April 12, 2005
True: Real Stories About God Showing Up in the Lives of Teens
True: Real Stories About God Showing Up in the Lives of Teens
by Irene Dunlap
Nonfiction
2004
Over 300 pages of inspiring and miraculous stories of God moving in the lives of teens can be pretty amazing. That's the idea.
Cool factor: In addition to everyday stories from average teens you'll find stories from Christian rockers like Audio Adrenaline, PAX 217, Slick Shoes, LaRue and others. But they're not hyped as rock star stories. In fact, if you don't recognize their name you'll have to flip to the biographies in the back to see who's famous and who's not. That's a nice bit of anti-star worship.
Readability: With bite-size stories written by tons of different people, it's hard to get bored. If one story isn't working, just skip to the next one.
Bottom line: Irene Dunlap has worked on several Chicken Soup for the Soul books, but True is no hokey bowl of soup.
Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 06:02 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
April 05, 2005
Mean Girls vs. The Complex Infrastructure Known as the Female Mind
Mean Girls
by Hayley DiMarco
Nonfiction
2004
vs.
The Complex Infrastructure Known as the Female Mind
by Relient K
Nonfiction
2004
Both books are geared for girls and explore their various types and relationships. Mean Girls, which conveniently shares the same name as the Lindsay Lohan movie, covers the vindictiveness that can often characterize female relationships. Author Hayley DiMarco dives into the roots of mean and helps girls tame the beast, whether it’s their own or one they conflict with daily, with wise advice from the Bible.
Relient K, on the other hand, is a four-man (now down to three) punk band. They have a different approach, looking at the varying types of female personalities, from the Diva to the Mathlete to the Overachiever. It’s a cookie-cutter approach to girls that doesn’t give much room for diversity, but it does offer a guy’s perspective about girls for girls (for what that's worth).
Both books can help girls better understand themselves and their relationships, but if you really want to know girls, listen to a girl. Mean Girls is the clear winner.
And if you're a guy, well, both books might give some insight into the female mind. The Complex Infrastructure is probably more accessible for guys, but both books are geared for the ladies. The fact that Relient K didn't try to write a for guys should tell you a lot.
Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 06:58 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
April 01, 2005
Red Moon Rising by Peter Greig and Dave Roberts
Red Moon Rising: How 24-7 Prayer is Awakening a Generation
by Peter Greig and Dave Roberts
Nonfiction
2003
In September 1999 a movement began in Chichester, England where young people began praying around the clock. A room of a church was devoted to prayer, and during every hour of the day and night someone manned the room and prayed.
This book is the story of that movement and how God mobilized an army to prayer and began to change a generation. 24-7 prayer has expanded from the U.K. and gone around the world. The story is not only a powerful account of God working, it's a challenge to pray in a way you've never prayed before.
Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 02:18 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
March 28, 2005
Mirror Mirror by Kara Powell and Kendall Payne
Mirror Mirror
by Kara Powell and Kendall Payne
Nonfiction
2003
It's more like a magazine than a book, but you won't find make-up tips or quizzes.
Oh wait, yes you will.
But along side those magazine staples you'll find straight talk about subjects young women struggle with: weight, food, sex, beauty, boys and more. It's accessible and personal, but it's also hip and fun. It's less "the talk" with your mom, and more an honest heart-to-heart with a close friend.
Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 04:59 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Rock Stars on God by Doug Van Pelt
Rock Stars on God
by Doug Van Pelt
Nonfiction
2004
Ever wondered what Rage Against the Machine thinks about God? Now you can find out. This book collects interviews with 20 mainstream rock stars asking tough questions about God and spirituality. Don’t expect many Sunday school answers, but you will get a glimpse into the minds behind the songs you hear on the radio.
Includes Metallica, Green Day, The Get Up Kids, Bad Religion, Alice Cooper, Sunny Day Real Estate and more.
Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 04:44 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack