"Waiting for Morning" (The Brides of Last Chance Ranch) by Margaret Brownley

ISBN:  9781595549709

Review: The book Waiting for Morning in The Brides of Last Chance Ranch series by Margaret Brownley will keep your interest from beginning to end.  This book is set in the late 1800’s out west when employment for a woman is hard to come by.

The main character, Molly Hatfield, has dedicated her life to caring for her wheelchair-bound teenaged brother Denny.  So when Molly learns that a wealthy rancher in Arizona is looking for an heiress, she put her whole heart into this opportunity.  This way she has the chance to provide a real home for her brother. While trying to gain permanent employment, Molly meets the town’s charming, unmarried doctor.  Molly decides to avoid her feeling for Caleb since she would jeopardize her new job and her brother’s future well-being.

Falling in love with Caleb would threaten everything she’s worked for.  Could this be the very reason God brought her to Arizona?

This book was very well written and would be a fund read for high school girls.  One of the main problems within the western town is an alcohol problem among the townsmen.  I don’t feel the books makes a big enough stand against drinking to get drunk and even the preacher character drowns his sorrows in alcohol on one occasion.  Parents should be cautioned on this particular aspect of the book. (rev. M.Hicks)

About the author:  Thrills, mystery, suspense, romance: Margaret penned it all. Nothing wrong with this, except Margaret happened to be writing for the church newsletter. After making the church picnic read like a Grisham novel, her former pastor took her aside and said, "Maybe God's calling you to write fiction."

It turns out God was and Margaret did. She now has more than 20 novels to her credit. In addition, she's written many Christian articles and a non-fiction book. Still, it took a lot of prodding from God before Margaret tried her hand at writing inspirational fiction which led to her Rocky Creek series. "I love writing about characters at different stages of faith," she says of the new direction her writing career has taken, "and I'm here to stay."

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary review copy was provided by BookSneeze on behalf of the publisher, Thomas Nelson, and the author, Margaret Brownley, to facilitate our honest review.

"The Little Sparrows" by Al & Joanna Lacy

About the book:  Kearney, Cheyenne, Rawlins. Reno, Sacramento, San Francisco. At each train station, a few lucky orphans from the crowded streets of New York City receive the fulfillment of their dreams: a home and family. This "orphan train" is the vision of Charles Loring Brace, founder of the Children's Aid Society, who cannot bear to see innocent children abandoned in the overpopulated cities of the mid-nineteenth-century. Yet it is not just the orphans whose lives need mending — follow the train along and watch God's hand restore love and laughter to the right family at the right time!

Review:  People who write reviews for books have opinions either strong or negative.  The Little Sparrows written by Al and Joanna Lacy is a very entertaining book.  The genre is Historical Fiction, and I find this type of genre very interesting.  Placing historical facts in the realm of fictional characters is an interesting way to portray history.

Al and Joanna Lacy have written other works about the Trail of Tears and the Texas War of Independence.  Those works were very interesting with the fictional characters intertwined with historical facts.  This particular novel represents the orphan trains also interweave a little known aspect of history. 

There were many different reasons and situations that children were placed onto the orphan train seeking new homes and lives. One particularly interesting part tells about siblings whose parents supposedly perished in a shipwreck, and the subsequent search for these siblings when they returned to full health. 

Throughout this story the authors have woven Christian faiths and beliefs.  We learn that the gentleman who originally created the orphan train was himself a Christian.  Trust in God plays a major part throughout the book.  The message of salvation is repeatedly preached.

Having read other novels by Al and Joanna Lacy, I was slightly disappointed with how predictable several story lines were.  Yet, although some of the suspense level was diminished, the amazing historical facts about the orphan trains were enough to keep me turning the pages. (rev. D.Bodley)

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of The Little Sparrows was provided by WaterBrook Multnomah to facilitate our honest review without any obligation for a favorable report.  Opinions expressed are solely those of the reviewer.

"Abel's Fields" by AFFIRM Films/Provident Films (Video review)

Review:  This is the story of high school senior Seth McArdle (Samuel Davis) who is left without parents (his mother died of illness and his father has abandoned the family), and the pressures and responsibilities of caring for his two younger twin sisters, trying to finish high school while holding down three jobs, and all the while dealing with constant bullying from members of the football team and a football coach who is not much better. 

Seth begins to drown in despair when he is challenged by Abel (Kevin Sorbo)  to rethink the direction he is heading.  Abel has taken on the responsibility of football groundskeeper, and Seth has been assigned to work with him as punishment for fighting, better described as defending himself. Abel seems to be the one person who is able to help Seth reassess his life before making a tragic choice and redirect him toward "the light."

If I were using the 5 star rating system, I would give this film 2 stars.  The acting is in general mediocre, the story line is difficult to follow, and I would have a hard time recommending it for family viewing simply because of a secondary character who is suggestive in dress and actions. 

In addition, when Seth is seeking faith, the viewer is left wondering where truth faith is found. I felt the film was "left wanting."  (rev. J. La Tour)

For More about Abel's Field:

Website: http://www.abelsfield.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AbelsField

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AbelsField

About Abel's Field

Left motherless by tragedy and abandoned by his father, high school senior Seth McArdle (Samuel Davis) faces enormous pressure as he strives to support his little sisters. At school, he endures the daily bullying of the football team. But fighting back only finds him singled out for punishment and assigned to an after-school work detail under the supervision of the reserved groundskeeper, Abel (SOUL SURFER’S Kevin Sorbo). Much to his surprise, Seth discovers that Abel may be the only one who truly understands his struggles. As dark times lure Seth toward desperate measures, the reluctant Abel may be the one person who can point him back toward the light.

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of Abel's Field was provided by Fly By Promotions on behalf of the producers for our honest review without obligation for a positive review.

"Bible Stories that end with a hug!" by Stephen Elkins & Illustrated by Simon Taylor-Kielty

ISBN: 978-1-4143-7543-4

Review:  Bible Stories that end with a Hug! by Stephen Elkins and illustrated by Simon Taylor-Kielty is a wonderful Bible story collection for children.  Each story is centered on a set of Bible verses. The verse is explained in the story and a set of questions follow to ensure understanding of the story.  At the end of every story is a hug time. 

The author encourages you to read this with your child and hug them at the end of every story. This is a wonderful opportunity to read and explain the Bible, apply it to everyday life, and to share a special time with your child.   

As you continue through the book your child will begin to anticipate the hug at the end of the story.  The stories are well written and beautifully illustrated.  The book is very easy for children to understand.   

The K5 class enjoyed reading through this book.  They especially loved the hug section. (rev.  C. Ingram)

About the author:  Stephen Elkins is a Grammy Award–nominated record producer and a multimillion-selling children's author and songwriter. He is owner and founder of Wonder Workshop, a multifaceted Christian media company specializing in the creation of juvenile books, audio products, and DVDs.

A complimentary copy was provided by Tyndale Blog Network on behalf of the publisher and author for the purpose of an honest review. 

"About Hummingbirds: A Guide for Children" by Cathryn Sill, Illustrated by John Sill

Review:  “About Hummingbirds” by Cathryn Sill and Illustrated by John Sill is a wonderfully bright collection of hummingbird pictures that capture the beauty and uniqueness of this very small creature.  The author presents clear factual details in an interesting manner.  The illustrations are true to life with excellent shadowing that makes you feel like you are right outside watching these sweet birds.   

This is an excellent read aloud to small children as well as an excellent source for factual information for older children in need of report information.  The back of the book contains added pages chocked full of added details for older children in need of information.  This is a fabulous and versatile book for any collection. (rev. C. Delorge)

We have a collection of the Cathryn and John Sill "About" books in the Alamance Christian School library.  We appreciate, too, the dedication in the front of the book which reads, ""For the One who created hummingbirds." --Genesis 1:20

About the author: Cathryn Sill, a graduate of Western Carolina University, was an elementary school teacher for thirty years. She lives in North Carolina.
About the illustrator: John Sill holds a BS in wildlife biology from North Carolina State University. Combining his knowledge of wildlife and artistic skill, John has achieved an impressive reputation as a wildlife artist and received several awards. He lives in North Carolina.
 
DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Peachtree Publishers on behalf of the author for the purpose of our honest review. Opinions expressed are solely those the reviewer. There was no obligation for a positive review. 

“Farm Boy” by Michael Morpurgo the sequel to “War Horse”

Review:  “Farm Boy” by Michael Morpurgo the sequel to “War Horse” is a heartwarming story about the relationship between a young boy and his grandfather.  This delightful book recaptures the time when history was passed down through the stories retold by our grandparents.  The relationship between the young boy and his grandfather is precious and encouraging.   

The author weaves the tale in storytelling fashion that makes this book a quick and enjoyable read.   There is drama and suspense as well as heartfelt love between the boy and his grandfather as well as the grandfather and his horse.  

I would encourage any young boy to pick it up and read it.   I enjoyed the whimsical feel of days gone by and the historical perspective of life in the past. (rev. C. Delorge)

An engaging early chapter book/reader for the elementary student that is replete with lots of soft illustrations by Michael Foreman done in black and white pen and ink.

Author bio: Michael Morpurgo is the author of many books for children, five of which have been made into films. He also writes his own screenplays and libretti for opera. Born in St Albans, Hertfordshire, in 1943, he was evacuated to Cumberland during the last years of the war, then returned to London, moving later to Essex. After a brief and unsuccessful spell in the army, he took up teaching and started to write. He left teaching after ten years in order to set up 'Farms for City Children' with his wife. They have three farms in Devon, Wales and Gloucestershire, open to inner city school children who come to stay and work with the animals. In 1999 this work was publicly recognised when he and his wife were awarded an MBE for services to youth. He is also a father and grandfather, so children have always played a large part in his life. Every year he and his family spend time in the Scilly Isles, the setting for three of his books.

Illustrator bio:  Michael has worked on magazines, book jackets, animated films, TV adverts, and even for the police, sketching criminals described by witnesses. As well as illustrating many of his own books, Michael has illustrated over a hundred books for authors such as Shakespeare, J. M. Barrie, the Brothers Grimm, Charles Dickens and Oscar Wilde. Michael has travelled widely - to Africa, Japan, the Arctic Circle, China and Malaysia, the Himalayas, Siberia and New Zealand - to research his books. "I do a lot of research when I'm travelling - I find it thrilling to discover the particular 'art' of different landscapes and work them into a book.

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Scholastic Press on behalf of the author for the purpose of our honest review. Opinions expressed are solely those the reviewer. There was no obligation for a positive review.

"ROCKET MAN-The Mercury Adventure of John Glenn" by Ruth Ashby

Hardcover: $12.95
ISBN: 978-1-56145-323-8

Rocket Man is an excellent book because it is informative, keeps the readers attention, and shows the persistence of a true hero.  The author, Ruth Ashby has drawn from a notable circle of information including Glenn’s own memoir. Also, throughout the book, there is an inside look at the tension of waiting to be the space program’s first man in orbit. 

Finally, there is an overarching theme of persistence in the way Glenn handles the difficult situations, problems, and setbacks that come his way.  Ashby’s book is well-written and entertaining as well as informative. (rev. A.Freeman)

About the book: A first-rate biography and true adventure story for young readers about one of modern America's greatest heroes and his contributions to our nation's fledgling space program.

On February 20, 1962, as millions of Americans waited anxiously, astronaut John Glenn blasted off in his rocket ship, Friendship 7, and became the first American to orbit the Earth. Although the risks of such a mission were well known, neither they—nor Glenn—knew the peril he was about to encounter.
John Glenn was one of the Mercury 7 astronauts, the early pioneers of manned space flight portrayed in the film The Right Stuff. His historic flight followed years of intensive physical training—and a devotion to the pursuit of a career in the exciting but risk-filled world of aviation.

Ruth Ashby's dramatic story of John Glenn's near-disastrous mission in Friendship 7 also takes young readers through his small-town Ohio boyhood, his extraordinary experiences as a fighter pilot in two wars, and his life as an astronaut in the prestigious and dangerous Mercury 7 program. The book concludes with Glenn's successful career as a U.S. senator and his triumphant return to space in 1998 at the age of 77.

Throughout, Ashby demonstrates how Glenn's love of flying and his steadfast commitment to both his family and the realization of his full potential was the foundation of all the great things he accomplished in his life.

About author & illustrator: 

Ruth Ashby is the award-winning author of dozens of nonfiction and fiction books for juvenile readers. She lives in New York.

Robert Hunt received a BA from the University of California and an MA from the Academy of Art in San Francisco. His work has appeared on the covers of books by many leading authors and has received numerous awards, including ten gold medals from the San Francisco Society of Illustrators. He lives in California.

DISCLOSURE:  A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Peachtree Publishers on behalf of the author for the purpose of our honest review. Opinions expressed are solely those the reviewer. There was no obligation for a positive review.