The Boy Who Changed the World by Andy Andrews

Andy Andrews’s children’s book, The Boy Who Changed the World, teaches young readers how each of their actions—whether good or bad—can have worldwide effects for generations to come. The book opens with a young Norman Borlaug playing hide-and-seek in a corn field with his sisters. Recalling his father’s warning, Norman is careful to not trample the corn plants. He tells Norman he should be happy because they are lucky to have enough to food to eat. It is at this moment, that Norman challenges himself to find a way to produce enough corn to feed more people worldwide. The book then moves back to review the earlier generations that enabled Norman to eventually attain his goals.

This is a great book to teach children proper behavior. Instead of emphasizes the consequences of a bad behavior, the book stresses the wonderful things that can happen with good intentions. Moreover, it shows children that no goals are too big to strive for. Andrews’s even includes a religious message towards the end. He stresses that each child was made by God for a specific purpose. Not only is the content inspiration for children, but beautifully illustrated pages will attract even the youngest readers.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Butterfly Effect by Andy Andrews

In The Butterfly Effect, Andy Andrews traces how a schoolteacher named Joseph Lawrence Chamberlain was victorious in a seemingly impossible 1863 battle. The story does not end here, but goes on to show how Chamberlain’s one decision continues to affect people worldwide even today. By doing so, Andrews attempts to show his readers how each of our decisions have lasting effects on us, our neighbors, and even our future generations. Thus, it shows readers just how important each individual is. Andrews interweaves this tale with the stories of other famous historical figures including George Washington Carver, Norman Borlaug, Henry Wallace, and others.

As I first started reading The Butterfly Effect, I had no idea how Andrews would manage to connect a stubborn war colonial to my life in meaningful and lasting way. Andrews was very successful in doing this. He did not simply give a rote answer saying, “The United States would not exist without Chamberlain’s decision and you would be living a different life.” Quite the contrary, I was emotionally touched by Andrews’s analysis. This book would make a great gift to show someone how important they truly are. Each of the pages is elaborately decorated. Overall, this gift book was a very quick read that I could not put down.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World: What on Earth Should We Do Now? by Dr. David Jeremiah

When things seem to be shattering around us, it is sometimes difficult to keep faith and adhere to Christian teachings. Dr. David Jeremiah’s Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World: What on Earth Should We Do Now? teaches readers how to overcome these setbacks and live prosperous lives. Each of the ten chapters is dedicated to a different confidence-building technique. Dr. Jeremiah urges his readers to remain calm, compassionate, constructive, challenged, connected, centered, confident, consistent, committed, and convinced. Each lesson is supplemented with personal anecdotes, current and historical events, films and entertainment, and of course, biblical references.

After reading Dr. Jeremiah’s earlier book, What in the World is Going On?, I was eager to begin reading his next book. Unfortunately, I am not as impressed by this book, as I was with his earlier one. While some remarkable points were made, the book seemed to drag on at times and I had to force myself to continue reading. The amount of facts and quotations was sometimes overwhelming. On the other hand, some of the most memorable points for me are the importance of bible study—both individual and communal. Another piece of simple (both helpful) advice to remain confident during troublesome times, is to ask ourselves, “If the savior returned this moment, would I be proud or ashamed of the act I was currently doing?” Overall, Dr. Jeremiah’s book is a good read for anyone needing an extra religious boost.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Forgotten: Seventeen and Homeless by Melody Carlson

Adele Porter’s life finally seems to be improving when her bipolar mother lands a well-paying job and moves them into a comfortable condo in a new city. However, this all changes when Adele’s mother suddenly abandons her. Melody Carson’s Forgotten: Seventeen and Homeless shows Adele’s rise to a faux-rich and popular high school senior and her fall to a homeless, friendless girl living in an old van nicknamed Darth Vader.

The premise of this young adult book is interesting and heartbreaking. Adele is a well-developed character that captures reader’s hearts. Her story reinforces how easily anyone can become homeless. Her life seems to get worse and worse until she finally seeks the help of a pastor she meets at a local mission. Up until this point, Adele does not have much faith in God. Since Forgotten is a Christian work, I felt this transformation was rather predictable.

While the book focuses on Adele, many other characters with interesting histories are introduced. However, each one completely vanishes with no explanation as to what happens to them. For example, Adele meets Cybil, another homeless teenager. She also meets a seemingly nice coworker named Genevieve. Then, there is Adele’s mother. Readers are not told what happens to any of these characters. I believe these characters simply vanish, to let readers experience what Adele is going through. Neither Adele nor the reader has any idea what happens to these people. Still, I would have liked to know their outcome.

Overall, Forgotten: Seventeen and Homeless was a good and fast read. I would recommend this book to readers interested in teenage and young adult fiction.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Electronic Lynching in the Workplace by Anthony Box

Stories about people losing their jobs and being mistreated in overseas sweatshops seem to overwhelm the news. Still, I thought it would be interesting to read a more personal account of how people are treated by their employers. Thus, I turned to Anthony Box’s The Electronic Lynching in the Workplace. This non-fiction book recounts the author’s seventeen years of work at a manufacturing company. In spite of excelling and working hard, Box is not promoted or paid what he deserves. He is repeatedly punished for things that are not his fault. His fellow employees and bosses even attempt to set him up numerous times. No matter how hard he works, he is never rewarded. Sadly, Box is harassed simply because he is black.

As I was reading Electronic Lynching, I could not stop thinking about the book’s first line: “It all started on May 7, 1984.” I wanted to imagine that Box was describing something that was happening when the first factories were created in the United States. I wanted to believe that this was something that had been done away with many years ago. It is really amazing to see how overt racism still affects and hurts individuals. Anthony Box’s book is an informative read about racism in the workplace. It is a short but powerful book that reads like a journal or diary.

You can pick up a copy at the online bookstore:

http://www.dorrancebookstore.com/ellyninwor.html

I received a complimentary copy of The Electronic Lynching in the Workplace as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team.

Blues of Adolescence by Ousmane A. Macalou

Ousmane A. Macalou’s Blues of Adolescence (2003) is a largely autobiographical novel concerning the love between two high school students during the final decade of French colonial rule in Sudan. Mac, the novel’s protagonist, is educated in a European school for the brightest students. All his life, he has been respectful and followed the wishes of his elders. One day during an errand, Mac is involved in a bicycle accident with his neighbor, Lambine. Unlike Mac’s family, Lambine’s family adheres to traditional African values and norms. Thus, the two families have minimal contact. After the accident, Mac decides to write Lambine a letter expressing his desires to know her. The two quickly fall in love, but their cultural differences keep them apart.

When I first picked up this book and read the back cover, I saw that it was actually a continuation of an earlier novel. Even though I had not read Macalou’s previous novel, I was not at all lost during Blues of Adolescence. I found the book to be a very quick but touching read. In his prologue, Macalou explains that the story is meant to show what adolescences experienced during colonial rule. He is not attempting to write a fairytale or one-of-a-kind love story. It is amazing to see how two families living so close to each other are willing to sacrifice the happiness of their children to preserve cultural norms. A lack of love and happiness is transferred from generation to generation. The thought of a loving marriage is nonexistent. Anyone wanting to read a personal and heartbreaking view of colonial rule written from the perspective of young adults should turn to Macalou’s Blues of Adolescence.

You can pick up a copy at the online bookstore:

http://dorrance.stores.yahoo.net/bluesofad.html

I received a complimentary copy of Blues of Adolescence as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team.

What in the World is Going On? 10 Prophetic Clues You Cannot Afford to Ignore by David Jeremiah

I have to admit, I was very skeptical when I first picked up Dr. David Jeremiah’s What in the World is Going On? 10 Prophetic Clues You Cannot Afford to Ignore. Dr. Jeremiah gathers ten biblical prophecies that predict how the world will end. Not only does he give his interpretation of the future, but he uses historical facts to prove which parts of the prophecies have already come to pass. Islamic terrorism, the fall of Rome, Iran’s nuclear weapon capability, and the invasion of Israel, along with many other events, are all addressed in this book.

For a book so packed with historical case studies, biblical readings, and current event analysis, it is written in straightforward prose. Jeremiah fully supports each one of his claims and provides notes to where he obtained his information. It would be very difficult to try to argue against Dr. Jeremiah’s claims. Thus, I would absolutely have to recommend this book to others. Not only does it provide readers with insight into how the world will eventually end, but it helps us remain optimistic and continue to enjoy whatever time is left.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”