Book Review: The River

When it comes to Amish Fiction, a synonymous term should be author Beverly Lewis.  Beloved for her story lines, pure writing, and intriguing details of Amish life, she is credited for creating the genre.

I had an opportunity to read and review a copy of her latest stand alone novel The River.  

Lewis engages the reader with a beautiful cover and a slightly different approach to her typical novel structure- a sister pair who left the Plain life given an opportunity to return for a rare celebration.  Though they had never made their vow to the church, relationships remained rocky and unknown as they faced family and friends for the first time since their departure.  Though Tilly and Ruthie left for separate reasons, their return is equally uneasy. Haunted by the afternoon they lost their baby sister to drowning in the River and by past relationships, the sisters bravely return home.  The path of reconciliation is not easy and comes with unexpected announcements.

Lewis is really in a class by herself when it comes to Amish fiction, and even this is not her best work in my opinion, it is still worth the read.  It engages the reader with enough twists in the plot and fulfills the desire for reconciliation in many of the story lines.  Long time readers will find the book still enjoyable due to its uniqueness of story lines.

While I love Lewis and the genre in general, I did overall not care for the book.  Not a bad read, just not in the top 'must reads' for the genre.  I felt the story would have worked well more in a short story or novella form.  It was dragged out with twists that did not make sense or fit nicely within the story.  I felt the reconciliation was too fictitious to be believe considering the years of hardship that were faced.  I also felt the river and loss of sister became much less important to the story than the other conflicts.  As a reader of Amish fiction I was also confused by the relationships presented (spoiling uncle, spoiling parents, lack of 'shunning' type of behavior, or interventions by a bishop).  The fact that this was an Amish family did not seem believable based on other stories presented by the same author.

All in all, The River is not a bad read, but if it is your first time to the genre of Amish fiction, seek out some of the earlier classics or series by Lewis.

3 out of 5 stars.

*I was given a copy of the book in return for my honest review.

Book Review: Blessed are the Peacemakers

The Berenstain Bears are a classic literature standby for children.  From trips to grandma's, the consequences of eating too many sweets, or dealing with school troubles, the bear family has learned life's lessons for decades.  In a renewed aspect, the lovable family from bear country has stepped beyond solving moral dilemmas and has reached into adding the spiritual basis for these character traits.  Now published by ZonderKids, The Berenstain Bears have incorporated church, faith, and scripture into their timeless tales.

I had the opportunity to read and review the newest addition to the collection The Berenstain Bears:  Blessed are the Peacemakers as a member of the BookLook blogger program. While I received the book for free, the opinions are unbiased and my own (and my children's).

Blessed are the Peacemakers is the story of two groups of 'gang' bears who just can't seem to get a long- the big bully troublemakers and the nerdy weaklings.  Brother and Sister Bear (of course) are friends with both groups are so are stuck in the middle as they reach to resolve peace in the Country School.  The tensions rise with the casting of rivals in the roles of "Romeo & Juliet". The sparks fly at the play even with the adults until the squire and preacher come to save the day by quoting peacemaker scripture.

I wanted to love this book.  I loved the Berenstain Bears growing up.  The characters had depth and reality.  They were not perfect 'people' but they were grounded by their love for each other and by good character.  These books leave the Bear Family as flat, uninteresting characters with seemingly a 'holier than thou' attitude.  The other characters are so blatantly type case and in a way that I'm surprised flies in today's culture. (Gangs?  Really?)  Instead of focusing on the scripture of being peacemakers and how people are blessed when they are obedient to Christ's command, the storyline focuses on the fights.  The scripture is thrown out by a character and never really explain or followed through.  I was left thirsty for more of an explanation on peacemaking from the verse than what was shared.  This story could have been great if the kids had learned to get along and then in turn taught their parents.  The connections between peacemaking on the playground and the stage were disjointed.  (My children ages 8 and 4 were confused by the 'the play got too real so the kid freaked out' segment).

I love the concept.  I love tying scripture into 'moral' books and making the connection of where good character traits come from.  I hope the other efforts done by ZonderKidz and Berestain are more effective.

Mike Berenstain has tried to maintain the quality and integrity of the books his parents started, but this unfortunately does not match up.  While it won't be a huge waste of money or time ($3.99 retail) I wouldn't rush to buy it either.

Book Review: Goodnight Ark

The tale of Noah and his infamous ark have been told in many ways.  From major motion pictures to simple Sunday School songs, there are few who do not know (even if only as a tale) the story of Noah building an Ark to hold two of every animal on earth and protect them from the epic, destructive flood.  

Most children enjoy the story of Noah (in its many forms) with its adventure, hero, and of course- ANIMALS!

In a new picture book, Goodnight Ark, by Laura Sassi and illustrated by Jane Chapman the ark comes to life in a more make believe and sweet imaginative story.  Noah, dressed in yellow rain slickers, lovingly escorts the animals to their refuge in the ark.  But the fun begins when the rain goes pitter patter on the ark.  Animal pair after animal pair come clamoring into Noah's bed- causing quite a noisy and smelly mess.  When the ark starts to shift- all craziness ensues!  It isn't until Noah bunks with his new friends that peace is upon the boat and it is time to say, "Goodnight ark."

This is an adorable story.  The illustrations are sweet, colorful, and play to a child's imagination.  I love the rhyme and rhythm to the book as well.  Using more unusual animals like quail and boar was neat.  It is a cute book and would make a great addition to any library or bedtime routine.  

This is not a biblically accurate story- and not intended to be- so beware that Noah is alone with animals, in a clean cozy bedroom with a wood burning stove wearing striped shirt and socks.  I'm sure tigers and elephants did not cuddle up with one another.  Put the theology aside and just enjoy the sweet story.

My girls (ages 18 months to 8 years) all really enjoyed reading this book.  The 8 year old read it over and over again to her little sisters.  

Thanks to book look bloggers and zonderkidz for the free copy of the book!

Book Review: Quick Start Guide to the Bible

When I signed up to receive this book for free in exchange for my review, I had anticipated a more exciting and colorful resource book.  I enjoy the academic study of the scriptures and love digging into the historical context and significance that surround books of the bible, its authors, and its stories.  From the cover shot, it appeared to be a great find- perhaps one with coordinating pictures of artifacts or paintings depicting the stories or authors.  However, I was left quite disappointed when I received a very plain 300 page paperback.

The Quick Start Guide to the Whole Bible:  Understanding the Big Picture Book by Book  by Dr. William Marty and Dr. Boyd Seevers is intended to give a brief synopsis of each book of the Bible in efforts to help readers and believers understand the significance of the book within the context of scripture.  Each book of the Bible is discussed with subheadings:  Setting, Summary, and Significance.  While boasted to be in conversational language I found it to be quite academic and lecture in nature.  Many large, 'religious', and intimidating words are used which reflect scripture, but I would hardly use in a conversation of scripture where "quick start" was the focus.  I appreciated that throughout the discussion of each book, there were specific verse references so one could look up what was being discussed or referenced to.  When reading a book like this, I believe a reader will see more of the connection the individual books of the Bible have.  The continuity was helpful.

In the end, I struggle to figure out who would read (intended audience) this and why (purpose).  While not completely intimidating, I would hesitate to give this to a new believer as I would rather see them grow through actually reading scripture, not a book about it.  As for study and growth purposes, I find this does not do much more than the introductory sections of many study bibles.  My Life Application study Bible has many of these notes and in a much more condensed and friendly form.  For a quick overview, its actually too long especially compared to the study bible model.  For a  study resource with new, in-depth knowledge its too much on the surface.

While well written and wonderfully organized, I would recommend readers into the direction of a study bible with similar resources or free resources online if they are looking for an overview of the who, what, where, and why's of the authors and stories of the Bible.

*Bethany House gave me a free copy of this book in return for my unbiased review through the book blogger review program.

Book Review: Get to Know Mary

I am a homeschool mom.  I also love children's literature and teaching children about the Gospel.  When I saw these Full Color Biographies for Kids available for review at BookLook Bloggers I jumped on board.  One in many of a serious of Biblical Characters by Nancy Sanders for Zondervan,  I chose the Mary book 1) because she's a girl and when you have all girls, that is what they tend to like to read about and 2) I wondered where Nancy would go with a 100 page biography from someone whom Scripture does not say a lot about.

Overall, I am quite impressed with this book.  What a wonderful resource for any home library.  As an adult, I found myself learning about the time, culture, place in which Mary lived.  Chapters cover her early days, engagement, the birth of Jesus, raising the Messiah, and being an eye witness to her son becoming the savior to the world.  Beautiful photographs, maps, timelines, and illustrations are on every page!  I loved the page on the currency complete with artifact photos.  Snippets of information from related Bible stories and characters to vocabulary and definitions to extra facts that the reader may find interesting but perhaps not directly correlated to the character.

Sanders did a lovely job of giving the reader a picture of when and where Mary grew up without going beyond what scholars and scripture tell us.  She is quick to mention unknowns or when something is theoretical (like how most women had a midwife, but Joseph perhaps helped but we do not know).

The reading level according to the notes on the back are for 2-3rd grade.  However, I believe that due to context and facts the reading level should be placed more at the 4-5th grade level for independent reading.  There are simply too many areas in which an 8 year old is not going to understand- even if they can read the words.

As a homeschooling mom, I am above and beyond impressed with this resource and can't wait to use it in our home studies.  It would be great if Zondervan would package groups of these biographies together and sell at a discount.  But at $7 a book, this is well worth it!

I give this great biography and resource guide a full 5 five stars.

*In return for my unbiased review I was given a copy of the book to read and enjoy myself.

Book Review: The Queen's Handmaid

Through the BookLook blogger program, I had the opportunity to read and review another Tracy Higley historical fiction novel The Queen's Handmaid.  I wanted to give the author another try after not fully enjoying her last novel So Shines the Night.  Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and I was intrigued by the setting of a handmaid in the palace of first Cleopatra and then Herod's wife (40-35 BC era).

The story unfolds from the perspective of Lydia, an handmaid first to Cleopatra in Egypt, and then through a series of plot twists and intrigues ends up as the handmaid to Herod's new wife Mariamme in Judea.  She searches for identity and purpose though exploration of religion, art, and observation of the 'royal privileged' around her.  Soon into the novel, she is given a mysterious task of delivering sealed scrolls purportedly lost prophesies of Daniel, to the Chakkiym in Jerusalem who only stand on the steps of the temple once a year.

As the plot twists unfold from Egypt to Rome to Masada to Jericho to Jerusalem and sometimes back again the reader can easily get lost in political detail of marriages and alliances.  I will say while Higley did a superb job of keeping the integrity of the era alive, it was almost to a fault because even with the help of timelines, it was simply too difficult to follow names of rulers (since many of them were the same anyways) and who was married to whom.  The plot twists also revealed Lydia's desperate attempt to rid herself of the burden of the scrolls but the inevitability that they are buried in her room for years on end waiting to be revealed.

My initial experience with Higley's writing was somewhat disappointed as I felt bogged down by detail as it was cumbersome to read.  I unfortunately had a similar experience this time.  Higley's attention to detail, while a strength, I believe also plays as a weakness in the overall arch of the story. I was also bothered by the extreme graphic nature of the execution descriptions and sensitive to the overt sorcery in the spiritual battle Lydia faced.  For someone who is sensitive to brutality, violence, or even anxiety I would proceed reading with caution as Higley's prose leaves little to the imagination.

There is a little bit of everything in this novel.  Political alliances, treason, intrigue, love story, friendship, a battle of good vs evil, mystery, and even redemption.  However, all of these themes combined into one novel do make it a bit overbearing.  Yes, it was in attempt to keep historical accuracy, but in fiction one can take a few more liberties.

I will say, the ending of the novel had me gasping and shouting out in disbelief and a little awe.  It was a fabulous ending that I was not expecting- a redeeming quality.

Before reading this novel, study the timelines in the beginning carefully and read up a little on the Cleopatra, Octavian, Marc Atony, Herod, and Aristobolus era.  While it may reveal some spoilers later in the novel, I think one would struggle less in understanding the characters.

3 out of 5 stars.

*I received a copy of the novel in exchange for my unbiased review.

Book Review: Hope Rising

I have seen poverty. I have walked the muddied streets and seen the flooded "homes" of the third world impoverished. I have held a skin and bones child in the sweltering heat of a country who didn't know what to do with him. Poverty makes my stomach church and resolve grow.

Scott C. Todd is a Vice President at Compassion International, an aid and child sponsorship non profit in the poverty stricken world. His book Hope Rising is his vision for ending extreme poverty within the next generation. Todd lays out the facts of how publicity, policies, and programs have led to the near decimation of malaria cases, cut in half the number of child preventable deaths globally, and started irradiating preventable disease with immunizations and clean water all within the past generation. Millions of lives saved within the past 20 or so years! His vision is to eradicate the rest of unnecessary deaths and extreme poverty in the next 20 years. By getting Governments on board with policies to help the situation, getting businesses to use fair trade practices and consumers to understand what they are buying, and then for NGO's and the church to step in and be the hands and feet of Jesus to rid the world of this gut wrenching problem. The plans laid out in Hope Rising are hopeful, enticing, and paint a very black and white answer to this complex problem.

Yes, I believe Jesus wants us to help the poor and that the church needs to step up and live and give generously. Yes, clean water and malaria nets are easy, cheap answers to the problem. Yes, I should probably be more aware of where the products are coming from that I buy. Using His example on Moms saving the world, yes, I think that Moms can make a huge difference in the global poverty crisis. As one reads this book they should be encouraged, engaged, and empowered to start making a difference. It is not a bury your head in the sand issue.

 Where I struggle with Todd's analysis is that it paints a picture that the impoverished have no role in getting themselves out of their situation. I believe an important piece to the poverty puzzle is empowering those who feel they are "too poor" or "unskilled" or "uneducated". It has been done time and time again where a church, NGO, or government has swooped in to save the day with a clean water well and a load of rice. What this does is yes, provide immediate relief, but then creates a cycle of dependency. Speaking first hand with pastors from the third world, their church members (and even themselves) find themselves waiting for the next organization to come in and save the day. They wait on the thresholds of thatched houses for someone to come in and put a band aid on their wounds. It is not a sustainable model.

 To truly end poverty, relief must come as Todd says, but also, the third world must be trained in how to solve their own problems. They must take part in their reconstruction and relief. They must recognize that the same call as the "wealthy west" to live generously, that God gives us everything we need (skills, finances, etc) to live life to the fullest. The widow with one chicken to her name has the same calling as a steward of God's resources as the billionaire business man. The third world church needs to be empowered that God has given them all the resources they need. Just check out this story from Uganda: http://vimeo.com/19748250

 In the end, read Todd's book with caution. First understand (as he points out in chapter 13 in almost rude fashion as if we were suppose to read his mind) that he is not talking about "poor" people. He is not talking about the poor in spirit, relationships, etc. He is not talking about the poor in America who have TV's, cellphones, government assistance, and a land of opportunity. He is talking about ending extreme poverty (poor and poverty are different, but uses the words as if they are not). He is using the filter of those who live on less than a dollar a day, do not know where their next meal is coming from, have no one to help them, who have one change (if that) of clothes, and little access to clean water or health care. Once understanding the global perspective from which he writes, it is more encouraging and empowering.

Be sure to read Chapter 20 on being stewards of power and humility. It is excellent. By far my favorite chapter.   His stories are heartfelt and bring his points alive.  The writing itself is choppy, with short, unorganized chapters.  I struggled with the flow of the book in general.

 Be encouraged to make a difference in the puzzle of poverty. Sponsor a child. Give your tithe. Also look at organizations that go beyond relief like International Steward that will end the cycle of dependency once the bellies are full. Poverty is more complex than raise money, get a program, and build a well. It is building the well and showing those who use it to take ownership in the well and empowering them to make a difference in their own communities.

 As part of BookLook Blogger program, I received a copy of this book for free in return for my honest and unbiased review.