Christian Fantasy, Middle Grade Historical, Christian Nonfiction, Kids' Theology
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In this article:
Warrior by Davis
Little Town in the Ozarks by MacBride
Kids’ Theology Handbook by Masonheimer
Warrior (Dragons of Starlight #2) by Bryan Davis
4 STARS, YA Christian Dragon Fantasy, My format: paperback
Goodreads Synopsis | Buy on author’s website
Reviews in Starlight series: #1 Starlighter
Jason Masters and Koren the Starlighter try to get to the Northlands to find someone to help them free the human slaves, while Elyssa and Wallace try to find Jason to help.
Personal Review:
Another great adventure in the Starlight series!
I really enjoy following Jason in his quest to free the slaves from the dragons. I also really appreciate that there are a few different story lines going on as that helps keep the story moving since not much time passes in each book. I also love the new character who joined the adventure at the end.
There are several female characters in the story that present some interesting dynamics. The fact that many of them are Starlighters or something similar gives them unique roles in the story that continue to unravel. I'm also more curious than ever about this hypnotic effect they seem to have on the men around them. So many questions about the Starlighters.
The struggles that many characters had that reveal what they believe about good and evil were intriguing. The choices that Koren had to make regarding aiding the newly hatched king or not were interesting to watch unfold. And seeing Jason make choices and change decisions based on his motivations had me on the edge of my seat.
Even though the world is fascinating and the writing is immersive, I am not typically an adventure reader. So many of the action scenes cause me to get lost and confused. I also didn't remember a lot of the characters from the first book so forgot how they were connected to each other, though some of that did come back as I read.
I'm happy to keep these books on my shelves as an option for my kids to read in the future.
Content Warnings:
human torture by dragons, semi-detailed killing of dragons
Little Town in the Ozarks (The Rose Years #5) by Roger Lea MacBride
4 STARS, Middle Grade Historical, My format: read-aloud to 9-, 7-, 5-, and 2-year-old girls
Goodreads Synopsis | Buy on BookShop
Reviews in The Rose series: #1 Little House on Rocky Ridge | #2 Little House in the Ozarks | #3 In the Land of the Big Red Apple | #4 On the Other Side of the Hill
Rose and her family move to town right next to the railroad!
Personal Review:
We all really enjoyed following Rose as she moved to town. It's amazing how used you get to seeing characters in a particular setting and then how it can be jarring to see those characters have to change where they live and how they live.
My girls and I liked seeing Rose in town, though. We especially liked seeing Mama use her wits in the debate and the terrible thing that happened at the pie auction.
My girls really liked the last chapter, which was more terrifying to me as a mother than I'd like to admit. But the chapter and book end with such a lovely sunbeam of hope that I can understand their sentiments. Again, the writing is well done and I enjoyed the book as much as my 9-, 7-, and 5-year-old girls did.
Content Warnings:
talking to strangers, near-fatal illness
Brokenness & Suffering: Find Freedom and Joy in Jesus Christ (Untwisting Scriptures #5)
4 STARS, Christian Nonfiction, My format: Christmas gift
Goodreads Synopsis | Author Website
Reviews in series: #2 Patriarchy and Authority
Have the Scriptures been twisted to keep you in bondage? The real Jesus wants to set you free.
Personal Review:
This series has been very helpful for me. I thought this book was better than the other one I read (about submission and authority). I have been learning and re-learning a lot of the theology that I thought was so set in my mind and I read this book at the perfect time.
Davis explains to us that following Christ means living in freedom and joy, and that suffering is not a requirement for that to happen. If we do suffer, we can be assured that Christ will be glorified. But Christ can also be glorified in our joy.
She also talks about the wrong definition of brokenness many Christians have and helps to show us that we should be broken over our sin as opposed to broken because we are human.
There are so many helpful clarifications and lots of Scripture that is shown in context to provide better meanings. I also gleaned a lot from the testimonials; they can be heartbreaking but most of them show hope as well. Hope in a God who frees us and doesn't break us.
Kids’ Theology Handbook: How to Talk to Little Kids About the Big Things of God by Phylicia Masonheimer
4 STARS, Children’s Christian Nonfiction, My format: read-aloud to 9-, 7-, 5-, and 2-year-old girls
A concise and helpful guide to explain the answers to many questions that kids have.
Personal Review:
My kids and I have talked about many of the things presented in this little book, but it was so good to have this reference to read through. It is set up in a question and answer format and I worked through the questions as they were printed. The questions themselves sparked conversations for several minutes before we even got to the answers.
An important thing that I appreciate about Masonheimer’s work is that she is great at making room for differeing beliefs wtihin Christianity. She avoids topics in this book that could have different answers based on the family, and she notes when an answer may vary from what she presents. Her wisdom in that way is very helpful.
Our favorite questions were “Will God ever Go Away?” and “I Think Church is Boring!”
What have you been reading lately! Reply to this e-mail to let me know or share in the comments!
I may check out that volume of Untwisting Scriptures from our library. It sounds very relevant to my current state and to my upbringing.