Entertainment Solutions: Book Reviews

Summer Reading for You and Your Teens
By Patti Chadwick
patti@parentsandteens.com
http://www.parentsandteens.com

Though summer can be very hectic and busy with camps, vacations, and a host of other activities, I encourage you to take the time to relax and catch up on your reading - and encourage your teenagers to do the same.

When my kids were younger, every summer we had a reading chart. As they would finish the required hours of reading they'd mark it off on the chart and collect their prize from mom. If they finished the entire chart, they got a special "Grand Prize."

Even though they are teenagers now, I still use a reading chart to encourage reading in my kids. For every 4 hours of reading I give them a small prize like an ice cream sundae, a ticket to the local minor league baseball game ($2.00), a tube of lipstick or other make up, candy bars, etc. You get the idea. Something that costs a dollar or two. If they finish the entire chart, ( I usually set it around 35 hours of reading) I give them something special. They pick the prize before we start, and it usually costs about $10.00.

I encourage you to start your own reading program with your teen. Mine may not work for you. Be creative and come up with something that will work for your family. Set goals for all of you and plan on achieving them this summer!

When you get tired of the frantic pace that summer can bring, steal away and curl up with a good book. Below are some titles I think you and your family will enjoy. They are published by Bethany House Publishers and are great books at a great price. Best of all, you can purchase them from Parents & Teens with FREE shipping!

Bethany House is an evangelical Christian publishing company that was developed over forty years ago out of Bethany Fellowship International's ministry training and sending missionaries around the world. Profits from the sale of Bethany House books support missionary work in more than twenty-five countries as well as Bethany Fellowship International's numerous other ministries. 

I tell you all this to let you know these are good, moral books and that your purchase will help support Christian Missions. You can purchase these books from our special order form at: 
https://www.wmsecure.com/~historyg/specialbookorder.html

Choice Summer 
Shirley Brinkerhoff 
Life for Nikki Sheridan has always been the same-no surprises, no scrapes, no crises, no escapes. This summer will change all that.
Presented by Focus on the Family
Available for $5.99

Summer Promise 
Robin Jones Gunn 
From a Wisconsin farm to a California beach... From a measly allowance to unlimited shopping sprees... From an uncomplicated life to a highly sophisticated one... These are the head-spinning changes that lead to Christy Miller's...Summer Promise
Available in paperback - $5.99

Once Upon a Summer
Janette Oke
This book is about a boy and his special family. Sure, his family isn't typical-Josh knows that. But when Grandpa and Uncle Charlie begin to make plans to find Auntie Lou a husband-and take away the only mother Josh has ever known-he knows something has to be done. How can he find his way when his whole world threatens to come apart? This was one of my absolute FAVORITE books by Janette Oke. There are four books in the series which follows Josh from a boy to a man. This is great for teens and adults alike.
Available in paperback for $6.99

The Bridge Over Flatwillow Creek 
Lance Wubbels
Here is one for the adults. An Enthralling Turn-of-the-century, Small-town Love Story! It is the summer of 1901 in the rural Minnesota town of Bradford. A terrible accident has just taken place and young Stuart Gray is the first one on the scene. There, with amazingly natural skill, he saves the lives of two people. Afterward, the local doctor challenges him to study medicine, but what of his plans to follow?
Available in paperback for $9.99

Accidental Detective Series 
Sigmund Brouwer
Great Adventures for Reluctant Readers! Great for Boys. 

"The Volcano of Doom" 

On a Vacation in Paradise, What Can Go Wrong?
Ricky Kidd's family and his friends are in Hawaii for Easter break, and it promises to be the vacation of a lifetime. But when a shark-fishing trip turns into a hair-raising experience, Ricky isn't sure whom to trust. Mike's discovery of an ancient Japanese statue causes 
even more confusion. And then there is that white-haired guy who keeps showing up....

"The Disappearing Jewel of Madagascar"
Friends Become Strangers, and Strangers Become Friends.... When Ricky Kidd first hears about the curse of the Jewel of Madagascar, he is pretty sure he doesn't believe in it. But almost immediately, strange things start happening. First he knocks over a statue that crushes part of Mrs. McEwan's antique jewelry collection. Ricky is convinced his life is over-paying off the debt will take years!

Both books are available for $5.99 /ea.

Between Two Flags Series
Lee Roddy
Another great series for boys. Experience the Civil War through the eyes of thirteen-year-old Gideon, a poor Virginia farm boy; Emily, an orphaned Northerner who's come south to live on her uncle's 
plantation; and Nat, a secretly educated slave boy who hopes to escape. Beloved by children, educators, and homeschoolers, this series makes learning history fun! For ages 11 - 14 and another series great for boys. Books in this series are available for $5.99 and you can get more information about each book at: 
http://www.bethanyhouse.com/index.asp?inc=series&series=41

Young Underground Series 
Robert Elmer
Peter Anderson and his twin sister, Elise, live in the harbor city of Helsingor, Denmark during the Nazi occupation. Through their hold-your-breath adventures with the Danish Underground, middle readers are provided a great way to learn history and develop a love of reading. For ages 8 and up. Each book is available for $5.99 and you can get information on each book at: 
http://www.bethanyhouse.com/index.asp?inc=series&series=38

About the Author

Patti Chadwick is the author of the book Mission Possible: Raising Great Teens! She’s also the creator of the website Parents & Teens. Visit her at http://www.parentsandteens.com and sign up for her FREE newsletter. This article provided by the Family Content Archives at: http://www.Family-Content.com

Book Review: Buy Choice Summer

After learning that she is pregnant, sixteen-year-old Nikki faces the toughest decision of her life--whether to give birth to the baby or have an abortion. Only $5.49 each.