Keeping Holiday

Keeping Holiday, by Starr Meade, Illustrations by Justin Gerard, Ages 9-12, Crossway Books, 2008, 192 Pages, ISBN-13: 978-1433501425, $14.99

When Dylan’s parents tell Dylan and his cousin Clare they must pay close attention to what they see and hear in Holiday, they are puzzled. When they add the children might be called away for four days, they are mystified. They wait to learn more, but no further explanation is added.

As usual, their travels take them through miles of long traffic jams, but no one complains and tempers don’t flare. Other motorists even smile and wave while they wait their turns to proceed. Caught up in the festive atmosphere, the youngsters anticipate their arrival where everything is “better than anywhere else,” and they soon forget the parent’s mysterious words.

When they arrive, the aroma of roasted meats, pies, and sugary sweets fill the air. Strings of twinkling street lights adorn quaint shops and promise Christmas magic. After they’ve settled into their hotel rooms, Clare finds an old black book in the dresser drawer and shows it to Dylan. He reads the title, “A Guide to Holiday for Visitors and Residents,” and tells Clare it must be meant for them.

Inside the book they learn the history of the town of Holiday. They read how the town was once ruled by powerful bullies until a strong, kind king overthrew the tyrants and rescued the townspeople. Instead of building a thanksgiving monument, the townspeople transformed their restored city into a “world-renowned center of beauty and joy,” where guests with temporary passes could visit four-days. For extended stays, visitors needed official authorization from the Founder.

The book also directed the youngsters to the information rack in the Holiday Visitors’ Center to obtain temporary passes. While Dylan was at the center he asked where to find the Founder, and learned, “You don’t find the Founder; he finds you. He’s not just the Founder; he’s the Finder too.”

When the cousins find the small, white gate in back of the church, additional directions tell them to open the gate with their passes and walk down the winding path into the forest of majestic, evergreen trees where their life-changing quest begins. On their journey through the trees from the “forest of life,” they meet trees that talk. If they cut off a small branch from one of these trees, they have “proof of life.”

They also visit the “place of evil,” where they learn that the Founder paid an enormous fine to grant them personalized passes. They also meet delightful Missy Mistletoe and learn why the Mistletoe was first known as the “plant of peace.”

Next, they talk to the galaxy of stars in the night sky who tell them their job now is to announce who the “Founder is,” where centuries before, one bright star pointed the way to the Founder. Add talking penguins and magical “Winterland Manufacturing, Inc.” and this delightful story will enchant young and old alike.

Dylan and Clare’s adventures lead them to insightful truths about the Founder of Holiday, with real-life examples of heavenly issues, and earthly choices. Where readers learn it’s important to help others, act with kindness and forgiveness and pay back good for evil—and most important, to rejoice in and show respect to the Founder.

Mead’s imaginative writing has been compared with C.S. Lewis and John Bunyan. When I finished reading the book I understood why. Although young readers can read the book alone, consider reading it aloud as a family. The books creative message will remind everyone of the real meaning of Christmas. Justin Gerard’s well-done, black and white illustrations depict story scenes and characters and are sprinkled throughout the book.

Starr Meade’s Christmas-themed narrative for young readers is destined to join other cherished Christian classics like the Narnia Chronicles, and Pilgrim’s Progress. Meade blends fantasy and allegory together to tell the story of two young cousins, and their adventurous quest to experience the meaning of Christmas, and the Incarnation all year long. It has been years since I’ve read such an enjoyable, truth-centered fiction book. The book can be purchased at Amazon.com, or from www.crossway.org/blog

Hymns for a Kids Heart

Word Count: 456/488

Hymns for a Kid’s Heart, Volume One, by Bobbie Wolgemuth and Joni Eareckson Tada, Illustrations by Sergio Martinez, Includes music CD, Crossway Books, 2004, Hardcover,
Ages 4-8, 96 Pages, ISBN-13: 978-1581345827, $21.99

Bobbie Wolgemuth and Joni Eareckson Tada collaborated to write the two-volume series, Hymns for a Kid’s Heart. The books are illustrated by Sergio Martinez. Each hymn includes a short story about the song’s author, and a full rendition of lyrical verses and music notes for piano or guitar accompaniment. A twelve track full-length CD of inspirational hymns, sung by a children’s choir with orchestra accompaniment, is included to sing-a-long with.

Each song segment includes “From My Heart to You” written by Joni Eareckson Tada. She shares how particular hymns and singing have impacted her life. Sections conclude with Scripture to memorize in, A Verse for my Heart, and prayer, A Prayer for my Heart.

Volume one features twelve classic hymns that teach tenets of Christian faith, unlike much of contemporary Christian music that focuses on feelings. Fascinating personal stories of hymns’ authors will educate and delight readers, young and old alike.

Wolgemuth believes there is a strong correlation between stories, music, and memory-making—
particularly for children. She uses what she calls “teachable moments,” to teach hymns to her children and grandchildren. Moments found when a child is bored, or when the family works together in the kitchen, or nearly anywhere, because sing-a-longs are memorable and fun.

Four sections feature hymns about God, biblical truth, Christian living, and hymns of prayer for our country. Songs about God include Holy, Holy, Holy, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, and This Is My Father’s World. Songs of biblical truth comprise O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing, How Firm a Foundation, and Amazing Grace. Hymns for Christian living consist of The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want, Rejoice, Ye Pure I Heart and Take My Life and Let it Be.

Children’s joy-filled voices make each CD hymn my favorite. But, if I had to choose, the last part of the CD is what I played repeatedly. This segment includes hymns of prayer for our country and begins with America, the Beautiful, then Our God, Our Help in Ages Past, Eternal Father, Strong to Save, and Do You Know What it Means.

Wolgemuth, mother of two, and grandmother of five, joined with Eareckson, who she calls “soul sister,” to write this two-volume series. Each author is passionate about hymns and they often encourage each other with hymn-singing by telephone. Since they live on the East and West coasts, they even carol together over the telephone lines at Christmas.

This musical CD and book will point little ones to the Lord and children will feel the love of parents and grandparents who read to and sing-a-long with them. Martinez’ rich colorful illustrations enhance each hymn’s depiction, and inspirational story. A glossary and pages for personal notes complete this classical offering. www.crossway.org/blog

Daily Devotions for Writers, From the Writing Academy

compiled and Edited by Patricia Lorenz, 2008 Infinity Publishing.com, 398 Pages, ISBN: 0-7414-4594-8, $19.95

Most writers practice their craft with a keyboard and screen and face unique writing-related fears. They work alone and face rejection with every submission.

The Writing Academy, a non-profit organization founded in 1982 by Christian writers, supports beginning and published writers of all genres. This organization formed to encourage writing excellence. Their current membership has grown to more than sixty and includes twenty-two charter members with goals to encourage writers to write, while attracting new members, and raising money for the Academy.

During the summer of 2007, Academy member, Patricia Lorenz, suggested the group publish a book of devotions written specifically for writers. Her idea received an enthusiastic response, but she was the only volunteer. Even though it would take long hours and most of a year from her other writing. Two hundred writers from thirty-five states and three foreign countries contributed to this new release with 366 devotions for writers, including seven authors from the Pacific Northwest. Infinity Publishing donated their efforts. A generous donation from the Cecil Murphey Foundation Fund completed the funding.

The true short stories feature author’s joys and struggles, and are specifically designed to encourage writers. Devotions include a brief illustration, prayer, and quote. For instance, Agnes Lawless, Washington, wrote about the need to submit her writing to God before writing. She used her three-year-old son’s impatience with a new toy to depict her theme. She asks the Lord to teach her, and quotes Alfred Lord Tennyson’s, “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.”

Carolyn Meagher, Washington, used Moses as an example and wrote about excuses, self-doubt, discouragement and a pity party. The Lord reminded her that she had a computer, modern technology, and writing resources at her fingertips, while Moses used a stick and words. In her prayer she thanked God for not listening to excuses. She quoted Marcel Proust, “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.”

Lydia Harris, Washington, wrote about rejection, isolation, hopes, and fears. She hoped editors would look with favor on her submissions, that her words would touch reader’s lives, and that praise or rejection wouldn’t influence her sense of worth. Her prayer thanked God that her dreams centered on Him and not on herself. Her quote came from Psalms 42:11 NIV “Hope in God.”

Written for writers, by writers, these 366 daily devotions share real-life writing experiences to encourage and inspire writers to continue to hone their craft and share their writing gifts. All writers will benefit from it. It belongs on every writer’s bookshelf.

Do Hard Things, A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations

by Alex & Brett Harris, Multnomah Books, 2008, 256 Pages, ISBN-13: 978-1601421128, $16.99

Until the early part of the 1900's, teenager wasn't a dictionary word, and family groups were defined as babies, children, and adults. Youth from earlier times were expected to make significant contributions to society, and they did.

The Harris twins, Alex and Brett, hold similar feelings. Teen speakers and authors they wrote Do Hard Things to help other peers recognize how low the bar of expectations for them really is. Homeschooled, and encouraged by their parents and older brother Pastor Josh, they launched an Internet blog in 2005, at age sixteen, to attack what they called the "myth of adolescence."

They combined "rebellion" and "revolution" to coin their blog name, The Rebelution. Within a short time, their Google-hosted blog became the most popular Christian teen blog on the web, and later grew into a full website for teen interaction.

Their first postings questioned teens' rights to "goof off" during adolescence. They asked why teen years should be a "vacation from responsibility," instead of "training grounds for future leaders." Historical and biblical examples supported their views, as did teens' responses. The Harris brothers had struck a deep chord.

Three weeks later, the New York Daily News featured their blog in a column. That drove additional traffic to their site, and the ranks of "rebelutionaries" continued to grow. They give God credit for what happened next.

After Justice Tom Parker read their Internet blogs, in October 2005, they were invited to apply for internships to the Alabama Supreme Court. Positions normally reserved for law school students, and exceptional college undergraduates. They filled out applications and Justice Parker waived the age requirements. Soon after their acceptance they traveled to the Alabama capitol and spent two months as aides. They received on-the-job training, edited opinions, and drafted press releases using their homeschooled skills. Their accomplishments amazed Justice Parker.

This refreshing story of two teens that raised the bar of expectations for themselves and accepted the challenge to do hard things will amaze you. Formatted into three segments, of four chapters each, part one defines the rebelution, how it came to be, and where it's going. Part two describes hard things that challenge teens, and why they need to reach beyond requirements and expectations. Part three contains personal stories and anecdotes of "rebelutionairies" with transformed lives. An appendix, notes and acknowledgements complete the book.

This amazing book crosses all cultural and age boundaries and calls our youth to their god-given destinies and responsibilities. I believe it's meant to change lives, families, churches, and the very culture of those who read and implement it.

Bridge Called Hope, Stories of Triumph from the Ranch of Rescued Dreams

by Kim Meeder, Multnomah Publishers, 2006, 256 Pages, ISBN: 1590526554, $13.99

In her new release, Kim Meeder, continues the stories of rescued and abused horses she wrote about in Hope Rising. The horses, when reconditioned by love and medical rehabilitation at Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch, are then paired with equally abused and neglected children who visit the ranch—one child, one horse and one volunteer leader at a time. The mysterious bond between horse and child gives each the courage to reach for emotional and physical healing, and equips them to cross the bridge of hope.

Meeder, a product of violent loss because of her parent’s murder-suicide, found hope on the day of their funeral in a merciful God, a little horse, and her first riding experience. That understanding taught her that love is a “bridge that can cross any span of grief. Love builds the bridge…it is we who must choose to cross.” Meeder took her first tentative steps on that bridge, not suspecting where God’s direction would lead, or the leader she would become.

Years later, Kim met and married her husband, Troy, and they purchased an abandoned, nine-acre cinder mine. For two years they renovated the broken property with used stall shavings, manure, and old, discarded trees, to become a perfect fit for a place that would heal children’s broken hearts. Today the youth ranch serves four thousand visitors a year.

Since its inception, the ranch has rescued over three hundred abused and dying horses and today is the permanent home for thirty. Youthful visitor’s eyes brighten with miraculous hope after visiting with their chosen horse. Some children are ill, some dying, others, emotionally ravaged. Meeder writes, “all like shattered shards of stained glass are refitted by the Hand of God.”

When Meeder won the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award for Hope Rising, it launched an extensive motivational/public speaking demand and brought worldwide recognition and visitors to the ranch. Crystal Peaks’ services are free, funded by individual financial gifts, grants, and fundraising events. Through it all, Meeders’ simple prayer is, “Lord, let your wisdom fall.”

I would nominate this book of the year if I could. Meeders lyrical writing, paired with intensely emotional true experience stories of children and animals will require at least one, if not two full boxes of tissue.

A Thousand Small Sparrows, Not One Is Forgotten, Amazing stories of Kids Helping Kids

by Jeff Leeland, with Marcus Brotherton, Multnomah, 2007, 256 PAGES, ISBN: 9781590529331, $13.99

I’ve often heard one person can make a difference, yet I’ve never met anyone that did. Neither had teacher Jeff Leeland until seventh-grader, Daemon Sharkey enrolled in his special education class for physically and emotionally disabled kids.

Although Daemon didn’t fit the disability description, he was physically overweight and emotionally malnourished and needed a slower pace. Leeland’s class was perfect, but Leeland had difficulty focusing on teaching. After his family’s recent move across the state for this teaching position, they entered a waiting period for medical insurance.

In the spring of 1991, Leeland’s fourth child Michael was born. That same day he had also accepted a new teaching position at Kamiakin Junior High, near Seattle. He hoped that having settled into a new school, his year’s wait for health insurance would pass quickly. It didn’t. At six-months of age, Michael was diagnosed with a rare form of aggressive leukemia that required an immediate bone marrow transplant from their six-year old daughter Amy. But the procedure cost $200,000—an impossible amount for the struggling family. The insurance company refused to lift their waiting period.

Word passed quickly throughout the school and teachers took up a collection, but it wasn’t enough. A month before school let out Daemon came to Leeland’s office and said, “…if your baby’s in trouble, I’m going to help…” He handed Leeland his life savings—twelve $5 dollar bills.

Leeland took the money and the story to the principal. The principal opened a bank account for Michael with Daemon’s seed money. Students learned about it and their compassion was unleashed. Some cashed in savings bonds, the ninth grade donated their year-end dance fund. One kid, known as a trouble maker, knocked on neighborhood doors and brought in $26.

The Seattle media and television news broadcast the touching story and donations poured in. Even insurance company employees of the company that denied Michael coverage sent donations. One unemployed man sent $10 and an eighty-year-old man sent one dollar. Four weeks after Daemon marched into Leeland’s office the Michael Leeland Fund had accumulated more than $227,000, enough to pay for Michael’s bone marrow transplant and subsequent remission.

But it didn’t end there. The Sparrow Clubs—school clubs who adopt families with children in medical crisis—were born. Eight sections of Sparrow stories are in this volume; Sparrows of Courage, Hope, Inspiration, Selflessness, Direction, Purpose, Triumph and Joy. Each section tells four to six true stories of children in medical crisis. Some have happy endings— others don’t, but they all bring tears, smiles and a contagious affirmation of the human spirit, and the knowledge that God notices our hurts and provides healing and hope to the least of these.