Youth Books

My son just turned 5 and starts kindergarten in a few months. He loves this book and asks to read it over and over. It's a little long for us to get throught the whole book some nights before bedtime, but it's broken out into 1-2 page chapters and he doesn't seem to mind stopping mid-way. The chapters are educational and fun. I bought a few other kindergarten books with good reviews on Amazon and this has been his favorite. Would be good for both girls and boys.

Emily, Roger and their classmates are having a fine kindergarten year: Miss Cribbage always has fun activities for them to do, and learning adventures they can take home to their families. The kindergarten experience comes alive for the entire family and readers receive a host of fun animal learners in the warm My Kindergarten by Rosemary Wells

This is an excellent book that takes a charming cast of characters and their creative, enthusiastic teacher through their first school year. Along the way they engage in a wide variety of stimulating activities, experience the change of seasons, and learn more about their local community--in this case, Cranberry Island, Maine. (Which does exist--we looked it up online.)

The students learn about some basic ideas like numbers and letters. But they also apply geography to mapping their school and neighborhood, study their environment by collecting seeds and dividing items into animal, vegetable or mineral categories. They even learn about civics by observing a local referendum on whether a chain restaurant should open on the island. As mentioned, they also take an active role in their community through volunteer work and projects.

The overriding message is that the potential for learning and teaching young children is present in many different circumstances given their innate curiosity. It is also pointed out in several situations that not all children will enjoy or master every activity, and in each case this challenge is accomodated with kindness.

The writing style is lovely, full of good cheer and wry observations about different personalities and people. The pictures are charming. My daughter enjoyed this book at six and my son loves it just as much at four. For me it is a reminder of how amazing the world can be through the eyes of a child absorbing and experiencing it for the first time. It also encourages parents to be patient with their children through the examples it portrays.

I love almost everything Rosemary Wells has ever written, and this book is no exception! It follows Emily (a bunny) and her classmates through kindergarten, both in school and outside. While they learn, your child can learn, but not in a forced, worksheet type way---rather, just by observing what the talented Ms. Cribbage teaches her students. I love it that the kids are not all eager learners, and in fact one boy mainly likes cars and little else---that's reality! The page with the food ABCs alone is both the price of admission!

If your child have enjoyed Emily's First 100 Days of School, they will be happy to find the same characters here, but might be a bit confused, as I was, that although both books seem to cover a kindergarten year in the same bunny's life, they are not really the same story----in The First 100 Days, Diane Duck moves mid-year, and here she doesn't. This one is set on an island in Maine, which delighted me, as the map shows it to be just off the peninsula I grew up on! However, First 100 is set a totally different place, someplace that seemed to me on reading it like an affluent suburb near a city. Other subtle difference occur, but I can't say this really took away from my enjoyment of the book at all---it was just a curiousity, someone for the adults reading both to think about! An island in Maine really makes more sense, as it explains the extra small class size---that is just all the kids that age the island has to offer.

All in all, a WONDERFUL book!

This is a long book, to be enjoyed over serval days. It captures the exuberance, curiosity, and sensitive feelings of young children. This delightful book follows a kindergarten class of animals from the first day of school to the end of the year, as they collect weeds and seeds, play instruments, learn about maps, and do lots of other fun activities. It compassionately conveys the feelings of a little bunny who temporarily becomes overwhelmed and forgets every single number because there are too many, and another who would rather draw a picture of "blue greass" than dance to it. I adore the teacher, Miss Cribbage, a fluffy guinea pig, who tells her students, "If anybody's feet are wet, or they didn't sleep well, or they are in a bad mood, music will make it all better." These are words to live by!

Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD
author of 'What About Me? Twelve Ways to Get Your Parents' Attention Without Hitting Your Sister'

Gustavo Perez-Firmat's memoir is a heartfelt read.
For anyone who has straddled the hyphenated word Cuban-American and thought themselves as a CBA (Cuban-born Americans) or ABC(American-bred Cubans), this book is a secret treaure.
Perez-Firmat takes the reader on a cultural literary journey as he tries to come to terms with exactly what and where home is. Is it the place you were born (Cuba), the place you were exiled to, (Miami) or the city that you find yourself most at peace with (Chapel Hill, North Carolina) Perez-Firmat offers a tender philosophical introspective read on all the above.
The book took me to the corner merchants and restaurants of la saguesera to the academia of Chapel Hill, where Perez-Firmat later settled in as he pursued a master's in literature. Or as he puts it, "Living with an American spouse, dealing with American stepchildren, and speaking English at home, I am much more aware of my nationality that I ever was before." (p.171)
His memories of his family dynamics (two grandmothers sharing a two-bedroom with him, his brother and their parents) will be relatable to anyone with a large Hispanic family or to fans of PBS 70s show "Que Pasa USA?"
But his take on his "romance with teaching" really resonated with me.
I enjoyed reading the often humorous tales of this professor in the classrom as he teaches college students about Spanish literature. In one scene, Perez-Firmat goes on to describe his philosophy for teaching, which can serve as a lesson to many aspiring teachers.
"I'm a successful teacher to the extent that I can get my students to fall for me...In a deep sense, I am the material...Like other love affairs, teaching has its own pace and moods, its good and bad days, its coded language, its rewarding or bitter conclusion. Sometimes you walk into a class and it's love at first sight."

This book made me come to terms with what being a Cuban born American means to me. Perez Firmat shares his own personal and sometimes painful experiences with the readers. In doing so he made it easier to define and understand my own experience as a Cuban-American who loves the United States yet has a yearning to gain a deeper understanding of his own Cuban roots.

That we Cubans and Cuban-Americans can find humor in any situation--even the most tragic and overwhelming--is a testament to our strength. This book is a poignant, funny, and sometimes sad tale of one man's struggle to find his identity. It is a very personal self-examination, but one that most of us (all us "hyphenated" people) can relate to. Are you Cuban? Are you American? Are you "of Cuban descent"? Are you Cuban-American? Are you one person at home and another at work? These are difficult questions, and he walks us through the even more difficult process of trying to find an answer. Does he have an answer? Yes and no. The author also explores the Cuban community's rise from its initial status as an underprivileged, immigrant, "exile" community, to its present role as an assimilated, politically active, financially powerful ethinic force. All of this adds more depth to his own personal identity issues. The book is fascinating, thoughful, and full of relatives we can all look at and say "I have an aunt/uncle/mother/father/etc. just like that!"

In the wake of the Elian Gonzalez saga, I just hope everyone reads this and remembers how and why we got here. Thank you, Professor Firmat.

That is the question that has echoed throughout the Cuban exile community for over 40 years. As the older generation fades, the new generation continues to ask, to wonder, if the next year will finally be the year when Cuba will be free and Castro will be, and there's no other way to say it, dead.

Perez Firmat and I stand a generation apart, yet reading this book, there really was no difference. The Cuban-American experience has much to do with yearning, an emotion that this book succeeded in evoking. We yearn for the Cuba we hear our relatives talk about. We yearn for the freedom of this never-seen homeland, to see the end of the tyranny. And we also yearn for this America, for the apple pie and Coca-Cola life we see and hear all around us, yet can never fully belong to.

Being Cuban-American is not only complex, it is two extremes thrown together. Finding our identity as we straddle two nations is a challenge even now, 40 years later, and even to people like me, first-generation Cuban-Americans. You are forced to ask over and over again, What am I? I am not Cuban, I was born here in the U.S. But I am not American, my "Cuban-ness" is such a strong, obvious part of me it cannot be denied.

Next Year in Cuba does a great job of giving an eloquent, humorous voice to this complexity. It's a great read on the Cuban-American culture, sure to give a better insight and appreciation to those wanting to know more.

As a young person who was born in the United States but whose parents were born in Cuba, identity has never been black and white for me--although it has always been blue, red, and white. This book crystallized so many emotions that I had felt my entire life but had never really examined. If you are 22 and have never been to Cuba, but still call yourself Cuban or if you are 60 and think if your childhood on that island paradise everyday--this book will make you laugh, it might make you cry, and it will certainly make you think. For over forty years now Cubans have been hoping for that "next year" to come to fruition, but we are still waiting. This book will make you long for "next year" like never before. Read it--you will never forget you did.

The best kind of manual doesn't just provide cookie-cutter activities but allows the readers opportunities to take and make them own. Raising Voices not only is packed with practical yet useful advice, it provides a springboard for one's own creative ideas to bring to the young tellers.

Raising Voices is a tried and true resource. Cordi and Sima have years of experience that they share in the book. In partnership with my local library, I was able to use this book to start a youth storytelling club. There are ideas for organizing and working with youth. But most importantly there are loads of fun exercises. The suggested activities spark creativity and the spirit of "can do." I would highly recommend this book to everyone. I felt like I had the two authors right by my side. Thank you and I hope you come up with another one!

Without exaggeration, Raising Voices - Creating Youth Storytelling Groups and Troupes is the most valuable guide for success in learning and practicing storytelling skills available. The extensive experience of the authors is presented in a volume that is well organized, articulate, intelligent, and complete. It is filled with information, observations from the authors, teachers and students. The book contains reproducible games, activities, and certificates that are inspired and fun! The gift of story with all of its power and magic is offered with sensitivity and appreciation for both teacher and student alike. I have utilized time and again the guidance in Raising Voices from my first workshop as a Teaching Artist specializing in storytelling to enhance literacy skills. However you apply storytelling - whether in a classroom activity or workshop in a club or troupe, this book has what you need to get started and keep going.

Raising Voices is a major reference developed for anyone who wants to encourage and nurture both storytelling and strong, positive, self-confident communication skills among young people. Judy Sima and Kevin Cordi offer the gifts of their experience and knowledge, as well as activities from fellow story-crafters who have successfully worked with new and youthful practitioners of the oral tradition. This is a concise and well-written volume; from its introduction to its index, this book provides creative narrative ideas and activities, useful reproducible materials, and excellent resources for the storytelling classroom or any organization that wants to develop a "youthful voices" storytelling club.

Maybe I'm just a wee bit biased, since I get mentioned in the acknowledgements, but even if that weren't the case, Judy and Kevin have done an incredible job of putting together THE resource guide for anyone interested in helping cultivate the next generation of storytellers. Whether you work with kidtellers in a school, church, community setting or another venue, this book is worth every penny it will cost you.

I've coached kidtellers at both the middle school and elementary school levels for about eight years, but Judy has been at this three times as long at her middle school. Her years of experience, along with Kevin's insights as the advisor to a high school telling troupe, are invaluable for any of us just starting in this venture. From the logistics of how to promote involvement, stories to tell, managing your resources, arranging opportunities for telling experiences and many things you never even considered, it's all in the pages of this book.

There are a very few other books out there that address the concerns of those working with youthtellers. The books by Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss, along with Len Cabral's storytelling book for kids, have long been among my favorites, and will continue to be. However, none of them covers the many aspects of actually organizing your troupe, helping it to grow and celebrating it's success quite like "Raising Voices." Of particular interest is Judy's approach to recruiting adults in the community and training them to become story coaches to the tellers. Not only does this allow the kids more frequent opportunities to rehearse and refine individually, it develops relationships across generations, something that is in danger of dying in our culture today.

If I had to limit myself to only one book to help me in my journey as a coach of young storytellers, this would be it.
Judy and Kevin have truly filled a niche with this volume!

I love this book so much that i just coulnt stop reading it.I even stayed late to just finish it. When i first got it i thought it was going to be all about sex and all but it wasnt and so it got my attention wen i saw it. I love the whole plot and setting and especially Livvie and David. Jenny Davis wrote an awesome book and i think that this book deserve an award in my opinion. Plus Livvie in the beginning is just like me. She in a way reminds me of myself. So i could relate in a way to her. When i read about David dying i just couldnt keep away the tears cuz it was just sad. This is the best book and i think everyone should at least take a chance and read it. They wont be disappointed cuz i aint at all.

I truely loved this book. The title was perfect for grabbing the attention of the reader and the story made me go through several emotions. I cried at the end of the story and I re-read the story until my book fell apart! I tell everyone about it and to read it. Kudos to Jenny Davis and her brilliant characters.

Sex Education was one of the best books i have ever read. Congradulations to Jenny Davis for writing a terrific novel that can touch the heart of anyone.
The main characters are David Kindler, Livvie Sinclair, and Maggie Parker. Livvie is new to her school and she knows no one. David intruduces himself in their Biology class. Their teacher Mrs. Fulton devoted the first semester of the class to sex-ed. The class was assigned projects. Their projects are to care for someone who they don't know. Really care for someone. David and Livvie decide to work together because they feel that their new neighbor Mrs. Maggie Parker could use a little caring for. After all she is pregnant. Livvie and David rush to her house right after school and they will stop at nothing to try and keep Maggie and her baby healthy. The only problem is Maggie's husband, Mr. Parker. He doesn't want anyone medaling around in his or his wife's buisness. Livvie and David go against his will and still go to Maggie's house but leave before the mysterious Mr. Parker arrives home from work. He never was a happy camper. He never greeted them. Not once. Finally, Mrs. Parker had a lovely baby. Thanks to David and Livvie. They completed their assignment.
But while this was all going on, David and Livvie began to fall in love. They shared the best of moments together. They were both very sensitave, loveing, and caring people. Livvie came off as shy at first but grew to be a little outgoing.
I found that this book had a surprise waiting around every corner. But it was the ending that really got me thinking.
In conclusion i would just like to say I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!

I just happened to be browsing through my high school library, and picked out this book because of the tital. It turns out that this book doesn't really have all that much do with sex, but it was a splendid read. I loved this book, I read the whole thing in one sitting because its just one of those books you can't put down. Although I was pretty depressed after finishing it, its still worth it. You can learn a lot of valuable lessons from reading Sex Education, I highly recommend it.

Livvie is the new girl in town when she meets David in her biology class. The topic of the semester is sex education: a concerned teacher's campaign to prevent teen pregnancy, and to help young people make more informed and hopefully safer choices. Through a variety of assignments, she teaches her students not only the facts and statistics about disease and pregnancy prevention, but also how to care for someone in a non-sexual way, and how to express themselves. The teacher's realistic message is "wait as long as you can." The main project of the semester is "to care about another person." David and Livvie choose to work together, befriending Livvie's new neighbor, a frail and timid pregnant woman who seems to desperately need someone to care about her The best part about this book is Davis' sensitive writing. We experience everything through Livvie's naive eyes, especially the growing affection between her and David and the joys of first love. By contrast, the problems in the marriage of the new neighbors reveal themselves bit by bit. The horrifying climax reveals the reason Livvie pens her story from an insane asylum. Readers will feel her shock, grief and anger. The deep empathy with Livvie shows strong characterization, and the plot is much more complex than one would guess from the title. This is a book that made me smile with fond memories of my own first love, and weep for the characters. Sex Education is a must have for any young adult library.

This is one of the best books I have ever read on the Christian walk. I would highly recommend this book to any new Christians. It is deep without being overwhelming. After reading this book, I immediately began ordering more Ellen White books. I haven't been disappointed with any of them.

Without a doubt, once one has read this gem of a book, it will be confessed that Steps to Christ is one of the Greatest Christian Classics of all time! One of the greatest things that the author, Ellen G. White, has done, is take the complexity out of a relationship with Christ that has been portrayed by too many who do not clearly understand. She shows a clear and steady path that can be followed by any and all who sincerely want to come close to Jesus. Because the author had such a great understanding of what it means to surrender, trust, and to follow Jesus, she is able to give in simple, easy to understand language, step by step guidance to bring the child of God into a life of humility, repentance, forgiveness, prayer, and service! As I was recommended to by my University Professors, to read this book at least once a year for the rest of my life, I have found over and over again deeper and deeper insight to my relationship with Christ, bringing me closer to His desire for me! My hope is that you will pick it up and read it too, that you may know the Sweet Jesus that I have learned of!

This is one of the best Biblically-based books that I have read on the lift of Jesus! I absolutely love it and would highly recommend it to anyone who would like to learn more about Jesus Christ. It's a must buy, in my opinion.

Of Ellen G. White's many astounding books, this is probably her best seller. Literally in the tens-of-millions. A beautiful guide to understanding and personally accepting Jesus Christ and His Grace. The perfect gift for anyone even considering following the Son of God. And despite false accusations from many, after reading her inspired works you'll better understand why she is America's all-time best selling female author, and most widely translated of any gender. A beautiful light to the real Biblical Jesus.

"Steps to Christ" is a wonderful book! If you could just read one book, this would definitely be the best one to read indeed! It brings God's love closer to you than you could ever imagine. It opens your eyes to just how much God really loves you, a love that none of us deserve. This is a must-read classic! I would highly encourage anyone to get this book and read it and pass it on! You'll never be the same. It opens to the heart the great impact of the Gospel and shows the way, the only Way, to salvation-Jesus Christ.

This guy really did a nice job for teens who want to relate to the Bible, their characters, and making it real for them in a crazy world. Topnotch stuff for parents who care about their kids getting more exposure to the Bible.

Although Teen People of the Bible is geared toward the Christian teen, I feel that will be of interest to any generation It is broken down into 100 short devotionals that are very enlightening. These devotionals help us to remember that the "saints" were people just like us, with their strengths and weaknesses. They show the reader that God loves them with all their faults and that He has a plan for their lives. It will encourage them to become all God intends them to be.

I am just finishing Dan Darling's book "Teen People of the Bible." I couldn't recommend it more. It is separated into 100 stories which can be used as daily devotional/studies/workshops. All churches should make this book available to their youth. To me every devotional seems truly inspired making it applicable to any age group. I think it should be a must read for any student from grade school through college and their parents.

To quote a great pastor and a great writer "my 2 cents!"

Bill Hoidas

Teen People of the Bible: Celebrity Profiles of Real Faith and Tragic Failure is an eye-opening biblical study guide especially for young adults, focusing on the stories of teens confronted with incredible situations. From Leah and Rachel's conflict over the love of a man, to Solomon who allowed himself to be led astray, to Josiah who refuted his family's harmful choices and led his country back to God, Teen People of the Bible reminds the reader that one's age does not prevent one from making a positive difference - or causing great harm. Divided into one hundred entries, each with a brief reference to a biblical passage retold in contemporary language, a "just like you" passage discussing modern-day issues from internet predators , a daily prayer, and a journal question with blank lines for the reader to write down his or her response. One of the suggested prayers is "God, help me to make a difference in my family, my school, my church, and my community. I'm only one person, but I know You can empower me to do things that seem impossible." An excellent, faith-reaffirming resource for young Christians.

Teens need meat, not fluff. That's Dan Darling's premise in his devotions in Teen People of the Bible. His devotionals have real substance giving teens hope that God can use them right now and they don't have to wait to serve with their whole hearts. This devo would be great for youth groups or for any teen in your life. You will enjoy learning about the teens in the Bible when you read this book. Bravo!

I have found that books, such as the enormously popular Chicken Soup series, can be important sources of inspiration and motivation. Unfortunately, there is a tremendous void of stories from and for GLBT Young Adults or really for anyone who is just coming to understand and accept their sexuality. Two Teenagers in 20 includes writings that will bring you to emotional highs and lows, but that will leave you inspired and feeling empowered to approach life confidently. Most importantly, these stories remind us that others are going through the same emotions, experiences, difficulties and joys as we ourselves are. I cannot recommend this collection of short stories enough.

My 16 yr old son came out to me last weekend. I've asked multiple healthcare professionals for a book recommendation for my son and myself. This book has come very highly recommended by several industry professionals as well as the local les/gay/bi/trans alliance. I'm ordering it now and look forward to sharing this with my son. I'm still in shock about this revelation and am incredibly grateful that he feels safe enough to be honest with his Dad and I. He's a great young man and his sexual orientation changes nothing in terms of my love for him. Looking forward to reading this book.

This book is a MUST for any teen who is questioning, just coming out to themselves, or don't have many other GLBT friends to relate to. I read this when I came out to myself almost 2 years ago, and it was an enormous breath of fresh air. FINALLY- some thing I could relate to. I've shared this book w/ my other gay and bisexual friends, and they love it too. It's a perfect "coming out" gift. :) It's worth every penny and share it with your friends!

This is a must read if you are questioning, or you know that you are lesbigaytrans. The positive outcome stories are reassuring, and there is a list of more resources at the end of the book. The list includes similar books, and I think there also is a list a groups that would be usefull. If this book sounds like it could help you, BUY IT!! You'll be GLAAD you did. (Pardon the pun)

A friend of mine was going through a tough time in college because he was starting to "come out" for the first time. He was terrified that nobody would accept him anymore. I ordered this book for him and he really enjoyed reading it (I read it as well). It helps to read about people who are going through the same thing you are. The stories are all real; some are happy & some are not, but that's true life. This book had a positive effect on my friend & I'm sure it will have a positive effect on you as well!

This book is an excellent resource in educating and/or reminding Christians of the appropriate order in building relationships with the opposite sex in order to avoid the accumulation of baggage, heartache, and emotional scarring that come from dating as "the world" outlines for us. I feel this book is an empowering tool for women as well as we so often feel that we must lower our standards and convictions in order to find, build, or keep a relationship. God is always in control and has our best interests at heart.

I highly recommend this book. Unfortunately for me, I sat on this book for 3 years. Munroe bases his book off of the word of God. He includes the biblical references which allows the reader to research on his or hear own for add'l understanding. If you are fortunate enough to read this book, you will find his illustrations of how the dating/relatiionship process should REALLY go. End result could lead to lead to a strong marriage with two people focused on Gods word.

The book is a very good book and I would recommend it to all teens who are thinking to get into dating game.

I bought this book many months ago and read it in two weeks. It was good and useful but I wasn't smart enough to really use and follow the main points mentioned in this book, such as, "putting God first," walking the "friendship ladder," and "what to look for in a partner." Starting last week, I was hoping to reread some of the books I bought regarding friendship and Christian dating...and my eyes kept starring at this book, so I picked it up and read it (again), but now, everything fall into place and makes total, complete sense. Folks, to save your time, money and energy, I highly recommend you get this book and the two books below. If money is the issue, save up as much as you can just to get this book alone. Read it and reread it along with your regular daily devotion with God, because the truth is, every marriage should be based on a strong relationship and every strong relationship should derived from strong friendship.

To build each step by step well, it takes time and patience, but is possible, especially with the help of God and Holy Spirit. The best part about this book is that all the necessary information is packed in only 140 pages: 96(dating) 44 (engagement)!! Many of you can read that in one day, especially when you're used to reading college textbooks. Also this book is a guideline to marriage. Although Dr. Munroe doesn't teach life after marriage, this book leads the readers to a successful marriage. It is made in the order from, preparing to date, finding the right person as well as know what to look for, then onto building friendships and lastly, engagement. Let me warn everyone not to speed up a friendship or relationship because knowing your "significant other" takes great amount of time. Just like you can't lose wight overnight or know God overnight, nor should you try to know your partner overnight.

In my scenario, the biggest mistake I've made was going too far with a girl before knowing who she was on the inside. The friendship wasn't developed maturely or long enough and now I've caused a wound in her heart and wasted my own time & money, whereas I could have found the right person elsewhere. Anyways, I hope none of you go through my phase. I wish all of you the best of luck!

Other books that really helps with dating/relationships are:
The 10 Commandments of Dating by Ben Young & Samuel Adams
How to Influence People and Win Friends by Dale Carnegie
For Men Only (self-explanatory) by Jeff Feldhahn
God's Gift to Women (my favorite for men) by Eric Ludy

It's a great book. That outlines the right way to date in todays world. It tells the four stages of friendship and how we skip over the most important parts to get to the physical. It has help me and my new friend to get to know each other the right way and more important God's way.

I teach a Christian Studies class and purchased this book as a possible recommended reading for my students. It's a book that is worth every penny. It's both captivating and inspiring. My students will be better equipped to fight the battle for their minds!

This is a wonderful book. I discovered Joyce Meyer recently. I found this book to be helpful and encouraging. Changing your thoughts is very important for anyone who is self critical, discouraged, depressed, etc...It's a choice and encouraging to know there is a choice instead of just listening to negative internal dialogue. God is the best choice. Love, Truth and Light...
JER 29:11

I have had many problems with anxiety through out my life. I can honestly say that no amount of therapy helped more than this book! I would recommend this book to everyone! I loved this book and it brought me closer to who I want to be! ....Read it!

This book helped me to get to a better place in my life, and I would reccommend it to any teenager trying to get close to God but feels conflicted about how they should conduct thier life. The language and ideas are geared for teens and there's no way that you can be a new Christian and not read this book. It's a must read! Be blessed.

I received a teaching once that basicly said that when you get right down to it the Devil really only has two methods for tempting us: 1. Pressure 2. Pleasure. The Devil has three maxims which allows him to pull this off : 1. You (your own thoughts, bad habits, exc.) 2. The environment (Government, religious oppression, the systems of the world, exc.), and 3. Other people. Joyce Meyer's "Battlefield Of The Mind" is mostly geared at the one maxim each of us have the most control over (You, yourself, your thoughts, and YOU).

Joyce masterfully explains how that old Advesary The Devil works by waiting for the right moment (he`s not only a parasite but he`s also a predator). He waits to see where your weak, when your most vulnerable moment is, and he waits for that moment to attack. The Bible says "Resist the Devil and he will flee from you." Perfect example is Luke chapter 6, The devil waits for Jesus to be 40 days and nights in the wilderness before he attacks. He didn't come the first day to attack him when our Lord was at his strongest. Oh no, our advesary doesn't play fair; he bides his time and waits for your weakest moment and attacks. Jesus resisted him and the devil fled from him (for awhile). Best thing is we have victory through our risen Lord this very day if we claim it. Joyce does a great job of illustrating this in this book(though I don't know if she used the Luke example I used above or not).

I really got a lot of insight from this book. For example, one of the concepts in the book (in my own words) was "what comes out of your mouth had to originate in your brain." Sounds simple enough , but Joyce had a masterful way of describing every thought we commonly have today and referring it to biblical passages. About half way through the book I began to realize that the grumbling, griping, complaining, and various other human emotions and thoughts I have are not uncommon to our time. The children of Israel went through these same emotions and they are all recorded in Gods Word. I used to ponder how stupid these people must have been, but now I can see myself in them. It really was a humbling experience! Many of us make the same mistake over and over again and ask God, "Why don't you do something?" Truth is God has always been willing to help us. We are the ones who get in God's way by not bringing our thoughts into the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Read this book and find out how you can change and train your mind to shut the door on The Devil and how to allow God to do what he's always been willing to do. BLESS YOU!!!

Hebrews 13:5b "for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

P.S. This book comes in many formats. There's the traditional version, teen version, devotional version, exc. It doesn't matter which one you use. Just read one of them. You will be blessed.

This was given as a gift. I ended up reading most of the book before wrapping it & enjoyed it myself. Recipient said he liked it as well.

This is a fun book, more of a browse and skim than a read. That's a good thing. Lots of facts and figures (factoids?) about turning and being age 30. Perfect gift material. Plus, it's a little square of a book, so it sits unobtrusively wherever you want, and the design is great, too.

Sent to my nephew on his 30th birthday. He enjoyed it.

What a fun book! My first 30th birthday party was a hit with this creative book. We couldn't stop passing it around the party. It is an absolute treasure of a book. A perfect gift...so enjoyable and very reasonable...and it makes 30 seem so young. Go out and buy your copy now.

Fantastic book. Makes the perfect birthday gift for anyone turning 30.