Category Archives: Christian World-View

Review: Jerk California by Jonathan Friesen

Blogger's Favorites, Book Review and Content, Christian World-View, Contemporary, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , ,

Jerk California
Jonathan Friesen
Speak
September 4, 2008

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Sam Carrier can’t sit still. He jumps and blurts and twitches almost constantly. That’s the nature of the beast. Tourette’s Syndrome. The only solace he finds and the only time his limbs obey comes when he runs. But after his embarrassing graduation ceremony, everything changes. His angry step-father expects a large monthly sum for rent, and an unorthodox neighbor hires Sam, but only on the condition that he can use Sam’s real name, the name his real dad gave him. Jack.

Everything is complicated further by the recurring appearance of the beautiful Naomi, who always leaves Sam feeling like he’s not sure which way is up. When the new mentor in Sam’s life sends him on a bizarre quest, and Naomi decides to tag along, Sam finds himself wondering what the catch is. They take off, not knowing where they’re going or why, but trusting that it will unravel as they go.

Sam is funny and lovable, even in his anger. His search for the truth about his own past and for connection with other people is real, endearing, heartfelt. I read the book in just over 24 hours. I read parts aloud– the butter part was hilarious!

Jerk California is a great story. In reading it, I felt like I could identify with and understand the struggles Sam faced, not just in his life, but with Tourette’s. Really well done. A story to read more than once.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Light profanity.

Sexual Content
There is one scene in which two characters intend to have sex but are interrupted before they get very far into preparing.

Spiritual Content
As Sam seeks to unravel the mystery of the man his father was, he wrestles with doubts and anger toward God. Through the story he meets several compassionate Christians who speak into his life about spiritual things. Sam’s spiritual journey felt very organic– just a guy struggling to understand his past and his place in the world really asking natural spiritual questions.

Violent Content
Mild. Some references to his step-father’s violent temper, etc.

Drug Content
None.

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On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson

Book Review and Content, Christian World-View, Fantasy, Middle Grade 8-12, , , , , , , ,

On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness (The Wingfeather Saga #1)
Andrew Peterson
WaterBrook Press
Published March 10, 2020 (Orig. 2008)

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness

After escaping from one of the fearsome Fangs of Dang, Janner, Tink and Leeli Igiby and their loyal dog Nugget find their troubles are only beginning. As the Fangs’ search for the lost jewels of Anniera intensifies, the Igiby family only seems to fall deeper into the center of the conflict. Janner can’t let go of the mystery that surrounds his father. Why won’t anyone speak of him? And why does the strange recluse, Peet the Sock Man, seem to be protecting them?

My Review

Peterson’s style is both off-beat and uplifting, humorous and tender. There’s definitely something in it that reminds me of books by Lemony Snicket, though Peterson’s comedy is a bit softer and more predictable. I loved the quirky characters and off-the-wall names of things. I liked that one of the scariest things in the book are cows with big teeth. It’s definitely silly.

This is a great story to read with a family– the audiobook, if there is one, would make a good choice for a family trip, too. ON THE EDGE OF THE DARK SEA OF DARKNESS is the first book in the Wingfeather Saga. I’m stingy about buying books, but I think my shelf will see this whole series. They are too much fun to pass up!

Content Notes

Recommended Ages 8 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
The characters often refer to the Maker, their creator, which we understand to be God. The story is filled with strange creatures, such as the lizard-like Fangs of Dang.

Violent Content
One of the Fangs of Dang (a tall lizard-like creature that walks upright) attacks the children. The Fang army swarms the village where the Igibys live, causing injuries to the people. Descriptions aren’t very graphic.

Drug Content
None.

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I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires by Cathy Gohlke

Book Review and Content, Christian World-View, Historical, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , ,

I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires
Cathy Gohlke
Moody Publishers
Published September 1, 2008

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Prompted by a desperate letter from an estranged cousin in Virginia, Robert must put aside his plans to join the Yankee army and help his family. A visit to his uncle throws him by mistake into the middle of a prison escape. After he’s left for dead, an unexpected friend lends him a hand, further blurring the lines of Robert’s patriotic loyalty. As he and his new friend set out to find his family, Robert finds the journey to be harder than he ever imagined, and that the enemy he must confront has a different face than he first believed. If he is going to rescue his family, Robert knows it will take wrestling with more than just the enemies of war. And the results may not be of his own making.

I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires is the sequel to Gohlke’s Christy Award-winning William Henry is a Fine Name. The Civil War story tackles issues of loyalty, humanity, and faith through the eyes of an 18 year-old boy with family on both sides of the battle lines.

The writing is absolutely amazing– the kind of stuff that will stick with you long after you put the book down. If you enjoy historical fiction, particularly the Civil War era, you absolutely have to give this a read. I haven’t read William Henry, but I had no trouble following the plot and characters of I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires. I don’t think you have to read them in order, but if the first one is as good as this (and I’ve heard it is) then by all means, read both as I plan to do myself!

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None

Sexual Content
There are some oblique references to a rape that occurred before the story takes place.

Spiritual Content
Robert wrestles with his faith and the idea that God is in control, has a plan, and will take care of him.

Violent Content
Robert is bound during the prison escape. One character shoots another and threatens other lives before falling to death.

Drug Content
None

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The Fruit of My Lipstick by Shelley Adina

Book Review and Content, Christian World-View, Contemporary, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , ,

The Fruit of My Lipstick
Shelley Adina
FaithWords
Published August 1, 2008

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

In Gillian Chang’s second term at upscale Spencer Academy boarding school, she feels prepared for everything. Armed with rock-solid faith, good friends and no shortage of smarts, she’s got it all covered. Doesn’t she?

When she begins to fall for Lucas Hayes, a high achieving Stanford PhD hopeful, Gillian finds herself unable to keep up and be the girlfriend he wants. With all the pressure he’s under, it’s no surprise he gets a little short-tempered. Gillian resolves to try harder, but she finds herself isolating from her friends more and more.

Then a scandal emerges, with rumors that Gillian is at the center of it. Even her friends are uncertain of the truth. Gillian has to get to the bottom of it and get herself back on track. But can she do it without losing Lucas?

The Fruit of my Lipstick is the second book in Shelley Adina’s All About Us series about a clan of friends and their adventures at Spencer Academy. In some places the plot seemed a little bit linear, but it’s a fun read, full of pop culture references and spunky characters. Sort of a Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants except girls in boarding school. I enjoyed reading it and recommend the series to fans of Sisterhood, Babysitter’s Club or Laura L. Smith’s Status Updates series.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
No harsh language

Sexual Content
None

Spiritual Content
Gillian and her friends are Christians at a secular academy. They form a prayer circle and try to hold each other accountable in their faith.

Violent Content
Lucas gets rough with Gillian, pushing her a couple of times.

Drug Content
None

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The Owling by Robert Elmer

Book Review and Content, Christian World-View, Clean Fiction, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, ,

The Owling
Robert Elmer
Zondervan
Published October 12, 2008

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

On her way home from the Shadowside, Oriannon’s shuttle is hijacked and forced to land on a small way station where a mysterious Owling risks his life to give her a strange stone for safekeeping. Soothed by his allegiance to Jesmet, but still puzzled over the whole thing, Oriannon agrees to keep the stone hidden. When she finally reaches home, things only continue getting more strange. Rumors of earthquakes and warped reports of what is happening to the Owling people, who live in the Shadowside, make Oriannon more and more nervous. But a bright star shines out of the dark. A new voice with an offer of hope she terms her Ultimate Solution for peace catches Oriannon’s ear. Oriannon instantly feels a connection with the new First Citizen, Sola. But there may be more to her promises than meets the eye. Can Oriannon discover the truth before she’s in too deep?

In this second book in the Shadowside Trilogy, Robert Elmer returns to the planet with two sides: The wealthy and advanced Coristans who live on the bright side of the planet, plundering resources from the Shadowside, where the mysterious Owlings live.

The Owling is a story of good and evil, that reminds us that we each have a choice to make, and that things are not always as they seem. I liked Oriannon’s character and found it easy to root for her throughout the story. The story’s world was interesting but didn’t blow me away. I think younger fans of the new Star Wars movies would probably enjoy this story.

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
The story contains a retelling of some of the events in the book of Acts, and a message of pursuing Christ even in the midst of adversity.

Violent Content
There are some battle and capture sequences, but those are not graphic or explicit in nature.

Drug Content
None.


Language: none

Sexual: none

Spiritual:

Violence: There are some battle and capture sequences, but those are not graphic or explicit in nature.

Drug: none

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