Stephanie Perry Moore

You can read this review, as well as others, at http://acceleratethejesusmovement.wordpress.com

UPS: Morgan Love is very young to be going through everything she is; her parents divorced, her real dad in the army, new school, new baby, lots of new changes for a girl in the 2nd grade. So her bad attitude is certainly understandable, yet not quite acceptable. I loved how the author uses Morgan’s father to encourage learning vocabulary and throughout the chapter vocabulary words for girls of the 2nd grade are typed out in bold. There is also a Word Search at the end of every chapter that I found amusing as well *guilty expression* :-) Morgan praying for help on her attitude and deciding to change it all on her own, was also a plus, it showed maturity in the blossoming girl, as well as her devotion to God at a young age.

DOWNS: I did not see much discipline coming from home, Morgan’s teacher kept her straight, but her grandparents’ and parents let her walk through her “mad day” without correcting it. Observation from other classmates, such as a girl saying, “If I said that to my mom…”, showed that the author did this on purpose because that is the kind of family she chose. The only reason I mentioned it in the downs, is because I know that girls this age (especially) like to copy books and movies they see so I wanted to caution any mothers’ who have copycats ;-) Morgan also has a tendency to be a smart-elec.

OVERALL: This was a very sweet story and I enjoyed it despite the downs, therefore giving it a rating of 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend it to any little girl who needs a wholesome, refreshing read!

“I received this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review. All comments and opinions are my own."… (mer)

Gr 9-12, It’s not easy when your dad remarries, gets a new job, and moves you to a new state,; especially when your mom died of cancer. That is the reality for Skylar Cross, new transfer student to Grovehill High School. She’s a star cheerleader who is adjusting to her new life, although not as smoothly as her dad and step-mom would like. Skylar thinks she knows it all about life, but that comes into question. Her little step-sister is now in danger, throwing Skylar into re-examining what she once thought she knew. Flip the book over to get a different story and perspective. Meet all-star football player, Ford Frost. Ford has his own share of home-life issues. Ford and Skylar’s stories intertwine as they become closer, and fall in love. It would afford well as a hi/lo choice for those looking for romance and a standard high school story of cheerleader and football star.… (mer)

There were things I really liked about this book. It’s interactive with word searches after each chapter and lesson plans at the end. The story has promise – young Alec has just been elected 5th grade class president. He’s got a lot of good things coming his way. On the downside, his father is the school principal and his parents fight constantly. There are some good themes that go through this book. It does have a fair amount of Christian values such as allowing God to lead. With Alec as class president he has to learn what makes a good leader. However, I didn’t like the flow or the language of the book. It’s set in Georgia so maybe the problem is regional or even cultural. I think boys in that age group might feel differently but I don’t see this book becoming a classic. I do think it makes a great homeschooling book and as it comes in a series could be a good addition to curriculum.… (mer)