The Blue Door by Christa Kinde

Genre- Juvenile Fiction/General

Series- Threshold Series

Published by- Zondervan

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 272

Age Group- 11 and up

Description of book- hardback, list price $14.99, ISBN: 978-0-310-72419-3

Fourteen-year-old Prissie is prepared for a hot, boring summer, since her friend lives far away and her brothers are always rowdy.  She is looking forward to going to the mailbox daily, where she can visit with the mailman, her friend, Milo.

One day she sees a young boy watching her as she is on the way to the mailbox.  She doesn’t know he is an angel (she’s not supposed to be able to see him). 

By being able to see Koki, she soon learns of the other angels in town.  There is a spiritual battle beginning and she will have a part in it, only she and the angels don’t know what it is.

Excerpt from the Book!

About the author- Christa Kinde currently lives in California with her family.  She has written fifteen volumes in the Women of Faith study guide series  She has also written study guides and workbooks for authors such as Max Lucado.  Her website is www.christakinde.wordpress.com. 

My thoughts- I don’t know a lot about angels and all the different kinds there are, but this book was tastefully written.  I have read several books recently about humans and angels, and they included romance and high infatuation, so this again was tastefully written.

I’m glad I started this book early in the day, because it was hard to put down.  And towards the end of the book I wanted to keep reading to learn why Prissie can see the angels and what purpose she will serve.

The only part about this book I didn’t like was the infatuation Prissie had with Milo.  I don’t think middle-grade readers need to read about characters who have feelings for older men.

I enjoyed this book and I’m sure young women will as well.  I’m looking forward to the next book in the series. 

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received The Blue Door by Christa Kinde for free from DJC Communications.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.  All links were current when posted.

Perfectly Unique: Praising God from Head to Foot By Annie F. Downs

Genre- Juvenile Fiction/Religious/Christian/General

Published by- Zondervan

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 240

Age Group- 13 to 18

Description of book- paperback, list price $9.99, ISBN: 978-0-310-7234-6

 

 

Are you confident with your body or are you, as many of us are, struggling with the way God made you? 

Annie F. Downs has written this book using many personal anecdotes and the experiences of friends and family.  She has taken important parts of our bodies, like eyes, ears, and knees and puts them each in their own chapter.  After a thorough discussion each chapter ends with questions, Bible verses to read, and ideas and activities to make the discussion concrete in your mind.

Excerpt from the Book!

About the author- Annie F. Downs currently lives in Tennessee and is a blogger, speaker, teacher, and writer.  She enjoys writing books for young women in high school and college.  She is on Facebook and www.AnnieBlogs.com.

 

 

 

 

My thoughts- I took a lot of notes while reading this book, because there was a lot of information which I wanted to remember.

I thought Annie F. Downs had a good idea when she described different ways to make a unique me from my head all the way down to my feet.  I never would have given much thought to thinking of what my shoulders and knees can do for God.  I also enjoyed all the personal stories.  They are written so well that young women, 13 to 18, will relate to them and understand how to be happy with what God has given them.

I loved the recipes and extras in the appendix.  The “truth and lie” cards will help all to know the truth.  This is a book I would have liked to read when I was a young woman and I will pass it on to my daughter when she is 13.  Please pick up one today.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Perfectly Unique by Annie F. Downs for free from DJC Communications. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. All links were current when posted.

Whatever: A 90-day Devotional for Livin’ the True, Noble, and Totally Excellent Life! By Allia Zobel Nolan

Genre- Juvenile Nonfiction/Religious/Christian/Devotional & Prayer

Series- FaithGirlz!

Published by- Zondervan

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 304

Age Group- 9 and up

Description of book- paperback, list price $6.99, ISBN: 978-0-310-72534-3

Do you use the word, “whatever,” a lot in a negative way?  This devotional and Philippians 4:8-13 will help change the way you think of “whatever.”  These ninety devotionals will help you grow in truth, nobleness, righteousness, purity, loveliness, and what is admirable with God.

You will learn how to deal with avoiding gossip, changing your thoughts, use of alcohol, having a humble heart, and making the best friends.

About the author- Allia Zobel Nolan currently lives with her husband in Connecticut.  She is an author of over 130 children’s books and nine adult books.  She is the recipient of the 2005 Mom’s Choice Award for the Most Outstanding Children’s Book for Preschoolers.  Her website is www.alliawrites.com.

 

 

My thoughts- This book is an addition to the FaithGirlz! collection of books.  Philippians 4:8-13 is a great group of verses to use to develop a 90-day devotional for tweens.  Tweens are at an impressionable age and this devotional can help guide them on the right course as they grow.  As an older reader I even took a lot of good nuggets of information to help me with my growth with God.  My tween children enjoyed the devotions I read to them. 

There were just a couple of things that I think would help improve the book- get rid of the slang and add an introduction.  I don’t like the use of slang, because the words change throughout the years and it talks down to the reader’s intelligence.  I think an introduction would help tie the book together and could explain each of the sections.

I would recommend this book if you are looking for a good devotional for the tween girl in your life.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Whatever by Allia Zobel Nolan for free from DJC Communications. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. All links were current when posted.

Dead Man’s Hand by Eddie Jones

Genre- Juvenile Fiction/Action & Adventure/General

Series- The Caden Chronicles (Book 2)

Published by- Zondervan

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 224

Age Group- 9 and up

Description of book- paperback, list price $7.99, ISBN: 978-0-310-72344-8

Fourteen-year-old Nick Caden and his family are on a vacation at the Deadwood Canyon Ghost Town.  This town is more than empty buildings, it is also where actors put on a daily show, and a murder has occurred.  Nick saw the body, but nobody believes him.

Nick is a part of an organization that uses a computer program based on TV programs to solve real-life crimes.  He pursues his suspects with the help of the computer program and a young lady named Annie.

Will they be able to solve the murder or was there no murder?

Excerpt from the Book!

About the author- Eddie Jones lives in Raleigh, North Carolina.  He has written nine book and 100 articles.  His novel, The Curse of Captain LaFoote, won the 2011 Selah Award in young adult fiction.

My thoughts- It is difficult to find good quality books for young men to read and this book was great.  Nick Caden is a typical teen and I think he will appeal to many teens and tweens.

I couldn’t put this book down.  I’m glad I started after everyone had gone to bed.  I wanted to know if there really was a murder or if it was just the theatrics of the Deadwood Canyon Ghost Town.

I thought that the reaction Nick’s Mom had to the Bible was interesting.  She had such a strong opinion about how the Bible causes people not to be able to think for themselves or that it can be proven.  Nick wanted to be able to believe the verses he read, but I don’t know what he thought after his mom gives her opinion.

As this book is part of a series I look forward to learning more about their views on religion and solving more mysteries.  I think you will like this book and series as I have.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Dead Man’s Hand by Eddie Jones for free from DJC Communications. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. All links were current when posted.

The Sweetest Story Bible- Sweet Thoughts and Sweet Words for Little Girls (Deluxe Edition) by Diane Stortz and illustrated by Sheila Bailey

Genre- Juvenile Nonfiction/Religion/Bible Stories/General

Published by- ZonderKidz (Zondervan)

Copyrighted- 2010

Number of pages- 224

Age Group- 4-7

Description of book- hardback book and 2 CDs, list price $22.99, ISBN: 978-0-310-73033-0

Containing 40 Bible stories, beautiful illustrations, and told on CD by Roma Downey this book will begin to bring the Bible to life to young girls.  They will learn about Abraham, Joseph, Deborah, Saul, Aquila and Priscilla, and more.

Each Chapter includes “Sweet Words,” messages from the Bible and “Sweet Thoughts,” an interpretation of the Bible message.

This book is perfect for in the house or in the car.

Audio Excerpt from the Book!

Sample Video!

About the author- Diane Stortz currently lives with her husband in Ohio.  She has two grown daughters.  She has been in publishing for many years and she is the cofounder of the National Network of Parents of Missionaries.

 

 

 

 

 

About the illustrator-  Shelia Bailey currently lives in California and has been writing and illustrating children’s books for more than ten years.  She works in watercolor and digital media.

 

 

 

 

 

My thoughts- This book is perfect for young girls ages, 4-7.  It is cute and the CD case and box hold everything together perfectly.  It is perfect for the three young girls I have in my life.

The “Sweet Thoughts” and “Sweet Words” will teach them important aspects of the Bible which will stay with them all of their lives.  I liked the addition of some of the great women of the Bible, like Deborah, Ruth, Esther, Lydia, and Priscilla.  As there are still books of the bible I have not yet read, this book taught me about women I had not heard of.

My young daughter, has really enjoyed looking at the pictures and listening to the stories read by Roma Downey.  (Don’t tell her, but I’m getting one for her for a present.)

This story Bible is perfect for any young lady.  I highly recommend it.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received The Sweetest Story Bible by Diane Stortz and illustrated by Sheila Bailey for free from DJC Communications.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.  All links were current when posted.

Josiah for President by Martha Bolton

Genre- Fiction/Religion/Amish

Published by- Zondervan

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 304

Age Group- Adults

Description of book- paperback, list price $14.99, ISBN: 978-0-310-31872-9

Former Congressman Mark Stedman has chosen not to continue his presidential campaign and instead returns home to his family.  On his way home he has an accident and meets an Amish farmer, Josiah Stoltzfus.

During his time with the Stoltzfus family Mark decides that a man with strong convictions would be the right person to be in the White House.  Josiah Stoltzfus.

Mark returns home and begins a new campaign for Josiah with more zeal than he had for his own campaign, but would Josiah actually join the campaign.  Would Josiah do it, since the Amish usually stay out of politics?  And if he does will he be shunned by his Ordnung?

Sample from the Book!

About the author-

Martha Bolton is the author of over 80 books of inspiration and humor and has been Emmy-nominated and Dove-nominated.  She was a staff writer for Bob Hope for over 15 years.

 

 

 

 

My thoughts- This book was a serious, thought-provoking book that I enjoyed reading as a change from the typical Amish romance.

I enjoy reading Amish books that involve the English, because I learn how much more serious the Amish are with family life and their life with God.  Josiah for President is one of the best books for this example, because Josiah sticks with his convictions during the campaign.  Josiah sets a good example for all of us on how we shouldn’t compromise our convictions.  He didn’t let anyone, even Mark change him.

When I learned of this book I knew I had to read it and you should too.  And I won’t give away the end, but…wow.  I didn’t expect what I read and I’m not sure what to say!  So, find a copy so you can tell me what you think.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Josiah for President by Martha Bolton for free from Zondervan.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.  All links were current when posted.

One Big Thing: Discovering What You Were Born to Do by Phil Cooke

Genre- Business & Economics/Motivation/General

Published by- Thomas Nelson

Copyrighted- 2012

Number of pages- 184

Age Group- Young Adult/Adult

Description of Book- hardback, list price $22.99, ISBN 978-1-5955-5484-0

Do you know what you were born to do?  What God wants for you?  This book by Phil Cooke will help you by having you answer questions that will lead you to find your big thing.

He will ask you:

• do you need a brand?
• what is the map of your future?
• is it ever too late?

He will also show you how to keep your values and not get lost in the clutter. 

Go through the steps described in this book and you will learn what your one big thing is and how to use it in your life.

Author- Phil Cooke is an internationally known filmmaker, media producer, and speaker.  He has written many books and writes daily on his own blog.  He lives in California with his wife, Kathleen.

My Thoughts- I really enjoyed reading this book and I took lots of notes, so I can begin to figure out what my OBT is.  One thing I would have enjoyed would have been an area in the book to write my thoughts or a workbook.

I loved the concepts, quotes, and important phrases in the middle of the pages.  Two important things I learned were, to not get lost in the clutter and never compromise my values.

The story that stuck with me the most was the one about the “bread plate” lady.  She chose to focus on only selling bread plates and nothing else, and it was a success.  She did something I need to to do- focus on one thing and become really good at it.

This book is for everyone, especially high school and college kids who need to know their “one big thing.”  Please read this book!

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received One Big Thing by Phil Cooke for free from the publisher through the BookSneeze Review Bloggers Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.