The Shack

By: William Paul Young

Genre: Fiction (Christian)

Pages: 252

Published: 2007

Told in: Third Person

Compare to:

Walking With God, John Eldredge

So You Don’t Want to Go to Church Anymore, Jake Colsen

He Loves Me, Wayne Jacobsen

In a nutshell:

After evidence is found in a shack that Mack’s kidnapped daughter was murdered, he falls into a deep sorrow. Years later Mack receives an invitation from God to visit him at the shack. When Mack goes, he learns things about God and religion that he never expected.

What you may enjoy:

This is a pondering book, mostly filled with theological conversations between a man and God. If you want a book that makes you think and ponder on your religious beliefs, this may be a book for you. The relationships in the book are profound and tender.

What you may NOT enjoy:

The depiction of God as a women and how casually God is depicted is uncomfortable, bordering on blasphemy. Some of the religious theology is strange. The book feels a preachy and insincere.

Note: You will either love or hate this book. There is not much in between.

Warnings:

Violence and Disturbing Images:

Girl jumps from a cliff; boy tied to a tree and beaten; man falls, gashing his head; boy nearly drowns; girl kidnapped; torn girl’s dress soaked in blood

Sex and Nudity:

Man kisses his father on the lips; Jesus kisses God on the lips

Language and Profanity:

Damn (3 times); hell; oh my God; bitch

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The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

By: Kate DiCamillo

Illustrations: Bagram Ibatoulline

Genre: Young Reader Fiction

Pages: 200

Published: 2006

Told in: Third Person

Compare to:

Charlotte’s Web, E.B. White

The Mouse and the Motorcycle, Beverly Cleary

Bridge to Terabithia, Katherine Paterson

In a nutshell:

Edward is a porcelain rabbit who is vain and proud. When his owner loses him at sea he goes on a journey, meeting people who will teach him about love and hope.

What you may enjoy:

A beautiful story, both touching and heartbreaking. You grow attached to each character just as Edward does. The plot keeps you spellbound all the way to the end of the book. And the artwork is stunning!

What you may NOT enjoy:

The book uses some large vocabulary and deep concepts that may be difficult for younger children (depending on he child). It portrays characters as either good or bad, but not much of in between.

Warnings:

Violence and Disturbing Images:

Boy dies (mentioned); drunken man hit boy; girl dies.

Sex and Nudity:

None

Language and Profanity:

None

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A Night Divided

By: Jennifer A. Nielsen

Genre: Juvenile Historical Fiction

Pages: 317

Published: 2015

Told in: First Person

Compare to:

I Pledge Allegiance, Chris Lynch

Stones in Water, Donna Jo Napoli

Number the Stars, Lois Lowry

In a nutshell:

When the Berlin wall goes up Gerta’s family is separated. Four years later she sees her father on the west side of the wall telling her to dig her way out. But will Gerta and her brother be able to dig to safety without being caught?

What you may enjoy:

This is a great look for kids at how the Berlin Wall affected people. The story is moving, especially the relationships in the family. It’s a pleasant read that will also expand your basic understanding of the Berlin Wall.

What you may NOT enjoy:

This book only touches on the history of the time, not fully expanding on the fear that was felt. Descriptions were often vague, making the story difficult to visualize. The end drags on a little more than necessary.

Warnings:

Violence and Disturbing Images:

Woman jumps from a window and dies; boy shot in the back; boy tortured (mentioned); people killed for trying to escape; man hurt, bleeding from head; girl held forcibly; man lays dead; boy shot in the leg; man shot in the chest and killed (pool of blood mentioned).

Sex and Nudity:

None

Language and Profanity:

None

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Mirrored

By: Alex Flinn

Genre: Teen Retold Fairy Tale

Pages: 384

Published: 2015

Told in: First Person

Series: Kendra Chronicles, #3

(Can be read as a stand-alone)

Compare to:

My Fair Godmother, Janette Rallison

Saving Juliet, Suzanne Selfors

Rapunzel Untangled, Cindy C. Bennett

In a nutshell:

Violet grew up believing beauty was the key to happiness and power, so when she learns she’s a witch she makes herself beautiful. Celine hates being beautiful, especially because her step-mother, Violet, is jealous and cruel because of it. A modern retelling of “Snow White.”

What you may enjoy:

This book gives a view into the mind of the evil step-mother, helping the reader see both sides. The writing is fresh and the dialogue is realistic. Each character has a voice you can almost hear.  

What you may NOT enjoy:

Morally questionable, glossing over Violet’s violent tendencies. The focus on beauty is overbearing. The attitudes and actions of characters are often exaggerated. Predictable ending.

Warnings:

Violence and Disturbing Images:

Boy kills bird; boys beat up a girl; birds attack boys; cat gets run over; dog mauls a girl; monkey attacks a woman, killing her; man dies in a car accident; woman holds a severed finger.

Sex and Nudity:

Boy and girl kiss (3 separate times); Man and woman kiss (at least 6 times); Mentions French Kissing; boy slaps girl’s bum; man touches wife’s bum

Language and Profanity:

B*tch (8 times); Omig*d (7 times); Bad*ss; batsh*t; G*d (9 times); *sshole (5 times); sh*t (7 times); d*mn; d*mmit; @ss (2 times)

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Once Upon a Marigold

By: Jean Ferris

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Pages: 271

Published: 2002

Told in: Third Person

Series: Marigold Series, 1^st of 3

Compare to:

Goose Chase, Patrice Kindl

Princess Tales Books, Gail Carson Levine

Dragon Slippers, Jessica Day George

In a nutshell:

Christian has grown up in a cave, with a troll as his foster father. Marigold is the lonely princess across the river who Christian takes up a correspondence with. When Christian decides to take his place in the world, he finds there is trouble brewing while serving in the princess’s palace.

What you may enjoy:

A cute and funny story, which is “part comedy, part love story, part everything-but-the-kitchen-sink.” It’s sweet, it’s fun, it will make you giggle. You can’t help but love the characters and cheer for them.

What you may NOT enjoy:

This book is predictable and full of clichés. Although it’s meant for young readers, it’s a little too juvenile. The humor is often a little too ridiculous and becomes tiresome.

Warnings:

Violence and Disturbing Images:

Boy is threatened; boy is shot with an arrow; dog bites man’s foot.

Sex and Nudity:

Girl kisses boy; boy kisses girl

Language and Profanity:

None

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The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story

By: Diane Ackerman

Genre: Historical Non-Fiction

Pages: 384

Published: 2007

Told in: Third Person

Compare to:

The Kommandant’s Girl, Pam Jenoff

My Enemy’s Cradle, Sara Young

The Lost, Daniel Mendelsohn

In a nutshell:

Placed in Warsaw, Poland during WWII, this book follows the experiences of Jan and Antonina, the city’s old zookeepers, whose efforts during the war helped to save hundreds of lives.

What you may enjoy:

This book is both informative and inspiring. Ackerman is able to recount the history of Warsaw during WWII without being too graphic. This book covers facts and stories not only about the city and its people but about the animals that are native to Poland.

What you may NOT enjoy:

There are a lot of tangents that don’t pertain to the main focus of the book. While some of those tangents are interesting, they are also very distracting. Both the beginning and ending of the book are weak and long-winded, full of unnecessary details.

Warnings:

Violence and Disturbing Images:

Man and woman shot and killed; people burned in bomb raid (mentions smell of burnt flesh); plane shot down, plane shoots at crowd of people; soldiers shoot animals; planes shoot over zoo, killing animals (mildly graphic); dead horses in the street (mildly graphic); woman raped (mentioned); people threatened; people beaten; children casually shot; children shot in the head; man dies from internal bleeding; dog dies from rat poisoning; pigs and piglets killed; woman tortured; kids and adults killed in gas chambers; man shot and killed; man shot in the neck; people commit suicide; building burned down, killing people; people killed in explosions; woman threatened multiple times; boy threatened; hamster drinks alcohol and dies.

Sex and Nudity:

Discusses foreskin, circumcision, and “reskinning”.

Language and Profanity:

Bastard

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The Top 10 Distinctions between Millionaires and the Middle Class

By: Keith Cameron Smith

Genre: Self Help

Pages: 112

Published: 2007

Told in: First Person

Compare to:

How to Save Money, 

        -Abiodun Oluwasegun

The Road to Wealth, 

        -Suze Orman

The 5 Lessons a Millionaire Taught Me about Life and Wealth,

        -Richard Paul Evans

In a nutshell:

Smith discusses the main ten distinctions he believes separates successful entrepreneurs from the middle class along. The book discusses how to get on track with making money.

What you may enjoy:

It is a small and simple book, which keeps it from being overwhelming. The ideas in this book can easily be put into practice. Smith gives inspirational ideas that apply to more than just your financial well-being, but can help in many facets of life.

What you may NOT enjoy:

This book tends to put Millionaires on a pedestal. There is no distinction made between the self-made millionaire and the inherited millionaire. It would be better to assume that by “Millionaire” Smith actually means “Successful Entrepreneur.”

Warnings:

Violence and Disturbing Images:

Boy pulls gun out on a man

Sex and Nudity:

Prostitute asks to touch a man

Language and Profanity:

None

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