Reviewed by Darin Godby for Readers' Favorite

Author Lorilyn Roberts, in her book Am I Okay, God? Devotionals From The Seventh Dimension, does a wonderful job of enabling the reader to explore their own faith and concepts, helping one to better understand their relationship with God. There are links following each devotional with a QR code that will allow the reader to explore additional insights from other resources. There are deep probing questions that will cause the reader to explore what they believe and understand they are not alone in their questions and uncertainties. This book drives right into the heart of the reader, causing one to grasp hold of truth and press in strong upon it, while understanding that darkness and sin will lead one away from the light of God's eternal love.

Author Roberts deals with many current and relational topics of the day without flinching or backing up. She allows the reader to be exposed to the truth of God's Word and causes them to do battle within themselves as to what they will do with that truth. While this is a fantastic book for a teenager or young adult, anyone can glean from its truths and wisdom. This would be a great book for churches to use in their youth groups as well as homes dealing with runaways, family issues, etc. This would allow counselors and those reading the book to have a springboard to launch into some rough topics that many times are hard to bring up. Great resource and helpful book.

Reviewed by Bil Howard for Readers' Favorite

Overcoming obstacles can seem to be completely impossible; however, Patrice Lee gives plenty of advice and examples of how others have overcome impossible obstacles in order to accomplish some of the greatest achievements man has ever known. How To Overcome Every Obstacle and Land On Top is the ultimate "How To" book. By removing the clutter and negativity that get a hold on us and make all things impossible, we can make use of the eight principles put forth by Patrice in order to make the impossible possible again. Patrice outlines how we allow ourselves to focus on the negativity and toxicity that surround us and, in so doing, allow ourselves to be eaten up by it. It is only when we make the decision to get rid of the clutter, in whatever form it takes, that we are able to see our way through an obstacle and come out on top. In addition to providing sound advice for overcoming obstacles, Patrice provides a large number of actual examples of people from history who have overcome some of the most impossible conditions. These stellar examples not only overcame, but came out on top with their special set of talents. But Patrice doesn't stop there; she also points the reader toward the one who overcame more than any other human in history, Jesus Christ. Through His example and through the words of scripture, the obstacles of life do not need to control us and leave us in turmoil any longer; rather, we can overcome and come out on top.

I was delighted to have the opportunity to review How To Overcome Every Obstacle and Come Out On Top and to share in the great vision that Patrice Lee communicates within its pages. Though I have not faced some of the hardships that are addressed, I have been known to allow myself to be eaten up by negativity and self doubt. Her eight principles and the numerous examples of "Overcomers" ought to inspire even the most cynical among us. Most of all, however, her use of Jesus Christ's trials overcoming and coming out on top is of the highest value. Though this was not written as a Christian Living book, it certainly lays out the means for peaceful living for Christians as well. Easy to read, yet profound, How To Overcome Every Obstacle and Come Out On Top is a must-read for anyone who is struggling to climb out of whatever condition is holding them down.

Reviewed by Bil Howard for Readers' Favorite

If I'd known then what I know now. How many people have said that as they look at some of the choices they've made and where the consequences of those choices led them? 10 Things I Wish I Knew In High School is the kind of book that can help you avoid having to say that. Sarah E. Galimore maintains that getting an education and learning are two totally different things and are approached in different ways as well. The choices we make in high school and beyond have a drastic effect on how we define success, how we achieve that success, and how happy we are with where we end up. Sarah addresses ten essential areas where spending a little bit more time questioning your motivations and goals for the future might actually help you to make better choices. Those essential areas include how we choose our friends and for what reasons, taking control of our education and customizing it to fit our talents and interests, defining success and much more. With plenty of anecdotes from her own experience, Sarah provides some very thought provoking material to start a secondary student on their way to thinking a bit more clearly about where they are headed and, more importantly, why they are headed that way.

Though my high school experience was more than 30 years ago, 10 Things I Wish I Knew In High School had an effect on the way that I look at my career as well. I can relate a great deal to much of what Sarah E. Galimore lays out and would likely counsel a high school student in much the same way. Too many of our youth and their parents simply accept the program that they are given without advocating for themselves and their own interests, and without even taking a moment to examine their goals and what motivates them. I was lucky enough to have advocated for my own education and in the process have reaped many of the rewards that Sarah mentions. All in all, though this is a book directed at high school students, 10 Things I Wish I Knew In High School is a must-read for parents whose children are just beginning high school as well. Well organized, easy to read and packed full of great advice.

Reviewed by Jaimie Hope for Readers' Favorite

In Once Upon a Road Trip by Angela N. Blount, Angeli is about to graduate high school and she couldn’t be happier about it. Sure, she’s smart, taking college courses already and has a best friend, but she’s never really fitted in among her peers. In fact, she’s never even had a date. As happy as she is to be leaving the cliques and bullying of high school, Angeli is anxious about the future. She has no clue what she wants to do with the rest of her life. She’s never been much of a risk-taker, but since it is the summer of her eighteenth year, Angeli decides it's time she went on an adventure.

She will be embarking on a two-month, cross country trip to meet with her online friends face to face. Her family and best friend think she’s crazy for taking such a trip. If truth be told, Angeli thinks she might be as well. However, she knows the only way to discover who she is and what she wants out of life means she needs to step out of her comfort zone. Of course, she has no clue just how far out of her comfort zone she will go. Getting lost, being detained by the Canadian police, and being assaulted are just some of the things she’ll deal with during her unforgettable summer journey.

This was a nice weekend read. The writing was easy to read and at a good pace. The plot was easy to get into, though a bit predictable. The characters were very well written and so dimensional that I was able to see them perfectly in my mind. Overall, this is a good Young Adult read if you’re looking for a weekend book to take you out of your head for a while.

Reviewed by Charles Ashbacher for Readers' Favorite

ITGIRL4LIFE by Tamara Branch is squarely aimed at the adolescent girl beginning the transition to adulthood and all that goes with it. It is natural for teenagers to experience feelings of uncertainty, inadequacy and alienation from many people that they were formerly close to. Peer pressure can be enormous and some cope by ridiculing and bullying others. Every gender dependent word is female and there are a lot of “you are special” accolades and statements that you possess a quality called “IT” in great quantity. This is emphatically stated in the opening lines: “YOU have IT. IT is the GREATNESS you were born with. IT is that unique special something that is all yours. Nothing and nobody can take IT away from you.”

There are also many “I power statements” that are white characters embedded in black circles in the book. For example, on page 5 there is the statement “I know who I am.” Positive statements of encouragement are necessary for life, but sound advice for dealing with the tense situation of the moment is also needed. There is some of that in this book as well, such as the need to take responsibility for your own situation, being kind to others, being positive and following good health habits - all of which is advice that works at any age. The encouragement is at times a bit overdone, but when the target audience is a young teen girl that is not a serious criticism, as much of what they do and say is overdone. The advice is generally sound.

Reviewed by Joy Hannabass for Readers' Favorite

"Teen Devotionals . . . for Girls" is to help young girls find a way to apply God’s Words to their lives. These devotions are written just for young girls, with topics that deal with what teenagers are facing today. The desire of the authors is to help teens find their true beauty in Christ. This book captured my attention when I read the very first devotion, 'Beautiful in Christ', talking about inner and outer beauty, bringing the attention of teenagers to this valuable lesson. Other devotions are on prayer, modesty, goals, anger, love, lies, work, heaven and hell, decisions, waiting, the golden rule, being happy and so many more. In fact, there are 90 devotions in this really cool book.

As I read through these devotions, my appreciation grew for these authors who took so much time to write this much needed book for teenage girls. With the peer pressure that teens face today, I love finding books that they can read and enjoy, helping their walk with the Lord. If you have teenage girls, this devotional is a must for you. This book can also be used for individual Bible study or small group study. After each devotion, there is a Reflection time question, an Application step and a model prayer, giving plenty of questions and topics to think about. I strongly encourage you to pick up a copy of "Teen Devotionals . . . for Girls" for your teenager. I think you will be glad you did, and your daughter will thank you as well. This is a book I will purchase for my tween niece because she keeps asking me for books she can read. I am so glad I found one just for her!

Reviewed by Karen Pirnot for Readers' Favorite

Skating with the World by Joanne Vassallo Jamrosz is an interesting collection of stories of past Olympians in the world of ice skating. The author takes us from contenders and winners in the 1970s through the past Winter Olympics in 2010. We hear about the rigorous training schedules and how fifteen years of training ends up with a single performance by the athletes wanting to be declared the best in the world. Athletes tell about their uniforms and the pride they feel walking into the Olympic stadium to the cheers of their fellow countrymen. We learn about where the international athletes are housed, what they eat, and what they do in their "spare" time.

For me, some of the more interesting stories were those of athletes who did not medal. Their primary interest was to do their best and to simply be participants. For them, the experience of Olympic competition seemed itself the goal. I also liked the stories of interacting with other athletes of the world. It seemed to motivate some of the skaters to take up careers helping others to achieve. Many of the former Olympians did begin careers as coaches or choreographers so as to remain in their general area of expertise. As one skater so aptly stated, it is unrealistic to think one can be a competitive skater for all of one's adult career. Even though I would like to have seen some of the athletes reveal their experiences in greater detail, the glimpses of the skaters and their thoughts and motivations might just be an inspiration and motivation to younger contenders.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

"Still Skating Forward" by Joanne Vassallo Jamrosz is a sequel to the popular book "Skating Forward: Sixteen Amazing Young Women Celebrating Life on Ice". Just as in the previous book, here also the author deals with the stories and experiences of Olympic and world famous skaters, judges and coaches. I found the book very inspiring and motivating. It somehow relates to all sports people making a foray into their respective sport and their trials and tribulations. Every chapter has a different story to tell the reader. The discipline and the rigorous training that a skater has to go through to make it to the top is not only a lesson to upcoming skaters but also to any sports person. The ordeals that they go through make you admire their grit and determination to make it to the top against all odds.

Each chapter of the book "Still Skating Forward" speaks about rise, fall, laughter, tears and mistakes and how each one experiences them in their own way. Each skater's story has some incredible experience to share with the reader. Some of the moments from their glorious lives have been captured and narrated. The book is a good read not only for readers who are keen to know more about skating but also for others. The language is simple and the narration is excellent. The stories are emotional and can touch anyone's heart. It also opens a window on the inside stories of the skaters. The book will resonate with everyone, not only with lovers of skating.

Reviewed by Joy Hannabass for Readers' Favorite

Hitting rock bottom was not just another phrase for author J. Bronson Haley; for him it was a reality. Living life in the fast lane, a most feared reputation of a street fighter and spending time in jail gave Haley a reputation that caused people to stay clear of him. But then one day Haley found Someone who changed his life forever, Jesus Christ. Jesus delivered Bronson from the deep hole he’d dug for himself. And his story is written in his book, "The Depth of Grace". This is a story, and a testimony of how God can take a life that is seemingly doomed and make something wonderful out of it. Bronson doesn’t sugarcoat his story by any means; he is totally honest about his life before he ask Jesus in. His deep bondage to sin gripped his life and wouldn’t let go, no matter how hard he tried. The things Haley did, the situations he tells of in this book, are heart wrenching, because of the way he was ruining his own life. But the amazing thing is, none of that matters to God. This story shows just who God is, and that He is in control, not matter the situation, and that He can do anything, just because He is God. This would make an awesome Bible study because the author gives 'rest stops' chapters throughout the book to give the Biblical viewpoint of what he is telling.

I very highly admire and respect author Bronson Haley for telling his story. My prayer is that many people out there that are in somewhat the same situation as Haley will read this book, and find out that there is hope, no matter how difficult their situation is. God loves us and He does care for us more than we know. And even in the times He doesn’t seem real, He is definitely real, and willing to change our life when we call on Him.

Reviewed by Kim Anisi for Readers' Favorite

The book “Pie: An Old Brown Horse” by Kandy Kay Scaramuzzo tells the story of Pie from his very own point of view. The reader follows Pie's life from the time he had an accident that rendered him incapable of continuing his job as a cattle herding horse and learns about various incidents in his life. The gentle, slightly cocky brown horse is moved to a stable where the owner wonders whether anyone would ever be interested in buying such an old horse. She fattens him up, lets the wounds heal but for a while people always seem to be more interested in prettier, younger horses – until the “little one” takes an interest in Pie. The two get along very well but there are still quite a few adventures ahead in Pie's life. He'll have to live through a meeting with Akitas, he has to watch other horses suffer and even go mad and he also learns a different job: to be a riding horse, not just a cattle horse.

There is a lot going on in the life of that old brown horse. Reading the book “Pie: An Old Brown Horse” by Kandy Kay Scaramuzzo was at times funny, but at other times heart-wrenching and sad. The book is written in a relatively simple language and even if you are not a horse person, it will not be a problem for you to understand the book as many things about horses are explained by Pie himself. He seems to be a really clever horse and a very good observer of the world around him. It is a pity that the photos in the book aren't in color but they still add character to the story and it is very easy to feel that you actually know the horse yourself. “Pie” is a story for people who like animals and is a nice entertaining read.