Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

Dao is one of ten children. She wants to go to boarding school in hopes of someday living in a country where she will have freedom from responsibility to her family. She goes to school and finally makes it to America only to discover that you cannot escape family responsibilities.

Dao Huynh paints a brilliant word picture of life in South Vietnam. Huynh is a master at details and emotion. She incorporates details, bits of conversation, and bits of a song and description of the most unlikely thing that brings the story to life. Dao brings a sense of her own emotions as she lived what we read. There was a sense of panic and uncertainty as she leaves on her long journey to a new life. At times she felt desperate. She was a young woman in a culture she didn’t understand. The writing is so vivid the reader feels as though they were climbing into the make-shift boat with her. An Unknown Journey will captivate readers.

Reviewed by Lynette Fowlston for Readers' Favorite

"Shoot The Wounded" centers around the small town and families of Maplewood. Leigh and Ronnie were best friends in grade school, things changed as they started high school. Their family life was very different. In her teen years Ronnie turned wild. Jake was a new boy in the neighborhood. Soon problems arise though between Leigh, Ronnie, Jake and others at school. Jake has a past that is about to threaten his friendship with Leigh and Ronnie.

This book digs deep into the lives of youth, the rumors, and the gossip. Words can damage people. That’s when you find out who are your real friends. The characters are well developed. I recommend this book to both teens and parents. I believe it will open dialogue between them. Shoot The Wounded reflects on many of the issues teenagers have to contend with today, pregnancy, drinking, family values and peer pressure.

Reviewed by Anne Boiling for Readers' Favorite

The Kelanni was enslaved by the Keltar working for the“prophet.” The Kelanni was forced to pay tribute to the prophet through slaves and food. Lyall and Shann joined forces to stop the destruction of the Kelannni. Keris was sent to hunt down the rebels and bring them back dead or alive. On her quest, she was befriended by a chandara. The odd creature convinced her that the prophet was evil. Keris went against her mentor and all she was brought up to believe to help the rebels. Together they look for a way to neutralize the weapon that can destroy a civilization.

This is book one in The Sea of Storms series. Whiteway is a master at description. It was easy to envision the culture. The plot moves along at a good steady pace. It is well developed. The characters come to life on the pages of this book. They are unique but so well described that I could picture them. The characters all play well together. This is a science fiction that is sure to please the most discriminating fans.

Reviewed by Karen Pirnot for Readers' Favorite

Marlis Day offers a wonderful journey into the imaginative mind of the preteen child. Two cousins are drawn together through the tragic death of Grey Bailey's parents. With assistance from her newly-found friend and cousin Sparky, Grey Bailey is warned of evil forces which will attempt to undermine the magical powers granted to the cousins by their distant ancestor, Grandma Bailey.

Apart, the two cousins have no extraordinary powers but, together, they are able to move objects and explore avenues not available to the average child. The book teaches cooperation, inspiration, adventure and imagination, as well as stressing values important to the preteen caught between childhood innocence and teenage responsibilities.

"The Secret" is well written and should appeal to both girls and boys in the upper elementary years. I applause Ms. Day who pulls together a delightful adventure story which stimulates the young reader.

Reviewed by Anne Boiling for Readers' Favorite

Lacey’s parents are constantly fighting. Her father is a violent alcoholic. When she hears the battles begin, she often sneaks outside. One night, she feels someone watching her and sees two big yellow eyes. At first she wasn’t sure if the animal was a wolf or dog. She and Grant (dog) formed an instant connection. Against her father’s wishes, she moved the gigantic dog into her bedroom. He slept with her, listened carefully to every word she spoke and attempted to protect her.

Lacey is seventeen years old and a senior in high school. During the mornings, she helps out in the office. It was an instant attraction when in walked Alex, handsome and sexy, he makes a play for her heart. A few days later, she met Brandon, even more attractive, but seldom around. However, there was a connection between Lacey and Brandon, continually in her dreams telling her to remember.

Eventually, the truth comes to light. Lacey must decide to save her intended mate or the people she knew as her family. If she makes one decision she dies and so does Brandon. If she makes another decision others die. Lacey is in the midst of an ancient war with no way out. Her body is transforming.

It is hard to believe that this is Jordan Deen’s first novel. It reads like the work of a seasoned author. The plot is a mix of fantasy and romance. The characters are well developed. I truly cared about each of them. While this book is definitely fantasy, it has a realistic setting. In this book, Lacey has to choose between her heart and mind. This is an unusual love story for Juvenile readers. Adults will also appreciate the depth of the story. I hope this is the beginning of a new series. I want to know more about Lacey, Alex and Brandon.

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

In Keepin’ It Real we join thirteen year old Leslie on her faith journey. We are allowed privy to her inner most thoughts as we read her letters to God.

Recently Leslie’s family moved. Dealing with a new house, school and church is a bit overwhelming. Her new church has a “life group.” The leader asks a lot of questions all dealing with a personal relationship with God. The questions are difficult. On top of that it is a small group where the members are expected to “bare their soul.”

Middle School is difficult at best. The students are no longer children, neither are they teens. In Leslie we experience the fear and loneliness of knowing no one. Homework is different. Middle School prepares you for high school and suddenly homework is piled on in ways students never expected.

A statement in this book jumped out at me. It is one that we adults, whether parent or teacher should remember. “You know, everyone keeps telling me to enjoy these years because these are the good years, the fun years. Who do they think they are kidding? I’m already so stressed out …” How often have we been guilty of saying this to our children? Looking back on my middle school years I recall facing the same stress that Leslie is facing. I cannot proclaim my middle school years as the best of my life. I didn’t have the “life group” support. After reading this book I realize what a difference that would have made.

I enjoyed watching the change in Leslie and I attribute this to her growing relationship to God. While this book is written for preteens I recommend this book to adults also. Too often we forget what it is like to be 10-13 years old. We forget the uncertainties, the daily struggle, and the questions.

I commend Sandra McLeod Humphrey for her dedication to preteens. She has authored several books including, Me, Myself and I, Dare To Dream, and Hot Issues and Cool Choices. I have read each and highly recommend them. Keepin’ It Real is my favorite! Humphrey has 35 years of experience as a clinical psychologist to preteens. She knows how to gain their trust and how to talk with them not to them

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

Dao is one of ten children. She wants to go to boarding school in hopes of someday living in a country where she will have freedom from responsibility to her family. She goes to school and finally makes it to America only to discover that you cannot escape family responsibilities.

Dao Huynh paints a brilliant word picture of life in South Vietnam. Huynh is a master at details and emotion. She incorporates details, bits of conversation, and bits of a song and description of the most unlikely thing that brings the story to life. Dao brings a sense of her own emotions as she lived what we read. There was a sense of panic and uncertainty as she leaves on her long journey to a new life. At times she felt desperate. She was a young woman in a culture she didn’t understand. The writing is so vivid the reader feels as though they were climbing into the make-shift boat with her. An Unknown Journey will captivate readers.