Tis The Season: Norma Elliot's Secret Journal (Book 1)
I’m Norma Elliot. I know what you’re thinking. Who names their kid Norma nowadays? Believe me, I feel the same as you.
I’m a ginger―that means redhead. Actually, my hair isn’t red; it’s orange, but I guess redhead sounds better than orangehead. First, because it rhymes, and second, someone may get confused and think that my head is an actual orange.I’m ten years old and sharp―what my dad calls me―that means smart, not pointy.
My story is about what I did during the winter season. No brainer; the title gave that away. It’s mostly about me learning life lessons and spending time with God when I write to him in my secret journal.
Oh, I need to mention, I’m not perfect; definitely not. Just thought I’d warn you in case you’re expecting to read a story about some cute little angel type girl. If you were, you may want to find a different story to read. But then again, if you’re up for a story about a girl who’s a work in progress―what dad says our old house is―you may just like my story. I really hope you will.
Anyway, bye for now.
My Take:
When Norma Elliot gets a 'little kid' hand-me-down snowsuit from her big sister, at the same time she is given a journal to write in for a daily devotion, sparks fly. Especially when she has to deal with all the ribbing she gets from the bullies in the neighborhood, and the threatened loss of her best friend.
But the snowsuit, she knows how to fix - if she binge-eats enough junk food, she couldn't possibly fit in the awful thing, and of course her mom would buy her a brand new one... right?
Content:
Drug Content:
G - Unless you count chocolate and sweets.
Violence:
G - there is no violence done here, even to their obnoxious family pet chihuahua.
Language:
G - squeaky clean.
Adult Content:
G - As you might expect from a preteen girl book, there's some slight interest in boys, or at least the thought of that coming someday.
Christian content:
While this light-hearted romp may seem like fluff, and Norma's sarcastic quips seem to be more self-centered than God-centered, her nightly entries in her journal give an eternal spin on each day. There's meat in the mashed potatoes. There's Christ in the candy. Norma has to deal with many of the struggles girls her age do - fear, bullies, hand-me-downs, lost friends... and her struggles can help girls that read this series with their own. Each night's prayer is kid-friendly and makes you think about your own day.
Final analysis:
'Tis the Season: Norma Elliot's Secret Journal by Victoria Simcox is a light-hearted journey through the post-Christmas let-downs and day-to-day struggles of a pre-teen girl. It's a quick read, and is a clean and safe book for Christian families that want something appropriate for their own preteen daughters, who often struggle with the same things. I found it fast-paced, entertaining, witty, and satisfying. Five Stars!
About the Author
Victoria was born in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, to an Austrian immigrant mother and a Dutch immigrant father. She now calls Western Washington home. Besides her writing career, Victoria taught elementary-school art for several years. Her past times are writing, reading, painting watercolors. She likes to read theological as well as some fantasy genres. Two of her favorite authors are R.C. Sproul and C.S. Lewis.
Blog: victoriasimcox.blogspot.com
Face Book: http://tinyurl.com/3wl6gjs
Twitter:http://twitter.com/#!/VictoriaSimcox
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