A Hero for WondLa

by Tony DiTerlizzi
illustrated by

---

Religious/Secular Content	:	Both
Adult Content	:	No
Mature Topics	:	Yes
Strong/Inappropriate Language	:	No
Magic/Witchcraft	:	No
Disrespect/Rebellion	:	Yes
Drug/Alcohol Use	:	Yes
Violence/Abuse	:	Yes
Educational Value	:	No
Positive/Negative Message	:	-

---

The boy pilot of a battered airship flies twelve-year-old Eva Nine to the human city, New Attica. Eva is certain that this will be the perfect start to a new life with her good friend, the Caerulean alien named Rovender Kitt -especially after the tragic loss of her robotic caretaker, Muthr. However, like many things on planet Orbona, appearances can be deceiving.

Eva encounters many new people in New Attica, including a long-lost relative she was unaware of. And she uncovers the secrets of the Sanctuaries, the HRP, and the history of her planet's past. But then new questions arise, and the delicate spirit of life is threatened once again. Was coming to New Attica the right decision? 

A Hero for WondLa continues Eva Nine's adventures in the series... I posted about the first book, In Search of WondLa, in July of 2011. I am trying to not compare the two books but it might happen anyway. I will warn that there may be some 'spoilers' in this post, unintentionally, in order to let you know what to expect from this book. 

The author does have a note at the end of the book saying that his character, Eva Nine, had grown (in many ways- transformed and matured, he says) since the first book and that he, too, had grown. I think that it is quite evident in this book that there is a change. It still has the same feel (?) to it as the first but it is different. It takes a different path than I thought it would in terms of character development.

In the first book, I marked that there was neither religious/secular content and I suppose that is true but if a book is not religious, or makes no mention of God at all, wouldn't it be secular content? I chose to say "Both" in this case. It is about 'worldly things', not Godly things. It does have a few references to spirits and an afterlife but doesn't go into details. It reminded me (vaguely) of Native American beliefs (the spirits of the plants and animals somehow having a connection with humans- that is a generalized description) and/or the reincarnation religions. It doesn't actually say that the characters believe the spirit will return as another form but that it just travels on...to where? There aren't specifics given. 

Near the end of the book, when Eva and her companions are searching for the 'generator' that the creator of New Attica is after, and they reach the center of the Wandering Forest, it gets ...weird. I don't know how else to put it but that. Basically there is an 'entity' in the center of the forest that is the Mother of All Nature; the Spark of Life. It takes one of the characters and 'evolves' her into a tree-girl. Also we learn that the Mother is really an evolved machine. But it evolved on its own, over time. 

There isn't any 'love' in this book but the love of friendship and siblings. No kissing, hugging, or any real displays of affection of that sort. So no adult content in that regards.

As with the other book, there is mature content. The book starts right where the first one left off (there'd been quite a battle and Eva's Muthr was destroyed). There are creatures that can only be contrived by the imagination that are capable of snapping people and machinery in half quite easily. There are instances where someone is hurt by a creature and they bleed, another time when a new friend sacrifices their life to save the group (we are only given the description of an explosion where the character had been). Also there is the topic of families being separated, torn apart. 

After Eva is registered in New Attica, she finds out that there are no aliens in the city- because they are used for experimentation by the leader and 'reprogrammed'. I gathered that they are actually tortured but we aren't given details on that, thankfully. 

I didn't find any strong or inappropriate language in the book, in terms of how we speak. There was a scene where three girls are making fun of another girls hair and I'm sure the words they use are intended to be insulting. Pretty much the words were made up. And as for the witchcraft/magic, I put no but Eva can communicate with many of the creatures (including plant-life) on the planet. I don't know if that would classify or not.

There is disrespect/rebellion on the part of Eva, Eva Eight, and the pilot, Hailey. For the first two, it is rebellion against corrupt authority. They sneak around after curfew and Eight removes the identification chip that is in Eva so that they cannot be tracked. Disrespect is evident from Eight when she is presented before the leader of the city. Hailey is disrespectful to his grandfather in one scene; calls him crazy. 

Rovee (Rovender) drinks some sort of alcoholic drink a few times in the book. It specifically says it is a fermented drink that dulls the senses. 

Violence and abuse are frequent throughout the book. The descriptions range from just a mention to somewhat descriptive. 

I found no educational value in this book but perhaps for 'creative writing'. 

I had said that the other book had what could be called a positive message: don't give up. This book at first seems to focus on following ones heart but toward the end, I felt more along the lines of doing what's right and best for all, not just oneself, was the message.

I didn't like this book as much as the first. It is 437 pages of actual story but the font is large and the words-per-page is perhaps a few hundred. There are illustrations throughout, which I did like for the most part. One of the last ones though, shows Eva Nine in a fetal position, naked (it doesn't show anything) with translucent skin -like an xray. That was my least favorite image. 

I would consider this book 'twaddle' based on CM's words:

“What manner of book will find its way with upheaving effect into the mind of an intelligent boy or girl? We need not ask what the girl or boy likes. She very often likes the twaddle of goody-goody story books, he likes condiments, highly-spiced tales of adventure. We are all capable of liking mental food of a poor quality and a titillating nature” (Vol. 3, p. 168).

I think there will be one more book in this series but I'm not sure if I will read it. The first book is, in my opinion, better than this one, which makes me wonder how the third book will be. Maybe I will read it after all.

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate

by Jacqueline Kelly
illustrated by NA

---

Religious/Secular Content	:	It talks about Darwin's theory of evolution and makes no arguments about it; mentions religion, church, Bible but not God. Fairly secular.
Adult Content	:	Does talk a bit about courting, crushes, kissing.
Mature Topics	:	Instance of referring to photographs from the Civil War, describes a bit; one girl has a brother that is 'addled', describes him briefly in one part of the book; amputation is described (the experience, not the procedure) as well as burning the appendages later. Calpurnia wonders about seeing a dead body.
Strong/Inappropriate Language	:	There are a few words, 'darn' and pi**.
Magic/Witchcraft	:	No
Disrespect/Rebellion	:	Yes; Calpurnia backtalks a few times. She also meddles where she shouldn't in her brother's affairs and it causes some strife in the family.
Drug/Alcohol Use	:	Yes; Calpurnia's grandfather drinks a few times and is trying to make pecan alcohol; he gives it to Calpurnia, who is 11 at the time, as well as offers it to her again later. Calpurnia's mother also drinks a tonic that is 20% alcohol for headaches. There is wine at the holidays.
Violence/Abuse	:	The piano teacher thwacks Calpurnia's knuckles. Two brothers have a scuffle over a girl. One of Calpurnia's brothers pinches her to try to get her in trouble.
Educational Value	:	Yes; many scientific names and descriptions.
Positive/Negative Message	:	Neutral. More positive.

---

This is a great book. Those who are interested in nature study will enjoy the theme throughout this book. 


It takes place in 1899 to the New Year of 1900 in a smallish Texas town. Calpurnia, or Callie Vee to most of her family and friends, is 11 3/4 years old and the only girl. Her oldest brother, Harry, dotes on her and she is his 'own pet'. He starts her love of science (and nature) by giving her a nature journal to write down all she sees. 


At first she writes down very little but through the book she progresses to more detail descriptions. We are only given a glimpse into what she wrote a few times and later it is only the questions she is pondering that we know she writes in her journal. When she comes upon a strange occurrence, she asks anyone she can what it means. No one knows and really no one seems to care. 


Someone either tells her to go as Granddaddy or she decides to ask him herself. He is someone that most of the kids are afraid of. He doesn't talk much and when he does most of the adults just humor him because he is old. Calpurnia is just afraid. When she finally does get the nerve to ask him, he tells her to figure it out. Not much help, huh? 


But it is! After that, she starts asking the real questions that will help her find the answers. When she comes to the answer herself, she tells Granddaddy- and their relationship blooms from there.


There is a lot of humor in this but some may be 'naughty' humor, I suppose. Granddaddy gives Calpurnia some pecan alcohol that he is trying to perfect and although it's a shock, I'll bet Calpurnia never drank again! He also teaches her the words to pirate and sea chanteys with 'naughty' words. 


In Calpurnia's time, women were to stay home and had to know how to cook, sew, knit, etc. Calpurnia doesn't want to do that but is torn between what is expected of her and her gender and what she actually wants to do. 


Very good book that I think kids and parents will enjoy. If it were a read-aloud it would quite easy to skip the few parts that are possibly 'objectionable'.

The Search for WondLa

by Tony DiTerlizzi
illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi

---

Religious/Secular Content	:	none
Adult Content	:	No
Mature Topics	:	Yes
Strong/Inappropriate Language	:	No
Magic/Witchcraft	:	No
Disrespect/Rebellion	:	Yes
Drug/Alcohol Use	:	No
Violence/Abuse	:	Yes
Educational Value	:	No
Positive/Negative Message	:	-

---

Eva Nine had never seen the actual sun before, or walked outdoors. In fact, she had never even seen another living person in all twelve years of her life. That changes when a marauding huntsman destroys her underground home and send her fleeing for her life. She is desperate to find someone else who is like her, and a single clue give her hope: a crumbling picture of a girl, a robot, an adult, and the word WondLa.
The Search for WondLa begins a trilogy whose imaginative text and breathtaking illustrations are sure to inspire dreams.

Four-hundred-sixty-six pages long, this book took just over one day for my dd (14) to read and one for myself. It is easy reading; nothing too complicated.

There isn't a slant that I could tell that would categorize this book as religious or secular.
In terms of 'adult content', there is none. There is some 'mature content': it starts with Besteel, a huntsman, destroying the 'sanctuary' (or living quarters) of Eva ("Earth in Vitro Alpha"- the main character). There is violence toward other characters in the book, mostly by Besteel. There are a few instances where Eva is trying to escape and catastrophe seems to follow- destruction of property. There are also instances of animals being hunted for eating. 

In one scene, I felt it was quite sad, Besteel has captured many creatures and we are given the details of him killing one of the creatures. It isn't extremely graphic but it was definitely 'mature content'! Another time we are witnesses to a scene of a creature being 'preserved' for display in a museum- but it is alive when they begin the procedure. The animal is paralyzed and then frozen (?) before it's skin is removed so that its internal organs can be seen. Depending on the sensitivity of the reader, that could be quite bothersome.

Eva is disrespectful to her Muthr (which stands for Multi-Utility Task Help Robot; a robot that has been Eva's 'mother' since her birth) and disobeys when she is forbidden to travel to certain parts of the sanctuary. 

I thought it was a good book. It feels like it is a different planet throughout the book. Strange creatures and languages. It is basically about a girl that is forced to survive in an unknown environment with simply her wits (because all she has been taught doesn't really come in handy). She makes friends of unlikely creatures and they all help her to overcome. I suppose it could be construed as 'positive' message- don't give up.

Hot X: Algebra Exposed

by Danica McKellar
illustrated by N/A

---

Religious/Secular Content	:	None-
Adult Content	:	Yes-
Mature Topics	:	Yes-
Strong/Inappropriate Language	:	Yes, minimal-
Magic/Witchcraft	:	No-
Disrespect/Rebellion	:	Yes-
Drug/Alcohol Use	:	Yes-
Violence/Abuse	:	Yes-
Educational Value	:	Yes-
Positive/Negative Message	:	Positive-

---

Hot X: Algebra Exposed is a middle/high school book about Algebra. It is written towards that age group and specifically for GIRLS. 
There is no distinguishable religious slant yet it does not talk against religious beliefs (it would be more secular than religious!).
The book is written for modern day girls aged 13+. There is reference to crushes on boys, obsessing over boys, dating, sex, drinking, partying and drugs. The focus on boys and liking them is prevalent throughout the book. 
Here is the lowdown on what might be of concern to some (myself included):

• "kick-ass" -dedication page
• "suck"- page xiv and throughout the book in reference to her other book by the title Math Doesn't Suck as well as slang for 'bad'.
• "kick butt"- page 3
• "tool" as it meaning "total loser"- page 10
• Wishing a guy would like her who she had a crush on- page 15
• Giving the impression that smarts gets the job, money and the life one dreams of (material pursuits)- page 20
• Romance and sex are talked about- page 26
• Drugs, partying- page 30
• Boy crazy- page 39
• Dating/boyfriends- throughout the book
• Kissing- page 40
• Crushes on boys is prevalent throughout the book
• Bullying- page 72
• Imagining the variable x is a kiss from 'some guy' (denotes it is alright to get kisses from various guys)- page 85
• Breaking up with a boyfriend (at the age of 15)- page 140
• Kissing- page 140
• Domestic violence- page 146
• Wishy-washy with emotions (I took it to denote that is it okay to like one moment and not another)- page 182
• Martinis- page 239
• "kick-ass"- page 263
• Drinking wine (and while on the job)- page 272
• Polygamy (gives the definition)- page 298
• "heck"- page 286

Some good points:

• Modest attire mentioned "your cute tankini and cover-up"- page 202
• References to faith and God helping in ones life- page 222
• Overall there is a message of being positive and confident in who you are and your abilities. 
• Don't let math get the better of you- don't let the 'fear' run your life.
• Don't let others control your actions and be true to yourself.

Because this isn't a review of this book as a math book I will leave it at what I have. But I do intend to read it more fully to see how it does stack up as a math book and will write a review on my blog soon.

20 and Counting

by Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar
illustrated by

---

Religious/Secular Content	:	- Yes, Christian
Adult Content	:	- No
Mature Topics	:	- No
Strong/Inappropriate Language	:	- No
Magic/Witchcraft	:	- No
Disrespect/Rebellion	:	- No
Drug/Alcohol Use	:	- No
Violence/Abuse	:	- No. There is one part where Jim Bob describes a robbery of his home. There is a gun involved.
Educational Value	:	- Yes
Positive/Negative Message	:	- Yes, Very Positive and Encouraging.

---

 This is one of the most inspiring books I have ever read. Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar's story is encouraging.

The Duggar's are a homeschool family, who have not only put the amount of children they have in God's hand, but their whole lives.

They have learned to depend on God for everything they have, instead of themselves.

They learned early on the effects of debt, and have been determined not to ever borrow money.

You will see how God provided for this family in so many wonderful ways.

It has really encouraged me to lean more on Christ, and less on myself.

You will find all kinds of tips for running a family. These tips can be used in large and small families alike.

You will find helpful tips in areas such as:

Homeschooling
Housekeeping
Cooking
Moving
Finances
Marriage

And much more.

This is a must read for all ages. It is appropriate enough for children to read.

The only part that may be scary is when Jim Bob was tied up at gun point in his garage, while he was being robbed. But even this story is such a testimony to the Lord.

This whole book is such a testimony to the Lord. Very inspiring, and very encouraging.

The Search

by Suzanne Woods Fisher

---

Religious/Secular Content	:	- Religious
Adult Content	:	- None
Mature Topics	:	- None
Strong/Inappropriate Language	:	- None
Magic/Witchcraft	:	- None
Disrespect/Rebellion	:	- Very little; not inappropriately shared
Drug/Alcohol Use	:	- None
Violence/Abuse	:	- Very little; not inappropriately shared
Educational Value	:	- None
Positive/Negative Message	:	- Positive message

---

The SearchAuthor: Suzanne Woods Fisher
Paperback, 295 pages
Retail: $14.99

This book was absolutely AMAZING!  Once I got started, I couldn’t put it down!  Every time you think the story has as many curves as it can get, Mrs Fisher throws in another one!  This story is engaging and very well written.

It is about an Amish community and many of the people that live within (and a few that live without) that community.  It is mainly about one family, that has been “torn” apart by an accident involving a drunk driver and the death of the son’s wife.  When he couldn’t take the pain of living there any longer, he moved himself and his little girl to another state.  The son’s mother, called “Mammy”, requests that her grandaughter come spend the summer with her.  Although nervous, she decides to go (mostly to avoid being home when her father gets her Algebra grade).  Not long after arriving, she learns that Mammy is an incredible person.  With in the next couple months, she also learns about teenage crushes (and their pain), death, the REAL meaning of family, Biblical sacrifice and what it means to have faith in the Lord.

About the Author

In no particular order, Suzanne Woods Fisher is a wife, mother, writer, lifelong student of the Bible, raiser of puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind, a gardener and a cook…the latter two with sporadic results.

Suzanne has loved to write since she was a young teen. After college, she started to write for magazines and became a contributing editor for Christian Parenting Today magazine. Her family moved to Hong Kong for four years, just as the internet was developing, and she continued to write articles in a 44-story high-rise apartment, sending manuscripts 7,000 miles away with a click of a key.

After returning from Hong Kong, Suzanne decided to give her first novel a try. For four and a half months, she worked on an antediluvian computer in a cramped laundry room. She didn’t even tell her husband what she was up to. When the novel was completed, she told her family at dinner one night that she had written a book. “That’s why there’s no food in this house!” said her slightly insensitive sons.

Undaunted…Suzanne found a small royalty publisher for that book and wrote three more (all earned multiple awards). With help from an agent, she now has numerous  books under contract with Revell. Also look for Suzanne’s Amish non-fiction, Amish Peace: Simple Wisdom for a Complicated World, a non-fiction book of stories and examples about the Old Order Amish, as well as Amish Proverbs, and coming in Spring of 2011, look for Amish Values for Your Family. The Choice and The Waiting are the previous books in the Lancaster County Secrets Collection.

Writing, for Suzanne, is a way to express a love of God and His word. With every book or article, she hopes readers get a sense of what faith really looks like in the daily grind. She hopes they realize that life can be hard, but God is good, and never to confuse the two.

Suzanne can be found on-line at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Blind Hope

by Kim Meeder and Laurie Sacher

---

Religious/Secular Content	:	- Both but mostly religious
Adult Content	:	- None that would be inappropriate
Mature Topics	:	- Nothing that would be inappropriate
Strong/Inappropriate Language	:	- None
Magic/Witchcraft	:	- None
Disrespect/Rebellion	:	- None
Drug/Alcohol Use	:	- None
Violence/Abuse	:	- None
Educational Value	:	- None
Positive/Negative Message	:	- Positive message about trusting the Lord

---

Blind HopeAuthor: Kim Meeder and Laurie Sacher
Publisher: Multnomah Books
Paperback, 178 pages
ISBN 9781601422804
Retail Price: $13.99

This book was wonderfully refreshing and was not at all boring! It is easy to read and moves quickly. Being an animal lover and dog trainer, I can completely relate to a lot of the thoughts and feelings shared within.

This story reminds me of a parrable being told – using the life of a dog to explain the ways of life with God in your life. The story is about a woman who rescues a dog – but in reality the dog rescues the woman. Laurie was raise in a Christian home but never really put God first in her life. She made a lot of bad choices and didn’t believe in true love, peace or contentment.

Through watching her dog cheerfully bound thru lifes hardships, she learned many important lessons about how she had been pushing God away and trying to do things on her own. This TRUE STORY shows just how God does meet us right where we are.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!

Knights of Arrethtrae Books 5&6

by Chuck Black
illustrated by

---

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	:	-

---

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

---

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

---

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!

Secret Hide-Out

by Virginia Randall

---

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

---

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.

Mere Christianity

by C. S. Lewis
illustrated by NA

---

Religious/Secular Content	: Christian	-
Adult Content	: Yes- the younger ones will not understand the ideals and concepts in this book, as well as the wording; and there are mature topics- see below	-
Mature Topics	: Yes, this is pertaining to some topics that are inappropriate for younger ages (there is mention more than once of infidelity); in the beginning chapters he states that "All we mean is that the occasions on which the fighting instinct or sexual desire need to be restrained..."; at least one chapter is on Sexual Morality and another on Christian Marriage	-
Strong/Inappropriate Language	: No, although the word 'hell' is used more than once in a slang way (in reference to what someone else might say)	-
Magic/Witchcraft	: No	-
Disrespect/Rebellion	: Yes, but it is respect to what not to do and it isn't strongly talked about in a way to be promoted; example- Lewis talks about men living only for themselves and not caring for the rules or lives of others and the havoc it can cause	-
Drug/Alcohol Use	: Vaguely mentioned- Temperance is discussed and therefore the mention of alcohol is also but not in depth (words used are 'drinking', 'drink', 'drunkenness', 'drunk', 'beer'), rather the idea of temperance.	-
Violence/Abuse	: Vaguely	-
Educational Value	: Yes, morals and values as a Christian	-
Positive/Negative Message	: Positive	-

---

We love this book in our house. It really makes you think. My dd is 14 and we are using this as a devotional this year (and will with my ds when he is older). There are a few spots that I feel I must censor while reading (it is a read-aloud).

The style is not vulgar at all and it would be easy to be so when dealing with morals and values, in my opinion. Very much a Christian perspective yet it does not attack other views in a way that one feels defensive.

Would recommend for mature individuals ages 13+ up, but possibly even upwards of 15+.

Soldier Fritz and The Enemies He Fought

by Emma Leslie
illustrated by C.A. Ferrier

---

Religious/Secular Content	:	- Christian
Adult Content	:	- No
Mature Topics	:	- No
Strong/Inappropriate Language	:	- No
Magic/Witchcraft	:	- No
Disrespect/Rebellion	:	- Fritz struggles with obedience, but after he learns of the bible, he starts learning to control his temper.
Drug/Alcohol Use	:	- No, but beer was mentioned once, but not as in anyone actually drinking it.
Violence/Abuse	:	- Yes, Fritz hit his sister, and she fell down the stairs, and was really injured. This really turned hi life around however, and he never mistreated his sister again.
Educational Value	:	- Yes
Positive/Negative Message	:	- Yes, really builds your faith, and teaches your children how to learn self- control

---

The reformation is my favorite time period in history, and this book was a very exciting to read.  
This book is about a family that all they have ever known is what the preists have taught them. 
One day a peddler comes to visit, and he has a bag of gifts, and Fritz chooses the Bible. 
He starts to read the Bible, and he hears of Luther and all that he is doing, and he want to be a good soldier like Luther. 
He learns from the scriptures, and what it takes to be a soldier of God. 
His mother notices a difference in Fritz's behavior, and she starts to read the Bible herself. She realizes that what the priests are teaching does not line up with Scripture, and vows, never to pray to anyone but the Lord himself again, and to put her faith in Christ only, and not a man.
As they learn more about Jesus, and how He died for them, they begin to separate themselves from the church. 
The priest is very upset about this, and actually tries to take them prisoner for their beliefs, so they have to flee to the forest to live. 
While there, they are able to teach the "Charcoal Burners" all about Jesus, and how He died for their sins too. 
This book is so amazing in the fact that it teaches the Gospel, and is not afraid to teach against the Roman Church. 
It is an inspiring book, that builds your faith and gives you an understanding of what others had to go through for their faith. 
This is now a household favorite in our home.

In Search of the Lost Mountains of Noah: The Discovery of the Real Mts. of Ararat

by Robert Cornuke and David Halbrook

---

Overall Rating: 4.5 Stars

While not a cultural icon of classical literature, this book now ranks among the must reads in our house for historical, cultural and biblical studies.

---

Religious/Secular Content	:	By its very subject matter it is religious throughout.  Though the lead author is a devout Christian in search of the biblical Noah's ark, legends and myths surrounding the great flood and its boat of survivors hail from every ancient civilization known to man. The search in this book spans a great swath of the Near East including Russia, Turkey, Iran and Iraq, and there is much in this book about Muslim/Islamic tradition and culture.
Adult Content	:	There are discussions of gender roles in Islamic culture.
Mature Topics	:	There is considerable discussion of politics, clashing cultures, and wars, including the Iran hostage crisis and continuing anti-American sentiments, and the Columbine shootings. There is a vivid (though reverent) description of a goat sacrifice.
Strong/Inappropriate Language	:	There is one chapter in particular where the phrase "Oh my God" is repeated excessively.
Magic/Witchcraft	:	There are multiple mentions, though no actual descriptions, of one of the team members using slight-of-hand magic to gain rapport with the natives.
Disrespect/Rebellion	:	There are many examples of thwarting international rules, though it is balanced with the consequences of such actions and the obvious difference when the rules are followed. There are vivid descriptions of deep emotional reactions to circumstances and differing personalities among the team members, some of which struck me as "not very polite"
Drug/Alcohol Use	:	There is a scene where the team coming off the mountain is in a state of severe dehydration and the only thing there is to drink is hot, flat beer.  One of the men is a recovering alcoholic and refuses to drink the beer, choosing instead to risk his life in the wait for water; another team member out of compassion chooses to wait with him.
Violence/Abuse	:	This book touches on several violent instances throughout history, some of them quite descriptively.  There is a very vivid scene of a goat being killed for dinner.
Educational Value	:	This book has strong education value in several areas.  From an archeological standpoint, it tells a compelling story and leaves one with a sense of wanting to pick up where the author left off. From a historical standpoint, it lays out many facts and historical forays that help show why the search for all things ancient can be so convoluted and confusing, yet shows that perseverance, patience, and a non-biased approach to the evidence can often reveal obscured truths. It touches on political issues in a stark and truthful, yet compassionate and somehow gentle manner.  It reveals the human side of a culture so far removed from our own, causing one to assess preconceived notions, and fosters understanding between cultures.
Positive/Negative Message	:	Overall, this book has a positive message of truth, hope, and inner spiritual growth.

---

Of the many books I have read on this subject, this volume stands alone and definitely ranks among the most compelling.  The book begins with such compelling prose that one questions its non-fictional status.  It draws you in from the first page and holds your attention throughout.


Bob Cornuke, founder of the The Bible Archeology Search & Exploration Institute (BASE), is a real life Indiana Jones. After many years of successfully searching for and finding biblical artifacts, he centers his sights on finding Noah's Ark.  He begins with a broad but detailed scoping of the traditional landing site...  Mt. Ararat in Turkey.  However, sensing that tradition is apparently failing the cause, he is drawn to reexamine assumptions long held and look at source evidence with new openness and reverent prayer.  The result is a vivid, page-turner account of the emotional search for one of the most prized biblical relics of all time.  The author not only recounts old evidence in a new light, but discovers much new evidence -- older evidence -- to support a new theory.  In the end, he still does not find Noah's ark, but presents a very compelling case for why the centuries old massive search for Noah's ark should shift to a new location... Mt. Sabalon in Iran.  I highly recommend this book.

The Usborne Internet-Linked Encyclopedia of World History

by Jane Bingham, Fiona Chandler, Sam Taplin, Jane Chisholm
illustrated by Giacinto Gaudenzi, Ian Jackson, Jeremy Gower, N. J. Hewetson, Lorenzo Cecchi, Justine Torode, David Cuzik, Gary Bines, David Wright

---

Religious/Secular Content	:	Secular
Adult Content	:	No
Mature Topics	:	No
Strong/Inappropriate Language	:	No
Magic/Witchcraft	:	No
Disrespect/Rebellion	:	No
Drug/Alcohol Use	:	No
Violence/Abuse	:	No
Educational Value	:	Yes
Positive/Negative Message	:	Neutral

---

I've marked everything "NO" but this is a history book and there are instances of all of the above mentioned. This book is 'politically correct' however and watches it's word usage. It does have the secular viewpoint of the "Big Bang" theory and is heavy on evolution. 

Being a history text it does talk about the various wars and skirmishes that have taken place through the years but all is done tastefully. This is a very useful book for history. In some parts of the book, the earlier civilizations, there are drawings of statues and idols that may be questionable for some people. On page 109 a clay figure from Catal Huyuk that is thought to be of the Mother Goddess and she is nude but the drawing is a modest one compared to the real life artifacts.

This content guide isn't meant in reference to the links that you can access through Usborne's site because many of those are outside links and may have questionable content.