Archives

After The Rain by Natalia Gomes

Jul7

Still Me

After The Rain by Natalia Gomes is a powerful, contemporary YA novel that will sink deep into your heart and soul.

The book follows two teens who are caught up in a terrorist bombing leaving both with deep-seated traumas. Sometimes the injury is to our physical body and sometimes it is a mental injury – invisible to others but very real.

PTSD is a major theme. Natalia Gomes has sensitively portrayed characters in deep emotional pain. We witness triggers that paralyze a character. Support groups, therapists, love and care are needed to heal. Those who were there offer huge support as they can empathise.

Fear has infected lives as characters no longer feel safe. “Where it’s safe… But nowhere’s safe. Not here and not in my mother’s arms. Not anymore.”  The after effects of the terror attack have far reaching arms.

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Charlie’s Christmas Adventure by J.E. Solinski

Jun3

Just Enough

Charlie’s Christmas Adventure by J.E. Solinski is a delightful contemporary Christian YA novel that will warm your heart whatever your age. It follows on from Meet Charlie and is perfect for ages ten years and over.

In this book we learn the true meaning of Advent and Charlie learns what it means to be a true friend.

The reader witnesses Charlie’s heart growing as she looks out for others. Where Charlie sees a need she tries to meet it. Just as Jesus tells us, Charlie gives gifts anonymously not looking for any glory.

Christmas is a time for giving gifts. Charlie realizes that the value of a gift is not in monetary terms, sometimes it is giving a gift of time.

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Meet Charlie by J.E. Solinski

Jun3

Behold I Stand At The Door And Knock

Meet Charlie by J.E. Solinski is a perfectly charming Christian YA novel for ages ten years and over.

Whatever your age you will enjoy meeting Charlie and discovering what true friendship is and what it is not.

Charlie goes to church and memorises Bible verse. She is very good at this but fails in the application of putting Jesus’ words into action. She is judgmental and competitive, being realistically flawed. She is likable and easy to relate to. A week away at Bible camp opens her eyes to humility.

As Charlie’s preconceived ideas come crashing down, she learns that true friendship is based on internal character and not external appearances.

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The Life Of The Peculiar Madeira Wood by Gracie Glick

May6

Really Fun

The Life of The Peculiar Madeira Wood by Gracie Glick is a delightfully fun contemporary novel just perfect for ages eight and over. Whatever your age this is a wonderful feel-good novel that will transport you back through the years to memories of your school days. It is a novel full of adventure due to Madeira’s over active imagination and full of kindness due to her big heart. It is amusing too and I did laugh out loud at times.

Madeira Wood is an eleven year old girl with a big heart and big opinions. She notices the lost and the hurting, and is always motivated by kindness. The reader is immersed into her world – real and imagined.

There are nuggets of godly wisdom peppered throughout, with life lessons for us all.

There is an openness to the story which enhances our feelings of gratitude for the peek into the life of Madeira Wood.

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