Open Book Reviews

The Princess and the Kiss ~ Jennie Bishop

2012-02-10T12:59:00.000-08:00

Isn't it difficult to find good story books for children that's not just fluff and nonsense? I am here to tell you...they exist!

Girls of all ages will enjoy this sweet and encouraging story of the rewards of keeping your heart pure. In this story of purity a young princess has been given a special gift by God and her parents have helped her keep it safe for many years. The princess tries to find someone deserving on which to bestow her precious gift God has given her. A man who will one day help her rule the kingdom with wisdom; but sadly, none in the kingdom is worthy enough. Does God remember the princess and her kiss?

A wonderful story book for mothers and daughters to read together and discuss how God gives each of us something very special to guard for our future husbands.

Indecency: None

Violence: None

Language: None

Age Interest: 5-12

You may go HERE to purchase this book.

Moment of Courage ~ Scott Brown

2012-02-04T13:20:00.000-08:00

"Out of eighty Medals of honor awarded to the Marine Corps in World War 2, twenty-seven were given to men who fought on the shores of Iwo Jima. "

Moment of Courage is a short but powerful read telling the story of the twenty-seven soldiers who fought and ultimately sacrificed their lives for their country and comrades in arms.

A glimpse of four of the brave heroes:

Joseph R. Julian " He consistently disregarded all personal danger."
John H. Leims "A dauntless leader, concerned at all times for the welfare of his men."
Charles J. Berry "Determined to save his comrades, he unhesitatingly chose to sacrifice himself."
Donald J. Ruhl "He dived on the deadly missile, absorbing the full impact of the shattering explosion in his own body."

"On Iwo Jima, boys became men in the crucible of pain, suffering, and enormous sacrifice. They jumped on grenades and ran into unrelenting firepower to save their comrades. They ran and crawled and groveled in the dirt to do their duty. We need boys like that today. I hope this book can help a few of them understand the sacrifices of heroism."

This would be a wonderful handbook for fathers and sons as fathers strive to lead their sons in the fight for courageous manhood.

You can find this book HERE.

Children ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

2012-01-31T10:00:00.000-08:00

Come to me, O ye children!
For I hear you at your play,
And the questions that perplexed me
Have vanished quite away.

Ye open the eastern windows,
That look towards the sun,
Where thoughts are singing swallows
And the brooks of morning run.

In your hearts are the birds and the sunshine,
In your thoughts the brooklet's flow,
But in mine is the wind of Autumn
And the first fall of the snow.

Ah! what would the world be to us
If the children were no more?
We should dread the desert behind us
Worse than the dark before.

What the leaves are to the forest,
With light and air for food,
Ere their sweet and tender juices
Have been hardened into wood, --

That to the world are children;
Through them it feels the glow
Of a brighter and sunnier climate
Than reaches the trunks below.

Come to me, O ye children!
And whisper in my ear
What the birds and the winds are singing
In your sunny atmosphere.

For what are all our contrivings,
And the wisdom of our books,
When compared with your caresses,
And the gladness of your looks?

Ye are better than all the ballads
That ever were sung or said;
For ye are living poems,
And all the rest are dead.

Jane Austen & Vampires~ Anna Sophia and Elizabeth Botkin

2012-01-28T15:43:00.001-08:00

"What do handsome heroes, bonnets, and vampires have in common? Not much, but they’re all pieces of the most famous and influential girls literature of all time — literature that has revamped the way thousands of young women view reality, the world, themselves, and romance. In this audio message, we attempted to analyze authors from Jane Austen to Janette Oke to Stephanie Meyer, and lay out the basics of a healthy literary diet." (Click here for more information.)"

I know this isn't a book but it's too wonderful to pass up and something every girl that loves to read should listen to.

Join Elizabeth and Anna Sophia Botkin as they discuss the dangerous temptation to feed on romance and fantasy novels. Do we really consider what we are feeding our literary appetites? Do we care? Why should we care? The Botkin girls explains it all in their captivating and humorous discussion of what we should be 'feasting' on from our libraries. I highly recommend getting this riveting and convicting discussion that motivates every girl to really examine what her bookshelf 'pantry' contains.

This would actually be a wonderful tool for the whole family as it could pertain to more than just girls and romance novels. My mother and I listened to it together and it opened up wonderful discussion examining our literature more closely, studying authors before we decide to read their books, the worldviews therein, etc.

You can find this CD on Amazon HERE.

Journey to the Center of the Earth ~ Jules Verne

2012-01-16T12:49:00.001-08:00

It was an old piece of parchment that held the greatest kept secret on earth, but the one man who found the secret, was dead. And the one to find it, was determined to follow it, no matter where it lead...

Join the rather eccentric Professor Lidenbrock and his practical nephew Henry as they embark on a wild journey that will lead to the greatest scientific discovery of the century...to the very center of the earth!

Mind blowing, scientific discoveries await the eager professor and his companions as they explore the bowels of the earth and its long held secrets.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read although I wasn't expecting much going in to it. Verne does not just give an exciting read but he educates the reader as the professor travels through Iceland and its culture, over oceans, and finally...under the earth itself!

It does not move at a very fast pace as some books, but if you read it through, it is very enjoyable. Verne writes with a different feel that some literary masters. His words captivate the reader in the excitement of the adventure.

The reader or parents giving this to their children just need to be aware this book does have a bit of evolution. (Obviously, considering the title.:)

Indecency: None

Violence: Characters have minor injuries

Language: None

Age Interest: 13-adult

Bookmark: Merry Christmas!

2011-12-20T11:15:00.000-08:00

I am putting a bookmark in OBR until after the new year! Do forgive me faithful readers. I will resume as soon as I can.

Have a Merry Christmas!

Guest Review: Agatha Christie's Mysteries

2011-12-15T11:00:00.000-08:00

As the most beloved mystery writers of all time, Agatha Christie holds a special place of her own

in the history of literature. Her works appear on bookshelves all across the country. Other works of ﬁction and non-ﬁction are peppered with references to Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot

(ﬁctional heroes created by Christie). Her stories intregue the minds of all ages and walks of life.

Long time Sherlock Holmes readers ﬁnd reading material of equal worth in the pages of

Christie's novels. Still other readers who hesitate on the brink of the pool of British literature ﬁnd themselves happily entangled in the lives of Christie's famous characters.

As one of the most proliﬁc writers of all times, Christie's books are full of geniuses including the

great Hercule Poirot with his egg shaped head, the observant Miss Marple with her unequaled

eye of observation, and the witty husband and wife team of Tommy and Tuppence. Each of these detectives takes a turn in the spotlight as they solve all types of dastardly crimes.

Agatha Christie is not for the faint of heart. With a few rare exceptions, her novels are full of

danger and mystery. Murder and bloodshed hold the reader entranced as the detective races time against overwhelming odds.

Christie weaves her many elements of humor, suspense, and

unforgeteble characters to tell her famous stories. She is known for long and thrilling novels

(such as Murder on the Orient Express and Then There Were None), her suspenseful short stories ( Yellow Iris), and her thrilling short stage plays (The mousetrap - the longest running play in history).

With such a large cast of wonderful characters and a huge library of literary works, Agatha

Christie deserves special recognition as one of the most loved authors of all times.

Review by Jessica Pritchett of Plant and Pillars & Living Books

O Leave Novels Ye Mauchline Belles!

2011-12-12T12:45:00.000-08:00

"Oh this is the best part yet!" Thought Beth as she excitingly continued her novel. Just as the maiden's throbbing heart was about to meet its end, the dashing, courageous knight with dazzling armor flew into action to save the endangered maiden. " Beth, come finish your chores!" Shouted Beth's mom. "Hang on a second mom!" Beth rushed through the words on the pages. "Beth, I want immediate obedience, come down please." Huffing Beth reluctantly bookmarked her spot. "I can't stand chores! If only this were still a time when I could look for my knight to take me away."

Sound familiar? I think we have all been like Beth. Falling in love with a world that doesn't exist. Never liking to come back to reality. Always wanting something more than what real life has to offer. Ladies this is what romance novels do to us!

O leave novels, ye Mauchline belles,

Ye're safer at your spinning-wheel;

Such witching books are baited hooks

For rakish rooks, like Rob Mossgiel;

Your fine Tom Jones and Grandisons,

They make your youthful fancies reel;

They heat your brains, and fire your veins,

And then you're prey for Rob Mossgiel.

Robert Burns

And I am at fault just as much as anyone else. I went through a phase of not being able to get enough romance through the books I read.

" We have an industry devoted to producing sappy romantic novels, hours of TV time filled with soap operas, and films that aim to seduce women by drawing them into a vicarious illicit relationship." Nancy Wilson

I know we all LOVE Janet Oke and Lori Wick, Beverly Lewis etc. It is amazing how blind we can be to the damage being done by the lives these authors paint that are far from realistic. But as much as we don't want to, we must take a serious look at how these books may be pulling our hearts away from God's best for our lives.

"For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you cannot do the things that you wish." Galatians 5:17

As much as we try to tell ourselves that romance novels are harmless, they can easily tempt us to become discontent with reality. And some may think that I am making too big a deal about literature, but this is serious. What these books are doing to us is stirring emotions prematurely, getting in our heads at a young age a false idea of our dashing, ideal future spouse.

Once you attach yourself to these anchors in the depths of romance, be they words or images, it is very difficult to cast them away and be buoyed back up.

C.S. Lewis points out in The Discarded Image three essential tests of literature" It should teach what is useful, honor what is honorable, and appreciate the delightful."

This leads to the way we treat our brothers in Christ around us. Are we treating them as brothers with all purity? Or are we gleaning ideas from the books we've read on how to get a guy's attention?

Here are some ways that really helped me. If this encourages you to work on putting romance novels away from you I would love to hear how you did it!

5 ways I overcame romance novels:

I got rid of all my romance books -don't give them a second thought!
I started reading books that really challenged me-i.e. apologetics, theology, etc.
I began reading God's Word first thing in the morning; then scripture filled my thoughts the whole day.
I prayed and asked God to give me a desire for wholesome, pure and truthful thoughts
I put away any books of mere pleasure except every now and then; and only indulge in those at night after all my work and school and family time is finished for the day. Plus I made sure that those books weren't just fluff and nonsense. I started really questioning what I was reading even though it wasn't romance.

Matthew 5:29 warns, “If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.”

6 reasons to quit romance novels:

They cause us to be discontent with the life we have
They cause us to have a false perception of who we want to marry
They waste our time
They cause us to look at young men with romantic ideas
They cause us to have premature thoughts about marriage and thus distract us
They do not all honor God even though they have a 'godly' message in them

"How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.

I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119:9

"Finally, Brethren, Whatever Things Are True, Whatever Is Noble, Whatever Things are Just, Whatever Is Pure, Whatever Things are Lovely, Whatever Things are Of Good Report, If there be any Virtue, If there be anything Praiseworthy-- Think On These Things." Philippians 4:8

Guest Quote: Where are the Authors?

2011-12-08T07:39:00.000-08:00

By Kyle Shepherd

"Where are the Authors? The world of children's literature today is often fraught with rubbish or, at best, "neutral" stories for children. While there is nothing necessarily wrong with many of these "neutral" stories (and indeed some of them are truly delightful and wonderful stories we grew up with); where are those authors who will set a standard for the writing of godly children's books in the reformed vein?

Where are those who will be brave and daring and write Reformed books for children?—storybooks for us to read to our little boys and little girls?—storybooks of godly family life?—history books that are unafraid to tell history accurately and point out the Providences of God?—biographies of great Christian men and women?—books that are willing to take the fundamental and absolute authority of the Word of God as the fundamental and absolute starting point for children’s literature?

Where are the Authors? Are they nowhere to be found? Is there no one who will advance the Standard of God in the arena of modern children's literature?"

God Doesn't Believe in Atheists ~ Ray Comfort

2011-12-02T09:00:00.000-08:00

"Why do you believe a painting has a painter? Isn't it purely because of the existence of the painting? Do you insist on seeing da Vinci before you believe that the Mona Lisa was painted? One could reasonably argue that there may have been another painter, but never that there was no painter." Exert from GDB

Contrary to all popular opinions, the existence of God can be proven, and the theories of evolution and atheists shown to have no backbone in them. With his quick wit, humor and insightful intellect, Ray Comfort convinces the reader from start to finish that an atheist has no argument regarding evolution.

I first read this book when I was twelve and I could not put it down. Now I re-read it constantly and still never tire of this small, but powerful book on how Christians can gracefully, but confidentially dispute the untruthful theories that deny the existence of God and Creation.

Indecency: A chapter title has the word s#x in it and brief mention of inappropriate advice to a man.

Violence: None

Language: None

Age Interest: 15-adult

The Screwtape Letters ~ C.S. Lewis

2011-11-03T10:00:00.000-07:00

This excellent work of literature probes into the world of demons offering powerful insight into the tactics with which Satan might seek to entrap the Christian mind. The riveting theological discussions revolve around a certain experienced demon, Screwtape, who is counseling his inexperienced nephew's effort to corrupt a recently converted Christian.

The message in The Screwtape Letters becomes deeper and has more impact the more you read it. As one of Lewis's many masterpieces, I highly recommend this as a library addition and family read aloud.

"Through these letters, Screwtape advises Wormwood on everything from coping with his patient's Christianity, mother, love life and even his viewpoint on the war. C.S. Lewis creatively intermingles humor with the more serious aspects of life. After the patient is converted to Christianity, he begins to desire a better life and even pray for his mother. An excellent insight into how temptation works." Olivia Brodock

"A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word, 'darkness' on the walls of his cell." C.S.Lewis

"Do what you will, there is going to be some benevolence, as well as some malice, in your patient's soul. The great thing is to direct the malice to his immediate neighbours whom he meets every day and to thrust his benevolence out to the remote circumference, to people he does not know. The malice thus become wholly real and the benevolence largely imaginary." -- P.31 of The Screwtape Letters

"Lewis was an exceptional thinker of his day…one of the few who could actually see what others refused to see. It’s not the easiest read for sure, but even if you have to read it twice–it’s worth it. Wow, I say!" Kelly Crawford @ Generation Cedar

Indecency: None

Violence: None

Language: None

Age Interest: 16-adult

The World of Columbus and Sons~ Genevieve Foster

2011-10-10T09:33:00.001-07:00

"This is the story of a wonderful, changing, reawakening world the world of the Renaissance and Reformation. Measured by the lifetime of Columbus and his sons, this book spans the years from 1451-1539.

With Columbus as the central figure of this narrative, readers will also learn the fascinating stories of Prince Henry the Navigator, Ivan III of Russia, Gutenberg, Queen Isabella, Leonardo da Vinci, Mohammed II, the African ruler Nomi Mansa, Martin Luther, Erasmus, Albrecht DÃrer, Copernicus, Michaelangelo and many others.

Told in Foster's engaging and winsome style enhanced by her helpful chronologies and timelines, readers will learn of the religious, cultural and scientific changes that ushered in a new frontier of exploration and discovery." Book description

I highly recommend this excellent guide through over eighty years of history for home school curriculum. My siblings love this as a read aloud and it captures the attention of all ages with its well worded but comprehensible writing.

Indecency: There is a pencil drawing of a famous art work that shows a nude woman

Violence: Minor, just talk of wars and persecution to Christians

Language: None

Age Interest: 10-up

Guest Post: Primeval Saints

2011-09-23T14:51:00.000-07:00

By Olivia Brodock at She Considers

To the average Sunday School raised Christian, most of the patriarchs are pictured in our minds as cartoon figures from a picture Bible. We forget that these men were not only real, but giants in their times. They were leaders.

"These heroes of the city of God- Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and others- come to flesh and blood in ways that undo our normal assumptions. In stark contrast to the selfish heroism of pagan literature, the heroism of Genesis triumphs by breaking all the standard rules. Jordan inverts so many of the traditional negative judgments against there patriarchs' alleged weaknesses and "sins" of deception, struggle and tyranny that they stand forth as heroes rather than scoundrels." from Primeval Saints back cover

The Phantom of the Opera ~ Gaston Leroux

2011-09-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

Do not be betrayed by the seemingly horrific and ghostly title my eager audience! You must not judge a book by it's cover.

Our "ghostly" tale begins in the lovely nineteenth century in the Paris Opera House where is found the young and gifted in beauty and voice, young Christine Daae. When her talent is discovered she becomes the star of the Opera and hundreds flock to see her. But the opera managers must first deal with the elusive and threatening so called presence of the phantom that is feared by all who have heard his story.

Of course the opera managers think it absurd! A phantom in the opera house? Preposterous! Emboldened by their confidence they become daring enough to sell the box that the 'opera ghost' had commanded never be sold. But consequences fall hard upon everyone's head and catastrophe ensues. But only Christine Daae's gifted soprano appeases the Phantom. But Christine's childhood friend and lover, the dashing Count Raol cannot understand why the phantom has such a hold over Christine. Why is she reluctant to share her secrets with him about the phantom? What must Raol do to end this bondage forever and seal Christine's happiness?

(Although I'm not an advocate of romance novels this one is not just dripping with the sappiness and inappropriate nature romance is written with today. And it being a classic, it's acceptable.)

Indecency: A kiss or two exchanged

Violence: Moderate. A character is shot. Two characters are placed in a torture chamber but torture in inflicted by their own insanity.

Language: Several uses of "My God"

Age Interest: 14-adult

Guest Review: Doing Virtuous Business ~ Theodore Roosevelt Malloch

2011-08-31T18:55:00.000-07:00

Guest Review by my dear friend Jessica Pritchett of Plant and Pillars Living Books

Faith, Hope, Charity, Leadership, Courage, Patience, Perseverance, Discipline, Justice, Forgiveness, Compassion, Humility, and Gratitude... the virtues that help sustain businesses and build networks. The virtues that help certain business men do exceedingly well, and the virtues that when lacking, cause the downfall of other business men.

Throughout this wonderful book, Mr. Malloch guides you through the meaning and influence of the Free Market, and all the Virtues that lead it. There are "Hard Virtues" and "Soft Virtues", and he walks you through all of them.

Mr. Malloch reminds us that we live in times of great change. The old is giving way to the new. The old styles of business are falling away and being replaced.

Some people are despairing over this change, they claim that our old ways are under siege and that this will lead to chaos. Mr. Malloch claims that this is not the case. Instead, we should remember that there is Spiritual Entrepreneurship. And from this he introduces the Virtues! All of these are the necessary components of Spiritual Entrepreneurship.

I really liked this book, however, I did find that it was a little slow and hard to read at first. But, I think that if you will keep at it and keep reading... you will be very glad you did.

Have a great Read!

Score ~ ✓✓✓✓

Violence ~ None

Indecency ~ None

Language ~ None

Age Appropriateness ~ 12 and up (Especially adults)

Imagination is Dwindling- Imagine That part 3

2011-08-29T12:00:00.000-07:00

Television and the computer isn't the only thing that keeps us from wholesome literature and imagining for ourselves. We can apply ourselves to books galore, but are they the kind that actually cultivate knowledge? Are they wholesome and do they ooze quality and wisdom? Or do they simply entertain us and just add fluff and nonsense to our mind?

"A an excellent book has life; it releases something creative in the mind of the reader. The author has captured reality, the permanent stuff of life, and something enduring is planted in the heart."

Reading a book can be slightly compared to watching a movie. Does it just entertain us for a while? Or does it challenge our thinking? Does it make us ask questions? Does it widen our gaze of what the author is driving at?

"A good writer has something worth saying and says it in the best possible way and respects the reader's ability to understand. Language is used well. The word choices make us see feel, hear, taste, smell, decide. The action of the story and the descriptions have a crisp leanness because strong verbs and simple descriptions are used. The Bible is a model for this kind of writing."

" A wholesome and wonderful story has characters of depth, not superficial stereotypes; they inspire the inner life of the reader."

Some might argue though "Can I not read for fun ever?" I don't think it wrong to moderately incorporate some fiction. As long as it does not become the only standard for our reading habits. And as long as it is time worthy. I have made a habit of picking up what I dub as 'pleasure books' only at night after my full day of work and school and reading non pleasure/fulfilling books. I feel like I don't waste precious time in that way. And it's somewhat of a reward when you only get those books once in a while.

"Sometimes our standards are not high enough; we are content with books that don't say anything really important but seem safe...the best hope of promoting quality lies in the better education of the reader. When we give a child a taste for what is really good reading, I don't think that child will acquire an appetite for what is not."

I am grateful that my mother implemented this concept with all of us children. As a result I have enjoyed good literature from an early age.

"Good stories have an excellent spirit about them. They are an experience-imaginative, intellectual, social, spiritual- and a sense of permanent worth surrounds them. " Honey for a Teen's heart excerpts.

I have striven to make this my guideline for finding wholesome books. We should desire books of permanent worth. And above all, the ultimate guideline for all of life as well as literature:

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." Philippians 4:8

You may go to my blog Open Book Reviews for many suggestions on books for school, family reading etc.

Imagination is Dwindling- Imagine That: Part 2

2011-08-28T09:11:00.000-07:00

Another excellent example of a mother who prospered her children’s mind is Ben Carson’s mother Sonya Carson.

“Sonya had only had an education until third grade. After leaving her husband who was abusive, she was left with supporting her sons Ben and Curtis. Ben was eight and Curtis was 10 when Sonya was left to raise the children on her own.
The family was very poor, and to make ends meet Sonya sometimes took on two or three jobs at a time in order to provide for her boys. There were occasions when her boys wouldn’t see her for days at a time, because she would go to work at 5:00 AM and come home around 11:00 PM, going from one job to the next. She was frugal with the family’s finances, cleaning and patching clothes from the Goodwill in order to dress the boys. The family would also go to local farmers and offer to pick corn or other vegetables in exchange for a portion of the yield. She would then can the produce for the kids’ meals. Her actions, and the way she managed the family, proved to be a tremendous influence on Ben and Curtis. Sonya also taught her boys that anything was possible. By his recollection many years later, Ben Carson had thoughts of a career in medicine, though it was more of a fantasy many young children harbor as they grow up.
Because his family was on medical assistance, they would have to wait for hours to be seen by one of the interns at the hospital. Ben would listen to the pulse of the hospital as doctors and nurses went about their routines. Occasionally, there’d be an emergency and he could hear in people’s voices and in their quick movements the pace and emotions rise to meet the challenge. He’d hear the PA system call for a “Dr. Jones” and fantasized that one day they’d be calling for a “Dr. Carson.” Both Ben and his brother experienced difficulty in school.
Ben fell to the bottom of his class, and became the object of ridicule by his classmates. He developed a violent and uncontrollable temper, and was known to attack other children at the slightest provocation. The poverty he lived in and the difficult times he experienced in school seem to exacerbate the anger and rage. Determined to turn her sons around, Sonya limited their TV time to just a few select programs and refused to let them go outside to play until they’d finished their homework. She was criticized for this by her friends, who said her boys would grow up to hate her. But she was determined that her sons would have greater opportunities than she did.
She required them to read two library books a week and give her written reports, even though with her poor education she could barely read them. She would take the papers and review them, scanning over the words and turning pages. Then she would place a checkmark at the top of the page showing her approval. At first, Ben resented the strict regimen. While his friends were playing outside, he was stuck in the house, forced to read a book or do his homework. But after several weeks of his mother’s unrelenting position, he began to find enjoyment in reading.
Being poor, there wasn’t much opportunity to go anywhere. But between the covers of a book he could go anyplace, be anybody, and do anything. Ben began to learn how to use his imagination and found it more enjoyable than watching television. This attraction to reading soon led to a strong desire to learn more. Carson read books on all types of subjects and found connections between them. He saw himself as the central character of what he was reading, even if it was a technical book or an encyclopedia.
He read about people in laboratories, pouring chemicals into a beaker or flask, or discovering galaxies, or peering into a microscope. He began to see himself differently, different than the other kids in his neighborhood who only wanted to get out of school, get some nice clothes, and a nice car. He saw that he could become the scientist or physician he had dreamed about. Staying focused on this vision of his future helped him get through some of the more difficult times.Ben went on to Yale University where he got a degree in neurology.

From Biography.com. You may read the full story HERE.

Today, Ben Carson is a neurosurgeon and the director of Pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. None of this might have been possible if Sonya Carson had not enforced and encouraged her son to open up his mind to the world of knowledge.

“If communal family life is important-if family members must feel some social responsibility to talk together as a family about life, ideas, and values-then we have to make a decision to have it happen. We can’t afford to let either the television or the computer run our lives. If we are dumbing-down our lives by not reading, we have some decision to make. Real life beckons us to reach for the highest.” Honey For a Teen’s Heart.

Imagination is Dwindling- Imagine That: Part 1

2011-08-18T10:00:00.000-07:00

Excerpts from 'Honey for a Teen's Heart' on Imagination.

"When asked why they didn't do more reading, a group of teens unabashedly gave two reasons: the television and the computer. Both become addictive. Both become a substitute for relation within a family. neither is totally negative. In fact, our technology is amazing. But technology is not in charge of our lives; we are! ...To willingly become a slave of something with an "off" switch is failure to control life."

"Television may be a passive activity, but what you see does affect your values, especially if you are not used to questioning what you see or read. If you think of your mind as a pad of paper with blank sheets, what are you writing on its pages? We need to decide how we want to fill up the pages of our minds."

I know you are thinking I'm agreeing with the idea to eliminate television entertainment, but that is not the case. If you knew me, you would know that I love a good movie! My family has not had cable TV since I was six. Granted we do have a television with a DVD player where we watch movies. But my parents have designated a certain time for movies. We kids are content with this. I understand that my parents want to protect me and encourage a creative and thinking mind. Too much TV steals imagination and attention spans.

"Statistics show that the average young person has watched of 15,000-18000 hours of television by age seventeen."

That's a bit scary.

I'm not just bashing television. The computer is another area I have to limit myself on as well. There are so many things in life that distract us from cultivating our minds like we should, giving our imagination a chance to live. Pushing those distractions away and getting family involved in books and conversation is a way to grow closer to one another and expand imagination.

Families can have so much enjoyment from wonderful family titles such as The Chronicles of Narnia or the Little House on the Prairie books. I remember when I was eight years old and my mother introduced me to The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I couldn't imagine what it was about! And I was itching to know. Mom had a time where we would sit down every afternoon with some snacks and continue the tale about the magical land of Narnia in a wardrobe and the oddly-named fawn Tumnus. At eight years old I was hooked.

"There are so many things in life that distract us from cultivating our minds like we should, giving our imagination a chance to live."

And to this day I can't put down books. I love gaining knowledge in general. School even excites me (minus the loathed mathematics!) All because my mother sparked my imagination at such a young age instead of letting me veg out in front of TV all day.

(Bear with the length of this. It's rather long but it's a beautiful story.)

Another example of a mother who didn't let her children's mind go to waste is Ben Carson's mother Sonya Carson.

"Sonya had only had an education until third grade. After leaving her husband who was abusive, she was left with supporting her sons Ben and Curtis.

Ben was eight and Curtis was 10 when Sonya was left to raise the children on her own. The family was very poor, and to make ends meet Sonya sometimes took on two or three jobs at a time in order to provide for her boys.
There were occasions when her boys wouldn't see her for days at a time, because she would go to work at 5:00 AM and come home around 11:00 PM, going from one job to the next. She was frugal with the family's finances, cleaning and patching clothes from the Goodwill in order to dress the boys. The family would also go to local farmers and offer to pick corn or other vegetables in exchange for a portion of the yield. She would then can the produce for the kids' meals. Her actions, and the way she managed the family, proved to be a tremendous influence on Ben and Curtis.
Sonya also taught her boys that anything was possible. By his recollection many years later, Ben Carson had thoughts of a career in medicine, though it was more of a fantasy many young children harbor as they grow up. Because his family was on medical assistance, they would have to wait for hours to be seen by one of the interns at the hospital. Ben would listen to the pulse of the hospital as doctors and nurses went about their routines. Occasionally, there'd be an emergency and he could hear in people's voices and in their quick movements the pace and emotions rise to meet the challenge. He'd hear the PA system call for a "Dr. Jones" and fantasized that one day they'd be calling for a "Dr. Carson."
Both Ben and his brother experienced difficulty in school. Ben fell to the bottom of his class, and became the object of ridicule by his classmates. He developed a violent and uncontrollable temper, and was known to attack other children at the slightest provocation. The poverty he lived in and the difficult times he experienced in school seem to exacerbate the anger and rage.
Determined to turn her sons around, Sonya limited their TV time to just a few select programs and refused to let them go outside to play until they'd finished their homework. She was criticized for this by her friends, who said her boys would grow up to hate her. But she was determined that her sons would have greater opportunities than she did. She required them to read two library books a week and give her written reports, even though with her poor education she could barely read them. She would take the papers and review them, scanning over the words and turning pages. Then she would place a checkmark at the top of the page showing her approval.
At first, Ben resented the strict regimen. While his friends were playing outside, he was stuck in the house, forced to read a book or do his homework. But after several weeks of his mother's unrelenting position, he began to find enjoyment in reading. Being poor, there wasn't much opportunity to go anywhere.

But between the covers of a book he could go anyplace, be anybody, and do anything. Ben began to learn how to use his imagination and found it more enjoyable than watching television. This attraction to reading soon led to a strong desire to learn more. Carson read books on all types of subjects and found connections between them. He saw himself as the central character of what he was reading, even if it was a technical book or an encyclopedia.

He read about people in laboratories, pouring chemicals into a beaker or flask, or discovering galaxies, or peering into a microscope. He began to see himself differently, different than the other kids in his neighborhood who only wanted to get out of school, get some nice clothes, and a nice car. He saw that he could become the scientist or physician he had dreamed about. Staying focused on this vision of his future helped him get through some of the more difficult times.
Ben went on to Yale University where he earned a degree in Psychology."

From Biography.com You may read the full story HERE.

Ben Carson is now a neurosurgeon and the director of Pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. None of this might have been possible if Sonya Carson had not enforced and encouraged her son to open up his mind to the world of knowledge.

"If communal family life is important-if family members must feel some social responsibility to talk together as a family about life, ideas, and values-then we have to make a decision to have it happen. We can't afford to let either the television or the computer run our lives. If we are dumbing-down our lives by not reading, we have some decision to make. Real life beckons us to reach for the highest." Honey For a Teen's Heart.

Crown & Covenant Series ~ Douglas Bond

2011-07-05T10:57:00.001-07:00

The Crown and Covenant series follows the generations of the M'Kethe family during the religious persecution of Scotland in the 17th century.

Young Duncan M'Kethe is a spirited lad with his father's passion and zeal for Christ and Covenant. But his belief in "loving your enemies" is tested as he and his family and fellow covenanters endure persecutions of Sir James Turner and his dragoons as they pillage the moors and take and kill whomever they please. It is left to Duncan's sword and his father's wisdom to keep all dear to them out of harm's way while avoiding the outbreak of war.

It is several years past and Duncan's younger brother Angus, is turning into a man and a skilled archer. But dragoons and rebellion have grown thicker as the covenanters still struggle to win freedom of faith and lands against the bloodthirsty Claverhouse. Determined to stand firm, Angus, Duncan and their father and family endure fiery trials and sore losses as they pray for the end of the bloody century to near. Will they succeed in halting deaths while keeping true to Christ's word?

Held with a bond that could never be broken, Angus and Duncan make yet more decisions to stand and fight or flee to America. The M'Kethe family continues to grow and with the numbers, comes unexpected help from the youngest men of the M'Kethe's. Now the King of England is taking a step further by threatening and killing the Covenant church leaders and attempting to completely crush the faithful to Christ once and for all. Battles break out across the moors. The battle of Drumclog holds many bloody deaths and sorrow. Friends and family are being captured and hanged. It's up to Duncan and his wee son Malcolm to rescue Angus after he is captured by the worst of the warlords. Will they succeed before the sunrise hanging? And will the M'Kethe family finally find freedom and relief they have been searching for?

Follow the tales of the M'Kethe's as they live in unity as one in Christ, while dragoons and redcoats around them try to tear every bond the family and community of Christ has, apart.

Holding true to historical events, this series intrigued me because of the tight family bonds in the M'Kethe family and the portrayal of real men of character and maturity. I also love that they are wholesome, God-honoring tales of Presbyterian Scots. It reflects back on a time of heroes burning with zeal for Christ when freedom meant more to people than it does today.

This would be a wonderful addition to the family library.

Indecency: A brother fights to save his sister's virtue, nothing graphic

Violence: Heavy violence involved with battles, talk of hanging, different ways of torture discussed, main characters harmed at times- basically not for the weak stomach :)

Language: A few mild words from the English soldiers

Age Interest: 14-up or whole family

Rating: 5 out of 5

Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? ~Richard J. Maybury

2011-06-28T09:15:00.001-07:00

"You can understand almost anything if it explained well."

"Economics is fascinating and easy to understand, except when someone presents it in a boring or difficult way." Maybury

The best book hands down on economics! This subject has never been very easy for me to grasp but after I read this book everything changed! It was so easy to get in to, plus Maybury explained economics in a very detailed but simple way.

Richard J. Maybury has written a series of letters posing as an uncle writing to a nephew on money, economics, debt, precious metals, government, historical happenings involving inflation etc.

A paragraph of the preface:

"This book is written for people who think economics, business or money is beyond them and best left to experts. As a technique to keep the explanations as clear and simple as possible, the book is in the form of a series of letters which might have been written by the uncle of a ninth-grade student. The student has asked about inflation and recession, and the uncle, an economist, is answering. When possible, the letters explain by describing historical events. These cover both ancient and modern history, with special attention to the Roman Empire."

A few things you will learn in this treasure trove of knowledge are:

Where we got the word 'dollar'
Why coins are reeded
Why our nation is in debt
Why the american dollar has no value
What natural law and economic prosperity mean
How to invest in gold and silver
How much is a trillion?
One reason why governments spend so much
What does tanstafl mean?
Foreign currencies

And so much more! I highly recommend this for a family read aloud and economics curriculum.

Violence: None

Indecency: None

Language: None

Age Interest: 12-adult or whole family

A Tale of Two Cities ~ Charles Dickens

2011-06-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

A special guest post by my dear friend Jessica Pritchett from Plants and Pillars

Introduction: A Tale of Two Cities was a wonderfully deep and intriguing read. Sometimes the wording would get really tough (then I would have to take a deep breath and try again), but I kept at it and finished a Tale of Two Cities.

Dickens was a new author for me. I have watched Bleak House (a BBC film based on his book by the same title), but I had never read one of his books the whole way through. I picked A Tale of Two Cities because everyone always talks about it, and it was in a time period I was studying at the time (The French Revolution). I was very glad I did.

Overview: A Tale of Two Cities is filled with heroic men, devoted women, and hateful enemies. It is also filled with themes from Dicken's early life with his father and family.

Characters: "If all French Noblemen would abandon privilage as Darney, if all intellectuals would expose abuse as Dr. Mannette, if all men were as willing to sacrifice life as Carton, if there were more kindness as Lorry's or love like Miss Pross's; or more loyalty in a tight spot as Jerry Cruncher's; then, we are expected to believe, the world would be a better place.

Characters like this fill the pages of A Tale of Two Cities. The love between a Father and Daughter is powerfully displayed between Dr. Mannette and Lucie. The love of a Husband and Wife is equally displayed in the relationship of Lucie and Darney.

In Contrast, there is Madame Defarge. Madame Defarge is a monster. Her desire for revenge has turned her into a "monster of pure evil". Finally you reach the showdown between The Monster and The Lamb (if you will!). Madame Defarge and Miss Pross struggle physically as the emotions they each represent struggle as well (Love versus Hate). Love wins as Madame is destroyed when her gun discharges.

Themes:

•Prison Doors - The book opens with the opening prison doors and the closing of prison doors. This was powerfully significant to Dickens due to the fact that his father was in debtors prison while Charles was young.
•The Betrayal of Fathers - Again, a piece of importance to Dicken's reminding him of his father
•Obsession with Destructive Violence - Note that his emphasis was not on the guillotine, but with the "Mob Mentality".
•True Sacrifice as the Price of Love - This theme came from a play by Wilkie Collin's that Dicken was in at a young age (The Frozen Deep). The theme is: two young men love the same girl, one wins the girl, the other young man finally comes to grip with the fact that she does not love him, and as a final tribute; sacrifices his life for her true love.
•Dickens in the Heros - Darnay and Carton share initials with Charles Dickens and they also share personality traits. Darnay portrays the good side of Dickens, and Carton the evil side.

What Was My Overall Impression? I loved this book and I highly recommend this to families. One warning: There is a lot of violence and bloodshed. The French Revolution was a sad time in history and deserves to be told, just be careful with young readers. This gets 5 points.

Indecency ~ None

Age Appropriateness ~ 16 and Up

Violence ~ (4) Beheading, Death, Violence, Mobs, Bloodshed,

Language ~ (1)

Rating -4

Hero Tales Volume 2 ~ Dave and Neta Jackson

2011-05-27T11:26:00.001-07:00

Hero Tales is an excellent read aloud and a great way to learn about past history but not be overwhelmed by too much information. Filled with biographies of the Christian Heroes of the past, short, but inspiring stories of the people that made history:

Eric Liddel 'Olympic Champion and Missionary to China'

Elizabeth Fry 'Angel of the Prisons'

Peter Cartwright 'The Two-Fisted Preacher'

Corrie Ten Boom 'The Watchmaker's Daughter'

Florence Nightingale 'A Nurse at Heart'

Indecency- None

Language-None

Violence- Simple, non-graphic stories of the heroes persecutions

Age interest- 8-adult

Book Giveaway! One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voscamp

2011-05-24T15:45:00.000-07:00

Phenomenal. That is the only word I have for this incredible, THE most incredible book ever penned. You must get it for your library!!!

Come over to the blog I now contribute to and enter to win the ultimate must have.

Visionary Womanhood Giveaway

Pearl Maiden ~ H. Rider Haggard

2011-05-11T08:58:00.000-07:00

This delightful tale written in 1903 follows the extraordinary journey of a young Christian maiden born in the time of persecution under the brutal reign of Nero.

Young Miriam is thrust into a world of brutality and hardship after both of her parents, persecuted for their faith and ultimately die for it; leave their only daughter with a trusted Libyan servant as her only protection. Miriam and the faithful Libyan Nehushta soon find a place of refuge among a religious group of men which call themselves Essenes, who swear their lives to the protection and education of the young girl.

But peace among the Christians lasts only for a little while, and Miriam's faith is soon put to the test when a Roman Tribune enters her solitude and challenges her beliefs by his passionate admiration and love for Miriam whom he deems a goddess.

Meanwhile, Miriam's childhood friend Caleb is prodded by jealousy and revenge and plots to ruin the lives of those who ruined his.

Will Miriam be able to hold fast to her hope in Christ? Or will she forsake Him for a pagan life and to save her own life?

This chronicle written with such power and truth gives a glimpse of what it would have been like to be a Christian in A.D. 60 and throughout Nero's short reign. The story flows well and is immediately captivating; all events and dates are accurate and educate the reader of what the Roman Empire truly was in that horrific age of the rule of Nero Claudius Drusus Germanicus .

Violence: Lets just say if you can't bear reading about Blandina, then this isn't your book

Indecency: There is mention of a dress being scandalously low and against the wearer's will.

Language: Pagan romans occasionally say "By the gods!" or mention some other gods name

Age interest: 14-up

Rating: 5

The Mysterious Benedict Society~ Trinton Lee Stuart

2011-03-28T09:13:00.000-07:00

In this spell bounding tale you will discover four orphans whose lives mysteriously intertwine through rather mysterious events when they are each drawn to a peculiar ad in the newspaper summoning and challenging dozens of children to undergo a series of mind boggling and rather absurd tests.

The humorous/serious Reynie, Sticky the brainy, Kate the adventurous, and the tiny, extremely grumpy Constance soon find themselves under the care of peculiar Mr. Curtain who always dresses in green and has a serious case of narcolepsy.

The children are given a secret mission that only the most resourceful and intelligent minds can complete. Armed only with their wits, a red bucket of trinkets, friendship and the morse code, can these four complete their impossible task?

Though some might deem this as a merely 'pleasureful read' this delightfully had many Christian morals and character traits. I think it's the biggest reason I like it. The children in the Benidict society aren't your 'perfect' mystery team that run like clockwork. They have flaws that must be worked through and mended. They have to learn to work together. And throughout you can easily identify Biblical commandments kept.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There were times when I had to stop and re-read a line two or three times. Trenton Lee Stuart does a brilliant job at making you think.

-. .. -.-. .... ---- .-.. .- ...

Can you solve this to find out Mr. Curtain's first name?

Want to join the secret society? HERE is your opportunity.

Indecency: None

Violence: Mild, non-bloody fist fights and scuffles, main characters in peril

Language: None

Age Interest: 12 & up

~Honey for a Child's Heart~

2011-03-09T18:44:00.000-08:00

Excerpts from Honey for a Child's Heart by Gladys Hunt on the importance of good books in a child's life. Her book is so full of wisdom and truth I was tempted to quote whole chapters. I shall do a review on her book in the near future.

" Any good book can be used by God in a child's development, for a good book has genuine spir

itual substance, not just intellectual enjoyment.Books help children know what to look for in life. It is like developing the taste buds of his mind as a child learns to savor what he sees, hears, and experiences and fits these into some kind of worthwhile framework. What is unfamiliar becomes close and real in books. What is ridiculous helps children see he humor in their own lives... Books are no substitute for life, but a keener pleasure comes to life because of books."

"The quality of the idea, the skill of the plot, the depth of the characterization, the distinctive style of the author-that's the best I can do by way of defining a good book."

"I have already mentioned the importance of illustrations. A great variety of styles should be part of a child's inheritance, not just the parent's current preference. Bright colors, gentle pastels, bold strokes, whimsical lines, quaint old-fashioned pictures, modern design, pen and ink sketches-the story will demand a certain mood for the child."

"Good literature teaches more than we know. Example always speaks louder than precept, and books can do more to inspire honor and tenacity of purpose than all the scoldings and

exhortations in the world."

"The most subtle and profound ideas are often found in books written for children...Good fantasy helps us see "reality in unreality, credibility in incredibility." A child accepts and loves fantasy because of his own rich imagination and sense of wonder. For children, magical things are not nearly as complicated as they are for adults. They have room in their minds for all sorts of happenings. "

"Family reading aloud demands good literature. Only the best can stand the test of having the words hit the airwaves and fall into the mind of such a variety of ages. You won't find a busy father reading insipid, sentimental stories aloud for very long-and the best family reading requires a father's voice."

"Underlying all of this discussion is my thesis that parents who read widely together with their children are going to be those who most influence their children, who have the largest world view, who have an uncommon delight in what is good and true and beautiful-and an uncommon commitment to it. Sharing and feeling and talking together will come naturally. Books shared with each other provide that kind of climate."

The Story of the World ~ Susan Wise Bauer ~

2011-02-22T08:46:00.001-08:00

It can be difficult to find a good overview of history written in a captivating yet simple form. The Story of the World series is one such work. These are not in-depth accounts of history, but enough to become familiar and spark interest.

After we started reading this account of ancient history from the nomads to the last Roman emperor, my siblings begged to go to the next chapter; they couldn't get enough. Bauer draws the reader in by writing as if she's having a one-on-one conversation with him.

Very easily understood by children, yet written well enough that adults enjoy it, this and Bauer's other World series is a must for your school library.

A few of the numerous, fascinating stories include:

Romulus and Remus- the boy kings raised by wolves and that founded Rome

"The basket floated along the river until it got stuck in the root of a fig tree at the river's edge. That might have been the end of the two boys-but a wolf heard them crying...The wolf had cubs of her own. But she felt pity for the two hungry babies, and so she tugged the basket up onto the bank and then back to her own den. There, she raised the babies with her own wolf cubs, as her own."

Dido the Phoenician princess- the woman that founded Carthage on a bull skin

When they reached the place where Dido wanted to settle, they found that the land was already settled...But Dido was determined to build her new city on that very spot...So she said to the owner of the land, "Will you sell me as much land as I can cover with the skin of a bull?"

Alexander the Great - The richest man before 30 and ruler of the Persian Empire

What is that? Alexander asked. That is the Gordian Knot," the people told him. "We have a legend about it. The man who loosens that knot will rule all the rest of Asia. But it is impossible to untie the knot. Hundreds of men have tried, and no one has ever succeeded!" Alexander studied the knot carefully. Then he took out his sword and sliced the knot in half. "There," he said. "I have loosened the knot."

Pharaoh Cheops-Making his mummy!

"Let's imagine that we're back in the old Kingdom of Egypt, at the time of the Pharaoh Cheops. Cheops has been pharaoh for years. He has made Egypt's army strong, and he's kept Egypt safe from enemies. But in the middle of the night, word comes from the palace that Cheops is dead!"

The Story of the World also provides geographical locations and shows you maps of ancient history. This is also a wonderful book to explore as a family. Dads will enjoy this too!

Violence: Brief, non-graphic accounts of battles fought
Indecency: Many mythological stories told of the Roman and Greek gods and goddesses
Language: None

Age Interest: Whole family
My Rating: 5 out of 5

Alone yet not Alone ~ Tracy Michele Leininger

2011-01-26T12:55:00.001-08:00

Many of you may have heard of this uplifting, and harrowing true story of Barbara and Regina Leininger. If you have not, this book is a necessity for your family library!

During a beautiful Pennsylvania autumn day 1755, while twelve-year-old Barbara and nine-year-old Regina along with their two brothers and parents worked together in harvesting their bountiful crop, none anticipated the nearing danger that would befall them. Snatched from their family, their home, and everything familiar to them, Barbara and Regina were thrust into a culture foreign to their knowledge. Suddenly, both were separated from the only thing they had left to cling to for comfort--each other. Barbara painfully endures a life of solitude among the Allegheny, solely depending on God for daily strength.

Three years later Barbara and her fellow white captives in the Indian village, gather their strength, their meager provisions, and plot to escape from the world of savages.

"If one could not believe that there is a God, who helps and saves from death, one had better let running away alone...the extreme probability that the Indians would pursue and recapture us, was two to one compared with the dim hope that, perhaps, we would get through...even if we did escape the Indians, how would we ever succeed in passing through the wilderness, unacquainted with a single pather or trail...scarcely any food, the season wet and cold, and many rivers...to cross." Barbara Leininger

Alone yet not alone am I though in this solitude so drear
I feel my Savior always nigh;
he comes the wary hours to cheer
I am with Him and He with me
I therefore cannot lonely be.

You may purchase this book HERE

Indecency: None

Violence: Frequent talk and happenings of Indian raids, main characters threatened, a witness briefly recounting a person killed by fire ( non-graphic), a main character wounded. All of it was non graphic and nothing children couldn't handle.

Language: None

Age Interest: Family

My Rating: 5 out of 5

Longitude ~ Dava Sobel

2011-01-03T14:14:00.001-08:00

" During the great ages of exploration, "the longitude problem" was the gravest of scientific challenges. Lacking the ability to determine their longitude, sailors were literally lost at sea as soon as they lost sight of land." From Longitude by Dava Sobel In our modern world of convenience today, we take for granted so many things that enable us to go about life. The timekeeper and chronometer are two of them.

In our modern world of conveniences, we take for granted so many things that enable us to so easily go about life. The timekeeper and chronometer are two of them.

This piece of literature combines scientific exploration with history and biographies as it explains the many trials and triumphs of John Harrison. In 1707 British Parliament offered a prize of several million dollars to the man who could solve the impending problem of Longitude. John Harrison stood to the challenge and dedicated almost 50 years to the solution of longitude.

( Above picture is Harrison's Marine Chronometer H3)

I thought it was very well written; Sobel has a creative way of writing history as it should be, easy for the reader to understand.

P.S. There is also a movie made in 2000 about John Harrison and Longitude with Jeremy Irons and Michael Gambon. I have not yet seen it but thought I'd put that out there.

Indecency: None

Violence: None

Language: None

Age Interest: 15-adult

My Rating: 4 out of 5

The Beauty of Modesty ~ David and Diane Vaughan

2010-12-13T11:00:00.000-08:00

The Beauty of Modesty is a wonderful guide for mothers and daughters to read through as they aspire to become and remain modest in a culture that rejects everything that glorifies God including a modest appearance.

A few of the chapters and their agendas:

' Worldview and Wardrobe'

In the world today we are seeing at an alarming rate, immodesty within the Church, and with immodesty comes " symptoms of other problems". This chapter focuses on the utter disaster our culture has brought as it has slowly gotten away with introducing minds to unthinkable photos, movies, and perverse talk. It is now " normal" for a girl's purity to be gone by age fifteen. We may think "Well things haven't always been this bad", they have, just not as bold. As a nation established as a Christian nation we should stand up for the abominable actions going on within the culture, within teens, and within the Church.

"When a culture- our culture- adopts the ideology of secularism and moral relativism, then perverse results will naturally follow." Beauty of Modesty

'Women Professing Godliness':

We may call ourselves women with all godliness, but do our actions and words say the same thing? Are we provoking the opposite gender? Are we considering our brothers in Christ "with all purity"? Are we making sure we do not put ourselves in inappropriate conversation or situations with our brothers in Christ?

We represent Christ, and in so doing everything we do represents our beliefs.

"Words are like plucked feathers. Once cast into the wind they can't be recovered. The wise person studies how to answer." Beauty of Modesty

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." ( Colossians 3:17)

Noah Webster's definition of modesty:

"That lowly temper which accompanies a moderate estimate of one's own worth and importance. This temper when natural, springs in some measure from timidity, and in young and inexperienced persons, is allied to bashfulness and diffidence. In persons who have seen the world, and lost their natural timidity, modesty springs no less from principle than from feeling, and is manifested by retiring, unobtrusive manners, assuming less to itself than others are willing to yield, and conceding to others all due honor and respect, or even more than they expect or require.. "

I really enjoyed this book. It had a profound impact on the way I look at the culture and perversity within modesty. Well written, the chapters get right to the point, and there are many quotations of various authors. I would give this book five out of five stars.

Violence: None

Indecency: This would not be a book for younger girls or men, as there are subjects talking about sexual purity and inappropriate messages from the world.

Language: None

Age Interest: 16- Adult

My Rating: 4 our of 5

Rate 4 stars Rate 3 stars Rate 2 stars value=norec&widgetid=M70020694_496817_25_0&authURL=1292280540527.K5jxfMeMk94bXqPkEmlU8Iq9Kos%3D" class="rvnorec" tabindex="0" title="Click to rate the movie "Not Interested"" style="color: rgb(0, 69, 139); background-image: url(http://cdn-0.nflximg.com/en_US/layout/ratings/starbar_unified.gif); display: block; text-indent: -9000px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; position: absolute; top: 17px; left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; height: 18px; width: 96px; text-decoration: none; background-position: -95px -28px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; ">Rate not interested

The Dragon Keeper Chronicles ~ Donita K. Paul

2010-12-06T09:59:00.000-08:00

In Dragon Spell #1 the reader travels to the mysterious land of Amara where creatures and people of all kinds abound, from friendly dragons and curious doneels, and graceful emerlindians to terrifying blimmets, devouring quiss and disgusting mordakleeps. The reader follows Kale, a young orant girl who is trying to make her dull life as a slave as exciting as possible. She could not have imagined what her future held when she soon finds out that she is a Dragon Keeper of Paladin.

In Dragon Quest #2 Kale and an odd assortment of new companions are aiding her on the quest to nurture and train the meech dragon Regidor, as well as serve as an apprentice to the seemingly mindless, but wise wizard Fenworth. But to Kale's disappointment, the Hall is sending a young Knight-to-be whose demeanor is cold and disapproving, to monitor her training as a young wizard. But a new assignment arrives as the companions find out that the Evil Risto has plotted to overtake a meech and use it for his advantage.

Dragon Knight #3 In mountains of solitude, considering the vows he is about to take, Bardon's solitude is suddenly interrupted by an emerlindian and her granddaughter. As the woman pleads aid to free her son, who is in a lone chamber trapped by a spell of sleep, the reluctant Bardon agrees. As the threesome travel, Bardon soon learns that not just one of Paladin's knights lay captive. Finding the chamber, the band discover a dozen knights who lay bound by an unknown spell. And only an age old book, the ink swirling across pages in foreign words, can unlock the captive knights. With no help to this mysterious book, and obstacles arising at every corner, will the quest endure?

In Dragon Fire #4 Three years have gone by since Bardon and Kale have freed the dozen captive knights of Paladin. War rages heavier than before as rival dragons scorch the lands with their fire amid the dual between the husband and wife wizards battle for complete power. Bardon and Kale- now joined in matrimony- are forced to accept separate quests by Paladin. Bardon along with his former companions must bravely lead his troops against the armies of Pretender, while Kale and her father are sent to find dragons and train for Paladin's army against the forces of Risto. Along they way, Kale and her family all learn something about each other that furthers their ability to understand and love.

In Dragon Light #5 as Kale and her father are still at work hatching dragons of all assortments while she develops a stronger affection for her father who she is slowly learning to love. Sir Bardon is a leader among Paladin's knights, and now present in His counsel. But a new search for the meech colony is assembled and Kale and Bardon are part of it. While traveling with their meech friends Regidor and Gilda, their encounters with invisible and dangerous forces are increasing. As the last chapter of the Dragonkeeper chronicles closes, the tale is concluded with all the old friends and an ending touching and victorious!

~My reviews can never do these great works justice, there are so many plots intertwined in one.

These five books are refreshing with an extremely unique plot, and my favorite part, a powerful allegory. None of the content brought any red flags, and it's not filled with inappropriate romance. I don't know if you would even call it this but there is very mild flirting that is far between, and the characters involved in it end up married. From the way the author wrote it, I consider most of it acts of chivalry. Just my opinion.~~~ Hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

Indecency: None

Violence: Throughout the books there is plenty of fighting but nothing explained too gory

Language: None

Age Interest: 12-16

My Rating: 5 out of 5

AND THE WINNER IS...

2010-11-22T13:17:00.001-08:00

The Winner of Open Book Review's first giveaway is Maddy Halverson! Congratulations Maddy!

Thank you everyone for participating! Don't worry, there'll be more giveaways.

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

2010-11-08T17:12:00.001-08:00

Since this is a blog supporting Biblically sound and family books, I thought it appropriate to hold a giveaway for this excellent read aloud...

Refuting Evolution

Every Christian struggles in some way to contradict the constant attack of Evolutionists and their arguments, and some don't know what to say to them. This is the book! Refuting Evolution is very well written and the points well made and Biblical. After you read this book, it's hard to see how evolutionists can still so faithfully believe in evolution. Some things it discusses are:

Whale Evoltion?
How old is the Earth?
Variation and Natural Selection versus Evolution
The Links are Missing

Foreword by Ken Ham

How to enter:

Become a follower -worth 2 entries! ( New followers will have to tell me they are following in order to keep up with everyone, just leave one more comment saying you are now a follower)
Spread the word! (Blog about it) 1 entry
Facebook it 1 entry

Drawing will be November 22, 2010

The Rise and Fall of Adolf Hitler ~ William L. Shirer

2010-10-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

In 1934 Germany began to witness persecutions under the man that would forever change the course of history. This small but true account tells of Adolf Hitler who went from a Vienna tramp to the most feared and ironically revered man in Germany.

Looking back at his childhood days, Hitler surprisingly was capable of love and honor, love for his mother, and honoring his father despite their disputes over what he was to become in the future. His love was seen one last time when in 1928 he and his half-niece shared a romance for three years.

Hitler's high hopes for life were becoming a great artist and Catholic priest. But after his mother's death,his grand plans for education were shattered. His spirit greatly discouraged, school grades began plummeting.

Hitler soon became angry at his grades in school, and at being rejected, labeled as one who was "wasting the teacher's time- and his in trying to achieve his great ambition of becoming a painter". At sixteen he decided to make his own way in the world without the further help of an education.

He ran off to Vienna and found whatever work he could.

This book further explains Hitler's odd and uncalled for hatred of the Jews in the world, his cruel injustice for innocence, and the influence one man's passion can evoke.

Through his great oratory and passionate declarations, Hitler succeeded in rousing Germany to stand behind him and his rabble of Nazis. Continuing on in his reign, Hitler murdered millions through his personal passion for revenge and his participation in igniting World War 2.

During WW2 Hitler made this declaration to his generals:

"...I am convinced of the powers of my intellect. No one has ever achieved what I have achieved. I have led the German people to a great height-even if the world does hate us now... I shall shrink from nothing. I shall annihilate everyone who is opposed to me!"

This is a book well worth reading to better understand the man who caused so much terror and catastrophe in the world.

Violence: Throughout the book it talks about the war, strategies of violence and a somewhat gruesome description of the death of various people

Indecency: None

Age interest: 12-adult

My Rating: 4 out of 5

The Scarlet Pimpernel ~ Baroness Orczy

2010-09-29T08:55:00.000-07:00

The Scarlet Pimpernel is my favorite puffin classic yet! Very well written with a captivating plot, the book is difficult to put down. Be sure to get the complete and unabridged version.

It is the year 1792, the middle of the French Revolution, and numerous amounts of aristocrats are daily being captured and executed by the guillotine. Only one man and his courageous band of followers have the gumption to stand against the French government and cunningly whisk the aristocrats from beneath the government's blade. Known as the Scarlet Pimpernel, his identity is the toast of London.

But a merciless French agent known as Chauvelin swears he will not rest until he sees the Pimpernel dead.

The Scarlet Pimpernel is a most captivating tale of insane bravery, elusive love, and the ability of one man's actions to change the course of human emotions.

(There is also a very accurate account in the 1982 version of the movie 'The Scarlet Pimpernel with Anthony Andrews, )

Violence: Non- graphic talk of the guillotine, a few fist fights, a man is whipped, altogether nothing the reader can't handle

Indecency: None, although the reader gets a negative picture of the relationship in a marriage but it is put to right

Language: The Londoners use the occasional word "demmed"

Age Interest: 14-adult

My Rating: 4 out of 5

The Basket of Flowers ~Lamplighter

2010-09-15T09:32:00.000-07:00

I first found this treasure when I was eleven and absolutely loved it. It is fiction but with priceless moral lessons all throughout its pages .

Very well written, this tale for the young depicts the life of Mary and her father James who are poor in earthly possessions, but rich with the promise of eternal life. Privileged to know and be a guest of the countess, Mary gives her a beautiful basket that her father has made for the day of the countess's birthday. But the greed and jealousy of the countess's maid steps in and ruins the life of Mary and her father. Through trials of being homeless, having nothing to their names and being thought liars, Mary and James survive through it all resting on the love they have in Christ.

An exert from the book...

"James was digging a part of the garden which had been long neglected. It was hard, and trodden down and unfit for sowing seeds, because there was no "deepness of earth." He dug it deep, broke the clods, and turned them up to the surface to be crumbled by the hard frost.

"Just in this way." said he to Mary, "does God work upon hardened souls. They must be deeply pierced by sufferings and by convictions of sin: they must be exposed to the frost of adversity, to soften their natural hardness, and to prepare the soil to receive the good seed. If the seed is sown without this preparation on the hardened soil, it has no deepness in it, and it soon withers: but after this deep digging, this severe exposure, it is no longer hard, the good seed takes root, and blessed by God bears abundant fruit."

Violence: Not enough to be considered, a main character is taken by force to a prison.

Indecency: None

Language: None

Age interest: 12-adult

My Rating: 10 out of 10

Beautiful Girlhood ~ M. Hale & Karen Andreola

2010-09-01T10:33:00.000-07:00

I honestly could not put this book down. This is a wonderful book for helping young girls blossom into godly young women.

Some chapters and their goals:

Watch your Tongue!

This chapter is an excellent reminder especially to older girls with younger siblings, to be so careful about what you allow to escape your mouth. The author continues by expounding on how a young woman is defined by her spoken words. Those words spoken to strangers and when meeting new people, it is by those that that person forms an opinion based on the mood of the words. Andreola tells how the reader can form good speaking habits that will stay for life.

Dreams

This chapter is especially crucial to the blossoming woman whose thoughts can take so many different directions. Without knowing it, our dreams of romance, fantasy, the future, our future husband etc. have a big place in the building of our character. "Dream, but let the dreams be of usefulness and service, of purity and truth."

An Accomplished Girl

The world's idea of an accomplished woman and God's are at opposite ends of the spectrum.This chapter discusses all the different accomplishments a young girl should have. The author supports stay at home girls and admonishes them to learn early the tasks of the home.

Violence- None

Indecency- None But there is a chapter discussing boyfriends and fellowshipping with young men. The author does not support dating, but leans toward letting your father be your protector and aiding in the decision of a life partner.

Language- None

Age interest- 12-15

My Rating: 5 out of 5

Beginnings of American Literature ~ A Beka Book

2010-08-17T10:13:00.000-07:00

This book is a treasure chest for the passionate reader! It is filled with poems, art, biographies, hymns, short stories, questions and answers, and over 100 works of the greatest authors and poets. It also includes the complete, unabridged book "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne. From firsthand accounts of establishing Plymouth by William Bradford, to tales of Deerslayer by James Fenimore Cooper, Beginnings of American Literature will not disappoint the reader's appetite for adventure, well written literature, and learning about the great nation America and its people.

Some of the literature and their authors...

Sinners in the Hand of an Angry God ~ by Jonathan Edwards

Contents of the Dead Man's Pockets ~ by Jack Finney

Haircut ~ by Ring Lardner

The Town Poor ~ by Sarah Orne Jewett

The Pit and the Pendulum ~ by Edgar Allan Poe

Poor Richard's Almanac ~ by Benjamin Franklin

I find myself constantly going back to this book, I can never get enough of the numerous authors and their works.

You can find this book at Amazon

Language - None

Indecency- None

Violence- mild cases throughout different stories

Age Interest- 14-adult

My Rating: 5 out of 5

Before you Meet Prince Charming ~ Sarah Mally

2010-08-13T10:21:00.000-07:00

For all the young women preparing to be spotless brides, this is the perfect encouragement and guide. Sarah once again lifts up the discouraged and gives simple but much needed advice through God's word, personal experience, and testimonies.

Some of the chapters and their goals:

When God says wait: "Attempt not to assist God in the work that belongeth to Him."

In this chapter Sarah talks about how impatient young women sometimes forget God's promise of Hebrews 13:5 and take things into our own hands. We consider it ' helping' (hurrying) God with his plans. And many end in disaster if this road is walked too far. Sarah gives practical, and biblical advice on how to stop our impatience.

How Parents can help: " If thou wouldest marry the princess, thou must first petition the King."

In this chapter Sarah expounds on how we can give our hearts and trust to our parents and how this secure situation can save our future marriages. She also gives you 7 reasons to send young men to your dad. These tips are excellent if you haven't heard of courtship (Don't worry! It's not arranged marriage!) Not keeping secrets is part of giving our hearts to our fathers.

Dangers within the Dating System: "Thou shalt not build thy castle on sand."

In this chapter the reader learns of the foolishness and unbiblical standards of dating and why Christians should not embrace the world's way of winning a spouse. We must have a straight, biblical perspective of why we guard our purity. Sarah also covers questions such as " But how will I get to know a guy?" And testimonials of broken girls who can firmly say that dating, 99.9% of the time ends in failure.

I enjoyed this book immensely; it is the best book yet on keeping our hearts with all diligence.

"For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in Thee." Psalms 84:11-12

"I will never leave thee,nor forsake thee..." Hebrew 13:5

"Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap..." Galatians 6:7

Indecency: None

Violence: None

Language: None

Age Interest: 16-Adult

My Rating: 8 out of 10

Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends ~ Mally

2010-08-09T09:38:00.000-07:00

Every family struggles with relationships between siblings, and many brothers and sisters don't know what to do about it. This is the book! Written through three perspectives by the Mally children, they give you such encouragement; and as each chapter progresses they give you more ways to improve and build that strong foundation between siblings. Not just advice about 'getting through the day' but how to apply vital character traits such as meekness, humility, grace etc.

Along the way many of the Mally's points are given through hilarious illustrations and stories that occurred in their own family.

Some of the chapters and their points...

Problems Come and Problems Stay! Finding the Root Problem

"One of the reasons some siblings can't get along is because there are unresolved problems between them. "

These problems often rise and are pushed back down, but like trying to keep a ball underwater, they always pop up again!

Home Survival Kit-The Number One Key to all Relationships

"This amazing key is called Humility...you will be amazed at the results of giving the other person the upper position."

Family Warfare: The Amazing Weapon called "Praise"

"Learn to focus on the good, rather than the bad in the lives of others...you will accomplish much more in the life of your brother or sister if you focus on praising their strengths, rather than pointing out their weaknesses."

I have read this book several times and it still draws me to read it again when I struggle to be a big sister. It helps me everyday in making my siblings my best friends. This is a must have book.

Indecency- None

Violence- None

Language- None

Age Interest- whole family

My rating: 5 out of 5

When Science Fails ~ John Hudson Tiner

2010-08-06T10:05:00.001-07:00

When Science Fails is an excellent book to use in educating your children on truthful events of science. It contains twenty-six amazing accounts of different people throughout history that have refuted evolution through presenting science God's way. Tiner helps you discover people who changed history, from Ambroise Pare' the young, French, doctor who's motto was "I dressed him, God healed him", to the discovery of Nineveh, to William Herschel the musician who discovered a planet. Discover how penicillin came into existence, and when germs were discovered by Ignaz Semmelweis.

Tiner's style of writing immediately draws the reader in and the never before heard stories will enrapture the young creationist. I recommend it for every family's school library.

Language: None

Violence:None

Indecency:None

Age interest: 10-adult

The Golden Goblet ~ Eloise Jarvis McGraw

2010-08-02T12:42:00.001-07:00

The Golden Goblet is a thrilling tale of the young, Egyptian, boy Ranofer striving to survive in a culture where gifted apprentices are not noticed. He desires to be a master goldsmith like his father was. But his half brother, Gebu had plans for him that would only profit his own endeavors. While Ranofer longs to have pliable gold and the finest, detailed tools of a goldsmith under his hands, he is instead made to work for a stone cutter.

But this does not damper his optimism for long and Ranofer pursues his dream to the end of the sands of Egypt. But he is daily getting suspicious of his half brother's trade, and one dark and frightful night uncovers a secret in a chest that could change his future forever.

I was captivated by this story. It upheld many morals such as honesty, friendship, and respect. It gives the reader an interesting insight into the lives of the poor and helps him to imagine what life must have been like for young boys who, like Ranofer, had to fight for their success in life.

Caution- It is not from a Christian perspective so there is reference to and belief in the gods of ancient Egypt.

Violence- very little

Indecency-none

Language-none

Age interest- 12-15

The Kingdom Series ~ Chuck Black

2010-07-29T10:24:00.001-07:00

I found this series when I was looking for some literature for mere pleasure, but I wanted it to have some depth of morality. Chuck Black rose to the challenge.

Set in the medieval era, these six books are an allegory of Genesis to Revelations and will not disappoint your appetite for action, love, lessons of truth, and the honor of those who trust in Christ.

In Kingdom's Dawn, Chuck Black introduces the reader into the Kingdom of Arrethrae, where he follows the adventures of young, sixteen-year old Leinad, who is beginning to question why he, a mere farmer's son, is being taught to master the sword, and to be a leader who follows the ways of a King that has been long absent from His kingdom. A tragic event soon changes the whole course of Leinad's future, and Leinad slowly understands the calling he was given...by the King himself.

Leinad and his new found friend Tess endure a life of enslavement, and those who called themselves followers of the King abandon Leinad in his quest.

As the adventures continue, new followers of this mysterious King arise, and to the displeasure of men common and wealthy, a peasant who calls himself a prince.

Cedric of Chessington has only known a life of poverty and despair, and it seems the future will remain as such. Until a strange man gives Cedric and his faithful companion hope.

While on a voyage Cedric meets beautiful Talea; a mysterious woman who has some connection with the old man Leinad that Cedric loves dearly. While trying to figure out the elusive Talea, Cedric uncovers even more puzzling mysteries that encamp around the kingdom of Arrethrae.

Gavin is a Knoble Knight devoted to the code of the King, and fully trusts that he and his fellow soldiers are doing what is right in the eyes of the absent King, until followers of the mysterious peasant stand against their code and make him question his mission in life.

Keanna and Kendra both have a painful past and nothing in which to hope. Their hearts are bitter towards the men that tore their families apart. Where can forgiveness and hope be found while in the shadows of the arch enemy Lucius?

Violence- Throughout the series everyone uses swords and various weapons, though fights are not explained in gory detail.

Indecency- None

Language-None

Age interest- 12-15

2010-07-05T18:25:00.000-07:00

16-Adult Reading

Longitude

Primeval Saints

A Tale of Two Cities

The Beauty of Modesty

The Screwtape Letters

The Scarlet Pimpernel