Review: Bandy by Craig R. Hipkins

 Bandy 

by Craig R. Hipkins

Isaac’s only friend is a passenger pigeon named Bandy. He deludes himself in believing the bird talks to him. Bullied, he is resigned to a life of being the misunderstood bookworm by neighboring boys until a disastrous fire kills his parents and little sisters, sparing only his younger brother, Thomas. He and Thomas are taken in by their Uncle Raymond, an abolitionist, who plans to send Isaac to Virginia to buy Joy, a young slave with debilitating health, from her slave owner, Wil Jericho. Shortly after arriving in Virginia, Isaac learns the ugly truth. The butler who accompanied him on the journey killed his uncle before leaving and plans to do the same to Isaac to steal Raymond’s estate.

Isaac, with Joy, escape into the backwoods of Virginia. Discovering passages of the Underground Railroad, stowing away in carriages, hiding in churches, and outwitting the mercenaries hired by Jericho, the two teens fight tooth and nail to make it to Boston before they’re caught. Will Joy be taken from this life by sickness before she’s found freedom? On their journey, they learn a lot about each other. Isaac promises to bring Joy to Bandy's pond, a heavenly place where peace and serenity reign.

My Take:

During the turmoil preceding the Civil War, a young, unfortunate person learns valuable lessons about slavery, friendship, and the value of a single act of kindness.

Isaac's only friend is Bandy, a passenger pigeon. Isaac and Bandy have long conversations. The pigeon gives Isaac good advice, and sometimes follows him on his adventures. A disastrous housefire leaves Isaac and his little brother orphans. Their only hope lies in their rich Uncle Raymond, an aloof older gentleman that lives in Boston. Before agreeing to keep them, thoughg, Uncle Raymond, an ardent abolitionist, sends the young lad Isaac on a quest into rural Virginia to purchase Joy, the sister of his adopted daughter. However, accompanying Isaac is Raymond's sinister butler, who Isaac soon discovers has murdered his uncle with plans to steal the family fortune.

Nothing in Isaac's quest is as it seems, and he must act quickly with the help of others to spirit the terribly ill slave Joy away on the Underground Railroad. But with the evil slaveowner Wil Jericho on their heels, and every man's hand after him, only the heroism of Isaac and his friends can save them now.

 

Content:

Drug Content:

PG - alcoholism and drinking is depicted several times.

Violence:

PG - Characters are shot and killed, and hung offscreen.  

Language:

PG - There is a light salting of swear words. 

Adult Content:

G - There is no romance or kissing in this book.

Christian content:

This pre-Civil War historical adventure is rife with acts of faith and trust. Self-sacrifice is almost the norm. Light and dark are clearly delineated, and there are several character arcs of transformation and redemption. The concept of standing for what you believe in is a central and well-depicted theme. Worship and righteousness counterpose evil and selfish ambition. Corruption and graft play their vile parts well. The forces of the devil have their say, but the forces of light win the day.

Final analysis:

Bandy was a gripping tale of heroic fidelity and love in a time of epic division and hate. The world building was extraordinary, and the historic accuracy was well-researched. Characters were believable and lifelike. The settings were immersive and the action constant. The stakes were very high and the tension palpable. It was a page turner barn burner. Five Stars!

About the Author

Craig R. Hipkins was born in Worcester, Massachusetts. He currently lives in North Carolina.
Craig published his first book, “Fireballs: A History of Meteors and other Atmospheric Phenomena” in 2009. Adalbert is his first novel. It is the sequel to the novel Astrolabe written by his late twin brother Jay S. Hipkins (1968-2018)
He is an avid long distance runner. He also enjoys astronomy and reading history in his spare time. You can find out more about him at hipkinstwins.com

Review: Summer Blues: Norma Elliot's Secret Journal #3 by Victoria Simcox

Summer Blues: Norma Elliot's Secret Journal #3 

by Victoria Simcox

Book 3, "Summer Blues," takes you on a journey through my escapades from last summer. Like before, it's a blend of life lessons and chats with God in my secret journal.Nope, not a perfect kid. Actually, the more I write in my journal, the more I see that I'm not really good at being perfect.This time, you'll find me dashing through my sprinkler resembling a zebra from fake tanning cream, daydreaming about baked chicken in the sweltering heat, stressing over puberty stuff, entering a singing contest, and loads more fun stuff.If you liked my first and second stories, ‘'Tis the Season’ and ‘Spring Fever,’ I'm totally hoping ‘Summer Blues’ brings you the same joy.Bye for now.  

My Take:

Norma Elliot is dealing with all the usual struggles pre-tween girls have - mean girls, boys, and... puberty. Her best friend is starting to develop, and Norma wonders when that's going to happen to her. Actually, her life seems pretty simple for a girl growing up - until the rich girl tricks her into signing up for a singing competition. The laughs just keep coming as her inept aunt and cousin try to teach her how to sing, all while dealing with laryngitis and a depressing lack of talent. The scorching heat doesn't help, either, as Norma slathers on fake tan cream and gets a zebra sunburn. It seems God has got his work cut out for him reigning in this little firebrand, and teaching her valuable lessons in humility and compassion.

 

Content:

Drug Content:

G - squeaky clean

Violence:

G - Nary a bit. Well, except for the dog biting the neighbor lady. 

Language:

G - squeaky clean. 

Adult Content:

PG - As you might expect from a preteen girl book, there's some slight interest in boys. As the book progresses, her best friend Taylor starts to develop breasts, and that's a topic for a bit of discussion between them. Just about timing and fairness.

Christian content:

Just like in the previous books, this hilarious book may seem like fluff, but it contains meat as Norma recaps her day with God in her journal. A verse from the journal ties it all neatly together with a bow, and you discover that the events of the day do have an eternal significance, no matter how trivial they seem on the uptake. Norma struggles with her own pride, humility, and complaining. 

Final analysis:

Summer Blues: Norma Elliot's Secret Journal #3 by Victoria Simcox is a quick read with a surprising amount of meat. As in the first two books in this light-hearted fun series, this third offering shows Norma's progress maturing in her journey toward teenship. I fully expected her to barf all over her friend after insisting they ride the scariest rollercoaster at the fair. The introduction of her redheaded cousin Kian (who she calls Pepper after the way his name sounds like Cayenne) makes for extra hijinks, as she shoots him in the head with a sticky piece of candy, mistaking him for a home invader. Short, hilarious,  and thought-provoking, this is a clean and safe book perfect for Christian families with preteen daughters. I found it entertaining, fast-paced, well-written, and hilarious. 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

Review: Spring Fever: Norma Elliot's Secret Journal (Book 2) by Victoria Simcox

Spring Fever: Norma Elliot's Secret Journal (Book 2) 

by Victoria Simcox

It's me again, Norma Elliot. I’m still ten years old and sharper than a tack—what my dad says.‘Spring Fever’ is my second book, about what I did last Spring—mostly learning life lessons again and talking to God in my secret journal. The title is a great big hint of how I felt for at least part of the season.I’m still not a perfect angel kid—actually, the more I write in my journal, the more I realize I'm surely not perfect.Working at my first job, planting a garden, dealing with an annoying drunk slug, as well as annoying people, are some of the things you’ll read in this book.If you liked my first story, `Tis the Season,’ then I hope you’ll like ‘Spring Fever.’ I think, I mean, I hope you’ll like it just as much or maybe even more.Bye for now. 

 My Take:

When Norma Elliot gets the idea to plant a spring garden with her bestie Taylor, she has no idea the weather is not going to cooperate. But one thing this garden is going to teach her is patience. Even if it kills her. Meanwhile, her dad has decided to give her a job - one that pays five bucks a week! All it involves is becoming the family maid. Cleaning the bathrooms, the mudroom, and all those other messy places. Norma is at it again, finding that anger is a hard thing to control, especially when you see your little brother eating the seeds you'd been saving to plant!

 

Content:

Drug Content:

G - Norma's next door neighbor seems to like beer a bit much, and teaches Norma that a half-empty beer can will get rid of a slug - or at least, make him too drunk to eat her vegetables.

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. There's a little more interest in that department, and one of the boys in the class seems to bring her a smile.

Christian content:

Just like in book 1, this light-hearted romp may seem like fluff, but 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 - anger, patience, self-control, 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:

Spring Fever: Norma Elliot's Secret Journal #2 by Victoria Simcox is a light-hearted journey through the struggles of a pre-teen girl waiting for the snow to subside so she can plant a garden. I was impressed with the progressive nature of Norma's writing, as her journal entries seem just a bit more thoughtful than in the first book, a natural characteristic of an older pre-teen. Short, fast-paced, fun, and whimsical, this 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 well-written, 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

Review: Tis the Season: Norma Elliot's Secret Journal (Book 1) by Victoria Simcox

Tis The Season: Norma Elliot's Secret Journal (Book 1)

By Victoria Simcox

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

Review: The Prophesy by Victoria Simcox

The Prophesy

by Victoria Simcox

The whole world of Bernovem is in chaos, thanks to Resucca and his followers. Kristina and company start out at Finimus Island―no more romantic, orchid-scented, and breezy, but raging with typhoons. Sentiz and her followers have given the citizens of the lands two choices―become Irguls or face a horrific death. 

Haunted by the gruesome, old hag and the serpent, as well as dealing with her personal teenage dilemmas, Kristina continues her mission of saving the lands. Get ready for a whirlwind of events to transpire as well as an ending that will change the course of everything in this grand finale of The Bernovem Chronicles.
 

My Take:

In this final installment in the Bernovem Chronicles, Kristina is trying to get to Finimus Island, assisted by the dragon-riding friend from her past, James. The beautiful land of Bernovem is being destroyed by raging typhoons, earthquakes, and all the creatures are getting transformed magically into blood-sucking mosquitos, bats, or Irguls. 

Prince Werrien is being transformed into an Irgal and being kept drugged so that he cannot discern truth from fiction. Queen Sentiz is focusing all her efforts on determining where the Medallion is, for in that bauble resides the key to her destruction and the undoing of all the damage she has wrought on Bernovem. 

As Sentiz' powers continue to grow, and her grip on events becomes an irresistible force, Kristina drives on ahead, unaware that everything is drawing her to her doom.

 

Content:

Drug Content:

PG - There's no drinking here, but the prince is kept under the influence of a powerful mind-numbing potion.  

Violence:

PG-13 - A laboratory holds many jars of dismembered creature parts, and when an earthquake causes these to fall to the floor and break, they merge into a giant amorphous blob of body parts, that must be killed with an axe.  

Language:

G - The language in this book is squeaky clean. 

Adult Content:

PG - There is some interest expressed between characters. A character leads another one on for her advantage. 

Christian content:

An undercurrent of faith and providence, divine intervention and guidance, threads its way through this final installment in the series. There is a final reconciliation between the faith exposed in Bernovem with the God of the Bible, as one might have suspected. There are evidences of self-sacrifice, of divine intervention, of good triumphing over evil. 

Though there is little in the way of scripture quoted, it's wisdom is evidenced and the sacred writings of Bernovem reveal some parallel guidance to what can be found in holy scripture. It's solidly faith-based, an evil entity on a level of the Accuser of the Brethren finally has his say, but not his day.

Final analysis:

The Prophesy by Victoria Simcox gives a very satisfying end to the Bernovem Chronicles. I was well-pleased with the plot twists, the action, the world-building, and the believable character development. The loose threads were all wrapped up, and the mysteries that had been haunting me throughout the series were finally resolved. It's a fast-paced. white-knuckle thrill ride with a very satisfying end. 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

Review: Before by Molly McNamara Carter

 

Before 

by Molly McNamara Carter

In the not-too-distant future, Leadership controls everything and everyone, and a new regulation threatens to take away 13-year-old Wren's little brother. Already reeling from her grandmother's relocation, Wren must give up school, her friends, and the protection of her parents to save her little brother from the cold grip of efficiency. Can Wren and her brother survive the exhausting journey, the scorching desert, and the threatening grasp of Leadership to cross the border to safety and freedom?

My Take:

"Efficiency is key for productivity, and productivity is key for safety." This is the mind-numbing mantra of Leadership, which tries to control the masses by eliminating their rights and freedoms. In the Leadership Lands, the government controls everything you do. All for the sake of efficiency. Before by Molly McNamara Carter is a dystopian tale of a teen’s flight with her mute little brother from a totalitarian state to a land of freedom. When Leadership announces that children who require special care will be forcibly removed from their homes for re-education, permanently, Wren realizes she will lose her little brother Kael, who is unable to speak. Under cover of night, Wren is forced to flee the city with Kael, and cross many miles of forbidding desert while pursued by the agents ordered to prevent their escape, at any cost.

 Content:

Drug Content:
G – none
 
Violence:
G – A wolf attacks one of the characters
 
Language:
G – Squeaky clean
 
Adult Content:
G – Squeaky clean.
 
Christian content:
Not much, but there seems to be a divine intervention going on in the protection of the main character. Wren puts her life on the line for her helpless brother again and again. People along the way take great risks to deliver these kids to safety.

 
Final Analysis:
I thoroughly enjoyed this adventure-packed dystopian thriller. Wren faces drones, soldiers, coyotes, scorpions, deadly heat, and terrifying storms. The threats to Wren and her little brother are tangible. There were multiple points in the book that my pulse was pounding in my ears, fully invested in the story, and hiding there in the dark with Wren, who transforms during the adventure from a slightly rebellious, carefree teen to a responsible and determined adult. is a well-written, action-packed thrill ride, but it’s more than that. This novel is a thought-provoking delve into a possible future devoid of freedom, all for the sake of efficiency. The world-building was immersive, the character development realistic, and the outlook, hopeful. The cover art by Denitsa Shopova was stunning. Before by Molly McNamara Carter is perfect for lovers of dystopian teen fiction and coming-of-age adventures. Five Stars!

About the Author:

Molly has been writing stories since she learned to read them. For her and her sisters growing up, she created magical lands full of adventures that were never far off. Molly continues to delight her own children with her stories and passion for books. She has lived in big cities, little towns, on islands, in mountains and in deserts. She loves adventures like jumping out of airplanes, riding camels, and even swimming with sharks. When she's not reading, writing or working on an art project, she loves to explore with her favorite people. One of her greatest joys is bringing the magic of stories to her readers. Visit her website at mollymcnamaracarter.com/

Review: The Secret of Grandmother's Grandfather Clock (Accidental Adventures of Kurt Benson and His Friends, Riley and Jordan #3) by Max Elliot Anderson

The Secret of Grandmother's Grandfather Clock (Accidental Adventures of Kurt Benson and His Friends, Riley and Jordan #3)

by 

Max Elliot Anderson

Kurt Benson is at it again, only this time with his cousin Josh as his mystery-solving sidekick. When an unexpected family tragedy launches the boys into a full-blown investigation, they quickly find themselves in more danger than they could ever have imagined. But Kurt’s love for his grandfather urges him on in his quest for the truth—and in his efforts to save his grandparents’ farm. Will an old grandfather clock and a very special model airplane unlock the mystery before it’s too late?

My Take:

When Kurt Benson's grandfather passes away, he and his cousin Josh head to the farm for the funeral. While there they discover that their grandmother is in danger of losing the farm. As the boys dig deeper they discover that a cryptic message from their deceased grandfather may unlock the secret of the old grandfather clock and help save the farm. As their investigation continues, the boys find themselves in more danger than they could imagine! Will their quick wits, the old clock, and a special model airplane save the day?

Content:

Drug Content:

G - None.

Violence:

G - Children are threatened, thugs chase them, but no weapons are in evidence. Some people suffer burns and minor injuries.

Language:

G - squeaky clean.

Adult Content:

G - This is a kids' book. Not even kissing occurs here.

Christian content:

The faith of their grandfather and grandmother is evident and discussed a bit, but there is no overt Christian doctrine or preaching involved inside. Kurt has faith and it's mentioned in the book as well. But the main thrust of the book is an entertaining adventure story for kids, and it does well at that. Perseverance, faith, love, and loyalty play heavily into the plot of this little novel.

Final analysis:

The Secret of Grandmother's Grandfather Clock was an entertaining read, with good life lessons for kids ages 6-16. Weighing in at a little over 100 pages, it's a fairly quick read and the reading level is sufficient for a 10 year old to enjoy. I read this aloud to my 13yo son and he thoroughly enjoyed it. Fast-paced, clean, exciting and immersive, this book was captivating from start to finish. Five Stars!

About the Author:

Max Elliot Anderson grew up as a struggling reader. After surveying the market, he sensed the need for action-adventures and mysteries for readers 8 – 13, especially boys. 

Using his extensive experience in the production of dramatic motion pictures, videos, and television commercials, Mr. Anderson brings that same visual excitement and heart-pounding action to his stories. Each book has different characters, setting, and plot. 

Ten middle grade books are published, ten more are under contract, with several additional manuscripts completed. Young readers have reported that reading one of his books is like actually being in an exciting movie. He is also a short story staff writer for Knowonder.com Magazine.

Books for Boys Blog: http://booksandboys.blogspot.com 
Author Web Site: http://www.maxbooks.9k.com/index_1.html
My Youtube Videos http://www.youtube.com/user/Maxbooks1...

Review: Theodora's Children (Tales Of Hope #2) by Rick Nau

Theodora's Children(Tales Of Hope #2)

by Rick Nau

Gretchen is her name. She’s the heroine of the story. Some people call her Gretch the Wretch. Not a very nice thing to say about someone, especially if they suffer from a loneliness so intense it could blow the roof off the sky. Certainly she’s not the only person in the world who’s felt this way. You might have felt this way yourself. Or you might feel this way at this very moment, just as Gretchen felt at the beginning of her story. This isn’t to say she’s not a wonderful person. If you get to know her, you’ll find out how wonderful she is. If you don’t, you’ll never know.

My Take:

Jesse takes his great-grandchildren Daph and Josh to the lake each Sunday to enjoy time together and tell them a story. This time the story is concerning a rich daughter named Gretchen who, while showered with everything her heart could imagine, longs for a brother to share her life, fortune, and adventures with.

The brother she longs for is the only present she asks her parents for, but as the years slip by, she cannot understand why they cannot, or will not, answer this request. Sequestered on a sprawling estate with a multitude of staff to wait on her, there is not a single child anywhere she can play with. Until the day she is rescued from a fire by a mysterious child on the estate that nobody believes exists.

Did Gretchen imagine the child who rescued her from death? Was it the brother her parents would never give her? Or is she losing her mind, as her counselors believe?

Content:

Drug Content:

G - None.

Violence:

PG - Children are imprisoned, and there is an execution planned. There is a dangerous chase through a mountain pass. Kidnapping, imprisonment, and betrayal are all present, though no real violence, blood or death occurs.

Language:

G - squeaky clean.

Adult Content:

G - This is a kids' book. Not even kissing occurs here.

Christian content:

For most of the book there is very little content that goes beyond moral lessons and classic fairy tale oblique references to wisdom. But approaching the climax of the story the bible plays rather heavily, and the gospel message is clearly presented. Loyalty, self-sacrifice, and generosity are set against pride, malevolence, betrayal, and avarice. Good and evil are crisply defined with little gray area involved.

Final analysis:

Theodora's Children is a story within a story. And while the outer story with Jesse and his great-grandchildren held little to captivate me, the inner story, after some groundwork, was riveting. Slow to get started, the book gained traction a quarter of the way through, and was a page-turner throughout the remainder. Compelling, enthralling, and meaningful, Theodora's Children is a nice book to read aloud to kids ages 6-13. The setting is realistic, the action gripping, the characters well-defined. Five stars!

About the Author:

I remember writing my first story (a play) when I was eleven. A boy was digging in his backyard when he uncovered a tiny, silvery rock that could make you float through the air whenever you touched it. That story was written for a wonderful teacher who encouraged all of us to be creative.

Then, after a brief hiatus of fifteen years, I discovered an old typewriter that my mother had used in high school. Inspired by Jack Kerouac, I began banging away on it until I produced my first novel.

My favorite writers? Conrad, Hugo, London (the early years), Stevenson, Lewis, Dahl, Dumas, Kipling, Cooper, Hammett, Melville, Michener, Twain, O’Brian, Wilde, Bunyan, Kerouac and others. Whenever I open one of their books, it's like opening the wardrobe door that leads to Narnia. 

Review: A Window to Your Heart by Sean McKissack

A Window to Your Heart

by 

Sean McKissack

Imagine if you could make you're cherished dream come true. If you could look into A Window to Your Heart and pull that dream into reality. For Jason Dennereck, the ever-vigilant wallflower, his dream is to one day talk to one girl in particular...the one who makes each day brighter every time he sees her...to just say something more than "hello" to her. His dream could come true as he is a given a glimpse into what could happen if he puts his trust in God and allows him to lead the way. However, the temptation to do it all his own way causes more pain he may be left with an empty feeling and a lonely heart.

My Take:

Jason Dennereck has a serious problem. He can't seem to get past the word 'Hello' with the girl he wants to spend the rest of his life with. As chance after chance to push the relationship past that word pass him by, he begins to realize that she may slip away without even knowing how he feels. His best friend informs him that everyone, including the girl, is aware of his infatuation, so why can't he summon up the courage to just ask her out? But for Jason, that moment never can seem to come.

Enter Lydia, the strange, Goth girl who promises she can help him achieve those dreams, his own way, without any fear of rejection. At the same time, a new teen at school, named Gabe, tries to encourage him to do things God's way, and let the relationship grow organically.

As Gabe pulls out a flaming sword and opens a portal to show Jason his past, and Lydia brings him a tome she promises is a recording of his dream girl's entire life, and the easy way into a future with her, Jason begins to realize these two are not average students.

Jason is given the rare opportunity to choose the future he wants, or accept the future God gives him. If he chooses to do things his own way, he may gain everything he's ever dreamed of, but lose himself in the process.

Content:

Drug Content:

G - squeaky clean.

Violence:

PG - There is a fist fight at school. There is one scene, a dream, where a student is cut to pieces by flaming daggers.

Language:

G - squeaky clean.

Adult Content:

G - It's clean. Pre-teen angst is about as far as it goes.

Christian content:

Gabe is obviously a younger rendition of the Angel Gabriel, and his encouragement to have Jason follow the guidance of God is clear Christian content. Lydia is never truly described as the demoness she probably is. The book of Life is referred to. The importance of a life, of the destiny of an individual, temptation and character, longing and patience, are discussed and dealt with. The battling of Good and Evil is clear, and the spiritual forces are represented well. An event in the past concerning a church youth camp is visited.

No scripture is quoted, God is not given center stage, and church attendance is only present during a wedding. But that does not mean that Christian values or an eternal perspective are not here.

Final analysis:

Window to Your Heart explores the struggle most boys this age go through. I certainly went through it myself. The struggle to overcome the fear of rejection enough to tell a girl how you feel about her. The struggles Jason goes through, the trauma and drama of Junior High School is very real, painful, dimensional. Trips through time, alternate realities, life-altering decisions, all make for an exciting and spellbinding MG fantasy with some life lessons thrown in. Jason is likable, realistic, and has to go through a very real character arc to navigate the dangerous waters of Middle School.

I would love to have given this a five star rating, but I found some of the scenes, carried primarily by dialog, to be a bit confusing, and I got lost trying to follow who was saying what, and where they were, to the point where it pulled me out of the story for a bit. This was an excellent read, though. Fast action, a quick read, real characters, and a solid plot. Four Stars!

About the Author:

Sean McKissack's ability to view the world around him and find a story and truth enables him to prepare the stage in a reader's mind for a heart-felt life cinema. Inspired by God, music and his experiences, he captures teaching and growing moments commonly found during adolescence. His writings epitomize the good and the bad in life, the joys and the pain, culminating in the coming of age and wisdom.

Sean hails from Southaven, Mississippi and he's always thinking of new stories to write