Mom’s Ultimate Guide to the Tween Girl World by Nancy Rue
Reviewed by: Lori Twichell
Genre: Non-Fiction
Publisher: Zondervan
Publication Date: July 2010

Do you have a teenage girl? Or a tween girl? If you do, then you probably understand the frustration of entering this completely new phase of life with your daughter. I mean for me, I just felt like I could finally figure out what might come next and then hormones hit. (And honestly I believed for YEARS that the rapture was going to happen before I became the parent of a teenager. That pretty much defined my entire ‘parenting teens’ philosophy.)  So I was pretty happy to get this book!

Seriously though, I’ve read a lot of parenting books (either for review or for my own edification) and this one touched on a variety of concerns, issues and thoughts that I hadn’t previously considered. With the benefit of wisdom and years of teaching, parenting and working with teens and tweens, Nancy Rue has been far more than a casual observer! Thankfully she puts her immense knowledge into this tome for parents and I loved it!

What grabbed me first about this book was a spot on description of Generation X, the Baby Boomers, and the very clear reasons that kids today are the way they are. Long story short, Nancy explains how Baby Boomers spent a great deal of time trying to ‘find themselves’ and ‘define their generation’ which left those of us who are their kids trying to break molds and define ourselves. Because many of the people in my generation were latchkey kids, now that they are parents, they are highly involved in their kids’ lives. That’s why we tend to shower our kids with affection and activities and ‘stuff.’ Talk about a light bulb!!!! In just a few pages, Nancy had nailed several major issues that I’ve been working on in my own life.

But not only does she give this insight, she helps us understand how to help build into our girls what they need. Not just self-esteem, but how to erect confidence and to also understand how the world is different for our daughters – far different actually – than it was for us.

This isn’t your typical parenting book. There’s no guilt here and no worries that we’re constantly messing up our kids. (I hate that! The second you become a mom there are a million people telling you what you should and shouldn’t be doing and how it will have repercussions for the rest of your child’s life!) Instead, with humor, grace and what feels like an offer of friendship, Nancy comes alongside you, gives you that hope you’ve been looking for and tells you that everything’s going to be okay.

If tween-dom is on the horizon for you or if you already have teens or tweens, this book will be an incredible blessing for you. If you work with teens, you don’t want to miss this one either.

Two thumbs way up for this wonderful, encouraging book!

This is a book written for and targeted specifically toward adult women. Though younger people might find some insight in it, it’s really more for parents.

Review copy provided by the author. Thank you!

Tournaments, Cocoa, and One Wrong Move by Nancy Rue
Reviewed by: Sydney, 13
Genre: YA
Publisher: Zondervan
Publication Date: April 14, 2013

This is a book about a teenager named Cassidy Brewster. Cassidy is the star of her high school basketball team. When Cassidy gets injured in a game, plans about a scholarship based on basketball now look dim. Her friends start arguing over who the leader is now that Cassidy is out. On top of that, her parents have fights about how she got injured. But making decisions about what to do about her injury go horribly wrong and land her in study hall. Study hall is filled with known troublemakers of the school so half the time she has to watch her back. Things get even crazier when she gets partnered with one of the known troublemakers of the school named Rafe to do an art project. He suggests doing something she stands against. Will she crack under the pressure this kid puts on her? To make things worse, Rafe starts showing interest in Cassidy. She acquires Rafe’s old girlfriend as an enemy. But a book she finds shows her the way to Jesus. At the end of it all, now that she knows God, will He turn her life right side up?

Cassidy has always been on off terms with her father and never really talks with her mother. But does her injury change her relationship with them?

I loved Tournaments, Cocoa, and One Wrong Move. At first I wasn’t interested because I am not a fan of basketball. But soon I was hooked on the storyline and couldn’t quit reading.

Nancy Rue did an awesome job. I love this book as much as the first two in the Real Life series. She had me hooked and interested even though I am not into basketball. I loved the way the characters felt real.

In conclusion, if you like the Real Life series, basketball, or even just a teenager then you will love this book.

Rated PG: There were some topics that younger kids might not understand or comprehend like drug testing, etc. Also some comments about girls being pregnant, etc.

Review copy provided by the publisher. Thank you!

Limos, Lattes, and My Life on the Fringe by Nancy Rue
Reviewed by: Sydney, 13
Genre: YA
Publisher: Zondervan
Publication Date: April 14, 2013

This book is about a teenager named Tyler Bonning. Tyler is always making snarky comments and acts like she is better than everybody else. She talked about how all popular kids where shallow and she was better than them. Tyler is part of a group in her high school called The Fringe because they stay on the outside of everything. One day, everyone in school looks at her funny or just laughs in her face. Soon she finds it is because she was nominated for prom queen. What started as a joke turns into a Campaign to make prom for everyone without it being a competition for who looks best. Then a popular kid named Patrick Sykes decides to help with the campaign. Soon after, a French exchange student joins in to help and things start coming together. It isn’t long before Tyler starts receiving disturbing messages from an unknown person. The messages are all about stopping prom or just not going general. But Tyler discovers a book that helps her through, thick, and thin.

Limos, Lattes, and My Life on the Fringe was really good. I didn’t think I would be interested, but I ended up loving it. Nancy Rue did a great job with this book. The characters where all realistic and I felt like I knew them personally.

I love the Real Life series and I think it is very helpful for teenagers because of the different situations of each book.

Basically, if you love prom or the whole Real Life series or even just a regular teenager then you will love this book.

Rated PG: She gets some disturbing messages written in red so it looks like blood – could be scary – along with some disturbing text messages.  And some girls get teased in a manner that could make  younger kids uncomfortable.

Review copy provided by the publisher. Thank you!

Unglued by Lysa Terkeurst
Reviewed by: Tara Norman
Genre: Christian, Non-Fiction
Publisher: Zondervan
Publication Date: 2012

Imperfect Progress.

“I know what it’s like to praise God one minute and in the next minute yell and scream at my child.” (Terkeurst, pp 13-14). Two pages into the book and Lysa got my attention. I am a SAHM to 4 Things and I wanted to read this book as soon as it was released. I knew Lysa would deliver honesty and good problem-solving techniques to apply when coming unglued.

She described me exactly when she said that coming unglued usually happens when you lose control over another place in your life … whether that control is centered around time, your kids, or work. From a mom’s perspective on this book, I feel like she was inside my head, my thoughts, and my heart. She described me exactly when she was talking about the prayers and the thoughts that race through your mind at midnight. The one time of day when you have a chance to think clearly about everything that happened that day. I whisper prayers of, “Lord forgive me. I could have handled that interaction better. I should have given Thing 3 more grace today. I shouldn’t have snapped at him for standing on the kitchen table. A good mother would have gently escorted him off and said, ‘I know you want to do better, here is your chance.’ Instead, I hastily yelled and threatened time out. Forgive me.” Then the devil creeps in and says, “Oh Tara, you know you aren’t going to change. You will always yell or snap at your kids. Especially when you are pressed for time. Sunday mornings before church will always be remembered by your kids for drill sergeant-like behavior. Monday morning before CC will always be remembered for yelling at them to hurry up and eat and get dressed. You will never change.”

Within a few pages she not only wrote down my thoughts and battles, she also wrote down something that changed the way I perceived myself. Something she likes to call Imperfect Progress. “Imperfect changes are slow steps of progress wrapped in grace… imperfect progress.” (Terkeurst, p 15). It was when I read those words that it resonated with me that God isn’t concerned with me getting parenting and social interactions exactly right the first or second time. He is concerned with my heart. Am I striving for change or to do better?

I have read a few books about raising children and how to change bad behavior. Having 4 Things, with different personalities, it’s essential I stay on top of the learning curve so I feel better prepared to tackle the tantrums and misbehavior. One thing that most behavior books drive home to the parent is to have a plan. Guess what, Lysa was no different. Why didn’t I think of that? Lysa gives great Godly advice on how to battle spiritual warfare when the devil tells you, you are a bad mother. She shows you how to respond in love and look deeper when you are attacked by a friend or stranger through words. Even those not nice emails have a plan now.

Since reading the book I have become more organized in how I deal with the spiritual attacks against feelings of rejection, feelings of not being a good enough mom, or friend. Most of it is centered around God’s Truth. Lysa listed more than a few Bible verses for the reader to use, memorize, or hang somewhere in your home. I have my battle plan (my Bible verses) taped to the inside of my kitchen cabinet. I spend more time in there than anywhere else in my home. My response to spiritual warfare is planned out for sure. I won’t be a slave to my emotions on that front. I am still making progress with the rest. Imperfect progress that is.

In conclusion, Unglued was a breath of fresh air for me. Lysa Terkerurst is a busy mom to five who runs her own business and she totally gets it. She is open and honest about her life experiences and what unglued looks like for her and her family and how she is learning to take it to God. You will be blessed by this book and the plans she has set up to help you succeed and see the world and your attackers from a different lens.

Rated G: There is no questionable language or violence of any sort.

Review copy provided by the publisher. Thank you!

Once Upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck
Reviewed by: Lori Twichell
Genre: Romance, Drama
Publisher: Zondervan
Publication Date: May 7, 2013

Susanna Truitt has her life planned. She’ll marry Adam, the man she’s dated for twelve years, and they will live happily ever after. One day, when she thinks there’s a chance he might propose, he stuns her with a completely different revelation: He’s found the right ring, but not the right girl.

Absolutely reeling with everything that Adam told her, (he’s found someone else, he thinks she was in love with an idea instead of him…there’s a lot for her to process) Susanna isn’t sure about where her next step should take her. Already struggling at her budding career as a landscape architect, she is working at the barbecue restaurant that her parents own. (The Rib Shack.) The last thing she expects is Nate.

Nate Kenneth is the definition of tall, dark, and handsome. He’s also sweet, good natured, and always around when Susanna needs help the most. Oh and did I mention that he’s a prince? I didn’t? Well, that’s okay. Neither did he. When Susanna finally discovers who he really is, she’s put him through a series of spectacularly embarrassing situations – none of which you would normally find a future king doing. She’s also beginning to fall for him but that’s a problem. The King of Brighton is not permitted to be married to a foreigner – let alone an American who is out of a job and just got dumped by her boyfriend of over a decade.

Susanna’s tale is a lighthearted adventure that you could easily see skipping any hope of a deeper spiritual adventure. However, Hauck has woven incredible lessons that we can all use in our lives throughout the story. She doesn’t evangelize or beat the reader around the head and shoulders with the gospel (I’m sorry, but some writers do get a bit heavy with that end of things) – but that, in no way, takes away from the depth in her story. Her characters learn incredibly powerful lessons that we could all apply to our own lives. And she does it with a gentle touch.

These characters are fun to join on their journey and it doesn’t take long to connect with them. Soon you’ll find yourself cheering for them through the various situations and hoping for the best.

This is a fabulously crafted love story with a fun twist. Even in places where some of the situations were expected, it didn’t diminish the pleasure in watching it play out.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves adventure, romance, or comedy. It’s a delightful mixture of all three – with enough depth and beautiful spiritual moments to make it far more than just a throwaway read. This story will stick with you.

Rated PG: This book would work for readers as young as tweens. There is one scene that entails a bit of discussion about pregnancy outside of marriage, but other than that, clear sailing.

Review copy provided by the publisher. Thank you!

To Whisper Her Name by Tamera Alexander
Reviewed by: Shauna Jenkins
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Zondervan
Publication Date: October 23, 2012

Olivia Aberdeen, destitute widow of a murdered carpetbagger, gratefully accepts an invitation from “Aunt” Elizabeth Harding, mistress of Belle Meade Plantation and the dearest friend of Olivia’s late mother. Expecting to be the Harding’s housekeeper, Olivia is disillusioned once again when she learns the real reason why Elizabeth’s husband, Confederate General William Giles Harding, agreed to her coming. Caring for an ill Aunt Elizabeth, Olivia is caught off guard by her feelings for Ridley Adam Cooper, a southern-born son who—unbeknownst to her and everyone else—fought for the Union.

Determined to learn “the gift” that Belle Meade’s head horse trainer, Bob Green, possesses, Ridley is a man desperate to end the war still raging inside him while harboring secrets that threaten his life. As Ridley seeks to make peace within himself for “betraying” the South he loved, Olivia is determined to never be betrayed again.

Set within the remarkable history of Nashville’s historic Belle Meade Plantation, comes a story about enslavement and freedom, arrogance and humility, and the power of love to heal even the deepest of wounds.

Although this novel is fictional, there actually is a plantation called Belle Meade in Nashville that you can visit today, and there really was a General Harding who owned it. A few of the other characters were also pulled from history.

This historically rich saga captivated me from the beginning. I was glad to be reading such a long book because I wanted it to last. There were delightful characters and surprises throughout the book that kept me engaged. What a fantastic story!

Rated PG: It’s obviously not written for children

Review copy provided by the publisher. Thank you!

Reviewed by: Jill Williamson
Genre: middle grade mystery/suspense
Publisher: Zondervan
Publication Date: March 2013

Cooper, Gordy, and Hiro ride their bikes through the park one day and see a van with a backpack on the roof. Gordy gives chase to try and warn the driver and is abducted by a man with a taser. Cooper calls 911 right away, but he’s not positive he remembered the right license plate number. The hours and days tick by without word from the kidnapper. The police are doing everything they can. But so are Cooper, Hiro, and their friend Lunk. Hiro worries that Cooper and Lunk are taking things too far. But is there a “too far” where the life of a friend is concerned?

Tim Shoemaker has created a great group of characters. I loved them in his first book, Code of Silence, and I loved them even more in Back Before Dark. I felt the horror and fear through Cooper and Hiro at the loss of their best friend. And I cringed as Cooper tried to take matters into his own hands so many times. But I couldn’t stop reading. The story was a little long, but it held my interest until the end. And the author even included a special note in the back about how to keep yourself from being abducted and what to do if you are abducted. Some tips that every kid could benefit from hearing. A great book. Looking forward to the next in the series.

Rated PG: Scary themes of a child being abducted and near-death situations.

Review copy provided by the publisher. Thank you!

Reviewed by: Jill Williamson
Genre: middle grade mystery/suspense
Publisher: Zondervan
Publication Date: March 2013

Cooper, Gordy, and Hiro witness a robbery and an attack one night at their favorite milkshake restaurant that leaves the owner in a coma and them the only witnesses. They make a pact—a code of silence—not to tell anyone what they saw. But the lie weighs heavily on their minds. Cooper left his backpack at the restaurant, and the police are looking for him! But so are the bad guys and Cooper is afraid to talk to anyone.

Fabulous! I loved this book. It drew me in from the first page and I read it in a day. Cooper, Gordy, and Hiro are three unique characters, who each deal with the stress of what they saw in different ways. This is a powerful who-done-it. The mystery continues to the last page. This is a fun read for young and old readers. Check it out!

Rated PG: The theme of witnessing a crime and being threatened by the would-be killers is scary, but this book deals with it tastefully with discussion questions in the back to keep the reader thinking.

Reviewer’s personal copy

Reviewed by: Jill Williamson
Genre: fairy tale romance/historical romance
Publisher: Zondervan
Publication Date: January 2013

Sophie is a maid in Duchess Ermengard’s castle. She has never understood why the duchess hates her so much until a handsome young man arrives, claiming she is the duchess’s stepdaughter. This young man, Gabe, also wants to rescue her from the duchess’s service and take her to meet his brother, to whom she was betrothed at birth. This could be Sophie’s chance to get away from the duchess and be free. But how can she be certain Gabe is who he says he is?

Gabe went after his brother’s betrothed to prove to his family that he was capable. He’s not supposed to have romantic inclinations toward the girl. It’s impossible not to, though, with her beauty and kindness and knowing all she’s suffered at the hands of Duchess Ermengard.

When the duchess sends her soldiers after them, the two flee to the Cottage of the Seven, where a group of outcasts take them in. The longer they stay there, the stronger their feelings for each other grow. What will they do?

Oh how I love Melanie Dickerson’s fairy tale romances. Her research is done so well that I feel like I’m in a medieval time and place. And her characters are always so endearing that I can’t put down the book until I’ve read the whole thing. I especially liked reading about the men in the Cottage of the Seven. They were all such fun characters. If you like fairy tale retellings, romance, and a historical setting and have never read any of Dickerson’s novels, you must! They’re fabulous!

Rated PG: There’s lots of romance in this book, some kissing, and Gabe and Sophie are both betrothed to other people. A good topic for discussion.

Review copy provided by the publisher. Thank you!

Reviewed by: Jill Williamson
Genre: fantasy
Publisher: Zondervan
Publication Date: April 2013

Merlin is the blind son of a blacksmith. When his friends and family become interested in the miracle stone that the druids are using to draw people away from King Uthur and his infant son Arthur, Merlin tries to stop them. He can sense that there is something evil about the stone. But can he destroy it before it’s too late?

I’m a big fan of epic fantasy, and there’s a lot in this book that’s praiseworthy. The setting and characters offer a vivid picture of the past. And Merlin is a tremendous protagonist—a half-blind young man whose belief in honor and family make him a figure to cheer for. He will sacrifice his life rather than compromise his word. Treskillard takes the skeletal bones of the Arthurian legend and builds a real person in Merlin. This was an engaging story that I didn’t want to put down. Treskillard can be proud of Merlin’s Blade. It’s a most absorbing and epic adventure. I can’t wait for the next volume in this new series.

Rated PG-13: There is some violence and themes that aren’t suitable for younger children.

Review copy provided by the publisher. Thank you!