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 3rd 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.
No comments:
Post a Comment