A while back I reviewed a girls’ bible study that left me disappointed—both in the appropriateness of the subject matter for the age group and in some of the teaching. Since then I’ve been on the hunt for a devotional or study that my eleven-year-old and I could do together, something that addresses some of the issues she faces on a daily and weekly basis.
Girl Talk is set up in chapters, one for each week. Each chapter begins with a story in which the main character faces an obstacle or choice. Sometimes the story ends with the dilemma unsolved, and the questions instruct the reader to share what she thinks should happen next and why. Other times the character makes a choice (good or bad) and the reader is asked to evaluate the outcome.
The issues raised definitely fall within the kinds of things my daughter and I frequently discuss. The girls in the stories face issues with friends at school or bullying. They struggle with family situations and challenges with parents or siblings.
Each Girl Talk story is followed by a series of discussion questions meant to be tackled over each day through the rest of the week. The chapters begin with a scripture that addresses a key issue from the story and end with a written prayer also relating to the topic from the chapter.
If you do the devotional this way, it should only take a few minutes to read the story and answer a question on each day. If you wanted to use the book for a more concentrated study, I think it would make a great source for a weekly meeting, as the questions all relate to each other and gradually lead to a conclusion.
Overall, I’m pretty happy with this book, and I’ve already talked to my daughter about doing the lessons together. She’s really excited. The only thing I can think to say that I wish was done differently was the fact that culturally it felt very bland. I think it could have been cool to see more of an ethnic feel and some diversity to the characters featured in the stories. Other than that, I loved it and definitely recommend it to girls looking for gentle but grounded, practical devotions.
Recommended for Ages 8 to 12
Cultural Elements
A few of the girls featured have ethnic names. One is Chinese, a couple are Spanish. Beyond this, the stories read pretty generically in terms of race or culture. It would have been cool to see them infused with a more diverse feel. I recognize they’re really short stories, and there’s not a lot of time for developing setting and character, but I think it could have had more of a diverse feel than it did.
Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.
Romance/Sexual Content None.
Spiritual Content See review. The devotional explores real life situations and girls who want to behave in a manner consistent with Christian values. The lessons instruct girls using Bible verses and prayer.
Violent Content None.
Drug Content
In one of the stories, a girl’s mother drinks too much and neglects her younger sister.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Twins Albany and Brooklyn keep their telepathic connection a secret from everyone. After all, who would believe them anyway? But when a strange girl shows up on their doorstep with no memory of how she got there and an inexplicable power of her own, the twins begin to realize there may be more people with powers, and not all of them use them for good. They learn about an organization of people with abilities and a terrible plot to destroy it. At first committed to sit on the sidelines, Albany soon realizes she and Brooklyn might be the group’s only hope for survival. She and her sister must decide whether they’ll join the fight, even if it means risking everything.
This is such a fun story. I liked all the silliness and joking between characters. Albany and Brooklyn were both great and easy to root for. The rest of the cast of characters does get a little overwhelming at times, since there are so many of them and their code names to remember on top of everything else.
Twinepathy is a pretty short read—I finished it in just a couple hours—but it’s the perfect length for a reluctant reader, and a great fit for fourth or fifth grade readers who are into Marvel or other superhero stories. This novel made me think a little bit of the Twintuition books by Tia and Tamera Mowry, which also feature gifted twins. It’s different in that Twinepathy focuses on the girls’ role in a larger group of gifted people.
Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.
Cultural Elements
I don’t specifically remember descriptions showing a racially diverse cast.
Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.
Romance/Sexual Content The girls’ older brother is dating a girl named Ezra. They do not witness any romance between them, though.
Spiritual Content Brooklyn and Albany share a telepathic connection. Other characters possess special powers like telekinesis, teleportation, the ability to manipulate metal, etc.
Violent Content Battles between the members of the superhero team and the villain and his clones.
Drug Content
None.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Ashton Keller has longed for this moment every day for the last four years: the day he returns home to Gilt Hollow for revenge on the boys who ruined his life. He will do whatever it takes to clear his name and prove he didn’t murder his friend Daniel. But the town doesn’t greet him with welcoming arms, and it’s certainly not going to give up its secrets easily. Harder still, being back reminds Ashton of things he’d rather forget, like his best friend Willow.
Willow spent months writing Ashton every day after his conviction, which she believed false. She stood by him, even though all she ever got in return was silence. Now that Ashton’s back, she’s determined to steer clear. But the affection that brought them together once somehow survived their time apart. With Ashton digging up the past, Willow must decide whether to stay away or risk her own life. As the sinister truth about what happened the day Daniel died begins to emerge, Willow and Ashton realize the next murder victim may be one of them.
This story is a bit darker than the Doon series tales that Lorie Langdon wrote with Carey Corp. I wasn’t sure if there would be some kind of supernatural element here in Gilt Hollow. There isn’t, but I didn’t feel like the story needed it either.
The whole perfect pure girl falls for bad boy storyline is not a new idea. I worried that the romance elements would overshadow the rest of the story, but I think there’s actually a really great balance between the plot of solving the murder and the development of the romance.
I enjoyed the antics between her and her best friend Lisa. She was another character who kept the story from getting too swoony. I wasn’t a huge fan of the way Lisa pushed Willow to wear things outside her comfort zone, especially when the goal seemed to be to impress a boy. It’s definitely something that happens, but I guess I would have had more respect for Willow if she stuck to her guts and wore what she was comfortable with rather than trying to be someone else.
The most difficult part of the story for me was the fact that both Willow and Ashton continue to date other people as the romantic tension between them heats up. Neither of them seemed to have any feelings of guilt or remorse for basically leading their dates on or using them to gather information. I feel like at least a pause for reflection or some acknowledgement that what they were doing was wrong or hurtful would have made me like them more. Ashton’s girlfriend does have a frank conversation with him about not wanting to be used, but he doesn’t come clean with her or seem to feel that bad even when he reflects on it briefly afterward.
On the whole, I enjoyed the story, especially the mystery elements. I don’t read enough stories with this blend of mystery and romance. The suspense elements were light enough that I think even younger teens could handle them. See below for content information.
Recommended for Ages 14 up.
Cultural Elements
All major characters are white.
Profanity/Crude Language Content
Two instances of mild profanity. Someone urinates on a popular boy’s football jersey. I’m disappointed in the use of profanity in the book. Blink is an imprint of Zondervan publishing books with no overt Christian message, but even so—profanity? Really? Why is this in a book by a Christian publisher?
Romance/Sexual Content Ashton and Willow get a little bit fresh with each other in comments that hint at sexual contact. They’re fairly oblique. A boy and girl kiss several times. Both Ashton and Willow date someone else as a means to gather information. They aren’t faithful and don’t really seem to have much remorse about it.
Spiritual Content Willow’s pastor makes a brief appearance and offers her some spiritual advice. It’s a small moment that doesn’t drive the story, but it felt authentic.
Violent Content A couple boys have a brief fist fight.
Drug Content
None.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Today I have the pleasure of sharing an interview with author Kathleen Cook Waldron, author of Between Shadows, a middle grade novel about a boy who has recently lost his grandfather and returns to the cabin where they shared memories together. Between Shadows was recently named a finalist for the Silver Birch award. Read my review here.
I met Kathy before I knew she was an author. She and her husband were on a cruise to celebrate their wedding anniversary. My husband and I took the same cruise for our honeymoon trip. We really enjoyed spending time with Kathy and Mark, so finding out that Kathy was also a children’s book author was a fun bonus. I’m excited to be able to share more of the story behind the story and the inspiration for Between Shadows.
Author Interview with Kathleen Cook Waldron
I find that a story was often inspired by a question. Was there a question that inspired you to write Between Shadows?
I wondered what would happen if a child were to inherit a cabin on mostly wild land? What if his family wanted or felt they needed to sell it? How would he feel? What could he do? The plot for Between Shadows grew out of those questions. The original idea came from my husband’s and my personal experience of buying land with no registered access, deciding to build a log house on it, then asking ourselves how we were going to get to it.
I love that the story rose out of that personal moment. It definitely comes across in the story– Ari’s relationship with the cabin and the wilderness feel deep and alive. I love that Ari’s grandfather’s cabin is painted all different colors. Did something inspire you to create the cabin that way? Where did you draw inspiration for Ari’s grandfather from?
The inspiration for the rainbow-colored cabin came from the possibility of combining our log home maintenance with the half-empty paint cans stacked in our storage room. Rather than re-staining the logs their natural color, why not use up some of that old paint instead? Ari’s grandfather is a blend of my own wonderful grandfather with the one man who lived in our tiny community of Mahood Falls who seemed to be the only person whom all our neighbors both liked and admired.
Is there a scene or moment in Between Shadows that really sticks with you? Can you tell us a little bit about it?
One of the scenes I had the most fun writing was when all the neighbors arrived unannounced. I loved the noise and chaos of it, not to mention Dad and Aunt Laurel’s reactions. It was the kind of show of support I would wish for myself as well as a turning point in the story. It presented a glimmer of hope for Ari and Tam that their plan might actually work.
That was a great scene. We definitely need community when we go through hard times– sometimes more than we realize we do. What do you most hope that readers take away from Between Shadows?
I hope readers take away the importance of staying connected to family, to nature, and to our heritage. Specifically, I hope readers who have lost someone they love can take comfort from Ari and knowing they aren’t alone.
So true. Grief is never easy to navigate. It’s good to have those connections to help us get through. What is one question about Between Shadows you are often asked by readers?
Many readers have asked why Aunt Laurel seems so mean. My answer is that she is mourning her father’s death, and all of us react differently to loss. She reacts with anger at the world and a need to try to control everyone and everything around her. I hope readers can see her opening up as the story progresses.
Yes! It’s so true that we all respond differently to loss. Some reactions are harder to empathize with than others. Grief is a tough topic to tackle in a middle grade novel, but so important. And you did a great job! In fact, you were recently nominated for the Silver Birch award for Between Shadows. Congratulations! Can you tell us a little bit about the award and your experience as a nominee?
The Silver Birch award is the largest children’s choice award in Canada. Tens of thousands of children participate every year in choosing the winner. It is part of the Forest of Reading program in Ontario which has a different tree to represent each different category. Other provinces across Canada have similar tree-related reading programs. The Silver Birch nomination is the most prestigious award recognition I’ve had in my writing career. Many nominees have said it’s the closest most children’s writers come to rock stardom. Going from venue to venue, meeting hundreds of keen, young readers, all cheering for their favorite books and authors was a truly unforgettable experience. I want more than ever to keep writing so perhaps I can do it again!
That sounds amazing — and an honor well-deserved! I hope you get to do it again, too. I’m excited to read your next book. Speaking of reading… Where is your favorite place to read?
I’m a compulsive reader and will read anything from magazines in the dentist’s office to shampoo bottles in the bathroom. Reading outside In the summer is my favorite break from other outdoor activities. The rest of the year, I like to start and end my day by reading in bed. Reading both wakes me up and puts me to sleep. How lucky is that!
That’s incredibly lucky! How fun. Thanks so much for stopping by to share with us today.
It’s bittersweet: Ari’s beloved grandfather has died, but he’s left Ari an amazing gift – the inheritance of his log cabin and all the land he owned. Tucked into a small lakeside community, the cabin and its land are unusual, full of secrets to discover…and very, very marketable. With the family’s money troubles, the only sensible option from his dad and aunt’s point of view is to sell it at a prime price to a luxury hotel developer.
As the grown-ups proceed with the paperwork, Ari sets about discovering everything his new property has to offer. Hidden beaches, forest trails, locked doors – and even an extraordinary (and exasperating) new friend who introduces him to a world into which he sees himself just…fitting. Not only is it the perfect place to live, it’s a connection with his grandfather that is too precious to lose. But the deadline to sign away the property is approaching. How can Ari speak up for his hopes, for his grandfather, and for the land itself?
Kathleen Cook Waldron was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. After teaching in Colorado’s bilingual and summer migrant schools, Kathleen and her family moved to the Cariboo area of British Columbia. Inspired by The Secret Garden, MAD magazine and Spiderman comics, Kathleen is the author several critically acclaimed children’s picture books including Roundup at the Palace and A Winter’s Yarn.
Alicia’s hallucinations are only getting worse: more frequent and more intense. Despite that, she doesn’t want to give them up because the hallucinations are the only place she sees her father. Then he shows up in real life, warning Alicia of incredible danger, and suddenly everything shifts. The people Alicia trusted most have been lying to her, and now she’s on the run from them. The hallucinations are real. In them, Alicia journeys to other universes, ones where more than her life is at stake. She must find an atlas, a map to all of them and stop one critical universe from dying if she’s to save the people she loves and her own life in her home universe.
When I first started reading this book, I was worried it would be too confusing. I wasn’t really hooked by the whole hallucination bit—it seemed like asking a lot for me to invest in the most exciting parts of the story believing they were fake. But once I realized that they were real, I definitely wanted to keep reading. I loved Alicia and Hafeez. Jax, the boy from another universe that she meets, wasn’t my favorite—he’s kind of stubborn and I just didn’t really connect with him very well. I’m totally team Hafeez.
I liked how she had an opportunity to revisit the relationships in her life in other universes. Things were often different in other places than they were in her home universe, but often there was some lesson hiding in those moments or some kernel of truth she could grab onto. I also really liked the references to Sylvia Plath’s poetry and Alicia’s connection with her.
The only thing I really consistently struggled with is the fact that Alicia is so young—almost fifteen—which seems to place the story in the lower end of YA, yet there’s a LOT of profanity. I feel like aging Alicia up a little or reducing the profanity would have made it easier to recommend to readers.
The story ends with lots left unresolved, which hopefully means there will be a sequel. If you liked Seeker by Arwen Elys Dayton or Life at the Speed of Us by Heather Sappenfield, you need to read this one. I think the characters are more even than Seeker, and I liked the way The Infinity of You and Me handled the multiverse better than the way it was in Life at the Speed of Us.
Recommended for Ages 15 up.
Cultural Elements
Alicia’s best friend Hafeez is Middle Eastern. Other characters appear to be white.
Profanity/Crude Language Content
Extreme profanity used frequently.
Romance/Sexual Content Brief boy/girl kissing.
Spiritual Content Alicia jumps between universes to other realities similar and different to her own.
Violent Content In one reality, a man shoots Alicia and appears willing to hurt her further. Her mother discusses a surgery that could prevent Alicia from experiencing the jumps to other places. She intends to force Alicia to have the surgery without her consent.
A bully picks on Alicia and Hafeez at school. He punches Hafeez.
Drug Content
Alicia’s therapist tries to regulate her experiences with medication. Later, a therapist sedates her and restrains her. She believes her dad may be on drugs—maybe that’s why he’s gone from her life.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
From 1853 to 1929, The Children’s Aid Society and other organizations like it placed 250,000 orphaned children with families using trains to deliver the children to new families along railway lines. Sometimes children found loving homes and parents who brought them into their families and treated them as members of their household. The Children’s Aid Society sought to address the overwhelming poverty and difficulties placed on children in large cities whose parents abandoned them or died. It is the predecessor of the modern-day foster care system. Sometimes the children were seen as laborers or servants and treated far differently from a couple’s other children. The book focuses on the stories of seven orphans whose lives were transformed by their ride on an orphan train.
Reading this book made me think a little bit about the movie Newsies, specifically the parts where the characters talk about how the city thrives on child labor. This would have been around the same time in history as the orphan trains were beginning. I found it interesting (though heartbreaking) that at first the orphans were thought of primarily as laborers, and sent west because farm life would be a better life than city life for a child. The children were instructed to refer to their caretakers as employers rather than parents. It was certainly a different time then.
I found it heartwarming to read the stories of some of the orphans who grew up to become leaders and great men and women. Among them, two governors, a nun, and countless lawyers, doctors, and other professionals. Many of those children probably wouldn’t have survived to adulthood and certainly wouldn’t have been educated without the opportunity the orphan trains provided for a better life.
I liked that the book is broken down chapter by chapter into different stories. That made it easy to read in shorter sittings. It also gave the opportunity to explore some of the very different outcomes the children experienced in a deeply personal way.
Orphan Trains would make a great addition to a classroom history bookshelf or resource for research on this time period or the origins of the foster care system in America. The book contains a glossary of terms, extensive index, lists of sources and bibliography.
Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.
Cultural Elements
The story follows several white children from orphanages in the East who ride a train west and find homes with farming families there.
Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.
Romance/Sexual Content None.
Spiritual Content The Children’s Aid Society was founded by a minister named Charles Loring Brace. Orphan Trains relates the story of a nun who believed she’d been called by God to minister to children and opened an orphanage to care for abandoned infants and children. One orphan grew up to become a nun herself.
Some organizations attempted to match children born into Catholic families with new Catholic families and Protestant children with Protestant families.
Violent Content Some of the families were unkind to the orphans placed with them. If the child was able to communicate to an agent about his or her unhappiness, she could be removed and placed with a different family. No graphic details given of abuse or neglect.
Drug Content
One child was placed in a home in which the mother abused opium and the father was an alcoholic.
