Truth and Dare: One Year of Dynamic Devotions for Girls, by Ann Margret Hovsepian is a wonderful devotion for young girls
The cover is enticing for the age group, making them want to open it and see what is inside. The daily reading and message are short, plus a journaling portion, then there is the "dare" part of each lesson. A triple dare each day to further explore God's Word and put God's Word in action in your everyday life in fun and creative ways.
My 10 year old daughter loves this book! She said after the first day that "it make me want to read ahead and do more". She does these devotion lessons without me having to tell her. She has really enjoyed completing the "dares".
I wish the cover didn't say "for ages 9-12" because my 16 year old was very interested in it. I'd love to see something similar for older girls.
Ann-Margret Hovsepian authored The One Year Designer Genes Devo and served as senior editor and lead author for Blossom. She is a Canadian author and speaker who has written over two hundred articles and regularly speaks at writers’ conferences, mission conferences, and women’s events. She is actively involved on the board of Canadian Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec.
Thanks so much to B and B Media Group for sending me this book for my review.
I really enjoyed A Place to Belong: Out of Our Comfort Zone and Into God's Adventure, by Lisa Troyer. As a woman who has few friends this book felt like a friend to me. As I was reading it I did feel accepted, affirmed, called to accountability and action. I’ve said for years that true fellowship can only happen where there is true transparency. I feel this is were the church is lacking today. I feel people want to be accepted so much that they fear the judgment of others so they live a pretend life to have the illusion of acceptance. Once we as a church STOP comparing ones walk with another, and actually offer encouragement and support, instead of gossip and withdrawal, we will see true fellowship and church growth.
Wallowing in the past doesn’t help anyone, it certainly doesn’t make one more “holy”. God is gracious to forgive, heal and forget, and we need to do the same. Once you have the Lord’s forgiveness, thank Him for it and move on. Stop dragging the dead with you.
I received this book from B&B MEdia group in exchange for my honest review.
Sunrise on the Battery by Beth Webb Hart looked promising. I thought the concept had the makings of a good story. I was left disappointed. The jumping from character to character made a hard read. Just when I really got into the story line of a character and thought I was getting somewhere, the author would switch characters. I really didn’t enjoy the backstory of South Carolina, seemed sort of irrelevant to the story for me. This book doesn’t make me want to search out more from this author.
I received this book from B&B MEdia group in exchange for my honest review.
I was so glad to discover that the Grandma Attic series continues with 2 more books.
These books are fun to read either aloud to your children as short bedtime stories or read alones. Since these books are actually a collection of short stories, they are perfect for narration. Arleta Richardson has a warm story telling style that is as cozy as grandma's lap.
These books follow some more fun adventures of Mabel as a little girl, her adventures become lessons in honesty, patience and manners.
A favorite story is about the “slop-tot” Mabel. This story teaches the need to be aware of what one is doing while eating in order to avoid embarrassment.
I really love these books, great books to share with your children and pass down to grandchildren.
Thank you B & B Media for the review copies in exchange for my honest reveiw.
The Grandma's Attic Series, by Arleta Richardsonis a wonderful set of short stories as told by Grandma Mabel to her granddaughter, Arleta. These funny and heartwarming stories are about Mabel's adventures growing up on a farm in Michigan. These stories also present Biblical truths is a very engaging way making it easy for children to grasp and making them excellent stories to practice "narration."
These books are part of the Sonlight homeschooling curriculum Core K, Core B&C, & Core C
These stories have been a favorite of my daughters over the years.
Thank you B & B Communications for these review copies in exchange for my honest review.
Love this book! This is the prefect book (other than the Bible of course) for Tweens/Teens looking for love. My daughter was afraid it would be too "old fashioned" she often accuses me of trying to make her "old fashioned." Preparing to Be a Help Meet, isn't old fashioned, it is very modern and up to date with how girls think and act. Both my 15 yo DD and I have read portions of the book and we really like how it presents the stories of real modern girls/couples and isn't all "fairy tales" and fluffy clouds. The Teacher/Leader guide makes this a great book to do as Youth group/Sunday School lessons.
So many Christian girls get to feeling lonely and left out when all their friends are dating or when they see their friends becoming the "Grabber Girls" and getting the guys. This book backs me up as a mother when I tell my girls that guys may date "grabby girls" for fun but that's not the kind of wife they want. It also backs me up when I tell me girls to get interested in activies that bring them into contact with Christian young people of common intestest. I've got a couple of great "Hidden Flowers" that need to be found as the loyal, fun and talented girls they are.
I also like that this book doesn't tell me or my daughters to sit at home and not participate in society, but to cultivate their talents and abilities for God's glory helping people.
Love Food and Live Well by Chantel Hobbs. Chantel has a very friendly warm open personal writing style that is enjoyable and easy to read.
Chantel shares the story of her personal struggle with weighing over 350 once upon a time. With her faith and hard work she lost 200 pounds. In the process she became an expert in the field of weight loss, as well as a certified fitness professional. She doesn’t just have the knowledge of what to eat, she’s experienced the heartache of feeling unworthy. In her book she says, “We’ll look at the deal the world has been selling us all of our lives-the message that we’re not good enough, not pretty enough not thin enough, and just basically that we’re not enough.” Hobbs doesn’t just offer expert advice, she offers hope.
If you’re looking for a “diet” book this isn’t it- this is a book to encourage you to change your life by changing your thinking. There is a section about healthy eating and a section about exercise with a suggested interval training schedule and strength/toning exercises using a stability ball.
This is a good book but I would have liked more healthy eating information since that is what the title lead me to believe the book was about. I have been told that her other book “Never Say Diet” is more about healthy eating.
Thank you tbbmedia for this book in exchange for my honest review.
My fifteen year old daughter has devoured this book, in fact she has read it several times. My soon to be 13 year old daughter has read parts of it as well. Both give it 5 stars.
The practical advice is from a Christian perspective, I like that it doesn't gloss over the sin and temptations that young people are facing these days. This book addresses peer pressure, friendships, boy/girl relationships, beauty/ fashion and a whole lot more.
Katie Meier shares some experiences from her own life, that really helps young people know they are not alone, that all grown ups have experienced this thing called "adolescence", even their parents. The book addresses misconceptions that young women face and what the truth is really is all about. Lots of relevant information, good for mom daughter discussions.
My oldest daughter did think that the title sounded too young, but after she looked at the table of contents she was interested in reading it.
This book was supplied by Thomas Nelson in exchange for my honest review.
We are fans of Spiderman movies in our home. The Soul of Spiderman is a great book to pull out and discuss scenes form the movies with your kids. Also is a super easy daily devotional for Spiderman fans. If child has watched the movies they are old enough for this book. I thin kit would be great for a boys sunday school class, Youth group messages, combined with a youth group movie night.
I'd like to thank Regal for provide this book in exchange for my honest review.
I think the message of simplifying our lives is very needed in society today. I really tried to give this book a chance, going back again and again to read it, but it never got any better. This book is slow, wordy and didn't keep my interest. I can not recommend it.
I'd like to thank Bethany House for providing this book in exchange for my honest review.
Paperdoll has a great message needed for girls and women of all ages. "Jesus never taught that our worth as a woman is based on our background, our education, our race, our martial statue, our appearance, or our career. We are worthy simply and amazingly because of Him. And in Psalm 45:1, God tells us He's enthralled with our beauty."
(your beauty) " encompasses the internal and the external-your heart, your imagination, your emotion, your intellect, your compassion, and your sincerity. He happens to think you're beautiful, worth saving and worth loving."
I love Ms. Lloyd's message, my only negative comment is she is very wordy to make her points which makes the book drag.
I'd like to thank Regal for providing me book to review in exchange for my honest review.
Mrs. Rue enters high school and explores bullying to the extreme, teen depression, and the need to fit in.
Main character Laura moved to a new city, starts a new school and feels completely alone and out of place. This book was a real tear jerker for me because I experienced many of the same feelings when I was in high school 25 years ago.
I don't think adults realize the stress teens deal with and the devastating effects it has on young people, emotionally, physically and spiritually. New Girl in Towndelves into these dark areas that adults tend to ignore in themselves and in their teens.
New Girl in Town is a book for high school age girls as it touches on more grown up themes. I'd like to continue the series to see if I'm right in who I believe Laura's secret admirer is and how the girls in "group" open. bond, and develop their friendship.
I'd like to thank Zondervan for providing this book for my personal and honest review.
The Secret of Indigo Moon by G. P. Taylor is a graphic novel about 3 orphans living in an unbearable orphanage. The is book 2 in a series, Book one which is referenced often in The Secret of Indigo Moon. Because I have not read book one I had a hard time getting into the plot, getting to know the characters and even liking them. Erik is the only character who is likable. I usually do like youth fiction, Redwall, Harry Potter, and Charlie Bone are some of my favorites, but I did not enjoy The Secret of Indigo Moon. Maybe it was the graphic novel concept that didn't appeal to me. None of my daughters ( ages 15, 12, and 9) were even interested enough to read it either. Maybe it is more of a boy's book? Thank you Tyndale for this review copy.
I received the 3rd DVD in this new series by Phil Vischer, creator of Veggie Tales. This series takes kids and parents on a fun filled journey through the Bible! DVD #3 Wandering' in the Desert is all about the books of Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
This is way better than Veggie Tales in my opinion. Think Sesame Street meets Sunday School.
Phil Vischer is our leader, with a colorful cast of characters; Buck Denver the Newscaster, Sunday School Teacher with her pointer and flannel board, plus several more. Like Veggie Tales there's singing catchy tunes with each episode.
I was asked by Tyndale if I would use this in our homeschool and I have to say that this is a great tool to introduce many topics to K-3 maybe even 4th grade.
I personally love to plan lessons so I took some time to write out some topics of interest with some available lapbooks, worksheets, and websites.
Obedience lapbook Discussion questions-What are the rules at your house about obedience? Why is obedience important? What is the consequence for disobedience? What is God's consequence for us when we disobey?
I was able to watch Episode 1 of History of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years and wish I had the whole series. Diarmaid MacCulloch is very honest at the beginning that this is not a series about Christian theology, it is about the movement of the church through history and countries and how this shaped both along with the church itself. The series does lump all Christ worshipping religions together- Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant.
I loved the tours of the countries and the buildings both great and small where believers gathered for thousands of years. This first episode works wonderfully with the homeschool curriculum Mystery of History Vol 2. I'm sure it could be used with others but MOH is what I have used.
I found this dvd very interesting, informative and inspiring. I was moved by the total dedication of the early church, they changed the world- can we do any less?
Glaen: A Novel Message on Romance, Love and Relating, This story follows Annie as she discovers what makes true love last- between friends and spouses. The author Fred R. Lybrand suggests reading the book book twice and I have to agree. Once for the story line and once for the concepts.
I enjoyed the story line but found the writing somewhat disjointed and this made the plot difficult to follow. But overall an easy book to read. I had hoped that my 15 year old would read it. Nothing in the book is inappropriate as far as my personal taste, but the “jumpiness” of the writing made it hard for her to follow the plot. She will try again in a couple months.
We are a “non traditional dating” family- we subscribe to a more “courtship” style model. My one objection to Glaen is the very narrow definition of courtship. When in reality each family is free to design their own style of courtship. One families “courtship” is another’s “group dating only” style.
There is a website, www.glaen.com, for a study guide which would make this a great book study for older teens/college or premarital classes.
Daily Steps for God Chicks by Holly Wagner is a 90 day devotional. I like Holly's personal writing style, it's like a visit with a girl friend. This book is more than a devotional which tend to be passive. This book gives you a daily assignment that build on one another. Some are reflective-perfect for journaling and some are more active steps.
This is one devotional that I'll keep in rotation. I'm looking forward to reading more by Holly Wagner.
Thank you Regal Books for this copy in exchange for my honest review.
Sound your battle cry! Stop being a whimpy Christian, be the warrior God made and called you to be! Warrior Chicks by Holly Wagner is like visiting with my girlfriends. Holly's writing is easy and fun while getting across strong spiritual truths. Holly shows us the "how and why" of putting on the armor of God daily.
Each of us have battles, be it a serious health issue, such as cancer, a family issue like rebellious teens or a marriage that is falling apart. We even have minor issues daily that we need to rely on God to get us through with victory. People are watching our testimony while we deal with these issues. Holly shows us how to move from being a victim to an overcoming warrior.
This book would be a terrific book for group Bible study, Sunday School or personal Bible study- a study guide is included in the back. Although written for women by a woman, men could also glean much of the warrior spirit from this book.
I'll be visiting Holy in this book again and again.
Thank you to Regal books for this copy in exchange for my honest review.
What’s a girl to do when she moves to a new school in a whole new country? Savvy and her family move to England for her fathers job. Starting a new school is hard enough but in a new country makes it even more tough. Some of the kids and neighbors seem nice but standoffish.
Savvy has a few hard decision to make in the quest to win friends and be excepted in a group. I’m a big sap, and the loneliness Savvy feels did make me tear up. This book has a good biblical message, but it isn’t preachy and doesn’t slap you in the face.
Both dd and I enjoyed learning about how things in England differed than here in US. We found some of the candy mentioned in the book at World Market to try which was fun. In an interview with the author about why she decided to set the series in London she says “I think, at heart, we are all fantasy travelers, excited about visiting new places - especially places that speak English! London is such a fun, cosmopolitan town. They speak English, but with an enchanting accent that American girls often imitate because it sounds so, well, posh! We love their royalty, their history, the fact that they are both very similar and yet different from us. The girls who read the London Confidential books may not be able to visit London in person this year, but they can go there via the book. And then plan the REAL trip to follow.”
This is a book aimed at tweens/teens. I say tweens because there isn’t anything in this book that wouldn’t let my 12 yo read. My 15 yo dd read this book in one day and really liked it as well. Both dd and I want to continue the series. We have discussed what we would like to see happen with the main character. Will Savvy join the youth group? Will friendship with Penny ever grow? Will she get the cute boy? Sandra Byrd states, “The final two books in the series release on September 1, 2010 and talk about good friendships and bad, why it's important for Christian girls to stick with only liking, even crushing on, Christian boys, how to persevere in times of trouble, and taking your first adult steps in your faith. When girls open any of the books, they'll find a girl who is a lot like them, with dreams and hopes and fears like theirs, and God who works things out in ways they would not have imagined. There are friendship ups and downs, school ups and downs, guy ups and downs, family issues and lots of fun. I wanted to write books that would be fun to read, and yet still be meaningful. I hope the girls find the books to be just that.” We are looking forward to seeing what will happen.
Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers for the review copy in exchange for my honest review.
My wonderful husband and I have been married since 1988. We are the blessed parents of 3 lovely jewels. Emilie~1995; Olivia~1998; Isabella~2001
We are eclectic homeschoolers, if it is weird and/or unsual that’s what we do. Although unit studies, Living books, Charlotte Mason, notebooking, lapbooking doesn’t seem so different these days. I guess the rest of the homeschool world finally discovered there is a lot more out there than Abeka, & Bob-Jones.
by Katie Meier
I'm sure it could be used with others but MOH is what I have used.
, This story follows Annie as she discovers what makes true love last- between friends and spouses. The author Fred R. Lybrand suggests reading the book book twice and I have to agree. Once for the story line and once for the concepts.
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