Growing Up Green

If you've ever entertained the idea of working alongside your child and exploring nature - you will LOVE this great guidebook! Charles E. Majuri's Growing Up Green is a "simple gardening book for children and adults". This is a small book packed with a lot of info. It starts with planning your garden out with your child, to activities for each month as you watch your plants grow, to teaching your children about plants, seeds, etc. This was an informative book - and had a lot of great ideas for sharing your love of gardening with the younger generation.

*I was provided a copy for review purposes by the publisher.

The Ultimate Top Secret Guide to Taking Over the World

Yep - this is it! The book that will keep kids laughing for hours! Kenn Nesbitt has teamed up with illustrator Ethan Long to create a book that is guaranteed to keep them laughing! The Ultimate Top Secret Guide to Taking Over the World is quite a read! Haven't we all wanted to take over the world!?!? Ok, maybe not, but let's just say you did - then this is definitely the read for you! (And raising three boys - I can safely say that this would have SCORED BIG TIME with them!!) But parents be warned - after your children read this book - life may not be the same...LOOK OUT!

For readers ages 9 and up.

*I was provided a copy for review purposes by the publisher.

2 GREAT Reads for Younger Readers

I was recently sent two books that you NEED to discover before the summer is over!

Hailey Twitch by Lauren Barnholdt is a fun young readers series with a wonderfully spunky main character by the name of Hailey. She is just a hilarious heroine and one with a fun secret that is "magical"! If your child enjoys the Clementine series or Moxy Maxwell books - I am sure they will thoroughly enjoy Hailey. Her latest book, Hailey Twitch and the Campground Itch will be a fun story for summer and even made me chuckle right out loud a few times!

If it's a boy reader that you need to please - Horrid Henry is where it's at! Francesca Simon's Horrid Henry series is one that boys devour. Horrid Henry is hilarious and a little bit mischievous - hmmm, sound like any boys you know!?!? This latest release, Horrid Henry Rocks - is no exception! Henry wants to go see his favorite band in the whole wide world, but his family gets tickets to "Daffy and Her Dancing Daisies" instead - yep, he handles it like any true rocker would!!

Both books are geared to readers ages 7-10 and are beginning chapter books.

*I was sent both of these titles for review purposes by the publisher.

It's a Giveaway!!!

Remember THIS post?? Well I STILL love the book, highly recommend it and NOW have a copy to give away!!

Here's what you need to do:

1 entry - post about this giveaway on your blog and leave a comment.

1 entry - Tweet it and leave a comment with your twitter "handle".

1 entry - post about this giveaway on Facebook and leave me a comment.

1 entry - "Like" In The Pages on Facebook and leave me a comment to let me know you did it!

The drawing will be held on Friday, August 19!! Stop back to find out if you've won your very own copy. Believe me, you want your own so you can mark it all up!!

I'll Be There

Some books just grab you and pull you right in - that is what Holly Goldberg Sloan's book I'll Be There did to me. This is the tender story of Sam and Riddle Border - brothers that live a hard life with an abusive, distant father. And Emily Bell - she lives a relatively easy life - she has money, she has a family - nothing too tough. When Emily meets Sam - the two connect and are drawn closer through circumstances around them as well. The story takes an incredible turn when Sam and Riddle's father snatches them out of their new, good life and takes them on a run away from authorities. That is when the challenge really begins for them - the challenge to survive. This is a wonderful story - the characters are strong and well-developed, the plot is gripping, and it doesn't stop until the very end! Sloan does a fabulous job of creating circles and tying unexpected events together in her novel - VERY well-crafted! Sometimes you just have to smile while you are reading when you see how everything fits together - HIGHLY recommend this one for our young and middle teens!


*I was sent a copy for review purposes by the publisher.

Mudkin

Stephen Gammell has done it again!! Mudkin, his latest picture book, is simply amazing and leaves it wide open for kids - just like I like it! This is an almost-wordless picture book that will keep the kids coming back over and over. What happens when a little girl goes out after a rain and begins to play in the mud? Well, she meets Mudkin, of course, and he asks her to be the queen of mud land. And so begins the wonderful adventures of kids and mud! And who doesn't love to play in mud, I ask?

*I was sent a copy to review by the publisher through NetGalley.

Dry As Rain

When I saw Gina Holmes had a new book coming out - I was ALL OVER that!! I SO enjoyed her novel, Crossing Oceans that I was pleased to see another novel written by Holmes! Her latest book, Dry as Rain, is another book that I could hardly put down. Holmes' writing style is real, fresh, and absorbing. She is honest and deals with real-life issues that resonate with the reader. Dry as Rain is the story of Eric and Kyra and their marriage that is dissolving. But when Kyra is in a car accident and loses her memory, it is as if Eric suddenly has a second chance to make things right in a marriage that was almost done. There are twists and turns - that is not the end of the book by any means! (Don't worry, I didn't give you any spoilers!) But as you watch Eric and Kyra try to trust and rebuild their marriage, it also challenges you, the reader, to think about how you deal with things in your own life - it may be fiction - but it can be a good challenge to us too!! You really come to be a part of the character's lives as you read - they are believable and real. I thought it was a super read - and I was sad to see it end - I'll be waiting for her next novel!

*I was provided a copy for review purposes by the publisher through NetGalley.

Women of Faith Blogger

Kind of pumped about THIS!!!

I just found out that I won tickets to Women of Faith - I was chosen as a blogger to attend and blog about the event!!! So in just two weeks I am off to get "fed" - See why I LOVE blogging!?!?

If you want to learn more about Women of Faith - just click on the link!

Mugabe and the White African

One family’s stand for Justice – catch the story on PBS 7/26!

I'll be blogging about the book Mugabe and the White African later this month, but I wanted to let you know that Point of View will air the documentary Mugabe and the White African on Tuesday, July 26th.

The film tells the story of Mike Campbell and his family of three generations of Zimbabwean farmers as they attempt to keep their farm under Mugabe's "land reform." Watch the trailer for the documentary below and visit the PBS Point of View website for your local listing. http://www.pbs.org/pov/tvschedule/

The book Mugabe and the White African (Lion Books, distributed by Kregel Publications, July 15, 2011, ISBN: 978-0-7459-5546-9, $14.95) written by Mike Campbell's son-in-law Ben Freeth provides more detail regarding the family's struggles and court battles.The book chronicles the deeply moving and life-threatening struggle of a Christian family from Zimbabwe to protect their legally owned farmland, to protect the lives and livelihoods of all those working on the farm, and to live to see justice.

Freeth lays bare a beautiful but lawless land fouled by fear. A 'Clockwork Orange' state where racism, greed, and violence are ultimately humbled by almost unimaginable courage. Richly described, bravely chronicled, and utterly compelling.

-Mike Thomson, Radio Foreign Affairs Correspondent, BBC

Ben Freeth has an extraordinary story to tell. Like that of many white farmers, his family's land was "reclaimed" for redistribution by Mugabe's government. But Ben's family fought back. Appealing to international law, they instigated a suit against Mugabe's government in the SADC, the Southern African equivalent of NATO. The case was deferred time and again while Mugabe's men pulled strings. But after Freeth and his parents-in-law were abducted and beaten within inches of death in 2008, the SADC deemed any further delay to be an obstruction of justice. The case was heard, and was successful on all counts.

But the story doesn't end there. In 2009 the family farm was burned to the ground. The fight for justice in Zimbabwe is far from over--this book is for anyone who wants to see into the heart of one of today's hardest places and how human dignity flourishes even in the most adverse circumstances.

Read an Excerpt (PDF)

Read the Press Release

True North

True North is a book that is a husband/wife collaboration by Gary and Lisa Heim. This is an honest, open look at how we can so often be disappointed by others in life. From page one, this book really resonated with me. People do disappoint - they will - they are human. But how we react to that disappointment is what will essentially form who we are. It might be our spouse, a dear friend, or even a child - but whomever it is - when we feel let down or disappointed in their reactions to a situation or to us, it is an opportunity for us to choose God. This was eye-opening to me - instead of being mad at the person, or saying unkind things to others to make them look bad - it is my choice to turn to God instead and put Him where He should be in my life - the one I turn to for everything - even my disappointment. John 16:33 states it pretty plainly, "In this world you will have trouble." It doesn't get much clearer than that. But it's how we react and deal with that "trouble" that determines who we will be. After reading this book, I am challenging myself - the next time I am tempted to be angry at a person for how they treated me - I want to refocus that all on Christ - let Him heal my wounds, and help me be a stronger person.

Highly recommend this one!!

*I was sent a copy for review purposes by Kregel Books for the True North Blog Tour.

Thirsting for God

Gary Thomas' Thirsting for God is unlike any book I have read. It is a fascinating look at what Christians throughout history have learned about living a life that is centered on God. They show us that a meaningful Christian life has nothing to do with things that come and go like fads and styles but everything to do with living a life that is fully focused on Christ and what He has for us. I was impressed that Thomas finds men and women from the 16th, 18th and 20th centuries to show us great examples of how to live a life that is totally focused on Christ - not sidetracked by things of this world that we THINK will make us happy. It is resonating deeply with me after having just read John Piper's Don't Waste Your Life. One of the quotes near the beginning of the book that really hit me was:

Therefore, Christian spirituality has more to do with what we receive than what we achieve. Our potential and activity depend entirely on God's work in our lives. If we set out to be achievers rather than receivers, we have not begun to follow God. Achievers call attention to themselves, whereas receivers lead others to appreciate the Giver. If we insist on being achievers, seeking God so that others might admire our faith, our commitment, or our dedication, we become God's competitors, trying to steal some of His glory.

I have not been disappointed by a Gary Thomas book yet - but this one really stands above to me. Great reminders given through Godly men and women of how we too, can live with a thirst for God above all else.

**I was sent a copy of this book for review purposes by a publicist but I was to give an honest opinion of the book for my review. Reviewed for ReadersFavorite.com.

BIG SALE!!!

I do not want you to miss these great offers if you enjoy these great download-able units!

1. Get Your Download N Go Full Year Set (on sale for $145)

This value-packed set includes:
o 36 one-week Download N Go studies
o the exclusive Birthday Bonanza unit study
o the all-new, 55-page, DNG Teacher's Guide
o Unit Studies 101
o a coupon which will allow your to purchase the upcoming Passport United Kingdom unit study for only $5

2. Build Your Best Year
o Choose any 6 studies, get 25% off
o Choose any 18 studies, get 35% off
o Choose any 36 studies, get 45% off

3. $5 Frenzy
Customize your year! July 19 - 29 (excluding weekends), check out the USAB Specials Page daily to find out which individual Download N Go and Unit Study Adventures studies will be a part of the frenzy.

What's In the Bible??

Well - we are trying to figure that out!! We have been watching through Phil Vischer's newest DVD series, What's in the Bible? We took these on vacation with us and the best "plug" I could ever give for them is that EVERYONE in our van was laughing - From the 5 year old to the 40 year old - the humor was there for all of us. (That's teenage boys included!!) AND I would daresay we also all learned something as well! This is just a fabulous series that teaches on each book of the Bible - background, setting, characters - it really is well put together. (And the Seminary-studied Dad here agrees as well!!) Highly recommend this great series - and, having just finished #5, we are anxiously awaiting #6 over here!!

Growing Up Amish

I enjoy books on the Amish - I see I am not alone, as even Wagler, in this book, mentions that people are intrigued by this group of people. But this book was FAR better than any Amish Fiction read! Ira Wagler LIVED Amish - he was born into this people, he struggled to be one of these people, and he tells his story in Growing Up Amish. It really is a story that caught me from the first page - how they live, what they believe, and how some people find it very hard to live in that culture. Wagler is honest and yet tender toward the people he shared much of his life with. I enjoyed every part of this book - his story is sad and still real. This memoir is one I will passing along to friends and encouraging them to read - it gives new insight into these people that intrigue the rest of us - and shows us the reality of "growing up Amish."

*I was sent this book by Tyndale and asked to give a review.

Pottermore

I say VERY interesting.....

Pottermore

Field of Vision

I am going to tell you to watch your TV's this coming Saturday - June 11 at 8/7c on NBC. Now, I don't often push tv-watching - but this really is something worth watching! "Field of Vision" is from the Family Movie Night group and is quality. It focuses on bullying - but more than that - challenges our teens (and ourselves) to think what we would do in the same circumstance. I love the side themes of foster care, sibling relationships, being popular, etc. There really is SO much in this film that it is sure to please many types of viewers. The topic of football is sure to catch some as well - do not miss this chance to gather as a family and watch some quality tv - that does not have the opportunity to happen very often!

Visit their Facebook page or these other sites:

Mom's for Family TV

Dove Foundation Review

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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."

Branded

I am always looking for a non-fiction read that will challenge me and I have found one!! Tim Sinclair's Branded has pushed me to think in new ways and I have been telling people - DO NOT miss this book! Branded: Sharing Jesus with a Consumer Culture will challenge you to get outside of your box and think about how you not only represent Jesus to the world, but how you COULD be representing Him - and maybe SHOULD be. The chapters are short and very easy to read - Sinclair is funny and yet poignant - his years in marketing bring a whole new set of things to consider to us as readers. We, as Believers, need to think about how to share Christ with others in ways that are authentic, and honest and effective. I am excited about this book and truly have been already telling others to get their hands on this and read it!

About Tim Sinclair:

Tim Sinclair is a radio personality on one of the top Christian morning shows in the country, Mornings with Tim and Pam. For over a decade, he has been helping radio stations and various other businesses creatively and effectively market themselves. His award-winning productions have been heard on more than 2,000 radio stations worldwide and recent clients include McDonald's, Word Records, Moody Press, and the country's most-listened to Christian nonprofit radio station KSBJ/Houston. Tim has written for CCM Magazine and the Huntsville Times. For more about Tim, please visit his website, http://www.tim-sinclair.com.

About Branded from the Publisher:

The church spends $1.5 million for every one new follower of Jesus. Apple sells 26 iPads every minute. What is it that makes Apple so exciting and Jesus so boring? What is it that compels someone to bring their iPod everywhere and their Bible nowhere? In a word: marketing. Jesus is a life-changing product with lousy salespeople-people who are intimidated and embarrassed by the word "evangelism" and who show more enthusiasm for their gadgets than their God.

What would life look like if we stopped mass-marketing Jesus and started marketing our faith like Nike and Apple market their products--sharing relationally, from person to person? Using examples from these and other successful companies, author Tim Sinclair challenges Christians to throw out their casual attitudes toward faith and sign on for a marketing campaign for the Savior.

Written with the wit and wisdom of an experienced marketer, Branded peels away the feelings of fear and encourages readers how to share their faith in ways that are honest, authentic, and, most importantly, effective.

**To read what others are saying about this book - visit the BLOG TOUR.

This book has a great contest going on right now too!

Kregel Publications is sponsoring a $50 Amazon.com giveaway open to all readers!

About the Giveaway!
To enter all you have to do is send a tweet (using #litfuse) about Branded or share about it on Facebook!

If you tweet we'll capture your entry when you use @litfuse. If you share it on Facebook or your blog, just email us and let us know (info@litfusegroup.com). Easy.

Not sure what to tweet/post? Here's an idea.

TWEET THIS: Branded by @timjsinclair - Jesus is a life-changing product with lousy sales-people! @litfuse http://ow.ly/566nr

FACEBOOK THIS: Branded by Tim Sinclair is a compelling look at what Christians can learn from companies like Apple & Starbucks about sharing their faith! Jesus is a life-changing product with lousy sales-people! http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13338985

**I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes.

Rocket Town

Rocket Town is a board book I wished I'd had YEARS ago when my boys were little! Bob Logan's book is sure to delight our littlest readers! It is a fun read that teaches opposites and shows off that love for rockets of all kinds. The illustrations are whimsical and engaging - I am looking through it again and finding new things on every page! With a countdown at the end - your little readers will not be able to help but love this new book!


*I was sent a copy for review purposes by the publisher.

How To Be God's Little Princess

Sheila Walsh has written a book on royal tips for manners, etiquette, and true beauty called How to Be God's Little Princess. It is non-fiction so that makes it hard to read aloud to a child, but I do think that any little girl who can read on her own, would find this a fun read! Walsh covers fun things like clothing, hair and fashion, friendship, manners, planning a party, writing thank you notes, how to be a princess at home, and even how to handle the internet. There are so many topics in here, and covered in such an appealing way, that I think little girls will love this. There are quizzes and puzzles tucked in amongst the reading and that helps break it up a bit. The illustrations are fun as well. It's a fun manual and one our young girls will be excited about!


*I was sent a copy of this book for review purposes.

The Scent of Rain and Lightning

Nancy Pickard's The Scent of Rain and Lightning was quite a ride. It took me a bit to get into but once I was in - I was surprised at the mystery that unravelled. Pickard is an excellent storyteller and her story of young Jody being left with no parents and the whole town unsure as to who took their lives - creates suspense that continues to the very end. I was convinced it was one person - as was most of the town, and then I had that all ripped out from under me when the author took me for a shocking surprise! I was stunned at the turn of events that takes place and that's just how I like it! Great story that will keep you guessing.

Definitely for mature readers - not one I'd suggest for teens as there were adult themes present.