters face shows suchspecific expressions that you can read thecharacters feelings.This book is slightly larger than standard. It hasvery thick, glossy pages and a sturdy binding.Just an incredible book. If you are looking tobuild your collection of folktales, this would be agreat choice. Readers of all ages will enjoy thesestories. Children who see themselves as small ina big world can relate to these who although verysmall, make a big difference in their world.Marcia Snyder400’s - LanguageAlphabetical Order : How the Alphabet Began,by Tiphaine Samoyault. LCCN 9761745.New York: Viking, 1998. ISBN 0670878081,HBB, $14.99.411. Alphabet--History. 30 p. Gr. 5 - 7.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Alphabetical Order deals not only with alphabetsfrom Sumerian cuneiform to Roman, but alsodiscusses the alphabets of Braille, Morse code,calligraphy, typography, sign language, use offlags for signaling, and how artists use decorativealphabets. The French title of this book, LeMonde des Alphabets is more descriptive of thebook’s contents.What make this book special are the wonderfulillustrations of alphabets. Unfortunately, theillustrator’s name appears only in fine print onthe copyright page. Pastel alphabetic symbols onthe background of each page are a distraction,though, which sometimes make it more difficultto read the text.There are tables of pictograms and hieroglyphs,the alphabets mentioned above, as well asArabic, Greek, Hebrew, Indian devangari, andJapanese katakana. Reading comprehensionlevel is probably higher than indicated on thebook jacket, such as when the author discussesintonation and spelling conventions. In thedescription and illustration of sounds of theEnglish language, checked and free vowels, andplosives and fricatives are labeled on theillustration, but there is not an adequateexplanation. Similarly, there is no explanation ofthe use of the terms “short e,” “long e,” etc.Tiphaine Samoyault, a professor of literature atthe University of Vincennes, presentsAlphabetical Order as her latest contribution tothe field of childhood education. It is a welcomeaddition to any library, especially for the verywell done, colorful illustrations. JeanetteHardageThe American Heritage Children's Dictionary,by the editors of the American HeritageDictionaries. LCCN 9821414. Boston:Houghton Mifflin, 1998. ISBN 0395857392,HBB, $17.00.423. English language--Dictionaries. 856 p. Gr. 3 - 6.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Scholastic Children's Dictionary, by theeditors of Scholastic Inc. LCCN 9526237.New York: Scholastic Reference, 1996. ISBN0590252712, HBB, $16.95.423. English language--Dictionaries. 648 p. Gr. 3 - 6.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5These two dictionaries share many features:easy-to-read type, lots of white space, lots ofcolored photos and drawings, clear, easilyunderstood definitions (including of phrases suchas “ghost town” and “relay race”), and sentencesusing the defined words in context. Both includepronunciation guides, sample pages withdifferent features diagrammed and explained,and interesting sidebars such as “VocabularyBuilder,” “Synonyms,” “Word History,” and“Word Detective.” On closer examination, someimportant differences appear. American Heritageuses standard pronunciation symbols in their key,while Scholastic uses a system of letters andletter combinations highlighted to indicatediffering sounds and accents. An example is“determine”, written as “di-tur-min” in bothbooks, with “tur” highlighted to indicate astressed accent. However, AH also marks thesyllables with symbols, while Scholastic expectsthe child to figure out how it sounds just from thespelling.Although both use illustrations to show examplesof defined nouns (“cheetah”, “pansy”,“continents”), AH also uses them to show hardto-picturewords such as “demolish” and “relayrace.” Where Scholastic does so, it is poorlydone; the child on the cover looks as though sheis jumping up in the air instead of skipping.Although Scholastic shines in their use ofdiagrams, if that is a real need in your library,Facts on File’s Visual Dictionary is a better buy.AH defines the same words that Scholastic does,but they add such words as “practicable” and“preacher” and define abbreviations such as pp.(pages) and IA ( the postal code for Iowa) as well.AH’s defined words are printed in blue, makingthem easier to find on the page, and they alsotend to be defined more completely and correctly,as in this example:Prayer (Scholastic)1. The act of praying.2. An expression of appeal or thanks toGod.3. A set of words used in praying4. Something requested or prayed for.Prayer (American Heritage)C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 4 1 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

CHILDREN’S NONFICTION1. An expression of human thoughts,hopes, or needs when asking or givingthanks to God for divine help, favor, orforgiveness.2. The act of praying.3. A serious request.Both books contain interesting appendices.American Heritage has a short thesaurus, asection on phonics and spelling, and one ongeography that includes a map of the U.S., and anup-to-date world map that labels even thesmallest islands and tells which country theybelong to. Scholastic has the Braille andAmerican Sign Language alphabets, a map of theU.S., and an up-to-date (but not as detailed) mapof the world, and sections on country flags andfacts, presidential information, and facts aboutthe fifty states. Scholastic also includes a keyindex to all their photos and drawings. Eitherdictionary will help a child define and spell anunfamiliar word, but AH does it in such an eyecatching,interesting way that a child might findherself reading the dictionary just for fun! If youcan only add one dictionary to your library, makeit the American Heritage Children’s Dictionary.Betty Winslow500’s - Natural Sciences andMathematicsDon't Try This at Home : Science Fun for Kidson the Go, by Vicki Cobb and Kathy Darling;illustrated by True Kelley. LCCN 9720481.New York: Morrow, 1998. ISBN 0688148565,HBB, $15.00.507.8. Science--Experiments; Experiments; Scientificrecreations. 175 p. Gr. 1 - 6.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Parents, teachers and caregivers are usuallylooking for ways to encourage children toobserve and question the world around them.Don’t Try This At Home by Vicki Cobb andKathy Darling not only serves to encouragecuriosity but successfully shows how to relatescience to our every day world.Subtitled Science Fun for Kids on the Go, thisbook is a collection of sixty simple scienceexperiments based on observation and commonobjects to use as tools of discovery. Theexperiments are grouped together by place and/orexperience. For example, one chapter is ParkAmusements and Amusement Parks. Another isfor use in the classroom, while a third hasprojects designed for each of the four seasons ofthe calendar year.The illustrations by True Kelley show theexperiments in progress. Some of the picturesalso diagram the techniques described in the textto conduct the experiment accurately and safely.The written procedures are easy to understandgiving background as well as historicalinformation. Carol ShearerWhat's Faster Than a Speeding Cheetah? byRobert E. Wells. LCCN 9654491. MortonGrove, Ill.: Albert Whitman, 1997. ISBN0807522805, HBB, $14.95.531. Speed. 29 p. Gr. 3 - 6.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 4Kids can run fifteen miles an hour, and an ostrichcan run forty-five miles an hour, but a cheetahcan run more than seventy miles an hour. This iswhere we may normally stop, but this book keepsgoing. You will follow a swooping peregrinefalcon, an airplane, the speed of sound, and evena rocket ship. You won’t find the thing with themost speed, however, until you find “light.”Something that is small enough to fit in yourhand, a flashlight, and that light is the fastesttraveling thing in the whole universe.Robert E. Wells has written a very intriguingbook. He includes fascinating facts in such away that you hardly know you are learning at thetime. He also includes some additional thoughtson very fast things at the end of the book and atable that shows the comparison of the speeds ofall the things described in the book.The illustrations are intertwined with the textacross the pages. They are very colorful andhumorous. This book helps the reader tounderstand the awesomeness of speed and theobjects that move at such enormous speeds; yetbrings us back to a very simple and everydayobject. This could help students to understandthe awesomeness of God and his creation. .Marcia SnyderVolcanoes and Earthquakes : A Child's Guideto God's Power Beneath Our Feet, by MichaelCarroll. Colorado Springs: Chariot Victor,1997. ISBN 1567466020, HBB, $12.99.551.2. Volcanoes; Earthquakes. 26 p. PS - Gr. 5.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5“The earth is the Lord’s” could easily be MichaelCarroll’s motto as he introduces his readers to theawesome powers that shape the ever-changinggeology of the Earth. Floating on a core ofmolten rock, the Earth’s crust slowly shifts andbuckles, creating volcanoes and causingearthquakes. While mountains push up, sheets ofglacial ice tear down, and flaming meteorsthreaten cataclysmic destruction. While all ofthis might seem like a slow-motion accident,Carroll’s emphasis is on God’s design andcontrol over nature. Bible verses caption thechapter headings and pictures. Geological eventsmentioned in the Bible are highlighted, alongwith photographs of their location.Volcanoes and Earthquakes is a balanced blendof scientific fact and biblical knowledge. Whiletouching on many theories associated withgeology, it invites the reader to independentinvestigation. Creation is emphasized as theorigin of all things. The changing world is heldas an example of God’s eternal power. MichaelCarrol has been a science journalist andastronomical artist for more than fifteen years.He has done commissioned work for NASA, andbeen chief artist at the Reuben H. Fleet SpaceTheater and Science Center in San Diego. Hisexperience shows in the high quality paintingsand photographs chosen as illustrations. Hisfaith shows in the enthusiasm of the text.Melinda TorgersonGrasslands, by Philip Steele. (GeographyDetective.) LCCN 96005710. Minneapolis:Carolrhoda Books, 1997. ISBN 1575050420,HBB, $14.96.574.5. Ecology; Grasslands; Grassland ecology. 32 p.Gr. 4 - 6.Oceans, by Philip Sauvain. (GeographyDetective.) LCCN 96014810. Minneapolis:Carolrhoda Books, 1997. ISBN 1575050439,HBB, $14.96.551.46. Ecology; Ocean; Ocean ecology. 32 p. Gr. 4 -6.Rain Forests, by Philip Sauvain. (GeographyDetective.) LCCN 96010915. Minneapolis:Carolrhoda Books, 1997. ISBN 1575050412,HBB, $14.96.574.5. Ecology; Rain forests; Rain forest ecology. 32p. Gr. 4 - 6.Tundra, by Philip Steele. (GeographyDetective.) LCCN 96010914. Minneapolis:Carolrhoda Books, 1997. ISBN 1575050404,HBB, $14.96.574.5. Tundras; Tundra ecology; Ecology. 32 p. Gr. 4- 6.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Philip Steele has created an attractive andinformative book presenting the grasslands of theworld including North America, South America,Eurasia, Mongolia, Southern Africa, CentralAfrica, and Australia. He begins by explainingwhat grasslands are, their characteristics,wildlife, and the effects of weather and fire. Eachpage is colorfully illustrated with colorphotographs and drawings to amplify the text.Mr. Steele has made liberal use of side-bars andinformation boxes to introduce small excerpts ofinformation. In addition each topic (a doublepage spread) contains a Geography Detectivebox which presents a problem or project idea forfurther thought and research. The last topic in thebook is The Future of Grasslands, which exploresideas that can be utilized to protect our world’sgrasslands. Each of the following volumesinclude a map and exercises to give the readerexperience in working with maps. A glossaryand index are also included.In the same style as others in this GeographyDetective Series, Oceans explores the waterbodies of the world. Differences between Seas,F A L L , 1 9 9 8 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

CHILDREN’S NONFICTIONOceans and Coastlines are clearly presented, andthe shape of the ocean floor is illustrated. Othertopics covered include ocean currents andweather, why the oceans are never still, plantsand animals of the sea, deep-sea creatures, howoceans shape the land, coastal hazards, defendingthe coastline, how we use oceans and seas, andenvironmental issues of water pollution.What is a rain forest and why do we need it?Philip Sauvain presents an overview of the rainforests of the world exploring these questions andrain forest climates, plants, animals, people,settlers, ranches and plantations, logging andmining, and managing rain forests. He also looksat the future of rain forests.Using the same format as others in this serieswith colorful illustrations and photographs,Philip Steele dons fur and leather to explore thetundras of North America. In addition to whatand where the tundras are, Mr. Steele presentstheir seasons and climates, wetlands, plants,wildlife, reproduction, and migration, people andlife on the tundra, and tundra industries. He alsoexplores the environmental problems facing thetundra including acid snow, nuclear waste, andglobal warming. Research questions and projectideas dot each page with the volume concludingwith a series of map work questions. JudyDriscollCactus Café : A Story of Sonoran Desert, byKathleen Weidner Zochfeld; illustrated byPaul Mirocha. (The Nature Conservancy.)LCCN 9639092. Norwalk, Ct.: Soundprints,1997. ISBN 1568994273, KIT, $19.95.577.54. Sonoran Desert; Desert ecology; Ecology;Desert animals. 1 36 p. hardcover book; 1 11 min.audiocassette Gr. 2 - 5.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Cactus Cafe, a beautifully illustrated book andaccompanying tape, tells the story of a desertmicro-ecosystem. The reader witnesses a shortperiod of time between the pollination andfruiting of the great and venerable SonoranSaguaro Cactus. It becomes apparent how all theanimals, insects, plants and ultimately humansare dependent and interdependent on the fruitingSaguaro.The illustrations by artist Mirocha who lives inthe Sonoran desert, depict the colonies of birdsand mammals that live in or on the cactus.However, the cactus itself appears from manyperspectives and lighting situations. One suchshows the talons of a hunting owl hurtling downfrom the top of the page; another shows usperched at the top of the cactus peering down atjavelinas; a third is a close-up of the cactusblooming.The narration is a word-for-word recitation of thetext that is presented in boxes within theillustrations. The narration is crisp and precise, ifsomewhat less than dramatic. At the end of thebook is a world map locating the Sonoran Desert,a one page summary of facts about the SonoranDesert and the cacti, a fold out illustration, andindividual pictures of the plants and animalsdescribed in the text.. David Rash★Faces in the Forest, by Ron Hirschi;photographs by Thomas D. Mangelsen. (AWildlife Watcher's First Guide.) LCCN95048420. New York: CobblehillBooks/Dutton, 1997. ISBN 0525652248, HBB,$15.99.591.52. Forest animals. Unp. K - Gr. 3.Faces in the Mountains, by Ron Hirschi;photographs by Thomas D. Mangelsen. (AWildlife Watcher's First Guide.) LCCN95048421. New York: CobblehillBooks/Dutton, 1997. ISBN 0525652256, HBB,$15.99.599. Mountain animals. Unp. K - Gr. 3.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5In a tangle of purple thistles, a tiny pair of shinyblack eyes blink inquisitively. Then with a sharpchatter and a flash of cinnamon stripes theydisappear. In Faces in the Forest and Faces inthe Mountains, Ron Hirschi introduces youngwildlife enthusiasts to many of the creatures thatlive in the wilds of North America. From thechocolate-colored moose wading knee deep inthe beaver pond, to the chickadee’s distinctivesong, Hirschi’s knowledge of wildlife is carefullycondensed to a few succulent facts that enticereaders to become active observers.In twenty-eight pages, each book brieflydescribes characteristics, habitats, andenvironmental concerns, but the focus remainson identification. Beautiful color photographstaken by Thomas Mangelsen capture thecreatures in their natural environment. At theback of each book is a section that gives pointerson successful wildlife watching and additionalfacts. They list animals that typically share thesame habitat, and suggest locations where thesegroups may be observed.Hirschi and Mangelsen are both dedicated topreserving the wildlife of North America. Theyhave collaborated on several other books dealingwith animals and nature. Mengelsen’sphotographs have been published in magazinessuch as Audubon and National Geographic.Melinda TorgersonSea Snakes, by D. M. Souza. (Creatures AllAround Us.) LCCN 9717996. Minneapolis:Carolrhoda Books, 1998. ISBN 1575052636,HBB, $19.93.597.96. Sea snakes; Snakes. 40 p. Gr. 1 - 4.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5D. M. Souza writes of the underwater seacreatures known as sea snakes. True sea snakesspend their entire lives in the water while anotherspecies spends some time on the land. Thisinteresting and vivid reference book includespronunciations of words with which students arelikely to be unfamiliar. The life of the sea snakeis fully explored from birth. The habitats of theseinteresting reptiles leap off the page in brilliantcolor photographs. Children will enjoy learninginteresting facts such as the fact that the sea snakewill collect extra salt under its tongue in asublingual gland. When the gland is full, thesnake spits it out. And, the lungs of a sea snakeallow it to stay under water for over two hours.Sea Snakes is a book that includes the essentialsof an index and glossary as well as a comparativechart. Elementary school children will befascinated by the details revealed by author D. M.Souza about an animal most of us fear.Photographs take the reader directly into the lifeof the sea snake and its habitats. Sea Snakes willbe useful in libraries as a reference book as wellas for that interesting and unusual book to read.Barbara A. Wall★Through Tsavo : A Story of an East AfricanSavanna, by Schuyler Bull; illustrated by PaulKratter. (The Nature Conservancy.) LCCN9747611. Norwalk, Conn.: Soundprints, 1998.ISBN 1568995547, KIT, $19.95.599.67. African elephant; Tsavo National Park(Kenya); Elephants. 1 36-page hardcover book; 1audiocassette, 12 min. Gr. 1 - 4.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Elephant Calf and his mother, the herd matriarch,live on a protected preserve in Tsavo NationalPark in Kenya, East Africa. As the herd roamsover the grassy plains looking for water, ElephantCalf inspects a gigantic termite mound andfrolics with the dangling bands of bark hismother decorticates off a tree trunk. The herdtravels by a pack of hyenas, a group of giraffes,and reaches the pools at the inlet of the Mzimariver in the late afternoon. Elephant Calf has funin the mud and at nightfall snuggles into thegrassy plain with the herd encompassing her andfalls asleep.Schuyler Bull has written a fascinating storyencapsulating an East African Savanna. Therealistic sounds on the audiocassette narrated byRandye Kaye will give children the feeling theyare journeying across the plains of East Africawith Elephant Calf.Through Tsavo is an excellent book forintroducing children to an East African savanna,especially with Paul Kratter’s exceptional fullpage color illustrations surrounding the text andon the selfsame dust jacket and hard cover. Theinclusion of supplementary data, a pictureglossary identifying animal names, and a fold-outof the savanna add to the overall educationalvalue of the book. Dianne WoodmanC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 4 3 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

CHILDREN’S NONFICTIONCanopy Crossing : A Story of an AtlanticRainforest, by Ann Whitehead Nagda;illustrated by Thomas Buchs. (The NatureConservancy.) LCCN 9639091. Norwalk,Ct.: Soundprints, 1997. ISBN 1568994524,KIT, $19.95.599.8. Tamarins; Monkeys; Rainforest animals. 1 36p. hardcover book; 1 11 min. audiocassette Gr. 2 - 5.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 4The rain forest is a hot topic. Newspapers arefilled with articles about its importance anddestruction and the indigenous people whopopulate the area. School curriculum includesteaching about the rain forest so this will be awelcome addition to library shelves, especiallysince it comes with a cassette for reading along.The Nature Conservatory has published a book tofill the need that will instruct young readers aboutthe delicate balance of life in this preciousresource.And instruct it does; fact after fact fills the storyabout a young tamarin monkey, one of only 300left in the rain forest, and his quest for a mate. Ashe searches, readers are introduced to the otherinhabitants of the rainforest, the fig wasp, anolelizard, harpy eagle, hermit hummingbird, palmtanager, red-tail parrots, tree frog, Azteca ants,azure jays, three-toed sloths, katydid, agouti,pacas, and white-lipped peccaries. Readers learnthat the bromeliad is the chief food of the tamarinmonkey, and that it too is endangered. Each ofthe animals and the trees and plants mentioned isillustrated in the glossary but no moreinformation is given about them. Readers learnmuch through this pleasant story designed toteach us as much as possible about the Atlanticrain forest.Art work by Wisconsin artist, Thomas Buchs, isfull-page, dark, as is the under canopy of the rainforest where light does not penetrate. Bursts ofcolor from the animals, birds and foliage relievethe darkness while the text is set off in lightergreen.While not the best of the titles available on therain forest, for those libraries looking for morematerials on the Atlantic rain forest this will be auseful addition. Leslie Radloff600’s — TechnologyThe Safe Zone : A Kid's Guide to Personal Safety,by Donna Chaiet and Francine Russell;photographs by Lillian Gee. LCCN 9736309.New York: Beech Tree, 1998. ISBN 0688153089,PAP, $4.95.613.6. Safety; Strangers; Child abuse. 160 p. Gr. 2 -6.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Donna Chaiet and Francine Russell havedeveloped a book designed to acquaint youngerchildren with issues of safety. Safety is bothphysical and emotional, and many types ofsituations are addressed in this guide. Using realchildren from a California school for the picturesand real incidents (name changes, of course),each different situation and the rules to handle theissue are dealt with in a matter of fact manner.The result is that children will feel empowered totake steps that do not involve physical contact toprotect themselves. The authors have businessesthat conduct workshops in schools teachingchildren the simple rules and proceduresdiscussed in this book, and have done so fortwenty years. This adds credibility to thepractical no nonsense approach.Children will learn how to set boundaries, dealwith bullies and strangers, when to ask for help,and many other relevant safety issues. Parentsand teachers should read or work with studentsregarding the issues in The Safe Zone. Adultsmay also learn good coping strategies for somesituations, though adults are most definitely notthe target audience for this book. A section ongetting help with a list of agencies as well as a listof other resources for more information makethis an especially valuable resource. Sharing thisbook with your child is an apt way to opendiscussion of these serious safety issues.Barbara Wall700’s — The Arts and RecreationArt of the Far North : Inuit Sculpture,Drawing, and Printmaking, by Carol Finley.(Art Around the World.) LCCN 9728375.Minneapolis: Lerner, 1998. ISBN0822520753, HBB, $22.60.704.03. Inuit art; Inuit--Social life and customs. 56 p.Gr. 5 - 8.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Art of the Far North is a story about the Inuitpeople, also known as Eskimos. The first chapterof the book is a conspectus of a society thatevolved from a wandering culture to a neotericlife. Chapter Two comprises sculpture which ispredominantly of Arctic animals, drawing, andthe process involved in printmaking. ChapterThree consists of folklore, beliefs, and thecustomary and neoteric life.Carol Finley has written a fascinating accountabout the Inuit people with a map depicting theirlocation, and key illustrations throughout thetext. Well-authenticated, the book includessources for further reading, a selectedbibliography, sources for quotations and poems,photos of contributing artists, and an index.Dianne WoodmanThe Nine-ton Cat : Behind the Scenes at an ArtMuseum, by Peggy Thomson with BarbaraMoore; edited by Carol Eron. LCCN96018809. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1997.ISBN 0395826551, HBB, $21.95.708.153. National Gallery of Art (U.S.). 96 p. Gr. 4 -8.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.has 800 keys to unlock doors in two buildingsalmost a third of a mile long which houseapproximately 94,000 (!) works of art so that upto 17,000 visitors a day can view those works.Those statistics alone made the book fascinatingreading. But this is the story of the people behindthe scenes who make it possible for the public toview the collection of great and not-so greatworks of art. This book gives readers an idea ofwhat the curators, conservators, designers,installers, art handlers, security people,custodians, carpenters, masons, housekeepers,librarian, gardeners, and “lampers” (they changethe light bulbs), engineers, electricians, painters,and last but not least, the museum directors do,and how they work together to make art exhibits“user friendly” and display the art that has beencollected.The audience for this book will be narrow, thoseinterested in art and museums, but art andclassroom teachers will find this useful forpreparing students for visits to those places.Photos show the installation of new exhibits andsome of the people doing their jobs. Sidebarsgive additional information and along the wayreaders learn about conservation and restorationpractices for paintings and sculpture, along withgallery decoration, and flower arrangement in thegalleries and courtyards. Each part of theNational Gallery’s vast collection is discussedwith humorous tidbits thrown in: Directions forcleaning might include removing your shoes andcrawling on the platform, or followingbrushstrokes on a painting with a paintbrush toremove dust..There is a wealth of information here, and a visitto an art museum will never be quite the sameafter reading it. It won’t matter if the onlymuseum nearby is a city or county historicalmuseum, there will be people in each filling theroles discussed in this book. Leslie Radloff★Leonardo Da Vinci, by Diane Stanley. LCCN9535227. New York: Morrow, 1996. ISBN068810438X, HBB, $15.93.709. Leonardo, da Vinci, 1452-1519; Artists. 48 p.Gr. 1 - 6.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Diane Stanley, author and artist for LeonardoDaVinci, has created a masterful work in herexploration of the life of the famous artist andscientist. Combining the facts of his life with thesocial, political and religious influences of theRenaissance, the author has brought Leonardowithin the reach of very young children as well asfurnishing fascinating reading and insight forolder children and adults. Her clear, colorfulillustrations in Renaissance style depict theF A L L , 1 9 9 8 4 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 NONFICTIONscenes of the day as well as incorporatingDaVinci’s own artwork into the illustrations. SeeDaVinci at work on the “Last Supper,” and findout the shocking truth of “Our Lady and her Sonwith the Angels.” Sit in the audience withcostumed partygoers at the palace of Ludovicofor the unveiling of the “Feast of Paradise,” andexamine drawings of submarines and scubadivers. Grow old with the artist and shed a tearat his passing. This extraordinary book deservesa place in every artist’s library. Judy DriscollPaper Airplanes : Models to Build and Fly, byEmery J. Kelly; illustrations by DarrenErickson; photographs by Richard Trombley.LCCN 9610909. Minneapolis: Lerner, 1997.ISBN 0822524015, HBB, $17.95.745.592. Paper airplanes. 64 p. Gr. 4 - 7.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Paper Airplanes takes paper crafts to a newheight. Emery J. Kelly presents a dozen models,starting with the Improved Dart, and advancingto the Stealth Wing. Using ordinary materialssuch as paper, staples, and tape, the detailedinstructions guide the reader into the science offlight. Several experiments are included toillustrate the basic principles of aerodynamics.These will aid in adjusting the models to achievemaximum flight or coax them to perform turnsand loops.Paper Airplanes has rainy day appeal. It glidesjust as easily into an art class as a science class.Although the directions are simple and thediagrams clear, the best models require attentionto detail to be successful. Its basic premisechallenges logic and problem solving skills. Themodels range from the usual swept wing designto a double winged canard and tandem biplane.Each one poses its own variables and advantages.The author even claims to have flown one ofthese models over a three-story school buildingon a windy day! Melinda TorgersonFrom Slave Ship to Freedom Road, by JuliusLester; paintings by Rod Brown. LCCN9644422. New York: Dial Books for YoungReaders, 1998. ISBN 0803718934, HBB,$17.99.759.13. Brown, Rod--Themes, motives; Slavery in art;Afro-Americans in art. 40 p. Gr. 3 - 7.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Drawing from deep within his soul and heart,Rod Brown tears into ours with paintings so realthey blast away mere photography. From slaveship horror, resignation, degradation, Browntraces the depths, passions, heartbreaks, andhopes as the slaves travel the freedom road. Hisancestors lived it and through them he activelyrelives it, painting their voices and colors. Facesfull of living personality present their story: feet,fingertips, arms tell of death, torn love, slaveowners’ self-chosen ignorance, religious ecstasy,stunning freedom. Julius Lester’s meditationsaccompany throughout, calling the reader toenter into the lives of the people who live thisperilous, perplexing adventure.The pictures in From Slave Ship to FreedomRoad come from Brown’s critically acclaimed,magnificent exhibition From Slavery toFreedom. Enhanced by historical research withmanipulations of energy, shadow, color, detail,gradations of light, and perspective, the pictureswell over with abundant life. Gripped by thisvivid representation of his ancestors’ story JuliusLester lets his heart speak for each painting.With simplicity of narrative, daring not to detractfrom the painting, using a cogent simplicity ofnarrative Lester leads the reader to draw the storyfrom his own thoughts. Award winning authorLester has written several historical novels aboutslavery. Both artist and writer successfullypresent raw, unadorned truth understandable andacceptable to all ages. Donna EggettWhen I First Came to This Land, retold byHarriet Ziefert; pictures by Simms Taback.LCCN 979612. New York: G. P. Putnam'sSons, 1998. ISBN 0399230440, HBB, $15.99.782. Folk songs--United States. 24 p. K - Gr. 2.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5When I First Came to This Land is a cumulativefolk poem first brought to the United States overa century ago and now retold by Harriet Ziefert.It tells the story of an immigrant beginning withthese lines, “When I first came to this land, I wasnot a wealthy man.”, and the poem grows as heaccumulates a farm, plow, horse, and so on. Witheach item he adds, he gives it an appropriate, butsometimes silly name; he calls his horse “I’mthe-boss!”The poem wraps up endearingly withhis finding a wife, “Spice-of-my-life!” andhaving a son, “So-much-fun!”Simms Taback’s illustrations are alive withsimple detail that make each page fun to explore.The text makes for a pleasurable read-aloud thatwill have children chanting along. Sally KuhnsCumbayah, by Floyd Cooper. LCCN 9644323.New York: Morrow, 1998. ISBN 0688135447,HBB, $15.93.782.42. Folk songs--United States. 22 p. PS - Gr. 3.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Featuring a rainbow of children with theirsupporting cast of like adults, Cumbayahpresents in picture, word, and music thisuniversally beloved song.Seeing picture books as a vehicle for presentingimportant ideas to the whole family, awardwinning illustrator Floyd Cooper uses Cumbayahas a bridge between cultures. His colorfulpictures and sympathetic portrayal of emotions inchildren and adults of many races illustrate eachverse. An international circle of pre-schoolchildren hold hands and sing, “Cumbayah, myLord.” An Asian family clinging together infront of shadowy barbed wire exemplifies,“Someone’s crying, Lord.” Rainbow framedwords and music fill the end papers. The historyof this Gullah song makes an interesting forwardto this book. The pictures invite touch and thepaper is strong enough to cope with gentle littlehands. Cumbayah excellently introduceschildren to the delights of the hymn story genre.Donna Eggett800’s —Literature★Cactus Poems, poems by Frank Asch;photographs and notes by Ted Levin. LCCN96-50351. San Diego: Harcourt Brace, 1998.ISBN 0152006761, HBB, $18.00.811. Deserts--Poetry; American poetry. Unp. Gr. 2 -6.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Frank Asch states that his goal for writing CactusPoems was to “Enter the desert as a child, touchthe soul of the place and let it speak through me.”His goal is accomplished as he captures thestarkness, the strength, and the beauty of thedesert in his poetry. Ted Levin’s sensitive colorphotography will open this world of sand andwildlife in a new and beautiful way for children.Animals, plants, birds, and insects pause on thesepages to teach their lessons of survival in a harshenvironment. Asch’s words go from whimsy andhumor to breath-taking beauty and sensitivity.Through the art of poetry and photography one isinvited into this harsh world to delight andexplore.Cactus Poems is a marvelous book to share withchildren, either introducing them to NorthAmerican deserts or to enhance their presentknowledge. A section of notes on desert life atthe end of the book gives further information foradult or child on the desert environment and it’sinhabitants. Mary JarvisInsectlopedia, poems and paintings byDouglas Florian. LCCN 96023092. SanDiego: Harcourt Brace, 1998. ISBN0152013067, HBB, $16.00.811. Insects--Poetry; American poetry. 47 p. Gr. 3 - 6.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Douglas Florian brings a light and whimsicaltouch to Insectlopedia, a book of poetry aboutinsects that children will chuckle over whilelearning. His watercolor illustrations capture theessence of young discovery and enthusiasm.Kids will wander around reciting these catchyshort poems that intrigue with their rhyme. Whocould resist, “Mosquitoes are thin/ Mosquitoesare rude/ They feast on your skin/ For take-outfood.” His playful attitude with words willC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 4 5 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

CHILDREN’S NONFICTIONencourage children to read poetry and make uptheir own rhymes. Whether learning about theinsect world or just enjoying poetry, this is a bookkids will love. Mary JarvisThe Llama Who Had No Pajama : 100 FavoritePoems, written by Mary Ann Hoberman;illustrated by Betty Fraser. LCCN 9518491.San Diego: Browndeer Press, 1998. ISBN0152001115, HBB, $20.00.811. American poetry. 68 p. K - Gr. 6.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5More than forty years of Mary Ann Hoberman’sverse for children has been collected in TheLlama Who Had No Pajama by a winner of theAmerican Book Award. Hoberman knows thefeelings and delights of childhood. Weather,whimsy, wildlife, and the world of the child areall reflected in her poetry. She speaks directly tothe child in her rhymes and children will want tohear or read these tongue ticklers again andagain. Award winning artist, Betty Fraser hascaptured the spirit of the poet and the young inher colorful illustrations. A helpful index ofpoems is at the end of the book. This promises tobe an oft-read book for home or classroom.Mary Jarvis★Grassroots, poems by Carl Sandburg;paintings by Wendell Minor. LCCN 9546419.San Diego: Browndeer Press, 1998. ISBN0152000828, HBB, $18.00.811. Middle West--Poetry; American poetry. 35 p. Gr.1 - 6.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Artist Wendell Minor has captured the essence ofCarl Sandburg’s poetry of mid-America inGrassroots. Sandburg’s love for the land, itsrigors, and its inhabitants shine through hiswords. Children learning history and their rootswill be drawn to a deeper understanding of whatour nation is about through the poetry andillustrations. At the conclusion of the book,Minor shares his own heritage of growing up onthe Illinois plains. He says of Carl Sandburg,“Though we are of different seasons, we share alove of the land and are bound together by ourgrassroots.” That heritage and love permeatesboth poems and watercolor paintings. MaryJarvisAntarctic Antics : A Book of Penguin Poems,written by Judy Sierra; illustrated by JoseAruego and Ariane Dewey. LCCN 96-41041.San Diego: Gulliver Books, 1998. ISBN0152010068, HBB, $16.00.811. Penguins--Poetry; Antarctic regions--Poetry;American poetry. 29 p. K - Gr. 3.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Penguins pop off the pages of this lively book inrhyme and whimsical illustrations. Judy Sierratakes a playful, poetic approach to describing thelife and antics of this Antarctic bird. Childrenwill learn and be amused as they watch ahatchling emerge in the cold world of ice andsnow, or be wary as the wily killer whale stalksthese feathered friends. Bright, humorousillustrations by Jose Aruego and Ariane Deweygive an idea of the life and habitat of these birdsin Antarctic Antics : A Book of Penguin Poems.This will be an enjoyable introduction to anunusual bird. Mary JarvisWhen a City Leans Against a Sky, poems byAllan A. De Fina; illustrations by KenCondon. LCCN 9479159. Honesdale, Pa.:Wordsong, 1997. ISBN 1563971372, PAP,$8.95.811.54. City and town life--Poetry. 64 p. Gr. 2 - 5.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5When a City Leans Against the Sky is a collectionof short poems. Each short poem allows thereader to look at some simple aspect of the cityand see something new. The shadows of the fireescape are piano keys and the cat on the windowsill is the fire escape princess who “dreams royaldreams.”Allan A. De Fina writes about ordinary thingswith insight and humor. His poems engage thesenses and tease the imagination. Sometimesplayful and other times contemplative, he isalways imaginative. Piece by piece, he picks upthe parts of his city and examines them, turningthem over and seeing more than one usuallynotices. His ability to see beauty in the ordinary,everyday things we seldom notice awakens theimagination. The pencil drawings by KenCondon in city gray tones have a quality oftimelessness about them. Cathleen SovoldJohnsonMonster Riddles, by Louis Phillips; picturesby Arlene Dubanevich. (Viking Easy-To-Read.) LCCN 9647722. New York: Viking,1998. ISBN 0670874590, HBB, $13.89.818. Monsters--Wit and humor; Riddles; Jokes; Easyreading materials. 42 p. Gr. 1 - 3.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 4Monster Riddles, a level three book from theViking Easy-to-Read series, is just right forchildren beginning to read on their own. Thejokes and riddles in Monster Riddles are silly, justas this age group likes, and easy enough to showoff their developing reading skills. Each pageseparates the illustration from a text box to offer48 playful riddles. The joke or riddle is printedin large, easy-to-read type, such as “Where doesa 3,000-pound monster sleep?” The answer orpunch-line, “anywhere it wants to,” is in smallertype at the bottom of the text box.Louis Phillips has written outrageous text, muchof which is pun-based, that will keep youngreaders chuckling and wanting to practice theirreading skills. The theme of monsters sometimesstretches to include ghosts, giants, and a giantape. Types of monsters are grouped together.For instance, all the ghost riddles are together.One riddle, “Why does Count Dracula drinkblood?” appears twice—on facing pages—buthas two different twists. Lisa Wroble900’s - Geography, History, andBiographyTen Queens : Portraits of Women in Power, byMilton Meltzer; illustrated by BethanneAndersen. New York: Dutton Children'sBooks, 1998. ISBN 0525456430, HBB, $24.99.909. Women--Biography. 134 p. Gr. 5 - 7.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 4In Ten Queens author Milton Meltzer introducesthe reader to female rulers: Esther, of secrets andrevelations; Cleopatra, the scion of publicrelations; Boudicca, the red-headed Briton whosought revenge; Zenobia, a guardian of a fableddesert oasis; Eleanor of Aquitaine, “who leapedover the barriers of proper behavior set for hersex” (p. 43); Isabel, dedicated to the unificationof Spain as a country and under one religion;Elizabeth I, “Good Queen Bess... a rare genius”(p. 83); Christina of Sweden, champion of thearts; Maria Theresa, devoted mother to herfamily and her far-flung country; Catherine theGreat, liberal reformer to bitter reactionary.Meltzer chooses his subjects well, showing, bycontrast, that the women are flesh-and-blood, yeteach with courage to live her values andcleverness to achieve goals. He writes in astraight-forward manner, making no apologiesfor their faults, not giving undue praise to theiraccomplishments. He leaves that judgment to thereader.Andersen’s drawings add a touch of stylization tothe book. She often adds flags flying, hair beingswept back by the wind. The pictures are notportrait-perfect, but are an interpretation of thetext.Ten Queens includes a table of contents, preface,a note on sources, bibliography and index. Thelay-out invites the reader to use the book as aresearch source. Su HagertyThe Explorer's Handbook : How to Become anIntrepid Voyager, by Marilyn Tolhurst. NewYork: Dutton Children's Books, 1998. ISBN0525652620, HBB, $14.99.910.9. Exploration--Handbooks, manuals, etc. 29 p.Gr. 3 - 5.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5F A L L , 1 9 9 8 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

CHILDREN’S NONFICTIONMarilyn Tolhurst challenges children to discoverwhat it would have been like to be an explorer ofearly lands. She begins by mentioning thecourage and dedication needed by explorers to beable to face the unknown, and ends the handbookwith a quiz for students to test for themselveswhether or not they have that same courage anddedication. Throughout The Explorer’sHandbook, Marilyn Tolhurst gives examplesfrom Egyptian civilization up to the twentiethcentury, of the gamble explorers took to discovernew lands. Explorers such as FerdinandMagellan and Roald Amundsen risked death tomake new discoveries. Many like ChristopherColumbus and Marco Polo were never given therecognition they deserved until long after theirdeaths.Simple projects such as making a compass and asea chest will encourage children to feel as if theyare participating in some of the experiences ofexploration. Interesting illustrations add uniquedetails such as the list of Captain Cook’s supplieson board his ship and the description ofexplorers’ headgear.The Explorer’s Handbook is more than adescription of the history of exploration.Students will become involved in the projectsand motivated by the fascinating pieces ofinformation about different explorers to want todo further research on individual discoverers.The Explorer’s Handbook is a wonderfulintroduction to the history of exploration and ahelpful aid for school projects. After reading thisbook, children will be motivated to discover newworlds of their own. Susan RobinsonColorado, by Eleanor H. Ayer. (Celebrate theStates.) LCCN 96034267. Tarrytown, N.Y.:Benchmark Books, 1997. ISBN 0761401482,HBB, $22.95.917.88. Colorado. 144 p. Gr. 4 - 8.Indiana, by Marlene Targ Brill. (Celebratethe States.) LCCN 96026369. Tarrytown,N.Y.: Benchmark Books, 1997. ISBN0761401474, HBB, $22.95.917.72. Indiana. 144 p. Gr. 4 - 8.Louisiana, by Suzanne LeVert. (Celebrate theStates.) LCCN 96026802. Tarrytown, N.Y.:Benchmark Books, 1997. ISBN 0761401121,HBB, $22.95.917.63. Louisiana. 144 p. Gr. 4 - 8.Oregon, by Rebecca Stefoff. (Celebrate theStates.) LCCN 96034984. Tarrytown, N.Y.:Benchmark Books, 1997. ISBN 0761401458,HBB, $22.95.917.95. Oregon. 144 p. Gr. 4 - 8.Vermont, by Dan Elish. (Celebrate theStates.) LCCN 96026191. Tarrytown, N.Y.:Benchmark Books, 1997. ISBN 0761401466,HBB, $22.95.917.43. Vermont. 144 p. Gr. 4 - 8.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5The publishers of the Celebrate the States Serieshave done a great job presenting informationabout each state and identifying its specialdistinctive features. Each author is either fromthe particular state, or has close ties to it. Eachvolume includes an introduction with quotationsfrom famous people native to that state, historicaland current. Then the text covers geography,history, government and economy, people,achievements, and landmarks. A picture of theflag, the seal, the survey a state official dates,state animals, a list of famous people and places,and a timeline are given. A bibliography andindex complete each book. On each cover is aglorious picture typifying that state, and eachchapter begins with a beautiful page and a halfphotograph. Along with the other numerousphotographs are prints of historical paintings.Plenty of different kinds of helpful maps, charts,and graphs are included, as well as recipes andsongs peculiar to the area, with words and music!In Colorado, by Eleanor H. Ayer, the chapter onhistory is titled from Pueblos to Condos, andaptly presents the changes that this area hasexperienced. Indiana by Marlene Targ Brillstates that people from Indiana “pride themselveson their sense of balance, fair play, and strongmiddle-of-the-road beliefs.” Louisiana ischaracterized by its colorful politics andfascinating history in the book, Louisiana bySuzanne LeVert. Oregon, by Rebecca Stefoff,claims to have a little of everything, and to havebeen a paradise for the early pioneers. Vermont,by Dan Elish, typifies the state as a fiercelyindependent people who are hard workers andhave their own sense of humor.The reading level for this series is valid for thecontent presented. Boxes are inserted withvignettes and extra interesting information. Eachvolume contains good variety and loads ofinformation. An environmental theme isapparent in dealing with the land and people.Judy BelcherConnecticut, by Victoria Sherrow. (Celebratethe States.) LCCN 96042008. Tarrytown,N.Y.: Benchmark Books, 1997. ISBN0761402055, HBB, $22.95.917.46. Connecticut. 144 p. Gr. 4 - 8.Tennessee, by Tracy Barrett. (Celebrate theStates.) LCCN 96044983. Tarrytown, N.Y.:Benchmark Books, 1997. ISBN 076140208X,HBB, $22.95.917.68. Tennessee. 144 p. Gr. 5 - 8.Wisconsin, by Karen Zeinert. (Celebrate theStates.) LCCN 96049381. Tarrytown, N.Y.:Benchmark Books, 1997. ISBN 0761402098,HBB, $22.95.917.75. Wisconsin. 144 p. Gr. 4 - 8.South Dakota, by Melissa McDaniel.(Celebrate the States.) LCCN 96049272.Tarrytown, N.Y.: Benchmark Books, 1997.ISBN 0761404198, HBB, $22.95.917.83. South Dakota. 144 p. Gr. 5 - 8.Alaska, by Rebecca Stefoff. (Celebrate theStates.) LCCN 96049313. Tarrytown, N.Y.:Benchmark Books, 1997. ISBN 0761402071,HBB, $22.95.917.98. Alaska. 144 p. Gr. 4 - 8.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Celebrate The States is a digest of each state inthe United States illustrated with maps, graphs,paintings, and photographs. The books recountgeographic features, major historical eventscontributing to the shaping of the states as theyare today, political structure, cost of living,population mix, educational system, galas, publicfigures born and/or living in the state, and spotsof interest to travelers. A road map of each state,a United States map, and an introduction withquotes from a cross-section of the generalpopulation is at the beginning of each book withengrossing sidebars dispersed throughout them.The books are divided into six chapters withsubheadings and excellently amalgamated textand illustrations. However, not all of theillustrations are located parallel to the text. Thegross state product appertains to the year l992and the ten largest cities the mid-1990’s. Allother information appears up-to-date.The index is troublesome to use. In Wisconsin,the Harley-Davidson motorcycle is crossreferencedunder transportation and Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Old World Wisconsin isonly referenced under museums. Neither of thegeneral entries had subtopics, so I had to checkall of the listings under each to locate the textinformation and illustrations applicable to OldWorld Wisconsin. Illustration page numbers areboldfaced making it easier. The sameinconsistencies are evident in all the books.Additionally, farming is listed as agriculture inTennessee. References in the index do notalways refer to the correct page in the text, and Ifound a few mistakes with illustration pagenumbers not boldfaced and entries applicable tothe location of information in the text mislabeled.Following Chapter 6 in all five books is aphotograph of the state’s flag and seal, a StateSurvey encompassing pertinent facts such asstatehood, nickname, plus the state song, withsubheadings of Geography, Timeline, Economy,Calendar of Celebrations, State Stars, and Tourthe State plus Fun Facts in Alaska, South Dakota,and Wisconsin. Tour the State is filled withinteresting locales to visit, but I could not findsome of the attractions on the maps. The last partin the book is a Find Out More section with alisting of books, a webpage, and videos. ButConnecticut does not include videos, andTennessee additionally includes CD-ROMs,videodisks, and software. Dianne WoodmanC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 4 7 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

CHILDREN’S NONFICTIONThe Usborne Book of Famous Lives. Tulsa:Usborne, 1997. ISBN 0746030339, PAP,$19.95.920. Biography. 245 p. Gr. 3 - 6.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 4Originally published as five separate titles,Usborne Books has combined them into onelarge volume covering inventors, scientists,explorers, kings and queens, and famous women.This is a volume which will keep the inquiringmind busy for months! Each section is presentedwith short excerpts of background material tohelp understand the scope of the subject area.Then each subject is presented in small multiparagraphsections reminiscent of newspapercolumns. Clear and precise illustrations andphotographs in both color and black and whiteaccompany each presentation to enhanceunderstanding of the subject. Each section endswith a page of key dates in that arena and a pageof quiz questions (with an answer key) for thosewho may want to test their knowledge.In checking out specific topics for review it wasnoticed that some topics such as the origin of theuniverse, do not present creation science, butinstead present the ideas of Hubble’s AndromedaSpiral, Lemaitr’s Big Bang theory, and Bondi’sSteady State theory. Because of the scope of thebook, only the bare facts are presented, enough towhet the readers appetite to search further. Thevolume does contain a table of contents and anextensive index. Judy DriscollIf I Only Had a Horn : Young Louis Armstrong,by Roxane Orgill; illustrated by LeonardJenkins. LCCN 96015380. Boston: HoughtonMifflin, 1997. ISBN 0395759196, HBB,$16.00.921 (781.65). Armstrong, Louis, 1901-1971;Musicians; Jazz; African Americans--Biography. Unp.Gr. 2 - 5.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 4One night, Louis Armstrong and his friends aregathered on the street corner in the busy city ofNew Orleans, and someone has a gun. Louispulls the trigger, shooting a bullet high into thesky. The boys laugh, but a policeman takes Louisaway. Now Louis must live at the ColoredWaif’s Home, a place for poor boys who get intotrouble. Fortunately for Louis, there is a band,and one day, Louis gets his chance to become apart of it. With the help of the kindly banddirector, Louis’ dreams about becoming a jazzmusician are beginning to come true.If I Only Had A Horn, by Roxanne Orgill,highlights the turning point in the life of LouisArmstrong. It is a story which reveals one youngman’s determination to make his dreams cometrue, even in the face of adversity, although thegun scene is taken rather lightly by the author,and shows the consequences for Louis, but notfor the other boys who were involved.Just like the hot jazz music Louis loved to play,Leonard Jenkins’ illustrations are dark and sultry.Blacks, browns, and bright colors, interwovenwith a variety of texture and media, give theseillustrations a surrealistic effect. Whilemaybenot appealing to younger children, theirabstract quality makes them interesting to study,as it is easy to find something new in them eachtime they are viewed. Virginia SchnabelLou Gehrig : The Luckiest Man, by David A.Adler; illustrated by Terry Widener. LCCN95007997. San Diego: Gulliver Books, 1997.ISBN 0152005234, HBB, $15.00.921 (796.357). Gehrig, Lou, 1903-1941; Baseballplayers. 32 p. K - Gr. 4.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Lou Gehrig, the man who never missed a gamein fourteen years. Born in 1903, Mr. Gehrigplayed his first game in 1925 for the New YorkYankees. In 1938 he started having troubleplaying. First, he couldn’t hit. Then he couldn’tfield. In 1939, he pulled himself out of the game.Later he was diagnosed with what is now knownas Lou Gehrig’s disease, amyotrophic lateralsclerosis. He died in 1941 at the age of thirtyseven.David Adler has written a biography of LouGehrig that is appropriate for young elementarystudents. The colored paintings by TerryWidener illustrate the text well. Jane MouttetMount Everest and Beyond : Sir EdmundHillary, by Sue Muller Hacking. (BenchmarkBiographies.) LCCN 96018481. Tarrytown,N.Y.: Benchmark Books, 1997. ISBN0761404910, HBB, $14.95.921 (796.5). Hillary, Edmund, Sir; Mountaineers. 48p. Gr. 2 - 4.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 4A Life with Animals : Jane Goodall, byElizabeth Ferber. (Benchmark Biographies.)LCCN 96017131. Tarrytown, N.Y.:Benchmark Books, 1997. ISBN 0761404899,HBB, $14.95.921 (591). Goodall, Jane, 1934-; Zoologists;Chimpanzees--Habits and behavior; Women--Biography. 48 p. Gr. 2 - 4.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 4She Dared to Fly : Bessie Coleman, by DeloresJohnson. (Benchmark Biographies.) LCCN96002404. Tarrytown, N.Y.: BenchmarkBooks, 1997. ISBN 0761404872, HBB, $14.95.921 (629.13). African Americans--Biography;Coleman, Bessie, 1896-1926; Air pilots; Women--Biography. 48 p. Gr. 2 - 4.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 4Heroic Sioux Warrior : Crazy Horse, byVirginia Schomp.. (Benchmark Biographies.)LCCN 96039121. Tarrytown, N.Y.:Benchmark Books, 1998. ISBN 0761405224,HBB, $14.95.921 (978). Crazy Horse, ca. 1842-1877; OglalaIndians--Biography; Indians of North America--Biography. 48 p. Gr. 2 - 4..Quality - 4 Acceptability - 3The Man Who Painted Indians : George Catlin,by Nancy Plain. (Benchmark Biographies.)LCCN 96005623. Tarrytown, N.Y.:Benchmark Books, 1997. ISBN 0761404864,HBB, $14.95.921 (759.13). Catlin, George, 1796-1872; Indians ofNorth America--Social life and customs; Artists;Painters--United States. 48 p. Gr. 2 - 4.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 3He Fought for Freedom : Frederick Douglass,by Virginia Schomp. (BenchmarkBiographies.) LCCN 96002401. Tarrytown,N.Y.: Benchmark Books, 1997. ISBN0761404880, HBB, $14.95.921 (973.7). Douglass, Frederick, 1817?-1895;Abolitionists; African Americans--Biography; Slaves--United States--Biography. 48 p. Gr. 2 - 4.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Rough Riding Reformer : Theodore Roosevelt,by Gary L. Blackwood.. (BenchmarkBiographies.) LCCN 96053087. Tarrytown,N.Y.: Benchmark Books, 1998. ISBN0761405208, HBB, $14.95.921 (973.91). Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919;Presidents. 48 p. Gr. 2 - 4..Quality - 4 Acceptability - 4Partner in Revolution : Abigail Adams, byClare Hodgson Meeker. (BenchmarkBiographies.) LCCN 96047790. Tarrytown,N.Y.: Benchmark Books, 1998. ISBN0761405232, HBB, $14.95.921 (973.4). Adama, Abigail, 1744-1818; First ladies;Women--Biography; Adams, John, 1724-1826. 48 p.Gr. 2 - 4.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5The Last Hawaiian Queen : Liliuokalani, byPaula Guzzetti. (Benchmark Biographies.)LCCN 96017308. Tarrytown, N.Y.:Benchmark Books, 1997. ISBN 0761404902,HBB, $14.95.921 (996.9). Liliuokalani, Queen of Hawaii, 1838-1917; Kings, queens, rulers, etc.; Hawaii--History;Women--Biography. 48 p. Gr. 2 - 4.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 3Mount Everest and Beyond: Sir Edmund HillaryTo Edmund Hillary, mountain climber andadventurer, the greatest challenge he can think ofis to climb Mt. Everest, the tallest mountain inthe world. After years of preparation andtraining, Hillary faces his challenge and fulfillshis original dream, but what he finds in theprocess is a new dream that will last a lifetime.A Life with Animals : Jane GoodallF A L L , 1 9 9 8 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

CHILDREN’S NONFICTIONFor Jane Goodall, there has never been anythingmore rewarding in life than studying animals.From her earliest childhood, she has spent herfree time learning about them. Little does sherealize that one day, her love for animals willhelp her to become the most famous student ofchimpanzee behavior in the world, and that herdiscoveries will change the world of naturalscience forever.She Dared to Fly : Bessie ColemanIt is the early 1900’s in the United States ofAmerica and Bessie Coleman wants to become apilot, but has two major strikes against her: she isfemale, and black. These prejudices make itimpossible for her to achieve her dream in herown country, but instead of giving up, Bessiesails to France to find a flying school that willaccept her. After completing a seven-monthcourse, Bessie becomes the first AfricanAmerican woman ever to earn the right to pilot aplane.Heroic Sioux Warrior: Crazy HorseWhite men are moving West and pushing theIndians out of their homelands. Some braveswant to give up and make peace, but not CrazyHorse. As a young boy, Sioux warrior CrazyHorse receives a vision which tells him that oneday he will lead his people in fierce battlesagainst the white men and win many victories.Yet his vision also reveals a tragic ending to hiscareer. Both parts of the vision come true, but notbefore Crazy Horse leaves behind a legacy thatwill become a part of American history forever.The Man Who Painted Indians: George CatlinGeorge Catlin is a man who is not satisfied witha normal life. As a talented artist, he is making agood living painting portraits of famous andwealthy Americans, but George wants somethingmore, so he sets out to find a “noble purpose” forhis art. George finds his purpose when he sees agroup of Plains Indians pass throughPhiladelphia. These Indians are still free andproud, and George determines that he will spendhis days traveling throughout the West, paintingthe way Native Americans live; before their wayof life disappears forever.He Fought for Freedom: Frederick DouglassFrederick Douglass is one of only a few slaveswho know how to read. This makes lifedangerous for Frederick, but knowledge is thetool he uses to break free from slavery forever.Once he is free, Douglass is not content to sitback and enjoy life; instead, he becomes part ofthe abolitionist movement and uses his fierypublic speaking skills to help all slaves becomefree.Rough Riding Reformer: Theodore RooseveltAlthough his life has always been plagued byillness and weakness, Theodore Roosevelt isdetermined to live a life of adventure, and this isjust what he does. From nature writer andrancher, to statesman and politician, Roosevelt’sirrepressible personality eventually lands him inthe White House, where he will become one ofthe most well respected and well loved Americanpresidents of all time.Partner in Revolution: Abigail AdamsThe British are unfairly taxing the colonies andpeople who live in the new country are fed up.Many are demanding a revolution and AbigailAdam’s husband, John, has joined the fight.Now Abigail must do her part to help win thebattle for freedom, as her home becomes a placeof refuge for weary revolutionaries. When thewar finally ends, Abigail continues to support herhusband as he helps to build the new country, andwhen he eventually becomes President of theUnited States.The Last Hawaiian Queen: LiliukalaniIn Liliukalani’s country called Hawaii, the sky isblue, the sun warm, and the flowers sweetlyscented. It is a land where she and her peoplefeel happy and safe; that is until white men beginto move in and take over this island nation.Although the Polynesian people fight to protecttheir home land, the American people prove toopowerful for them. When Liliukalani becomesqueen, she finds she is queen in name only andcan do nothing to help her people. Over time, shemust face many more trials before she learns toaccept and appreciate the fact that her onceindependent nation is now a part of the UnitedStates of America.This Benchmark Biography series introducesyoung readers to some of the most memorablecharacters in American history. The quality issomewhat affected by a number of typographicalerrors and the short, choppy, and unchallengingsentences throughout most of the books. Still,the information is thorough and gives a goodoverview of each subject’s life in a small amountof space.There are some obvious biases against Caucasianpeople in several of the books, one against peoplewho hunt, and one against missionaries. Also tobe noted: in Crazy Horse, Indian spiritualism isdescribed and mentioned several times.Overall, this series provides a fascinatingglimpse into the lives of people who chose tomake a difference. The challenges theseAmericans faced, and the dreams they lived outare an inspiration.One thing that makes this series effective is thatsome of the books are based on and use quotesfrom the subject’s personal writings. These arenot dry textbooks, but exciting, emotionalaccounts of the highs and lows of each subject’slife.The book’s illustrations are photos of actualpaintings, portraits, cartoons and historicaldocuments, and every book contains a glossaryof terms, as well as an index of other resourcesfor further study. Virginia SchnabelBard of Avon : The Story of WilliamShakespeare, by Diane Stanley and PeterVennema; illustrated by Diane Stanley.LCCN 9046564. New York: Morrow, 1992.ISBN 0688091091, HBB, $15.93.921 (822.3). Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616;Dramatists--English; Poets, English. 44 p. Gr. 4 - 6.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 4It’s a piece of detective work that Diane Stanleyand Peter Vennema do in their book Bard of Avon(illustrations by Diane Stanley). JohnShakespeare, a prosperous glove maker andbailiff of Stratford-on-Avon, was the father ofWilliam Shakespeare. The young William waseducated at the local grammar school, and thateducation influenced the subjects of his laterwritings. He married young, then left his wifeAnne Hathaway and their three children with hisparents, and ventured forth to London. There hejoined an acting company of about twelve men.New scripts were needed to keep theirsophisticated audiences’ interest, so “theUniversity Wits” started writing plays,Shakespeare majoring in tragedies, comedies andhistories.A highlight of the book is the information aboutthe coinage of phrases attributed to the brightmind and glib tongue of William Shakespeare(Shagspeare, Shakspere, Shakestaffe or some 76other variations). The author’s note, postscript,and bibliography guide the reader to moreglimpses of the world of Shakespeare and theevolution of the theatre.The book Bard of Avon has high interest with alimited vocabulary. Su HagertyThe Back of Beyond : A Story About Lewis andClark, by Andy Russell Bowen; illustrationsby Ralph L. Ramstad. (Carolrhoda CreativeMinds Book.) LCCN 95051267.Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Books, 1997. ISBN1575050102, HBB, $14.21.921 (917.804). Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806); Lewis, Meriwether, 1774-1809; Clark, William,1770-1838; Explorers. 64 p. Gr. 2 - 5.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5From the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountainsin Virginia to the shores of the Pacific Ocean inOregon, author Andy R. Bowen traces thefootsteps of Meriwether Lewis as he grows, iseducated, joins the army, and finally explores thefar west with his friend and colleague WilliamClark. This narration of the trip west on what isnow the Lewis and Clark Trail is chuck full ofinformation on the life of early Americanexplorers and how they faced the wilderness.The author has combined his narration with shortexcerpts from the Lewis and Clark diaries to givethe reader glimpses of the feelings of the men asthey met extreme circumstances and uncertainfutures. Illustrator, Ralph Ramstad hasaugmented the narration with black and whitedrawings of the explorers at work, lendingC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 4 9 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

CHILDREN’S NONFICTIONrealism to the explorers’ travails as well asinterest to the descriptions of clothing and thetools of the trade. Written in easy to read, shortchapters, this book is certain to please those facedwith a history report or those who just enjoy anexploration of their own. A short Afterword,Bibliography and Index round out this excellentoffering. Judy DriscollOver the Top of the World : Explorer WillSteger's Trek Across the Arctic, by Will Stegerand Jon Bowermaster; sidebars by BarbaraHorlbeck. LCCN 96006913. New York:Scholastic, 1997. ISBN 0590848607, HBB,$17.95.921 (919.804). Steger, Will; Arctic regions--Discoveryand exploration; North Pole--Discovery andexploration; Explorers; Diaries. 63 p. Gr. 3 - 8.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Over the Top of the World is the exciting accountof five people, three sleds, and twenty-two dogsthat crossed the frozen Arctic Ocean in 1995. Inhis prologue Will Steger shares what led up tothis expedition that he intended to use to drawattention to the Arctic’s ecosystem. The body ofthe book is Steger’s account of the team’santicipation, frustration, and excitementthroughout the trip as transcribed in his diary. Heinvolved children in his trek each day as the teamcommunicated on the Internet with schoolsaround the world. The epilogue shares thebenefits gained by the expedition. Full-colorphotographs illustrate the text on every page.These enable the reader to experience theexpedition with the explorers. Sidebars byBarbara Horlbeck include further informationabout people, places, and things mentioned in thetext. Steger’s graphic account of this incrediblejourney from Russian to Canada by way of theNorth Pole will enthuse anyone who has a senseof adventure. Patricia PerryHonest Abe, words by Edith Kinhardt;paintings by Malcah Zeldis. LCCN 9147191.New York: Mulberry, 1998. ISBN0688158382, PAP, $4.95.921 (973.7). Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865; Presidents.29 p. K - Gr. 2.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Honest Abe is as simple and straightforward asAbraham Lincoln himself. Born in a Kentuckylog cabin, Abe grew up in the wilds of thewestern frontier. This rough life taught him to bebrave and hardworking. He loved to learn.When it was impossible to attend school, hetaught himself. By the time he was grown,people loved and trusted him because he wasalways fair and honest. Once, while working asa storekeeper, he walked three miles to find awoman who had overpaid him six cents. Abebecame a lawyer, and was eventually electedpresident. However, being magnanimous is notalways popular. Just after the end of the CivilWar, an angry man shot him while he was at atheater with his wife.In approximately 1000 words, Edith Kunhardintroduces readers to a great man of Americanhistory. Her narrative is factual, but reads as asmooth story. The book has excellent visualappeal. Malcah Zeldis’s primitive stylepaintings fill each page with dramatic whimsy.Her imaginative depiction of early American lifebalances the unadorned nature of the text. Thefacts, which have been carefully selected for theirappeal to young readers, emphasis AbrahamLincoln’s high moral character. Honest Abeconcludes with the full text of the GettysburgAddress and a timeline of Lincoln’s life.Melinda TorgersonA Day With a Noblewoman, by RéginePernoud; illustrations by Giorgio Bacchin;translated by Dominique Clift. (A Day With---.) LCCN 9647107. Minneapolis: Lerner,1997. ISBN 082251916X, HBB, $16.95.944. France--Civilization--1000-1328; Women--France--Social life and customs; Blanche, de Navarre,comtesse de Champagne, d. 1229; Nobility--France--Champagne. 48 p. Gr. 4 - 9.A Day With a Stonecutter, by Régine Pernoud;illustrations by Giorgio Bacchin; translatedby Dominique Clift. (A Day With---.) LCCN969519. Minneapolis: Lerner, 1997. ISBN0822519135, HBB, $16.95.731.4. Stone carving--Europe; Stone cutters--Europe;Stone carvers--Europe; Church buildings--Europe. 48p. Gr. 4 - 9.A Day With a Miller, by Régine Pernoud;illustrations by Giorgio Bacchin; translatedby Dominique Clift. (A Day With---.) LCCN9628160. Minneapolis: Lerner, 1997. ISBN0822519143, HBB, $16.95.664. Millers; Middle Agea. 48 p. Gr. 4 - 9.A Day With a Troubadour, by Régine Pernoud;illustrations by Giorgio Bacchin; translatedby Dominique Clift. (A Day With---.) LCCN9638952. Minneapolis: Lerner, 1997. ISBN0822519151, HBB, $16.95.841. Troubadours; Peire Vidal, fl. 1200--Fiction. 48 p.Gr. 4 - 9.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 4This new series from Runestone Press, a divisionof Lerner Publishing, will no doubt fill a need forstudents wanting to know more about life in theMiddle Ages. The French author and Italianillustrator have worked together on the fourbooks which seem to have been published first inEurope and then translated for an Americanaudience. That may explain some of the stiltedsentence construction, and why typicallyAmerican words like “Daddy” creep in where aFrench child would say “Papa.”Readers of history and historical fiction set in thisperiod will find a wealth of details about dailylife. All the titles in this series help readersunderstand more completely Karen Cushman’sCatherine Called Birdy, de Angeli’s A Door in theWall, Grey’s Adam of the Road, and others setduring this long period called the Middle Ages.Using these titles along with Macauley’s Castleor Cathedral give readers more insight into theimportance of the stonecutter (particularly in thetwo titles just mentioned), and theinterdependence of these people on one anotherand their dependence on the nobles whom theyserved. These also serve the adult reader as agood overview to the period. The format, largepicture book style, may put off some olderstudents however.While not the only materials out there on thetopic, these are well-researched books designedso that the supplementary materials, glossary,pronunciation guide, index, and suggestedreading lists, are easy to understand and follow.However, the bindings do not appear to be verystrong. They are shiny covers with no dustjacket, the kind that do not wear well with heavyuse. On the plus side, these are attractivelyillustrated volumes with drawings, photographsof the areas, and art work. Many pages beginwith the first letter of the first paragraphilluminated as would be the first word of anilluminated manuscript. The drawings for thestories of these individuals, though, are not veryappealing, especially the faces, whereas thehorses and other objects are well-drawn. Thelack of evenness in the drawing may be due to thefact that several artists were responsible foradditional art. While good, consider the needs ofyour library carefully and compare these to othermaterials.A Day With a NoblewomanBased on the life of Blanche of Champagne, ayoung widow who struggled to govern andsafeguard her young son’s inheritance after hisfather died on the way to the Crusades, readersare taken through a day in her life. This providesreaders with details of how she spent her timeand what she did for entertainment, for work andrecreation. It also dispels the idea that no one inthe Middle Ages ever bathed—Blanche took fullbaths.A Day With a StonecutterHere a readers follow a fictional stonecutter as heworks on a church in the northern part of France,practicing his trade and art. Readers are takenfrom the stone quarry with its deafening noise tothe relative quiet of carving at the cathedrals andchurches. Here Yves the stonecutter decides hemust work cutting the stone into statues whichwill adorn the buildings.A Day With a MillerReaders are introduced to milling in the first partof the book, and good thing they are since manyreaders do not connect grains with the finalproduct of bread, cake, or cookies. The millerLandry is fictionalized, although details are takenfrom historical accounts. Daily family life andF A L L , 1 9 9 8 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

CHILDREN’S NONFICTIONbusiness is explained through the story, but it isan explanation of a lifestyle, not the story of theperson, that interests the reader.A Day With a TroubadourAgain a fictionalized story based on a real-lifefigure, this time Peire Vidal who lived during the12th century, as did the figures of the otherbooks. Readers travel with Peire from castle tocastle, through exile for attempting to kiss thebeautiful Lady Vierna, whom he sung about inhis songs, to a castle preparing for a siege.Troubadours took the latest news, gossip, songs,and information on styles from castle to castle asthey provided entertainment and divertimentosfor the nobles. French troubadours developed theart form in southern France and were responsiblefor the songs of love and valor, such as The Songof Roland. Leslie RadloffIsrael : The Founding of a Modern Nation, byMaida Silverman; illustrated by SusanAvishal. LCCN 966689. New York: DialBooks for Young Readers, 1998. ISBN0803721358, HBB, $15.99.956.94. Jews--History; Israel--History; Zionism--History. 102 p. Gr. 4 - 6.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5Israel chronicles persecution and brokenpromises through the ages, and gives a verythorough history of the Jewish people up to andincluding the establishment of a nation in the late1940s. This book takes the reader on a historicaladventure, as seen through the eyes of a mostunique people—the Jews. Though they werescattered around the world, Jews longed for theirhomeland. Thanks to a variety of men throughthe ages—brought to life here via pencilsketches—the Jews were able to finally settle intheir beloved Palestine and make it into a nation.An in-depth bibliography, index, and timelineround out this great reference/history book.Barbara Beyer★Exploration and Conquest : The Americas afterColumbus : 1500-1620, by Betsy and GuilioMaestro. LCCN 9348618. New York:Lothrop, Lee and Shepard, 1994. ISBN0688092683, HBB, $15.93.970.01. America--Discovery and exploration; America--History--To 1810. 48 p. Gr. 3 - 6.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 4Exploration and Conquest, by Betsy and GiulioMaestro is a remarkable history book. Acompanion to their The Discovery of TheAmericas, this volume continues to develop thehistory of North and South America. The textclearly and concisely covers an enormousamount of complicated history in such a wayyoung readers will readily be able to absorb theinformation. The water color/pen and inkillustrations rendered with precision,complement and clarify further what is beingcovered in the text. Even though the informationis in picture book format, it should by no meansstop with young readers. This is a notableintroduction to the history of the Americas and ofthe New World, which students of all ages mightconsider when researching the subject.Without editorializing, the Maestros cover howthe Europeans exploited and dominated both theIndians and Africans as they developed theirinterests throughout the world. One possibleconcern is the how younger readers might needsome discussion on the issue of how dominantpowers should treat people and resources.Perhaps sensing this as a window for discussionthe Maestros sum up the momentous changebrought on by European advancement with thisone statement, “The great gain of one people wasthe great loss of another.”The Maestros once again have showcased theirabilities and talents by providing a history lessonthat is understandable and attractive. Pam WebbThe New Americans : Colonial Times, 1620-1689, by Betsy Maestro; illustrated by GuilioMaestro. LCCN 9519636. New York:Lothrop, Lee and Shepard, 1998. ISBN0688134491, HBB, $15.93.970.02. United States--History--Colonial period, ca.1600-1775; Canada--History--To 1763 (New France).48 p. Gr. 3 - 6.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5The New Americans is the most recent book inThe American Story Series by Betsy and GiulioMaestro. Written in a picture book format, itintroduces readers to life in the Americancolonies and the important events of the colonialperiod.Beginning with the arrival of the Pilgrims in1620, the Maestros cover the first Thanksgiving,religious freedom, exploration of North America,and the colonies’ struggle with England.Competition among the French, English,Spanish, and Dutch for the resources of NorthAmerica is also explored. Importantly, NativeAmericans are not forgotten. Their way of lifeand the injustices served them are covered ingreat detail. All of this is accomplished usingclear, concise text and the appeal of the picturebook. Giulio Maestro’s illustrations are beautifuland a great asset to the book. Not only are theyeye-catching and intriguing, but the maps, charts,and pictures provide valuable, accurateinformation. An index is also included.The American Story Series, which includes thebooks The Discovery of the Americas,Exploration and Conquest, and A More PerfectUnion: The Story of Our Constitution, hasalready won many awards, including two ALANotable Book Awards. Its newest book, The NewAmericans, would be a worthy investment forany library. Kerri CunninghamChildren of the Civil War, by Candice F.Ransom. (Picture the American Past.) LCCN9732624. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Books,1998. ISBN 1575052415, HBB, $19.93.973.7. United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865.48 p. Gr. 3 - 6.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5A solemn young man in an army uniform staresback from the photo. Johnny Clem joined theUnion Army at eleven years of age. It was saidthat he was small enough to fit in a drum. Whena cannon shell destroyed his drum, Johnnygrabbed a musket and began shooting. He is oneof many faces and stories among the pages of theChildren of the Civil War.Children of the Civil War is small book filledwith black and white photographs andillustrations of children and their families duringthe mid to late nineteenth century. Woventhrough the photo essay is the simplified story ofthe Civil War. Relying strongly on the visualimages, the author Candice F. Ransom toucheson the impact the war had on families.The back of the book lists further resourcesincluding a bibliography and internet websites.There is a question and answer session directedat parents and teachers, and a game for creating asecret code. Overall, the book provides a basicintroduction to the Civil War. This book is one offour books in the series, Picture the AmericanPast by Carolrhoda. Joanne Haffly★Charlotte, by Janet Lunn; illustrated by BrianDeines. Toronto: Tundra, 1998. ISBN0887763839, HBB, $15.95.974.7. Haines, Charlotte, b.1773; New York (N.Y.)--History--Revolution, 1775-1783. 28p. Gr. 3 - 5.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Author Janet Lunn and illustrator Brian Deineshave designed a masterpiece of nonfiction in thepicture book, Charlotte, the true story ofCharlotte Haines, a ten-year-old girl living inNew York in 1783. War with Great Britain hasleft scars of hatred and bitterness in Charlotte’sfamily. Her father, a Loyalist, and her uncle, arebel, don’t speak to each other.Charlotte’s pleasurable days of embroidery,painting, and dancing with her cousins Sally andBetsy at Mistress Sewell’s Select School forYoung Ladies end abruptly when the Loyalistsare forced to leave their homes. Will she neversee her cousins again? After Father forbids herto visit them, she disobeys, going one last time tosay good-bye. Denouncing her as “traitor”, heorders her to leave and she never sees her familyagain. Charlotte lives a long life in Nova Scotiaas a mother and grandmother, and in spite of hersad memories, as everyone’s cheerful friend.Continued on p.59.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 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

BOOK REVIEWSYOUNG ADULT FICTIONRules of the Road, by Joan Bauer. LCCN9732198. New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons,1998. ISBN 0399231404, HBB, $15.99.F. Stores, Retail—Fiction; Old age—Fiction;Automobile driving—Fiction; Alcoholism—Fiction;Texas—Fiction. 201 p. Gr. 7 - 10.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Rules of the Road is a delightful, fast-paced novelwith the starring role played by Jenna Boller, “atall girl with tall ideas.” Jenna has only recentlyacquired her driving license, but by a strangequirk of fate becomes the cross-country driver forMadeline Gladstone, elderly president of theGladstone Shoe Stores where Jenna is employed.She’s a crackerjack shoe salesman but when itcomes to driving, our heroine has a lot to learn.Along the way she does learn—about life anddeath, but mostly about herself.The story has many laugh-aloud scenes yetconveys a poignancy that touches the reader’sheart. Jenna’s father is an alcoholic and theproblems related to that have plagued her and hersister all their lives. This trek from Illinois toTexas helps her to understand alcoholism to somedegree, and also to understand her ownambivalent feelings toward her dad; she begins tocome to grips with this issue in her life. It is amuch matured and changed Jenna that returns toher mother and sister at the end of heradventurous summer.This would be a well-read addition to any library.Joan Bauer is a well-known author, whose nameAWord from the Editor: Sylvia StopforthSeries FictionSeries fiction, particularlythat written for youngerreaders, is often scorned byparents, librarians, andother concerned adults.Yet, despite our best effortsto guide young readers to"superior literature," requests for the latest inthe Sweet Valley High, Bailey School Kids,and Goosebumps series abound. So we shakeour heads, reluctantly lead the way to thepaperback racks, and ask ourselves just whatthe attraction is.Sometimes, choices made in the library arebased on peer pressure. Everyone else in theclass, or group, seems to be reading thesebooks, and the need to belong, to fit in, can bea powerful force. Clever advertising andflashy cover art draw some readers in. Liketoys, movies and clothing, books have becomebig business. The popularity of some seriescan be almost entirely attributed to costly -and effective - marketing strategies.But surely there is more to it than that.Perhaps, in the interest of our young readers,we need to rethink our attitudes towards seriesfiction. What do series offer readers thatstand-alone titles do not?One of the most significant factorscontributing to the on-going popularity ofseries fiction is the concept of familiarity. Theplots are often predictable; we know from thefirst page that, no matter how convoluted thetrail of clues, Nancy Drew will crack the case.Children living in an ever-changing world findcomfort in recurring patterns. The familiarcan be comforting; it can also be freeing.Some young people may not be ready to dealwith particular themes or emotions depicted incertain books. As a result, they distancethemselves from the narrative, or stop readingaltogether. With a series, the reader has apretty good idea as to how it will all turn outin the end, so he can allow himself to becomeimmersed in and involved with the story to agreater extent. A certain level of trust isestablished between author and reader. Thisalso translates into fewer disappointments.After all, one is dealing with a knowncommodity, and so the risk of being let downis minimized. Most of us have, at one time oranother, picked a new book off the shelf, onlyto be disappointed with our selection.For those who find reading a bit of a challenge,series fiction is often more accessible. Certainelements are repetitive, and the author's writingstyle becomes familiar, so there are fewerdemands made on the reader. Reading seemslike less of a chore, and more of a pleasure.Sometimes, over the course of a series,characters can become old friends. They areconsistent and reliable, but never boring.Readers return again and again to becomereacquainted. As characters grow and develop,and overcome obstacles, these readers mayderive some sense of confidence in their ownability to weather life's storms.It seems, then, that there may be some legitimatereasons to read series fiction. So how can weemphasize the positive aspects, minimize thenegative, and foster a life-long love of reading?We do what loving, committed parents andlibrarians have always done.We know our young people. We look beyond thehype, and do not simply reject their opinions outof hand. We make a sincere effort to understandour young readers and their choices so that wecan support and encourage their efforts to makewise choices. We read what they are reading,and keep the channels of communication open.Finally, we are prepared for that moment whenthey decide they've had enough of that Star Trekseries, and we have booklists of quality titles -both stand-alone and series - ready.For ideas, check the pages of CLJ!BIBLIOGRAPHYCaywood, Carolyn. "Series fiction: the wholestory." School Library Journal, v. 38, n. 8(August 1992) p. 94 (1)Heppermann, Christine. "Reading by thenumber: paperback series fiction." The HornBook Magazine, v. 73, n. 4 (July-August 1997) p.432 (5).Ramsay, Rose R. "Where are you, NancyDrew?" Country Living, v. 20, n. 10 (October1997) p. 78 (2).In the next issue of CLJ, Sylvia will take a closerlook at several series currently available.F A L L , 1 9 9 8 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

YOUNG ADULTFICTIONwill ensure high circulation of her newest book.Ceil CareyThe Shakespeare Stealer, by Gary Blackwood.LCCN 9742987. New York: DuttonChildren’s Books, 1998. ISBN 0525458638,HBB, $15.99.F. Theater—Fiction; Orphans—Fiction; Actors andactresses—Fiction; Great Britain—History—Elizabeth,1558-1603—Fiction; Shakespeare, William, 1558-1603—Fiction. 216 p. Gr. 8 - 12.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Widge is a poor orphan in England apprenticed toa doctor who trains him in shorthand. Adeceptive, thieving man hears of Widge’sabilities, and “buys” him so Widge can illegallycopy Shakespeare’s plays for him. Widge entersthe Globe Theatre and attempts to copy Hamlet,only to have his tablet stolen. He makes friendswith “the players” and decides not to steal theplaybook, or copy it, after all. The theatreplayers care for him as he has never been caredfor before. He learns what true friends are, andeven gets parts himself. However, the evil“Falconer” is constantly lurking about, trying toget Widge back.Many exciting, dangerous adventures ensue, andthe characters are colorful and animated. Theauthor, Blackwood, obviously has considerableknowledge of the accents, clothing, customs, andculture of England in the 1600’s. Some of thedialect is difficult to understand, but makes for amore effective and believable novel. Severalswear words are used which, although fairlydiscreet, are really unnecessary.The Shakespeare Stealer is an intriguing bookthat weaves together mystery, culture, andadventure. The greatest value lies in the lessonslearned by Widge in morality, trust, friendship,and loyalty. The reader may also profit from thehistorical value of the content, gainingknowledge of the England of Shakespeare’s day.Mary Jo KrzymanskiAwakening Heart, by Melody Carlson.(Portraits.) LCCN 9745445. Minneapolis:Bethany House Publishers, 1998. ISBN1556619987, PAP, $8.99.F. Romance fiction; New Guinea—Fiction. 286 p. Gr.10 - Adult.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5The globe spun its blur of blues, greens and tansand Emma determinedly jabbed her finger ontothe smooth surface. With eyes closed she couldonly hope that her destination wasn’t in themiddle of the ocean. As she slowly lifted herfinger, the name Papua New Guinea emergedfrom the land mass on which she’d pointed.Relieved but trembling she knew that she wasactually going to go through with leaving homeand setting out in search of a new life—a newEmma Doris. This was to be a journey thatwould hopefully transform the mousy, shy, thirtyoneyear old into a personable and confidentyoung lady.The cruise itself is an awakening call to thefragile and gullible Emma, and she finally sendsa silent prayer upward that starts her on adifferent path than she had ever expected—ajourney back to the love and guidance of a caringSavior.As she accepts a position as governess to threemotherless children, she finds a depth to her lovethat she has never known. Through hardship andmisunderstandings, can Emma truly reach out toJosh Daniels and convince him of her care for hischildren? Despite danger and threats fromneighboring tribes, Emma discovers a true loveemerging. Can it be reciprocated by Josh or dopast hurts on both sides stand in the way of a truerelationship?Tracy Carlson writes a touching novel of innerhealing and new beginnings in Awakening Heart.The story moves smoothly from one challenge toanother that endears the reader to the interestingcharacters presented. Growth and changes arekey themes within this romance mystery. MaryKathleen McKinneyThe Kingdom of Kevin Malone, by SuzyMcKee Charnas. LCCN 97040720. SanDiego: Harcourt Brace, 1997. ISBN0152011919, PAP, $6.00.F. Fantasy. 272 p. Gr. 11 - Adult.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 4The passage between the world of Central Park,New York City, and Fayre Farre is entirelyplausible in the engrossing sci-fi The Kingdom ofKevin Malone, created by Suzy McKee Charnas.Amy, joined by her girlfriend Rachel Breakstoneand a schoolmate, Claudia, attempt to free KevinMalone, A.K.A. Kavian prince, the PromisedChampion, from his tortuous imaginary world.He has peopled Fayre Farre with trolls, moorims,giants, all in need of rescuing from the WhiteOne.Gradually the reader realizes that the plot is anattempt to work through a continuing cycle ofchild abuse. The story itself is strong, butinevitably demands a crisis the magnitude of thefinal battle to justify the conclusion. Charnaswrites in a vivid style that stimulates theimagination and lends depth to even thesecondary characters.There is some violence in action and language, inkeeping with the subject matter. Su HagertyWanted! by Caroline B. Cooney. New York:Scholastic, 1997. ISBN 0590099492, PAP,$4.50.F. Mystery fiction. 230 p. Gr. 7 - 10.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 4Alice receives an unusual phone call from herextremely rational dad. He wants Alice to drivehis red Corvette to an ice cream parlor outside oftown bringing a computer disk with her. Alice,however, does not yet have a driver’s license.Alice decides not to consult her mother whomight withdraw visitation to dad. As Aliceprepares to leave, the condo door opens but thevoice that calls out is not her father’s. Alicemanages to elude the intruder but her dad nevershows up. On the radio Alice hears a report of amurder at the Stratford Condominium complex.Marc Robie is dead and his daughter, Alice, iswanted for questioning. Alice calls her motheronly to be accused of confessing to murder viaemail. Now Alice is on the run trying to elude thepolice, the real killer and discover her father’ssecret.Caroline B. Cooney has written a tight mystery inWanted! though it is difficult to believe aninexperienced driver could handle an unfamiliarautomobile and continue to elude police, friends,family and the real murderer for several days.The story line is interesting but it is necessary tooccasionally suspend belief at the luck that Aliceexperiences in her search for the killer and in herattempts to locate places to stay at night. Aliceexhibits both logic and panic within close periodsof time. This seems normal and believable for asixteen-year-old.Wanted! is a mystery whose main character,Alice Robie, seems to vacillate between greatdetective work and the feelings of a child lost ina grownup world. Carolyn Cooney does well inbringing out this conflict that is perhaps fairlytypical of most teenagers were a murder notinvolved. Barbara WallNellie’s Quest, by Connie Brummel Crook.Toronto: Stoddart Kids, 1998. ISBN0773674691, PAP, $5.95.F. McClung, Nellie—Fiction; Women’s rights—Canada—Fiction; Teachers—Fiction. 180 p. Gr. 6 -12.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Nellie is a twenty-two year old teacher in EasternCanada. Her strong sense of justice, and belief inequality for women, lead her to become involvedin the Women’s Christian Temperance Union.She believes women are powerless because theyare not allowed to vote, and that they aresometimes the innocent victims of men whobecome drunk and abusive, squandering moneyneeded for the care of their families.Nellie also finds herself growing in love for WesMcClung, who is studying to be a pharmacist.When Wes goes to Toronto to finish hiseducation, he and Nellie correspond, graduallyexpressing more hints of their affection for eachother. When Wes finally returns, he proposes,promising to support Nellie in her work forwomen.C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 5 3 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

YOUNG ADULTFICTIONNellie’s Quest is the second of Connie BrummelCrook’s books based on the life of Nellie L.McClung. Well written, the book presents anaccurate picture of life in the late 1800’s. Thecharacters are well developed, and the readergains insight into the thoughts and motives of anintelligent woman of strong convictions.As Nellie encounters criticism from hercontemporaries, the reader becomes aware of theattitudes of that time, and of what happened tobring about change. Nellie sometimes findsherself balking at attitudes within the church, andshe has strong opinions about God as well. Oneincident in the book involves a church Halloweenparty during which Nellie participates in a prankto make people think she has been hypnotized. Itends with her feeling contrite over her ownfoolishness. Cathleen JohnsonThe Umbrella Man, by Roald Dahl. LCCN9732549. New York: Viking, 1998. ISBN0670878545, HBB, $16.99.F. Short stories. 279 p. Gr. 9 - Adult.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 2As a children’s author, Roald Dahl is one of thebest in the business, putting out such delightfultitles as James and the Giant Peach and Charlieand the Chocolate Factory. Who would havethought that the creator of Mr. Willy Wonka wasalso a master of the macabre?The thirteen stories in The Umbrella Man, whilecertainly not in the horror genre, have nothing todo with Oompah-Loompahs. They’re quiet littlestories, most with a sick twist: from a man whocollects severed fingers to a paltry umbrella thief,each story has a surprise ending, some of whichare satisfying, but most of which leave the readerwith a feeling of disgust.The stories, decidedly British, are clearly writtenby a skilled hand. The amount of research putinto some of the tales must have been exhaustive.Dahl goes into sometimes inexorable detailconcerning wines, antique furniture, and thehabits of bees; tiresome detail that, nevertheless,adds a great deal to the story.Personally, I loved the whole thing, thought itwas a delightful read; but for the kids, I’d stick togiant peaches. There’s a good deal of lightcursing, and far too many instances of eerie,warped humor and “adult” situations; nothinggraphic, but sometimes innuendoes are enough.Tara SiglerEscape to Murray River, by Robert Elmer.(Adventures Down Under; 1.) LCCN9721034. Minneapolis: Bethany HousePublishers, 1997. ISBN 1556619235, PAP,$4.99.F. Family life—Ireland—Fiction; Ireland—Fiction;Voyages and travel—Fiction; Australia—Fiction. 191p. Gr. 7 - 12.Dingo Creek Challenge, by Robert Elmer.(Adventures Down Under; 4.) LCCN9745447. Minneapolis: Bethany HousePublishers, 1998. ISBN 155661926X, PAP,$4.99.F. Australia—Fiction; Australian aborigines—Fiction;Cricket—Fiction. 171 p. Gr. 7 - 12.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Escape to Murray RiverTwelve-year-old, Patrick McWaid lived inIreland with his younger brother, Michael, and anolder sister, Becky. Their dad worked at thenewspaper office and was suddenly framed,tried, and sentenced to the prison colony ofWestern Australia for ten years of hard labor.Determined to be with her husband, Patrick’smother sells their possessions to get enoughmoney to buy tickets to go to Australia. Patrickdecides it is up to him to free his father and provehis innocence. Everything goes as planned untilduring their voyage, Patrick jumps overboard torescue a sailor during a storm. Patrick andJefferson are stranded on Kangaroo Island andmeet Luke, an aborigine. Luke takes them toHenry Gates, who gets Patrick and Jefferson offof the island and to the mainland of Australia.Patrick tries to catch up with his family and runsinto the man who was responsible for putting hisdad in prison. Patrick is finally reunited with hismom, brother, and sister. They all continue tosearch for their dad, who they find out hasescaped from the prison colony. Dorcas WalkerDingo Creek ChallengePatrick and his family, with their dad, livetogether in a cabin on Dingo Creek. He getsinvolved in an after-dark raid on an aboriginetribe that lives across the creek. Things begin tohappen to Patrick and his family. They receivethreats and pressure is put on them to stop Patrickfrom finding out who the true horse thieves are.Even Becky gets involved in trying to helpPatrick find the horse thieves. MeanwhilePatrick refuses to back off, and while sticking upfor his friends, finds himself involved in achallenged cricket game between the aborigine’sand the town bullies. It is while Patrick tries toprove the aborigine’s innocence, that he uncoversa big ring of horse thieves all across the state andleads Patrick in a merry chase ending up at theconstable’s office.Escape to Murray River and Dingo CreekChallenge are young adult fiction stories in theseries Adventures Down Under. A helpful map isplaced in the front of each book so the reader cankeep track of where the action is. Also in theback of each book, an epilogue tells about trueevents that happened in Australia during the timeperiod in which the book was written. Told in thethird person, these fast-paced mysteries will keepthe reader on edge while trying to figure out whothe real culprit it. Dorcas WalkerThe Jetty Chronicles, by Leonard EverettFisher. LCCN 97006451. New York:Marshall Cavendish, 1997. ISBN0761450173, HBB, $15.95.F. Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.)—Fiction. 96 p. Gr. 10- Adult.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 3The Jetty Chronicles is a fictionalized account oflife on the shores of Lower New York Bay duringthe years 1934-1939 as observed by the author ashe matures from a twelve-year-old to earlymanhood. The unifying factor is the jetty, a manmadepromontory built of rock blasted from theBrooklyn-Manhattan Transit.Following an explanatory introduction by theauthor, each chapter in the book represents adifferent year and centers upon a unique, adultcharacter. Underlying the sometimes humorousand very human characters is a sense ofimpending doom: Hitler’s atrocities and powerare growing. At the book’s conclusion, Americais on the verge of joining the war.Young readers who have difficulty empathizingwith older characters may find this aspect of thebook problematic, as will those who expect aunifying plot or suspense. However, the episodicformat is excellent for short spurts of reading,and the author’s forays into geology, shipping,history, and environmental concerns enrich thework.At least one of the characters is disturbing: Plaut,the Prince of Peace, who considers himself themiracle-working son of God. Plaut misusesscripture. The character is plainly delusional,and the author deals compassionately with him.Light profanity is used in a couple ofconversations.The author’s writing style is lyrically beautiful,and the exotic setting recalls a time that willnever come again. Reflecting this tone, his jacketpainting of a boy sitting at the end of the jettyevokes the hazy quality of memory. This uniquebook, written by an award-winning authorillustrator,might be more appreciated by adults.Marcy Stewart FroemkeMy Home Is Over Jordan, by SandraForrester. LCCN 97015591. New York:Lodestar Books/Dutton, 1997. ISBN052567568X, HBB, $15.99.F. Reconstruction—North Carolina—Fiction; NorthCarolina—History—Fiction; Prejudices—Fiction;;; 163p. My Home Is Over Jordan Gr. 7 - 10.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 4Freedom often comes at a price, which is whatthe Henry family and other freed slaves discoverin My Home Is Over Jordan, by Sandra Forrester.Readers were first introduced to Maddie and herfamily in Sound The Jubilee (a Notable TradeBook in the Field of Social Studies). In thiscontinuation of the story, members of the Henryfamily strive to carry out their dream ofF A L L , 1 9 9 8 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

YOUNG ADULTFICTIONbecoming landowners. They had thought that,with the Civil War behind them, and the sweetpromise of being a freed people ahead of them,life would would be easier. But the PromisedLand still has giants to conquer, the biggest onebeing prejudice.The main story revolves around Maddie, a stronglead character, as she tries to reckon with dreamsfor her own future. Forrester’s approach to thereality of what newly freed slaves encountered ishonest without being overly sympathetic. Shedelivers the impact of racial prejudice withoutemphasizing the violence. The modified dialectgives the story authenticity, but doesn’t slowdown the pace.Enough reference is made to the previous bookthat a reader can follow along with the plot,although reading the books in order will give abetter understanding of why the Henry’s searchfor their home over Jordan is still a river crossingaway. Forrester’s book makes the reader wonderif much has changed since Maddie’s time. Thereis one instance of profanity, which is presented incontext. Pam WebbJazmin’s Notebook, by Nikki Grimes. LCCN975850. New York: Dial Books for YoungReaders, 1998. ISBN 0803722249, HBB,$15.99.F. African Americans—Fiction; Authorship—Fiction;Poetry—Fiction; Diaries—Fiction; Sisters—Fiction;Harlem (New York, N.Y.)—Fiction. 102 p. Gr. 7 - 10.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 4With the current focus on retro, teen readers willenjoy a realistic taste of the sixties in Jazmin’sNotebook by Nikki Grimes. Jazmin is afourteen-year-old African-American teenagerliving with her older sister CeCe in Harlem. Byway of a journal, Jazmin conveys her thoughts,ideas and experiences through poetry and frankobservation. Living in poverty, in a tinyapartment occupied by rats the size of kittens,and with a mother in the mental hospital and abeloved father recently in the grave, Jazmin’soutlook on life could be one of apathy. Insteadthis teen girl faces life’s challenges with laughterand poems. She embraces the possibilities oftomorrow, and her outlook is encouraging eventhough her circumstances are not.For readers unfamiliar with the daily battle ofliving in the inner city, especially as a BlackAmerican during the sixties, Jazmin offers aneye-opening point of view. For instance, Jazminand a friend skip school, then drop in at a drugpusher’s house where other kids hang out.However, after smoking some marijuana, andnearly being sexually accosted, Jazmin decidesshe made a wrong decision and will not repeat it.Jazmin and other characters don’t always makethe best choices, but they do learn from theirdecisions, which emphasizes the fact thatmistakes can be learning devices and notnecessarily a pattern for life.This plucky heroine has a song in her heart eventhough she faces situations with clenched fists attimes. She portrays the hopeful message that aperson can be an overcomer in even the mostbleak of circumstances. Pam Webb★Out of the Dust, by Karen Hesse. LCCN96040344. New York: Scholastic, 1997. ISBN0590360809, HBB, $15.95.F. Dust storms—Fiction; Farm life—Oklahoma—Fiction; Depressions—1929—Fiction; Oklahoma—Fiction; Poetry—Fiction. 227 p. Gr. 9 - 12.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Karen Hesse begins her tale in January, 1934, setright in the Oklahoma dustbowl. Mama isexpecting a baby and fourteen-year-old Billie Jocan hardly wait. Finally she will have a littlebrother or sister! Tragedy strikes when Daddyleaves a pail of kerosene by the stove and Mamamistakes it for water. She is critically burned anddies giving birth to a baby who also dies. BillieJo is left with crippled hands and a big load ofguilt for her share in the accident. The nextcouple of years go by beneath a pall of despair—and dust. Only when Billie Jo decides to leavehome for good does she learn that “what I am, Iam because of the dust. And what I am is goodenough.” She is reconciled to her father, whoprepares to marry again and rebuild his life.Written in an unadorned prose style whichstrongly resembles blank verse, this is an intense,even a beautiful book. The very starkness of theimagery, studded with small evocative vignettesand examples of understated pathos, leaves apowerful impression on the reader.Karen Hesse’s book is about endurance, abouthope and perseverence. And yet it is also abouthumility, that necessary yielding of the strongpersonality—both Billie Jo’s and her father’s—that makes possible their ultimate survival.There is a touch of earthiness in one or two spots,along with some graphic descriptions of humansuffering which can be a little disturbing. Out ofthe Dust was the Newbery Award winner for1997. Colleen DrippéThe Confession, by Beverly Lewis. (TheHeritage of Lancaster County; 2.)Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers,1997. ISBN 1556618670, PAP, $9.99.F. Amish—Fiction; Mennonites—Fiction; Christianfiction. Gr. 9 - Adult.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5The Confession by Beverly Lewis picks upimmediately where book one of the Heritage ofLancaster County series leaves off. Shunned byher family and community for rebelling againstthe Amish faith, Katie Lapp seeks refuge with herMennonite relatives and enjoys exploring the“modern world’ of electricity, telephones, andmicrowaves. Katie revels in her new-foundfreedom by cutting her long hair and wearingbright, stylish clothes and make-up. But moreimportantly, Katie gathers up the courage toattempt to locate and contact her birth mother,Laura, who is dying.Katie visits her mother’s mansion, only todiscover an Amish imposter there, claiming to beKatie Lapp. Hiring on as a kitchen maid, Katie isfinally able to prove that she is Laura’s realdaughter by producing the pink satin baby-dressLaura made for Katie when she gave Katie up foradoption to the Amish. Laura and Katie arereunited shortly before Laura’s death. Theyspend precious few days in sweet fellowshipbefore Laura dies, leaving Katie not only thelegacy of the Bennett mansion, but the stirringsof interest in a personal relationship with God.Although the basic storyline of an imposter issomewhat unbelievable, The Confession issensitively written, realistically capturing Katie’sstruggle to put off her old life and adjust to hernew one. The story vividly portrays the anguishof Katie’s Amish mother, who suffered a mentalbreakdown when Katie left home. The book alsogives a realistic and insightful look at multiplesclerosis through the dignity and strength ofLaura, who copes with the ravages of the diseaseuntil her death. A side-theme, evidenced byDaniel, Katie’s Amish sweetheart, is theimportance of confessing your sins. Danielreturns to his family, seeking forgiveness forallowing them to believe for several years that hewas dead. Most importantly, The Confessionemphasizes the need for a personal relationshipwith God. Sherri BeelerThe Reckoning, by Beverly Lewis. (TheHeritage of Lancaster County; 3.)Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers,1998. ISBN 1556618689, PAP, $9.99.F. Amish—Fiction; Hospice—Fiction; Christian life—Fiction; Romance fiction. 281 p. Gr. 10 - Adult.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Who is she? Where does she belong? Is sheKatie Lapp, adopted Amish girl? Or is sheKatherine Mayfield, Mistress of MayfieldManor? Katherine finds herself living out herdream—the life of “the English.” After her birthmother dies, Katherine inherits a sizable estate.Since her Amish family and community has“shunned” her, she begins to build a new life—one that includes the wealthy Justin Wirth. But,she soon discovers that she can not walk awayfrom the family and community she has alwaysknown. When her childhood sweetheart, Daniel,reappears after his supposed death, Katherinefinds her heart divided and broken once again.The author, Beverly Lewis, tells an interestingstory about the bonds of family, friendship andlove. The fact that it is told in an Amish settingmakes it unique. The characters come alive andone finds that they care about the minorcharacters as well as the major ones. TheC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 5 5 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

YOUNG ADULTFICTIONReckoning, being third in the series, had someunclear parts from previous books that weredifficult to “piece together.” Also, throughout thenovel Amish or German words were used with notranslation. Tammy WilliamsSearching for Atticus, by Jan Marino. LCCN96053146. New York: Simon and Schuster,1997. ISBN 0689800665, HBB, $16.00.F. Fathers and daughters—Fiction; Post-traumaticstress disorder—Fiction; Interpersonal relations—Fiction. 192 p. Gr. 7 - 12.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Tessa Ramsey’s father is a renowned surgeon,her mother, a nurse. Tessa has always craved theattention and love of her father, but Dr. Ramseygives most of his attention to his patients and thehospital. Dr. Ramsey served in Vietnam, only toreturn a changed and haunted man. He confusesTessa and her mother. Deciding that he can nolonger work as a doctor in Milwaukee,Dr.Ramsey sets out for a research position inGeorgia, taking Tessa for company. Tessa andher father stop to visit her Aunt and decide tostay. Tessa’s father takes a job as the conventgardener while Tessa forms friendships withSelina and with handsome, older Caleb. AsTessa’s father tries to heal his psyche, Tessa fallsin love with Caleb. But Caleb’s character isflawed; eventually, he persuades Tessa to lie toher father, as Caleb has lied to her.Jan Marino has written a book with many levels.At the center is the returning veteran who is inshock and needs time and love to heal. Aroundhim is a wife and daughter struggling to keep thefamily together as outside forces work to tear itapart. And finally, there is Tessa growing olderand growing wiser as she deals with her fatherand young love. In one summer, Tessa learnspatience, trust in God, the pain of love andbetrayal, and the value of true friendship andhonesty. Caleb makes a perfect foil as the selfcenteredyoung man with only his own interestsat heart. There is some discussion of an unwedmother that is treated delicately and with nographic details.Searching For Atticus is a unique and quitelovely coming-of-age story. Barbara WallNever the Same Again. : A Young Woman’sStory of Life in the Blackstone Valley in the1820s, by Phyllis Hosken Masso. Carlisle,Mass.: Discovery Enterprises, 1998. ISBN1579600468, PAP, $14.95.F. Industrial Revolution—Fiction; Canals—Fiction;Family life—Fiction. 150 p. Gr. 10 - 12.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5With mother dying two years after father, the tenCarpenter children are faced with the struggle tosurvive and to keep the family intact—amonumental task for twenty-year-old Betsey, theeldest. Although there are many difficulties thatmust be managed, Betsey’s biggest decisionregards her relationship with Cyrus, a RomanCatholic. Will she seek God’s directionregarding the family’s and her own future?Never the Same Again is based on actual courtand town records of the Samuel Carpenter familyof South Sutton, Massachusetts, during the early1800s. Though the story lacks energy, PhyllisHosken Masso strives for accuracy regarding thefamily members, to the degree that the recordsallow. Everyday life during this era, along withhistorical incidents that took place, are blendedinto the fabric of the story, which includes theconstruction of the Blackstone Canal Locks, asource of labor for the Irish emigrants and othermen of that area. Words common to that time aresprinkled into the dialogue; a glossary ofdefinitions and an illustration of how the locksfunction are provided at the back of the book.The author portrays the religious prejudices thatabounded between Protestants and Catholics.There is a comment regarding the Latter-daySaints’prophet, Joseph Smith, and his mysterioustablet discovery, as well as Roman Catholicdoctrines that the people are warned against.Debbie LindsayWhen She Was Good, by Norma Fox Mazer.LCCN 96035532. New York: Scholastic, 1997.ISBN 0590135066, HBB, $16.95.F. Sisters—Fiction; Family violence—Fiction;Emotional problems—Fiction; Family problems—Fiction. 228 p. Gr. 9 - 12.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 3Mother dies and Em’s life becomes almostunbearable. Father soon remarries a woman whohas no desire to tolerate Em’s older sister,Pamela, who is out of control in the high school,on the bus, and at home. Pamela says whatevercomes into her head and eats everything, rapidlyadding to her girth and anger at the same time.She is emotionally disturbed and abusive, but sheis all that Em has.Together they leave Father’s trailer and end up inSyracuse, New York, living on Pamela’sdisability cheques and Em’s occasional jobs.Pamela can’t form any other human relationshipsand Em doesn’t know how, though she yearns forcloseness and the comfort of a mother figure.When Pamela dies and the disability checks stop,Em is virtually without food and resources andnot yet eighteen.Norma Fox Mazer finely draws the characters ofPamela and Em. Pamela is abusive and herlanguage is difficult, with frequent swear words.She is not a likeable or admirable character. Emis a victim who eventually claws her way out ofthe emotional walls she has let Pamela buildaround her. The language may be inappropriatefor some students, especially if they do notrealize that Pamela’s behavior is the result of amental illness.When She Was Good is a challenging book andemotionally difficult to read. It does dealrealistically with borderline homelessness andthe problems that face families with anemotionally ill child. Emotional illness can anddoes cripple the entire family, and it is only withthe most extreme effort that Em is able to rise upand begin life on her own. Barbara WallRun Away Home, by Patricia C. McKissack.LCCN 9643673. New York: Scholastic, 1997.ISBN 0590467514, HBB, $14.95.F. African Americans—Alabama—Fiction; ApacheIndians—Fiction; Race relations—Fiction;Friendship—Fiction; Alabama—Fiction; Indians ofNorth America—Fiction. 160 p. Gr. 5 - 10.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5Eleven-year-old Sarah Crossman, an only child,is consumed with jealousy when her parents takein a runaway Apache boy. She is cold to fifteenyear-oldSky, who in return ignores hercompletely. But they must set aside theirdifferences when the Crossmans face realtrouble. The year is 1888, and many blacks inQuincy, Alabama, have been forced intosharecropping. Mr. Crossman refuses to sell hiscotton farm, claiming that sharecropping is justanother name for slavery. But when boll weevilsdestroy his entire crop, he is in debt and in dangerof losing his farm. Sky has the chance to runaway again, but he chooses to stay and help theCrossmans fight for their land. Sarah makespeace with him, learns to love her adoptedbrother, and they stand together to defend theirfreedom.In Run Away Home, author Patricia C.McKissack uses incidents from her own familyhistory to craft a simply-written but satisfyingread. The characters are unusually welldeveloped;by the end of the book, you knoweach character intimately. The plot is slow insome places, due to far too much emphasis onSarah’s jealousy. It seems as thoughMcKissack’s original intention was to makeSarah’s bitterness the focus of the story, eventhough many more important things are going on,such as the attack of a group of nightriders, muchlike the Ku Klux Klan.Also, the book sends a mixed message aboutreligion; Mr. Crossman is a Christian, andfrequently quotes Scripture, but Mrs. Crossman,part Indian, shares Sky’s beliefs and sometimesuses incantations instead of prayer. Tara SiglerTomorrow’s Dream, by Janette Oke and T.David Bunn. (Sequel to AnotherHomecoming.) LCCN 9745480.Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers,1998. ISBN 0764220543, PAP, $8.99.F. Death—Fiction; Christian life—Fiction. 224 p. Gr.10 - Adult.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5F A L L , 1 9 9 8 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

YOUNG ADULTFICTIONKyle believes that nothing could be more perfectthan life itself. She has reunited with her realparents and brother, her husband, Kenneth, isloving, caring, and going places in his career, andshe is pregnant with their first child. Nothing butjoy emanates from her glowing face. But all thisis soon to be pushed aside as she is told that hernew baby has a life-threatening heart condition.Through this irreconcilable loss, Kyle turns awayfrom her family, her husband, and even God.Heart-ache after heart-ache seems to build upwithin her until she feels she is but a shell of aperson.How can her loved ones break through the wallsshe has built around herself? Is the Lord able totouch a heart that has chosen to cast the blame onan “uncaring God”? Through much soulsearching,and some very pointed statements bythose closest to her, Kyle begins to realize thatblame has little to do with what has happened.Now she must make the all-important decisionthat can turn her back to truth or keep herentombed in self-pity and fear.Janette Oke and T. Davis Bunn are masters atpulling the heart strings. They take a rathersimple plot, albeit heart-rending, and delve intothe thoughts and intents of the heart. AlthoughKyle’s character is somewhat frustrating with hermisguided choices, the reader can rejoice withthe assurance that God is big enough to reacheven the most desperate soul. Forgiveness andhealing are the main themes brought forth inTomorrow’s Dream. Mary McKinneyFramed, by Tracie Peterson. (Portraits.)LCCN 9733885. Minneapolis: BethanyHouse Publishers, 1997. ISBN 1556619928,PAP, $8.99.F. Romance fiction; Mystery fiction; England—Fiction. 238 p. Gr. 10 - Adult.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Touring Great Britain to write travel articles hasa certain appeal to Gabrielle Fleming, but thecontingencies are troublesome. Gabby’s sister,Janice, had insisted that she accompany her andGabby is suspicious that her sister has gotten intosome kind of trouble. She also has been assigneda photographer, handsome Jarod Walls, butGabby has always worked alone and feels putupon by the unusual arrangement.Soon the tour becomes anything but routine asGabby overhears Janice bargaining for fivemillion dollars! From this point, suspicion anddanger increases as Janice disappears and Gabbybecomes involved with gun-runners. Heramateur detective work only sinks her deeperinto trouble. By now she is not sure who can betrusted as Jarod appears to be part of theespionage. Trying to guard her heart fromJarod’s obvious interest in her, yet feeling the tugof her own heartstrings, Gabby forcibly puts herfeelings on hold to try to track down her sister.Can she take control of this dangerous situation,and her own life?Tracy Peterson, in her novel Framed, skillfullyweaves an exciting tale of intrigue and romancethat takes place in the heart of London and theBritish Isles. Her accurate information of famouslandmarks gives a clear picture of the historicalsites. The descriptions are a bit tedious in someplaces, as non-essential information to thestoryline, but all in all, this is a very exciting readfor the mystery lover. Mary McKinneyKindred Bond, by Deborah Raney.(Portraits.) LCCN 9745450. Minneapolis:Bethany House Publishers, 1997. ISBN1556619995, PAP, $8.99.F. Romance fiction. 281 p. Gr. 10 - Adult.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Claire Anderson works as a teacher at HanoverFalls Elementary School. She meets MichaelMeredith, a local nursing home administrator,and they begin to fall in love. As they shareabout their similar childhoods and the difficultiesthey both had experienced, the bond betweenthem deepens. However, Claire discovers thetruth about Michael’s identity and his connectionwith a dark secret from her own past, and shebreaks off their relationship. It seems unlikelythat things will work out between themTo complicate matters, Michael is dealing withproblems at the nursing home. Severalsuspicious deaths have occurred. Michael mustfigure out why, and who is responsible. His owncareer could be in danger.The author has written a charming, captivatingstory in Kindred Bond. God is portrayed as thehand behind the scenes that “works all thingstogether for good.”The writing style is a bit awkward. Michael’sidentity and Claire’s “secret” are easily figuredout long before the author reveals theinformation. The mystery at the nursing home isalso easily solved. But all in all, Deborah Raneypaints a beautiful picture of romantic love and theimportance of family. Robyn WyattPale Phoenix, by Kathryn Reiss. New York:Scholastic, 1994. ISBN 0590484052, PAP,$4.99.F. Death—Fiction. 326 p. Gr. 5 - 10.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Miranda Browne knows there is somethingstrange about Abby. Her skin is too pale, and herfootsteps vanish suddenly in the snow. WhenMiranda’s parents find out that Abby is homeless,they decide to take the girl into their home. Soonthey are quite attached to her, but Miranda feelsleft out in the cold. There is something wrongwith Abby—something so wrong it’s frightening.On top of that, Miranda realizes that confusingnew feelings are threatening her warm friendshipwith Dan.Finally, a desperate Abby confides in Miranda.Her family died in a house fire when she wasonly thirteen... in the year 1693. Somehow, Abbyhas survived, but she never grows, changes, orages. The only link between eras is a small stonestatue of a phoenix, the mythical bird that risesfrom the ashes to live again.Reiss’s narrative flows effortlessly in this wellwrittenstory. Her characters, with all their faultsand foibles, come to life, and often surprise thereader. Understanding and trust do not comeeasily, but come they do, and the reader, alongwith the characters, comes to understand that theability to change—and to grow—is a gift.A couple of expletives are used, and Dan givesMiranda an intimate backrub, but these incidentsare true to the characters. As they all grapplehonestly with the concepts of death and eternallife, Miranda comes to realize that she cannotchange the past, but must help Abby to face thefuture. Sylvia StopforthDesperate Measures, by Patricia H. Rushford.(Jennie McGrady Mystery; 11.) Minneapolis:Bethany House Publishers, 1998. ISBN0764220802, PAP, $4.99.F. Mystery fiction; Animal rights—Fiction. 160 p. Gr.6 - 12.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Jennie McGrady, sixteen-year-old amateurdetective, becomes involved in a murder mysterywhile visiting a fur farm belonging to familyfriends. Shortly after her arrival and introductionto mink farming, Jennie learns that someone hasraided a neighboring farm during the night, andreleased all the caged animals. She and her hostshurry to capture as many of the animals aspossible before they come to any harm in thewild. Suspicion for this deed falls on Jennie’sfriend, Scott, a former animal rights activist, whois working at the farm Jennie is visiting. Whenthe owner of the raided farm disappears, and islater found murdered, Jennie launches into ainvestigation of her own to discover the truth. Indoing so, she nearly becomes a murder victim,herself.Desperate Measures will hold a mystery reader’sattention right up to the end, as Jennie’s list ofsuspects and motives grows with each new twistand turn of the story. Author Patricia Rushforddoes an excellent job of keeping the suspenselevel high and the action moving. The plot doesnot slow down for an instant, as Jennie movesfrom one risky pursuit to another, in search of thetruth that will clear Scott’s name. Donna BrownMorningsong, by Patricia H. Rushford.(Portraits.) LCCN 9733860. Minneapolis:Bethany House Publishers, 1997. ISBN1556619936, PAP, $8.99.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 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

YOUNG ADULTFICTIONF. Romance fiction; Gospel music—Fiction. 252 p.Gr. 9 - Adult.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Elizabeth O’Brian, mother of MorningstarProductions singing star, Shanna O’Brian, dies inbed at her home. Readers, however, know shedid not die a natural death. Soon Shanna facesanother heartache: Andrew Morgan, president ofMorningstar Productions, and grandfather of herex-husband, Joshua, dies of a heart attack.Through well-constructed flashbacks, Rushfordreveals the lies and deceit that separated Joshuaand Shanna several years previously. Now,however, when Shanna sees Joshua again, herlove for him surfaces once again, but she doesnot allow herself to fully admit it even to herself.Joshua’s involvement with Laurie, his assistant inMorningstar Productions, stands like a hugebarrier. Shanna sees Laurie as the mother ofRyan, Joshua’s son. At times the remembranceof the happiness she and Joshua had and the babythey conceived soon after marriage overwhelmher. Shanna believes her mother did right bywhisking the baby away immediately after birth,not allowing Shanna to experience motherhood.Besides, Joshua had already left home,apparently leaving his love for Shanna behind.After his grandfather’s death, Joshua hastens toreveal his continual love for Shanna, but instead,he enlarges the wedge between them. WhenShanna hears she has inherited a portion ofMorningstar Productions, she runs away to hermother’s cabin on the Washington coast. There,she finally allows her heart to gain control. Thishappens only after Tom, Joshua’s brother, showshis true side, the FBI investigation into hermother’s death reveals surprises, and Shannafinds out the truth about her marriage and aboutRyan. One more big surprise rounds outShanna’s happiness.Rushford moves the story quickly and easilyfrom one location to another, giving the reader asense of place with each change. We ache forShanna and for Joshua, as well, as the storymoves through the suffering caused by thecombination of one woman’s selfishness and thewillingness of a family member to give in to herlies. Rushford makes sure that Nancy, an oldfriend and neighbor to the cabin, helps Shannaregain her spiritual equilibrium. This elementcomes naturally and unobtrusively, which adds apositive note to the good story. Betty M. HockettMatthew Unstrung, by Kate Seago. LCCN96050159. New York: Dial Books for YoungReaders, 1998. ISBN 0803722303, HBB,$16.99.F. Mental illness—Fiction. 236 p. Gr. 9 - 12.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 4Mental illness has not always been treated withan enlightened attitude. In 1910, whenseventeen- year-old Matthew Hobson can nolonger cope with expectations and dreams thatare not his own, he is institutionalized by hisstern father, the Reverend Hobson. ReverendHobson expects Matthew to follow in hisfootsteps, particularly since Matthew’s brotherZack has left the family to buy and run a ranch inColorado.Matthew can no longer do the work at school,and is expelled when he stops functioning on anylevel. Reverend Hobson believes that Matthewhas been made ill as a punishment by God andsimply ignores Matthew and the horrificinstitution in which he is placed. Zack discoversthe situation and gains custody of Matthew,eventually taking him to the ranch in Colorado.Slowly, with love and patience, Matthew beginsto heal and recover.Matthew Unstrung is based on the true story ofKate Seago’s grandfather. It is a vivid picture ofthe lack of understanding most people had inregard to mental illness. The religious beliefs ofthe father are so inflexible that Reverend Hobsoncannot see his family members as individualsneeding love, care, and understanding. This isnot a condemnation of religion and religiouspractices of the early 1900’s, though some maychoose to believe that. Rather, MatthewUnstrung is a story of love and redemption, andof belief in a kind and loving God. The historicalaspects of the treatment of insanity arefascinating, and the brotherly love inspiring.Barbara WallWhen Did We Lose Harriet? by PatriciaSprinkle. (MacLaren Yarbrough Mysteries;1.) LCCN 9713722. Grand Rapids:Zondervan, 1997. ISBN 0310212944, PAP,$9.99.F. Mystery fiction. 302 p. Gr. 10 - Adult.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 4When did we lose Harriet? Harriet is an elusivefifteen-year-old character. No one seems veryconcerned she is missing until MacLarenYarbrough comes on the scene and is determinedto find Harriet or to find out what has happenedto her. Mac doggedly pursues every clue she canuncover with very little consideration for her ownpersonal safety, stubbornly refusing to give upher search for the young girl. MacLaren is onlya visitor to Montgomery, Alabama, while herbrother is undergoing bypass surgery, but shequickly makes friends (and enemies) and spendsthe majority of her days in her relentless pursuitof the truth.Despite an interesting plot, When Did We LoseHarriet? is over characterized with so manyimportant members that keeping track is often alosing battle. Randomly, another character,Josheba, takes over the telling of the story for achapter or two and then back to MacLaren. Thisis a little disconcerting in the middle of the tellingof a tale, especially when so unexpected. Severalincidents of drinking and dancing are mentioned.References are made to spiritual ideals andprayer.I found myself eager to solve the secret ofHarriet’s disappearance and quickly read throughthis book, even looking forward to anotherMacLaren Yarbrough mystery. It would be apopular addition to most library collections. CeilCareyNight Come Swiftly, by P. B. Wilson. LCCN97006334. Eugene, Ore.: Harvest House,1997. ISBN 1565077180, PAP, $9.99.F. Christian fiction; African Americans—NorthCarolina—History—19th century—Fiction. 280 p. Gr.7 - 12.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 4Meri is white, Tilly is black, which has nevermattered to the two best friends, until Meredithoverhears her father say he is going to sell Tilly.For both girls this is the beginning of therealization that the world treats each of themdifferently. Meri is willing to defy her father tohelp Tilly escape, and for night to come swiftly isthe prayer of ten-year-old Tilly as she struggleswith communication to a God she feels can’t betrusted. This God allowed her ancestors to bebrought as slaves to this country and sheinherited her mothers bitterness for the whiteman’s God. When she can think of nothing topray to this God in the dark cellar along thefreedom train route, she asks simply for night tocome swiftly, so that they can move on. She isleaving behind the only life she has ever known,the only real friend she has ever had.P. B. Wilson uses the remainder of the book toshow the enduring friendship of these twoindividual girls as they each take a distinct pathin life and how they develop a deeperrelationship with this God who can be trustedeven though life is not fair or perfect. Love andforgiveness are the key issues.There are obviously issues of racism covered inthis story, also physical and sexual abuse. JannetHoeffnerOn the Banks of Big Elk Creek : The Life ofMartha Finley—Beloved Author of The ElsieBooks, by Barbara Zahn with Nancy Drazga.Elkton, Md.: Full Quart Press, 1997. ISBN188830619X, PAP, $5.99.921 (813). Finley, Martha; Women—Biography;Authors—Biography. 156 p. Gr. 5 - Adult.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5A work of biographical fiction, On the Banks ofBig Elk Creek builds an account of the life ofMartha Finley, who wrote the Elsie Dinsmorebooks. The Elsie Books, originally publishedover a century ago, have recently been rereleased.At the time they were written, MissFinley was surprised by the popularity of thesebooks, but eventually twenty-eight books werewritten for the series.F A L L , 1 9 9 8 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

YOUNG ADULTFICTIONTalented, independent, inquisitive, andsentimental, Martha Finley was a student of theBible and of classic literature; a timeless writer,she produced some fifty novels and many shortstories, all without even a typewriter.Born in Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1828, she was thesixth child. Her mother died when she wasyoung, and it was her stepmother who wouldprove to be her greatest source ofencouragement. Miss Finley moved to Elkton,Maryland, in the 1870’s and it was here that theElsie stories were written. The author of thisbook, Barbara Zahn, is a native of Elkton, and asa collector of the original Elsie Books becameinterested in writing about Martha Finley’s life.A deeply religious woman, Finley continued tolive a quiet private life even after her writing waswell known and she became wealthy. Sheignored the objections of family members whofelt that, as a woman, she was out of place as apublished writer. She died at eighty-one, a writerwhose Elsie series was admired, respected,recommended, and read by millions.Children of all ages, or anyone who wants toknow more about the Elsie Books, will enjoyreading this biography.Please see CLJ, vol. 3, n. 4/5, p. 4 for anannotated bibliography of classics, including theElsie series. Esther KnauppCLC Ad, 1/3 p.Children’s FictionContinued from p.34.All pretty tame by today’s standard, but excitingfor the time when it was originally written, nodoubt.Through their search, Michael and Merry areintroduced to Icelandic geography, topography,culture, and people, and are given a tour of theisland nation, which in turn gives readers muchinformation about a country they may not befamiliar with.The cover illustration is rather flat. All in all,disappointing fare consisting of likeable childrenwho seem very unsophisticated, an interestingcountry, and good description, presented in astory that lacks tension and a captivating plot.Perhaps the original, unedited version madebetter reading. Leslie RadloffIce Continent : A Story of Antarctica, by LouiseO. Young; illustrated by Larry Elmore. (TheNature Conservancy.) LCCN 9713164.Norwalk, Ct.: Soundprints, 1997. ISBN1568995024, KIT, $19.95.F. Penguins--Fiction; Spring--Fiction; Antarctica--Fiction. 1 36 p. hardcover book; 1 10 min.audiocassette Gr. 1 - 4.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 4In Ice Continent, the ferocious beauty of theEarth’s harshest environment is introduced toyoung readers through the eyes of the emperorpenguin. The emperor penguin is a bird that fliesunder water, feeding on silverfish, krill, andsquid. After feeding, it waddles across miles ofwindswept ice to where its mate and young chickwait in a crowded rookery. Hungry leopard sealshunt in the shadowy water, and starvation lurkson the frozen land, but the emperor penguinwaltzes through life, as it has for thousands ofyears.Louise O. Young’s up-close perspective enticesthe readers to leave the comfort of the knownworld to explore life on another continent. Hiseasy language weaves scientific facts into anengaging documentary. He includes a map to setthe story in its global position. Additional factsabout Antarctica are included, along with a foldoutidentification chart of wildlife and fish. Thepastel shades of Larry Elmore’s illustrationssoften the reality of the harsh climate, and filleach page with vivid detail. A ten-minute cassetteaccompanies the book. The quality of thesoundtrack is excellent. Ocean, wind, and wavesound effects enhance the drama of the narrative,making this the easiest Antarctic expedition ever.Melinda TorgersonChildren’s NonfictionContinued from p.51In a story of familial divisiveness and rejection,Lunn’s realistic characters and their emotionscome alive. Children will enjoy reading orlistening to her diction, which bathes the reader inthe flavor of the times without sounding archaic.Drawing stools and whispered confidences blendbeautifully with colorful full page illustrations ofcobblestone streets, ivy covered buildings, andpeople dressed in bonnets, flowing capes, anduniforms of the day. Though the rejection thememay upset very young children , the story willdelight young and old. Rhonda Marie LackeyC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 5 9 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

BOOK REVIEWSYOUNG ADULT NONFICTION100’s - Philosophy and PsychologySuicide, by David Wilkerson. (Spire.) GrandRapids: Fleming H. Revell, 1997. ISBN0800786432, PAP, $4.99.179. Suicide--Religious aspects--Christianity. 122 p.Gr. 6 - Adult.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Prompted by the Holy Spirit, David Wilkersonbegan to preach and write about suicide. In hisbook, Suicide, he shares many of the letters hereceived from young people who havecontemplated or attempted suicide. He does notmince words in condemning suicide as anunpardonable sin. Discussing many biblicalreferences to despair and suicide, he focuses onJob. One chapter features a checklist of thingsto do first if you are considering suicide.Wilkerson finishes by preaching a sermonencouraging the reader to listen for God’s voice.The insights in this book are primarily biblical,not psychological. There is no question thatDavid Wilkerson feels great compassion forthose who are hurting, and pours himselfwholeheartedly into preaching the message of thehealing power of the gospel. Wilkerson’s firstbook, The Cross and the Switchblade, waswidely read because of the power of the author’sconvictions which lead him to a ministry on thestreets of New York city. In Suicide, Wilkersonagain is moved to action by God showing him thedesperate need of young people seduced bysuicidal thoughts. Biblical quotations arepresented in the King James version. Theintended audience is teenagers, but thepresentation may not hold their interest. Themessage is powerful, however, and a teentroubled by suicidal thoughts might be literallysaved by reading this book. Cathleen SovoldJohnson200’s - ReligionLook Who's Toast Now! by Kevin Johnson.LCCN 97033843. Minneapolis: BethanyHouse Publishers, 1997. ISBN 0764220047,PAP, $7.99.236. End of the world; Christian life. 144 p. Gr. 9 -12.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5God informs us how the world will end, but notwhen that day will begin! Look Who’s ToastNow! addresses the concern that young peopleface about the issue of their future, in particular,the next millennium and the end times. Hecontrasts the Christian and world views, andgives input from the scientist to the politician. Ofparticular interest is his section on various groupsthrough history that have predicted the end of theworld, going back to AD 156!Johnson extends hope as he looks at biblicalprophecies fulfilled. The reliability of the Bibleis validated by its accuracy, an importantprinciple for young people fearful of the future.The Bible is completely trustworthy.Giving readers rules for accurate reading of theBible sets the stage for learning about the endtimes. Johnson spends much time in Revelationand carefully documents end time events,correlating them with Old Testament referencesand explanations (i.e. Daniel)He fairly delineates the differences between thepre-trib and post-trib positions, nevertheless, hedoesn’t cover up the fact Christians do suffer, butnot beyond what they will be able to bear. Hisending message stays upbeat as he remindsreaders, whoever is correct in their tribulationviewpoint, God wins and Satan loses! Whateverwe do, we should live Holy lives! CarolynHearingIf I Could Ask God One Question, by GregJohnson. LCCN 9745478. Minneapolis:Bethany House Publishers, 1998. ISBN0764220934, PAP, $7.99.248.4. Christian life. 184 p. Gr. 8 - 12.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Author Greg Johnson brings his extensiveexperience working with teens to write If I CouldAsk God One Question. This eighty chapter bookis filled with actual questions asked by teens whoare wanting to grow in their Christian lives. GregJohnson’s purpose in writing this book is to assistnew Christians in their “progress toward the goalof understanding the Bible and loving God.”Each chapter states a question from a teen,followed by a scripture and a short, practicalanswer from the author. The chapters are onlytwo to three pages in length. The answerscontain illustrations that relate to teens and usescripture to support them.The questions cover subjects such as dealingwith non-Christian friends, reasons for readingthe Bible, feelings of guilt and forgiveness,swearing, dealing with divorce, and knowingGod. This book is an excellent resource foryoung Christians who are asking many questionsas well as for older Christians who may be in adiscipling relation with a new believer. EstherKnaupp21 Jump-Start Devotional : Getting Startd onYour Incredible Christian Life, by MilesMcPherson. Minneapolis: Bethany HousePublishers, 1998. ISBN 0764221469, PAP,$6.99.248.4. Christian life. 126 p. Gr. 8 - 11.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 3Written as a devotional tool for new believers, 21Jump-Start Devotionals is a great book to haveon hand for recent converts. McPherson coverssome of the beginning basics of Christianity inthe first chapter, including: sin, salvation,repentance, grace, gratitude, growth, and prayer.He covers questions such as “Do I have to go tochurch?” and “What is worship?”The rest of the book gives a simplified BibleStudy for the new believer, with the format Read,Reflect, and Respond. Each chapter has a theme,title, and introduction, then two to four pages ofscripture from the book of John, concluding withquestions to respond to. His writing is informal,often using a current slang to draw the reader in.Important to note is the fact that McPherson is aformer NFL football player, and currently speaksto youth through crusades around the country.Although the author has a clear, easy-to-readstyle for the new believer, the greatest portion ofthe book is scripture. The disadvantage of this isthat the new convert may be overwhelmed withthe length of the passages. The advantage is forthe Christian who may not yet have his or herown Bible in which to refer. Mary JoKrzymanskiFacing Down the Tough Stuff, by KarenDockrey; with others. Colorado Springs:Chariot Victor, 1998. ISBN 0781430593, PAP,$5.99.248.8. Christian life. 131 p. Gr. 5 - 10.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5F A L L , 1 9 9 8 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

YOUNG ADULTNONFICTION“There’s something that makes me differentfrom most kids. I had leukemia. It’s a kind ofcancer.” This kid knows life has its tough stuff.And so do all the other kids who helped writeFacing Down the Tough Stuff. Karen Dockreyalong with Kathryn Templeton, Emily Dockrey,Beth Matthews, and Andrew Adams, writes froma kid’s-eye-view.Life can be hard to manage. Tough Stuff showskids that they don’t have to go it alone, that Godis there with them. The book talks about copingskills in a variety of situations. Four mainsubjects are covered by the young people who’vebeen through it; learning disabilities, seriousillness, blended families, and friendshipsquabbles.No simplistic answers here. Just kids helpingkids get through the difficulties of facing life’srealities. “There is always something you can doto help a friend through a hard time.”The last two chapters are full of practical Do’sand Don’ts for kids and family members whocare and want to help. Ideals are presented forgroup or individual study. Myrtlemay PittmanCraneTracy's Choice. Rockford, Ill.: MVPProductions, 1997. VID, $24.98.248.8. AIDS virus; Christian life. 1 videocassette,color, 33 min. Gr. 7 - 12.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5This true story video about Tracy Eichman andher wrong choices in life should have greatimpact on our youth today. Tracy’s life begins asan innocent baby, but soon we see that she hasmade impacting choices of life style that foreverdistort and eventually destroy her hopes, andpotential. At five years of age, she admits toexperimenting with liquor, and just a few yearslater she is smoking joints and happy to try“hard” drugs. She becomes a prostitute tosupport her very expensive habits, and finds thatinstead of covering her expenses, she justincreases her addictions. Finally contractingAIDS, she is the first person, tried, convicted,and sent to prison for knowingly spreading theAIDS virus.It is in jail that she discovers the truth about whoshe is and how desperately she needs hope.Finding the Lord, she at last finds real purpose inher life, and is able to share her story with manyhigh schoolers and young adults. With greatimpact she traces how each step into heraddiction seemed innocent and “just for kicks”,until she was hooked and ready to get deeper intodrugs.Tracy’s honest, straight forward presentationleaves no room for guessing as to the power andaddictive nature of her lifestyle. When Tracypassed away, she not only left behind her a legacyof wrong choices, but of hope and a very rightchoice to accept Jesus as her Lord and Savior.“What Satan intended for evil, God has meant forgood... ” and her testimony surely will rescueother young people who are still standing at thecrossroads of decision making.The video itself presents honest, informativeanswers that should help young people to sortthrough the “hype” of the world and the truth ofthe Gospel message. It runs a little long, withsome of the interviews being repetitive, but caneasily be used in part as well, as an effectiveevangelizing tool. Mary McKinneyGreat Christian Hymn Writers, by Jane StuartSmith and Betty Carlson. LCCN 97015861.Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 1997. ISBN0891079440, PAP, $11.99.264. Hymn writers--Biography. 207 p. Gr. 9 - 12.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Have you ever wondered who wrote Jesus LovesMe, This I Know or what were the inspirationsfor well known hymns such as Just As I Am?Jane Stuart Smith, a dramatic soprano who hassung in major opera houses in Europe andAmerica, and her friend, Betty Carlson, answerthese questions in their book, Great ChristianHymn Writers. They bring to life the stories offifty-three different hymn writers in a quick, easyto read format.The book’s chapters are very short and each isdevoted to a single hymn writer. The last chapteris an exception, covering seven writers who areeach remembered for a single hymn. Along withgeneral information about each writer’s life andinspiration, the authors have included a versefrom the writer’s best known hymn. The bookalso contains a useful index to hymn titles, and alist of the composers in chronological order.This is not an exhaustive study, and some of thechapters vary widely in the amount ofinformation they provide. However, this bookwill provide answers to general questions andcontains an excellent bibliography if moreinformation is desired. Lillian HeytveltTomorrow You Die, by Reona Peterson Joly.Seattle: YWAM Publishing, 1997. ISBN0927545926, PAP, $8.99.266. Missions--Albania; Joly, Reona Peterson. Gr. 7- 12.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5Why would God give a person a heart for aspecific country if the doors to ministry in thatcountry were closed tight? Why would Hefinally get them inside the country only to sendthem out again in a few days? Will God use twosingle ladies-a teacher and a midwife-behind theiron curtain? Reona Peterson Joly attempts togive answers to these and similar questions inTomorrow You Die.Set in 1973, Reona and her friend Evelyn haveboth felt called to Albania at a time when almostno one is getting into Albania! Then they hear ofa tour group going into Albania for nine days.Reona and Evelyn readily apply, and devote a lotof prayer and preparation to this short trip eventhough they anticipate every moment to beplanned and every movement to be monitored.Once inside the country, the rigid tour plans keepfalling apart, and Reona and Evelyn findthemselves free to wander among the warm andfriendly Albanian people. The two ladies prayfor the people, try to communicate as best theycan, and strategically leave small versions of theGospel of John. Things are going better thanthey could have imagined-even being able towitness to others in their French-speaking tourgroup.So why is Reona, and then Evelyn, being heldand questioned by the authorities? Will the twoladies be shot as promised, or is life in anAlbanian prison the best they can hope for? WillGod work a miracle in the lives of these twowomen? Will he work a miracle in the hearts ofthe people of Albania through these two women?Tomorrow You Die is a true missions story with atwist—a very short term ministry. BarbaraBeyerLiving on the Devil's Doorstep, by FloydMcClung. Seattle: YWAM Publishing, 1988.ISBN 0927545454, PAP, $8.99.266. Missions--Afghanistan; Missions--TheNetherlands; McClung, Floyd; McClung, Sally; Drugabuse; Hippies. Gr. 9 - 12.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5It’s the early seventies. Hippies are flowing fromAmerica through Europe and into Asia lookingfor... something. On a trip through India, anAmerican man is shocked to see youngAmericans who have followed their dreams onlyto find themselves far from home, penniless,sick, burned-out on drugs, and begging. This oneAmerican man—Floyd McClung—and hisfaithful wife, Sally, respond to God’s call tominister to the hippies along the Trail. But wheredo they start? They feel inadequate in their“square” appearance. And where along theTrail—the route that several hundred thousandyoung people follow each year—is the best placeto minister?Where else but the bottleneck of the Trail—Kabul, Afghanistan? In the seventies, with thehelp of others from Youth With a Mission, theMcClung’s established a solid ministry reachingmultitudes of homeless young adults through thesimple offer of free tea, conversation, medicalhelp. For those who expressed interest in theLord, there was deeper discipling and a free placeto stay. But after a few short years, a coupagainst the government of Afghanistan causedthe river of homeless young adults to slow to atrickle.But the Lord had already been preparing theMcClungs for a move to the trailhead—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 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

YOUNG ADULTNONFICTIONAmsterdam. While continuing to reach thetransient young people, this ministry’s primarypurpose was to train “straight” people who werecalled to minister to those in the drug culture. InAmsterdam the McClung’s faced the very realchallenges of raising a family—first on a boat,and finally in the red light district! They feltGod’s protection even though their new homewas sandwiched between a satanic temple and asex cinema.Living on the Devil’s Doorstep is an inspiringlook at how one young family and their caringministry partners were confident of God’s calland responded to His guidance again and again.Floyd McClung does a great job of painting arealistic picture where the reader can “see” thejunkies and prostitutes on the street, and a lovingGod reaching out to them through His willingpeople. Barbara BeyerWhat's with the Dudes at the Door? by KevinJohnson and James White. Minneapolis:Bethany House Publishers, 1998. ISBN0764220705, PAP, $7.99.291. Cults. 144 p. Gr. 7 - 12.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5This can be a confusing world, with manydifferent people and organizations claiming theirallegiance as Christians. But are they allfollowing biblical principles and solid truth? Theanswer is obviously no, but how can we knowwho’s who out there?What’s with the Dudes at the Door? is anuncomplicated presentation of the key issues thatevery Christian should know about their faith.Three main doctrines are examined that arecritical to the Christian believer: 1. Who God is;2. What God has done in Jesus ; 3. How weknow the Bible. With these basic truths as thefoundation, the authors, Johnson and White,launch out to explore different religions that areprevalent in our society. Although theinformation seems to overlap itself in severalchapters, the reader can find a clearlydocumented list in chapter eight that names andexplains nine different cults and the dangers intheir doctrines.This book can be a useful tool for a youth pastor,but it takes a little “wading through” to get to thepoints. Upbeat and current language is used thatwould appeal to teens, and this may hold theirattention as they not only affirm the importantissues in their own faith, but become betterequipped to compare and discern error in otherfaiths. Mary McKinney300’s - Social SciencesBest Friends for Life, by Michael and JudyPhillips. LCCN 96045910. Minneapolis:Bethany House Publishers, 1997. ISBN155661943X, PAP, $8.99.306.82. Mate selection; Friendship; Friendship inadolescence. 239 p. Gr. 10 - College.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Are you ready for this? A book written with aplan to help prevent a broken marriage, BestFriends for Life boldly goes where few men gotoday. Don’t let the ultra-conservativeperspective of this writing keep you from beingopen-minded to the truths taught. Let’s face it.Americans have one of the highest divorce ratesin the world, and few seem to have any solutionsto the problem.The authors appeal to the reader to view marriageas a life-long commitment that should not betaken lightly. Feelings, lack of knowing theprospective partner, sexual desire, and lack ofparental participation in the pre-marriage processare all factors contributing to the demise of theinstitution of marriage. Young people need awhole new strategy for finding a life-long mate.The authors espouse parental involvement, withparents actively involved in knowing their child’spotential mate so they can exercise their Godgivenauthority to make recommendationsregarding the relationship. They also affirm thatthe friendship of the couple is of the utmostimportance, and that is what will enable a coupleto endure through the storms of life.The authors draw upon their pioneering workfrom the home-school movement, as well asfrom experiences with ministering to youth.Four real-life examples of couples who hadsuccessful or non-successful relationships werenarrated, naming positive and negative signs ofpotential for each situation. A quiz is included inthe end to help would-be couples determine theirstrengths and weaknesses.If a person is seriously pursuing a lastingrelationship, this book gives a strong prescriptionfor a strong Christian marriage. Mary JoKrzyminskiCherokee Nation v. Georgia : Native AmericanRights, by Victoria Sherrow. (LandmarkSupreme Court Cases.) LCCN 96039651.Springfield, N.J.: Enslow, 1997. ISBN0894908561, HBB, $18.95.346.75801. Cherokee Indians--Trials, litigation, etc.;Cherokee Indians--Legal status, laws, etc.; Indians ofNorth America--Georgia--Legal status, laws, etc. 128p. Gr. 7 - 12.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Texas v. Johnson : The Flag-Burning Case, byJ. Anthony Miller. (Landmark SupremeCourt Cases.) LCCN 96034850. Springfield,N.J.: Enslow, 1997. ISBN 0894908588, HBB,$18.95.342.73. Flags--Desecration--United States; Freedom ofspeech--United States; Dissenters--Legal status, laws,etc.--United States; Flags--Law and legislation--UnitedStates--Criminal provisions. 112 p. Gr. 7 - 12.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Clay v. United States : Muhammad Ali Objectsto War, by Suzanne Freedman. (LandmarkSupreme Court Cases.) LCCN 97009985.Springfield, N.J.: Enslow, 1997. ISBN0894908553, HBB, $18.95.343.73. Ali, Muhammad, 1942- -- Trials, litigations,etc.; Trials (Political crimes and offenses)--UnitedStates; Conscientious objectors--Legal status, laws,etc.--United States; African Americans--Biography.112 p. Gr. 7 - 12.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Plessy v. Ferguson : Separate But Equal?, byHarvey Fireside. (Landmark Supreme CourtCases.) LCCN 96053651. Springfield, N.J.:Enslow, 1997. ISBN 089490860X, HBB,$18.95.342.73. Plessy, Homer Adolph--Trials, litigation, etc.;Segregation in transportation--Law and legislation--Louisiana--History; African Americans--Civil rights--History; United States--Race relations--History. 128 p.Gr. 7 - 12.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Ferrell v. Dallas I.S.D., by Karen L. Trespacz.(Landmark Supreme Court Cases.) LCCN9728930. Springfield, N.J.: Enslow, 1998.ISBN 0766010546, HBB, $19.95.344.764. Ferrell, L. W.--Trials, litigations, etc.; DallasIndependent School District (Tex.); Student suspension.128 p. Gr. 7 - 12.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 1Reading the Landmark Supreme Court Casesseries is an excellent way for young people togain an understanding of some of the extremelysignificant Supreme Court cases that have had animpact on our country. These colorful, attractive,library-bound books contain numerousphotographs and other information pertinent tothe text. The text of the books is followed by“Questions for Discussion,” chapter notes, abibliography of sources referred to, and an index.Large print, bold headings, and wide marginsmake this series inviting and non-threatening.Although the nature of these court cases isinvolved and confusing, the authors do acommendable job of making the information asclear to the young reader as possible.The bias of the author comes across in some ofthe books, but most of the information is simplypresenting the two sides of the issue.The Cherokee Nation v. Georgia, NativeAmerican Rights gives the history of the conflictsof the Indians beginning with the colonial timesand continuing on through the 1900’s. VictoriaSherrow presents the views of numerous politicalleaders and judges which are quoted as it relatesto the Indians’ situation. The author’s viewscome across as being biased for the Indians.In Texas v. Johnson, The Flag-burning Case, J.Anthony Miller focuses on the issue of freedomF A L L , 1 9 9 8 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

YOUNG ADULTNONFICTIONof speech. Background information going backto the writing of the Constitution and theamendments and laws as far back as the early1900’s lead up to the court case Texas v. Johnsonthat made it all the way to the Supreme Court.Both sides of the issue are presented in this veryemotional case.Suzanne Freedman addresses the issue ofconscience objectors in the book Clay v. UnitedStates, Muhammad Ali Objects to War, whichcenters around Cassius Clay’s (Muhammad Ali)court battle to escape the draft. Examples ofconscientious objectors going back to colonialtimes give the roots of the movement includingQuakers and the Mennonites. The informationpresented is informative and factual.The court case Plessy v. Ferguson, Separate ButEqual? by Harvey Fireside, presents the factssurrounding the segregation issue in the UnitedStates. Excellent background information datingas far back as the 1890’s explains the events thatled up to this case as well as the impact of thisdecision.Ferrell v. Dallas I.S.D., Hairstyles in Schools byKaren L. Trespacz, gives details about a casetaken to court in 1966 by three high school boyswho were not allowed in school because of thelength of their hair. They argued that the musicalcontract of their rock band necessitated keepingtheir hair longer and claimed that their treatmentfrom the school was unconstitutional because itviolated their freedom of speech. When the suitwas dismissed in the Federal District Court, itwas taken to the Federal Appeals Court and fromthere to the Supreme Court. Even though thecase was not heard in the Supreme Court,according to a statement on the back cover of thebook, “this case provides a good example of howstudents can go about legally challenging schoolrules that they consider to be unjust.” The pictureon the book cover shows a young man in gangattire with a mohawk hair cut. Esther KnauppAmistad : A Long Road to Freedom, by WalterDean Myers. New York: Dutton Children'sBooks, 1998. ISBN 0525459707, HBB, $16.99.347. Amistad; Africans; Slave trade--United States;Supreme Court--United States. 99 p. Gr. 7 - 12.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Walter Dean Morris’ book, Amistad : A LongRoad to Freedom, is the fascinating story ofcaptives kidnapped in Africa who overthrew theircaptors aboard the ship Amistad. Arriving on theeast coast of the United States in September of1839 the “slaves” were taken ashore and monthsof court deliberation followed to decide whatwould be done with the Africans. Woven throughthe story are the slavery issues that were beingfaced in the pre-Civil War United States.The attractive, colorful book jacket draws thereader into this excellent book. Large print, widemargins, numerous photographs, drawings, andillustrations enhance the text. Credits, a list forfurther reading, a bibliography, and an indexmake this a valuable resource book. A large mapand time line at the beginning of the book helpthe reader track the journey. Esther KnauppShould I Keep My Baby? rev. ed., by MarthaZimmerman. Minneapolis: Bethany HousePublishers, 1997. ISBN 1556619839, PAP,$7.99.362.7. Teenage pregnancy. 91 p. Gr. 9 - College.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Martha Zimmerman guides a young lady throughthe maze of questions encountered when shefaces a pregnancy. She suggests what should andcould be done and to whom she should talk.Zimmerman makes it clear early on that herpersonal bias is to favor life for the unborn, andshe graciously builds her case around the fact thatthe pregnant mother is not the only one involved!She encourages her to consider parents, thefather, the baby, her relationship to God, wholoves her deeply, and possibly adoptive parents.National Crisis Pregnancy Services are listed asresources, as is a letter to parents, encouragingthem, also, to chose life for the unborn.Addressed to the reader as if she’s pregnant,Should I Keep My Baby? reads like a quietconversation with a concerned neighbor nextdoor. Zimmerman compares holding a bouquetof roses, appreciating their beauty and the thorns,as she weaves the analogy throughout her advice.She presents all the facts, carefully examining allthe options, medically, spiritually andemotionally. While Zimmerman’s style is carefulnot to be judgmental, she spares no detail indescribing abortion procedures andconsequences for later pregnancies. Shecarefully balances facts (abortion is legal) withthe reality of our culture (authorities keepchanging their minds on laws!). She separateswhat is legal from what is moral. CarolynHearing500’s - Natural Sciences andMathematicsBeing a Christian in Science, by Walter R.Hearn. LCCN 9719047. Downers Grove, Ill.:InterVarsity, 1997. ISBN 0830818987, PAP,$10.99.500. Scientists--Religious life; Science--Vocationalguidance. 178 p. Gr. 10 - Adult.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Being a Christian in Science is written bysomeone who really knows what it is like. Theauthor, Walter R. Hearn, was a professor ofbiochemistry and a researcher for many yearsbefore becoming a writer and editor.On one plane this slim book of 138 pages of textplus a lengthy bibliography is an exhortation forpromising Christian students to enter thescientific fields. Despite the barriers andhardships of poor funding and long hours, theauthor hopes more qualified students will choosescience, noting that while there have been manyJewish Nobel Laureates in science there has beenonly one Christian. The author gives advice tothe prospective student on pursuing science.On another plane the author seeks to reconcilethe scientific with the Christian community. Henotes that scientists face both the secularists whowill not accept Christian scientists and thefundamentalists who will not countenancescientific Christians. He suggests that scienceand religious belief has some common ground:both begin with essentially unproven axioms;both involve human response (in one case todata; in the other to the revealed word of God).The author recounts his own gratifying career inscience and in an appendix at the end of the book,which he calls a “close-up” details the careers ofmany eminent and important Christians inscience and related fields. This book should beread for its ability to convey a sense ofcommunity and to make the Christian scientist orsomeone thinking of pursuing science realize heor she is not alone. In the same vein the bookalso introduces many professional organizationssalient among them the American ScientificAffiliation, to which the author belongs, andwhich sponsored prior publications that were theantecedents of this book.The book contains extensive notes andbibliography but, unfortunately, lacks an index.David RashLives of North American Birds, by KennKaufman. (Peterson Natural HistoryCompanions.) Boston: Houghton Mifflin,1996. ISBN 0395770173, HBB, $35.00.598.2. Birds. Gr. 6 - Adult.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Kenn Kaufman, one of North America’s premierbirders, has created a one-volume encyclopediaon the life histories of North American birds,written for the general public. Beginning withtwo introductory chapters, the first focusing onhow birds live, and the second presentingbackground information on how bird lifehistories are compiled; Kaufman presents over600 species accounts culled from a broad rangeof current and historical data.Where a field guide can assist with theidentification of a particular species, this volumegoes on to describe the characteristic aspects ofbehavior, habitat, courtship, migration patterns,as well as numerous other related information.What arises is a more fully formed understandingof each bird species as distinct and yet related tothe larger whole.The writing style is captivating and nonscientificin content and allows the reader access to aC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 6 3 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

YOUNG ADULTNONFICTIONwealth and a depth of largely inaccessibleornithological research. Each species accountincludes a color photograph, and a range map.The variety and uniqueness of many NorthAmerican birds is clearly seen as you readthrough the accounts which follow. An annotatedlist of references consulted can be found at theend of the book.Lives of North American Birds should be on theshelves of every school and public library. Itsbreadth and currency, as well as its readabilitymake it an indispensable research tool. TedGoshulak900’s - Geography, History, andBiographySheffey, directed by Katherine Stenholm;based on the book The Saint of the Wildernessby Jess Carr. Greenville, SC: Unusual Films,1978. VID, $29.95.921 (251). Sheffey, Robert S.; Circuit riders. 1videocassette, color, 135 min. Gr. 7 - Adult.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5This film begins with the life of Robert S.Sheffey from 1835, when as a young man heattends a revival service with a group of rowdydisruptive friends. He gives himself to the Lordand immediately encounters opposition from hisfamily who are religious in form, but not faith.Beginning as a teacher, Robert overcomes a fearof preaching to become a circuit rider,ministering the gospel to out of the way areas.Denied a “license” to preach, because he lacksformal training, he leads an independent lifebringing hundreds of people to the Lord. Astrong man of prayer, Sheffey is blessed by theLord, as unique prayer answers follow hisministry. He often is seen kneeling on asheepskin bringing his concerns to God.Although the movie moves somewhat slowly, themessage comes through strongly. God will blessthose that are firmly committed to him. PaulaStewart MarksGeorge Müller : Delighted in God! by RogerSteer. LCCN 8152600. Wheaton, Ill.: HaroldShaw, 1981. ISBN 0877883041, PAP, $5.99.921 (266). Müller, George; Missionaries--Biography;Christian biography; Orphanages. 320 p. Gr. 9 - Adult.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5In order to live out his faith in God as provider,George Muller, vowed never to ask anyone formoney nor to accept a salary. And God didprovide in wonderful ways.George Muller was a Prussian, preaching andliving in England in the mid 1800’s when Godgave him a burden for homeless children.George Muller’s life, expressed in his love andcare for the street children, is an inspiration toanyone reading of his life. Roger Steer tells thestory of that life, carefully documenting it fromMuller’s own journals. Reading of the life ofGeorge Muller clearly shows how muchChristians can accomplish through faith andprayer. Barbara BeyerDan Marino : Star Quarterback, by NickKennedy. (Sports Reports.) LCCN 9731557.Springfield, N.J.: Enslow, 1998. ISBN0894909339, HBB, $19.95.921 (796.332). Marino, Dan, 1961-; Football players.112 p. Gr. 4 - 10.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Dan Marino, Star Quarterback, is one of theSports Reports series by Enslow Publishers. Thiscolorful, library-bound book is especiallyattractive to reluctant readers. Huge margins andsidebars with features and various facts andmany full-page photographs make this anenjoyable, easy-to-read book.Author Nick Kennedy spends one chapter tellingabout Marino’s roots in Philadelphia. Theremainder of the book focuses on Marino’s sportscareer from college at the University ofPittsburgh to the pros where he has played for theMiami Dolphins since 1983. He covers seasonafter season including quotes from Marino, histeammates and coaches, and players and coacheson other teams.This inspiring sports success story shows thedetermination of a young man to perseverethrough the ups and downs of his career.Extensive chapter notes, statistics, and an indexare printed at the end of the book. Esther KnauppEmily Dickinson : Singular Poet, by CarolDommermuth-Costa. (Lerner Biographies.)LCCN 9740081. Minneapolis: Lerner, 1998.ISBN 0822549581, HBB, $23.93.921 (811). Dickinson, Emily, 1830-1886; Womenpoets, American; Poets, American; Women--Biography.112 p. Gr. 6 - 9.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 4Ms. Dommermuth-Costa uses primaryinformation sources to write a biography ofEmily Dickinson. The author begins with anexplanation of the period when Emily was bornand continues with her upbringing usingconsiderable detail. She explains the family lifeand society of the 1800’s with enough clarity thata student will understand Emily better. Shecontinues through Emily’s long life with manydetails taken from her letters and primarysources. Emily’s great love for her brotherAustin and her friend Sue Gilbert, who becameher sister in law, is also explained. The bookconcludes with her sister’s decision regardingpublishing Emily’s work after her death.Emily’s belief system is in chapter three, “I CaredLess for Religion Than Ever.” The author goes indepth explaining the religious views of thatgeography and time. Then, she explains how“Emily saw the presence of the Creator ineverything, especially in nature.” (p. 30)Additionally, her love for Judge Otis PhillipsLord after his wife died is also discussed withsensitivity appropriate for this reading level.The eye catching jacket/cover is just one of themarks of quality in the construction of this book.The book has strong binding and the paper isdurable and type is easy to read. The pictures,letters, and poems are clear and help thebiography immensely. There is a source page aswell as a detailed bibliography for students tolook for additional information. There is adetailed index and photo acknowledgments tofurther aid the student. Bianca ElliottThe Abracadabra Kid : A Writer's Life, by SidFleischman. LCCN 9547382. New York:Beech Tree, 1998 c1996. ISBN 0688158552,PAP, $4.95.921 (813). Fleischman, Sid, 1920-; Authorship. 195 p.Gr. 5 - Adult.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Sid Fleischman writes a lively autobiographybeginning with his childhood in SouthernCalifornia. He was in fifth grade when hispassion for magic was born. He tells of searchingout the secrets of magic tricks and practicinguntil he was able to perform magic shows.During his senior year of high school,Fleischman wrote his first book on magic tricks,which was published when he was nineteen.When World War II broke out,Fleischman joined the U.S. Naval Reserve, andtwo days after Pearl Harbor was bombed, he wascalled up for active duty. He writes about hisexperiences on board a destroyer escort in thePacific. After the war, he focused on writing,working at a newspaper, and then going tocollege, while pursuing freelance writing.The Abracadabra Kid offers a glimpse of thehard work and craft behind the apparent “magic”of both the magician on stage and the writer whomysteriously produces books. The book startsout seeming like a childrens’ book of particularinterest to a child fascinated by magic tricks. AsFleischman becomes an adult and a writer, thefocus changes. What develops is a behind-thesceneslook at a successful writer that will be ofgreat interest to aspiring writers of all ages.Fleischman is a professional who took his naturaltalent and interest, and worked very hard todevelop it into a great career as a writer. Hewrites with lively humor and throws in somehelpful advice on writing. Interspersedthroughout the book are photographs of theauthor, his family, and friends. Cathleen SovoldJohnsonF A L L , 1 9 9 8 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

YOUNG ADULTNONFICTIONAbraham Lincoln, by Karen Judson. (UnitedStates Presidents.) LCCN 9723025.Springfield, N.J.: Enslow, 1998. ISBN0894909398, HBB, $19.95.921 (973.7). Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865; Presidents.128 p. Gr. 5 - 10.Richard M. Nixon, by Michael A. Schuman.(United States Presidents.) LCCN 9718218.Springfield, N.J.: Enslow, 1998. ISBN0894909371, HBB, $19.95.921 (973.924). Nixon, Richard M. (Richard Milhous),1913-1994; Presidents. 128 p. Gr. 5 - 10.Lyndon B. Johnson, by Michael A. Schuman.(United States Presidents.) LCCN 9743693.Springfield, N.J.: Enslow, 1998. ISBN089490938X, HBB, $19.95.921 (973.923). Johnson, Lyndon B. (Lyndon Baines),1908-1973; Presidents. 128 p. Gr. 5 - 10.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5For students, teachers, or for those who simplyare interested in reading about the presidents butlack generous reading time, the Enslow UnitedStates Presidents series is a great starting point.The three latest installments, Abraham Lincolnby Karen Judson, and Richard Nixon and LyndonJohnson by Michael A. Schuman, are interestingchoices, as all three of these presidents had todeal with an unpopular war which greatlyaffected their popularity with the nation.Each book covers the beginnings of eachpresident from childhood and family toschooling, through first jobs and politicalendeavors, on up to being elected as president.The main issues of each presidency arehighlighted without undue commentary, makingthese slim volumes fairly neutral in theirpresentation. Readers unfamiliar with thesepresidents will find a straightforward biographylaced with interesting photographs anddocuments. The last chapter deals with the“legacy” of the featured president, which is moreor less an overview. It is within these last fewpages that much will be gleaned, since thesummation of the president’s career is laid out ina pro/con format, leaving the reader to form anindividual opinion.These books should be considered when lookingfor beginning, biographies. Each book containsa chronology, chapter notes, and suggestedfurther reading. There is also suggested sourcesof places to visit and internet addresses, alongwith an index. Pam WebbJesse James : Legendary Outlaw, by RogerBruns. (Historical American Biographies.)LCCN 9724615. Springfield, N.J.: Enslow,1998. ISBN 0766010554, HBB, $19.95.921 (978). James, Jesse, 1847-1882; Robbers andoutlaws; Frontier and pioneer life--West (U.S.). 128 p.Gr. 6 - 10.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 4Jesse James: a colorful aspect of Wild Westhistory? a Robin Hood of sorts? a politicalzealot? or maybe just a violent desperado? Whowas Jesse James? It would be hard to discern ifa person relied on popular media as ameasurement. Author Roger Bruns takes aninsightful look at the legend in Jesse James:Legendary Outlaw.From his humble beginnings on a Missouri farmJesse James became one of our country’s mostinfamous gunmen. The author shows the slowprogression of how a “pretty good boy” becamea bandit of notorious proportions.The author gives a well-defined look at the manbehind the legend, ensuring that Jesse James isno hero to gaze upon but a criminal whose crimeseventually caused his death. Citing variousactual eyewitness testimony and newspaperaccounts, Jesse James unfolds as a brazen,perhaps reckless man who liked glory, almostmore than the riches he risked his life for. Theinclusion of how Jesse James married and raiseda family while on the run further illustrates thateventually a person has to become accountablefor any wrongdoing, and that the innocent can getpulled down in the fall.The interspersed illustrative material, along withthe chronology, chapter notes, and glossary makethis a biography of depth considering its fewpages. There is also a list for further reading andan index. Pam WebbThe Holocaust Survivors, by Tabatha Yeatts.(The Holocaust Remembered Series.) LCCN9737635. Springfield, N.J.: Enslow, 1998.ISBN 0894909932, HBB, $19.95.940.53. Jews--History--1945-; Holocaust survivors;Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945). 128 p. Gr. 6 - 12.The Holocaust Heroes, by David K. Fremon.(The Holocaust Remembered Series.) LCCN9737639. Springfield, N.J.: Enslow, 1998.ISBN 0766010465, HBB, $19.95.940.53. World War, 1939-1945--Jews--Rescue;Righteous Gentiles in the Holocaust; World War, 1939-1945--Jewish resistance; Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945). 128 p. Gr. 6 - 12.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Covering a difficult and painful subject, thisseries provides detailed material on five differentcomponents of the Holocaust, the overview,camps, ghettos, heroes and survivors. The seriesis written in a text book style with large print andblack and white photographs sprinkledthroughout the short chapters. Difficult words,such as homogenous, are defined in parentheses.The amount of material condensed in these shortbooks is nothing short of amazing. Especiallythe number of Holocaust heroes covered iscommendable. Although most people have heardof Anne Frank and Oskar Schindler, joyfullythere are so many more revealed in the heroesbook. The personal accounts of survivors givethe book a positive human element. Thechronology time line covering 1917-1993 is ahelpful aid.As can be expected with a topic of such adisastrous nature, some of the photographs arehaunting and graphic, depicting horrificconditions and destruction. In addition to simplypresenting the facts in an unemotional tone, theauthors frequently tack on a sentence at the endof a paragraph or section that is preachy in tone,telling the reader what we should or should notdo.This reviewer was grateful for the opportunity toreview these books; one of the chapters in theFremon book is entitled, “Christians Must NotForget.” Anita HorningC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 6 5 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

BOOK REVIEWSADULT FICTIONNecessary Risk : A Novel by John F. Bayer.LCCN 9743159. Nashville: Broadman andHolman, 1998. ISBN 080544016X, PAP,$12.99.F. Nuclear accidents—Fiction; Mystery fiction. 311 p.Adult.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Commander David Michaels is struggling withthe stress of jungle survival training in thePanamanian heat when he receives word of hisbrother, Jimmy’s death. Soon David is throwninto the biggest battle of his life as he faces theevil corporation responsible for his brother’smurder. Jimmy’s life was sacrificed to keep himfrom revealing the corruption which could costthe lives of millions. As David seeks the answersto his brother’s death he begins to realize that thetrue fight will not be with human foes but withthe spiritual forces of Hell. David Michaels willneed to use all the skills he has learned as amarine combined with the power of God to findthe truth behind Jimmy’s death.David is also struggling to know what directionGod is leading him for his future. He has been inthe Marine Corps for over twenty years, first as asoldier then as a chaplain. His life has beendedicated to the military. Now, as he faces thephysical and spiritual battle to reveal Jimmy’smurderers, David must deal with emotionaldecisions which could cause him to end hismilitary career.John F. Bayer has written a gripping novel whichwill keep its readers in suspense as they turn thepages to discover the connection between thestory’s characters in Arkansas to certain politicalleaders in Washington. Readers will hold theirbreaths as David Michaels barely escapes captureand death several times in his attempt to findhidden evidence. Necessary Risk is a thrillingcombination of adventure and suspense withencouragement for those facing their own midlifecrisis. Susan RobinsonCircumstantial Evidence : A Novel, by JamesScott Bell. LCCN 97003344. Nashville:Broadman and Holman, 1997. ISBN0805463593, PAP, $13.99.F. Christian fiction; Legal stories. 327 p. Adult.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 4Sandy Joseph should have known, but he didn’t,and we don’t know why he is killed until wellinto the story line. Circumstantial Evidence is amodern day novel written about a deputy districtattorney, Tracy Shepherd, working tough cases inthe city of Los Angeles. Striving to keep her faithalive and her integrity strong in the midst ofcorruption and power plays, even in the DA’soffice, Tracy wants justice. If it meansprosecuting instead of a plea bargain when wronghas been done, or not prosecuting when it seemsA Note from the Editor: by Mary McKinney... And If Not...How important is itto continuepresenting theGospel inliterature? I’msure we would allagree that it iscritical! As we seesociety todayturning from God’s principles and precepts, weyearn to present the truth that can truly setpeople free. Be it fiction or fact, an historicallyaccurate account or a heart-rending story oflove and loss, when Christian life is presentedwithin the pages of a book you can be sure thatthe Holy Spirit will cause a stirring of life andtruth within the reader.I recently heard Chuck Colson relate afascinating true story from his program“Breakpoint” (8/24/98) that epitomizes theimportance of a nation having God’s Word intheir hearts. The setting was the beaches ofDunkirk; the time was June 1940; the eventwas World War II. The British and Alliedforces were under a terrible siege and the hopeof victory was dim indeed. An opportunitypresented itself to send a message for help, buta blatant statement of weakness would be likesigning the troops’ death warrants. With greatwisdom and I'm sure a prayer of hope, themessage went out, “And if not... ”Today we may not readily understand what thismessage implied, but because the Britishpeople were so steeped in God's Word theyimmediately understood that their men were indire need of reinforcements or all would belost.How did they get that message from those fewsimple words? Had they previously arrangedsome secret coding? NO! Instead, thesedesperate men trusted that those at home wouldrecognize these all important words fromscripture and know what must be done. “Andif not... ” was a biblical allusion to the book ofDaniel where Shadrach, Meshach, andAbednego were about to be thrown into thefiery furnace for refusing to worship anythingother than the one true God. The allied forceswere stating that, “Even if we are not rescuedfrom Hitler’s army, we will stand strong andunbowed.”The British people recognized these wordsimmediately and realized how critical theirintervention was. They responded withthousands of boats crossing the Channel to thebeaches of Dunkirk. This ultimately turnedcertain defeat into victory, saving the 350,000British and allied troops from annihilation bythe Nazis.Could we trust that our “would-be rescuers”would understand a message within God'sWord today? Probably not, for often, the faithof the 90's is shallow and meaningless. Ibelieve it is critical that we pursue a morecommitted prayer life and reading of God’sWord on a daily basis. Add to this godlyliterature that will enhance and encourage amuch richer understanding of God's Word and adeeper walk of faith. Then we can also saywith confidence in the face of adversity, “Andif not... !”C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 6 6 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

ADULTFICTIONsomeone is falsely accused, what is right must beupheld.Endeavoring to get to the bottom of SandyJoseph’s murder, it seems Tracy has made anenemy. She begins to receive threats and strangethings begin to happen. Tracy is no longer surewho the good guys are, or who can be trusted.How far is she willing to go in her stand when itcould mean life or death?James Scott Bell states his goal quitesuccessfully, in a book that you don’t want to putdown. Bell writes in such a way as to grab yourattention at the very beginning, you MUST turnthe page because he continues to add twists andturns to keep things suspenseful. Even whengoing back and forth to different scenes we areable to keep on track. There are somewhat gorydetails of killings, but not gratuitous. Hischaracters are all real and unique, believablepeople, believable dialogue. A little light on thespiritual stuff, but it is there. A credible storyline, a former trial lawyer, Bell knows hismaterial well. You aren’t left feeling that the badguys won. Retribution is meted out. Justiceprevails. Jannet HoeffnerThe Widow of Larkspur Inn, by LawanaBlackwell. (The Gresham Chronicles; 1.)LCCN 9733858. Minneapolis: BethanyHouse Publishers, 1997. ISBN 1556619472,PAP, $10.99.F. England—Fiction; Widows—Fiction. 432 p. Gr. 8 -Adult.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Julia Hollis was a surgeon’s wife and lived a lifeof ease until her husband’s sudden death. Juliathen finds herself in a desperate situation. All shecan salvage from her husband’s gambling debtsare the clothes on their backs, their own personalitems, and an old abandoned inn. Julia has tendays to decide what to do and try to get adjustedfrom living a life of wealth to poverty. Eventhough Julia feels like she has been abandoned,God has not forsaken her. Fiona, Julia’s personalmaid, insists on moving to the Larkspur Inn withthe family to help out in any way she can. EvenJensen, the butler that Julia secretly fears, givesJulia the idea of opening up the inn as a businessand gives her one hundred pounds to get started.Each of Julia’s three children face the challengeof moving and adjusting to their poor statedifferently. Fiona’s steady faith in God helpsJulia in her search for a closer walk with God.They open up the inn and soon become involvedin the lives of their guests. Julia finds out that theinn is a ministry. Life changes in the village whenVicar Phelps and his family moves in. Andrew isa widower and has two teenage daughters whokeep him. The Vicar’s interest in Julia has thewhole village involved. Julia realizes that Godhas a plan for both of their lives and families.The Widow of Larkspur Inn is the first in theseries of The Gresham Chronicles. Told in thethird person, this Christian fiction story usesdifferent crisis to keep the plot moving whileretaining a small village atmosphere set in the1800’s. The author vividly portrays theidiosyncrasies of several characters whileweaving them skillfully into the story’s theme. Itis important to note that the book runs 432 pageslong and is broken up into forty-five chapters.The book is geared towards the serious readerwho enjoys reading longer fiction stories.Dorcas WalkerBehind the Veil, by Linda Chaikin. (TheRoyal Pavilions; 3.) LCCN 9733845.Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers,1997. ISBN 1556615132, PAP, $9.99.F. Crusades—First, 1096-1099—Fiction; MiddleAges—Fiction. 256 p. Adult.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5This is a story of intrigue: kidnapping,deception, coercion, greed, murder,manipulation, and deep and lasting love. Set inthe area of Constantinople during the Crusades,this is the love story of Tancred Redwan, NormanKnight, and Lady Helena. In this, Book 3,Tancred thinks Helena is safe and he once againsets out to find his Cousin Mosul—the murdererof Tancred’s brother, Derek. But, he receivesnews that Helena is in the hands of BishopConstantine, who is willingly handing her over inmarriage to a Moslem Prince. Tancred mustrescue Helena and bring her to safety, but he mustalso continue his pursuit of Mosul, or hisreputation will never be restored.In Book Three of the Royal Pavilions, LindaChaikin concludes the story of Helena andTancred. Having read Book Two, GoldenPalaces, I could follow the story, but without theothers in this series, it is very difficult to follow.Because of the historical content, details of theCrusades and large number of characters, it wasnot an easy read. I did find the hero and heroinevery interesting. Chaikin has an ability todevelop strong, warm characters with largehearts that are devoted to God. Tammy WilliamsTo Grace Surrendered, by DeAnna JulieDodson. LCCN 9821417. Wheaton, Ill.:Crossway Books, 1998. ISBN 1581340184,PAP, $11.99.F. Peace—Fiction; Kings and queens—Fiction. 299 p.Adult.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Rosalynde screams as she watches her abductorsbludgeon Philip, her husband and king, intooblivion. As she is carted away by boat, herbrother-in-law, Tom, and the other soldiers arehelpless in their rescue attempt. No ransom isrequested and the abductors promise to throw heroverboard if they are followed.Days later, Rosalynde finds herself at the castleof King Reghed, a tyrant and mad man, whobelieves her to be his long deceased mistressRosamund. After much praying, Rosalyndeplays along with the king’s delusions hoping tobuy precious time for her rescue before the kingdecides to make her his queen. Will Philipsurvive his serious injuries and be able to locatehis beloved wife and mother of his children?To Grace Surrendered is a sequel to By LoveRedeemed and In Honor Bound. Enoughinformation is contained so that it can be readwithout being familiar with the other titles.Its fairy tale quality focuses on good overcomingevil with a happily ever after ending. The cast ofmain characters are brought through severe trials;some exhibiting a robust faith from the start,while others are brought to a crossroads ofdecision whether to abdicate or fully trust inGod’s supreme will.This romance takes place during the medievalage of knights, kings, and castles, and appears tobe DeAnna Julie Dodson’s conclusion to thestory of the Chastelayne family. Debbie LindsayAshes on the Wind, by John Fischer. LCCN9745419. Minneapolis: Bethany HousePublishers, 1998. ISBN 1556616783, PAP,$8.99.F. Christian life—Fiction. 254 p. Adult.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Betty Dunn is dead. Sam, her second husband,insists on cremation with “burial” at sea. BobbiAcres, Betty’s daughter, is really not so sureabout throwing the ashes into the sea. Now thereis nothing to bury in a cemetery, nothing to visit,and no real ending. Giving in to her stepfather’swishes is not easy for Betty so she is especiallyupset when, after arriving home, she can’t reachSam on the phone. Never has New Englandseemed so far from Florida. Gruff anduncommunicative, Sam Dunn has no friends, soBetty calls the funeral parlor/crematorium onlyto learn that the ashes spread upon the sea are nother mother after all. Bonnie Dean, wife of J.W.Dean, an itinerant preacher, is inadvertentlyswitched with Betty Dunn and the chase is on.Sam wants his wife’s ashes to spread them in thesea with the dolphins. Bobbi wants her mother’sashes to bury in New England so that she canvisit her mother. And J.W. Dean just wants to geton television handling the same snakes that killedhis wife.John Fischer has created a mystery with humorand with God. Throughout Ashes on the Wind,Fischer reminds the reader of the many facets ofChristian belief as he weaves together snakehandling, a possible murder, the chase acrossFlorida, and Bobbi’s amnesia that sends hercompulsively to Florida. Characters are welldeveloped and we can easily feel Bobbi’s pain atthe death of her mother. Sam’s gruff attitude andsingle-mindedness might be any relative in anyfamily. The pace of the story is fast and theChristian beliefs woven into the story line areC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 6 7 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

ADULTFICTIONboth subtle and informative. Snake handlingevangelists are not your everyday happening, andthe explanation for this unusual practice is clearand entertaining. Barbara A. WallFlame in the Wind, directed by KatherineStenholm. Greenville, SC: Unusual Films,n.d. VID, $19.95.F. Inquisition, Spanish—Fiction. 1 videocassette,color, 120 min. Gr. 8 - Adult.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5This video is set in the time of the SpanishInquisition when Christians who differed evenslightly from the Catholic church were torturedand burned at the stake for their faith. Thechurch was immovable in its stance that noperson outside of the formal church have accessto the Bible. Thus, some corrupt priests and otherhigh officials would alter scripture to their benefitand men and women would have no recourse butto obey or be killed as heretics to the faith.In this story, Carlos is a wealthy young noblemanwhose father was imprisoned as a Christianheretic at the time of Carlos birth. Raised by aservant woman, Carlos is groomed for service inthe Catholic church. On a visit home, he meets apeddler who gives him a Bible. It doesn’t takelong for Carlos to begin his own inner search fortruth and he makes his own commitment toChrist against the church’s authority. Carlosstruggles between being faithful to Christ and hisown fear of punishment. He sells out hisChristian friends and as they die the martyr’sdeath, Carlos gives himself to Christ no matterwhat the personal cost.Viewers will find this video a good historicalaccount of the Spanish Inquisition and thecorruption which typified the church during thatperiod. The background and costumes areelegantly made and “fit” those characters whoseroles are acted out. The events in this story arelaid out at an even pace and movement from onescene to the next is easily followed. MicheleHoweWinter of Grace, by Robert Funderburk. (ADylan St. John Novel; 3.) Minneapolis:Bethany House Publishers, 1998. ISBN1556616163, PAP, $8.99.F. Robbers and outlaws—Fiction; Louisiana—Fiction;Christian life—Fiction; Mystery fiction. 221 p. Gr. 10- Adult.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Dylan St. John is about to become a father,something he finds exciting and overwhelming atthe same time. But as he delights in thepossibilities and responsibilities that lie beforehim, he finds himself thrust into a difficultassignment to find thieves and murderers in hisarea. A perplexing problem arises when it isdiscovered that the wanted men have a youngchild with them, too.When his baby daughter is born, complicationsarise that threaten her tiny life. The strainbetween his spending long evenings with hissweet wife, Susan, at the baby’s incubator, andlong days filled with hunting for these desperatemen causes Dylan to do some real soulsearching.Can he put his faith and trust in Godand challenge his own heart to willinglysurrender his all?Now Dylan finds that he must leave Susan andhis baby to hunt the men that have not onlythreatened the lives of many business owners, buthave killed Dylan’s long-time friend and mentor.He must pursue the killers and seek justice for hisdeparted friend despite the strong pull to remainwith his own struggling family.Robert Funderburk writes a compelling novelwith unexpected turns that catch the reader bysurprise. The setting of New Orleans and thebayous is interesting and the story intriguing. Hiscolorful language, i.e. “a blade of a man... , anarrow, seamed face... ” depicts each characteruniquely and descriptively. Winter of Gracepresents a well-told story with unique twists andwell-depicted characters. Mary McKinneyMr. Francis’ Wife, by Sandy Gills. (Promises:A Romance.) LCCN 9748910. ColoradoSprings: Chariot Victor, 1998. ISBN1564766896, PAP, $11.99.F. Romance fiction; Christian life—Fiction; Ranchlife—Fiction. 289 p. Gr. 10 - Adult.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5“Mr. Francis, I need for you to marry me.” Mr.Francis Allison, the hired hand, is startled atHannah’s bold request. What man in his rightmind would consider taking a recently widowedwoman with her twelve, soon to be thirteenchildren while trying to run the affairs of a largeranch? He was confident that his love for thisfamily would grow and deepen. He could evensee potential for romantic love to blossom forHannah. The question was, would Hannah’s lovefor her deceased husband ever leave room in herheart to love Mr. Francis?Sandy Gills, a mother of nine children with thefirst hand experience of ranch life, has spun adelightful story with an unusual twist. Mr.Francis’ Wife portrays the life of a large Amishfamily who has moved further west and chosento cut family ties and the old order of lifestyle bymaking use of modern conveniences withoutsacrificing their moral beliefs. Interestingly, theyfind themselves between two worlds. Thissometimes light-hearted story gets to the nuts andbolts of the machinery of a step-parent family;their fun, conflict, and resolutions.Most of the conflict is between Hannah with herpeculiar Amish ways, and Mr. Francis, whoknows only what he has observed in hisassociation with the deceased father. Thetransition from farm hand to step-father for thechildren takes place too smoothly to bebelievable but Mr. Francis is perceptive,imaginative, and patient. Debbie LindsayThe Maiden’s Sword, by Ethel Herr. (TheSeekers; 2.) LCCN 9733839. Minneapolis:Bethany House Publishers, 1997. ISBN155661747X, PAP, $9.99.F. William I, Prince of Orange, 1533-1584—Fiction;Netherlands—History—Wars of Independence, 1556-1648—Ficton; Netherlands—Kings and rulers—Biography—Fiction. 320 p. Gr. 8 - Adult.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5Sixteenth-Century Holland Anabaptists believedin peace, not war. Persecuted, jailed, burned atthe stake, but holding to the belief that God’sword should not be a banned book, Ethel Herrshows God’s word to be the best sword possible.When a fragment of scripture comes into a jailcell, lives change. The thief has a change ofheart. Even one of the soldiers changes sides.The Maiden’s Sword continues the story ofPieter-Lucas van den Garde, an artist with Godgiven talent, as he becomes a messenger in wartime. His new wife Aletta is in training to be ahealer. Together, they grow in faith as they seekGod’s will. Reading only the second book of thisseries makes the story somewhat disjointed as thereader may have difficulty figuring out amultitude of characters and continuing situations.Background details and charts provide excellenthistorical background. Paula Stewart MarksBrothers, by Angela Elwell Hunt. (Legacies ofthe Ancient River; 2.) Minneapolis: BethanyHouse Publishers, 1997. ISBN 1556616082,PAP, $10.99.F. Eghpt—History—Fiction; Joseph (Biblicalcharacter)—Fiction. Gr. 10 - Adult.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Simeon the Destroyer—that’s what his brotherscalled him. A man full of bitterness and anger; ahard-hearted and hot-tempered herdsman. Nowhe is a prisoner under house arrest in theluxurious home of Pharaoh. Simeon is heldhostage by Zaphenath-Paneah, the acting ruler ofEgypt, until his brothers return with theiryoungest brother, Benjamin. Simeon does noteven recognize Zaphenath-Paneah as his ownbrother, Joseph, whom Simeon and his brotherssold into slavery many years ago. But Josephimmediately recognizes his brothers when theycome seeking grain for their families in this timeof famine. He grieves over Simeon’s hardness ofheart, and longs for reconciliation with all hisbrothers.Learning submissiveness is a difficult task forSimeon. In his confinement, Simeon’s ragegrows to explosive proportions and he violentlylashes out at anyone who comes near him. Onlythe unfailing gentleness of Mandisa, who serveshim, touches his heart. When Simeon is releasedto return home with his brothers, he is a changedF A L L , 1 9 9 8 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

ADULTFICTIONman, but not completely. He still finds it difficultto control his temper, and he rages against hisfather, Jacob, who treated Simeon’s mother,Leah, unfairly. Ultimately Simeon is brought tohis knees in an intense encounter with God. Heis able to make peace with his father, receive thegenerosity and love of his brother Joseph, andmarry a godly woman who can respect his Spirittamedheart.Brothers is a well-written book that gives insightinto the traditions and gods of Egypt, andJoseph’s commitment to the One True God. Thebook is divided into five sections, each precededby a scriptural prologue that relates to the portionof the story that follows. There is a briefprologue to the book that has no clear connectionto the story whatsoever. Brothers powerfullydisplays the themes of forgiveness,reconciliation, and complete submission to God.Sherri BeelerDeliver Us from Evil, by Clint Kelly. (In theShadow of the Mountain; 1.) LCCN 9745420.Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers,1998. ISBN 1556619553, PAP, $9.99.F. World War, 1914-1918—Turkey—Fiction;Armenia—Fiction; Christian life—Fiction. 304 p.Adult.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Adrine Tevian, an Armenian Christian, snatchesmoments between slaving for the occupyingMuslim Turkish army, to woolgather. Thesemoments of past and future reflections offer amuch needed respite from the ravages the warhas brought. Would the legendary Fedayeenreceive her cry for help and rescue her and herhundred other ‘sisters’ from this pit of hell?Tatul Sarafian, known as The Fox, has risen inthe ranks of the Fedayeen, the legendaryArmenian freedom fighters. Once initiated, TheFox is given the dangerous task of rescuing onehundred women and children from an impendingmassacre.Frank Davidson, U.S. consulate stationed inTurkey, tires of the neutral status of the Americangovernment and takes it upon himself to smugglerefugees to safety.Is God listening to the pleas of the Armenianpeople for divine intervention? Despite thehatred that war arouses, the main characters growto rely upon God’s promises to avenge theirsuffering.Deliver Us From Evil is the first novel of theseries In the Shadow of the Mountain. It capturesthe horrors of the death marches and slaughter oftens of thousands of Armenians during WorldWar I, the pattern from which Adolph Hitler wasmotivated to emulate and exceed.Clint Kelly has masterfully knit history withfictitious characters to create this emotionallyevocative, graphic yet not gruesome depiction ofthe senseless cruelty that humankind perpetratesupon those who differ. The story is an effort tokeep alive the memory of the faith and heritageof a people almost annihilated, and a reminderthat wickedness left unchecked, corrupts anddestroys. Debbie LindsayBright Sword of Justice, by Alan Morris.(Guardians of the North; 3.) LCCN 9721021.Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers,1997. ISBN 1556616945, PAP, $8.99.F. Canada—Fiction; North-West Mounted Police—Fiction; Christian life—Fiction. 320 p. Gr. 10 - Adult.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Trouble is brewing again in the Canadianfrontier. Hunter Stone, one of the best of theNorthwest Mounted Police, trails a gang ofruthless killers to the peaceful Blackfoot villagewhere Reena O’Donnel is a missionary.Relieved that the villains hadn’t come throughthe area, Hunter now faces other unwantedchallenges. He is more than infatuated with thebeautiful Reena, but his lack of faith in the Godshe so loves and serves, keeps them apart. WhenHunter discovers that a handsome youngmissionary, the Reverend Jack Sheffield, hastaken up temporary residence with the Blackfoottribe, he finds jealousy and suspicion risingwithin.However, his duty to trail the renegades comesfirst, and in a strange turn of events, Hunterdiscovers that Reena’s brother, Liam, is part ofthe murderous gang. Through much suspicion,hurt and anger, the tangled web of danger andheart-matters puts Hunter in a very dark mood.Can he sort through the maze of events andemotions himself, or will he at last surrender to ahigher authority allowing God to set things right?Alan Morris pens another fine novel with thesame endearing characters of his first two booksin the Guardian of the North Series. This finelycrafted book presents a straight-forwardChristian message amid high adventure andtender moments allowing for a well-rounded andsatisfying story line. Mary McKinneyBetween Earth and Sky, by Alan Morris.(Guardians of the North; 4.) LCCN 9745446.Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers,1998. ISBN 1556616953, PAP, $8.99.F. Battle of the Little Bighorn—Fiction; North-WestMounted Police—Fiction; Christian life—Fiction. 320p. Adult.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Alan Morris continues his Guardians of theNorth series with his fourth installment, BetweenEarth and Sky. Although the series so far hasfocused on the initial beginnings of the CanadianMounted Police, Morris veers the action towardsthe historic clash between Crazy Horse, SittingBull, and General Custer at Little Bighorn.The main plot is that of Reena O’Donnell,missionary to the Blackfoot Indians, travelingdown to the Dakota Territory in order to nurse herUncle Faron, a scout for General Custer, back tohealth. She is accompanied by Mountie HunterStone, who still mourns the death of his wife, butfinds himself drawn to the vibrant Reena.Irrepressible curmudgeon Mountie scout, DelDekko, and idealistic preacher Jack Sheffieldinsist on accompanying the duo as they head forhostile Indian Territory. The foursomeencounters a variety of difficult situations beforefinding Custer and Reena’s uncle, and barelyavoid involvement in Custer’s final encounterwith Indians.It’s unclear why the book was centered aroundevents leading up to Custer’s Last Stand whenthe previous books of the series focus on theCanadian frontier. Much has already beenwritten about Little Bighorn and Morris does notcontribute anything more except a sympatheticportrayal of Crazy Horse, an historicallyinaccurate one at that.So far the first book in the series has proved themost noteworthy with its vivid characterportrayals and detailed coverage of a subject solittle written about, the days of the Canadianfrontier and the Mounted Police. Pam WebbBeyond the Quiet Hills, by Gilbert Morris andAaron McCarver. (The Spirit of Appalachia;2.) LCCN 9733829. Minneapolis: BethanyHouse Publishers, 1997. ISBN 1556618867,PAP, $9.99.F. Tennessee—History—Fiction; Frontier and pioneerlife—Tennessee—Fiction. 351 p. Gr. 10 - Adult.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5With a boiling cauldron of emotions eruptingwithin, sixteen-year-old Jacob Spencer stares athis father. This father, Hawk Spencer, lonehunter, who had abandoned him since birth, hasjust informed Jacob of the desire to have himcome live in a remote settlement out west. Howcan Jacob leave his grandparents, the only familyhe has known, to become part of a new family oftotal strangers? Intent on declining the invitation,an incident takes place that causes Jacob tochange his mind.Beyond the Quiet Hills focuses on the history ofthe Watauga settlement in the Tennessee territoryprior and up to the American Revolution. It isrich with the interaction of the settlers with theAmerican Indians, the turmoil experienced andthe efforts for peaceful co-habitation. The centralcharacters effectuate forgiveness and healing ofbroken relationships.Gilbert Morris, author of The House of Winslowseries, with Aaron McCarver, writes the secondbook in The Spirit of Appalachia series. Thoughit can be read alone, one will want to read the firstbook to be more familiarized with the history ofthe characters and the events that have led up tothis point.C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 6 9 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

ADULTFICTIONThe authors’ brief “Note to Our Readers” at theend of the story circumstantiates the historicalfacts that have been brought to life in thisvolume. Debbie LindsayThe Shadow Portrait, by Gilbert Morris. (TheHouse of Winslow; 21.) LCCN 9745452.Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers,1998. ISBN 1556616899, PAP, $9.99.F. New York (N.Y.)—Fiction; Cousins—Fiction. 304p. Gr. 10 - Adult.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5The Shadow Portrait traces the adventures of twoWinslow cousins, Phil and Peter, as they pursuetheir dreams in New York City. Phil, who wasraised on a ranch in Montana, has completed hisartistic studies in Europe and is looking forsuccess in New York. Peter has a passion forracing, and with the help of his companions, JolieDevorak and Easy Devlin, he is busy building arace car. The cousins become involved with theLanier family as well as the wealthy widow, AvisWarwick. Avis pursues Peter, while Jolie lookson with her heart breaking. Phil finds himselfdrawn to the invalid painter, Cara Lanier, but sheis isolated and protected by her controlling father.Will Peter realize Avis is drawn to the excitementmore than to himself? Will Phil achieve hisdream as a painter and find love?Gilbert Morris, true to form, writes an interestingstory of individuals trying to find their place andGod’s will for their lives. Their discovery of truelove from the Father while on their journeymakes for a very satisfying storyline. The familydynamics of the Lanier family brought apowerful and unusual twist to the novel. TammyWilliamsATime to Build, by Gilbert Morris. (TheAmerican Odyssey Series; 6.) LCCN9816574. Grand Rapids: Fleming H. Revell,1998. ISBN 0800756452, PAP, $10.99.F. Christian life—Fiction. 295 p. Adult.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5ATime to Build by Gilbert Morris is book six inThe American Odyssey series, which follows themembers of one family through six decades ofAmerican history, each book focusing on onedecade. This book chronicles the years between1950 and 1960, following the lives of threeyoung members of the Stuart family, as theymove through the events of the 1950’s and,individually, find that only Christ can meet theneeds of their lives.Seventeen-year-old Richard Stuart is eager tofight for his country when he learns that SouthKorea has been invaded. His sister, Stephanie, isset on a career in journalism. She drops out ofcollege to become a reporter on her grandfather’snewspaper. Their cousin, Mona, has still anotherdirection to go. After trying, for years, to becomea major star in Hollywood, Mona becomesdisillusioned with the business. Then shediscovers a beautifully written novel and isdetermined to see it become a motion picture.Before that can be done she must track down theelusive author, an author who does not want to befound.ATime to Build is well-written, appealing to theChristian reader and history buff. Author GilbertMorris includes background information on theentire Stuart clan, highlighting those characterswhose stories have been told in previousvolumes. But after five books and severalgenerations, there are enough characters in theStuart family to confuse a new reader. Theauthor includes a “Stuart family tree” at thebeginning of the book, to help alleviate thisproblem. Donna BrownBeloved Stranger, by Judith Pella. LCCN9745453. Minneapolis: Bethany HousePublishers, 1998. ISBN 0764220403, PAP,$9.99.F. Romance fiction; Mystery fiction; Christian life—Fiction. 300 p. Adult.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 4Shelby Martin is an ordinary kindergartenteacher who begins an extraordinary adventurewhile on a vacation (taken on impulse) to PuertoVallarta, Mexico.There she meets the love of her life, FrankStefano. He shows her a side of life she hasnever experienced, a satisfying simple life withher Beloved Stranger. They hastily marry andreturn to Redondo Beach, California. Now, thereare secrets, late night meetings, boat trips, themysterious death of Frank’s former wife. Howdoes this all tie together?Pella’s story follows the predictability of aformula romance with a thin veneer ofChristianity. The religious passages seeminserted, sometimes interrupting the natural flowof the plot. The characters are well-defined andinteract in an anticipated manner. There are thegood citizens and the criminals, with little spacefor the confusion felt by Frank, the quandary ofwhat is right concerning his younger brother,Ramon. Situations such as the cherished mantillabeing passed on to Shelby add a cultural touch.Su HagertyA Promise for Tomorrow, by Judith Pella andTracie Peterson. (Ribbons of Steel; 3.) LCCN9745442. Minneapolis: Bethany HousePublishers, 1998. ISBN 1556618646, PAP,$9.99.F. Allegheny Mountains—Fiction; Railroads—Fiction.368 p. Gr. 10 - Adult.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5The story of James and Carolina Baldwincontinues in Ribbons of Steel. James is stillemployed with the BandO Railroad, whileresiding in the Baltimore Mansion. As James andCarolina welcome new additions to their family,Carolina finds herself frustrated and lonely.James is frequently absent from home with therailroad and her involvement in their shareddream is limited. Desperate, Carolina convincesJames to allow the family to follow him to arustic railroad town in the Allegheny Mountains.New challenges face them with the Irishimmigrants, the lack of luxury, and the fact thatVictoria, their adopted daughter is on the verge ofwomanhood. Did Carolina ask her family tosacrifice too much so that they could all betogether?Judith Pella and Tracie Peterson once again writea captivating story that will hold the interest ofthe reader. They deal with themes of forgiveness,family ties and love. An additional theme is thatof a mother trying to balance the responsibilitiesof motherhood while pursuing her other dreamsat the same time. APromise for Tomorrow isrelevant to readers today and would touch thehearts of mothers in particular. Tammy WilliamsA Shelter of Hope, by Tracie Peterson.(Westward Chronicles; 1.) Minneapolis:Bethany House Publishers, 1998. ISBN0764221124, PAP, $9.99.F. West (U.S.)—Fiction; Fathers and daughters—Fiction; Harvey Girls—Fiction. 299 p. Adult.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5In one swift motion, seventeen-year-old Simonecrashed the water pitcher against her attacker’shead. After staring at the blood pooling about hishead, Simone did not bother to determine hisstatus before frantically gathering what little shehad. With a backward glance toward the onlyhome she’d known, she mounted the man’s horseand disappeared into the snowy forest. Havingjust been “sold” to this total stranger by anabusive father, Simone faces her future withuncertainty and a dark cloud of possible murderhanging over her head. Unbeknownst to her,Simone’s wretched father, murderer of hermother, has a change of heart. Wishing he hadn’t“sold” her he goes in search of his daughter witha horribly devious plan in mind. As an unspoiledflower, big money is to made at her expense forhis pleasure.A Shelter of Hope is the first title in the WestwardChronicles series. It explores the myriads ofemotions that abuse causes in one so tender ofage; how to establish trust in others, and how aperson is able to accept God as a father when theearthly pattern is so seriously flawed.Tracie Peterson, co-author of the Ribbons ofSteel series, sketches the history of the HarveyHouse Restaurants that were so popular along theSanta Fe rail lines and steers the story to showhow one can rise above pain to become a personof strength and character in spite of the lack of ahealthy upbringing. Debbie LindsayF A L L , 1 9 9 8 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

ADULTFICTIONWild Grows the Heather in Devon, by MichaelPhillips. (The Secrets of Heathersleigh Hall;1.) LCCN 9733862. Minneapolis: BethanyHouse Publishers, 1997. ISBN 0764220438,PAP, $10.99.F. Devonshire, England—Fiction; Family life—Fiction. 448 p. Gr. 9 - Adult.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5Charles and Jocelyn Rutherford live on a countryestate outside the village of Milverscomb not farfrom London. They have three children; twogirls and one boy. Charles is in the midst of thepolitical movement in Parliament and holdssearching for truth and being a free thinker ashigh goals. Amanda, their firstborn has a strongwilledpersonality which both parents encourage,thinking that it will foster an independent spirit.Everything goes well until Charles and Jocelyncome to know Christ on a personal level and theirlives begin to change as they seek to live the wayChrist would have them to. Not only does itaffect their home life, but it ultimately affectsCharles’ role in Parliament when he realizes thathis highest ambition of being the prime ministerholds no attraction compared to the life that Godis leading him into. He refuses the position andthereby sets into motion events within his ownhousehold that become far reaching. Amanda isfurious with her dad’s decision and becomesmore antagonistic towards the life of Christianity.She ends up running away, convinced that herparents are trying to ruin her life and chance ofhappiness.Wild Grows the Heather is number one in theseries of The Secret of Heathersleigh Hall. Thisis a Christian historical, mystery fiction set in thelate 1800’s. Told in the third person, the authorweaves circumstances into the lives of thecharacters to keep the plot moving forward. Thebook is mostly made up of dialogue to get themain points across so that at times the storyseems barely to move. There is an introduction,map, and a prologue of three chapters before thestory actually begins. The book is divided intoseven parts and closes with an epilogue and theRutherford family lineage, which is helpful inkeeping the characters identified. Altogether thebook runs 447 pages long and is not a book thatcan be read in one setting at a time.Not only does Wild Grow the Heather cover ahistorical time when inventions were firstbecoming known, it explores main world eventsthat were shaping up for war, has a mysteryinterwoven about Heathersleigh Hall, portraysthe different personalities of the Rutherfordfamily and those close to them, and also delvesinto depth about Christianity and its philosophy.Dorcas WalkerThe Printing. Greenville, SC: Unusual Films,1991. VID, $29.95.F. Soviet Union—Religious aspects—Christianity. 1videocassette, color, 137 min. Gr. 8 - Adult.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5This video is based on the true story of a group ofChristian believers living in the former SovietUnion in the mid 1980’s. At this time, onlyregistered churches were allowed. Thosebelievers desiring to be part of unregisteredfellowships were considered illegal worshippersand often persecuted for their active faith. Someof these Christians also went against the KGB byprinting Bible underground.Dimtri Yurchenko is the adult son of registeredchurch pastor Alexandar Yurchenko. Dimtri, justhaving been released from prison, now returns tohis former rebel life: that of working against theKGB. His faith minimal, Dimtri sees thehypocrisy which his father lives out his own faithunder the compromising rules/regulations of theSoviet government. At a press conference,Dimtri meets Galina Mikhailev whose father isthe mastermind of Bible printing, YakovMikhailev. Dimtri is drawn to Galina who pointshim to her God and introduces him to fellowchurch members of an unregistered movement.In time, Dimtri accepts Christ and becomes partof the underground printing order. He facespersecution, imprisonment, even death for hisfaith. As Dimtri learns to trust Christ, so does hisfather. Together they ensure the freedom ofYakov and the distribution of the Bibles.This film’s story line flows at an even pace. Thecharacters ring true and viewers can identify withtheir plight. Each event proceeds the next withan easy transition and the background scenery isa believable backdrop for Soviet country/citylife. At the end of this 137 minute film, the maincharacters whereabouts are described for theviewers’ interest. Michele HoweOnly the River Runs Free, by Bodie and BrockThoene. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1997.ISBN 0785280677, HBB, $19.95.F. Ireland—Fiction. Gr. 10 - Adult.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Mad Molly Fahey says a miracle is coming to theIrish village of Ballynockanor! This is goodnews to the tenant farmers who struggle under anabusive and oppressive landlord. Joseph Conneris the “miracle,” the true Burke, the real landlordof the town. His wicked uncle poisoned Joseph’sfather, forcing Joseph to flee for his life when hewas a young boy. Joseph returns toBallynockanor but must keep his identity a secretuntil he can find a way to prove who he really is.Joseph befriends the Donovan family—particularly the oldest daughter, Kate. Burned ina fire while attesting to save her family, Kate ishorribly scarred and believes she will nevermarry again. But to Joseph, she is “a gold coinshining on the riverbed.” Tragedy strikes thefamily again, however, when Kate’s sister Brigitsecretly marries William, the corrupt son of thevillage landlord. He uses her, then abandons herto prostitution in Dublin. Feeling responsible forher downfall because he failed to warn heragainst William’s wiles, Joseph goes to Dublin torescue her. He finds Brigit pregnant and very ill.Filled with an unexplainable love for her, Josephmarries Brigit and gives the unborn child hisname. At her death, he returns to her family withthe baby, and with the help of Mad Molly Faheyis finally able to reveal his true identity. Josephmarries Kate, assumes his role as the truelandlord, and begins to right the many wrongspracticed upon the Irish tenant farmers under thefalse landlord.Only the River Runs Free gives a beautifulexample of how Christ redeems us from our sinsin Joseph’s redemption of Brigit throughmarriage. On her deathbed Brigit finds not onlya husband, but her God, as she confesses her sinsand her wounded soul is healed. Readers mayfeel distanced from the characters, since the pointof view rarely allows us to dip into the minds ofthe characters and understand their feelings andstruggles. The story simply tells us these things,rather than showing them. Sherri BeelerThe Strand, by Ellen Vaughn. LCCN 971769.Dallas: Word, 1997. ISBN 0849913284, HBB,$19.99.F. Mystery fiction; Christian fiction. 323 p. Adult.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5A gunshot rings out, and suddenly Paul and AnneLorelli’s tenth anniversary becomes their last.Anne’s pearl necklace breaks in the scuffle withthe muggers. Molly and Clark O’Kelley, longtimeLorelli friends, help Anne as she movesnumbly through the next days that include Paul’sfuneral. We wonder, along with Anne, about thewoman standing apart from the other mourners.Her dark glasses, large black hat, and “sweepingblack coat” reveal nothing. Later Vaughn allowsus to see this woman and her importance in thestory.We sit alongside detectives as they interviewPaul’s law office partner, Randolph Percey. Hisinformation helps make the final case against themuggers and the force behind them. DetectiveTom Hogan carries on the investigation withthoroughness, finding himself with feelings hehad not anticipated.During this time, Anne questions her lack offeeling, the absence of heart-felt mourning. Shebegins to move out of herself, volunteering to tellstories to children at an inner-city learning center.Friendships with Jackie and her daughter Sherahat the center and also with Father Jozef Kowalskiand his sister Danuta, Holocaust survivors,sustain Anne when Tom Hogan revealsunbelievable facts. Their faith in God restoresher and gives hope once again.This well-constructed story comes from the mindof an experienced writer. Vaughn hascollaborated with Charles Colson for more thanC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 7 1 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

ADULTFICTIONsixteen years. She writes The Strand, her firstnovel, with assurance and accuracy as to thesetting in Washington, D.C. The emotions uponwhich the story depends, pull the reader into thelives of Jackie, Jozef, and Danuta, as well asAnne. A well-defined background for all theprimary characters makes the reader identifywith them as real-life neighbors. Vaughn givesus enough information to have some idea howthe story will come out, while at the same timeadding unexpected events and complications tokeep us guessing.Readers who love a mystery, especially one thatcontains a hint of romance, and who appreciatethe addition of a spiritual uplift will relish thisgood read. Betty M. HockettThe Ice Princess, by Jim Walker. (The WellsFargo Trail; 8.) LCCN 9745448.Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers,1998. ISBN 1556617038, PAP, $8.99.F. Western fiction; Sitka (Alaska)—Fiction; Mysteryfiction. 287 p. Gr. 10 - Adult.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5The adventures of Jenny Hays and Zac Cobbcontinue when Jenny leaves word that she hastraveled to Sitka to be reunited with her sisterNaomi and Uncle Ian. Zac, uncomfortable withher traveling so far into unknown circumstances,decides to follow her. He soon discovers thatthings are not as they seem and Jenny is in realdanger. Zac is frustrated in his attempts to findthe truth and protect Jenny by the deceptions ofIan and the greed and power struggles thatsurround them.Jim Walker’s novel is action packed andaddresses the issues of greed and deception. Thewriting style is similar to the Corrie Hollisterseries. There are a number of murders among therough and unpredictable environment of Alaskain the nineteenth century. The Ice Princess isinteresting, but there are few surprises. TammyWilliamsMurder on the Titanic : A Novel by JimWalker. LCCN 9742332. Nashville:Broadman and Holman, 1998. ISBN0805401989, PAP, $13.99.F. Mystery fiction; Titanic (Steamship)—Fiction. 487p. Gr. 10 - Adult.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Murder on the Titanic is a mystery thatintertwines historical events with fiction.Morgan Fairfield, while preparing for hisdeparture aboard the Titanic, finds himselfentrusted with vital government papers from adying man. These papers must be delivered toWashington to avoid an impending war.Knowing that the murderer is also aboard,Morgan knows he must watch his back and at thesame time ensure the security of the documents.Morgan is immediately befriended by HunterKennedy—a reckless actor who offers Morganassistance. Also aboard, is Morgan’s life longlove, Margaret Hastings. Margaret isaccompanied by her fiancé, Peter Wilksbury.When dead bodies start showing up, Morgan iseven more determined to accomplish his“mission” and to discover just who is committingmurder, aboard the Titanic.Jim Walker has written an exciting mystery thatcaptivates the reader. There is just enough factmixed with fiction to keep you interested andproves the story is based in solid research. Thecharacters are alive and one cannot help butbecome involved and concerned with theiroutcome. With each major character, Mr. Walkerspeaks of what is really in his heart. It is a storythat will appeal to a broad audience and I lookforward to others in his series. Tammy WilliamsSweetbriar Autumn, by Brenda Wilbee.(Sweetbriar; 5.) LCCN 9812726. GrandRapids: Fleming H. Revell, 1998. ISBN0800756614, PAP, $11.99.F. Denny, Louisa Boren—Fiction; Frontier and pioneerlife—Washington (State)—Fiction; Women pioneers—Washington (State)—Fiction; Denny, David Thomas—Fiction; Seattle (Wash.)—History—Fiction. 271 p.Adult.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Sweetbriar Autumn continues the story of Davidand Louisa Denny (early founders of Seattle). Atthe conclusion of Sweetbriar Summer, the settlersin White River flee to Seattle from hostileIndians invading the nearby territory. As thestory resumes, families from the White Riverarea receive word that it is safe to return homeand that the danger was exaggerated.Unsuccessfully, David and other town leaders,try to convince them to wait. Word soon comesthat the Indians attacked and burned the homes oftheir friends and loved ones. David feelsresponsible to go with the volunteers to bury thedead and rescue the survivors. Louisa, expectingtheir second child, is left alone. Will Davidreturn safely? Will the Indians invade Seattle?Brenda Wilbee proves herself to be a thoroughresearcher and writes from historical accounts.Each chapter has excerpts from different literarysources which are referenced in thecomprehensive bibliography. SweetbriarAutumn demonstrates how the Denny familyrelied on God for their safety and for their peace.It is an excellent source for one who wishes togain detailed information on the history ofSeattle. Tammy WilliamsWine of Morning, directed by KatherineStenholm; based on the novel by Bob Jones.Greenville, SC: Unusual Films, n.d. VID,$19.95.F. Rome, Ancient—Fiction. 1 videocassette, color, 120min. Gr. 8 - Adult.Quality - 2 Acceptability - 5This story is drawn from a novel by Bob Jonesand set in the time of Christ. Joel is a youngJewish man whose destiny will be found in thehands of rebels and outlaws. During the time ofRoman rule and tyranny, young Joel sees thetreachery of the Romans and vows to revenge hisfellow countrymen’s sufferings.As Joel travels from city to city in search offulfillment and meaning in his life; he repeatedlyencounters Christ, his healings, and hisfollowers. Bits and pieces of Christ’s teachingare shared with Joel to no avail. He remainsstaunchly committed to leading a life inopposition to all Romans. When Joel becomespart of a band of robbers, he adopts the nameBarabbas. Eventually, Barabbas (Joel) iscaptured by the Romans and is ordered to die forhis crimes. Enter in the Biblical account ofBarabbas and Jesus being condemned in thethief’s place. As Barabbas witnesses Jesus’ deathand that of his fellow thieves, he begins aninward journey of introspection, one that lastsyears. Surviving a shipwreck, sends Barabbassearching once again. At last he finds Christ andbegins to boldly witness for God, even facing jailand death for his newfound Lord.This two hour story is often stilted and slowmoving. The acting is mediocre and forced attimes. While the story line moves along, theviewer is left wondering how the charactersproceeded from one scene to the next withoutmuch explanation or internal growth/struggle.Each sequence assumes the viewer has moreknowledge than he/she can possess. MicheleHowePublish and Perish, by Sally S. Wright. (TheBen Reese Mystery Series; 1.) LCCN9637551. Sisters, Ore.: Multnomah, 1997.ISBN 1576730670, PAP, $9.99.F. Mystery fiction. Adult.Pride and Predator, by Sally S. Wright. (TheBen Reese Mystery Series; 2.) LCCN97015561. Sisters, Ore.: Multnomah, 1997.ISBN 1576730840, PAP, $9.99.F. Mystery fiction; Scotland—Fiction. 350 p. Adult.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Benjamin Reese is an archivist at a smalluniversity in Ohio. He bears the scars of woundssuffered in World War II as an Army Ranger inFrance. In his late thirties and driving an old1947 Plymouth, Ben is still haunted by his wife’sdeath during her first childbirth.In the initial novel, Publish and Perish by SallyWright, the pressures for academic advancementlead to the death of Richard West, Ben’s oldfriend and a professor of English literature. Benis skeptical of the claim that his friend’s deathwas from natural causes. This skepticism leadshim into a labyrinth of academic ambitions,bitterness, and deceit within the college.F A L L , 1 9 9 8 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

ADULTFICTIONSurviving an attempt on his life, Ben unravels themystery that brings the murderers to justice.Sally Wright paints word pictures that draw thereader into the drama of each scene. Hercharacters are believable and I particularly likedher portrayals of their faith as something naturaland acceptable without a trace of religiouschauvinism. Her plot keeps one guessing and leftme with a desire for more adventures in theannals of professor Benjamin Reese.In Sally Wright’s second novel in the Ben ReeseMystery Series, the setting is along the border ofScotland and the holy isle of Lindisfarne. InPride and Predator the Rev. Jonathan MacLean,a Church of Scotland minister and owner of theMacLean family home at Kilgarth, dies ofAnaphylactic shock from bee stings while hikingon Lindisfarne.Sally Wright spins a captivating story aroundCastle Balnagard owned by the writer Lord AlexChisolm. Ben Reese has been retained by SirAlex to evaluate for sale antiquarian items LordAlex inherited with the estate. The rich tapestryof country estate life and gentle people is soengaging that the cleverly contrived murder ofJon MacLean is an unwanted intrusion to thereader. There is plenty of intrigue, multiplesuspects, and a shocking attempt upon BenReese’s life before he corners the murderer.If you like mystery stories that are not cheap andtawdry, you’ll enjoy the Ben Reese mysteries bySally Wright. Mike JarvisC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 7 3 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

BOOK REVIEWSADULT NONFICTION100’s - Philosophy and PsychologyGrieving with Hope : A Personal Journey, bySue Catherine Holtkamp. Chattanooga,Tenn.: Franklin-McKinsey Publishers, 1995.ISBN 1887385002, PAP, $10.00.155.9. Grief. 109 p. Adult.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Sue Holtkamp dropped out of school after ninthgrade and married very young, giving birth to herthird child at the age of twenty-three.Emotionally and physically dependent on heradored husband, Glenn, the bottom fell out of herworld when Glenn and youngest daughter Katiedied in an airplane crash. Grieving with Hopetells the story of how, with God’s help, she madeit back to hope and a new life that included adoctorate and a ministry to other bereavedChristians.Holtkamp’ s story is told in simple language andis heartbreakingly honest. She says, in thechapter, “Never Alone”, “Knowing God lovedme didn’t erase the pain of grief any more thanhis love eliminated my labor pains. For grief,like labor, is a process that must be experiencedin order to bring about new life.” From “Not Me,Not Mine, Not Now” to “Just Surviving Is NotEnough”, she takes readers through that processand lets them emerge on the other side into joy,as she did. “The paradoxical reality that onecould have great grief and great joy may remaininconceivable until we understand that joy issweetest when found beyond suffering.”Grieving with Hope packs a lot of relevantscripture and nuggets of personal wisdom into108 pages. It would be a good addition to anylibrary and its short chapters and easy languagemake it an excellent gift for a bereaved parent orwidow, as well. Betty Winslow200’s - ReligionGod, the Evidence : The Reconciliation ofFaith and Reason in a Postsecular World, byPatrick Glynn. Rocklin, Calif.: Forum, 1997.ISBN 0761509410, HBB, $22.00.212. God--Proof, Cosmological; Anthropic principle;Natural theology; Religion and science. 216 p. Adult.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5To listen to atheists—particularly atheisticscientists—one might think that science hasadministered the coup de grace to God; that theA Note from the Editor: by Ray LeggLibraries in the Information AgeNot long ago, I watched a remake of MobyDick on television. It is the latest installmentin a group of literary works to be adapted forthe small screen as well as the large. As thefilm progressed, I found myself wonderingabout two things - the accuracy of the film'srepresentation of Melville’s text, and moreimportantly, just how many of the viewershad read the American classic. I alsowondered for how many people theadaptation would be the sole source ofknowledge about this great tale. I have beenwondering this for some time, though,because of what I see as a byproduct of theage in which we live.The information age has brought changes tonearly every area of human endeavor inmodern western society - and the personalcomputer may be the agent that has wroughtthe greatest amount of change in the waymost of us function on a daily basis. Whenwe are not in front of a television, we canoften be found at the computer which we usefor entertainment, education, andcommunication. While there is nothinginherently wrong with television orcomputers, their popularity presentseducators in general and libraries in particularwith an interesting set of challenges.A friend and I have talked of these challengesat length. He is Director of Library Servicesat a Christian college and is constantlyconfronted by the need to make electronicresources available to students at his school.He says that because students come tocollege having been raised on an electronicdiet, he and other library workers are caughtbetween managing the ever--changing worldof electronic resources in addition to theoften unused printed material that he isobliged to have in the stacks. Given thechoice, most people, he says, will check out avideo rather than read a book. By doing so,they are passively entrusting formation oftheir literary sensibilities to directors andproducers rather than actively, personallyengaging writers themselves. But this hasbeen a problem since the introduction of“talkies.” To get meaning from a silent film,the audience had to be at least somewhatliterate in order to read subtitles to follow theaction. That is no longer true; in fact, muchof the film production of late has catered tothe lower end of the literary spectrum. Butthose issues are for another editorial.For now, several questions arise from theseconsiderations, the answers to which I am notsure I know. First, how can any institutiondesiring to remain competitive and retain itsconstituency limit access to electronic mediain an age increasingly more informationoriented? Second, with all the work involvedin keeping up with those in print, who hastime to survey, order, test, install, andmaintain the electronic media? Third, howdo we instill a desire to read in people whothink that typing the right search string into asearch engine will provide the answers to alllife's questions? Finally, (not really, but wehave to stop somewhere) are any of thesequestions valid? Why not simply provide theresources and let the public make its owndecisions about how it gets its information?It may be that simply raising these questionsis sufficient - for now. I am sure that manyof my readers have been asking them forlonger than I. Someday we will have tocome to some sort of consensus, though. Anysuggestions?F A L L , 1 9 9 8 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

ADULTNONFICTIONuniverse no longer contains room for the divineor the spiritual. Perhaps this impression isbecause the atheists shout louder, for anincreasing number of scientists are finding thatthe universe makes no sense without God—andare writing about their realizations.Patrick Glynn was raised Catholic, but becamean atheist while obtaining his Harvard Ph.D. Tohim, both science and philosophy proved thatGod was dead. But twenty years later, thosesame disciplines convinced him that God wasvery much Creator of the universe. Scienceindicates a universe with all the hallmarks ofintelligent design; philosophy that atheism is afailure; and, to Glynn, near death experiences(NDEs) that there is more to humanity thanbodies and brain activity.Glynn doesn’t state his religious views, but he isbroadly sympathetic to Christianity and quotesscripture frequently. Glynn has written areadable book, one that is honest both to his ownjourney from atheism to theism, and todevelopments in science and philosophy. Faithand reason are not opponents, Glynn writes, butreason leads to faith. If God—The Evidence hasa flaw, it is Glynn’s reliance on NDEs(themselves a controversial issue) as evidence ofhumanity’s spiritual nature.Christian readers might desire a more Christianorientedbook, but God—The Evidence should bevaluable regardless, and particularly appropriatefor those wrestling with concerns of faith, reason,and science. Andrew SeddonThe New Testament and the People of God, byN. T. Wright. Minneapolis: Fortress Press.ISBN 0080626818, PAP, $29.00.226. Bible. New Testament. Adult.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 4The New Testament and the People of God is anintroduction to the historical study of the NewTestament in general, and of Jesus in particular.It is the first volume of a projected five volumeseries. In this book, Wright proposes that Jesusand the early church re-told the Old Testamentstory of Israel in such a way that Jesus was seenas the story’s climax. God was working in andthrough Jesus to bring about the establishment ofHis kingdom through the redemption, or returnfrom exile, of the true Israel who were those whoresponded to Jesus in faith.The New Testament and the People of God is theresult of very serious scholarship. It establishes abasis for the study of the New Testament inepistemology, historiography and literary theory.It places Jesus squarely in the context of firstcentury Judaism and makes sense of thehistorical evidence. The book is well written andrelatively easy to understand, considering thedepth of the subject matter. It is also wellindexed and has an extensive bibliography.While Wright believes the Bible to be historicallyreliable, his reconstruction of Jesus is not entirelytraditional. He often takes both liberal andconservative scholars to task regarding theirviews of Jesus. Some of his views, therefore, arebound to be controversial but the book as a wholeis outstanding and is surely destined to become aclassic in the field of Jesus’ studies. DennisIngolfslandExperiencing God : How to Live the FullAdventure of Knowing and Doing the Will ofGod, from the best-selling authors Henry T.Blackaby and Claude V. King. LCCN94017651. Nashville: Broadman and Holman,1994. ISBN 0805461396, HBB, $16.99.231. Christian life; God--Will. 183 p. Gr. 11 - Adult.Quality - emailed for ratings Acceptability -“Find where God is already at work. Come alongside Him, get in step, and you will experiencehim as never before.” Based on this premise,Experiencing God is a thought-provoking, soulstirringbook, causing the reader to sense God ‘spresence in an experiential way. The authorsgive scriptural backdrops to important truthssuch as: 1) God is at work around us, 2) Godpursues a love relationship with us, 3) Godinitiates, 4) God invites us to join him in hiswork, and 5) God reveals himself throughcircumstances, the Word, prayer, and other ways.The style of the book is very reader-friendly.Chapter summaries at the end of each chapteroffer the truths revealed “in a nutshell” to aidunderstanding and deepen the message. Thecontents are easily understood and efficientlyoutlined.Most importantly, this book is life-changing. Theauthors understand the personal relationship withGod and give readers insight in how to know himintimately. They encourage readers to see thatprayer, Scripture, and circumstances agree withthe direction they sense God calling them to.Focusing attention on God’s plans, rather thanour own plans is essential. They then revealpractical ways to know his will.Useful as a personal growth book or as a Biblestudy, Experiencing God may well be one of themost-read, beneficial, Christian growth books ofthis decade. Mary Jo KrzyminskiDisarming the Darkness : A Guide to SpiritualWarfare, by Calvin Miller; foreword byEugene H. Peterson. (Growing Deeper.)LCCN 9644160. Grand Rapids: Zondervan,1998. ISBN 0310201969, HBB, $16.99.235. Spiritual warfare; Devil; Christian life. 159 p.Adult.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Miller, a seminary professor, is confident that weall have the tools to disarm the Tempter. He saysthat Satan hits us hardest in three areas, money,sex, and power. The demonic gods andgoddesses of these temptations are constantlyworking overtime to sway us into sin and awayfrom our God. Their pull on our egos issometimes too much to bear.He says our strategy should include learningabout our personal weaknesses and eliminatingthreats to our faithfulness. Confessing aloud andavoiding secrets dispels the darkness Satan needsto operate. Studying the Dark One and his waysgives us the strength to know how to fight him.Understanding that he tempts in subtle wayshelps us to avoid the slight wrong turns in lifethat can lead to huge wrecks.A book for everyone from late teenager on up,Disarming the Darkness, leaves the reader with abuoyant feeling of power. Satan’s tough butwith God, the Bible, and Christian fellowship inour corner we can beat him hands down. AnitaHorningThe Moral Quest : Foundations of ChristianEthics, by Stanley J. Grenz. LCCN 9728853.Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 1997.ISBN 083081549X, HBB, $22.99.241. Christian ethics. 379 p. College - Adult.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5The Moral Quest is a serious and thoughtfulstudy of the foundations for ethical thinking inphilosophy and religion. A major concern ofGrenz’s is the relationship of Christianity’sclaims with regard to ethics and morality tophilosophical ethics in general. What is theconnection between biblical claims and generalphilosophical ideas? In other words, how does aChristian do ethics differently from a secularphilosopher?Grenz begins with an excellent historical study ofethics in the Greek tradition of Plato andAristotle. He then surveys ethics in the Bible andvarious approaches Christian thinkers have takento ethical thinking. First he focuses on importanthistorical figures, i.e. Augustine and Aquinas,and then he discusses important contemporaryfigures in Christian ethics, e.g. Barth with hisemphasis on transcendance, Ramsay with hislove ethic, Bonhoeffer with his holy worldliness,and various liberation theologians with theirethics of liberation. Another major emphasis ofGrenz in this historical study is the various viewson character and virtue ethics in the history ofethics going back to Aristotle. There is muchinterest in virtue ethics in current Christian andsecular ethical discussion, and Grenz finds muchbiblical support for such an emphasis.Following the historical study, Grenz seeks toplace Christian ethics in its contemporarycontext. Current ethical discussion emphasizesvirtue and being, as well as the centrality ofcommunity in human life. Grenz thinks theseissues fit quite well with a biblical view of ethicsas both individual and communal in the churchcontext. He particularly notes the biblicalC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 7 5 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

ADULTNONFICTIONemphasis on integrity as an example of theChristian ethical emphasis on being, not justdoing. He then analyzes the two extremes ofheteronomy in ethics (emphasis on the Word aswritten, the letter of the law) and autonomy(emphasis on the Spirit and individualism insteadof the Word), and after rejecting both of thesealternatives, Grenz opts for what he calls a“theonomous way,” which draws the Word andthe internally active Spirit together.The latter part of this book contains Grenz’ssuggestion for a foundation of Christian ethics inwhat he calls comprehensive love, agape lovelived out in community as a reflection of theTrinity and a reflection of who we are as childrenof God indwelt by the Spirit of God. This is acelebrative and very positive way of living,according to Grenz. This book is not lightreading, but for those interested in deeperthinking about theology and ethics, this book willprove very helpful. Paul BolingPatience : How We Wait Upon the World, byDavid Baily Harned. LCCN 9736165.Boston, Mass.: Cowley, 1997. ISBN1561011479, PAP, $12.95.241. Patience--Religious aspects--Christianity;Patience--Religious aspects--Christianity--History ofdoctrines. 191 p. Adult.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Patience, David Harned asserts, is one of theneglected Christian virtues. Little attention ispaid to it either in life, or in contemporarythought. Yet it is important for the Christian life.Patience is not passivity, but an active response tothe world.Harned takes a tour through the history ofpatience, beginning with Hebrew scriptures, toearly Church writers (Tertullian, Cyprian andAugustine), to the middle ages (Gregory,Aquinas, Kempis), and the Reformation andbeyond (Calvin, Burroughs, Kierkegaard). Hedistinguishes patience from other views, andshows how the virtues relate, and how they differ.He shows what patience is and what it is not.Finally, he discusses how patience relates to themodern world. In our overstressed, hurried,tyranny-of-the-urgent society, we could all dowith paying attention to patience.David Harned is professor emeritus ofphilosophy and religious studies at LouisianaState University. In consequence perhaps,Patience is not so much a meditation ordevotional study as a philosophical or theologicalanalysis. This is not to say it is impractical oracademic, merely that the style requiresconcentration and effort from the reader. To readPatience requires patience. Andrew SeddonWeaving a Life of Prayer : A 30-day Journey,by Marsha Crockett. LCCN 9816741.Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 1998.ISBN 0830819495, PAP, $8.99.242. Christian women--Prayer-books and devotions--English; Women in the Bible--Meditations; Devotionalcalendars. 106 p. Adult.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Weaving a Life of Prayer is a combinationdevotional/Bible study/how-to book on prayer.In the introduction, author Marsha Crockettdescribes her frustration with making time topray. She says, “I wanted my prayer life tobecome a life of prayer, to breathe with the realityof God in the earthiness of my everyday living.”Crockett explores the role of prayer in the lives ofwomen in the Bible: Sarah, Rebekah, Miriam,Deborah, Ruth, Martha, Mary Magdalene, andothers. She relates the scriptures to events in herown life, experiences that drew her closer to Godas she learned to turn her disappointments andstruggles toward him.The book is arranged in thirty daily readings.The front and back covers have generous flaps tohelp the reader keep her place. A firm believer inthe value of journaling, Crockett stronglyencourages the reader to apply the book’sprinciples to her own life by recording herthoughts in a journal. The end of each dailyreading contains suggestions for journal entries.Andrea R. HuelsenbeckThe Life You've Always Wanted : SpiritualDisciplines for Ordinary People, by JohnOrtberg; foreword by Bill Hybels. LCCN9729959. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997.ISBN 0310212146, HBB, $15.99.248.4. Spiritual life--Christianity; Christian life. 234 p.Adult.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5John Ortberg addresses an area of weaknessevery Christian wrestles with: the desire to growspiritually and not knowing the best route toproceed. The Life You’ve Always Wantedencourages readers to recognize the need forspiritual transformation by looking at all of life asspiritual. Viewing it as a learning ground enablesChristians to focus on the common every dayoccurrence as opportunity for growth. Standingin the line at the grocery store or attending achild’s soccer game affords occasion to learnsomething about spiritual growth. Ortbergsuggests Christians practice the celebration oflife, practice slowing it down, practiceservanthood and confession, all the whilemaintaining Bible reading and quiet times.Written almost as a conversation, The Life You’veAlways Wanted reads easily, yet with depth.Ortberg includes poignant key points, set apart inside-bar fashion, offering review of conceptstaught. He shares family and ministry anecdotesillustrating his points. Also included areextensive sources for his views and other WillowCreek resources for church needs. CarolynHearingThe Wisdom of Each Other : A ConversationBetween Spiritual Friends, by Eugene H.Peterson. (Growing Deeper.) LCCN9638906. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998.ISBN 0310201985, HBB, $12.99.248.4. Spiritual life--Christianity; Christian life. 110 p.Adult.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Often dynamiting the leading edges of therecipient’s thinking, guiding with alacrity andhumor, constantly seeking to honor the Lord, TheWisdom of Each Other is a series of letters froma spiritually mature Christian to a friend newcome to Jesus. Answers to questions and repliesto statements hint at the new Christian’spersonality and growth. Subjects exploredinclude: being prepared for the Spirit’s leading;appreciating your church family; not beingenamored with the newest Christian celebritiesand ideas; prayer; the ritual of daily living.Acclaimed author of the Biblical paraphrase, TheMessage, Peterson knows that Christianitycannot rely on selling religious cosmetics. Hestrongly questions Christian stereotypes;sometimes relies on shock therapy (as when heuses bitch as a synonym for complain); points outthe problems arising from thoughtless followingof renowned Christian institutions. Petersonwrites with love varying from tender to hard.The reader must cope with thought-provokingargument, eye opening agreement, painfulgrowth towards Christian maturity. Alwaysfriendship’s intimacy seeks the best for thefriend. All ideas are closely reasoned and clearlywritten. At times The Wisdom of Each Other’swording shows that Peterson is a universityprofessor. Even then his thought is clear andconcise. This book is one of the Growing DeeperSeries published by Zondervan. Donna EggettWhat Would Jesus Think? by Mary Whelchel.LCCN 9744040. Colorado Springs: ChariotVictor, 1998. ISBN 1564766977, PAP, $10.99.248.4. Thought and thinking--Religious aspects--Christianity. 183 p. Adult.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5“You aren’t what you think you are, but what youthink, you are,” remarks Mary Welchel, in herlatest book, What Would Jesus Think. Those fewwords neatly summarize her message, “take yourthoughts captive and change your life.” Welchelfocuses on typical patterns of “wrong thinking,”including fear, worry, obsession, addiction, andfocusing on pain from the past. Each of the tenchapters specifically address how to recognizewrong thinking, take thoughts captive, andreplace them with true, noble, pure, andadmirable thoughts, found in Philippians 4:8.The short chapters and their content are presentedsimply. Welchel provides a checklist at the endF A L L , 1 9 9 8 7 6 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

ADULTNONFICTIONof each chapter and encourages the reader tocopy and use them to identify problem areas andpotential solutions.Though the approach is simple, the dailydiscipline and practice required is challenging.Welchel encourages memorizing Bible verses tofill the “empty places” left by wrong thinking.She alludes to demons Jesus spoke about, whoreturn sevenfold because the space they vacatedis left unfilled. She emphasizes that scripture hasthe power to change thinking and build spiritualmuscle.The author says our thoughts are written for all tosee in our words, actions, reactions, and facialexpressions. That’s an excellent reason to put thecontents of this book into practice. I recommendreading and applying it. Gail WelbornBeautiful in God's Eyes: The Treasures of theProverbs 31 Woman, by Elizabeth George.Eugene, Ore.: Harvest House, 1998. ISBN1565077822, PAP, $9.99.248.8. Women--Christianity. 280 p. Adult.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Is it possible to become like the Proverbs 31woman—one who is beautiful in God’s eyes?Elizabeth George, author and Bible teacher,believes it is. She shares many insights from the31st chapter of Proverbs, gleaned from readingProverbs daily for nearly twenty-five years. Herin-depth teaching from verses 10-31 gives a clearportrait of this biblical role model and includespractical suggestions to apply.George points out that God’s view of beautydiffers from man’s. She describes God’sbeautiful woman as pure, honest, industrious,thrifty, strong in character, wise, and holy.“These internal qualities enable God’s beautifulwoman to manage well her life, her time, hermoney, her mouth, her home, her relationships,and her self.” (p. 14) Whether married or single,these character traits reveal the beauty Goddesires in women.Devoting a chapter or more to each verse, shethoroughly examines the virtues from historicaland present-day perspectives. The author endseach of the twenty-four chapters with currentapplication ideas called, “The How-To’s ofBeauty.” Momentum builds with each newvirtue taught, until “God’s alphabet of truefeminine beauty” (p. 234) is complete. Becauseof her virtuous living, the Proverbs 31 woman isrewarded with a harvest of praise from herhusband, children, and God.This meaty book is not a quick read, but one tochew on and digest. It includes a thoughtprovokingstudy guide, suitable for personal orgroup use. Extensive footnotes and usefulbibliography complete the book. Thiscomprehensive verse by verse exposition willbenefit women desiring to become beautiful inGod’s eyes. Lydia E. HarrisPostmodern Times : A Christian Guide toContemporary Thought and Culture, by GeneEdward Veith, Jr. (Turning Point ChristianWorldview Series.) LCCN 9323646.Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, 1994. ISBN0891077685, PAP, $1.42.261. Christianity and culture; Postmodernism--Religious aspects--Christianity; Contemporary, The;Sociology, Christian. 256 p. College - Adult.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5Postmodern Times is the last book in the TurningPoint Christian Worldview Series from CrosswayBooks. This book is an overview of the majorideas of postmodernism and its impact onChristianity. Veith begins with a historicalreview of thought from the modern period withits emphasis on rationalism and objectivity to therecent postmodern emphasis on deconstructingtruth and the loss of personal identity. He giveshelpful definitions of key postmodern terms andideas as they are applied to literary analysis,religion, and philosophy.Following the introductory section on truth andphilosophy, Veith discusses postmodern art,postmodern society, and postmodern religion. Ineach of these sections, he applies postmodernconcepts to art, politics, movies, literature, andreligion. He gives many examples from each ofthese fields to demonstrate how deconstructionand contextualization have influenced writersand artists and architects in the last thirty years.For example, in the field of politics, there is amove toward tribalism and segmentation ofsociety into interest groups who seek power andinfluence. Part of this movement is the currentemphasis on multiculturalism in education andsociety. In the discussion on religion, Veith talksabout the current trend toward spiritualitywithout objective truth. He also discussespostmodern influences within Christianity.The last part of the book contains somesuggestions regarding future directions forChristianity in its struggle with postmodernism.Veith thinks there may need to be a return toconfessionalism and doctrinal emphasis in theChristian church, and a reorientation to truth asobjective and knowable. Such a return would bewelcome in a postmodern environment, hethinks.Postmodern Times is a good overview of thetopic. It is written from a conservative Christianperspective, and some conservative political biascomes through at points. However, this is a veryreadable book and would be a helpful addition toany library or school. Paul BolingCaring for Creation : Responsible Stewardshipof God's Handiwork, by Calvin B. DeWitt;with responses by Richard A. Baer Jr.,Thomas Sieger Derr and Vernon J. Ehlers;eited by James W. Skillen and Luis E. Lugo.LCCN 9739356. Grand Rapids: BakerBooks, 1998. ISBN 0801058023, PAP, $11.99.261.8. Creation; Human ecology--religious aspects--Christianity; Stewardship, Christian. 104 p. Adult.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Caring for Creation is a scholarly paperemploying a large vocabulary. The originalpaper, entitled “Praising Rembrandt ButDespising His Paintings,” was delivered byCalvin DeWitt in 1996 as part of the KuyperLecture at Fuller Theological Seminary. Thislecture series addresses three dynamics that are atwork in contemporary culture: (1) the drivinginfluence of competing worldviews on publiclife, (2) the comprehensive claims of Jesus Christon the world, and (3) the strength of theinternational Christian community.DeWitt says that we are in an eco-crisis broughtabout by, “one peculiar and special specieshaving amplified its presence to such an extentthat it has become a major geological force.”That’s us. He sums up this crisis in sevendegradations of creation: global warming, landdegradation, deforestation, extinction of species,water degradation, global toxification, and theextinguishing of long-standing cultures. Inwriting about halting the extinction of speciesDeWitt goes to the extreme, “The clear teachingof the Scriptures is that no expense of time,material, money, or reputation should be sparedin this rescue operation.”The latter part of the book is compiled of threeresponses to the paper. Professor Richard A.Baer Jr., fears that DeWitt turns too quickly fromGod to his convictions about speciespreservationpolicy. Vernon J. Ehlers wishesDeWitt had addressed additional issues such asthe tension between doing justice to propertyowners and doing justice to the environment.Baer leaves this word of caution. “We do need tobe wary of those forms of environmentalism thattreat nature as ultimate reality, and human beingsas a blight on this fragile planet.” MyrtlemayPittman CraneChurch Why Bother : My Personal Pilgrimage,by Philip Yancey; foreword by EugenePeterson. (Growing Deeper.) LCCN9600000. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998.ISBN 0310202000, HBB, $16.99.262. Church; Yancey, Philip; Church attendance. 100p. Adult.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5Philip Yancy gives us a birds-eye view of hisgrowing up years in a Southern “hellfire andbrimstone” church. Describing the controlledenvironment of church as a sub-culture, heC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 7 7 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

ADULTNONFICTIONavoided certain activities and obeyed externalrules to protect himself from the sinful worldoutside. Despite this diligence, Yancey stillrejected the legalistic environment of hischildhood.For this, he blames his harsh church, full ofcondemnation and void of humility, for hisstunted faith. After years of “climbing backtoward faith and church,” he is able to identifythe barriers of hypocrisy and church culture heovercame. Yancy challenges readers to ask ifthey are worshiping God, appreciating diversityof members, and meeting needs of others as abenefit of church attendance.Throughout the book Yancy refers to positiveexperiences at a Chicago church pastored by aman who shares his background in racistfundamentalism. Admitting that churches faildue to blunders of humanness, readers arereminded that church is only a beginning.Yancy suggests church-goers will discover whatGod intended if they keep trying to do what heasks. Filled with personal examples, PhilipYancy pulls one hundred pages of a personaljourney together to offer hope for those frustratedwith the role and mission of God’s body, thechurch. He claims to worship in the Protestanttradition, and offers numerous examples from avariety of demoninations. Carolyn HearingEveryday Evangelism : Making a Differencefor Christ Where You Live, by Randy Becton.LCCN 9641598. Grand Rapids: BakerBooks, 1997. ISBN 080105740X, PAP, $7.99.269. Evangelistic work. 127 p. Adult.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Randy Becton advocates that all Christiansembrace a lifestyle of evangelism. He says, “Ifevangelism is ‘the normal expression of theChristian experience,’ then it must be part of oureveryday lives.” Becton also stresses that theresults of our evangelization are up to God.According to Becton, our part is just to be faithfulin telling the story of salvation in Jesus Christ.He will use our efforts to accomplish his will inhis own time. He says, “very few people areconverted all of a sudden through oneexperience. Usually conversion results from aseries of events and interactions. A worthwhilegoal for us is to seek to be one link in the chainof someone’s conversion. What role we play isnot significant; that we are willing to play the rolewe can is all-important.” Becton suggests astrategy for evangelism involving spheres ofinfluence. He recommends meeting regularlywith a group of Christians with whom you canpray and be accountable to.Everyday Evangelism moves from the general tothe specific. Becton quotes numerous sources onevangelism, adding to them examples howordinary individuals led many to Christ throughsimple acts of hospitality.The book could be used as a ten-part study.Discussion questions are provided for eachchapter. A bibliography is included for furtherreading. Andrea Huelsenbeck300’s - Social SciencesPreparing Your Child for Dating, by Dr. BobBarnes. LCCN 9814679. Grand Rapids:Zondervan, 1998. ISBN 0310201365, PAP,$10.99.306.73. Dating (Social customs)--United States;Interpersonal relations in children--United States;Etiquette for children and teenagers--United States;Children and sex--United States. 203 p. Adult.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5Preparing your Child for Dating starts with adiscussion of the problems that parents face asthey guide their children into Christian responsesto today’s sexual pressures. Comparing suchmovements as Courtship and Parent-DirectedDating, Barnes comes down strongly on the sideof dating. He looks at the need for father to bethe director and instigator of plans before datingstarts; suggests the usfulness of parent-childdating to introduce lessons such as responsibility,purity, and safety; gives directions for the familyinterview of those who want to date your child;proposes the steps towards dating such as groupand double dating; and gives the logic of itemslike curfew, withdrawing of abused privileges,and post-game discussion. The final chapterlooks at the handing over of responsibility to themature dater.A family ministries author and conferencespeaker, Dr. Barnes is also the successful parentof grown children who date wisely. Manyexamples from real life, including Dr. Barnesown, illustrate the problems, pitfalls, andtriumphs discussed in Preparing Your Child forDating. Each chapter ends with a summary,questions to ask yourself, and bibliographicalnotes. Several chapters include useful lists forcoping with various aspects of parent-directeddating. A list of books by Dr. Barnes closes thisbook. Barnes employs a simple and straightforward style. Many of Dr. Barnes ideas havealready been propounded in the writings of otherfamily professionals, such as Dr. Dobson ofFocus on the Family. This book is firmly basedon Judeo/Christian principles, though it does notinclude scripture quotations. Donna Eggett"Daddy, Where Were You?" : Healing for theFather-Deprived Daughter, by HeatherHarpham Kopp. LCCN 9814885. AnnArbor: Vine Books, 1998. ISBN 1569550522,PAP, $11.99.306.874. Fathers and daughters; Parental deprivation.154 p. Gr. 9 - Adult.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 5“Daddy, Where Were You?” is the reissue of abook first published in 1991. Author HeatherHarpham Kopp uses her own experiences andthose of others to help women suffering from afather-shaped void in their lives. She says, “Jesuswants to redeem the broken pieces of our hearts.”Some problems associated with a painful fatherexperience seem to be fairly universal likedespair, low self-esteem, and intense longing formale approval and acceptance. Kopp deals withthese issues and more. Father-loss puts strain onall family relationships. Chapters four and fiveclarify how this loss effects mother/child andsibling relationships. All the chapters concludewith thought-provoking questions to help readerscome to conclusions about their own lives.Dealing with the grief and anger is essential tohealing. Many victims carry unresolved griefwith them into adulthood and, as Kopp says,“Unexpressed grief is a blanket of sadness thatsmothers us.” She closes the book with adiscussion of God as Father, how a fatherdeprivedwoman can have a distorted image ofGod.Kopp is very open about her own feelings ofneglect and loss. The damage done by an absentor neglectful father is not soft peddled. Sexualabuse is discussed openly. Yet she tackles theproblems from a loving and forgiving attitude.Myrtlemay Pittman CraneSimply SenseSational Christmas : Simple,Beautiful Ways to Create a Cozy Home forChristmas, by Terry Willits; with photographsby Tim Olive. LCCN 8710308. GrandRapids: Zondervan, 1998. ISBN 0310218020,HBB, $14.99.394.2663. Home economics; Christmas decortions;Christmas cookery; Christmas sounds; Christian life.107 p. Gr. 10 - Adult.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Terry Willits, interior designer and pastor’s wife,realizes relationships and the gift of Jesus aremore important than elaborate celebrations.Desiring to simplify Christmas preparations, sheasks, “Is it simple? Is it necessary? Is there joyin my heart?” The ideas and full-colorphotographs by Tim Olive show women how tocreate a simple, sense-filled, Christ-centeredatmosphere in their homes at Christmas.Her suggestions in Simply SenseSationalChristmas awaken the five senses of sight, smell,taste, hearing, and touch. Discussing the sense ofsight, she recommends decorating four mainareas: front door, mantel, Christmas tree, anddining table. Because the sense of smell evokesstrong memories, ideas for fragrant homes areincluded—scented candles, evergreens,eucalyptus, etc. Tips for creating pleasant tastes,sounds, and touches of comfort are also shared.She includes a few of her favorite holiday recipesand stresses the motive for hospitality should beF A L L , 1 9 9 8 7 8 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

ADULTNONFICTIONto bless, not impress. Willits concludes with aninvitation to accept Jesus, the heart of Christmas.A quick, inspirational read, this attractive bookbrims with photographs and makes a “sensesational”gift. Lydia Harris600’s - Technology (Applied Sciences)The Weigh Down Diet, by Gwen Shamblin.New York: Doubleday, 1997. ISBN0385487622, HBB, $21.00.613.2. Weight control. Adult.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5There are three words that describe GwenShamblin’s new weight loss book and program,Weigh Down Diet. They are radical,controversial, contemplative. Radical as it mayseem, Shamblin’s no fool. With a Master’sdegree in nutrition science, she explainsphysiological processes of nutrition. She alsoexplains theological processes of heart. And shecomes across smart as a professor.Shamblin’s plan breaks all the rules. It’s okay toskip breakfast, exercise, and vitamin pills; forgetabout drinking eight glasses of water every day;and, if you’re still hungry, eat dessert. “It’s allabout God’s power, not will power,” sheexplains. God made our bodies to indicate whenwe need water, food, and sleep. We must learn tolisten to our bodies. She teaches readers tocontrol themselves (through prayer), not theirfood; and she promises—yes, promises—anyone can do it if their heart is in it.With fourteen years of Weigh Down programsbehind her and 10,000 locations around theworld, Shamblin often refers to testimonies ofWeigh Down participants; in fact Appendix D isfull of them, including before and after pictures.These testimonies make believers out of readers.Other appendages include overweight children,body measurements, and a travel diary.Shamblin keeps it simple. According to her, “ourmajor objective is to replace our passion for foodwith a passion for God.” Simple, yes. Easy?Well, each one will discover that for themselves.Ginger McGrathThe Secret Language of Eating Disorders, byPeggy Claude-Pierre. New York: RandomHouse, 1997. ISBN 0812928423, HBB, $25.00.616.85. Eating disorders. Adult.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 4Since there are eight million people afflicted witheating disorders, and seven million of themfemale, there is a good chance every Christianwill come into cantact with one or more in churchor school. This harrowing mental torture affectsteens and young adults regardless of class orcircumstance.Coming from a position of deep respect for herpatients, she says, “I am humbled by the intensesuffering of the victims of eating disorders andthose who love them, and awed by theiruncommon courage against all odds” (p. 7). Herhighly successful program is based on totalunconditional support and gentleness. Shepromotes twenty-four-hour care for the mostacute patients at her center. She believes thebattle is not actually about food and weight butagainst the “Negative Mind.” This is the constantbarrage of verbal abuse that the patient hears,convincing her she is essentially unworthy tolive. As the patient gains strength, her ActualMind takes over and eventually reduces theNegative Mind to a mere whisper.Claude-Pierre addresses what parents shouldlook for in their children when they suspecteating disorders. “Those predisposed to CNC(Confirmed Negativity Condition) are acutelysensitive to the needs of everyone and eveneverything else in their environment” (p. 45).“She becomes isolated from friends because shebelieves she is less than they are and does notwant to impose her ignorance on them” (p. 57).Early intervention can prevent inpatienthospitalization. Though not a professingChristian, Claude-Pierre, director of one of themost successful eating disorder clinics, located inVictoria, Canada, and parent of two daughtersthat survived anorexia, encourages the use ofspirituality to strengthen the Actual Mind againstthe Negative Mind. This book is truly a lifesaverfor anyone dealing with eating disorders. AnitaGoldman Horning★Managing Attention and Learning Disorders :Super Survival Strategies, by Elaine McEwan.LCCN 97002831. Wheaton, Ill.: HaroldShaw, 1997. ISBN 0877881812, PAP, $11.99.618.92. Attention-deficit disordered adults--Life skillsguides; Learning disabled--Life skills guides. 186 p.Adult.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Among the most informative and user-friendlybook regarding attention deficit disorders,McEwan has truly written an information-packedbook. Written primarily for those with attentiondeficit, McEwan shows the reader how to stayorganized. Above all else, her message is tofocus on the ADD person’s strengths rather thanweaknesses. She was herself diagnosed withADD, yet managed to be a teacher, principal,mom, and writer of several self-help books.Anyone wishing to understand ADD betterwould greatly appreciate this book as well.Readers will not have to read this book fromfront to back since she has information on topicsranging from “understanding your personalstruggles” to “structuring the household” all welloutlined and easy to parouse at any chapter. Aclear, easy to follow A to Z format is followed inthe table of contents and the book itself. Practicaland useful tips are given to help teachers, familymembers,and the ADD person him or herselfwith coping and managing life successfully. AnADD checklist is given which would allow thereader to determine if he or she has the disorder.Personal testimonies and quotes from those withADD are sensibly placed throughout the book togive deeper meaning and allow for personalidentification with the issues being addressed.The importance of faith in God, as well as severalquotes, scriptures, and Christian testimoniesmake this book a good reference andconfirmation that God’s principles really do workin all areas of life and for all those with needs.Mary Jo Krzymanski★Boundaries with Kids : When to Say Yes, Whento Say No to Help Your Children Gain Controlof Their Lives, by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr.John Townsend. LCCN 9810491. GrandRapids: Zondervan, 1998. ISBN 0310200350,HBB, $16.99.649. Discipline of children; Self-control in children;Parenting. 223 p. Adult.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Dr. Townsend states, “Your task as a parent is tohelp your child develop inside what you haveprovided on the outside: responsibility, selfcontrol,and freedom.” Setting limits createsthese attributes, which the authors callboundaries and are the foundation for this book.They further define boundaries as a property linethat shows where one person ends and anotherbegins. The book is not problem centered, butprinciple centered... and is organized around keyconcepts that help children take control of theirlives.Problem areas addressed are defying authority,whining, inattention, conflict, andprocrastination, among others. The focus is onhow you behave with your child rather than youeducating your child because a child learns theirboundaries from the parent. The authors discussthe law of sowing and reaping, allowing mistakesand the lessons learned, and call it realityconsequences. Consequences give the childownership of the problem.Organized in three sections, part one answers thequestion why kids need boundaries. Part twogives ten boundary principles children need toknow, and part three tells how to implementthose principles specifically with your child.The content is easy to read and understand; theissues addressed with humor and clarity, andexamples are given on how to handle eachsituation. This is similar to their first book,Boundaries, for adults, Zondervan Publishing,1992, which won the Gold Medallion Award, butthe theme is how to instill boundaries in yourchild. Gail WelbornC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 7 9 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

ADULTNONFICTION★Successful Single Parenting, by GaryRichmond. Eugene, Ore.: Harvest House,1998. ISBN 1565078608, PAP, $9.99.649. Parenting; Single parent family. 256 p. Adult.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Gary Richmond, author, speaker, and singleparent pastor works closely with single parents,individually and within groups. This gives himthe sensitivity and expertise to write about theirshared problems with children.Richmond suggests practical ways to addressthese problems, with precise illustrations by agegrouping; one to five, six to twelve, and agesthirteen to twenty-five. His suggestions includebalancing parents’ needs against children’sneeds, how to deal with an absent parent and theneed for new financial considerations because ofchanged circumstances. He discussesconsistency in values and discipline and how tohandle visitation rights, child support, and remarriageissues.The author address’s the issues of single parentswith concise examples, clarity, and the ability toconvey hope-using Jeremiah 29:11 as a themeverse. The bibliography is extensive andincludes additional resources by subject, such asstress, loneliness, and depression. Gail Welborn800’s —LiteratureThe Swiftly Tilting Worlds of MadeleineL'Engle, edited by Luci Shaw. LCCN9749159. Wheaton, Ill.: Harold Shaw, 1998.ISBN 0877884838, PAP, $14.99.813. L'Engle, Madeleine--Criticism and interpretation;Christianity and literature--United States--History--20thcentury; Christian literature, American--History andcriticism; Women and literature--United States--History--20th century. 249 p. Gr. 11 - Adult.Quality - 4 Acceptability - 4In this book editor Luci Shaw has collectedsixteen essays by Christian writers to celebrateMadeleine L’Engle’s 80th birthday. L’Engle is aprolific author in several genres—non-fiction,both adult and children’s fiction, and poetry. Shehas been criticised by some elements of theChristian community, but has providedinspiration to others. This book is a tribute to herstatus as a Christian woman of letters.Some of the essays deal with L’Engle directly,others only tangentially by virtue of herinfluence. The subjects are as diverse as theauthors (who include Eugene Peterson, RobertSiegel, Calvin Miller, and Walter Wangerin, toname four)—and range from St. Patrick and theCeltic Church, through poets Herbert, Hopkinsand Vaughan, to the use of story to communicatetruth and taking the Bible seriously.A danger in assembling such a collection is toensure both a high quality of submissions andlack of repetition. In this, Luci Shaw hassucceeded admirably. Whether discussingquestions of L’Engle’s theology, or Bunyan’s useof allegory, the authors achieve a high standard.The essays are all well-written and eminentlyreadable.While this book should appeal to L’Engle’s fans(for insights into L’Engle), it will also beappreciated by those who enjoy Christianliterature in general. There is one use of the word‘damn’ in a poem. Andrew Seddon900’s - Geography, History, andBiographyThe Conquest of Constantinople, by Robert ofClari; translated with introduction and notesby Edgar Holmes McNeal. Toronto: Univ. ofToronto Press. ISBN 0802078230, PAP,$13.95.909.07. Crusades; Fourth Crusade; Constantinople;Robert of Clari. Gr. 11 - Adult.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5Our knowledge of the crusades is often gleanedfrom dry history texts, which provide secondandthird-hand accounts of events, passed downand tidied up by scribes and scholars. TheConquest of Constantinople, on the other hand,was written by one who was actually there; it is atranslation of a first-hand account, written byRobert of Clari, a French knight who servedunder Pierre of Amiens in what is now referred toas the Fourth Crusade.Edgar McNeal has taken great pains to ensurethat his translation is faithful to the original. Thelanguage is unsophisticated, and sometimesrepetitive, reflecting Clari’s education, whichwas standard for his time, and his class. Forexample, he uses the past and present tenseinterchangeably. His style is still rooted in theoral tradition, and his words are those of a manunaccustomed to expressing himself in thewritten word.The narrative opens with a description of thepreparations for the journey, then follows thecrusaders as they sail from Venice toConstantinople. Clari is part observer and parttourist; he embarks on several extensive sidebars,often making reference to historic figures andevents which are fully footnoted by McNeal.There is no distinction made between legend andfact, which are combined in one seamless fabric.In the same way, orthodox religious beliefs areblended with what would today be consideredsuperstition.McNeal provides an extensive introduction,which examines the veracity, quality, andtransmission of the text, as well as the integrity ofits original author. The appendix provides adescription of the fleet and its forces, and thebibliography is comprehensive and multi-lingual.An excellent index and a map of theConstantinople of 1203 A.D. complete thisfascinating look at history, and at those who livedit. Sylvia StopforthHe Could Not Do Otherwise : Bishop LajosOrdass, 1901-1978, by Lázló G. Terray;translated from the German by Eric W.Gritsch. LCCN 97012966. Grand Rapids:Eerdmans, 1997. ISBN 0802843182, PAP,$25.00.921 (284.1). Ordass, Lajos, 1901-1978; LutheranChurch--Hungary--Bishops--Biography; MagyarországiEvangélikus Egyház--Bishops--Biography. 171 p.Adult.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5Translated by Laszlo G. Terray from the originalGerman edition, He Could Not Do Otherwise isthe story of Lajos Ordass, the HungarianLutheran bishop who stood up against Nazismand Communism during and after World War II.While the book tells about personal life of Ordassfrom his birth, the majority of it is about thedetails of the Lutheran church and the politicalmaneuvering that went on behind the sceneswhen pressure was being put on them by thegovernment.Though the style is rather stilted in some placesowing to the translation, and the foreign namesand detailed facts make some of the readinglaborious, this book is a treasure store ofinformation on the history of the Lutheran churchin Hungary.Because of his unwillingness to compromise hisconvictions to a tyrannical, ungodly governmentmakes the life of Bishop Ordass an inspiration tothe Christian world. Esther KnauppThe Reel Story, by Larry D. Vaughn.Greenville, S.C.: Tabor Books, 1998. ISBN0966234308, PAP, $16.95.921 (791.43). Motion pictures--Biography; Christianbiography. 387 p. Gr. 10 - Adult.Quality - 3 Acceptability - 5The power and wealth of the corporate movieindustry is something the average person willnever see nor experience. Yet we all haveexperienced the final by-product: the featurelength film. Larry Vaughn spent his entire careeras a citizen of the film industry micro-culture.From a youngster spending the weekend at theneighborhood movie theater to becoming a keyplayer in one of the country’s most powerfultheater chains, The Reel Story tells of a personaljourney from the worldly to the spiritual.In the midst of the author’s climb up thecorporate ladder he is introduced to a personalSavior through the loving loyalty of a friend.And his life is never the same. His desire to telleveryone of his Lord inevitably leads to a conflictof values. The conflict and the manner in whichF A L L , 1 9 9 8 8 0 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

ADULTNONFICTIONhe deals with it typifies the problem of livingyour faith in a world operating on a differentagenda.Besides the change which the Spirit brings toexecutive Larry Vaughn, we’re also privileged towitness the change that occurs in family manLarry Vaughn. As in the business world, hispersonal journey chronicles great joy, greattragedy, and triumphs of faith in Christ’s love andpower.The Reel Story is written in an easy to read stylewhich gives the reader a feeling of hearing Mr.Vaughn’s story one on one. The book ispeppered with photos of the author with variousentertainment celebrities. The book would bemore effective it the photos had been left out.Throughout his career Mr. Vaughn was eager andbold in sharing his faith. His book is bold in nowsharing that faith outside the corporate movieindustry. Truly, once you’ve met the Savior, youwill be changed. Carol ShearerC. S. Lewis, Lightbearer in the Shadowlands :The Evangelistic Vision of C. S. Lewis, editedby Angus J. Menuge. Wheaton, Ill.: CrosswayBooks, 1997. ISBN 0891079610, PAP, $17.99.921 (823). Lewis, C.S. (Clive Staples). 399 p. Gr. 11- Adult.Quality - 5 Acceptability - 5C.S. Lewis is well known in many Christiandenominations as having been a staunchapologist for the Christian faith. As this bookpoints out, he was equally effective as anevangelist—an aspect of his life and writingwhich is often not appreciated. Menuge hasassembled a series of essays exploring the way inwhich Lewis communicated the Faith to thoseoutside.Lewis was effective for several reasons—hisjourney into faith, his ability to reason logically,his humility, his understanding of modernism(and presience of post-modernism). Lewis canbe considered as a type of John the Baptist—laying the groundwork for the coming Gospel ofChrist. He possessed an ability to explainChristianity in a way both Christians and non-Christians could understand. Overtly in his nonfictionand more subtly in his fiction, he engagedin praeparatio evangelica.Perhaps inevitably in a book of this nature,assembled with contributions from a number ofLewis scholars, there is some overlap andrepetition. But the essays are well-written andinformative. Both those familiar with Lewis’writings or, like myself, who haven’t read hisbooks for years, will benefit from the insightscontained in these essays. For those interested inpresenting the Christian message in story form,there are many ‘tips’ from examination of Lewis’techniques. The authors go beyond merecriticism and analysis of Lewis to present insightinto the Christian life and witness itself. AndrewSeddonRed Runs the River, directed by KatherineStenholm. Greenville, SC: Unusual Films,n.d. VID, $19.95.973.7. United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865;Ewell, Richard Stoddert; Jackson, Stonewall (ThomasJonathan). 1 videocassette, color, 90 min. Gr. 8 -Adult.Quality - 2 Acceptability - 5General Richard Stoddert Ewell, an unbelievingConfederate soldier who scorns faith in God isthe main character in this Civil War drama.Repeatedly, General Ewell faces war skirmishes,poor living conditions, and lack of food with abitter, angry spirit. On the flip side, is General“Stonewall” Jackson’s vibrant and active faithwhich manifests itself in every situation both thegood and bad. General Ewell observes Jacksonwith obvious disdain. Still, he cannot find faultwith the man nor with his military maneuvers.Thrown together time and again, both generalsare confronted with the other’s belief (or lackthereof). Over time, General Ewell softens andgives his heart to Christ. He becomes seriouslywounded in battle, loses a leg, and still his faithis sound. With death all around him, GeneralEwell learns about life and living through thesaving strength of Christ.This video takes a look at the spiritual journey ofGeneral Ewell and of those under his command.The scenery and costumes appear realisticenough; but the characters themselves are notdeveloped enough that viewers empathize or feelwith their plights. The story includes numerouscamp songs sung by the actors and a mix of jokesand comedy rounds out the dramatic theme of thestory. Michele HoweC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 8 1 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

PUBLISHERSThe following is a list of publishers who cooperate with CLJ by sending books for review. Use these addresses and phone numbers to order books reviewedby CLJ in this and all past issues. At the end of the publisher list, find a list of book distributors who may supply more of these titles, simplifying yourordering process. Any of them will be glad to send you catalogs and information about cataloging and discounts.PublishersAfrica World Press, Order Dept., 11-D Princess Rd., Lawrenceville, NJ08648. 609-844-9583.Albert Whitman and Co., OrderDept., 6340 Oakton St., MortonGrove, IL 60053-2723. 800-255-7675.Annick Press See Firefly Books.Atheneum See Simon &Schuster.Augsburg Fortress, Order Dept., 426S. 5th St., P.O. Box 1209,Minneapolis, MN 55440. 612-330-3433. CAvon Books See Avon FlareBooks.Avon Flare Books, Order Dept.,1350 Avenue of the Americas, NewYork, NY 10019. 212-261-6800.Baker Book House, Order Dept.,P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI49507. 800-877-2665. CBeech Tree See Morrow.Benchmark Books See MarshallCavendish.Bethany House Publishers, OrderDept., 11300 Hampshire Ave. S.,Minneapolis, MN 55438. 800-328-6109. CBlackbirch Press, Order Dept., 1Bradley Rd., Woodbridge, CT06525. 203-387-7525.Blue Sky Press See Scholastic.Bob Jones University Press, OrderDept., 1700 Wade Hampton Blvd,Greenville, SC 29614. 800-845-5731. CBoyd Mills Press, Order Dept., 815Church St., Honesdale, PA 18431.800-949-7777.Broadman & Holman Publishers,Order Dept., 127 9th Ave. N.,Nashville, TN 37234-0143. 800-251-3225. CBrowndeer Press See HarcourtBrace.Candlewick Press, Order Dept.,2067 Massachusetts Ave.,Cambridge, MA 02140. 617-661-3330.Carolrhoda Books See LernerPubl. Group.Chariot Victor Publishing, OrderDept., 4050 Lee Vance View,Colorado Springs, CO 80918. 719-536-3271. CChristian Literature Crusade, OrderDept., P.O. Box 1449, FortWashington, PA 19034. 800-659-1240. CClarion Books See HoughtonMifflin.Cobblehill See Penguin.Concordia Publishing House, OrderDept., 3558 S. Jefferson Ave., St.Louis, MO 63118-3968. 800-325-3040. CCowley, Order Dept., 28 TemplePlace, Boston, MA 02111. 800-225-1534. CCrossway Books, Order Dept., 1300Crescent St., Wheaton, IL 60187.800-635-7993. CDial See Penguin.Discovery Enterprises, 31Laurelwood Dr., Carlisle, MA01741. 800-729-1720.Doubleday, Order Dept., 1540Broadway, New York, NY 10036.212-545-0699.Dutton See Penguin.EDC Publishing, Order Dept., 10302E. 55th Pl., Tulsa, OK 74146. 800-611-1655.Eerdman's Books for Young ReadersSee Wm. B. Eerdman PublishingCo..Emerald Books, Order Dept., P.O.Box 635, Lynnwood, WA 98046.800-922-2143.Enslow Publishers, Inc., OrderDept., 44 Fadem Rd., Box 699,Springfield, NJ 07081-0699. 201-379-8890.Firefly Books, Order Dept., P.O.Box 1338, Ellicott Station, Buffalo,NY 14205. 800-387-5085.Fleming H. Revell See BakerBook House.Fortress Press See AugsburgFortress.Forum See Prima Publishing.Franklin-McKinsey SeeSomething More BereavementPrograms.Full Quart Press See Holly HallPublications.G. P. Putnam's Sons See Putnam& Grosset Group.Greenwillow See Wm. Morrow.Gulliver Green See HarcourtBrace.Harcourt Brace & Company, OrderDept., Children's Books Division,525 B Street, Ste.1900, San Diego,CA 92101. 619-699-6435. SHarold Shaw Publishers, OrderDept., P.O. Box 567, Wheaton, IL60189. 630-665-6700. CHarvest House Publishers, OrderDept., 1075 Arrowsmith, Eugene,OR 97402. 800-547-8979. CHolly Hall Publications, OrderDept., PO Box 254, Elkton, MD21922-0254. 410-392-5554. CHoughton Mifflin, Order Dept.,Children's Trade Books, 222Berkeley St., Boston, MA 02116-3764. 800-225-3362.Hunter & Associates, 525 ParamountBuilding, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401.319-362-4777. CHunter House See Hunter &Associates.InterVarsity Press, Order Dept., P.O.Box 1400, Downers Grove, IL60515. 630-887-2500. CJourney Books for Young ReadersSee Bob Jones University Press.Kids Can Press, Order Dept., 85River Rock Drive, Suite 202,Buffalo, NY 14207. 800-805-1083.Lerner Publishing Group, OrderDept., 241 First Avenue North,Minneapolis, MN 55401. 800-328-4929, x366.Lodestar See Penguin.Lothrop, Lee & Shepard See Wm.Morrow.Loyola Press, Order Dept., 3441 N.Ashland Ave., Chicago, Il 60657.800-256-0589.Marg. K. McElderry See Simon &Schuster.Marshall Cavendish, Order Dept., 99White Plains Road, PO Box 2001,Tarrytown, NY 10591. 800-821-9881.McClelland & Stewart, Order Dept.,481 University Avenue, Suite 802,Toronto, ON M5G 2E9 Canada.416-598-4786.Morrow Junior Books See Wm.Morrow.Mulberry See Wm. Morrow.Multnomah Publishers Inc., OrderDept., P.O. Box 1720, Sisters, OR97759. 800-929-0910. CNew Kids Media See Baker BookHouse.New Leaf Press, Order Dept., P.O.Box 726, Green Forest, AR 72638.800-643-9535. CNorthland Publishing, Order Dept.,P.O. Box 1389, Flagstaff, AZ86002-1389. 800-346-3257.Orca Book Publishers, AndrewWooldridge, P.O. Box 468, Custer,WA 98240-0468. 800-210-5277.Pacific Press Publishing Assn.,Order Dept., P.O. Box 7000, Boise,ID 83707. 208-465-2500. CPeachtree Publishers, Ltd., OrderDept., 494 Armour Circle N.E.,Atlanta, GA 30324-4088. 800-241-0113.Pelican Publishing Co., Order Dept.,P.O. Box 3110, Gretna, LA 70054.504-368-1175.Penguin USA, Order Dept., 375Hudson St., New York, NY 10014-3657. 212-366-2000.Prima Publishing, Order Dept., POBox 1260BK, Rocklin, CA 95677.916-632-4400.Putnam & Grosset Group, OrderDept., 200 Madison Ave., New York,NY 10016. 212-951-8700.Random House, Order Dept., 11thFloor, 201 E. 50th, New York, NY10022. 212-751-2600.RDR See Orca.Scholastic, Inc., Order Dept., 555Broadway, New York, NY 10012-3999. 212-343-6100.Servant Publications, Order Dept.,1143 Highland Dr., Suite E, AnnArbor, MI 48107. 313-677-6490.CSimon & Schuster, Order Dept.,Children's Publishing Division, 1230Avenue of the Americas, New York,NY 10020. 212-698-7000.Something More BereavementPrograms, Dr. Holtkamp, 1724Verona Dr., Chattanooga, TN37421.Soundprints, Order Dept., 353 MainAve., Norwalk, CT 06851-1552.800-228-7839.Stoddart Kids, Order Dept., 85 RiverRock Drive, Suite 202, Buffalo, NY14207-2170. 800-805-1083.Tabor Publishing, Matt Donovan,PO Box 25473, Greenville, SC29616-0473. 800-673-5441.Thomas Nelson Publishers, OrderDept., 506 Nelson Pl., P.O. Box141000, Nashville, TN 37214. 615-889-9000. CTommy Nelson, Order Dept., 404BNA Dr., Bldg. 200, Ste. 508,Nashville, TN 37217. 615-902-2314. CTundra Books See McLelland &Stewart, Order Dept., 481 UniversityAvenue, Suite 802, Toronto, ONM5G 2E9 Canada. 416-598-4786.University of Toronto Press Inc.,Order Dept., 250 Sonwil Drive,Buffalo, NY 14225-5516.Unusual Films See Bob JonesUniversity Press.Usborne See EDC Publishing.Viking See Penguin.Vine Books See ServantPublications.Whitman See Albert Whitman.Word Publishing, Order Dept., POBox 141000, Nashville, TN 37214.615-902-3400. CWordsong See Boyds Mills Press.YWAM Publishing, Order Dept.,P.O. Box 55787, Seattle, WA 98155.CZondervan Publishing House, Attn:Zondervan Church Source, 5300Patterson Ave. S.E., Grand Rapids,MI 49530. 800-727-3480. CLibrary DistributorsBaker & Taylor Books, Order Dept.,251 Mt. Olive Church Rd.,Commerce, GA 30599-1100. 800-775-1100. Carries most K-12secular books, possibly someChristian.Follett Educational Services, 5563South Archer Ave., Chicago, IL60638-3098. 800-621-4272.Carries most K-12 secular books,possibly some Christian.Spring Arbor Distributors, IngramLibrary Division, One IngramBoulevard, P.O. Box 3006,LaVergne, TN 37086-1986. 800-937-8100. Minimum order,$100.00. Must open an accountbefore ordering. Carries mostlyChristian books.Your local Christian bookstore.Carries mostly Christian books.Often gives a library discount.Other distributors, such as GreatChristian Books. Send us contactinformation for your favorites.Rebind HousesRebind houses bind paperbacks andalso new hardbacks with a betterbinding. They are often a source forolder well-loved titles and quite avariety of Christian titles.My favorite, because of the qualityof the binding, is Permabound. Tellus your favorites, any which carrygood titles and have a decentbinding.Bound To Stay Bound Books, Inc.,Order Dept., 1880 West MortonRoad, Jacksonville, IL 62650. 800-637-6586.Permabound Books, 617 E. VandaliaRd., Jacksonville, IL 62650. 800-637-6581. Email: permabound@worldnet.att.netF A L L , 1 9 9 8 8 2 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

INDEX21 Jump-Start Devotional 60Beware and Stogie 25Carlson, Betty 61Dance, Kayla! 33Ferrell v. Dallas I.S.D. 62Abracadabra Kid : A Writer's Life64Beyond the Quiet Hills 69Carlson, Melody 53Darling, Kathy 42Finley, Carol 44Abraham Lincoln 65Bible ABC 36Carlson, Nancy 14Dávalos, Felipe 21Fire at the Triangle Factory 29Addie's Forever Friend 28Bible Activities 35Carolrhoda Creative Minds... 49David Drops a Giant Problem... 37Fireside, Harvey 62Adler, David A. 22, 48Bible Baseball 35Carroll, Michael 42Davis, Holly 15Fischer, John 67Adventures Down Under; 1, 4 54Big Trip for the Morrisons 14Carter, Penny 14Day With a Miller 50Fisher, Leonard Everett 54Alaska 47Biggar, Joan Rawlins 23Cartwright, Stephen 13, 22Day With a Noblewoman 50Flame in the Wind 68Allan, Tony 22Bill and Pete to the Rescue 15Casad, Mary Brooke 14Day With a Stonecutter 50Fleischman, Sid 64Alley, R. W. 16Black Cowboy Wild Horses 18Celebrate the States 47Day With a Troubadour 50Flint, Russ 37Alphabet Book 13Blackaby, Henry T. 75Celia and the Sweet, Sweet ... 19De Fina, Allan A. 46Florian, Douglas 45Alphabetical Order 41Blackwell, Lawana 67Cereal Box Mystery 33Dear America 24, 26Flute Concert 16Amazing Expedition Bible 35Blackwood, Gary L. 48, 53Chaiet, Donna 44Deedy, Carmen Agra 24Forrester, Sandra 54Am. Heritage Children's Dict. 41Blessing of the Lord 36Chaikin, Linda 67Deer Mouse at Old Farm Road 15Forward, Toby 25American Odyssey Series; 6 70Blood-hounds, Inc.; 3 30Changing Tunes 30Deines, Brian 51Framed 57Amery, Heather 13, 22Bluebonnet at the Texas State ... 14Charlotte 51Deliver Us from Evil 69Franklin Rides a Bike 13Amistad 63Bond, Higgins 33Charnas, Suzy McKee 53Denenberg, Barry 24Fraser, Betty 46Andersen, Hans Christian 40Boundaries with Kids 79Cherokee Nation v. Georgia 62Denham, Joyce 38Freedman, Suzanne 62Andersen, Bethanne 46Bourgeois, Paulette 13Chicken Salad Club 22DePaola, Tomie 15Freedom's Sons 39Antarctic Antics 46Bowen, Andy Russell 49Child's Book of Celtic Prayers 38Desperate Measures 57Fremon, David K. 65Arnold, Marsha Diane 22Bowermaster, Jon 50Children of the Civil War 51Dewey, Ariane 46From Slave Ship to Freedom Rd 45Art Around the World 44Bowler, K. Christie 38Children's Illustrated Bible 36DeWitt, Calvin 77Funderburk, Robert 68Art of the Far North 44Boxcar Children Mysteries 34Church Why Bother 77Diane Goode's Book of Giants... 41Galvin, Laura Gates 15Aruego, Jose 46Boxcar Children; 65 33Cinnamon Lake Mysteries; 8 29Dingo Creek Challenge 54Gauthier, Gail 25Asch, Frank 45Bratun, Katy 15Circle of Days 38Disarming the Darkness 75Gee, Lillian 44Ashes on the Wind 67Brenda and Edward 17Circumstantial Evidence 66Dockrey, Karen 60Geography Detective 42Avishal, Susan 51Bright Sword of Justice 69Civardi, Anne 22Dodson, DeAnna Julie 67George Müller 64Awakening Heart 53Brill, Marlene Targ 47Clark, Brenda 13Dommermuth-Costa, Carol 64George, Elizabeth 77Ayer, Eleanor H. 47Briscoe, Jill 37Claude-Pierre, Peggy 79Don't Try This at Home 42Gills, Sandy 68Bacchin, Giorgio 50Briscoe, Stewart 37Clay v. United States 62Downing, Julie 22Girl Who Ate Chicken Feet 30Back of Beyond 49Brothers 68Close Quarters 32Drazga, Nancy 58Glynn, Patrick 74Bad Case of Stripes 20Brothers' Promise 16Cloud, Henry 79Dubanevich, Arlene 46Goalie 32Bailer, Darice 13Brouwer, Sigmund 23Cobb, Vicki 42Duck Hunting with Grandpa 26God's Little Seeds 37Bailey, Linda 22Brown, Ken 13Cogancherry, Helen 28Dylan St. John Novel; 3 68God's People 37Bard of Avon 49Brown, Rod 45Cole, Joanna 39Elish, Dan 47God, the Evidence 74Barkin, Carol 40Bruns, Roger 65Colorado 47Elmer, Robert 24, 54Goffe, Toni 22Barnes, Bob 78Buchanan, Anne and Elizabeth 23Condon, Ken 46Elmore, Larry 59Gold Miners' Rescue 27Barnes, Emilie 23Buchs, Thomas 44Confession 55Emily Dickinson : Singular Poet 64Good Times with Teddy Bear 18Barrett, Tracy 47Buehner, Caralyn 14Connecticut 47Eron, Carol 44Goode, Diane 41Bauer, Joan 52Buehner, Mark 14Conquest of Constantinople 80Escape to Murray River 54Graham-Campbell, James 22Bayer, John F. 66Bull, Schuyler 43Cooney, Caroline B. 53Esther's Story 37Grasslands 42Beautiful in God's Eyes 77Bunn, T. Davis 56Cooper, Floyd 45Everyday Evangelism 78Grassroots 46Becky's Secret Surprise 32Burch, Amy 36Cornell, Laura 25Experiencing God 75Gray, Christopher 35Becton, Randy 78Burton, Katherine 14Cosby, Bill 15, 23Exploration and Conquest 51Great Christian Hymn Writers 61Behind the Veil 67C.S. Lewis, Lightbearer... 81Craft, K. Y. 40Explorer's Handbook 46Grenz, Stanley J. 75Being a Christian in Science 63Cactus Café 43Creatures All Around Us 43Faces in the Forest 43Gresham Chronicles; 1 67Bell, James Scott 66Cactus Poems 45Crockett, Marsha 76Faces in the Mountains 43Grieving with Hope 74Belonging Place 29Cameron and Me 16Crook, Connie Brummel 24, 53Facing Down the Tough Stuff 60Grimes, Nikki 55Beloved Stranger 70Cameron, Scott 24Cry of Courage 31Feelings, Muriel L. 25Gritsch, Eric W. 80Ben Reese Mystery Series; 1, 2 72Candea, Romulus 16Cullen, Lynn 24Feelings, Tom 25Growing Deeper 75, 76, 77Benchmark Biographies 48Cann, Helen 38Cumbayah 45Feiffer, Jules 15Guardians of the North; 3, 4 69Best Friends for Life 62Canopy Crossing 44Daddy, Where Were You? 78Felstead, Cathie 38Guzzetti, Paula 48Between Earth and Sky 69Care and Feeding of Dragons 32Dahl, Roald 54Ferber, Elizabeth 48Haas, Jessie 25Between Two Flags; 1, 2 31Caring for Creation 77Dan Marino : Star Quarterback 64Fernandes, Kim 14Hacking, Sue Muller 48Betzold, Hal 40Carling, Amelia Lau 14Dance of Darkness 23Fernandez, Laura 21Hamilton, Virginia 40C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 8 3 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

INDEXHandshake in Space 33Iceland Adventure 34Kvasnosky, Laura McGee 16Masso, Phyllis Hosken 56Mystery in San Francisco 34Hannah's Island; 5 34If I Could Ask God One Ques.60Ladwig, Timothy 37, 38Matthew Unstrung 58Nagda, Ann Whitehead 44Hansen, Joyce 26If I Only Had a Horn 48Lady Muck 18Mayer, Marianna 40Napoli, Donna Jo 30Harber, Frances 16If Somebody Lived Next Door 16Landmark Supreme Court Cases 62Mayne, William 18Natti, Susanna 22Harned, David Baily 76Images of God 37Langeland, Deirdre 28Mazer, Norma Fox 56Nature Conservancy 28, 43,44,59Harranth, Wolf 16In the Shadow of the Mtn; 1 69Last Hawaiian Queen 48McCarver, Aaron 69Necessary Risk 66Harris, Dorothy Joan 16Indiana 47Lawlor, Laurie 28McCaughrean, Geraldine 37Neibart, Wally 17Harris, Jim 36Insectlopedia 45Le Tord, Bijou 37McClung, Floyd 61Nellie's Quest 53Hastings, Selina 36Israel 51Lears, Laurie 28McDaniel, Melissa 47Net of Stars 16Hazen, Barbara Shook 16It's Going to Be Perfect 14Legacies of the Ancient River; 2 68McEwan, Elaine 79Never the Same Again... 56He Could Not Do Otherwise 80Jackson, Dave 27Leonardo Da Vinci 44McGaw, Laurie 18New Americans 51He Fought for Freedom 48Jackson, Julian 27Leplar, Anna C. 37McHenry, Janet Holm 29New Baby at Your House 39Heale, Jonathan 18Jackson, Neta 27Leppard, Lois Gladys 28McKissack, Patricia C. 56New Dog 16Hearn, Walter R. 63Jacob's Gift 18Lerner Biographies 64McPherson, Miles 60New Kids Point and Play Bible 36Heritage of Lancaster Cty; 2, 3 55Jacobson, Jennifer Richard 16Lester, Julius 18, 45McQuade, Jacqueline 18New Testament...People of God 75Heroic Sioux Warrior 48Jacobson, Rick 21LeVert, Suzanne 47Meade, Holly 19Night Come Swiftly 58Herr, Ethel 68James, Elizabeth 40Levin, Ten 45Meeker, Clare Hodgson 48Nine-ton Cat 44Hesse, Karen 55Jazmin's Notebook 55Lewis, Beverly 55Megan Parnell Mysteries; 1-4 23Nolan, Dennis 36High Hurdles; 6 32Jenkins, Leonard 48Lichee Tree 31Meltzer, Milton 46Oceans 42Hirschi, Ron 43Jennie McGrady Mystery; 11 57Life with Animals 48Menuge, Angus J. 81Odyssey 33, 34Historical American Biographies 65Jesse James 65Life You've Always Wanted 76Metaxas, Eric 36Ogburn, Jacqueline K. 19Hoberman, Mary Ann 46Jetty Chronicles 54Lindbergh, Reeve 38Mets, Marilyn 16Ohi, Ruth 26Hochstatter, Daniel J. 35John Willy & Freddy McGee 19Little Bill Books for Beg.Rdrs 15Miglio, Paige 21Oke, Janette 56Hollingsworth, Mary 35Johnson, Delores 48Little, Jean 29Miller, Calvin 75Olive, Tim 78Holocaust Heroes 65Johnson, Greg 60Littlefield, Holly 29Miller, J. Anthony 62On the Banks of Big Elk Creek 58Holocaust Remembered Series 65Johnson, Kevin 60, 62Lives of North American Birds 63Miller, Margaret 39One Gray Mouse 14Holocaust Survivors 65Johnson, Lindsay Lee 17Living on the Devil's Doorstep 61Minor, Wendell 46Only the River Runs Free 71Holtkamp, Sue Catherine 74Joly, Reona Peterson 61Llama Who Had No Pajama 46Mirocha, Paul 43Ordaz, Frank 28Honest Abe 50Journey to Japan 29Look Who's Toast Now! 60Missing on Castaway Island 23Oregon 47Honeywood, Varnette P. 15, 23Judson, Karen 65Lou Gehrig 48Money Troubles 15Orgill, Roxane 48Horrible Harry...Drop of Doom 27Jukebox Man 19Louisiana 47Monster Riddles 46Ormerod, Jan 19Hough, Libby 16Julius and Friends; 4 34Lucado, Max 18Moore, Barbara 44Ortberg, John 76House of Winslow; 21 70Jurmain, Suzanne 39Lund, David 34Moral Quest 75Osborne, Rick 38How to Be School Smart 40Kangaroo Island 28Lunn, Janet 51More Perfect Union 39Out of the Dust 55How to Write Super School... 40Kaufman, Kenn. 63Lyndon B. Johnson 65Morgan, Stacy Towle 29Over the Top of the World 50How to Write Terrific Book... 40Keeping Barney 25Mackall, Dandi Daley 29Morning on the Lake 21Pale Phoenix 57Howard, Arthur 19Kelley, True 42MacLaren Yarbrough Mysteries; 158Morningsong 57Paper Airplanes 45Humpback Goes North 13Kelly, Clint 69Maestro, Betsy 39, 51Morris, Alan 69Partner in Revolution 48Hunt, Angela Elwell 68Kelly, Emery J. 45Maestro, Guilio 39, 51Morris, Gilbert 69, 70Paterson, John 37Hunt, Robert 18Kennedy, Nick 64Maiden's Sword 68Moser, Barry 40Paterson, Katherine 19, 37Hunter, Helen 26Ketteman, Helen 17Mama and Papa Have a Store 14Mount Everest and Beyond 48Patience 76Hurricane Henrietta 17Kindred Bond 57Mamchur, Carolyn 18Mr. Francis' Wife 68Paul Hits the Beach... 37Hush! The Lord Is Talking... 38King, Claude V. 75Man Who Painted Indians 48Mr. Putter & Tabby Toot... 19Pay Attention, Slosh! 32Hutchins, Hazel 26Kingdom of Kevin Malone 53Managing Attention... 79Mucky Pup 13Pegasus 40I Did It , I'm Sorry 14Kirby, Lynn 27Mandie and the Unwanted Gift 28Munger, Nancy 15Pella, Judith 70I Have a Dream 39Kleven, Elisa 17Mandie Book; 29 28Murder on the Titanic 72Perfect Landing 27I Lost My Bear 15Kline, Suzy 27Mangelsen, Thomas D. 43My 100 All-Time Fav. Bible... 35Pernoud, Régine 50I Remember Papa 17Kopp, Heather Harpham 78Maple Moon 24My Bible Coloring Book 36Perrin, Hannah 30I Thought My Soul Would... 26Koshkin, Alexander 37Marchesi, Stephen 13My Birthday, Jesus' Birthday 15Perrin, Randy 30I Want to Know About Jesus 38Koss, Amy Goldman 27Marina, Jan 56My Home Is Over Jordan 54Perrin, Tova 30Ian's Walk 28Kovalski, Maryann 17Marney, Dean 29Myers, Bill 30Pet-rified! 29Ibbotson, Eva 27Kramlich, Carolyn Walz 17Martin Luther King, Jr. 39Myers, Walter Dean 63Peterson Natural History Comp. 63Ice Continent 59Kratter, Paul 43Mary's First Christmas 38Mysterious Journey 34Peterson, Eugene H. 76Ice Princess 72Kunhardt, Edith 50Mary's Treasure Box 17Mystery at Camp Galena 23Peterson, Tracie 57, 70F A L L , 1 9 9 8 8 4 C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L

INDEXPflug, Kathy 34Rome and Romans 22Slate, Joseph 21Tomorrow You Die 61When She Was Good 56Phantom of the Haunted Church 30Rough Riding Reformer 48Smith, Jane Stuart 61Tomorrow's Dream 56Where Bugles Call 31Pharaohs and Pyramids 22Royal Pavilions; 3 67Smith, Mark 32Touch the Sky 24Whichaway 32Phillips, Judy 62Rozeboom, Grant 26Smithsonian Oceanic Collection 13Townsend, John 79White, James 62Phillips, Louis 46Ruby Slippers School ; 5 29Smithsonian'a Backyard 15Tracy's Choice 61White, Michael P. 24Phillips, Michael 62, 71Rules of the Road 52Snelling, Lauraine 32Trailblazer Books 27Who's Whose? 19Piazza, Gail 32Run Away Home 56So Far from Home 24Trapped in Haunted Canyon 23Wickham, Martha 34Picture the American Past 51Rushford, Patricia H. 57So Many Bunnies 21Trespacz, Karen L. 62Wickstrom, Thor 16Pie Magic 25Russell, Ching Yeung 31Soman, David 19Trottier, Maxine 21Widener, Terry 48Pinkney, Jerry 18Russell, Francine 44Soup Kitchen Suspicion 29Trouble in Yakima Valley 23Widow of Larkspur Inn 67Plain, Nancy 48Ryan, Pam Muñoz 31South Dakota 47Trouble with Zinny Weston 27Wiggin, Eric 34Plessy v. Ferguson 62Rylant, Cynthia 19Souza, D.M. 43Tundra 42Wiggins, VeraLee 34Pomerantz, Charlotte 19Sachs, Marilyn 31Sparks, Michal 23Turning Point Christian... 77Wijngaard, Juan 37Popcorn Tree 18Safe Zone 44Sparrows in the Scullery 33Twelve Candles Club; 12 32Wilbee, Brenda 72Porter, Sue 27Salem, Kay 29Spire 60Umbrella Man 54Wild Grows the Heather in Devon71Porter, Walter 17Samoyault, Tiphaine 41Spirit of Appalachia; 2 69United States Presidents 65Wildlife Watcher's First Guide 43Portraits 53, 57Sandburg, Carl 46Sports Reports 64Usborne Book of Famous Lives 48Wilkerson, David 60Postmodern Times 77Sauvain, Philip 42Sprinkle, Patricia 58Usborne Farmyard Tales 13Williams, Ronald S. 38Prairie Willow 21Schmidt, Gary D. 36St. John, Patricia 38Usborne Time Traveler 22Willits, Terry 78Preparing Your Child for Dating 78Scholastic Children's Dictionary 41Stanley, Diane 44, 49Vagin, Vladimir 19Wilson, P.B. 58Pride & Predator 72Schomp, Virginia 48Steele, Philip 42Vanags, Patricia 22Wine of Morning 72Prince of Tarn 26School Survival Guide 40Steer, Roger 64Vaughn, Ellen 71Wings of Light; 8 23Printing 71Schulte, Elaine L. 32Stefoff, Rebecca 47Vaughn, Larry D. 80Winning Edge; 1 27Promise for Tomorrow 70Schuman, Michael A. 65Steger, Will 50Veith, Jr., Gene Edward 77Winter of Grace 68Promises: A Romance 68Sea Snakes 43Stevie Daimond Mystery; 5 22Vennema, Peter 49Wisconsin 47Psalm Twenty-Three 37Seabrooke, Brenda 32Stories to Share 38Vermont 47Wisdom of Each Other 76Publish &Perish 72Seago, Kate 58Strand 71Very Best Christmas Ever! 23Wolkstein, Diane 37Puddle Pail 17Searching for Atticus 56Successful Single Parenting 80Viking Easy-To-Read 22, 46Wright, N. T. 75Querin, Pamela 29Second Bend in the River 30Suicide 60Viking Raiders 22Wright, Sally S. 72Rain Forests 42Secret Language of Eating Dis.79Super-fine Valentine 23Viking Treasury of Classics 33Yancey, Philip 77Ramstad, Ralph L. 49Secret of Old Zeb 24Surprise Party 31Vincent, Benjamin 14Yates, Elizabeth 34Raney, Deborah 57Secret of Platform 13 27Swarthout, Glendon 32Volcanoes and Earthquakes 42Year with Butch and Spike 25Ransom, Candice F. 51Secret of the Old Well 34Swarthout, Kathryn 32Waboose, Jan Bourdeau 21Yeatts, Tabatha 65Ransome, James 19Secret Stars 21Sweetbriar Autumn 72Walker, Jim 72You're Not My Best Friend... 19Rapunzel 41Secrets of Heathersleigh Hall; 1 71Sweetbriar; 5 72Wallace, Barbara Brooks 33Young Cam Jansen...Ice Skate ... 22Reckoning 55Seekers; 2 68Swiftly Tilting Worlds.ML'Engle 80Walton, Darwin McBeth 33Young Underground; 8 24Reczuch, Karen 21Selznick, Brian 31Taback, Simms 45Walton, Rick 21Young, Louise O. 59Red Runs the River 81Shadow Portrait 70Tales of Faith and Wonder 40Wangerin, Walter 38Young, Mary O'Keefe 29Reel Story 80Shakespeare Stealer 53Tan, Sheri 33Wanted! 53Zahn, Barbara 58Regina Calhoun Eats Dog Food 24Shamblin, Gwen 79Tang, Charles 33, 34Warner, Gertrude Chandler 33, 34Zamani Goes to Market 25Reid, Struan 48Shannon, David 20Ten Queens 46Weaving a Life of Prayer 76Zeinert, Karen 47Reiss, Kathryn 57Shaw, Luci 80Tennessee 47Weigh Down Diet 79Zeldis, Malcah 50Remkiewicz, Frank 27She Dared to Fly 48Terray, Lázló G. 80Wells Fargo Trail; 8 72Zelinsky, Paul O. 41Ribbons of Steel; 3 70Shed, Greg 16, 17Texas v. Johnson 62Wells, Robert E. 42Ziefert, Harriet 45Richard M. Nixon 65Sheffey 64Thoene, Bodie 71Westward Chronicles; 1 70Zimmerman, Martha 63Richardson, Sandy 30Shelter of Hope 70Thoene, Brock 71What Would Jesus Think? 76Zochfeld, Kathleen Weidner 43Richmond, Gary 80Sherrow, Victoria 47, 62Thomas, Eric 36What's a Daring Detective... 22Riding Freedom 31Shipwreck Saturday 15Thomson, Peggy 44What's Faster Than a Speeding... 42Rinaldi, Ann 30Ring of Tricksters 40Ritz, Karen 28Robert of Clari 80Robinson, Nancy 38Roddy, Lee 31Should I Keep My Baby? 63Shreve, Susan 32Sierra, Judy 46Silverman, Maida 51Simply SenseSational Christmas 78Skeeter, Wildly Wacky Raccoon 34Through Tsavo 43Time Like a River 30Time Out! 29Time to Build 70To Grace Surrendered 67Tolhurst, Marilyn 46What's with the Dudes at the Door?6 2Whelchel, Mary 76When a City Leans Against... 46When Did We Lose Harriet? 58When I First Came to This Land 45C H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 8 5 F A L L , 1 9 9 8

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