K.D. McCrite has done it again! Chocolate-Covered Baloney: Confessions of April Grace

Expertly weaving polythematic elements, K.D. McCrite uses multiple conflicts happening in young April Grace’s life to teach the young reader about topics such as forgiveness, kindness, hospitality, friendship, and family, but especially what it means to see others the way Jesus sees them. Expect Chocolate-covered Baloney to challenge, and perhaps change, your young reader’s view of people and events in his/her young life.

From the viewpoint of middle-school aged April Grace, life has too many changes.  The changes of a baby brother, a new family in the small rural town, and being in middle school, have turned April Grace’s life upside down.  She doesn’t like it, not one little bit.  In fact, she is so weary of change that she chooses to completely tune out her pastor when he preaches on the subject.  Little does April Grace know or understand, life is full of changes; she is about to experience more change than she can imagine. 

From meeting her maternal grandmother for the first time, an argument with her best friend, and her sister running away, April witnesses how others struggle with bitterness, anger, and finally forgiveness.  Woven into these multiple conflicts is April’s curiosity and personal feelings of anger, guilt, and dislike for change.  Without being “preachy” K.D. McCrite does an excellent job weaving these conflicts together to show that Christians have problems like everyone else, but have something that others do not….grace.  The resolution of each problem yields heart changes for April Grace and for those around her.  One of my favorite parts in this book is when April’s mother admits to April that she is having difficulty with her past and the mysterious appearance of her long-absent mother.  This speaks volumes to me as a parent and reinforces that our children need to see our vulnerabilities to see us grow in our faith.  We can disciple them by allowing them to see Jesus work in us. 

My two girls, age 8 and 12 loved Cliques, Hicks, and Ugly Sticks by K.D. McCrite, and I expect Chocolate-covered Baloney to be no different.  I had to give up my Kindle for a few days while they were reading it and couldn’t pull them away.  I absolutely recommend this book to anyone with children in 3^rd grade and up.  You will not get a more spiritually instructional, Christian fiction book for this age group that they will enjoy. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

Wild Grace by Max Lucado……a must read for teens!

“When God gives, he dances for joy. He strikes up the band and leads the giving parade.”  In typical Max Lucado style, the vision of a great God loving his people is passed on to the reader using metaphor that simplifies even the most difficult, unbelievable theological idea to a level of understanding.  In Wild Grace, God’s grace is defined through stories of real life ordinary people doing extraordinary things.  If that weren’t enough, Mr. Lucado’s writing style, elegantly simple and straightforward, drives each point home. 

Wild Grace is an adaptation of Max Lucado’s Grace geared toward a teen audience.  Each chapter is ended with 2-3 thought provoking application questions.  It is not as consuming as a Bible study, but is simple and clear.  An example is, “How has God given you grace lately?”

As the mother of a 12 year old girl who is spiritually mature for her age and experience, I would highly recommend this book to any teenager and plan to have my daughter read it, as well.  If you are an adult who are wearied by grandiose theological discussions, or just need an easy read to reaffirm what you already know about God’s grace, this book will be a fountain of blessing for you as well. 

In my final comments, I would like to express my thanks to Max Lucado and James Lund for this wonderful, spirit-filled book.  This book should be a resource for every parent of a teen that wants their child to have a better understanding of who God is and who we are to him.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

 

 

Constant Craving by Marilyn Meberg

               Marilyn Meberg’s sense of humor combined with her God given intelligence makes any of her books an interesting read.  Constant Craving is certainly no exception.  Giving the theological explanation that we all are “craving” the existence of which we have been deprived by sin, and are constantly looking for “more” as a result, is only the beginning of understanding the concept Mrs. Meberg expounds upon in this insightful book.

               Narratives of personal experiences of that “more” craving help to give the theology a real life application.  This insight into Marilyn Meberg’s personal life also gives the reader a feeling of personal familiarity with the author, a kindred spirit that understands the everyday challenges associated with this craving. 

               The book begins with a psychological explanation of why we are attracted to certain individuals and goes on to discuss the search for romantic love.  The disappointments found in romantic relationships is determined to be because of a misunderstanding of the stages of love and the constant feeling that there is “more” than what is being experienced in a relationship.  Mrs. Meberg devotes three chapters to this topic, primarily because this is an area causing more people to struggle than other areas.  Other topics discussed include:  happiness, friendship, time, God’s purpose, solitude, revenge, etc. 

               I thoroughly enjoyed Constant Craving. The writing of Marilyn Meberg finds an audience with intellectual as well as average readers. Her short narratives of personal experiences serve to explain deeper concepts in a way that is much like the way Jesus taught.  Jesus taught through parables; Mrs. Meberg teaches through stories of personal experiences.   Her sense of humor has the ability to catch the reader off guard, also rendering her teachings entertaining as well as informative.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.