Monthly Book Reviews – Value-Based Fiction

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This month’s theme is Value-Based Fiction. What does that mean? Well, each of this month’s books deal with issues and topics from not only a Christian viewpoint but specifically a Catholic one. I’ll introduce you to a short story collection that teens of all ages will enjoy, a middle-grade theology of the body story, and a pro-life YA/New Adult novel.

Before we begin…

In case you are new to my blog, besides writing YA novels, I love reviewing them as well. Every month I post about 3 YA books that I’ve read, each month in a new genre. So, if you’re not interested in other teen books you can skip past this Book Review Post. I’ll still be sending out quarterly posts marked UPDATES regarding news about my own work.

But for those of you who have kids, or grandkids, or you yourself like teen books (like me!), each month I’ll introduce some of my favorite Christian and Catholic YA books.

I’ve decided to provide more reviews because there are a few things I’ve learned since I had my first book published:

1 – So many of the teen books published by the big publishing companies contain messages that don’t match the values of many families.

2 – There are a lot of fantastic, clean, faith-based books out there. Books that are entertaining yet wholesome and reflect Christian values.

3 – These types of books can be really hard to find. So, I’d like to introduce you to a few new adventures.

For Eden’s Sake by TM Gaouette

Author TM Gauoette’s collection of faith-affirming Catholic teen novels has a new addition, For Eden’s Sake. I’m impressed with how unique, and different all Gaouette’s books are, from her heart-warming middle-grade story, her exciting contemporary YA series, to this newly released powerful pro-life novel for older teens.

After a night he desperately wishes he could change, college graduate Isaac finds himself fighting for the life of his unborn child. While the characters are a little older, I think this is a fantastic book for teens to read with an important message. When our teens leave the protection of our homes and move on to college and the working world, they will probably find themselves in situations where they will need to defend their values and beliefs. Sadly, out in the real world, the foundation we teach our kids at home is often questioned, ridiculed, and attacked. It takes a strong person to hold true to Christian values.

I love the message that even when the decisions we make might throw our goals off track if we trust in God, we will get through any troubles. Even in the darkest of times, God has a plan for us. For Eden’s Sake is a powerful story about fighting for what is right, believing that God is with us even in the darkest of times, and trusting that He will get us through any situation.

10 Commandments of Kissing Gloria Jean by Britt Leigh

First of all – a little background. I grew up in a household that didn’t really discuss uncomfortable topics. So, maybe that is why I found the first part of this book a bit cringeworthy. In fact, I put it down a few times thinking, there was no way I could recommend a book that mentioned so many awkward topics. But, alas, it won me over.

This middle-grade novel is about a girl named Gloria Jean who is obsessed with thoughts of kissing a boy. She doesn’t have a specific boy in mind but is curious and wants to experience her first kiss. To prepare, she comes up with rules and questions about how this moment might happen and what to do if it does happen. During this same time, her public-school class is covering sex education and she is attending Confirmation classes at church. On top of all that, she has just learned she has celiac disease and the last thing she wants is to be different in any way.

You can imagine the multitude of uncomfortable topics that are brought up in this book. The author does a really wonderful job of discussing these topics from a middle school girl perspective. She did such a great job in fact that memories of those awkward years came flooding back. That’s when I realized the beauty of this book. Middle school kids, full of developing hormones, have so many questions about their bodies and members of the opposite sex. Because these topics are tough to talk about, kids often are left to seek answers from friends (who usually don’t have very accurate answers or provide exaggerated information) or nowadays – on the internet (not necessarily a place you went them searching such topics).

In an enlightening contrast, this book shows what public schools teach in sex education courses alongside what the church teaches through Theology of the Body. What a stark contrast. While this book might not be for everyone, if you have a child questioning some topics, or are wondering how to broach such topics, or you’re concerned about the way your child’s school teaches these topics, this might be a fabulous book to read. The lessons this character learns are beautiful. Gloria Jean discovers so much about herself, about true friendships, the perils of peer pressure, respect of herself, and who she wants to be. All this is why I ended up thoroughly enjoying this book that at times was uncomfortable to read. Certain topics are tough to discuss, specifically because of that, it’s wonderful to have a book that presents them from a faith-based perspective.

Secrets: Visible and Invisible from the authors at CatholicTeenBooks.com

Secrets is a collection of short stories from seven of the authors at the joint website – www.CatholicTeenBooks.com. I am one of the authors of this anthology and working with all these talented authors was such a joy. All the stories involve a secret of some sort and all are new original tales. Some are stories that involve characters that can be found in the author’s previous novels, some are new characters, and all are faith-based stories for teens. My story, More Precious Than Gold, is a summer adventure with the characters from my YA novels The Perfect Blindside and An Unexpected Role. One of the most wonderful parts of this book is that it provides readers with a taste of seven different author’s styles and genres. Who knows, you may find a new favorite author!

As described by Mark Hart of Life Teen International, who provides the foreword, “Each story reveals something different about the human heart and our constant (though, often veiled) desire for truth and virtue.”

• In a dystopian future, an innocent picnic turns deadly!
• Elijah knows nothing of the elderly stranger’s secret past–until her disappearance changes everything.
• A mysterious, ever-changing painting alarms a group of teens.
• The cannonball took Dario’s legs . . . Will he lose his soul too?
• The arrival of a mysterious girl challenges everything about Jason’s life.
• An unlicensed driver. His dad’s truck. What could possibly go wrong?
• An old tale of murder and forbidden love leads to a modern-day treasure hunt.

All these books can be found on Amazon. I’ve set links – just click on the highlighted titles. For those who don’t use Amazon you can also check Barnes and Noble online or www.indiebound.org where you can search for books and the local bookstores that might carry them or order them directly from the website. You can also ask your local bookstore or library to order the books for you.

Next month I’ll be reviewing three more Christian/Catholic teen novels. But if you’d like more reviews before then you can always check out my recommendation section on my website: YA Recommendations.

If you’ve come across this post on Facebook and would like to get my monthly reviews sent directly to your inbox, you can sign up on my website – www.LesleaWahl.com.

Until next month – Happy Reading!

Welcome to my monthly book review! Did you know that if you sign up for my newsletter, you will receive a FREE short story as well as my monthly reviews and quarterly updates sent directly to your inbox? Don’t miss a single review!

October always seems like the perfect month for mysteries and suspense novels. The three books I’m highlighting this month are all very exciting and have an element of suspense. Two are dystopian stories. One is a middle-grade story. Two are rather short. And all are part of a series.

Before we begin…

In case you are new to my blog, besides writing YA novels, I love reviewing them as well. Every month I post about 3 YA books that I’ve read, each month in a new genre. So, if you’re not interested in other teen books you can skip past this Book Review Post. I’ll still be sending out quarterly posts marked UPDATES regarding news about my own work.

But for those of you who have kids, or grandkids, or you yourself like teen books (like me!), each month I’ll introduce some of my favorite Christian and Catholic YA books.

I’ve decided to provide more reviews because there are a few things I’ve learned since I had my first book published:

1 – So many of the teen books published by the big publishing companies contain messages that don’t match the values of many families.

2 – There are a lot of fantastic, clean, faith-based books out there. Books that are entertaining yet wholesome and reflect Christian values.

3 – These types of books can be really hard to find. So, I’d like to introduce you to a few new adventures.

A Truly Raptor-ous Welcome by Corinna Turner

Corinna Turner is an expert at creating new, exciting worlds in her fictional books. Whether it be a dystopian future, a fantasy world, or a Jurassic-park type of environment, her descriptions brilliantly engulf you into her books.

A Truly Raptor-ous Welcome is one of the stories in her Unsparked series. These are truly exciting adventures. This short installment follows two parallel storylines. The first revolves around Darryl and her family. Darryl is a teenage girl who is tough as nails when it comes to dealing with dangerous dinosaurs. She also has a deep faith. Darryl’s father recently married a city-girl who is having trouble living in the wild, dangerous, dinosaur-filled country.

The other storyline revolves around Joshua, a young man who is alone in the world. He has been trained by his father and uncle to take dangerous hunting jobs. This exciting story leaves you wanting more and yearning for the next segments that will be forthcoming. I look forward to more episodes of this series.

Escape by Glenn Haggerty

This fun, Christian, middle-grade, adventure is the first book in a series about a young teen named Tyler. Escape is actually more of a short prequel to the series, but it is a great book on its own. This is a fast read, jam-packed with action. Which might be a problem if you’re hoping for a book that will take a while for your kids to read because they will get through this one quickly. But they will most likely want to immediately read Tyler’s next adventure.

Younger boys especially will enjoy the story of thirteen-year-old Tyler. Tyler has made some bad decisions lately that have caused a lot of problems. But nothing compares to the danger he finds himself in on this particular day.

Right from the very first line, the reader is drawn into the story. “I’d never seen a dead body before, but I was pretty sure the guy in the car trunk was dead.” Who doesn’t want to keep reading after that?

While I love the adventure aspects, my favorite part of this book is the Christian messages. As Tyler fights for his life, his friendships, and his reputation, he begins to clearly see the bad choices he made. The lessons he learns are powerful reminders for everyone about telling the truth, being a good friend, and the importance of a loving family.

The Resistance by J. Rodes

The Resistance is the first book in a dystopian series set in the not too distant future that honestly doesn’t seem too farfetched. When the Progressive Reform Presidential candidate is elected, religious worshipers begin to be persecuted. Eventually, all religion is banned, and things quickly go from bad to worse. A mob mentality rules and if people do not prove their loyalty to the new government, resistance camps and public executions are created to persuade them to become party members.

This book is obviously for older teens. There are some disturbing concepts and scenes – although nothing overly graphic. The main character’s voice is fantastic. Braxton is a rebellious, hot-headed preacher’s son who doesn’t really understand his father’s unwillingness to pretend to work with the government. He blames his father’s steadfastness in his beliefs for the suffering their family faces.

The similarities to World War II Germany were striking. I’ve read a lot of books about that time period, and I’m always left wondering how the Holocaust could happen. How did the regular German citizen go along with such evil? Were they scared to voice opposition? Brainwashed? Unaware? This story delves into that mentality and shows how such things could happen.

All these books can be found on Amazon. I’ve set links – just click on the highlighted titles. For those who don’t use Amazon you can also check Barnes and Noble online or www.indiebound.org where you can search for books and the local bookstores that might carry them or order them directly from the website. You can also ask your local bookstore or library to order the books for you.

Next month I’ll be reviewing three more Christian/Catholic teen novels. But if you’d like more reviews before then you can always check out my recommendation section on my website: YA Recommendations.

If you’ve come across this post on Facebook and would like to get my monthly reviews sent directly to your inbox, you can sign up on my website – www.LesleaWahl.com.

Until next month – Happy Reading!

Welcome to my monthly book review! Did you know that if you sign up for my newsletter, you will receive a FREE short story as well as my monthly reviews and quarterly updates sent directly to your inbox? Don’t miss a single review!

This month I am reviewing three fantasy novels. Truth be told, this is not my favorite genre, but I was determined to do a segment on fantasy books, so I read quite a few novels to find three I felt comfortable endorsing. Well, let me assure you, the time and energy were well worth it. I have three outstanding Christian fantasy options for you, including a just-released middle-grade novel. So, if dragons, fairies, or a girl/lamb hybrid intrigue you, then I’ve got some fantastic choices for you!

Before we begin…

In case you are new to my blog, besides writing YA novels, I love reviewing them as well. Every month I post about 3 YA books that I’ve read, each month in a new genre. So, if you’re not interested in other teen books you can skip past this Book Review Post. I’ll still be sending out quarterly posts marked UPDATES regarding news about my own work.

But for those of you who have kids, or grandkids, or you yourself like teen books (like me!), each month I’ll introduce some of my favorite Christian and Catholic YA books.

I’ve decided to provide more reviews because there are a few things I’ve learned since I had my first book published:

1 – So many of the teen books published by the big publishing companies contain messages that don’t match the values of many families.

2 – There are a lot of fantastic, clean, faith-based books out there. Books that are entertaining yet wholesome and reflect Christian values.

3 – These types of books can be really hard to find. So, I’d like to introduce you to a few new adventures.

A Hidden Miracle by Gerilyn Herold

A Hidden Miracle was just released two days ago! Talk about hot off the press! This middle-grade story is a modern-day speculative fantasy novel about what is happening on a spiritual realm around a teen surfer who is battling a deadly disease and a loss of faith.

The story is told from the perspective of a fairy named Gabriella. Her job is to assist angels by delivering needed gifts to humans. Gabriella and the boy fairy she adores are assigned to help surfing star, Jaden Marino who is battling cancer. However, Jaden’s loss of faith makes their job extra challenging. When an accident changes everything, Gabriella struggles with how far to bend the rules in order to deliver a miracle before it is too late.

I really enjoyed this middle-grade story. The glimpse into the surfing world was quite interesting. The descriptions are beautiful, and there are some fantastic supporting characters among the angels, fairies, humans, and evil spirits. Although, I am not sure I will ever look at certain insects quite the same ever again! With beautiful descriptions, a thought-provoking storyline, and a glimpse into the exciting world of competitive surfing, this book will keep readers captivated.

Mercy’s Prince by Katy Huth Jones

Mercy’s Prince is a fantastic adventure novel set in medieval times. The imaginary Hordes, dragons, and unique powers of the characters move it into the fantasy realm. In this first novel of the series, we meet the brave and heroic Prince Valerian and the lovely and powerful Mercy.

Mercy has grown up in a Brethren colony of pacifists. (Having grown up as a Mennonite, I come from a pacifist background, so really enjoyed the aspect of the story.) Valerian is the youngest son of the King of Levathia. This unlikely duo must work together to save their country from the destructive masses of the Horde.

There were many aspects to this book that I really enjoyed. Valerian was an incredible character – brave, strong, and devoted to his faith. There were plenty of battle scenes that will spark the interest of male readers. (Though boys may not care about the last 2 or 3 chapters which winds up the love story.) Mercy is a strong female character and the relationship between the two leads will be something the female readers will enjoy. This story is far from predictable and is a wonderful book.

Mandy Lamb by Corinna Turner

Mandy Lamb is a totally unique novel about the unusual friendship between Mandy, the world’s first half girl/half lamb, and James another human hybrid with a dangerous secret. This book is like nothing I’ve ever read before. I’m a fan of Corinna Turner and her I Am Margaret series for older teens, but this fantasy novel is for a younger crowd.

Mandy and James are both twelve years old and each have dealt with a lot in young lives. Their unique struggles with fitting in is a topic that a lot of kids in this age group can relate to. I also loved the parts that showed how important it is to have a strong faith.

But what makes this novel really intriguing is the serious moral dilemmas that Turner introduces. This is one of the things I always enjoy about Turner’s books, her ability to bring up important societal topics, that other people don’t write about. In this book the subject of controlling and manipulating genetics is part of the story. However, since this book is written for older elementary and middle school students, the moral implications of this topic are only touched upon, leaving families the opportunity to delve into this subject matter as much as they would like. Another wonderful book by Corinna Turner.

All these books can be found on Amazon. I’ve set links – just click on the highlighted titles. For those who don’t use Amazon you can also check Barnes and Noble online or www.indiebound.org where you can search for books and the local bookstores that might carry them or order them directly from the website. You can also ask your local bookstore or library to order the books for you.

Next month I’ll be reviewing three more Christian/Catholic teen novels. But if you’d like more reviews before then you can always check out my recommendation section on my website: YA Recommendations.

If you’ve come across this post on Facebook and would like to get my monthly reviews sent directly to your inbox, you can sign up on my website – www.LesleaWahl.com.

Until next month – Happy Reading!

Welcome to my monthly book review! Besides writing my own YA novels, I love to review them as well.

This month’s books are aimed for older teen girls. The main characters in each of these books are a little older, and some of the subject matter might be more appropriate for older teens. One is a beautiful historical romance, one focuses on the dangerous illusion of fame, and one is a thoroughly enjoyable pro-life story.

Before we begin…

In case you are new to my blog… every month I post about 3 YA books that I’ve read, each month in a new genre. So, if you’re not interested in other teen books you can skip past this Book Review Post. I’ll still be sending out quarterly posts marked UPDATES regarding news about my own work.

But for those of you who have kids, or grandkids, or you yourself like teen books (like me!), each month I’ll introduce some of my favorite Christian and Catholic YA books.

I’ve decided to provide more reviews because there are a few things I’ve learned since I had my first book published:

1 – So many of the teen books published by the big publishing companies contain messages that don’t match the values of many families.

2 – There are a lot of fantastic, clean, faith-based books out there. Books that are entertaining yet wholesome and reflect Christian values.

3 – These types of books can be really hard to find. So, I’d like to introduce you to a few new adventures.

Books for Older Teen Girls

Sydney and Calvin Have a Baby by Adrienne Thorne

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this story. This book is listed as a YA novel, but the subject matter might make some readers a little hesitant. I mean, high school students having a baby is not something you expect to find in Christian teen fiction. But this book surprised me. It was such a delight.

The basic premise of the story is traumatic and horrible – a teenage girl, who is a bit of a nerd and doesn’t really fit in with the popular crowd, is date raped which results in a pregnancy. Her attacker, who had been drinking, dies in an accident right after the incident. Don’t worry, I’m not giving anything away, this information is printed on the back of the book. (I should note, there are no graphic scenes at all.)

Knowing all that, you might think “delight” would not really be an appropriate word to describe this novel. But the book is written from the perspective of a teen boy named Calvin. This book has a bit of an unusual style, and might not be for everyone, but it completely worked for me. Calvin’s voice was so wonderful. This teen boy is from England, and his dry, clever comments reminded me of the charm of many of actor Hugh Grant’s characters. I loved the British-isms throughout the book. Through Calvin’s voice, this difficult story is filled with a clever sense of humor and beautiful heartfelt messages.

Poor Calvin has his own tragedy to work through, and my heart broke for this fictional teen boy. Somehow Sydney and Calvin’s traumatic tales turn into a beautiful story with powerful messages. There are some wonderful topics for older teens to explore, the dangers of drinking and driving, the sanctity of life, the hurtfulness of lying and gossiping, and standing up for what is right.

It was so sad, but probably accurate, on how many people thought Sydney would be able to go back to her life by getting rid of the problem. And I was a bit horrified that a character, who should have known better, was willing to help Sydney resolve the issue without her parent’s permission. Again, this might be rather accurate, but was shocking to me. I happened to finish reading this book on the same day that hundreds of thousands of people marched in DC for the Right for Life, the timing was quite fitting. The messages in this story, that babies are a precious gift, that good things can come out of tragedies, and that faith is our stronghold, are so important and sadly are not heard often enough in our society.

A Love Such as Heaven Intended by Amanda Lauer

This is the third book in Lauer’s Heaven Intended series. Due to the number of books I read for reviews, I’m often not able to read all the novels in a series, no matter how much I enjoy them. But I have read all the books in this particular series, and I adore them all.

The Heaven Intended books are all set during the Civil War. Each book is a love story that unfolds amid the horrors of the war. Each book highlights interesting aspects of the war and explores the complexities of both sides of that dark part of our history. My favorite part of the series is how the storylines of these novels all intertwine, and the endings all happen at the same moment in time. You don’t need to have read the other stories to enjoy this latest release, but after reading the last chapter, I have a feeling you’ll want to read the other two books as well.

A Love Such as Heaven Intended is a sweeping adventure about a love so great that even a civil war can’t stop it from happening. Josephine is a spoiled, self-absorbed daughter of a Brigadier General who lives a pampered life in Washington DC. Michael is a handsome West Point graduate, a friend of Josephine’s brother, and a Confederate soldier with some complicated secrets. A chance encounter draws them together, but circumstances beyond their control threaten to end things before any relationship can even begin. However, Josephine is determined to get the man of her dreams despite the circumstances stacked against them. I absolutely adored the character of Josephine. While she was spoiled and privileged, she had a beautiful, giving heart. Her feistiness was so much fun.

I also really enjoyed the historical elements that the author includes in all her novels. Lauer has a knack for bringing history alive through these exciting, adventurous romances. Creating such a story set during one of the most difficult times in our history cannot be an easy thing to accomplish. The author weaves many factual items about the war and the era into the story. For instance, she mentions Josephine had seen a play that featured actor John Wilkes Booth. Josephine also discusses the “new” books that she had recently read, which are now classic pieces of literature. These added elements really brought the time period to life. Because of these historical parts, I think this book would be a fantastic supplement to lessons on the Civil War and would make for some interesting discussions.

Grace Unplugged by Melody Carlson

The concept of this book is unique. You may remember Grace Unplugged as a recent movie by the same name. Typically, the book comes first, then the movie. In this case, the movie was created first, and the author was then approached and asked to write the book. I thought Melody Carlson did a great job of keeping to the movie, but making it a great book as well. I’m sure it was difficult not being able to create her own unique twist on the story but stay true to the movie.

The story is about teenager Grace Trey, who dreams of making it big in the music industry. Her father was a one-hit-wonder years ago, but left the destructive rocker life he found himself involved in and turned his life around. He now is a worship leader at a church in the south. Trying to keep his daughter safe and her values intact, he becomes a little controlling – in her eyes anyway.

When Grace finds her opportunity to make it big, she jumps at it, leaving behind her family, her church, her friends, and heads to LA. Grace must decide who she is, what her beliefs are, and who she wants to be. This is a good, coming of age story that points out the destructive side of Hollywood. Teens often see fame as appealing and glamourous. This book does a nice job of showing the ugly side.

Overall, it is clean, but there are some scenes of underage drinking, binge drinking, and dating “expectations” that make it more appropriate for older teens.

All these books can be found on Amazon. I’ve set links – just click on the highlighted titles. For those who don’t use Amazon you can also check Barnes and Noble online or www.indiebound.org where you can search for books and the local bookstores that might carry them or order them directly from the website. You can also ask your local bookstore or library to order the books for you.

Next month I’ll be reviewing three more Christian/Catholic teen novels. But if you’d like more reviews before then you can always check out my recommendation section on my website: YA Recommendations.

If you’ve come across this post on Facebook and would like to get my monthly reviews sent directly to your inbox, you can sign up on my website – www.LesleaWahl.com.

Until next month – Happy Reading!

July is a great time for exploration and adventure. So that is what this month’s selection of books revolves around – adventures. My three recommendations vary in age-appropriateness, so there should be something for each teen member of the family to enjoy.

Before we begin…

In case you are new to my blog… every month I post about 3 YA books that I’ve read, each month in a new genre. So, if you’re not interested in other teen books you can skip past this Book Review Post. I’ll still be sending out quarterly posts marked UPDATES regarding news about my own work.

But for those of you who have kids, or grandkids, or you yourself like teen books (like me!), each month I’ll introduce some of my favorite Christian and Catholic YA books.

I’ve decided to provide more reviews because there are a few things I’ve learned since I had my first book published:

1 – So many of the teen books published by the big publishing companies contain messages that don’t match the values of many families.

2 – There are a lot of fantastic, clean, faith-based books out there. Books that are entertaining yet wholesome and reflect Christian values.

3 – These types of books can be really hard to find. So, I’d like to introduce you to a few new adventures.

Riddle at the Rodeo (A Camarata Cousins Mystery) by Claudia McAdam

Riddle at the Rodeo is a delightful middle-grade mystery – a Catholic Nancy Drew. This book is the kind of Christian book that I love, where the character’s faith comes out in a completely natural way. I always think these types of “Catholic-light” books are extremely important because they portray the characters as just regular kids, and that faith can be a natural part of their lives. This is a great message for our children to see represented in their entertainment.

In Riddle at the Rodeo, while the main character, Kirsten, is on vacation with her cousins, she is asked to help solve a mystery. The mystery is fun and intriguing, and the sections about the rodeo were quite interesting. I especially appreciated how this character was aware of her own bad behavior. When Kirsten feels bad about the white lies, she has told, and for the way she has treated her brother, she takes a detour during her sleuthing to go to confession. Though her sins were small, this is precisely the kinds of difficulties kids face every day. Having characters that portray a faith-based way to handle problems is such a fantastic example for kids. I look forward to more adventures with the Camarata Cousins.

Greyson Gray Camp Legend by B.C. Tweedt

I’ve been curious about this book for quite a while. It is usually at the top of its Amazon categories and often beats out one of my own books, so I’ve wondered what all the fuss was about. I can understand why it is popular because there is a lot to enjoy about this book, but I also have a few concerns.

Greyson Gry Camp Legend is the first is a series of books about a middle school boy named Greyson Gray. Overall, this is a clean, middle-grade adventure. It is fun and fast-paced. I really enjoyed the character of Greyson and loved some of the supporting characters, especially fellow camper Jarryd and the boys’ teen counselor Brandon. The author brilliantly captured the dialogue and friendly jabs of middle school boys.

So, what were my concerns? They aren’t really concerns so much as observations. This book is listed as a Christian novel. It was a clean book and had Christian values throughout but didn’t talk specifically about Christianity or mention bible verses. I don’t remember the main character praying either. The violence in the book also bothered me a bit. Overall, there’s not a lot of violence, and what is there is not gory. I just feel like the author’s descriptions were a little too, well, descriptive. There were also some deaths which, in middle-grade novels, seemed a little surprising. This book is listed on Amazon for 9 -12-year-olds, I personally think it would be better for 7^th and 8^th graders. But it depends on what your children are exposed to, their maturity level, and the kind of books you are searching for. Overall, a very fun read.

Show Me A Sign by Susan Miura

Looking for a fun mystery that is a quick read? Look no further than Susan Miura’s Show Me A Sign. This story was such a treat. I’ve read one other book by this author, Healer, so knew she had a knack for writing from a teen perspective, but I was still surprised by how much I loved this main character’s internal thoughts. Nathan is such a quick-witted joy. The interactions he had with his elderly neighbor were hysterical, and the back and forth between him and his best friend was perfection.

High school student Nathan has finally worked up the courage to ask out the girl he likes. Haylie is beautiful, smart, sweet, and happens to be deaf. But when the object of Nathan’s affection is kidnapped, Nathan finds himself being interrogated by the FBI. He immediately jumps headfirst into trying to clear his name and find out what happened to Haylie. Nathan pursues his investigation the only way an infatuated high school boy could – rather recklessly. Besides being a fun story, there was a fantastic message as well. That life is unpredictable, you never know what could happen. If there is someone you feel you need to share your faith with – then don’t wait, do it. Show Me A Sign is one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read so far this year.

All these books can be found on Amazon. I’ve set links – just click on the highlighted titles. For those who don’t use Amazon you can also check Barnes and Noble online or www.indiebound.org where you can search for books and the local bookstores that might carry them or order them directly from the website. You can also ask your local bookstore or library to order the books for you.

Next month I’ll be reviewing three more Christian/Catholic teen novels. But if you’d like more reviews before then you can always check out my recommendation section on my website: YA Recommendations.

If you’ve come across this post on Facebook and would like to get my monthly reviews sent directly to your inbox, you can sign up on my website – www.LesleaWahl.com.

Until next month – Happy Reading!

This month’s books are all about friendships. The friendships in our lives help us to become who we are. They help shape us by making a profound difference in our lives. Often when we think of friends, we think of peers, people who are our own age and are similar to us. But sometimes the friends who have the biggest impact in our lives are people that are quite different from us. People of different ages or life experiences can bring new perspectives and change how we see situations and even ourselves. I’m sure many people can think of a friend that came into their life, possibly for only a brief time, that somehow made a huge, life-altering difference.

Before we begin…

In case you are new to my blog… every month I post about 3 YA books that I’ve read, each month in a new genre. So, if you’re not interested in other teen books you can skip past this Book Review Post. I’ll still be sending out quarterly posts marked UPDATES regarding news about my own work.

But for those of you who have kids, or grandkids, or you yourself like teen books (like me!), each month I’ll introduce some of my favorite Christian and Catholic YA books.

I’ve decided to provide more reviews because there are a few things I’ve learned since I had my first book published:

1 – So many of the teen books published by the big publishing companies contain messages that don’t match the values of many families.

2 – There are a lot of fantastic, clean, faith-based books out there. Books that are entertaining yet wholesome and reflect Christian values.

3 – These types of books can be really hard to find. So, I’d like to introduce you to a few new adventures.

Friendships

Sunflowers in a Hurricane by Anne M. Faye

This is a multigenerational tale of heartache and forgiveness. I enjoyed this book so much that I kept neglecting the work I needed to get done, telling myself I’d just read one more chapter – over and over again.

Sunflowers in a Hurricane is told through three different characters. George, the elderly neighbor who is still grieving the wife he lost years before. Cheryl, the single mom who returns to the hometown that she fled as a teenager amidst scandal and trauma. And Ruth, the middle-school age daughter who struggles to understand her mother’s anger and overprotectiveness. Circumstances meld the lives of these three characters as they each deal with painful family issues.

This story is mostly told from the young teen’s perspective, which will connect with teen readers. However, I think it’s wonderful for young readers to understand the inner thoughts and personal feelings of the elderly gentleman and the mom as well. To see that adults also struggle with issues and that they don’t have everything figured out is a fabulous lesson. This is a thoroughly enjoyable book, with many fantastic discussion opportunities.

Spokes by Deanna Klingel

Spokes could be classified as an adventurous mystery, but the real heart of this story is the very special friendship that forms between the lead characters.

In the aftermath of a tragic accident, the lives of two very different teens. Kelsey, a homeschooled Catholic girl and Brendan, a Jewish boy who is dedicated to his faith, are intertwined. Their search for a mysterious sports car and a determination to compete in a triathlon leads these two on a summer adventure that will forever change them both. As the summer progresses and their training and search intensify, their friendship grows.

Besides the compelling storyline, there are several side stories that center around triathlon training, a group of friars, and the Special Olympics – all are quite interesting. I think this story could be the catalyst for some great conversations.

Catholic Reluctantly by Christian M. Frank

I’m so glad I stumbled across this book. Not only is the story extremely engaging, but the concept behind the book is equally intriguing. This series of books was written by a collaboration of authors.

The story is about a group of students at John Paul 2 Catholic High School. This is a new, small school. In fact, there are only 7 students. All the characters had unique voices and personalities. The authors did a great job blending together these characters from very different backgrounds. The friendships that blossomed between these teens was wonderful. I also liked how the distinctions between the public school, the large Catholic school, this tiny new school, and the homeschool community were dealt with. And, being a fan of mysteries, I thoroughly enjoyed the mysteries that were woven throughout the story.

The best part of this book, however, is the message of how hard it is to stand up for and live your faith in our society amid peer-pressure. This is a problem that is very relevant to all teens.

All these books can be found on Amazon. I’ve set links – just click on the highlighted titles. For those who don’t use Amazon you can also check Barnes and Noble online or www.indiebound.org where you can search for books and the local bookstores that might carry them or order them directly from the website. You can also ask your local bookstore or library to order the books for you.

Next month I’ll be reviewing three more Christian/Catholic teen novels. But if you’d like more reviews before then you can always check out my recommendation section on my website: YA Recommendations.

If you’ve come across this post on Facebook and would like to get my monthly reviews sent directly to your inbox, you can sign up on my website – www.LesleaWahl.com.

Until next month – Happy Reading!

In case you are new to my blog… every month I post about 3 YA books that I’ve read, each month in a new genre. So, if you’re not interested in other teen books you can skip past this Book Review Post. I’ll still be sending out quarterly posts marked UPDATES regarding news about my own work.

But for those of you who have kids, or grandkids, or you yourself like teen books (like me!), each month I’ll introduce some of my favorite Christian and Catholic YA books.

I’ve decided to provide more reviews because there are a few things I’ve learned since I had my first book published:

1 – So many of the teen books published by the big publishing companies contain messages that don’t match the values of many families.

2 – There are a lot of fantastic, clean, faith-based books out there. Books that are entertaining yet wholesome and reflect Christian values.

3 – These types of books can be really hard to find. So, I’d like to introduce you to a few new adventures.

Are you searching for a way to keep your older teens occupied this summer? Maybe something that they will enjoy but will also reflect Christian values? Look no further, I’ve got some fantastic book suggestions for you.

Older teens have many distractions – sports, activities, video games, school, work – the list goes on. And it seems that older teen guys tend not to do a lot of reading. If you look at teen books in general, so many of the novels are aimed at girls. So, this month I’m focusing on some incredible books that older teen guys will enjoy. These three books are all so well written that all teens would enjoy them, but these books all have male lead characters with fantastic, exciting storylines that boys will especially appreciate.

Standing Strong by Theresa Linden

Theresa Linden is an amazing talent in Catholic teen fiction. I’m a huge fan of her writing and her ability to completely draw the reader into the moment with her outstanding descriptions. Standing Strong is part of her West Brothers series. These gripping, character-driven books are all extremely powerful.

The books in this series are all written from slightly different perspectives, whether from one of the three West brothers – Roland, Jarret or Keefe, from a friend – as in Life-Changing Love, or, as in Battle for His Soul – the demons and angels that are constantly battling around us. Standing Strong focuses on Jarret and Keefe West, the twin brothers who are struggling with very different aspects of their faith.

Linden has perfectly captured the heart and soul of the tough Jarret West in this novel. During the first book, Roland West, Loner, I couldn’t stand his older brother Jarret, but as the series has continued, Jarret really developed into a fascinating character. This character that I loathed, transformed into one that I found myself rooting for. He’s made lots of mistakes, did many horrible things, treated people badly, but in the end, realized his mistakes and the importance of his faith. Standing Strong finds Jarret struggling to keep his new found faith focused and strong, while his twin brother Keefe searches for answers to his own calling.

When authors write a series, they hope that all the books will be intriguing and connect with their readers. Linden has not only mastered this goal with her West Brothers series but as she continues with this powerful family saga, each book has been better than the last.

The Last Thing I Remember by Andrew Klavan

Wow. If you’re about to read this book – hold on for a wild ride. This was such a fast-paced, edge of your seat, page-turner. In case, you hadn’t figured it out yet – I loved this book. I’ve read one other book by Mr. Klavan and enjoyed it as well, but this one was truly fantastic. If you enjoy mystery adventures, this will be a series that you will get through quickly.

This book has a great main character who tries really hard to always do what is right. But when teen, Charlie West, wakes up strapped to a chair, bloodied and bruised, with no idea how he got there, well, you’re just going to have to read the book to find out more.

While Charlie fights for his life, he thinks back to the last day he remembers. Through this reflection, we learn more about him, his family, the girl he has a crush on, and a troubled friend. The flashbacks work perfectly, and the action keeps the story moving quickly. This is a great Christian teen novel.

St. Magnus, The Last Viking by Susan Peek

St. Magnus is one of the books in Susan Peek’s series – Gods forgotten friends. First of all, where were these books when my own kids were learning about saints? This is just such a great idea, sharing the stories of little-known saints in exciting novels based on their lives.

Susan Peek did a masterful job of bringing to life this saint from the early 1100s and giving the reader an exciting look into the Viking way of life. She has woven the facts surrounding St. Magnus into an exciting story that makes this saint real and relatable while dropping the reader in the middle of a dramatic period of history. I especially loved Magnus, his brother Aerling, and their relationship.

This teen book is equal parts geography, history, and theology lessons expertly woven together into a thoroughly engaging fictional story. I found it so compelling and interesting that when I finished the book, I began researching St. Magnus wanting to know even more about this saint that I’d never heard of. I think any teen would enjoy this book, but boys especially will love the adventure, danger, and action that drives this novel.

All these books can be found on Amazon. I’ve set links – just click on the highlighted titles. For those who don’t use Amazon you can also check Barnes and Noble online or www.indiebound.org where you can search for books and the local bookstores that might carry them or order them directly from the website. You can also ask your local bookstore or library to order the books for you.

Next month I’ll be reviewing three more Christian/Catholic teen novels. But if you’d like more reviews before then you can always check out my recommendation section on my website: YA Recommendations.

If you’ve come across this post on Facebook and would like to get my monthly reviews sent directly to your inbox, you can sign up on my website – www.LesleaWahl.com.

Until next month – Happy Reading!