The Blue Umbrella by Mike Mason

Published by David C. Cook

The Blue Umbrella is a fantasy novel written for 9 to 12 year olds. Zac Sparks suddenly becomes an orphan and is taken to live with his two eccentric aunts in a place called Five Corners. His entire stay with his aunts is filled with pain, dismay, and discouragement.

His attempts to make friends in the community appear to fail yet near the end of the novel some friends emerge. In tests of courage and of good vs evil, eventually the good wins out and Zac becomes accepted into the community.

Sky Porter, the owner of Porter's General Store and the owner of the Blue Umbrella, befriends Zac but Zac is uncertain if he can trust this adult. Especially, when he learns about Sky's ability to control the weather. The blue umbrella is the focal point in this novel. Dada, his aunts' evil father, wants the blue umbrella and Sky Porter won't let it out of his sight. The plot is set when Dada insists that Zac be friends with Sky so that he can steal the umbrella. But can Zac actually take it when given the opportunity?

As a reader, I found this to be a very depressing book to read and I personally did not enjoy it. I would have loved to have seen more hope earlier in the novel rather than saving it all until the end. I continued reading the book only because I wanted to discover the conclusion. It is not a book for every 9-12 year old to read.

The book, The Blue Umbrella was sent to me free for review purposes.

Touching Wonder: Recapturing the Awe of Christmas

Written By: John Blase
Published By: David C. Cook

In his book, Touching Wonder, John Blase revisits the Christmas story through the eyes,thoughts, and emotions of the following individuals: Zachariah, Elizabeth, Gabriel, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, Simeon and Anna. Each portion of the Christmas story is quoted from The Message and then he follows each scripture with the point of view from the individuals who were directly involved in the miraculous event. Blase, then follows each with his prayerful devotion about the passage.

I enjoyed the uniqueness of presenting the familiar. I found that Blase, helped me to be apart of Christ's birth by allowing me to read what each individual may have been thinking and feeling at that time.

Recapturing the Awe of Christmas, is exactly what this book did for me as I read through it. It doesn't take very long to read Blase's book but I found I was often thinking about the contents long after I had read a chapter.

Here is a passage from the book.

'"Did that really happen?" she wonders. "Or was I only dreaming?"

A contraction seizes the slight frame,and her questions are physically answered. The Mighty One has not chosen to part the waters or to stop the sun. No, he has chosen to overshadow her, bodily. At this moment she would prefer a floating axe-head or a ram in a thicket, anything but the deep place within. But the angel said, time was now full and desired to be born in us.'

If you are looking for a unique gift to give to a family member or a friend, I would highly reccomend this book. It will touch their heart with the wonder of Christmas.

This copy of Touching Wonder was given to me so that I could write this review.

Fearless By Max Lucado

Published by Thomas Nelson

Life without fear seems unimaginable and yet, deep down it is truly what each of us desires. Max Lucado examines numerous fears that assail us in life. Some examples are: the fear of not mattering, the fear of disappointing God, the fear of not protecting our kids, the fear of violence, challenges, death and much more.

He carefully examines each fear, relaying his own experiences or those of others. He offers Bible verses which help to remind the reader that God is in control and that we are not to fear. In his characteristic, fun loving,story telling voice, Max Lucado writes about a serious topic which as Christians, shouldn't be apart of our lives. "Do not fear, do not worry, etc.," and other quotes from Jesus are remindful verses which Lucado places through out his book.

"There's a stampede of fear out there. Let's not get caught in it. Let's be among those who stay calm. Let's recognize danger but not be overwhelmed....Let's be numbered among those who hear a different voice, God's."

Trusting God will give us the courage we need to face uncertain times with certainty.
It will make us "Fearless."

Scared: A Novel On the Edge of the World

Written by Tom Davis

Published by David C. Cook

This incredible work of fiction, set in Swaziland, Africa is based on fact. Tom Davis has first hand experience with some of the events described in this novel. While events were based upon circumstances that others had experienced.

In this cleverly crafted tale of Stuart Daniels a photo journalist and Adanna,a young Swazi girl, Davis pulls the reader into the heart of the story. Stuart Daniels, a photo journalist, has traveled in various countries and has viewed many terrible circumstances. What he witnesses in his first visit to Swaziland does not adequately compare to what he has seen elsewhere.

His heart, mind and soul are deeply affected by the events that occur there. As a reader, it left me the with compassion for the children and people who suffer from Aids and poverty.

Harsh, gut wrenching, gripping, emotional word pictures are depicted that thrust the reader into the reality of the situation. While both Stuart Daniels and Adanna are on their own journeys, their lives intermingle as Stuart and a friend are asked to do a story about how Aids affects the poor in Swaiziland.

Stuart Daniel's entire life and career have been in a slump. He has no choice but to produce his best work ever if he is to remain on staff. His relationship with his wife has also been strained. More important than either of these, Daniels learns about hope and faith from Adanna and her society.

Adanna's journey takes her through dangerous and abusive experiences yet she holds on to the hope and faith that her mother had introduced. Her survival and the survival of her siblings and their people are at stake. Adanna's gentle, loving and trusting hope in God is what helps see her through the joys and tragedies of her life. Although she has very little she gives all that she has so that other children can benefit.

This novel left me annalyzing my own life and my wealth compared to the poverty stricken and diseased in Africa. It filled me with compassion and a desire to not only pray for these people but to seek God's will in what He would have me do in response to this book.

Tom Davis is well aware of the situation in Africa. He has traveled there and witnessed the poverty, despair and disease. As the president and CEO of the Children's Hope Chest, he is actively making a difference in lives. The Children's Hope Chest helps children that have been orphaned in Africa and in Eastern Europe.

I highly recommend reading this novel. It will impact your life.