The Donkey That No One Could Ride by Anthony DeStefano

Binding: Hardcover
ISBN: 978-0-7369-4851-7

This delightful piece of children’s literature introduces the young reader or listener to the donkey that Jesus rode during his triumphal entry into Jerusalem prior to his crucifixion.   

This humble little donkey is portrayed as “young, weak and small”, unable to be ridden by anyone.  But then he meets the Man, so kind and wise, who reminds the small beast of burden, “My help is enough.”  Indeed the Master’s help was enough for the frail little donkey who is no longer frail and weak, but carries the King through the gates of the city to shouts and cheers of hosannas and praise. 

This book is beautifully illustrated and a delightful retell of the Lord’s triumphal entry that will be enjoyed by any reader, whether young or young at heart.  It is also a wonderful reminder that Jesus can use and make profitable any of his creatures no matter how frail or useless; even we who are frail humans and in much need of the Master’s help. (reviewed by J.La Tour)

About the author: Anthony DeStefano is the bestselling author of Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To, A Travel Guide to Heaven, This Little Prayer of Mine, and Little Star. He has received prestigious awards from religious organizations worldwide for his efforts to advance Christian beliefs in modern culture.

About the illustrator: Richard Cowdrey is the talented and well-known illustrator of numerous children’s books, including Bad Dog, Marley! and Marley Goes to School. He has worked with such distinguished clients as Bantam Books, National Football League, and World Wildlife Federation. Desiring to honor God with his work and with his life, Richard lives in Ohio with his wife and children. 

 

 DISCLOSURE:  A complimentary  of The Donkey That No One Could Ride was provided to ACS for the purpose of rendering our honest review.  Opinions expressed are those of the reviewer solely.

Weaverworld: Grimsnipe’s Revenge by Julia K. Rohan

ISBN-13: 9781469700311

Jack Fisher is an 11 year old boy having a difficult time. He is failing his classes in school and is planning on going to skateboard camp for the summer.   Instead of going to skateboard camp, he is going to summer school.  He decides to run away to go to camp but he falls asleep in the park and gets grounded for the summer.

He attends a family gathering at his Grandma’s house.  There he discovers a whole new world.  The characters in Weaverworld are very charming.  Jack will soon learn that  the people in Weaverworld have a gift – the ability to use their imagination to create things.  This gift must only be used for doing good.  There is an evil force in Weaverworld that Jack must find the courage to destroy. 

Weaverworld was vividly and creatively described.  It has secrets, action, danger, and a lot of fantasy characters.  I enjoyed the book.  It has all of the elements of fantasy.  It will appeal to both boys and girls.  It is comparable to The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.  (--reviewed by C.Ingram)

Book Description: Jack Fisher is a boy in trouble. Disobedient and rebellious, he fights with his sister Jillian, challenges his parents' authority and fails his classes at school. But when temptation overpowers his better judgment during the annual family reunion the consequences are more drastic than anyone could have imagined. Ignoring his grandmother's warning to stay out, Jack goes up to the attic and tries on his grandfather's old bomber jacket and boots. Suddenly transported to a world called Weaverworld, Jack must quickly adjust to his new reality. Weaverworld is a mystical place and the longer he's there the more willing he is to let go of the rules from his life in the Realworld. But not everything is as enchanting as it seems. Jack soon learns that Weaverworld can also be a dangerous and terrifying place as the vengeful Grimsnipe enmeshes him in an ever more dangerous web of intrigue. With his new friends at his side, Jack must find a way to fight this evil force before it succeeds in destroying both his family and the Weaver way of life.

About the author: From the time Ms. Rohan could put pencil to paper she began escaping the Realworld through drawings and stories. As a teenager her creative energy turned to music. As an adult she returned to school and earned an Honours English Literature degree. Weaverworld: Grimsnipe's Revenge is her first novel. Married with one grown son, Ms. Rohan's motto is: "Where there's a will, there's a way". 

DISCLOSURE: A copy of Weaverworld was provided for the purpose of rendering our honest review.  Opinions expressed are those of the reviewer.

Muskie Attack: An Up North Adventure by G.M. Moore



ISBN:  978-1-936236-30-5
Paperback $11.95



Muskie Attack is a book set in Northern Wisconsin.  Eleven year old Corebett is a city boy who is sent up North to visit for the summer with his Uncle.  He makes friends with Pike, a real outdoors boy.  He and Pike have numerous adventures at Whispering Pines which Corbett’s uncle manages.  In the course of their adventures Corbett discovers he loves fishing.  This is quite amazing for a boy who cannot stand bugs when he arrives.  There is a bit of mystery in the story as sightings of a huge Muskie,  entice the boys into entering the fishing contest.  The contest was initiated  to try and catch this monstrous beast.  Numerous fishermen are injured in the contest but the boys are determined to  enter and risk their lives in the process.

This is a great boy adventure book.  It is a heart warming story about Corbett whose one longing and desired is to be noticed by his recently divorced and very busy parents.  His character is well developed and it is pleasing to see the growth he makes in the course of the story. 

I think this is a good choice for middle school students.  It is not a long book and may even interest some who love to fish.  It is set in today’s world and I think it would appeal to many students. (---reviewed by A.Freeman)

About the author: G.M. Moore is a former newspaper writer and editor.  The author grew up exploring the lakes of northern Wisconsin and currently resides in Illinois.

Website for Up North Adventures:  http://upnorthadventure-series.com  There are two other books in the Up North Adventure Series:  Ancient Elk Hunt and Snakehead Invasion.

FREE DOWNLOAD AVAILABLE:  October 23, 24, 25, 2012  you may get a FREE Kindle download at Amazon.com.  Links are: Muskie Attack, Ancient Elk Hunt, Snakehead Invasion

"8 Minutes to ... Digital Winter" by Mark Hitchcock & Alton Gansky

About the book:  Prophecy expert Mark Hitchcock and award-winning novelist Alton Gansky provide a suspenseful and fast-moving story of life after a massive cyber attack.

Twenty-two-year-old savant Donny Elton can’t tie his shoes, but his computer skills are unsurpassed. Egged on by a shadowy figure only he can see and hear, Donny creates an evolving computer virus that knocks out satellites, power grids, and communication systems. The world is thrown back into a lifestyle it hasn’t known for a hundred years. Surgeons find themselves operating without electricity. The military can’t use its computers…

This gripping story of darkness and heroism highlights prophetic themes and the very real danger of a cyber attack.

Review:  This is a story of a digital or cyber attack on the east coast of the United States.  Cars and all other forms of transportation come to a stand still.  People are hurt and killed during this breakdown. The one company that is in charge of finding out the problem is USCYBERCOM.  Eventually, the problem results in power outage for all of North America in only 8 minutes.  Only one household retained power.  This was the household of a Godly man and his family.  God uses this man's mentally challenged son to find the answer to fix the problem and get the person responsible for the chaos punished. 

But do they catch the person? This seems to be a continued story.

Suitable for grades 7 and up and entails mystery and puzzle solving as the reader delves into the story.
(--reviewed by L.Barker)

About the authors: 
Mark Hitchcock is the author of nearly 20 books related to end-time Bible prophecy, including the bestselling 2012, the Bible, and the End of the World. He earned a ThM and PhD from Dallas Theological Seminary and is the senior pastor of Faith Bible Church in Edmond, Oklahoma. He has worked as an adjunct professor at DTS, and he and his wife, Cheryl, have two sons.

Alton Gansky is the author of 30 books—24 of them novels, including the Angel Award winner Terminal Justice and Christy Award finalist A Ship Possessed. A frequent speaker at writing conferences, he holds BA and MA degrees in biblical studies. Alton and his wife reside in Southern California.

DISCLOSURE:  A complimentary copy of "8 Minutes to... Digital Winter" was provided by Harvest House Publishing on behalf of the authors for the purpose of an honest review.  Opinions expressed are solely those of the reviewer.

"By the Light of the Silvery Moon" by Tricia Goyer: Book Review

By the Light of the Silvery Moon is a historic novel during 1912.  The story evolves around the Titanic and a trip across seas. 

Amelia was an idyllic young woman whose life revolved around serving others.  She had a love for God that she shared by serving others in need.  Her past had been difficult.  She lived with a kind elderly aunt who had cared for her since her mother had left to work as a ship maid when she was but a young girl.  Although assured by her mother that she would be back, Amelia never saw or heard from her mother again.  These events helped to shape Amelia into the compassionate person that she was.

Amelia was bound for American on board the Titanic.  She was headed across seas to meet a suitor who she had been writing to for many months.  Although she had never met him personally, he had bought her a ticket along with a ticket for her aunt and brother.  At the last minute, her brother was unable to make the trip, and as was her character, she gave the ticket to a young vagabond in need.

Quentin Walpole, unbeknownst to Amelia, was the once affluent son of a wealthy American businessman.  In a story similar to the Biblical parable of the Prodigal’s son, Quentin had left his home, spent his riches and young life in wonton living, and now had nothing but sorrows to remind him of his past.  It was in this setting that Amelia and Quentin meet.  A friendship ensues and she compassionately reminds him of Christ’s love and forgiveness, and the love and forgiveness waiting him at the hands of his father and estranged brother, Damien.

As circumstances would have it, Quentin’s father and brother are indeed aboard the Titanic.  Quentin’s heart begins to soften, until he sees his need of Christ’s forgiveness and that of his father and brother.  His father is elated, plans to throw a lavish party inviting everyone on the boat, but his brother is jealous and angry with the sudden appearance of the brother who had spend half the inheritance and had embarrassed the family.

As one expects from a romance novel, Amelia and Quentin fall in love, but so does Damien!  Amelia is drawn to the once down-and-outer rather than the wealthy other son. 

The story was enjoyable and entertaining, but I had hoped for a little more history and less romance.  The story at times became a little shallow as the romance developed.  I also thought that some of the characters were less than realistic.  Amelia comes across as one of almost perfect character that is able to solve other people’s problems.  She always has the wisdom and right advice to give to others in need.  Damien’s character is left as wealthy, proud, and unforgiving, but less than developed, while Quentin is portrayed as the true Prodigal’s son, once a tramp, now forgiven and right with God and father.

At this point in the story, the Titanic hits the immense iceberg and begins to sink.  The “unsinkable” is sinking.  Many lives are lost; some are saved. It was a simple, charming story of forgiveness and redemption. (Reviewed by S.Fincannon)

Author Bio:  Tricia Goyer is the author of thirty books including Songbird Under a German Moon, The Swiss Courier, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. 

"Little Prayers to Bless Your Day" by Chris Shea

Hardcover $9.99
ISBN: 978-0-7369-4767-1

This delightful little book Little Prayers to Bless Your Day written and illustrated by Chris Shea might on first glance be thought a book for children to read or have read to them.  While children would certainly enjoy and benefit from this book, it is also a book that would be an enjoyable and profitable read for any adult. It puts into perspective the biblical principle of “praying without ceasing.”   

The book is also filled with whimsical and colorful illustrations that make this book all the more enjoyable to read.  Each reader will be reminded of the importance of prayer not just at meal time or bed time but throughout the day as we encounter the ordinary tasks of daily living.   

How blessed each of us would be if we prayed throughout each day about everything, whether it be waiting in line, washing dishes or shopping for shoes.  How much more like Christ we would be if “little prayers” were prayed more often “to bless our day.”  This book would make a wonderful gift to pass on to our friends and loved ones.     (Book Review by J.LaTour)

Artist and author Chris Shea is the bestselling illustrator and author of If God Used Sticky Notes, Such a Wonderful You, and numerous other gift books. Through her own line of greeting cards, Lifesighs Cards, she inspires and amuses people with charming designs and words of hope and encouragement.

DISCLOSURE:  ACS was provided a complimentary copy of Little Prayers to Bless Your Day by Harvest House Publishers in exchange for our honest review.  The book will be shelved in the school library.

Life in flip Flops by Sonja Brown Dechene

REVIEW:  Sonja Brown DeChene’s book, Life in Flip Flops, is a marvelous group of short stories spanning her lifetime. Several of DeChene’s stories allowed me the opportunity to go back into the recesses of my own memory and recall incidents from my childhood with my brother, fun times spent at ACS, difficult times in life, and pleasurable times spent at the beach with family. DeChene writes vividly of her love for her family and the beach, and time spent there with her family. I highly recommend this book to everyone, especially alumni of ACS. This book will make you smile and remember the simple pleasures of life. DeChene’s mantra throughout the book, and life, is to live simple, something for all of us to remember in this high tech, stressful world that we live in today.  (reviewed by Cyndi Parsons Phillips, Alamance Christian School Class of 1986)

BIO Sonja DeChene is an aspiring writer, photographer, and self-proclaimed beach bum living inland in the heart of beautiful North Carolina.

As a 1984 graduate of Alamance Christian School, then Sonja Brown, had no solid professional aspirations. After attending various classes at Alamance Community College over the years and sifting through several jobs that left her unfullfilled, she found herself led to the medical field in the late ‘90s. It was at this time when she began to develop skills and ambition that would later secure her an opportunity for a career at a nationally ranked healthcare facility. Sonja has been with UNC Healthcare for almost seven years now and is proud to be a part of the Orthopaedics Department. She currently works as a Surgery Coordinator and Administrative Lead.

Sonja credits her relationship with the Lord, strong family structure, and solid Christian education at ACS as just a few of the many elements that have been an integral part in her success as both a professional and a person.

She shares a piece of the American dream with her wonderful husband, David, and two precious kitties, Rumi and Sage. By day, she has a career in the corporate world, but the rest of the time she is living the simple southern life by choice and loving every minute of it. Life in Flip Flops is her first literary endeavor.

 READ THE CHAPTER
"Warriors" from "Life in Flip Flops"

Photography website is: www.visualbreezesphotography.com
Sonja's website link for the book is: http://www.visualbreezesphotography.com/books