Knights of Arrethtrae Books 5&6

by Chuck Black
illustrated by

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Religious/Secular Content	:	- Christian
Adult Content	:	- None
Mature Topics	:	- None
Strong/Inappropriate Language	:	- None
Magic/Witchcraft	:	- None
Disrespect/Rebellion	:	- None
Drug/Alcohol Use	:	- None
Violence/Abuse	:	- Just typical fighting as fitting middle ages theme with definite good versus evil
Educational Value	:	- reinforcement of Christian beliefs and values
Positive/Negative Message	:	-

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In recent years, there has been an explosion of Christian fiction for teens that provide an alternative to mainstream media with questionable content.  Authors like Chuck Black have written books that combine the Christian faith with fantasy, a genre very appealing to my own boys.

The Knights of Arrethtrae is a spin-off series from his Kingdom Series.  While we have only read the 5th and 6th book, this series is written to be stand alone stories of characters.

Book 5 is titled Sir Quinlan and the Swords of Valor and chronicles the journey Sir Quinlan must take to face both his past and decide how he will proceed with his life.  Specifically, he is charged with reassembling an elite group of knights, called the Swords of Valor, to face the threat The Dark Knight poses to the kingdom.

Book 6, titled Sir Rowan and the Camerian Quest, highlights another Knight from Arrethtrae.  Sir Rowan has to heal from wounds sustained in an attack after being left for dead.  He then has to decide where his destiny lies while others try to force their own agenda upon him.

Overall, these are great, quick reads for kids seeking reading in the fantasy genre.  As a parent, I felt comfortable allowing my teen to read other Chuck Black books without any pre-reading on my part.  

Through tomorrow October 28th, I am hosting a giveaway of these 2 books on my blog, Day by Day in Our World.  Feel free to drop by and leave a comment for the chance to win. 

Danny Orlis & Trouble on the Circle R Ranch

by Bernard Palmer

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Religious/Secular Content	:	- Both
Adult Content	:	- None
Mature Topics	:	- Adoption
Strong/Inappropriate Language	:	- None
Magic/Witchcraft	:	- None
Disrespect/Rebellion	:	- Only in the fact that the children share their religious beliefs even though they were told not to
Drug/Alcohol Use	:	- None
Violence/Abuse	:	- Some hitting mentioned
Educational Value	:	- None (except there are important lessons about life in general)
Positive/Negative Message	:	- Positive messages about sharing your faith with others and how family means more than just those who were born into your family

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This is another AMAZING Danny Orlis book!  This one covers the story of "the triplets" life after the death of their mother and father.  They are initially sent to the house of one of their parents friends (the Orlis'), until their mothers sister (their aunt) and her family are able to come get them from Minnesota.  They have a concern about what kind of situation they will find themselves in at the ranch because their aunt is not a Christian and is more concerned with material things than anything else.

However, once at Circle R Ranch, the triplets find themselves greatly enjoying life on the ranch.  Their aunts two children are not Christians but are around their same age and are expert horse riders.  The triplets soon learn how to ride and are promised some excellent saddle horses once they are expert riders.

Despite all this, it soon becomes obvious that their aunt and uncle are not going to allow them to continue in their faith, at least not in any way shape or form in front of them or their children.  As a matter of fact, they are specifically instructed to stop praying and to NOT talk to their children about "their religion" - EVER.  However, the triplets decide to use a transmitter radio to listen to their favorite chrisitan radio show - and their two cousins listen in.  One day, their uncle finds them behind the barn...and is NOT happy.

Near the end, their uncle decides they can no longer live with them...will they go to an orphanage, or will they go to live with the Orlis'?

Overall rating of this book: 5

This is a wonderful family book and we highly recommend it if you have the chance to read it!

Keeping Our Children's Hearts

by Steven and Teri Maxwell
illustrated by

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Religious/Secular Content	:	- Christian
Adult Content	:	- Yes, in the matter of this is a book for adults on parenting, but nothing a child couldn't read.
Mature Topics	:	- No
Strong/Inappropriate Language	:	- No
Magic/Witchcraft	:	- No
Disrespect/Rebellion	:	- No
Drug/Alcohol Use	:	- No
Violence/Abuse	:	- No
Educational Value	:	- ?
Positive/Negative Message	:	- Yes, very encouraging for parents.

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This is one of my favorite books. I actually just re-bought it!
I just finished reading it again, and it is so encouraging.
If you are looking for encouragement in raising your children up in Godly manner, and you seek to shelter your children from worldly influences, you must read this book. 
I may be a little more picky than some, but I know that I have always felt a little like an outcast by not allowing my kids to do a lot of things that other kids get to do, and this book lets me know that there are others out there like me, and gives biblical references for this type of sheltering. 
It will encourage and strengthen your resolve to keep your children out of the 'world" and in the Word. 
I highly recommend it. I don't think you would regret reading this book.

Upcoming Review

Update: if you want to read my review of the product I chose, you can find it here. (By the way, I chose a 20 drawer double wide mobile organizer, think workboxes.)

Hey guys, I know this may not be the typical review you see here, but I have had the opportunity to review a product from CSN stores. 

I thought you may be interested in hearing about this store as they have some of the best prices on things I have seen. 

They have items that range from toys, dining chairs, to cookware, etc. But I thought you might be interested in knowing that they have some really fabulous bookshelves, book carousels, rolling book carts, book ends, on and on. 

They also have cookbooks!


Anyhow, I have been offered a chance to review one of their products of my choice, in return for a review. 

I will look around and see if I can't find something 'bookish" to review. 
No promises, as I am not sure of all that they offer and the prices and all, but I will let you know. 

Thanks guys. Stay tuned to see what I found!

Dora Helps Diego

by Laura Driscoll
illustrated by Tom Mangano

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Religious/Secular Content	:	- Secular
Adult Content	:	- None
Mature Topics	:	- None
Strong/Inappropriate Language	:	- None
Magic/Witchcraft	:	- None
Disrespect/Rebellion	:	- None
Drug/Alcohol Use	:	- None
Violence/Abuse	:	- None
Educational Value	:	- Teaches words to pictures
Positive/Negative Message	:	- Positive message about helping others

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Simon Spotlight/Nickelodeon

February 2007
Trade Paperback, 24 pages

Price: $3.99
ISBN-10: 1416915095
ISBN-13: 9781416915096
Grades: P - 1
Ages: 4 - 6

This book is wonderful for young ones...it is suggested as "Level 1" which for Spotlight means "Starting to Read" therefore consists of simple stories, increased vocabulary and longer sentences.

Although my son is only 2, he greatly enjoys or time reading this together (I, of course, read it to him.)  One of the things I really like about this book is it has a picture and then has the words underneath...such a wonderful tool to help teach word recognition!

The story teaches lessons on helping others and has the children look and learn about the different parts of the body.

It is a wonderful story and captures my ds2 attention EVERY time we read it!

For more information, you can click HERE.

Overall book rating:  5

I highly recommend this book for simple, fun reading.  It is a very entertaining and educational book for a minimal price.

Secret Hide-Out

by Virginia Randall

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Religious/Secular Content	:	-  Religious
Adult Content	:	-  None
Mature Topics	:	-  None
Strong/Inappropriate Language	:	-  None
Magic/Witchcraft	:	-  None
Disrespect/Rebellion	:	-  Minimal; only that which is within the story line on the way to a biblical perspective
Drug/Alcohol Use	:	-  None
Violence/Abuse	:	-  None
Educational Value	:	-  A little; this would be of biblical educational value on witnessing and possibly used to teach of the lives of those less fortunate than others
Positive/Negative Message	:	-  Positive Message; this book was written as a fiction book but was written with the purpose of helping the reader with effective witness

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This is an oldie but a goodie!  It was published in 1960 by The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago - but don't let this hold you back.  This is an INCREDIBLE read!  It is written in a casual manner using words that are easy to understand.  We read it as a family but if a child were to read it alone, they would need to be easily reading chapter books...this one has 23 chapters and is a total of 127 pages.  The type is pretty large too (12 or 14 pt?).

This book is about a small town church and a little boy named Toby.  The church is about to be taken over and changed into a sports club.  Toby is a child who lives in an orphanage.  Toby runs away to this small town and is found by two other boys.  Through a series of events, they figure out that Toby is the actual owner of the church - now they just need to figure out how to prove it!

During the story, Toby is witnessed to by his two friends that find him, and he becomes saved.  Additionally, the boys plot a way for Toby to be adopted by one of the local couples.  It is somewhat of a mystery story, along with drama and comedy.

In general, it is just a "feel good family book".  If you have the opportunity to read it, we highly suggest it.