Youth Books

This novel steps back to the begining of last century and presents a message to readers that spans over the ages."Fortress of the Heart: the Story of Anna" is a non-fiction novel that embraces the incredible journey of Anna Buchanan Coleman with such insight and clarity that the reader is sure to recognize her in a strong woman they know personally.
Coleman-Wells reached with both hands into the colorful tapestry that her mother, Anna, called life. As a result Ms. Wells constructed a masterpiece. This book could have gone several directions as far as theme. Anna Buchanan's life was chocked full of gender discrimination, racism, colorism,abuse, economic disadvantages, struggle for higher education being a minority....the list goes on.
Instead of focusing on negative circumstances that Anna endured, Shirley Coleman Wells plucked the gold thread of her mothers life to immortalize in this book as Anna's legacy...simply love. Out of bitter tears, lonliness, hurt,and abandonment sprang love that was well appreciated by Anna, like a cooling rain after a drought.
This novel, although heart wrenching and tear jerking at several points, celebrates life. The proverbial "calm after the storm" is personified in the life of Anna as a result of her strength, faith,resolution and service to others. "Fortress of the Heart" could have spanned several categories including drama, suspense, horror, romance and educatonal. But undoubtedly, after the last page is read, the reader will surely agree there is only one category that does this book justice........as a classic.

An inspirational story of how the hate of prejudice was overcome by the love of friendship. A most enlightening, thought provoking book, that touches the heart and soul. This is a must read for adults and children alike.

What a story! What heartache she went through and what trials and tribulations to have to endure as a child. Every chapter keeps you crying with her or laughing with her or yelling horray for you Anna. Everyone should read this book to find out what life can really be like with stupid prejudices and then find out how life can be without them. Should be required reading in the schools.

When I started this book, I did not know quite what to expect. Then when I couldn't put it down for four hours, I wanted more and more. It is so amazing that during the time frame of years this book was written that there was "reverse" discrimination against this woman's mother. Look at what that woman had to endure - seeing her mother run so her father wouldn't shoot her because she was white. Ms. Wells did an incredible job of taking us from the turmoil and heartache through the life of this wonderful woman, Anna. Every page is so beautifully written and so incredibly believable. Please, Please, tell us there is another of her books out there somewhere. She is a master and deserves the highest applause for this incredible piece of literature. This should be in all the libraries and in our schools. I will read this book over and over again, and I'm sure I will cry over and over again and laugh and applaud over and over again as I did the first time I read it. Thank you, Ms. Wells, for this beautiful story. This proves that true life is better than fiction. God Bless You.

Methuselah? Faggetaboutit ...if you want the secret to longevity, read this book. Kotulak proves once again why he is worthy of the Pulitzer. The style and pace of this book not only make it one of the best scientific reads of the past decade, the language also simplifies the science without stripping away its essence. I highly recommend "The Garden of Eden Molecule".

In this so-called "Age of the Human Genome," we are constantly bombarded by news that genetics, not environment, is the final arbiter in determining how sick we all will end up sooner or later. Fortunately, there are a few good science writers who are helping to set the record straight in this continuing nature-nurture debate. Ronald Kotulak is one such writer, whose book "The Garden of Eden Molecule" provides a timely wake-up call to aging baby-boomers who might otherwise succumb to genetic fatalism. His clear descriptions of what goes on inside our bodies as we grow older -- and, more importantly, his compelling arguments of what lifestyle changes we need to make in order to stay healthy as we age -- make this book a must read for anyone who cares about making the most of life.

From great writers come great insights and captivating books. Ron Kotulak has done it again with "The Garden of Eden Molecule."

At a time when new genetics books are popping up almost daily heralding the power of our genes in controlling all aspects of our lives, this Pulitzer Prize winner brings new clarity and rationality to the national dialogue how we age.

Despite the gene-of-the-day public relation blitzes reported as news in the media promising to do this or that (but never being held accountable), here is an on-target book that looks beyond the tempting (and marketable) genetic basis of aging.

There are more things about people than the sum total of their genes. Kotulak writes: ..."the more we know about how and why we age, the more we can control our fate. We have far more to say about how long we live than do our genes."

A beautifully constructed and excellently written book that I will read again. And certainly one of the best books you'll find anywhere on how people age.

Hats of to the author, and may more books follow.

At last, the inside scoop on what it takes to live longer, healthier lives. This book is short and to-the-point, and Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Ronald Kotulak has the knack of making the most complicated concepts as easy to follow as a recipe for apple pie. What's unique about The Garden of Eden Molecule is it's not just another opinion from a self-proclaimed "expert" with an idea that might (or might not) prolong our lives. Kotulak goes to the real experts - the doctors and scientists who are too busy to write best sellers; they're hard at work learning what makes us tick -- and why some people go on ticking for 80, 90, or 100 years and longer. This is the report from the front lines of science: What we know, what we don't know, what works and why. There are no "quick fixes" here, but if you have common sense, Kotulak's user-friendly writing makes clear what we need to do to live better and live longer. Sure, we all know "free radicals" are bad, and we should get plenty of antioxidants. But how many of us take this advice seriously? Who knows why these things are so important? What do the experts say about how we can prevent or cure cancer, heart disease, diabetes or Alzheimer's? This book gives you the knowledge of the world's top researchers, plus practical advice based on what's scientifically proven to prolong life. Dianne Helkenn, Senior Science Writer, Public Communications Inc.

I got a huge relieve when I found out I wasn't alone, it made me so happy. I'm glad I have this book to be my guide, and I can read it over and over when I want comfort...

I got this book and opened it right away. I skipped to the chapter on downlow and coming out. It made me feel a lot better. I didn't come out yet, but I will, because it tells me how to do it safely, and with a backup plan. This book helped me a lot.

This was an outstanding book.......i even let a couple of my friends read it......I wish i had this book b4 i started in "tha Life".......i say that because it tells you damn near EVERYTHING you need and want to know about "Tha Life".......It left out little things, but i would recommend this book to anyone coming out, out, about to come out, or in the closet......My Hats off to the author...... A job WELL DONE!!

its a great and real book. i kove how it comes from a young person

Girls in America is a revealing, eyes-wide-open look at the secret world of young girls today. The girls interviewed in this book are direct and open about what's behind their thoughts and actions. They reflect on the messages they get from their parents, peers, and the American culture, then with great inner strength and wisdom, tell us how they cope and prevail. Every girl... each teenage mother, young athlete and beauty contestant ... has something worthwhile to share with us and teach us. This book is powerful, insightful and inspiring!

What a great book! I am a mother of two young girls and find it exteremely helpful to understand what teenagers are thinking about. Carol Cassidy's book is a must for anyone who is concerned about what goes on beyond your home and what your daughters needs are. We, mothers, love to give advice--but this is an advice for us from our girls.

The stories and words of beauty queens, swimmers, cheerleaders and teen moms alike are gathered in an involving collection which will appeal to middle school ages on up. Cassidy traveled across the country gathering the words and stories of American girls ages 14-19: their stories present a diverse cross-section of teen experience.

This is a very important book. A must read for anyone who cares about what is happening with young American women today.

What an absolutely delightful book this is. First, the cover design is sure to catch the eye; it is bright and inviting, wooing you to taste the morsals of spiritual wisdom inside. What is this work about? How to live a better life by living the Word of God. This is done in a non-preaching way, light-hearted yet packed with the truth of the Word of God. We have topics such as words, worth, and relationships and we have questions, answers and tips to help along the way. The format is a personal, easy to follow read and draws you from one page to another.
All in all this book is a big winner. It's real, it's fun and will be a jewel in any readers hands, young or old. Highly recommended!

I got this book in order to mentor one of the students at my church. The book was so good that I am now doing a group study with 12 girls in our youth group. The book meets teenage girls where they are, and helps them to develop a Godly character in themselves. It teaches them about things that they deal with on a daily basis, like gossip, relationships and who they are in Christ. Point of Grace did a terrific job at writing this book and I recommend it to anyone with teenage girls. I also recommend it to parents to help them understand what their teenager is or will be dealing with at school and in their social circle.
Love the book!!!!!

Make it Real is a devotional and Bible study workbook for Christian teenagers. This guide looks at a variety of real issues that young adults face on a daily basis such as gossip, body image, and self improvement. Christian pop artists Point of Grace share their wisdom on a wide variety of topics and give advice on how to stop the habit of gossip, being genuine, choosing role models, and creating a healthier self image. Each section is complete with study guide exercises including Bible scripture readings and questions relating these reading to the subject at hand.

Make it Real shows young girls that Christian values and Biblical scripture are directly relevant to their lives. It also illustrates the importance of healthy body images. The members of Point of Grace are great Christian role models that try to live what they preach and really feel that f teaching teenagers to be true to themselves and their Christian faith is important.

Point of Grace is a popular Christian singing group with a particular attraction to teenage girls. As part of their ministry they regularly have conferences for teenage girls called Girls of Grace. This book is basically a devotional and Bible study workbook for teenage girls. In it the members of Point of Grace discuss many of the most common problems of teenage girls. These include gossip, being true to yourself, dealing with the games they play, and self-esteem issues. Make It Real delivers Christian based answers and guidance for those dealing with these most common of teenage issues. Each section ends with discussion topic questions that make the book a good guide to get young girls thinking about how to apply the information in their everyday life. Make It Real is a highly recommended book both for any teenage girl and for parents seeking to understand, or remember, the problems of being a teenager and how that has changed today.

I just finished reading this book, and really loved the fact that you can get advice from a mom and a daughter. The book is funny, has lots of stuff to do, and has loads of interesting and very useful information. The authors really understand kids my age.

I have been reviewing books for girls who are in their preteen years. The interactive book I like best is "Girls: What's so Bad about being Good?" (Authors: Harriet Mosatche and 12 year-old daughter Liz Lawner). The format is teen friendly and inviting. A wide range of topics will captivate young readers. The book is written in a format that will guide and encourage young women to make positive choices. Highly recommended.

This book has everything I was looking for. The best part was that the information was down to earth, stuff I can actually use in my life. When I had my copy at camp, all the other girls kept grabbing it so they could read it too!

What a great book this is - I bought it for my daughter who is at an age where she has lots of questions - some easy to ask, some not. This book has provided a save place for those questions along with work sheets to get her "journaling". I have and will recommend this book to my friends with daughters this age (11+).

Linda Masters has created a clear-minded, exuberant body of work obstensably for children; this is a work that might equally be called "Spritual Parables for Adults" as well as "Gold Fish and Silver Kisses." More than art, her work is a gift to all who read it. It encapsulates, without airless theological retoric, the lessons, trials, and ultimate rewards of the strivings for a truly meaningful and moral life. Learing to have life more abundantly is the real Christian message, a message Ms. Masters sends to all children and adults willing to see their world anew.

Gold Fish and Silver Kisses, How to Talk to Children about God, is a beautifully written, doctrinally sound book that puts important Biblical concepts into easily understandable language. Mrs. Masters "puts the cookies on the bottom shelf so the children can get at them." Each short devotional ends with the suggestion of small gift to give the child as a reminder. For example, in the story of Gideon, "Armed with God's Trumpet", she suggests giving small plastic trumpets.

This book would be extremely useful to Christian parents, grandparents, homeschoolers, youth workers and pastors.

This book is really a classic! And there is nothing else like it available for parents. Linda Masters has written 101 "sermons" for toddlers and pre-school children about the Bible and God; they are all charming, the style is warm and loving and she offers tips and techniques for adults about how to use these "sermons" in any church setting.
This book would also be a welcome gift at baby showers, at baby christenings and at early birthdays. Or just to give to parents of young ones.

Donating this book to churches in memory of relatives would also be worthwhile.
"Gold Fish and Silver Kisses" is simply a wonderful book!

A must for every Christian, or simply moral, home. The sermons are written for the average child to understand but more importantly to internalize. They are spiritual, moral lessons based on scripture (with specific Bible verses and prayers) designed for meaningful family times, Sunday school classes, Christian schools, children's sermons at a church of any Christian denomination. I have personally seen groups of children (and their parents!) mesmerized by the author's presentations. The suggested tokens add an extra dimension to the lessons and act as memory enhancers that really work! Excellent for newborn gifts, grandparent gifts, gifts for yourself! This is a book that will be around for generations to proudly pass down and enjoy sharing together for decades.

This book is thoroughly enjoyable, with M. M. Kaye describing her idlyic days in India in a wonderfully interesting, humorous way, which makes this book a pleasure to read and a must own!

What a terrific book--nostalgic, romantic, funnny, poignant. I was utterly charmed once again by Ms. Kaye's writing. Her descriptions of visits to the Taj Mahal and spring in Kashmir are beautiful. I can't wait to read "Enchanted Evening."

Ms. Kaye has the most wonderful way of describing scenes, colors, and events of an era never to be seen again. Her family led a story-book life of adventure and she makes it look so easy to overcome the forces of nature that were part of living there with very few, if any, modern conveniences. It was a delicious read and I hope Ms. Kaye is busily at work on the next book of her travels in China! I am grateful for this journey back into a gentler, quieter time.

At long last, the sequel to Sun in the Morning -- and as always, M.M. Kaye's writing is evocative, sumptuous, and addictive. (The Far Pavilions is one of the two books I always travel with -- the other is Gone With the Wind -- because I can start reading anywhere and become totally immersed, no matter how many times I've read it.) No one is better at evoking that time-lost period before the Second World War; the details are not only fascinating but reveal to us moderns what the world once was like (which in British India in many cases seems rather closely to resemble E.F. Benson's town of Tilling...). Since I owe not only my interest in, but my several-hundred-volume library on, India to reading The Far Pavilions, I must admit a certain partiality here -- and a burning desire to read the sequel to Golden Afternoon.

I run youth programs in Iowa, and after reading Mr. Wolff's book I feel more educated in the world of youth sports. Not only will this help me in my programs but also at home with my three sons.

I've enjoyed reading Rick Wolff's columns for years - every one seems to be just on the mark. This book is a great compendium of his thinking, caring approach to being a coach and parent. Any parent signing up a child in youth baseball (or any sport) should have to promise to read this book!

Not only does Wolff point out some of the problems with youth sports today, he also gives solutions. As a concerned parent and coach for my children's basketball, softball and soccer teams, I thought I had a pretty good handle on the important ingredients for coaching and being an encouraging parent. This book renewed me and now my children and their teams are enjoying sports more and becoming more successful. I re-read the book prior to every season and get more out of it each time.

This is an excellent overview of the proper attitude to have in coaching kid's sports, as well as containing good tips for parents on their role. But I wonder if it needs a chapter on getting the people who need to read it to actually read this book. I think the concerned parent, the one who wants to learn, will seek out this book. It is the unconcerned parent or coach, who thinks they know how to mold champions, that won't even think to read a book like this.

If there is one criticism of this book, it is that it tends to focus on team sports and does not explore the differences of how to interact with a child involved in individual sports (running, swimming, tennis, golf, etc.). Of course, the biggest abuses of poor coaching and loutish parental behavior tend to be in team sports like baseball. But I think the book would be improved with more specific examples related to individual sports to complement the information about team sports

Absolutely fantastic reading. Thank you for the time spent writing this book, it's a must have guide for those working for the good of all those young people out there.

This book is directed primarily at those attempting to organize Catholic youth ministries, but it's a very insightful read for anyone involved in recruiting or organizing youth groups (religious or otherwise) at all. Mr. Hayes draws on his many years of personal experience with younger Catholics to identify a wide variety of interesting Gen X and Millennial profiles. He sheds light on much of the outdated logic or group think which has lead to the declining numbers of younger Catholics who are actively involved in organized church events/activities. He also provides us with many helpful suggestions on how to appeal to both Gen Xers and Millennials. The last chapter of the book gives step by step directions on how to organize and get your message through to today's young adults. The easy to follow directions make you feel as though you're reading one of those "For Dummies" books. Overall, this is an excellent resource for anyone who's looking to recruit and organize younger people of faith. Many older church organizers would be well advised to read this book.

This is a highly readable, informative, balanced book. I'm picky about books on this topic; many of them lump all young adults together into the same category. I appreciate how this book acknowledges the different types of young adults (those who focus on social justice, those who are drawn to the sacraments, etc.) and offers concrete ways to minister to them. It's a wonderful read for those who minister to young adult Catholics, as well as anyone who is curious about how the "younger generations" of Catholics experience their faith.

Another unique feature of this book is the middle section, which offers in-depth profiles of a sampling of young adults. I'm someone who is fascinated by others' experiences of faith, so this section was a real treat. It's also a great way to put a "face" on the ideas discussed throughout the book.

One last reason I enjoyed this book: when I was getting my teaching credential, one of my professors told us to think about past teachers we'd had, and the teaching methods they'd used that had worked for us. She then told us that we needed to learn how to teach in a way that was totally the opposite of that. Her point was that kids learn in a variety of different ways, and that if we fixate only on the methods that worked for us, we won't reach a huge number of our students. This book makes the same point with regards to faith. Everyone engages with their faith in a different way, and if we want to effectively minister to young adults, we need to provide a variety of ways for them to connect with their faith community (sponsoring all-night Adoration, organizing volunteer trips to the soup kitchen, etc.). That's such a crucial message, and this book does a great job of communicating it.

Young adults' search for God
Reviewed by ERIN RYAN, National Catholic Reporter

These days, there seems to be a lot of discussion in church circles about how young people are the future of the church and a lot of consternation about what Catholics can do to bring them in. However, most church ministry programs for young people tend to focus on teenagers or children. Two recent books speak to the young adults in our midst.

In his book for youth ministers, Googling God: The Religious Landscape of People in their 20s and 30s, author Mike Hayes makes it clear that young adults are more than just the church's "future." They are the church now.

Mr. Hayes is the associate director of Paulist Young Adult Ministries and the managing editor and cofounder of the savvy bustedhalo.com Web site for Catholics in their 20s and 30s. His book provides a close look at young adults in two specific generations: those in the often cynical, questioning "Generation X," defined here as people born between 1964 and 1979, and "Millenials," defined as people born after 1980, who are more often concerned with rules and order.

In Part One of Googling God, Mr. Hayes, who says he belongs to Generation X, explores how these two generations have been shaped by events in the world around them. Then, taking a cue from Mary Anne Reese in America and a symposium paper by Fr. Jim Bacik, he offers seven classifications or orientations that can be applied to young adult Catholics: eclipsed, private, ecumenical, evangelical, prophetic, sacramental and communal.

Part Two of Googling God contains interviews with 12 young men and women ages 22 to 39, six in each of the two generations. Most are practicing Catholics, but some have stopped going to church. Some grew up in traditional ethnic Catholic families such as Hispanic or Filipino households; others grew up in ecumenical families that practiced different religious traditions. Many people who cross over the "evangelical" category, say, are looking for emotional experiences in their worship: "God often is so far removed from young adult life that they long for opportunities where they can see, feel, taste and smell the very fervor of religion," says Mr. Hayes, who points out the importance of following up these experiences with solid church teachings and guidance from ministers.

In Part Three of Googling God, Mr. Hayes gives practical advice about methods of doing ministry and resources for further reading. He also stresses the importance of using technology, especially the Internet, and gives tips on how to start your own Web page, which every church should have, he says, in the age of Google search engines and instantaneous answers.

Mr. Hayes also notes that all the young adults he interviewed wish for "a more collaborative dialogue between the church and young adults," and that whether they are from Steubenville or from a Jesuit parish in New York, they tend to think beyond "liberal" or "conservative" categories. And from the interviews, it is clear that while their approaches to life are diverse, each young person has clearly given a lot of thought to the spiritual questions he or she has faced.

"God, for me, is like someone who's already up when you've come downstairs in the morning and you're stumbling to get that cup of coffee and he's already there with his," says 24-year-old Jeff G. "And you sit on the front porch in a rocking chair and the sun is just starting to rise over the horizon and he says, `It's a beautiful sunrise!' And I say, `Yeah.' And that's it."

It's hard to think of a more personal description of the divine than that.

Another book, Blessed Are the Bored in Spirit: A Young Catholic's Search for Meaning, is aimed toward young adults themselves. Author Mark Hart, vice president of the youth ministry LIFETEEN, leads conferences and retreats for teens and adults and is also author of Ask the Bible Geek: Answers to Questions from Catholic Teens.

Mr. Hart stresses on his first page that he is a "postmodern Catholic" and invites young people to delve more deeply into church teachings they may not understand. But while Mr. Hayes advised ministers to listen to young adults first and then explain church teaching within the complexity of their lives, Mr. Hart sees the situation a little differently. "The pews are emptying because the truth of Christ has been forfeited, too often, on altars of conformity, funded by the court of comfort and public opinion," Mr. Hart writes in his introduction. And later he writes: "People who can put a probe on Mars, clone animals and solve the intimacy issues of 80-year-olds want to alleviate all mystery and end all pain. ... The reality is that life is filled with sin and suffering and there are two kinds of people: those who run from it and those who deal with it. Do yourself a favor and learn to deal with it."

Mr. Hart intends to help people deepen their faith and their awareness of God's love for them. He has some lovely things to say about seeing the life of faith as positive fulfillment in God rather than a set of rigid commands, especially in Chapter Five: "Reconciling Your Issues: Thinking Outside the Box." It's a matter of taste, though, whether you find humor in his pun-filled chapter titles like "When the Family Meal Leaves You with Heartburn" (about bad liturgies) or "Time to Exorcise" (after a discussion of vain gym rats) or "Discipleship 101: The One Elective Needed to Pass."

Unfortunately, in spite of what Mr. Hart says about his book being a look at the "modern spiritual journey," his puns and light personal narratives, alternating with a heavy advice-giving style, wind up making the book rather bland. Mr. Hart does throw in references to anime or " `The Karate Kid's' Mr. Miyagi," but too often they come off as strained attempts to be relevant or funny. There's much general discussion about such topics as how young people want to be good but like to have sex, or how this is a culture of death, or how Mass is dull, or how it's hard to corral the whole family to church on a Sunday morning. But the book would have been more helpful if Mr. Hart had discussed more specific, concrete incidents in his life and how he faced them rather than relying on distillations and themes.

Both authors both clearly have a lot of experience with young people, but by letting the young individuals speak for themselves, Mr. Hayes winds up with the more engaging book.

Erin Ryan is an NCR staff writer. Her e-mail address is eryan@ncronline.org.

National Catholic Reporter, October 5, 2007