Parenting Beyond the Rules

Parenting Beyond the Rules *****
by Connie Albers

This is an encouraging book about how parents can help teens succeed and keep their sanity, too. Connie Albers writes a very practical book including questions at the end of each chapter for parents to think about.

She covers a wide range of topics in the book from helping parents understand their teen's world to talking about tough topics like terrorism to addressing fears that parents have in raising teens.

I appreciated the positive tone of the book and the challenge to parents to celebrate the teen years rather than dread them. I'm really hoping I can enjoy these years with my girls. I will use this book as a reference tool and look back at it as things arise. The book has too much information to absorb in one reading.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

Across Five Aprils

Across Five Aprils                *****

by Irene Hunt

Across Five Aprils is about a family during the Civil War. Matt and Ellen’s son Jethro sat at the kitchen table watching his father and brothers talk about the war that might happen. When his brothers started to go off to war, Jethro was left to do the work in the field. He and his sister Jenny look at maps to see where their brothers might be fighting. They are also worried about Shadrach Yale, a friend who is very close to them and who Jenny loves. 

The family gets word that one of the brothers has been killed in fighting. Some people come to their house looking for Ed, one of Jethro’s brothers. He has deserted the army. Jethro finds his brother hiding in the forest. Ed tells Jethro he would go back to the army if he could. There is word that Shadrach is very wounded. Jenny is very worried that she will not make it to Washington in time.

  Will Ed go back to the army? Will Jenny get to Shadrach? Will the family every be the same again? You will have to read Across Five Aprils to find out. So, if you are ready to read a challenging but still a wonderful book, get out Across Five Aprils.   

I think that fifth grade and up would like this book because it is a challenge to read.     

By Sabrina S.                          

Sara Whitcher

Sara Whitcher *****

by Elizabeth Yates

Sara Whitcher was a book about a girl who gets lost in the woods. A bear finds her and takes care of her. Then one man has a dream, and they find her.

Sara Whitcher was a great book because it was an adventure, and they find her at the end. 

I think ages 10 and up would like this book.

By Sophie Staples, 8  

Susie

Susie: The Life and Legacy of Susannah Spurgeon wife of Charles H. Spurgeon *****
by Ray Rhodes Jr.

Overview: Charles Spurgeon is a well known preacher from the Victorian era in England. However, few know the story of his remarkable wife and her contribution to his ministry.

This biography takes the reader through Susie's life and ends with encouragement to live life like she did.

Positive elements: Well-written and interesting to read.

Negative elements: The book is mostly arranged chronologically, but sometimes the book jumps around in time when looking at different themes such as suffering in Susie's life. I found the book repeated somethings and the jumping around in time was a bit confusing. But I do appreciate the author repeating some things for emphasis.

Conclusion: I was encouraged by seeing the power of a faithful wife. Susie was quite the example of being there for her husband the best she could, and serving God with her abilities. She couldn't do that much for her husband since she was ill for much of their married life. She couldn't travel with him. But she wrote letters to him and did what she could to support him since her poor health left her stuck at home. Amazingly, she didn't let suffering stop her from serving...she mailed books to poor pastors and wrote scores of letters to encourage them as she had the energy. 

God isn't looking for "super woman." He is simply looking to use and bless women who will be faithful to serve in whatever capacity they can.

I would recommend this book to anyone as an encouraging read.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

Once We Were Strangers

Once We Were Strangers *****
by Shawn Smucker

Overview: Shawn Smucker wanted to understand the plight of refugees. So, he befriended one. This is the story of two men and their families who seek to build a cross-cultural friendship.

Positive elements: well-written, quick read.

Negative elements: none

Conclusion: I enjoyed getting to see a sneak peak at one Syrian family's story of how they escaped a war torn country and are trying to make a new home in the United States. It's hard for me to imagine leaving everything you know and coming to a new place. Smucker talks of all the challenges of daily life for refugees. And the sweetest part of the story is the friendship that grew between these two radically different families.

The book doesn't really address or try to solve anything politically about refugees. The book's message is that we should walk towards the refugees in our neighborhoods...try to get to know them and hear their stories. And we may be surprised by the rich friendships we find.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

Grandma's Attic

Grandma's Attic *****
by Arleta Richardson

Grandma’s Attic was a fun book. It is about when the grandma tells a bunch of funny stories to her granddaughter about when she was a little girl. Ages 8 and up would like this book.

By Sophie Staples, 8

White Picket Fences

White Picket Fences *****
by Amy Julia Becker

Overview: Becker explores the issue of privilege in this book. She talks about her upbringing in the south as a wealthy, well- educated, white woman. Later moving North, she begins to realize how much her views on race are shaped by her upbringing.

You can't help where you are born. So what do you do with privilege? She keeps exploring this issue as she becomes a parent. And especially thinks of privilege in a new way when her daughter is born with Down Syndrome. Her daughter is born NOT into privilege. From her birth, she is at a disadvantage. People makes judgement calls on her just by how she looks.

The book doesn't come to any real conclusions. Becker ends the book with a challenge to keep trying to love those around us. In getting to know and understand people who are different than us, we can begin to love them. And love conquers all.

Positive elements: well-written, nice story flow

Negative: It was a bit long. I think she could have made her point in a lot fewer chapters.

Conclusion: My main take-away from this book was to make sure I'm having my kids read books about people from all cultures. She pointed out how many of our classics and even Newberry Metal books are about white people. So, that's an easy, practical thing I can do give my kids a peek of a different way of life. She mentions a few books, but I do wish she had included a larger list. Perhaps there just aren't that many books...that's a sad reality.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.