Book Review: Faceless

 

Faceless

by Kathryn Lasky

HarperCollins Children's Books 

HarperCollins

 Children's Fiction  |  Historical Fiction  |  Middle Grade 

Pub Date 19 Oct 2021 

I am reviewing a copy of Faceless through HarperCollins Children’s Books and Netgalley:

For centuries a small clan clan of spies called the Tabula Rasa has worked ceaselessly to fight oppression. They can pass unseen through enemy lines and “become” other people without being recognized.  They are in essence Faceless.

Alice and Louise Winfield are spies in  the Tabula Rasa.  They are growing up,in England during the Second World War with the threat of Nazi Occupation always near.  But Louise wants to live an ordinary life and leaves the agency. Now, as Alice faces her most dangerous assignment yet, she fears discovery, but, most of all, she fears losing her own sister.

Faceless is an upper middle grade novel full of espionage and historical adventure and will appeal to fans of Elizabeth Wein and Ruta Sepetys. Lasky masterfully spins a tale filled with mystery, suspense, and intrigue that will have readers hooked.

Faceless would make a great introduction to open discussions about the Second World War.  

I give Faceless five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Candidly Cline

 

Candidly Cline

by Kathryn Ormsbee

HarperCollins Children's Books 

HarperCollins

 Children's Fiction  |  Middle Grade 

Pub Date 09 Nov 2021

Born in Paris Kentucky, Cline Alden was raised on her Gram’s favorite country music.  She’s a girl with big dreams, as well as a heart full of song. 

When she finds out about a young musicians’ workshop a few towns over, Cline sweet-talks, saves, and maybe fibs her way into her first step toward musical stardom.  But her big dreams never prepared her for the butterflies she feels surrounded by so many other talented kids especially Sylvie.

As Cline learns to make music of her own she also starts to realize how much she’s holding back.  But now, there’s a new song taking shape in her heart—if only she can find her voice and sing it.

I give Candidly Cline three out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Promises to Theresa

 

Promises to Theresa

by Marianne Komek

BooksGoSocial

BooksGoSocial

Christian  |  Teens & YA

Christian 

Teens & YA

Pub Date 31 Oct 2021

I am reviewing a copy of Promises to Theresa through BooksGoSocial and Netgalley:

Theresa Jarewski  goes from the heights of mania to the crash of depression.  Will she ever be able to get off her emotional rollercoaster.

Theresa is a sixteen year old over achiever who wants to get accepted into an Ivy League college and to be the outstanding editor of her high school newspaper.   She also wants to capture Michael Janning's heart, but he's hiding a dark secret that can upset her world.

Theresa dreams of a happy future are shattered when the girl suffers a devastating depression. Through the support of her family and friends, Theresa must learn how to cope with bipolar disorder during high school through early college.

Promises to Theresa is a compassionate depiction of one young woman's attempt to overcome a mental illness.

I give Promises to Theresa five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: The Way of the Dragon or The Way of the Lamb

 

The Way of the Dragon or the Way of the Lamb

Searching for Jesus’ Path of Power in a Church that Has Abandoned It

by Jamin Goggin; Kyle Strobel

Nelson Books 

Thomas Nelson

 Christian 

Pub Date 31 Aug 2021

I am reviewing a copy of The Way of the Dragon or the Way of the Lamb through Nelson Books/Thomas Nelson and Netgalley:

This book asks the question Why do so many rock-star pastors implode under the spotlight?  Why is it that that modern day churches sometimes come so entangled in growing their brand that they lose sight of their true purpose?  According to Jamin Goggin and Kyle Strobel, Christians have succumbed to the temptations of power and forgotten Jesus’ seemingly contradictory path to power first giving it up.

In The Way of the Dragon or the Way of the Lamb, Goggin and Strobel paint a richly biblical vision of power through weakness.  The authors invite their readers to join them on an adventure around the world, seeking out great sages of the faith with uncommon wisdom to offer those traveling the path of Christian life.  As readers eavesdrop on the authors’ conversations with people such as J. I. Packer, Dallas Willard, Marva Dawn, John Perkins, Jean Vanier, James Houston, and Eugene Peterson, they begin to piece together the new-old reality of following Jesus today. 

The Way of the Dragon or the Way of the Lamb offers a compelling vision of the way of Jesus that will challenge both individual believers and the church as a whole.

I give The Way of the Dragon, or the Way of the Lamb five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: God Speaks Through Wombs

 

God Speaks Through Wombs

Poems on God's Unexpected Coming

by Drew Jackson

InterVarsity Press 

IVP

 Christian  |  Poetry 

Pub Date 14 Sep 2021

I am reviewing a copy of God Speaks Through Wombs, Poems on God’s Unexpected Coming through InterVarsity Press and Netgalley:

In God Speaks through wombs birthing prophetic utterances.   We are reminded that despite those who deal with an unbelieving religion that masquerades as faith. Divine favor is placed on what we have disgraced. 

God Speaks Through Angels, is Drew Jackson’s exploration the first eight chapters of Luke's Gospel in a new poetic register.    The poems in this collection is declarative poems, faithfully proclaiming the gospel story in all its liberative power.  Here the gospel is the "fresh words / that speak of / things impossible." From the Magnificat ("That girl can sing! . . . She has a voice / That can shatter shackles") to the baptism of Christ ("I stepped in / Committing insurrection"), this collection helps us hear the hum of deliverance against all hope that's been in the gospel all along.

I give In God Speaks Through Wombs five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: My 52 Lists Project: Journaling Inspiration for Kids

 

My 52 Lists Project: Journaling Inspiration for Kids!

Journaling Inspiration for Kids!

by Moorea Seal

Sasquatch Books 

 Children's Nonfiction  |  Middle Grade  |  Self-Help 

Pub Date 07 Sep 2021 

I am reviewing a copy of My 52 Lists Project: Journaling Inspiration for Kids through Sasquatch Books and Netgalley:

In this book, it is reminded that kids are able to express themselves, includes are lists that help them do just that as it helps them explore interests and hobbies, and learn more about themselves.  This beautiful hard-Covered guided journal can be started anytime, and can either be a safe space for kids to fill out on their own, or can be done with a loved one to spark great conversations.

The simple prompts will help kids be able to express themselves while they brush up on writing skills, as well as helping them to build social and emotional intelligence.

The book includes prompts, as well as photography to go along with those prompts , it also includes a sticker sheet.

If you have a middle grade child in your life that has expressed interest in being able to express themselves in journal form, I highly recommend My 52 Lists Project:  Journaling Inspiration for a kids.

I give My 52 List Project five out of five star!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: To Shatter Glass

 

To Shatter Glass

Poems

by Sister Sharon Hunter, CJ

Paraclete Press 

Iron Pen

 Biographies & Memoirs  |  Christian  |  Poetry 

Pub Date 21 Sep 2021 

I am reviewing a copy of To Shatter Glass through Paracalete Press/Iron Pen and Netgalley:

To Shattered Glass is at its essence a memoir in poetic form.  It covers seventy years of struggle and experience. When she was in her early thirties and at the end of an abusive child.see marriage Sister Sharon Hunter entered a modern convent. Neither sheltered nor immune from reality, she confronted demons of the past and trauma brought with her, unresolved and in need of healing. Her collection obliterates a common belief that men and women enter religious orders to escape life. Its fifty-six poems vary in style and capture the heart and imagination of those searching for straight answers to difficult questions.  This collection of poetry touches on the need to know ourselves, to accept our humanity as defined by God, and to strive toward reconciliation through self-examination and forgiveness.

To Shatter Glass is an invitation to wholeness for those scarred by family alcoholism.  It is written for the quiet and sensitive buried by depression, and for those who may be too afraid to expose their wounds. It is for anyone who has experienced betrayal or the loss of a loved one through tragic circumstances.

I give To Shatter  Glass five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!