The Princess Within for Teens by Serita Ann Jakes

The book The Princess Within for Teens by Serita Ann Jakes is written for teenagers (obviously!) I happen to have a teenaged daughter, so I was interested in reading and reviewing this book.

No beating around the bush, I did not care for this book. Why? Primarily readability. It jumps from topic to topic to topic without much cohesion or follow-through.

The author tries to put too much "cutesy" type stuff in (Cinderella story updated, in bits and pieces; suggested music; quizzes (but no answers or interpretations!), personal stories, stories by others, letters to her "secret keeper", etc) So much stuff and it doesn't really follow any logical pathway or lead you to understand the topic at hand any better.

I get that the author is trying to catch girls' attention by offering all these different styles of writing, but it's just too much, in my opinion. She covers some good topics, things that are a part of teen life. Scriptures are used to support her writing and encourage girls to seek God's help.

I wouldn't really recommend this book. It's pretty confusing (in layout) and though it covers lots of topics, I just think that I've read much better. I'm sure some people will really enjoy this book and this style of writing, but it just wasn't for me.

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House publishers for the purpose of this review. I was not required to write a positive review.

Snap Decision by Nathan Whitaker

Ahh! Time to read a book designed for my middle child, an almost junior-high boy! :) I actually like a lot of his reading choices right now (Hardy Boys, Hardy Boys, and Hardy Boys! haha); occasionally he does take a break from the Hardy Boys and read other books :) SO I knew this book would be a great one to review!

Snap Decision is written by Nathan Whitaker (I recognized his name from his co-writing of books with Tony Dungy); just a look at the cover lets you know it's all about football. The main character, Chase, and his friend, Tripp (sound like two good football names, huh? haha, just my corny sense of humor I guess!) are 8th graders, football players, and good buddies. Tripp plays varsity, while Chase is on JV, longing for varsity. The story follows the boys and their football experiences and family experiences somewhat~~kind of day to day stuff and thoughts. Chase eventually gets the chance to join the varsity squad and the book talks about his thoughts and feelings about that as well.

The conflict part of the book comes when Chase sees something and doesn't know whether or not he should tell the responsible adults--though it might hurt his friend (I DON'T want to give it away, so I'm not going to give more details). It's a good message, though he has to deal with some repercussions.

All in all, it's a fine book. I truthfully thought it was quite boring and filled with rabbit-trail-type material -- very peripheral to the story, though given big chunks of text. Not very cohesive. It was not objectionable, however, a good, clean story with a lesson, just kind of slow and boring. I'm not sure if it's the first book in a series, maybe some of these things will be developed more in future books.

Would I recommend it? Sure, it's a fine book. It did seem very different from the middle school-aged books that are written these days -- so many of them deal with topics like death of a parent, abandonment, major physical difficulties, stuff like that. This book was unlike that (which I think is just fine). My issue with it is that it is very bland and just. . . slow. We'll see. I'm giving it to my son to read, so we'll see how he likes it.

I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. I was not required to write a positive review.

The Nourished Kitchen by Jennifer McGruther

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!!!!!

I recently received the book The Nourished Kitchen by Jennifer McGruther for review purposes -- and it's an instant hit, not only with me, but with the whole family!!

I am totally the demographic that this book was written for -- we try to eat mostly "whole" foods, local foods, grow our own garden, raise our own meat (chicken/turkey/rabbit) and harvest wild meat in season (duck/deer/fish), drink raw milk from a local organic farm that we volunteer on. . .

First off -- superficially :) -- this book is gorgeous. The cover alone will draw you in! The photos of the prepared recipes are enticing and the narrative that goes along with each recipe is a great explanation/encouragement about the benefits of that dish.

The recipes -- yummmm!! I have to tell you that my children have been looking through this book and they have actually already made a couple of items from this book! My 14 yr old daughter made the puff pancake and the buttered spinach for our dinner yesterday (here's a picture!)

and then tonight my 12 yr old son made the buttermilk herb dressing for our salad -- each of them looked through the book on their own and asked if they could try some of the recipes!

There are many things in this book that I had been wanting to learn to make -- things like kefir (if I can find a starter culture somewhere!) and yogurt! fermented stuff (sauerkraut of course, but swiss chard stems?! definitely to try this year!) Breads, cheeses, desserts, meats, SO many recipes -- and not just that, but also narratives speaking to why certain ingredients are good for you to use/eat and just info about many of the foods and their ingredients!

Am I gushing too much? :) Really, this book is great. It has given me tons of ideas as well as explanations -- a great resource for our family. It's beautiful and well-written. I DEFINITELY recommend this book!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review. I was not required to write a positive review. I just loved the book!! Buy it! Enjoy it!! :)

Modern Pioneering by Georgia Pellegrini

Love this book! :) I won't make you wait till the end of this post to see what I think of it :) Okay, to be fair, this book is kind of "preaching to the choir" with me -- many of the things mentioned in this book are things that we incorporate into our life here already -- but -- it's a great book, with easy instructions and encouragement!

The book gives a little look at the author's life and how she became the person she is. Thereafter are SO many great ideas and instructions -- how to grow food, tools for gardening, how to decide what to plant, how to plant, how to take care of your plants, etc. -- and NO! It's not just about gardening! Delicious-looking recipes to give ideas of how to use those garden veggies -- complete with mouthwatering pictures :)

Different ways of preserving are addressed, with photos and recipes as well -- canning, pickling, fermenting, smoking, preserving with oil, drying, freezing. . .

Wild edibles! Making butter! Making tea! Survival Skills! Crafts and homemade products! Gift ideas!

Yeah, I like this book (you think?) My 14 yr old daughter also read the book cover-to-cover and has already tried a few things from the book :) It's an eye-catching book, written with excitement to grab your attention and have you trying what it's talking about right away! I also want to say that it's written in a style that if you do not already have this kind of lifestyle, you can easily try these ideas without them seeming overwhelming.

I would recommend this book! It'd be a good one to have in your own home or to give as a gift!

I received this book from the blogging for books program for the purpose of this review. I was not required to write a positive review.

Body & Soul by Bethany Hamilton

The book "Body & Soul" is written by Bethany Hamilton (of the "Soul Surfer" movie fame). The front of it says "A Girl's Guide to a Fit, Fun, and Fabulous Life."

I chose this book to review because I have a 14 yr old daughter who LOVES the Soul Surfer movie and thus is interested in Bethany Hamilton and what she does.

If I were reading this book without my daughter in mind, I would have probably liked it more. It is a very well-made book -- catchy colors, great editing, nice graphics and photos. There are lots of exercise tips, clean eating ideas and discussion, and even some recipes. There was a small segment on spiritual things -- like do your devotions and love others--

As a mom I will not give this book to my daughter because she is 14!!! I don't want her worrying about her body right now. Please don't get me wrong, she IS learning about nutrition and healthy choices, but . . . I do not want to encourage so much thinking about her own body right now. A lot of that is still my responsibility (giving her healthy foods) and making sure she has ample opportunity for physical activity. Other things, such as the "thin is better" implications -- I may have some thoughts about that too, but seeing as this is more a diet and exercise book, that's par for the course.

HOWEVER! :) I do think this book is a good book for an older teen/college student who is actively involved in food and exercise choices. I wish that there was a bit more spiritual emphasis (maybe the book could have been called BODY & a teeny bit of soul. :) Just kidding -- I'm sure that the title was to tie in with the movie title. Truthfully, though, she has a good platform and I wish that there had been more on reading and learning Scripture and God's plan for your body and life. . .that type of thing.

So -- I guess I'm a bit ambivalent on this book.

I received this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review. I was not required to write a positive review.

A Moment in Time by Tracie Peterson

A Moment in Time by Tracie Peterson is a fun easy read, just right for filling a couple of hours with some entertainment! :) The story centers around Marty (married to Jake) and Alice (an orphaned girl who has been taken in by Marty and Jake--first as an employee, later as a friend). Alice is being stalked by a man who thinks she has some valuable papers that were her fathers, though she does not have them (the same man scarred her face with a knife earlier). The setting is Colorado, 1893, in a time where jobs were scarce and banks were not strong and secure.

Jake lost his job and goes to find work. Marty and Alice are forced to leave the house they were living in, as it belongs to the bank. Marty has family down in Texas, but she's frightened to go back there (for reasons I won't tell you! You'll have to read it!) -- -- -- OH -- and there's also a large part about. . .well, I'll just say some relatives of Alice. . .I think I've told you enough. I don't want to give anything away! :)

The book is a good read, a good story, a story of reconciliation, of courage, of love, and with a happy ending! :) It WAS a little predictable in parts, but not in a bad way! (it was the second book in a series, I had not read the first, but it was not a problem understanding the book without having begun with the first!)

I would suggest this book as a good clean fun read!

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House publishers for the purpose of this review. I was not required to write a positive review.

Preparing Your Teens for College by Alex Chediak

Preparing Your Teens for College by Alex Chediak is a book that I wondered if I would enjoy or relate to. My children range from young teens to pre-teens, and college seems like a lifetime away!

Well, as I read this book, I realized it is much more than preparing your kids for college, I think it's preparing them for LIFE! This book is full of wonderful ideas and suggestions for parents to help their children thrive and remain true to Christ throughout their early adulthood, college in particular.

There were segments on friends, finances, faith, responsibility, and many more. Great practical suggestions interspersed with lots of stories illustrating the topics and ideas. Things like encouraging Christian friendships and interconnections. Like staying away from financial irresponsbilities. Like doing your schoolwork as unto the Lord. Many, many great ideas.

I guess for me, it is a book that illuminates areas in which I need to be purposeful in these teen years. I always say that our goal with our children is to raise responsible adults, and this book is a helpful tool in that quest.

I would certainly recommend this book, I think it'll be helpful to a wide range of parents.

I received a copy from the pubilsher in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review.