Quickie Book Reviews for March 2013

	The Adventures of King Midas by Lynne Reid Banks: Based on the ancient legend that I originally found out about from Wishbone, this easy-reader retelling is fun, but a bit simple for older/advanced readers such as myself.  It's diverting entertainment for a short while, but nothing terribly special; you might as well watch the PBS Kids version that stars a Jack Russell terrier.  Parents might be concerned with the fact that fairy-tale magic plays a prominent role. Score: 3/5
	Honestly, Katie John! by Mary Calhoun: Before Nickelodeon or Disney Channel, it was books like Honestly, Katie John! that entertained the young people of America.  Reading this 1960's book in 2013 is like a window into the past; that alone makes it entertaining, but I enjoyed it for another reason: it was a fun, well-written chronicle of a little girl who is hesitant to grow up.  Many readers, even now, would likely feel Katie John's pain, whether they are feeling it now or did in the past.  That gives Honestly, Katie John! an appeal that transcends time. Score: 4/5
	The Best Friend (Life at Kingston High, No. 2) by Melody Carlson: Featuring a different leading lady than the previous Kingston High novel did, this one also deals with much headier topics than its prequel.  Sex outside of marriage, alcoholism, and date rape drugs are mentioned--and vilified--throughout.  Like all of Melody Carlson's "young adult" works, though it has an important message, it is not for young children.  Teens and some "tweens" can appreciate it, though it may be "preaching to the choir" for many of those who are likely to read it. Score: 3.75/5
	Burnt Orange: Color Me Wasted (True Colors, No. 5) by Melody Carlson: Each of the volumes in Mrs. Carlson's True Colors series deals with a specific problem that plagues many young people today; this time, it's alcoholism.  The book does a great job of portraying the problems that drunkenness can cause, and the ending hammers the point home even further.  Still, some people may be a little unsettled by it. Score: 4/5
	Last Dance (Carter House Girls, No. 8) by Melody Carlson: It's graduation and prom time for DJ and her housemates.  Everyone is excited…but life starts to change rather quickly for more than one of the girls.  It's been a while since I read the penultimate Carter House novel, so, this feels more like a reunion movie than a series finale.  Still, the writing, story, and such are as good as usual from Mrs. Carlson.  As with the other books in the series, the themes are not for children…but, by now, that's to be expected. Score: 3.75/5
	Kathryn (Daughters of Courage, No. 1) by Donna Fletcher Crow: First in a series that spans numerous decades, Kathryn features a narrative that moves a bit too fast.  (SPOILER ALERT!) At the start, Kathryn is a seventeen-year-old girl adjusting to a new location; by the end, she has wed her sweetheart in Scotland and has come back Stateside to have his child.  All that happens in about 250 pages.  (END SPOILERS!) For such a convoluted plot, Mrs. Crow should have written a bit more.  Granted, I have read worse--much worse!--so that doesn't make Kathryn terrible, but it keeps it from being what it could have been. Score: 2.5/5
	Elizabeth (Daughters of Courage, No. 2) by Donna Fletcher Crow: Elizabeth, the daughter of Kathryn (see above review,) faces heartbreak, the Great Depression, and college life in this second part of a trilogy.  Instead of being "more of the same," Mrs. Crow improves by not making the story as rushed this time around.  I still wouldn't call it "excellent," but it's a great improvement over the series' start. Score: 3.5/5
	The Runaway Robot by Lester Del Rey: Though George Lucas' space opera is easily the best-known science fiction work, intergalactic tales were alive and well before Star Wars, and The Runaway Robot is an excellent example. Narrated from the android's perspective, it's a well-written, fun, and cute story of a 'bot who doesn't want to lose his best mate. The book may prove hard to find, given its age and "out of print" status, but I'm sure any young science fiction fan would adore it. Score: 4/5
	The Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer: What was supposed to be a sweeping fantasy ended up being an overly long, poorly written, and Christianity-mocking piece of garbage.  I seriously struggled to finish this one, and was no better when I actually did.  Fantasy fans would be better off sticking to Harry Potter or The Lord of the Rings then even attempting to read this mess. Score: 1.5/5
	The Mayan Apocalypse by Mark Hitchcock and Alton Gansky: A Christian novel about the Mayan predictions of the end of the world? My curiosity was piqued, and, though I somewhat enjoyed the novel, it wasn't anything spectacular. Those who have enjoyed Alton Gansky's other works will likely like this, though. Discerning readers may be bothered by the character of Candy, who is every bit the temptress her moniker would imply. Score: 3/5
	The Vanishings (Left Behind: The Kids, No. 1) by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye: I tried reading the adult Left Behind series, and was turned off by the writing style. Though The Vanishings isn't perfect in that department, it is a better deal than its well-known counterpart. Though not for the very young due to mentions of smoking, drinking, and such, preteens will likely enjoy this. Score: 4/5
	Second Chance (Left Behind: The Kids, No. 2) by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye: Not just "more of the same," this one shows the kids beginning to work together and has a little intensity, along with a cliffhanger ending.  Even if you felt The Vanishings was slightly lackluster, you should give this series a Second Chance by reading this book before leaving the series behind. Score: 4.25/5
	Through the Flames (Left Behind: The Kids, No. 3) by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye: This third outing ups the ante with more intensity and the death of a character introduced in the first book.  Though I didn't feel that it "kept me on the edge of my seat until the end," as the back cover said it would, it was still a good addition to the series.  I'm curious as to where it will go from here. Score: 4/5
	Facing the Future (Left Behind: The Kids, No. 4) by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye: This fourth outing starts in right where part three left off.  Though the story is good, some readers might be unsettled by the description of a fatal gunshot wound.  Of course, the whole world that Jenkins and LaHaye have created is quite freaky, so that's pretty much par for the course. Score: 4/5
	A Wizard Named Nell (The Keepers, No. 1) by Jackie French Koller: An old-school fantasy quest, A Wizard Named Nell is set in a fantastical land full of spellcasters and mythical creatures.  It's the typical "girl outdoes all the prior guys" tale that many of us have seen a thousand times before, but it still works moderately well.  Some parents may quibble with a guy pretending to be Nell, and dressing up as a girl, throughout much of the book. Score: 3.5/5
	Faking Grace by Tamara Leigh: "Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive." Shakespeare's timeless words are proven in the story of Maizy Grace Stewart, who lies about her religious beliefs to get a position at a Christian newspaper in order to uncover some gossip.  Maizy isn't a good liar, though, and it isn't long until every fib she has told catches up with her.  Like Splitting Harriet, another book by Tamara Leigh--whose real name appears to be Tammy Schmanski--this is a female-fronted romp through Christian culture that is sure to make many readers laugh and smile.  Some discerning readers may take issue with the gossip-worthy material that is discussed throughout, though. Score: 3.75/5
	Second-Best Friend (Holly's Heart, No. 6) by Beverly Lewis: Holly Meredith's sixth literary outing has her in competition with a visitor from a foreign country to be Andie's best friend.  Though the story and writing are as good as usual, Holly's attitude, as expressed through her first-person narration, is a bit troublesome.  Though she does learn her lesson by the book's end--come on, is that really a spoiler?--the opening felt like I was reading a Gossip Girl or Pretty Little Liars novel instead.  Also, the ending was a bit too pat; can such a solution really happen? For those reasons, I feel that, although not terrible, Second-Best Friend was Holly-Heart's worst so far. Score: 2.5/5
	Touch Blue by Cynthia Lord: When a Maine island's school is threatened to be shut down by the state's government, the residents of the isle adopt kids in an attempt to save their schoolhouse.  Narrated by 11-year-old Tess, the story is as innocent as a Disney Channel Original Movie, and even portrays hymns, a preacher, and Christian faith in a positive light.  However, some discussion of "wishing" superstition is odd, given the rest of the book.  It's nothing special, but Touch Blue was a mildly enjoyable read nonetheless. Score: 2.5/5
	Zoey 101: Pranks for Nothing! by Jane Mason and Sara Hines Stephens: Though I love most of Disney Channel and Nickelodeon's live-action productions, novels based on them are usually far from stellar, and this is no exception.  Of course Zoey 101 addicts will love this, but everyone else should just seek out "Webcam" and "Prank Week," the episodes on which this book is based, on iTunes or elsewhere. Score: 2/5
	Odyssey by Jack McDevitt: Jack McDevitt is one of my favorite authors, not only because of his great writing talent, but also because he paints a future where religion, including the Christian faith, still coexists with the rest of society.  Unfortunately, this is among the worst of his that I've read.  An entire subplot focuses on a student who was allegedly made mentally ill by going to a Christian school.  Add a main, oft-quoted character who is a bit of a jerk, a higher profanity count than usual, and even an implied extramarital affair, and this is one McDevitt I can't really recommend. Score: 2.25/5
	The Third Millennium by Paul Meier: This was a weird one.  I'm not sure I agree with how Mr. Meier presents the "end times," but the strangeness of it all was simply gripping.  Readers beware, though: There's plenty of violence and scary content to go around, as is typical with apocalyptic novels.  Score: 3.5/5
	Supernatural War by Bill Myers: A supposedly true account of Bill Myers engaging in spiritual war that reads more like an episode of Touched By an Angel.  Whether or not you believe Mr. Myers' claim that it really happened--and who's to say he is lying?--it's a convincing, if short, account of one man's encounter with "this present darkness". Score: 3/5
	DragonHeart by Charles Edward Pogue: Based on the 1996 blockbuster movie, DragonHeart is a novelization that reads like a regular novel.  Though there are some content concerns--occasional profanity, a little blood--the fantastical story is great and makes a good point about sacrifice. Score: 4/5
	A Distant Melody (Wings of Glory, No. 1) by Sarah Sundin: A woman in the 1940's is about to be forced into a marriage to a man she doesn't love...when she meets an Air Force pilot who she knows is her soulmate.  Her parents are very unhappy when she announces her true love, and threaten to forsake her if she doesn't marry the guy they want her to.  Will true love win out, or will she be unhappily married? A captivating story, great writing, and a bit of fun along with the romantic historical drama.  I loved it, and am very glad I have the sequel on hand. Score: 4.5/5
	Fireproof by Eric Wilson: Most people say that the book is always better than the movie, but I'm not sure in this case.  Though there are some great extra details, including how Caleb and Catherine ended up married in the first place, one plot thread not seen in the film messed things up.  (SPOILER WARNING!) Catherine's mom goes on a special version of Wheel of Fortune and wins a boat for Caleb, which didn't sit well with me.  Too many times, I see stories where a hero gives up something only to get immediately rewarded in return.  I don't like that, because that's not how real life works.  Caleb not getting the boat, yet still being happy, shows a true sacrifice.  (END SPOILERS!) If that doesn't bother you, then you should read this, unless you didn't like the film. Score: 3.75/5