Conversations and Memories with Children

A thought-provoking 365-question journal designed to spark daily interaction with your child while simultaneously creating a memory book that captures your child's life, personality, and faith journey over a 3-year period.

Each page represents a different day of the year, for example, January 1. There is a question associated with that day - perhaps a funny question or a creative question or a spiritual question. Then there is a space underneath the question to write a response for three different calendar years, thus tracking a child's thoughts and feelings over a long period of time.

It's a very clever concept and a wonderful legacy gift to leave to your children. With my over-achieving personality, I'll need to give myself the freedom to skip a day, or even just to capture a few questions a week without feeling guilty about leaving blank spaces in the book. Perhaps you will be the mom that never ever skips a day though! (LOL!)

Links for purchase can be found here.

I received this book as a gift from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Sawyer: Ours for a Season

Bridging the gap between a traditional Mennonite community and the world at large.
Bridging the gap in marriage when spouses have lost touch with one another.
Bridging the gap in lifetime friendship through letters.
Bridging the gap between teens in crisis and resources to help them.
Bridging the gap between health and sickness.
Bridging the gap between hopelessness and faith in the One that gives us hope.

This new novel by Kim Vogel Sawyer tells the story of so many gaps being bridged. She tackles so many tough issues - from fertility to teen pregnancy to homelessness to financial hardship to forgiveness to cancer to character choices. But she weaves all of the issues together into a really good story with a great plot, believable characters, and a unique setting. I loved the social justice elements in the book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book, and I already passed my copy along to a friend to read. I recommend this book to female readers age 15+.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, but they gave no stipulations on the content of my review.

Moving Historical Fiction

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Tara Johnson's new book, Engraved on the Heart. I don't think I've ever read anything by this author, but I'll be looking for more of her books.  Well-written, good pace, great characters, powerful storyline. I especially appreciate the themes of overcoming personal challenges and stigmas, as well as the service/missional element of choosing to fight for a cause on the underground railroad. Readers will be inspired and challenged to look for hurting and disadvantaged people around them, and discover ways they can make a difference. I hope they are challenged (and myself!) to avoid being a spectator of courageous community change, but instead, to step up and take action!

I recommend this book to male and female readers age 15+.  There is a love story woven throughout the book, but it's completely clean.

I received this book as a gift from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I can't wait to share it with other readers!