The Awesome Book of Bible Stories for Kids

Author: Sandy Silverthorne
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
(August 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736929231

Book Description:

Award-winning writer and illustrator Sandy Silverthorne pairs biblical accounts with contemporary technology and culture. The result is a hilarious and informative blend of Bible lessons and modern-day applications. Kids ages 6 to 12 will instantly relate to Bible characters and eternal truths presented from a twenty-first-century kid’s perspective. Stories are introduced with improbable questions that will draw young readers in and stimulate their thinking. For example, what if…

• Noah’s ark was a cruise ship?
• Gideon vs. the Midianites was replayed as a video game?
• Nehemiah’s rebuilding of Jerusalem was featured on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition?

These comical illustrations and thoroughly up-to-date retelling of Bible stories will captivate young minds and hearts while maintaining the integrity of the characters and message.

 

My thoughts:

 

How many times have we read Bible stories to our kids and had their attention wonder because they just couldn't relate to the Old Testament/New Testament people? The Awesome Book of Bible Stories for Kids tells Bible stories in ways a child/teenager can identify. It gives them what-if scenarios in modern everyday life terminology. I can imagine this book being appreciated in home Bible study and in the church/youth group setting alike.  Comical, yet informative, just what kids like! Thank you to Harvest House Publishing for my review copy.

Happyface

Author: Stephen Emond
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Reprint edition (June 14, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316040991

Book Description:

Cute girls dig him. He has his own fan club

But he wasn't always this awesome. He used to be Mr. Comic Book, a resident of Lonelyland. So when he swtiched schools, he slapped on a grin and went from big nerd to big shot.

Meet Happyface. This is his journal.
This unique combination of text and fully integrated art follows the journey of a dorky, quiet, artsy kid as he reinvents himself after moving to a new town, where he's nicknamed Happyface. Peek in his journal and see the world through his hilariously self-deprecating eyes as he learns to shed his comic-book-loving, computer-game playing ways. Join him as he makes new friends, tries to hide from his messy past, forgives the people who have hurt him most, and ultimately learns to face the world with a genuine smile.

My thoughts:

Happyface is not your typical book. It is unique with numerous illustrations and artwork. It is a good, positive read for boys. The only issue I have with Happyface is the small print which may be a turn-off for some kids. Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.

The Duff (Designated Ugly Fat Friend)

Author: Kody Keplinger
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Poppy (June 7, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316084247

Book Description:

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn't think she's the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her "the Duff," she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren't so great at home right now, and Bianca is desperate for a distraction. She ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone. And eventually, through this realization, Bianca begins to see how harmful her unhealthy way of dealing with her problems has been, and finds a way to confront them head on.

My thoughts:

Most teens are driven by self-destructive ideas of image and place. Duff is one of those books that address these issues and puts them into perspective for young people...girls and boys alike. The author has written a story that is a must-read. It is well-written, frank, realistic, fast moving, and compelling. Conclusion: we may admire what we see as perfection in our peers; what we don't see is our own special unique self. Absolutely worth the read.  Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.

Pretend You Love Me

Author: Julie Anne Peters
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers;
Reprint edition (May 10, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316127418

Book Description:

In this fresh, poignant novel, Mike is struggling to come to terms with her father's suicide and her mother's detachment from the family. Mike (real name: Mary Elizabeth) is gay and likes to pump iron, play softball, and fix plumbing. When a glamorous new girl, Xanadu, arrives in Mike's small Kansas town, Mike falls in love at first sight. Xanadu is everything Mike is not -- cool, confident, feminine, sexy.... straight.

My thoughts:

Well written with good character development.

Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.

The Midnight Palace / Review

Author: Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
1 edition (May 31, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316044733

Book Description:

In the heart of Calcutta lurks a dark mystery....
Set in Calcutta in the 1930s, The Midnight Palace begins on a dark night when an English lieutenant fights to save newborn twins Ben and Sheere from an unthinkable threat. Despite monsoon-force rains and terrible danger lurking around every street corner, the young lieutenant manages to get them to safety, but not without losing his own life. . . .

Years later, on the eve of Ben and Sheere's sixteenth birthday, the mysterious threat reenters their lives. This time, it may be impossible to escape. With the help of their brave friends, the twins will have to take a stand against the terror that watches them in the shadows of the night--and face the most frightening creature in the history of the City of Palaces.

My thoughts:

The Midnight Palace is a good old-fashioned ghost story set in Calcutta in the 1930's. I found it to be a bit darker than the author's previous, The Prince of Mist, even though they do share the same gothic, supernatural overtones. The Midnight Palace is intense and kept me turning pages all evening...just what I would expect in a novel of this genre. Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.

The Prince of Mist / Review

Author: Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Reprint edition (April 12, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316044806

Book Description:

A mysterious house harbors an unimaginable secret...
It's wartime, and the Carver family decides to leave the capital where they live and move to a small coastal village. But from the minute they cross the threshold of their new home, strange things begin to happen. In that mysterious house still lurks the spirit of Jacob, the previous owners' son, who died by drowning.

With the help of their new friend Roland, Max and Alicia Carver begin to explore the strange circumstances of that death and discover the existence of a mysterious being called the Prince of Mist--a diabolical character who has returned from the shadows to collect on a debt from the past. Soon the three friends find themselves caught up in an adventure of sunken ships and an enchanted stone garden--an adventure that will change their lives forever.

About the Author:

Carlos Ruiz Zafón is the author of six novels, including the international phenomenon The Shadow of the Wind. His work has been published in more than fifty countries, and honored with numerous awards. He divides his time between Barcelona, Spain, and Los Angeles, California.

My thoughts:

Three friends get caught up in a mystery that will forever shadow their lives. This is a novel that will appeal to young and mature readers alike. I found it to have the Victorian gothic overtones of strange old houses, mysterious graveyards, and haunting characters--supernatural elements that make reading fun and exciting. Thanks to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.

God Made The Dinosaurs! / Review

Author: Todd Aaron Smith
Reading level: Baby-Preschool
Hardcover: 10 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
(July 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736938435

Book Description:

What’s more fun than exploring the exciting land of long ago? This colorful, inviting board book shows children ages 0-3 the wonders of God’s amazing creation—the dinosaurs.  Engaging characters welcome little ones to consider all the different sizes, shapes, and habits of one of the most unique creatures to roam the earth.

This brief encounter with dandy dinosaurs is sized for curious little hands and made to endure many rounds of reading. Each turn of the page is a simple reminder to parents and kids alike that big or small, God made us all.

My thoughts:

As a grandmother I am always looking for childrens books about God. This cardboard book is perfect for my 10 month old grandson. It is very colorful with simple sentences and is small enough for little hands to hold. I also like how it introduces him to God and His creation. The illustrations are delightful, too!

(Thank you to Harvest House Publishers for my review copy.)