Book Description

The Veritas Project team has a new assignment: To find the truth behind the mysterious disappearance of two runaways.When one runaway turns up totally out of his mind and a government agent steps in to take over the case, the Springfield’s continue their own investigation. The twins—Elijah and Elisha—go undercover, posing as runaways. What happens next will keep readers on the edge of their seats as the twins end up in a strange academy where Truth is continually challenged, a gang-like war develops, and Elijah is taken to an ominous mansion from which no one has ever returned.A great thriller with a realistic look at right and wrong.

Reviews (29)

Awesome Book!
Nightmare Academy was an overall awesome, thriller fiction book. I'd have to say the book was one of the most suspenseful books I've read. After the first few chapters, which start out slow compared to the rest of the book, I couldn't put it down. Nightmare Academy is about a family, the Springfields, who are put on a case to find out how a boy's memory was almost completely wiped out. The Springfield's twins, Elijah and Elisha, act like homeless kids and are taken in by a mysterious woman. They are asked to stay the night at her hotel, but when they wake up, they are in a completely different place where rules don't exist and all communication to the outside world is gone. Their parents have to find them before they are killed or turn out like the boy who almost lost his memory. I won't give away any more of the book, but I would recommend it to anyone.
I would suggest that the reader reads the first book in the series, Hangman's Curse, before they read Nightmare Academy so that you can get to know the characters and also read another good book. Frank Peretti, the author, does an amazing job at building mystery and suspense. He also described the characters so well that I felt like I really knew them by the end of the book. Additionally, the tension and excitement by the end of the book makes you feel like you have to keep on reading until the end.
In conclusion, Nightmare Academy is a very good book, except for the slow beginning, that I would recommend to any fiction lover. The plot is excellent and the characters have interesting personalities that anyone could enjoy.

A page-turner that pummels...
"Nightmare Academy" is book two in "The Veritas Project" series. Reading like a mix of the old TV show "Millennium" and the "Spy Kids" movies, but with a distinctly Christian worldview, The Veritas Project books follow the adventures of the Springfield family (Dad Nate, mom Sarah, and teen wondertwins, Elijah and Elisha) as they fight the bad guys with the help of the shadowy Veritas leader, Mr. Morgan, and the imprimatur of the President himself.

Summoned to aid a teen found in the middle of a rural road, his mind completely jumbled, the Springfields follow the boy's lead (during a rare lucid moment) to a youth center in Seattle. The center offers young runaways an unusual proposition, one which has potentially lethal consequences. The twins, posing as street kids in order to investigate for Veritas, are soon in the belly of the beast. After agreeing to the offer, they find themselves shuttled off to a mysterious school attempting to rewrite societal conventions, The Knight-Moore Academy.

Unaware of the exact location of the school, and unable to remember how they arrived, Elisha and Elijah are forced to match wits with many other kids and their eerie instructors. The school's staff - a generation and a couple continents removed from their kindred found in "The Manchurian Candidate" - attempt to rewire the students' thinking via clever verbal manipulations (and a few physical ones, as well.) Black becomes white and truth whatever one makes of it. While their parents search cross-country for them, the twins battle the brainwashing by holding true to God and His absolutes, becoming outsiders in the student body. Soon the social engineering wreaks "Lord of the Flies"-like consequences and what masquerades on the surface as a rarified prep school soon promises a learning experience no youth could ever imagine, even in their worst nightmares.

Frank Peretti's foray into youth fiction should please young readers looking for a thriller with solid, evangelical Christian values. A definite page-turner, "Nightmare Academy" has the needed creepiness balanced by biblical morality to give one the shivers without the guilt induced by reading something of questionable taste. The strong message that relativism is senseless and can only bring the downfall of our society, leaving us prey to nefarious forces, is reinforced on nearly every page.

Yet while this comprises the basic theme of the entire book, it comes off being heavy handed (though, sadly, not unlike many other books in this genre.) As Christian writers attempt to counter youth-oriented lit that fails to embrace traditional biblical values with sanitized, message-driven lit of their own, they've yet to really come up with books that drive truth home with more subtlety. C. S. Lewis' "The Chronicles of Narnia" is the archetype, but rarely has it been done better. Attempting to shoehorn concepts espoused in "The Left Behind " series into other writings also bedevils books like these. Rather than creating a unique vision, they merely look like copies of everything else. Even the best works are missing that magical quality that gives them life unto themselves. The result is, therefore, always mildly disappointing.

So while "Nightmare Academy" is a decent escape, its fire is nearly snuffed by the unfortunate hamhandedness of the presentation of its message. Discerning readers, even the young, will get the point immediately. We just need to have it presented more deftly - less sledgehammer, more skillful storytelling. Peretti is one of the foremost evangelical novelists out there, blessed with the chops to make it work. We should expect better.

Another nice read.
"Hangman's Curse" and "Nightmare Academy" are entertaining and easy reads. If you've been doing heavy research or reading this is a good switch. Light, and fun, I enjoyed it after a long study program I was in.. I read both books back to back so this review will be seen under both books.

I liked "The Visitation" better, but all three are worthy of your money..

Great, a amazingly good book........
Its a shame how few good christian teen writers there are. I read alot so I should have a clue what I am talking about. And I think that this is incredibly good. All they need to do is make a movie about it , like Hangmans Curse. If you think this book preaches. It doesn't. I grew up in the church and I know what I am talking about. Unless your loking for the sermon, you won't feel preached. Enjoy the the book for what it is and read more Frank Peretti

I am a typical teen w/issues and found refuge in this book.
You know, i read everyone else's reviews and laughed. Obviously, they were written by parents. The truth is, the point of Nightmare Academy was that no matter what happens to you or what situation you are put in, God is stable ground. He will always stand firm and when you need him, he will be there for you. The book is written for teens, not adults. The message is clear and instead of looking at it from a political/professional view, look through your faith. I LOVE the way it intertwines action and killer ability to use technology. Elijah and Elisha are 21st century action heroes. Frank Peretti, you are a gifted writer, talent in reaching a person's mind, and expanding a teens view of the world. I WANT MORE!!!! ... Read more

Book Description

Dip into this book and discover a new idea for each day of the year. Look up today, look up yesterday, look up last week. Look up your birthday, your best friend's birthday, or you UNbirthday! But look it up! Life is fun. Facts are fun. And so is this book. Don't wait. Don't hesitate. You'll find an idea to help you meditate and cogitate - on every date. It's great! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

365 great ways for your child to grow in faith
Here's the book you've been wanting to give your child and one they'll actually be excited to read. "365 Fun Facts" doesn't just educate; it sparks interest in their Catholic faith by providing digestible tidbits of information and encourages them to push that faith farther in their daily lives.

Each day's entry starts out with an interesting fact, from stories of saints to national holidays (US) to science trivia, even a bit of popular culture and both Church and American history. Even parents will learn a thing or two! The daily passage concludes with simple ways your child can grow in his or her Christian faith, both in thought and action. In addition, some entries suggest creative activities - like making a scrapbook, outlining the family tree, folding paper airplanes - that can be done together. Humorous illustrations also dot each page.

As an adult I'm consistently impressed by the seamlessness of fact and faith in this book. Being a strong Catholic or even a compassionate person is not as hard as us older folks make it out, and kids, especially those who read this book, understand that well. Synder transforms the perils of Superman, the Great Wall of China, and the wedding at Cana into reasons for reexamining our faith and actions, thus making Catholicism slightly more accessible for those a little resistant to Catholic education of the parochial or Sunday school variety. (i.e., March 27: Superman may have had X-ray vision, but how might we use X-ray vision to see into other people's lives and try to understand what happiness or sorrow they are experiencing?) Kids will have no trouble relating to these simple lessons that form the foundation of their faith, and I only regret that more of us hadn't read it when we were younger.

Every day is special
Each day of the year has a special Catholic tidbit of information. Some are for small children, for pre-teens, for adults, for lapsed Catholics, and some are just plain interesting!

The booklet isn't really intended as a classroom type reading, but instead, as a handy book to just offer a starting point for further study. ... Read more

Reviews (75)

beautiful and inspired
When my brother died suddenly 2 weeks ago, my sister pulled this book out of a closet of books. A former teacher, she had saved it for years and now I know why. It was so comforting and beautifully written, magnificent. Geared toward children, the book was powerfully moving for the adults gathered as well. We read it at my brother's funeral by request of friends and family. This book opened up a dialogue about the afterlife between people of all ages and beliefs. Unintimidating, masterfully written and awesomely illustrated.

PEACEFUL AT LAST
I WAS SO ATTRACTED BY THE BOOK'S COVER THAT I OPENED THE BOOK AND BEGAN TO READ IT. (I HAD BEEN AGONIZING OVER MY FATHER'S ILLNESS AND KNEW IT WAS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE I WOULD BE FACED WITH HIS DEATH.) AS I CONTINUED TO READ "THE NEXT PLACE" WHILE STANDING IN THE BOOKSTORE, I BEGAN TO FEEL PEACE I HAD THOUGHT WOULD NEVER RETURN. EACH PAGE WAS SO BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED AND EACH PHRASE SO COMFORTING. I BOUGHT THE BOOK. I READ IT TO MY FAMILY AS WE WERE GATHERED AROUND MY FATHER'S BED, JUST MINUTES AFTER HIS DEATH. I ALSO READ IT DURING HIS FUNERAL MASS. IT SAID ALL THAT NEEDED SAYING BECAUSE DAD WAS, AT LAST, "PERFECT". I HAVE SENT "THE NEXT PLACE", IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, TO FRIENDS WHO HAVE LOST LOVED ONES. THE REACTION IS ALWAYS HUGS, TEARS AND GRATITUDE.

How to explain death to a child (or an adult!)
Warren Hanson's book, The Next Place is one of the most profoundly moving and spiritually uplifting children's books;I have ever read as a educator or a parent.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough for all children and adults whose lives have been touched by the death of someone they have loved.

Buy this book, keep it on your shelf, and every once in a while,
sit down and re-read it. It will remind you of the joy of living and what it means to be a loving, caring human being.

A Gift for the Grieving Soul
My son died three weeks ago, and I was given this book on the day of his funeral. All I can say right now is that it was a gift of peace for my shattered soul. I read it every day, and I feel like my son is reasuring me that he is free and happy and with us still.

Give this book to someone who is griefsticken. Maybe it will help them, too.

I wept in the bookstore....
I'm a librarian for an elementary school and have two daughters ages 6 and 5. I was looking through the children's books at the bookstore when I came across The Next Place. The illustrations are magical and the placing of the text is in perfect accordance with the artwork. It was near effortless reading as my eyes just skimmed through the lettering placed at such a "flow" as to become a part of the illustration itself. It serves its purpose well. The meaning behind the words literally spoke to my soul and I blinked back tears. I knew then I had to get it for my daughters. I hope they will read it to their children one day. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Neale Donald Walsch's Conversations with God series has enjoyed boundless success, making his dialogue with God accessible to a worldwide audience of adults. The Little Soul and the Sun distills the essential message of the Conversations with God books and sews it into a story that even children can identify with. Frank Riccio's poignant illustrations are the perfect companion to Walsch's parable of a little soul who discovers that it is "the light" but still wants to know how it "feels" to be the light. This proves to be a problem, as God created nothing else but the light. God's solution, with the help of another soul, is to surround the little soul with darkness, so that it can feel what being the light is like. This deceptively simple tale of self-discovery carries such a profound message that adults as well as children will read it over and over, each time learning a little more about who we really are and why we are here on earth. --Brian Patterson ... Read more

Reviews (30)

A special book for special children
As the mother of a special needs child I find the message in this book delightful. Granted I haven't gotten to the point of having to explain the book, or its message to him yet. But I think that for any child, on any subject a book that inspires conversation and discussion with a loved one, is to be treasured. And in many ways I think that it answers many of the questions about God that frequently arise.

I think that in addition to using this book to teach about god, it will also be a tool to teach my child about others who may do unkind things and how to respond to them. ALso I really appreciat the focus on the emotional and personality ways that people are special instead of the focus of so many books on being special because of actions and sports- things that my son may never be able to do- but he will be able to be kind and loving and sharing and forgiving.

I found enlightenment with The Little Soul and the Sun
This highly inteligent book was written for adults who understand the specialness and uniqueness of children and the bright light they show to us. To teach our young ones, we must first understand the story. This book should be read by every ADULT, and lovingly passed on to our children. I've had this book for sometime, and have waited for a grandchild to give it to. But now I feel that I am "hoarding" it. There are so many who need to hear its message! (Guess I'll have to get more copies!)

Beautifully written, illustrated and profound!!!
Although I'm a Buddhist, my soul is healed after reading "The Little Soul and the Sun". I intuitively know the book contains a great secret of Life. Moreover, the illustrations are utterly beautiful. it should be a required reading for humanity.

Brings Love and Forgiveness
I am 42 years old and every time I read this book it brings tears of joy. The message almost instantly connects me with the love I have for the people in my life. It helped me forgive those I had difficulty forgiving. It is a book for the child within, no matter what age you are.
This little, innocent looking book may just rock your world. It did so for me. I, personally have bought at least fifty and given them to friends and family of all ages. If everyone could read, understand and accept what is available here in these pages we'd have instant peace on this planet.

Be Re-Minded of Who You Are
When I first read the book Conversations With God a few years ago, I was deeply touched. Much of the insights presented in this unusual conversation were a wonderfully fresh way of seeing All is One and that All is Love. A year or so later, I was browsing the children's section of the bookstore and came upon The Little Soul and the Sun: A Children's Parable Adapted From Conversations With God. I read it right there and it brought tears to my eyes.

Here it is some years later, and I've just bought this delightful book for my son as a Christmas present. This beautiful story is illustrated in lavish pastels by Frank Riccio, and features a parable about Little Soul--one who wants to experience itself as Who I Am. You see, Little Soul knows that it is Light--but feels that knowing isn't enough. So Little Soul asks God if it can actually feel what is means to be the Light. So God asks Little Soul how it can experience the Light when it is already as a candle in the Sun, along with the other billions of souls who make up the brilliance of the Sun? Little Soul entreats God to think of something--some way in which it can experience what it feels like to be Light.

God answers Little Soul "Since you cannot see yourself as the Light when you are in the Light, we'll surround you with darkness." Little Soul asks "What's darkness?" and God replies "It is that which you are not." Little Soul asks God if it will be afraid, but God says "only if you choose to be...there is nothing, really, to be afraid of, unless you decide that there is."

One of the central themes of Conversations With God is that in order for God to experience Itself, It had to be contrasted with something else--something "other". You cannot experience dark without light, up without down, now without then, fast without slow. The purpose of duality is to experience parts of the God-self in all Its glory. In a sense, we are all a part of God, and God exploded into a million Souls to experience Itself.

However, when We made the journey Earthward, We forgot where We came from--and Who we were. Little Soul and God continue the conversation, and talk about how everyone is special in their own way--each manifesting a different part of "special". Some parts of special include kindness, creativity, and patience. Little Soul decides that the part of "special" it wants to experience is the part of special known as forgiveness. A multitude of Souls gather around God and Little Soul to hear this extraordinary conversation, and God sweeps an arm towards them: "There is nothing to forgive" God says. Little Soul could hardly believe what God said. "Everything I have made is perfect. There is not a single soul in all of creation less perfect than you. Look around you."

Little Soul grumbles that this wasn't fun at all! How would it experience itself as One Who Forgives if there was noone to forgive? Just then, Friendly Soul offers to help him, volunteering to come into Little Soul's next lifetime so it can do something for Little Soul to forgive. Little Soul was incredulous, and aks why Friendly Soul, who was such a magnificent Being of perfect Light, would want to become dense and dark--slowing it's vibration in order to do this bad thing for Little Soul to forgive? "Simple", The Friendly Soul replies. "I would do it because I love you." Friendly Soul goes on to explain that both it and Little Soul have been male and femaile, good and bad, victim and villian--All of It. "Thus have we come together, you and I, many times before; each bringing to the other the exact and perfect opportunity to Express and to Experience Who We Really Are."

In being the "bad one" this time around, Friendly Soul will give Little Soul the opportunity to experience itself as One Who Forgives. Friendly Soul becomes serious and confirms that it will have to become dense and dark to do this act--and that both it and Little Soul may forget Who They Were. Friendly Soul asks Little Soul a favor: to remember, in the moment that it strikes and smites Little Soul--doing the worst that it can possibly imagine--that Little Soul will remember Who Friendly Soul Really Is.

An agreement was made, and Little Soul goes forth into a new lifetime, excited to be the Light--and to experience that part of "special" called Forgivness. "...whenever a new soul brought joy or sadness--and especially if it brought sadness--the Little Soul thought of what God had said. 'Always remember', God had smiled, 'I have sent you nothing but angels.'"

My favorite passage of the book, which is the major theme of the New Age, is "And so", God concluded, "when you are surrounded with darkness, do not shake your fist and raise your voice and curse the darkness. Rather, be a Light unto the darkness, and don't be mad about it. Then you will know Who You Really Are, and all others will know, too. Let your Light so shine that everyone will know how special you are!" ... Read more

Book Description

Billy Bartholomew has an audacious soul, and he knows it. Why? Because it's all he has left. He's dead.

Eddie Proffit has an equally audacious soul, but he doesn't know it. He's still alive.

These days, Billy and Eddie meet on the sledding hill, where they used to spend countless hours -- until Billy kicked a stack of Sheetrock over on himself, breaking his neck and effectively hitting tilt on his Earthgame. The two were inseparable friends. They still are. And Billy is not about to let a little thing like death stop him from hanging in there with Eddie in his epic struggle to get his life back on track.

Reviews (5)

My Opinion on The Sledding Hill
Mr. Chris Crutcher is still one of my favorite writers, but The Sledding Hill is not one of my favorite books. I am in tenth grade and I mostly agree with the person who posted the very first review of the book. The story of The Sledding Hill is pretty simple, and the other reviews say it right so I will not repeat. I will only give my opinion on the book. It is better than a lot of books and that is why I give it three stars. I think the first part is four stars and the second part is two stars which is how I got to three stars. I thought that the first part was a lot about the friendship of Eddie and Billy and how hard it is for everyone to deal with tragedy like two people dying on you. But later, when the story got into the whole censorship thing about the book, I started to lose interest. It is not because I am not interested in the subject, either. I am totally into free speech. I just thought the book got less interesting, not like Stotan which got more interesting as it went on.

Richie's Picks: THE SLEDDING HILL
"I can bump him, and I will, because the one thing that is as true out here as it is in the Earthgame is connection. Connection is love. Staying connected with Eddie Proffit is as good for me as it is for him, because love is as true on earth as it is in the farthest reaches of the universe.

"So I do it."

"Just Do It." --Nike slogan

In KING OF THE MILD FRONTIER: AN ILL-ADVISED AUTOBIOGRAPHY, Chris Crutcher recognizes Michael Jordan as a hero--not for his legendary on-court accomplishments, but for the manner in which Michael responded to the brutal murder of his father. Chris notes of Michael:

"When asked about his feelings for his father's killers or what should happen to them, in the only recount I ever heard, all he said was, 'My father is dead. That's all I care about.'"

In rereading Crutcher's autobiography I continue to be moved by Michael's response. I'm so touched by it that one day I'm going to make a point of giving Michael a big long hug.

It actually won't be "one day" since, according to Billy Bartholomew, there is no "time" where he now exists. Billy is the dead teenaged narrator of Chris Crutcher?s new novel THE SLEDDING HILL. And according to Billy Bartholomew, once me 'n Number 23 are both history I'll be able to hook up with Michael or anyone else who has come and "gone."

Life on Earth, as Billy explains it from his beyond-this-world perspective, is but a game, the Earthgame. Once you get to where he is, you "travel at the speed of imagination" and "laugh in wonder at all the crazy considerations you had while playing the Earthgame because you were so focused you thought things were important."

Nor are there emotions after death, Billy explains, other than a "pure joy of knowledge--and a sense of coming home."

What to many readers will be Billy's most shocking revelation from beyond the grave is that everyone who dies ends up IN THE SAME PLACE! That means me and James Dobson, Tucker Carlson, and Bull Conner are all going to get to spend eternity sharing the same celestial real estate with (formerly) practicing homosexuals and hippies, independent film makers, blasphemers, Bin Ladens, black people, and banned book authors.

Chris Crutcher is a runner, as are so many of the characters he's created over the years. Crutcher's been spending a lot of his time lately running around the country defending his good name and his great books which are being challenged so frequently that you've got to figure there?s some serious hit list out there making its way to right-wing pulpits around the country.

Of course, there's supposed to be a separation of Church and State, at least in theory. That wasn't the reality when it came to Crutcher's own childhood experiences--as he recounted in KING OF THE MILD FRONTIER--and it sure doesn't seem to be the case today if you?ve paid attention to as many recent articles about book bannings as I have.

Many of the childhood stories of religion and death that Crutcher includes in his autobiography find their way into the plot of THE SLEDDING HILL. And if you've read the autobiography you realize there are going to be a bunch of huffing, puffing, scowling preachers when they start getting an earful of Billy Bartholomew.

But they're going to have a bit of a problem deep-sixing this baby. Crutcher?s written a book without ANY "naughty" words. Not a single f-word, sh-word, n-word, b-word, or a-h word. If they want to ban THE SLEDDING HILL from school libraries, they're going to have to get it banned because of Billy Bartholomew?s blatantly blasphemous revelations.

And that's the catch, because in Board of Education, Island Trees Union Free School District No.26 v. Pico, the landmark 1982 Supreme Court case concerning school-library censorship (I quote from Russell Freedman's IN DEFENSE OF LIBERTY: THE STORY OF AMERICA'S BILL OF RIGHTS.),

"[T]he court held that students' rights were violated by removal of the books and said that a school library provides 'an environment especially appropriate for the recognition of First Amendment rights of students.' "School officials have a great deal of power to decide which books should be in their school libraries, but they ?may not remove books from school library shelves simply because they dislike the ideas contained in those books,' said the Court. 'Allowing a school board to engage in such conduct hardly teaches children to respect the diversity of ideas that is fundamental to the American system.' "

Now along with the recent book banning news stories, there have been some pretty articulate words from certain teens who feel the same way about having their school libraries raped by the Religious Right as I felt about the Nixon White House invading the offices of the antiwar group I belonged to when I was their age.

As recently explained so articulately in the Kansas City Star by a Kansas high school student named Sasha Mushegian,

"It's true that some words and ideas should not be introduced to students who have not reached a certain level of maturity. But the amount of sheltering these parents are trying to accomplish is more appropriate for elementary school children than for people capable of earning wages, taking college-level courses and driving cars. These are all actions that require a degree of personal responsibility and capability of rational thought that these parents seem to think we lack.
"Yes, we're not completely mature yet; sure, we often make bad decisions--but maturation is a process. There's no magical age at which we mentally and emotionally become adults.
"How can you expect children to mature if you don't expose them to books in which reality is messy and confusing, morals are not immediately clear, making the right decision requires analysis of subtleties, and characters make the wrong choices? How do you expect students to think for themselves if you never expose them to situations that are challenging and unfamiliar (yet still safely contained within the pages of a great work of literature)?"

I can easily see all this leading us toward another Supreme Court showdown to determine whether in reality we're a theocracy or a democracy.

Then on the other hand, I can just imagine some overly-pierced, black-attired, parentally-oppressed young person reading all of this discussion, rolling his or her eyes, and impatiently wanting to know the important stuff:

"Come on, Richie! Who the f--- cares what those right-wing a----s are b----ing about now? Just tell us whether the new Crutcher book is worth a sh--!"

Okay, well, as a matter of fact it is. THE SLEDDING HILL caused me to laugh a lot, cry a little, and exercise some brain cells.

"Everyone thought our friendship was odd; what was a smart kid like me doing hanging out with a kid with an IQ short of triple digits? Truth is, Eddie's IQ turned out to be off the charts. His mind bounces from one thing to the other pretty much however it wants, though, and long before he should be finishing up one thought, he's on to something else. Eddie doesn't come to very many conclusions."

Longtime friends Eddie Proffit and Billy Bartholomew like to run. It's the one thing that can keep Eddie's mind focused. But then--in a rather short period of time--Eddie discovers both his dad and his best friend Billy dead from totally random accidents. And things go downhill from there when Eddie's nemesis, the Reverend Tartar, starts hanging out with Eddie's grieving mom.

Fortunately, Eddie discovers something that begins to help him get his mind around what has happened in his life. No, it's not a controlled substance--it's a book.

And, unfortunately, you can guess what the Rev. and his followers from the Red Brick Church want to do to that book.

Enough said. I recommend taking it for a spin. (But remember to turn INTO the slide.)

Another great story from Crutcher
Chris Crutcher's latest novel tackles the same types of tough issues as his earlier novels--this one focuses on censorship and the "moral crusaders." Veiled in a story of a boy who loses his family and friends, Crutcher makes a stirring commentary--as he always does. The characters are engaging and sympathetic--Crutcher as always tells the story from everybody's eyes, showing that all characters have a range and depth and their own emotional crises. He even goes so far as to make himself a character in the story, which is, albeit somewhat cheesy, a way to direclty relate to the characters and insert some soliloquoys on censorship.

One of the major thoughts that comes out of this story is telling stories "in their native tongue," as Crutcher says. That idea keeps the story fresh and real, and while sometimes the details and the language is a little rough around the edges, the story is richer for it. The Sledding Hill doesn't pretend to be anything it isn't--it's a story wrapped up in a discussion of censorship--something that Crutcher has seen his share of. Gabriel Garcia Marquez said, "To an extent, all great literature is subversive." This book definitely fits the mold.

At last...a book about censorship that tells the truth.
It's not JUST about censorship, of course.THE SLEDDING HILL is about friendship, life, death, love and loss, religion and the abuse of power. It's rich with thought and plot, as are all Crutcher books.But what I love most about it is the way it illustrates the quiet connection ONE PERSON can find in ONE BOOK -- and the dangerous nature of taking that book and that connection away from the kids who might need them most.Crutcher also explores the life-after-death endurance of love between two friends, between parents and children, and the hope for eternal reunions. I loved this book. Oh, and about the other reviewers comments...Crutcher didn't say all ministers are misguided.He said THIS minister, who wanted to determine morality for ALL parents, not just for himself, was miguided, even if he was trying to ban a book with good intentions. And of course, there are men of God who forget "Thou shalt not judge" when they step into those ministerial shoes. Crutcher understands how important free agency is, even if his character the Rev. Tarter forgets.

A lot of Speeches!
I was so happy when I heard there was a new Chris Crutcher book coming out. I loved Sarah Byrnes so much, and Whale Talk too. In this book, there are two friends named Eddie and Billy. Billy is like the one person who sees all the good in Eddie and knows how to talk to him. Eddie's father dies, and then Billy dies too, and Eddie stops talking. There is a Christian minister named Reverend Tartar who wants to baptize Eddie. The reverend is also against a Chris Crutcher book in one of the school classes. The best part of the book is Billy talking to Eddie after he is dead. He's very funny. What is not as good is how bad a guy the author made Tartar. He is so evil, and to have this evil guy be the person against the Crutcher book seemed kind of unfair.He is like the worst reverend ever and is a racist, too. There were also way too many speeches in this book, especially at the end. There were speeches in church and speeches at the school meeting and even a short speech by Chris Crutcher where he said he agreed with another speech. I thought all the speeches hurt the book. All in all, this is an okay book, but not nearly as good as Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes. ... Read more

Book Description

Filled with action,danger, and suspense this book is sure to keep readers in their seats, following Billy and Bonnie to the exciting conclusion. This is the third saga in a four book series. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Dante Meets King Arther?That and more in Circles of Seven!
Dante meets King Arthur?Dragons that were and dragons to be?Deception and betrayal?Circles of Seven has it all - and that's just Chapter One!

Bryan Davis has done it again, not only creating a book that is as good as the predecessors - but one that surpasses them!Circles of Seven blends brilliant fiction, fascinating new mythology, Biblical truth and more plot twists than you can shake Excalibur at.The action makes this book cool, the players make it fascinating, the plot moves it and the writing of the characters make it real.

Mr. Davis reaffirms his place with greats such as Tolkein and Lewis, by creating characters that you get attached to then showing them in situations that illustrate what character based on faith can over come - all within a story that is so riveting that you can't help but turn the pages.

Circles of Seven introduces several new characters and surprises into the Dragons in our Midst series, characters that you'll love because they're so clever, and hate because they're so evil!But more than that, Circles of Seven brings us into an entirely new realm where science and mythology merge with sound theology and legend to create vivid portraits of places and events that will thrill you.

Underlying it all is the character that provides the baseline of the series.Billy, Bonnie, the Professor and Walter all have decisions to make that hold the fate of their own futures as well as that of the dragons - and even all human kind.Beautifully illustrated is how even the smallest decision can make a large difference - and even how people that are honestly seeking to do right can make mistakes.The good news for the characters as well as for us is that there's a loving Maker that can redeem even our mistaken choices.

On top of all that, Mr. Davis continues to introduce great new twists to the Arthurian Legend - and brings the series to the home of them all Glastonbury, the Isle of Avalon and the Tor from where the legends all spring.

Before you sit down to read this book, be sure that you've got everything else taken care of - you're simply not going to want put this book down!

A one of a kind: Circles of Seven
This story marches were no storys have gone before, to the exiting sci-fi regions and beyond.This is the best book of all the others.I found myself hooked on it through the day and most of the night.
(...)

Better Than the Best of Christian Fantasy
Deep characters, different dimensions, allegorical worlds...Circles of Seven has it all!When I read the first book in this series, I was a bit skeptical--I mean, what sane person would read about half-dragon children?I soon found out that it would be insane NOT to!

In this third installment of the "Dragons in Our Midst" series, Billy Bannister, along with his best friend and fellow anthrozil, Bonnie Silver, embarks on a dangerous journey through the circles to rescue prisoners from the the circles' dark mistress, Morgan Le Faye.What Billy and Bonnie don't realize, however, is the amount of danger that their quest holds for them.When Bonnie is captured by Morgan, things start to go haywire, and Billy is thrust into making a decision that could alter the course of his life forever.This book is impossible to put down!

If you enjoyed "Raising Dragons" and "The Candlestone," you won't want to miss this page turner!It's better than the best of Christian fantasy--and it's hard to find a book that good!

Highly recommended.

Best Book Yet with Spiritual Growth
"Circles of Seven" is the best book yet! It's so hard to put it down!There are very touching moments throughout the story.After reading "Circles of Seven," my faith is stronger than ever.I'm patently waiting to read the next book in the series.

I encourage all readers who love Christian fantasy or just fantasy novels to go out and buy this book for yourself.This brings you into the world of wonders, where dangers, adventures and so much more awaits for your mind.Bryan Davis has once again done another outstanding job, and I believe and know he will do another outstanding job for the next book to come out.I gives this 5 + more stars. :D ... Read more

Book Description

Max was interested in helping children understand their value—not from the world’s perspective, but from God’s. Wemmicksville is a land created by Eli, the “God” figure of the story. He creates each Wemmick in Wemmicksville uniquely, each with its own look and personality. Each story and video is a new adventure with the citizens of Wemmicksville. Punchinello is the central character, along with his friends Lucia, Splint, and Chip. When Punchinello strays from Eli, he begins to have problems. Only when Punchinello stays close to Eli does he clearly see how to walk through his life in Wemmicksville.

In this heartwarming tale, Eli helps Punchinello understand how special he is—no matter what other Wemmicks may think. Children will learn a vital lesson—regardless of how the world sees them, God loves each of them just as they are.

Reviews (116)

Punchinello Through A Child's Eyes
I am not a reader by nature but when I heard this story read, I ran to the nearest book store to purchase it. More than what I cared to pay for a book, I purchased it anyway and I found it to be a wonderful addition to our home. The illustrations are beautiful and follow the story so well that my 3-year-old can tell me the story by looking at the pictures. Her most favorite part is when Punchinello visits the Woodcarver. Each and every time we read it, my heart is humbled and I am reminded to be a nicer person and not to judge others. It is a beautiful story about our Maker and the love he has for all of his children. Read this and enjoy!

Everybody needs to read this wonderful book.
I feel so lucky that I had the chance to read this book. I don't have kids and seldom think of looking at children's books. But a mom friend showed it to me and we both cried as we read it together. It's a book for children of all ages. The text and illustrations just shine with love, and everybody needs to hear the messages of self-acceptance and self-esteem in this book. I'm buying copies of it for Xmas gifts for my favorite aunt, my favorite child friend, and my therapist.

Wonderful children's book
This book is so touching. It was just the message my seven-year-old son needed to hear, growing up in the midst of a world that so often judges by appearance and popular opinion, rather than by a person's heart and faith. I highly recommend it for children and adults alike.

Awesome Message!!!
This book is an awesome tale with a message for young children. This book teaches children to love themselves just as they are, no matter what anyone else says. This book is good for the heart and soul. It even helped me to learn a lesson or two. This is one book I would recommend to all parents for their children.

Wonderful parable for children
My family found this book heartwarming. While relaying the message that what others think of you doesn't matter if you don't let it the book entertains and endears you to it's main character Punchinello. While the message has religious undertones it does not preach or relay any specific references to faith. My 5 year old son LOVES this story. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

God's love and forgiveness--for any age!
This wonderful book is a parable about a girl who discovers that privilege without responsiblity is not at much fun as she imagined. Children and adults can enjoy discovering the love of the King toward His wayward child. ... Read more

Book Description

When a charming polar bear cub climbs into bed one night, she asks her Mama a very important question--one that little "human cubs" often wonder about, too:"Where did I come from?"

As Mama bear tucks her youngest cub under the quilts, she gently, tenderly, and reassuringly communicates the message loving parents everywhere (bears and non-bears alike) want their little ones to hear: "We wanted you very, very much, and we are so very glad because--"God gave us you."

Perfect for bedtime, naptime, storytime or anytime, God Gave Us You provides a valuable opportunity to build children's self-esteem every day and assure each one that he or she truly is a welcomed, precious, and treasured gift from the Lord. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Beautiful story!
This book is a beautiful way of explaining where baby comes from without giving an adult answer. The simple message that your child was a gift from God sums it up, and in a sweet story. The illustrations are soothing, and the story is a good bedtime read.

Heartwarming and Delightful
This beautiful story is very appropriate for my three year old daughter's questions about where she came from. This book chronicles a the birth of a baby bear from when her parents pray for a baby bear all the way through birth without all of the medical details. It simply shows the Mommy bear's tummy growing and the parents preparing for their new arrival. It tastefully omits the actual parts of conception and delivery. It leaves these details for parental discretion. My daughter loved it!

Wonderful!
As a reading teacher of 12 years, I found this book to be beautifully written and illustrated. Enjoy!

it was a very good book
This is a very sweet book, but it wasn't my favorite. I guess I wasn't ready to talk about where babies come from yet, and this book mentions that the baby was in the mother's tummy. I know kids know a lot at an early age, but I just wasn't ready to explain why the mother's tummy was big. I think my daughter was incredulous that babies grow in 'tummies.'

What a sweet, sweet story
My husband and I love to read this book to our daughter who is 6 months old (we have read it to her since she was in my belly) It is such a sweet story about a mommy bear and a baby girl bear. The story tells the baby what a blessing she is to her mommy and daddy and how God had given her to them. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

A wonderful Reassurance
I am a 21 year old "princess" my Mother and Father gave me this book last Christmas. It is the best book I have ever read. I am 21 and I myself have never been kissed. I had formerly thought myself a freak of nature, or something, the opportuunity had just never been made to kiss someone, but after reading this book I am so happy that my parents helped to protect my kiss. It was a wonderful reminder int his day and age how special a kiss really is. wonderful book, I have one for my future daughter, and my soon to be born neice a great book every princess should own!

Every Mom and Daughter Should Share This Book!
My Sister-in-law sent this book to my daughter for her birthday, along with some similarly themed "princess" things. The first time we read it as a bedtime story, I had tears in my eyes. The beautiful illustrations and important message were perfectly interwoven. We will read this book many, many, times over the years, and as my four year-old becomes a young woman, it will be a wonderful tool to use to open discussion about love and the true meaning of purity. Thank you Jennie Bishop for sharing your Mother's heart with all of us!

Wonderful, and yet...
The concept of this book -- respecting yourself enough to value who you give your affection to -- is wonderful. Yet in reality, how many of us believe that our daughters or sons will wait until they get married to kiss? My six year old daughter loved this book, although it was also confusing to her since she sees so much kissing going on in the culture around her.

Virtuous Daughter! She worth far more than rubies!
Dear Parent!

HOW RARE!!!

We looked near and far for a book like this!

Christian parents are deeply concerned with raising their daughters to be pure for marriage. Where on earth can you find books or movies to help reinforce these beautiful ideals that the Lord has given us? How do you raise your precious daughter to be a Proverbs 31 woman... a virtuous woman?

This book was one of two we finally found. It focussed on the ages 3 to 12. Nice age range! Our girl is 9. How do you talk about sex without actually dealing with the complex things they are not ready for yet? A book like this gets to the -root- now... you deal with the nitty gritty later when they are better prepared to deal with it. The words used are not sexual in any form in this book.

We also recommend:

- The True Princess by A. Hunt

- Items from "Pearables" website. (also for boys!)

- Items from "Doorposts" website. (also for boys!)

- "Christian-courtship" website. (If your girl is older!)

Enjoy! And happy hunting for products that instill healthy modesty, christian etiquette, honor and such!!!

Every parent with young girls must have this book!
I found this book while searching for another book on Amazon and decided to buy it based on the comments about it. I was not disappointed! This is a beautiful book. The illustrations are captivating and the story is written very well. With three girls ages 2-6, I am always on the lookout for books that will inspire them to be lovely, pure and Godly. This one fits the bill 100%. My daughters ask me to read this book three or four times a day and like to pretend to be the princess waiting to give her kiss to a worthy man. A great book for girls of all ages inspiring them to keep their purity for the right man, one who is himself pure and chaste. If you have girls, you MUST get this book! ... Read more

Book Description

Set in Galilee in the time of Jesus, this is the story of a young Jewish rebel who is won over to the gentle teachings of Jesus. ... Read more

Reviews (69)

Elizabeth George Speare Amazing as Usual!
Elizabeth George Speare only wrote four books that I'm aware of, and all but one were awarded a Newbery Award. (And the one that did not win an award, "Calico Captive," is one of my favorite books of all time!) Ms. Speare was quite simply a fantastic writer of historical fiction. Her books are written in a style suitable for young readers, but anybody who loves historical fiction will love her work regardless of age! It's such a shame that she did not write more books.

I admit that I had my reservations about "The Bronze Bow," since its setting in 1st century Judea seemed incongrous with Ms. Speare's other books which are all set in colonial New England. Also, although I'm a practicing Catholic, I was not keen on reading a fictional book with Jesus as a character fearing some very dry, preachy version of the most famous man in history would ruin the believability of the story. But my reservations were completly unfounded. Ms. Speare describes life in Roman occupied Judea with the same wonderful detail as she did colonial America. She ably describes the political/historical situation with great skill while weaving it into her fictional story of a young man deciding which path he will choose in life.

Daniel, the protagonist, is as three dimensional and believable as Kit Tyler in "The Witch of Blackbird Pond." In fact, all the characters are memorably brought to life especially Daniel's emotionally devastated, younger sister, Leah. However, the major surprise is Ms. Speare's portrayal of Jesus of Nazareth- what a wonderful depiction of that itinerate preacher. Jesus is a supporting but crucial character in the narrative, but Ms. Speare does not use him to preach to the reader. Instead, the reader, like Daniel, is left to decide who Jesus is- just a kind-hearted teacher? A miracle worker? Someone unwilling to take sides? The messiah? Daniel is puzzled by these questions because the Jesus he sees is just a human being and not a resurrected savior in glowing robes.

"The Bronze Bow" is arguably Ms. Speare's strongest novel, and that says alot considering her other work. It's historical fiction at its finest, and anyone who passes on it because of fears of it being "too religious" or "too preachy" are doing themselves a disservice. A great work of fiction is a great work fiction regardless if one of the characters happens to be Jesus of Nazareth.

Still powerful
I was first introduced to this book in my 8th grade English class. I enjoyed it so much then, I went out and read the author's other books. I recently picked this one up again and was amazed at how powerful it still was to me.

The story concerns Daniel, a young Jew at the time of Christ. He has an intense hatred of the Romans and lives with in an outlaw band in the hills. When his grandmother dies, he must move to the village to take care of his sister while trying to continue his life's mission of driving the Romans back to Rome. He is drawn to the miracle worker, but just doesn't know what he truly thinks about him. Is he the Messiah sent to free them from the Romans? And will his sister ever recover?

Ms. Speare was able to create a complex plot that is simple enough for her target age to understand, but still captivating to adults. I got so caught up in the events when I was rereading that I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend this children's novel to readers of all ages.

Way better than The Witch of Blackbird Pond!
The author of this book, Elizabeth George Speare, also wrote The Witch of Blackbird Pond. Both of them won a Newberry Medal. This book is so much better than "Blackbird Pond". It kept my attention and I couldn't put it down! The book taught lessons of leadership, patience, care, and love. It wasn't a romantic book but it was more about loving the people that matter to you and also loving your enemies.

I have recently been reading Tom Clancy novels that teach nothing of the sort but I found this book at a bookstore warehouse that was going out of business and I decided to give it a chance even though I didn't like my previous experience with the author. Everyone deserves a second chance, right? I am very glad that I chose to read this book and I think that you are missing out if you don't read it.

Why Don't You Get It?
Those of you who are considering reading, or buying this book should get it from a library or a friend and try it out. You may not like it, but give it a shot first. Everyone has their own opinion or view on these type of books. If you do or don't like it, it doesn't matter. If you want to give your opinion, go ahead, but allow others to form their own and don't tell them whether they should read it or not.

After reading several of these reviews I've found that people who are forced to read something, have short attention spans, or prefer short or action-packed books should avoid this one. Make sure to look at this book and judge it by how well it fulfills it purpose: harmless ENTERTAINMENT. Look at it with a mature objective view.

I personally think its wonderful, but it depends on you. Bye!!

The Bronze Bow
Adventure, bloodshed, romance, love, and religion. The Award winning novel, The Bronze Bow, by Elizabeth George Speare, combines all of these components. The story, which is set in Galilee in the year 31 A.D., tells of a boy named Daniel who is caught between fighting the Romans, whom he hates, and following the teaching of love from Jesus. Daniel is forced to choose and his decision will affect the rest of his life. The combination of historical accounts, biblical accounts, and the author's diction, creates a vivid picture, and a new mystery is unfolded with each turning of the page. ... Read more

Book Description

Max's best-seller Just In Case You Ever Wonder which tells of a father's love for his child, is now available in board book format.

Reviews (49)

Beautiful
I recieved this book at a baby shower for my second child. It was actually given to my 3 year old daughter by my grandmother who did not want her to feel left out of all of the excitement. When I finally sat down and read the book to her, I cried so hard that I had to stop several times. It is a beautiful story of the love only a parent can have for a child. I cherish this gift and so does my daughter.

If my child could only have one book, this would be it
Max Lucado brings his writing talents to a children's book! In a soothing way, this book will tell your child how special he/she is as he grows up, and how his parents and God will always love him. My favorite line is "I am on your side." How many of us think to tell our children that we are on their side and that our goal is to help them? This book is appropriate for adopted as well as biological children, and single parents whether male or female. If every child had this book read to them daily, the world would be a much better place in which to live. My daughter loves it, and I love reading it to her. In the future, it will be included in every shower/baby gift. You absolutely cannot go wrong with this book.

my son misses his daddy
I bought this book as an after thought. I have a running joke with my 3 year old son that his hinney is mine and he tells me "no mom God made me and it's mine" Well my husband recently deployed and my little boy really misses him and is having some concern over is daddy coming home. I got the book to support the family joke, but got much more than I expected. I can't tell you how nice it is to have a really up lifting way to explain Gods love and mommy and daddy's love and how some day we will all be together, but in the mean time "just in case you ever wonder"...I will always be here for you ( even if daddy can't be). He asks me to read it every night. I agree with one review about the monster. He really noticed that page too. I think every child can gather strength and and a stronger sence of self from this book. I am now looking at getting them all.

Frightening Illustrations for Children
I read this book to my 22 month old daughter last night. It started out fine with a nice message. Near the end of the book there is a picture of a monster that scared my daughter so badly that she wouldn't come near me for the rest of the night!

She knew what she thought she saw and when I turned the page, she got a look of intense concern on her face. She turned the page back, looked at the picture and scrambled backwards and hid her face in my husband's shirt! She started crying and saying that she was scared. I guarantee she will remember the monster picture in that book for a long time and will think of it every time she is in bed with us sitting where she was when we read it.

The story seemed to get morbid at the end to me. It may as well have told my daughter that she's going to die, so am I and we will meet in heaven. I think she is a little too young for that concept. Had I read to the end of this book before I bought it, I would have left it in the store. From now on, I will definitely read to the end of every book I pick up before I buy it!

She Read it Over and Over and Over
I don't know exactly where this book came from, but it was sitting on my kitchen table this morning. Emma had one more book to read for her monthly reading award so we plunked down and started reading.

This board book is deceptive... it is written for a child: starting as a small baby and up to a teen and yet it can also be very much for the adult reading to the small baby up to the teen.

It describes how the parent loves the child and how God loves the child, asking the child to accept and know the answer to the question of whether or not they are loved "Just in Case You Ever Wonder"... and who doesn't wonder, "Does my family love me?" or "Does God love me?" or "What is there about me to love?"

Lucado lays it out beautifully for the child in each of us to know and treasure.

You will want to have a copy of this one around "just in case" a child wanders by who you might have the chance to sit and read for a while. You could even sit out on your front steps and wait for your neighbors to come out and offer to read to them for a spell.

I read it to Emma who then read it to two-year-old Sam and then to herself again and then to Sam again and then to herself again.

She started the day cranky and ended up going to school with a big smile on her face.

See what I mean about this book?

Read it to all the "children" of every age you can. It will be good for YOUR soul as well as theirs. ... Read more

Book Description

What happens when a small-town pastor and a handful of children choose to live the way Jesus would? Faced with difficult decisions, they learn to love, share, and forgive in ways that impact the entire community. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Timeless and Up-to-Date
A re-write of his great-Grandfather's timeless classic, "In His Steps" first published In 1896, this story stands solidly beside one of the simplest, yet most life-changing works of fiction ever written.

I dragged my heels for months before reading this, because I had the very intense feeling that nobody should tamper with the original. Yet this has brought the original home to new generations of readers, losing almost nothing in the transition -- a task I would have thought impossible.

The question posed in the original book has launched several generations of reechoing "What Would Jesus Do?" In this re-write by great-grandson, Garrett Sheldon, the story remains true to the original and just as life-changing.

The very simplicity of the story has blinded some to the depth of the message, but after more than 107 years and 50,000,000 copies of the original and now with updated examples and characters it continues to rank among the best books ever written.

Great book - very challenging
This is a great retelling - in a contemporary setting - of "In His Steps."This book helps you see the blessings and the sacrifices involved in truly following Jesus.This book challenges the reader to strive for a better walk with Christ - something all of us should hope for.

I have read this book in different settings a number of times in the past, but I am now going to have our church youth group read through it.I expect it will challenge each of them to not just be a Christian, but to "do" Christianity.

We are called to not just be hearers of the word, but doers.(James 1)This book helps challenge you to be a doer.

Read the Classic
I'd recommend reading Charles Sheldon's "In His Steps" before reading this. Then you decide who is the better writer and has a real handle on the concept.

Not the historic presentation of ethics
The current "WWJD" (What Would Jesus Do") phenomenon is not the Biblical understanding of how we are to determine right and wrong.While this book did not start that pop phenomenon, some may read this mistakenly. What Jesus would do would be different that you or I because He was fully man AND fully God, second Person of the Trinity.He was sinless, and although tempted in every way as we are, He did not sin.His purpose was to fulfill the Law in order to be the spotless sacrificial lamb of God, the atonement and substitute for our sins.He was the omniscient God incarnate, so He knew what was in each heart and what was the perfectly appropriate thing to say and do in each situation in order to accomplish His mission.In that sense, what He would do in a situation as God is a hypothetical we cannot know as finite creatures.What He might have done is a speculation.We are, however, TOLD in Scripture what we are to do, how as Christians we are to act and live.

A Life Altering Look at Ourselves!
I read this book with alot of hesitancy, being that it was loaned to me from one of our deacons, but I read it and once I got started, I couldn't stop!This book changed my outlook on life and how I should treat others.I loved this book and it's message so much that I bought 8 of them and gave them out to my co-workers.It has truely been an eye opener!Every Christian should read this book!If you didn't fully understand Jesus before, you will once you read this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Here is a modern and prophetic novel on a battle that could end our society. ... Read more

Reviews (53)

Not What I Had Expected
I have read this book, as well as many of Peretti's other books (This Present Darkness, Piercing the Darkness, The Oath). And though I have given a "thumbs up" to the "Darkness" books, I was disappointed with this read.

Now to be fair, I had read the "Darkness" books first, so I felt I had a taste of what made a "Peretti" book entailed. I didn't necessarily expect visible spiritual warfare, but I did expect it to be more of a thriller. Unfortunately for me, it was not.

The book's content: John Barrett, a news anchor, attempts to find the cause and reasoning behind his father's death and in the process, moves from a secular, worldly viewpoint to a more godly one, which forever changes his life.

I am surprised at all the reviews claiming it was a thriller, and maybe I should read it again at a later date to get a fresh look at it, but to be honest, I know I never will. I found myself skimming through much of the book, looking for more "meat" than I was finding. Also, in talking to other friends of mine who read the book, they seemed to agree with me. It was a bit longer and slower than it really needed to be, especially given Peretti's track record.

I suppose the bottom line is not to read the book with any expectations, as I did, and you may find it to be very enjoyable read--not all the reviews on here can be wrong! But as far as its ranking stands with other Christian fiction novels out there, I'd have to say it didn't "shine" any brighter than some other choices out there for me. Also note that had the grading scale allowed it, I would have given it a 2.5 stars out of 5 rather than a 2.

Prophet - from the perspective of a 13-year-old
I first stumbled upon Frank Peretti's work when my brother started reading them, and I must confess that he was instantly one of my favorite authors. Prophet might not be his best, but I would recommend it to anybody. It had my hooked until the end. All I can say is: Peretti, you've done it again!

The Prophet
I really enjoyed this book. The author, which is my favorite, has once again fabricated a spellbinding tale that will keep the reader guessing and wanting more. The ending was one of the best parts of the book and, to me, brought all the pieces together. If you liked this book, you may want to try The Oath, Peircing the Darkness and This Present Darkness, all by Frank Peretti.

Peretti at his best
The literary style of *Prophet* isn't quite like some of Mr. Peretti's other works--no dialogue among angels and demons--but it's definitely my favorie of Frank Peretti's books. John Barrett, the main character, is presented as a real human being, a decent man with a unique set of weaknesses, someone to whom I can relate. He finds himself face-to-face with life-changing issues that disrupt his comfortable, high-profile world, and along the way he rediscovers the God who had been there all along.

Caution
I have loved everyone of Peretti's books that I have read but I had to put this one down half way through. I was reading it when I was in my mid teens and it was too much for me. I am sure I will read it and love it when I get a little older. Just one word of caution: this book is not for children or the faint at heart. ... Read more

Book Description

In the fictional Diary of a Teenage Girl, sixteen-year-old Caitlin O'Conner reveals the inner workings of a girl caught between childhood and womanhood ... an empty life without Christ and a meaningful one with Him. Through Caitlin's candid journal entries we see her grapple with such universal teen issues as peer pressure, loyalty, conflict with parents, the longing for a boyfriend, and her own spirituality. Readers will laugh and cry with Caitlin as she struggles toward self-discovery and understanding God's plan for her life. And they'll be deeply moved by her surprising commitment regarding dating. ... Read more

Reviews (38)

One of the Best Christian books I've read in a while........
I am Christian, but I'm one of those types of Christians that doesn't read too much Christian fiction because the stuff I usually find are of the cheesy romance variety or the Left Behind books. I found "Diary of a Teenage Girl" at my local library. I finally decided to give it a try.

Caitlin O'Conner at the beginning of the book starts out as a non-Christian who goes to church with her parents and her brother. After getting accepted into the popular clique at school, Caitlin's life seems to be on a high point, that is until she discovers her dad is having an extramarital affair. Caitlin's Aunt Stephie comes along to help out, and ulitimately takes the family with her to Faith Fellowship, where Caitlin starts to ask questions about religion, while at the same time her friend Jenny's boyfriend is hitting on her. In the end, Caitlin loses her "popular" status. But both she and Josh make decisions for Christ at the same time. After a botched romance, Cailtin decides to make a vow to stay a virgin until marriage, among other things (I'll not give the rest away) Then Caitlin faces more troubles that surprisingly help her walk with God. I can't wait to start the next book in the series.

the diary of a teenage girl
Caitlin O' Conner was a regular girl not popular and not unpopular. She had one friend and all she needed was one. She didn't s