- Putting Promises Into Action

by Pete Maidment and Paul Butler

In a nutshell the best way to describe this book is as a post-confirmation study guide. The ten chapters in the book work through the promises made (the commission) in the confirmation service, and look at them in more depth, but more importantly look at how they are to be used in the real world as a confirmed young person, helping show how you live the promises made. Each chapter begins with a word from Bishop Paul Butler, then there’s the opener that looks at the subject in more depth and teases out its relevance to daily life, this is followed by a reflection on what it really means and a chance to reflect personally and then finally the react section which is a suggestion of practical action that can be undertaken.
It’s an excellent guide. The purple headers, boxed sections and scruffing around the page edge all show this is aimed at a young audience and my one concern is how quick this could date this useful resource, because to be sure this is an excellent gift to give to any young person just making their confirmation, or for a church to use as a post confirmation course.

Review by Melanie Carroll (30/04/12)

Paperback
Price: £7.99
Publisher: SPCK (Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge)
Published: March 2012
ISBN: 978-0-281-06462-5

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The Greatest Love Story Ever Told

- and Then Some! – The Gospels Retold for Teenagers

by Rosie Rushton

Paperback ISBN 978-1-848-67392-2, £12.99
Maybe this was written with teenagers in mind, but I was not too old to thoroughly enjoy it! (When I was a teenager I enjoyed adult books, so what!)
The stories of Esther, Reuben, Caleb and Seth are woven into the Gospel stories so that the teenagers tell what is happening as observers and participants. They meet and talk with Jesus, they become part of the Gospel story without intruding into it. Not only do we get a new perspective on what is told in the Bible, we gain an insight into what it was like to be an orphaned youngster, one with severe disabilities, one who has been thrown out of home, and one with a privileged background that comes with it’s own problems.
A thoroughly good read, that you find hard to put down. Highly recommended.

Review by Mary Bartholomew (04/04/12)

Paperback
Price: £16.99
Publisher: Kevin Mayhew Publishers
Published: 2011
ISBN: 978-1-848-67396-0

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500 Prayers for Young People

- Prayers for a New Generation

by Martin Saunders

This attractively produced 250 page paperback has been compiled by Martin Saunders, a young man in his 30s, and father of 3 children. The 500 prayers, many written by Martin himself, are mainly in contemporary English, but some older prayers, such as those by St. Augustine of Hippo, St. Theresa of Avila and St. Gregory, are left in their original form.
The writer considers the prayers suitable and relevant for ‘people journeying through the alternately marvellous and agonizing teenage years’.
Beware of flicking through this book from back to front, as I did. Initially I was off-put by some old and rather long prayers, and I could not imagine the appeal to a teenager of one labelled ‘from the Gelarian Sacramentary (8th century)’. Also in this section is that wonderful prayer of John Henry Newman, containing the lines ‘when the busy world is hushed, the fever of life is over and our work is done…’ It is entitled ‘A blessing for the short of breath’ – something teenagers rarely experience!
However, if you start at the very beginning (a very good place to start) you will find a fine collection of prayers of thanks, forgiveness, growth, and coping with pain. The sub heading of this book – Prayers for a New Generation - is especially apt for the middle section of the book, where there are excellent prayers dealing with relationships, school life, bullying, starting at college, the environment, and ethics. These prayers are direct and very pertinent to the adolescent years and beyond.
The blurb suggests giving 500 Prayers for Young People as a baptism or confirmation present. I view it as especially appropriate for those in the middle teens and upward. This collection of newly-written prayers, peppered with treasured prayers from the past, would also be a most valuable resource for clergy, teachers and youth workers.

Review by Margaret Walker (14/03/12)

Paperback
Price: £9.99
Publisher: Monarch imprint of Lion Hudson
Published: 19 August 2011
ISBN: 978-0-857-21017-3

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S.O.S. Titanic

- Faith Finders

by Jill Silverthorne

Chrissie with her younger brother Luke and her Father live above the Clock Shop in the London of 1912. The family are mourning the death of Chrissie’s Mother, Chrissie has had to become the housekeeper, but an Aunt from America has announced that she is coming to England and will take the children back to America with her for a time. The children can’t understand why their father has agreed to this, but now it is April, the Aunt is about to arrive and the mysteries and adventures are about to begin.
They are booked to travel with their Aunt on the maiden voyage of the huge new liner the Titanic that everyone has been talking about. Luke is excited, Chrissie sad to leave her father, both are very puzzled by the attitude and behaviour of their Aunt!
What is their Aunt up to? Why is she taking them to America when she appears to dislike children so much?
They meet up with some good people on the ship, and make friends with some children of their own age.
The youngsters find themselves in trouble of surprising seriousness, and then the unthinkable happens – the ship that was supposed to be unsinkable, does just that!
A gripping story which, despite the tragic end to the voyage, ends on a note of hope.

Review by Mary Bartholomew (06/02/12)

Paperback
Price: £5.00
Publisher: Day One Publications
Published: January 2012
ISBN: 978-1-846-25308-9

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Darla Jade And the Balance of the Universe

by D.J.Reynolds

I’m really enthusiastic about this book and look forward to subsequent titles in the series – we are promised seven!
I found the beginning very scary for my taste but soon got into it and couldn't put it down.
From the first, we are in the realms of the dead, of Striker who summons souls to heaven or hell, of demons of every size, shape and strength and of angels of infinite variety. Soon we are in the company of teenagers from different centuries and locations training to be Guardians or as some would describe them guardian angels of individual human beings.
Darla Jade and her new friends Marie and Katie are soon caught up in a very special adventure where it seems Darla Jade and her designated companion Christian are told to watch over and protect a pregnant young teenager and her boyfriend from a former friend now turned into a revengeful and evil antagonist.
I can’t say more without spoiling the story but rest assured, from the moment you start to read you go on a roller coaster adventure yourself!

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Review by Mary Bartholomew (24/01/12)

Paperback
Price: £14.00
Publisher: Xlibris distributed by Gardners
Published: 2011
ISBN: 978-1-462-88762-0

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The Action Bible

- God’s Redemptive Story

Illustrations by Sergio Cariello, General editor Doug Mauss

Action indeed! The Bible stories are told in bright colours in comic strip fashion. Keeping close to the Bible, the stories are told with vigour and excitement enough to keep any young person on their toes. Familiar stories are re-vitalised in this format and with few words and vivid illustrations this is a book that can be read steadily through, or dipped into at random, repeatedly, as I have done. I particularly liked the non-Biblical link between the Old and New Testament that helped draw the two together.

The book has its own website >>

Review by Mary Bartholomew (03/01/12)

Paperback
Price: £16.99
Publisher: David C Cook/Kingsway
ISBN: 978-0-781-44499-6

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Son of Angels: Jonah Stone - Spirit Fighter: Book One by Jerel Law
ISBN: 978-1-400-31843-8 Price: £5.99	Published: 10 April 2012
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Delivered - Defenders of the Sign Book Three by Kristian Kapelrud
ISBN: 978-1-903-68967-7 Price: £11.99	Published: 2011
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Hall of Mirrors by Kathy Lee
ISBN: 978-1-844-27506-9 Price: £4.99	Published: 2011
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Allison O’Brian On Her Own - Allison Chronicles Volume One by Melody Carlson
ISBN: 978-0-800-72014-8 Price: £7.99	Published: July 2011
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The Oncoming Storm - Dark Chapters: Noah by Andrew R. Guyatt
ISBN: 978-1-844-27619-6 Price: £5.99	Published: September 2011
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Space Invaders - Mallenford Mysteries by Kathy Lee
ISBN: 978-1-844-27507-6 Price: £4.99	Published: September 2011
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Legion – Dark Chapters: Demon Possessed Man/Dance of Death – Dark Chapters: John the Baptist by Andrew Smith/Alex Taylor
ISBN: 978-1-844-27623-3 Price: £1.99	Published: 09 September 2011
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Babylon - Dark Chapters: Daniel by Hannah MacFarlane
ISBN: 978-1-844-27618-9 Price: £5.99	Published: 16 September 2011
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River Rapids - Mallenford Mysteries by Mallenford Mysteries
ISBN: 978-1-844-27508-3 Price: £4.99	Published: Spring 2011
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Beech Bank Girls - Christmas is Coming! by Eleanor Watkins
ISBN: 978-0-956-90431-7 Price: £5.99	Published: September 2011
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David Brainerd: A Love Lost for Ever - Trail Blazers by Brian H. Cosby
ISBN: 978-1-845-50695-7 Price: £5.99	Published: 2011
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Paul Brand :The Shoes That Love Made - Trail Blazers by Lucille Travis
ISBN: 978-1-845-50630-8 Price: £5.99	Published: 2011
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Titanic:The Ship of Dreams - John Harper of the Titanic – Torch bearers by Robert Plant
ISBN: 978-1-845-50641-4 Price: £5.99	Published: 2011
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12 Hidden Heroes Book Two: N.T - More People Who Lived Behind the Scenes by Rebecca Parkinson
ISBN: 978-1-846-25274-7 Price: £5.00	Published: Spring 2011
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