Believe Storybook - A Review

Believe Storybook

Think, Act, Be Like Jesus

by

Randy Frazee

With Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton

Illustrated by Steve James

A Review

Though I am approaching the normal retirement age, I was surprised how I was attracted to the comments, questions, and the large, colorful images that make up the “Believe Storybook”. Aimed at a grade school reader, the book could easily be used by a 4th or 5th grade student for personal devotions. However the book could also be of value to a parent or grandparent trying to provide opportunities for a younger child to be a part of family devotions.

The book divides itself into three sections: “THINK”, “BE”, and “ACT”.  Each section is further divided into 10 chapters, each focusing on a character trait or behavior that will allow the child (or adult) to better represent Jesus in his or her world. These are exactly the same themes covered in earlier books in this series:

Believe

Think, Act, Be Like Jesus

Each chapter consists of an Old Testament reading and a New Testament reading, a brief commentary (developed for the child) and a set of devotional thoughts, again aimed at the younger reader.

Missing from each volume is an index giving references in the order found in the Bible - the current book is also missing any kind of listing of the Biblical text used - though the table of contents does provide the name of each Bible story used.  Also, the current lack of a paperback might make the book out of reach for some families - especially for a book that has a limited life span.

For the parent or grandparent looking to introduce a practice of devotions into a child’s life, this may be a good place to begin. The book might serve as an excellent “graduation” gift for those children moving from one class (in school or Sunday School) to another or, a bit later in the year, a Christmas gift.

______________

This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Speaking in Bones - A Review

Speaking In Bones

by

Kathy Reichs

Kathy Reichs has another winner.  

Like her other books follows Temperance Brennan retells the events, in the first person, that led to the strange assortment of missing persons and deaths in Burke and Avery counties, VA.  Though not a Christian book, the disappearances all seem to revolve around a strange pastor serving a congregation in a rural county outside Washington, DC.  The case opens when a websleuth (one who solves crimes using clues found on the Internet) visits Brennan's office carrying a USB card with a MP3 file detailing the apparent torture and death (?) of a young girl. Nothing is certain - but Temperance is curious and keeps asking questions that will bring danger to herself and those around her.  

Though having a flavor more closely aligned with Criminal Minds than Bones (the TV show based on the Temperance Brennan character), the book regularly invites the reader back to its story.  It was the readability and compelling story that made it one that had to be finished ASAP.  I may have had to sleep, but I did not want to do - I wanted to see what clues the next chapter unveiled.

A bit grittier than most books I enjoy, Kathy Reichs fans will enjoy the newest entry into the Temperance Brennan canon.  It was a pleasure to be allowed to read this early edition of this book, my second - I am quickly becoming a devotee of Kathy Reichs' work.

______________

This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

NIV Dad's Devotional Bible - A Review

NIV Dad's

Devotional Bible

notes by

Robert Wolgemuth

For the young father looking for devotional material to support his new connections with the youngest members of his family, this book may fill the bill.  Including 260 devotional readings, 7 relationship building essays, access to simple and short answers to "Questions Kids Ask", and a look at "fatherly" perspective on each book of the Bible.  Together these features and the included NIV translation.

I might consider giving this well-done edition a five-star review except for two minor (read MINOR) concerns:

1. With only 260 devotionals, there are only enough to cover the weekdays of a common year.  Parents are parents 365 days of the year - why omit daily readings for the weekends?
2. The "Questions Kids Ask" needs to be accompanied with brief "For additional information see ...", providing access to web sites or books that may supplement either the parent's or the child's quest for further information.

Sadly, my copy of this book arrived too late for me to post a pre-Father's Day review, but the book would be (perhaps next year) a wonderful Father's Day gift for a young father, preparing him for a lifetime of standing alongside his children as they grow into men or women themselves.

______________

This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

NIrV Study Bible for Kids - A Review

NIrV Study Bible

For Kids

by

Zonderkids

A Review

Designed for early readers (3rd-5th grade), the NIrV Bible and the companying helps are a useful tool for parents or children not yet ready for a more in depth Study Bible.  

Though not as complete as a more familiar Study Bible, the helps included are aimed at the child reader:

1. Brief (single paragraph) book introductions.
2. “Good Verses to Read” - a short list of bible sections from each Bible book that may appeal to the younger reader.
3. “Brain Game” - a short list of Bible Study questions, aimed at the actual content of the verse and understanding what it means.
4. “Check It Out” - Short, one or two sentence, descriptions of key people, events, or things mentioned in the text.  
5. Soak It Up” - suggested Bible memory verses.
6. A dozen full-color devotionals, some with narrative content, some with charts outlining key principles, and some with images like those found in children’s Sunday School material.
7. A half-dozen colorful maps are included - including the locations of important sites in both the Old and New Testaments

As indicated earlier, the text would generally be readable by children in the 3rd grade and up.  Though I expect that the questions asked in “Check It Out” might be beyond the reach of a pre-schooler, the older child would find them helpful in applying the text to their own lives.  The Bible text itself would be more easily understood by any child or early reader (adult or child), thus making this book of use to a parent working with young children, a child beginning his or her own daily devotions, or (sans the Bible’s name) for an adult that is learning to read.  

______________

This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

The Truth According to Us - A Review

The Truth According to Us

by

Annie Barrows

A Review

With an interesting plot, I expected more from this book.  But the best I can is say is that I found it boring.  I felt as if I were back in Fern Bacon Junior High School being forced to read some piece of literature that had reached the “classic” status and found it to be uninteresting and easy to stay away from.  

It took me three weeks to reach the 50% point of the book; I wanted more of the story, but did not want to take the time to read it.  In contrast, the next book I picked up took me two days of reading to reach the 50% mark.  Granted, the length of the books probably varied (hard to tell with e-books), but the greater contrast to this reader was the willingness and desire I had to continue reading the story.

Macedonia, West Virginia, was on the verge of celebrating its sesquicentennial; and in doing so, it wanted an official history prepared by the Work Projects Administration’s Writers Project. Layla Beck was the political appointee assigned to research and write that history.  Using a variety of styles (first and third person narration, journal entries, and copies of correspondence, Annie Barrows tells two stories: first, the story of Macedonia; and, story of the process used to uncover Macedonia’s history.  Written the late 30’s, as might be expected, there are stories of former slaves, moonshiners, and corrupt politicians.  It makes for an interesting plot - but one that could not hold my attention.  

______________

This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

My Sing-Along Bible - A Review

My Sing-Along Bible

by

Stephen Elkins

Stephen Elkins has created a fun book for kids, parents, Grandparents, or Sunday School teachers, to begin the process of helping kids read, understand, and apply the scriptures to their lives.

With 50 songs, each supplemented with a short devotional, a selected scripture verse, and quick "Little Lesson", the book will serve as a child's first devotional book.  The colorful images will attract the kids' attention as well. My wife, an experienced preschool Sunday School teacher, is looking forward to using the material with her three- and four-year old students.  

Most of my reviews are for adult books - but it is occasionally fun to see the material being offered to the future generations of leaders in the church.  This book did not disappoint and should serve as a welcome addition to a child's or Sunday School classroom's library.

______________

This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Planck - A Review

Planck

by

Brandon R. Brown

A Review

An interesting tale of the time prior to World War II and its completion, Planck's life paralleled that of the famous theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer. It was that man, and the recently revised biography by Eric Metaxes, Bonhoeffer (Abridged): Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy, that partially propelled my interest in Max Planck's life. My personal interest in the sciences (evidence by degrees in chemistry and computer science) served as the other focal point of interest in Planck's life.

Though the book focuses on Planck's last years of life, his early childhood and training is discussed by means of flashbacks and recollections from the men and women that knew him before his death. In addition, the book contains a bit of physics explained in ways comprehensible to the average reader.

While, Planck son took an active role in the assassination attempt on Hitler's life (being killed himself in 1945 for his part in the attempted bombing), Planck took a milder position – seeing the cruelty unleashed on his generation, yet choosing to not stand boldly against Hitler hoping to contribute to post war Germany in spite of his age.

Max Planck, nicknamed the Father of Quantum Physics, died at the age of 90 on October 4, 1947. Though his name is well-known, his contributions to physics are not as well-known by the general-public as those of Einstein and other physicist of his time. However, without his research, there might still be holes in our knowledge of modern physics.

The book was an interesting read, fitting well with Bonhoeffer's similarly timed autobiography. It comes with a strong recommendation for anyone interested in the history of science. Though occasionally rambling, as the author moves between events current in Planck's life and those that occurred in the past, the book is enjoyable and helped this reader understand the era as it was played out in mid-20^th century among the German people.

______________

This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Scheduled to Die - A Review

Scheduled To Die

by

Alan Cupp

A Review

The second book in the Carter Mays mystery series by Alan Cupp is a better and improved follow-up to his earlier book, When Lies Crumble. With the same gritty style that seems like it has dropped from a 1940's detective novel, the current book also includes the flavor of a 21^st century Criminal Minds episode.

With a work assignment in Ashville, NC, Dana Carrington meets a fellow Chicagoan while injuring a dinner alone. What begins as a nice date ends up being a nightmare – for Dana, her best friend, and her mother. When things continue to go downhill, Dana is put into contact with Carter Mays, a private investigator in metropolitan Chicago.

Carter is tough, but likable, PI, with the spunk to go the extra mile, even if it means breaking a few rules (e.g. pretending to be a cop), but he gets the job done. The mystery itself is well-written, with enough twists to keep the reader involved, but with sufficient details to allow him or her to follow the clues as they are developed step-by-step.

Though not Christian fiction, the author is not afraid to allow his own faith to peek through; both in the “Acknowledgments” and, non-intrusively, in the story itself. Looking for a good summer read that is a bit grittier than the typical cozy mystery, Scheduled to Die may fill that bill.

_____________

This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.