by Don and Susie Van Ryn,
Newell, Colleen & Whitney Cerak,
with Mark Tabb
Howard Books, 2008
Don and Susie Van Ryn had a 21-year-old daughter, Laura. Blonde, blue-eyed, athletic, and on fire for God.
Newell & Colleen Cerak had an 18-year-old daughter, Whitney. Also blonde, blue-eyed, athletic, and with a zest for God.
April 26, 2006. Both girls are travelling in a van back to Taylor University after a banquet. A tractor trailer driver falls asleep. His truck swerves across the centre line and strikes the van. Five people are killed instantly, one person is thrown 50 feet from the vehicle, but survives. She is identified as Laura Van Ryn.
Don, Susie, and their other children arrive at the hospital in Fort Wayne as quickly as possible. They spend five weeks at Laura's side, making decisions for her care and tending to her needs. But at the end of that time, they suspect that it is not Laura they are caring for.
This book tells the story of the Van Ryn and Cerak families, whose lives are inextricably woven together through this shocking case of mistaken identity. But mainly it is the story of their faith in Jesus Christ, a faith that enabled them to cope with unthinkable circumstances and to continue in love and hope.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
A New Kind of Normal
Hope-filled Choices When Life Turns Upside Down
by Carol Kent
Thomas Nelson, 2007
Carol Kent continues the story she began with When I Lay My Isaac Down. Her new normal involves weekly visits behind a prison wire as she visits her son, incarcerated for life without any chance of parole for the killing of his wife's ex-husband.
With this book she outlines the huge adjustments she and her husband have had to make, both in terms of their way of life and where they live it, and in terms of their dreams and hopes for their son's future. In spite of an unthinkable situation and the shedding of copious tears, she and Gene have determined to live lives of hope that will honour and glorify God. They trade ashes for beauty, and use their circumstance to reach out to others who are suffering and in need of hope.
Carol uses the story of Jesus's mother, Mary, as a template for the person whose life has turned upside down and as an example for how those who hurt can choose to live within the constraints of their new normal. At the end of each chapter are questions to help the reader think through his own experience for answers that will help him.
This book is a must-read for those whose life situations have left them discouraged and despondent. Buy it for yourself or for someone you love.
by Carol Kent
Thomas Nelson, 2007
Carol Kent continues the story she began with When I Lay My Isaac Down. Her new normal involves weekly visits behind a prison wire as she visits her son, incarcerated for life without any chance of parole for the killing of his wife's ex-husband.
With this book she outlines the huge adjustments she and her husband have had to make, both in terms of their way of life and where they live it, and in terms of their dreams and hopes for their son's future. In spite of an unthinkable situation and the shedding of copious tears, she and Gene have determined to live lives of hope that will honour and glorify God. They trade ashes for beauty, and use their circumstance to reach out to others who are suffering and in need of hope.
Carol uses the story of Jesus's mother, Mary, as a template for the person whose life has turned upside down and as an example for how those who hurt can choose to live within the constraints of their new normal. At the end of each chapter are questions to help the reader think through his own experience for answers that will help him.
This book is a must-read for those whose life situations have left them discouraged and despondent. Buy it for yourself or for someone you love.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Touching Spirit Bear
by Ben Mikaelsen
HarperTeen, 2005
I like to keep on top of what my kids are reading in school, so when I found out my daughter's grade 8 class was reading this together, I decided to pick up my own copy.
Cole Matthews is a young offender on the verge of being convicted of a violent assault against a classmate. Faced with the choice of going to jail or taking part in traditional native Circle Justice, Cole chooses the latter. He figures he'll play along and outsmart those who are trying to "help" him. He believes they don't really care.
Banished to an island off the coast of Alaska, things don't go quite as Cole planned. A failed escape attempt, followed by his near-fatal mauling by a bear, lead to the beginnings of a changed outlook. Cole's anger does not immediately subside, but over a period of time he learns the lessons he needs to know in order to choose a different future for himself.
As far as the native elements are concerned, a review by Beverly Slapin (click here) concludes that Touching Spirit Bear is "a terrible book". While I didn't always find Cole, or the situations he was in, to be credible, I did find it a mostly enjoyable read.
HarperTeen, 2005
I like to keep on top of what my kids are reading in school, so when I found out my daughter's grade 8 class was reading this together, I decided to pick up my own copy.
Cole Matthews is a young offender on the verge of being convicted of a violent assault against a classmate. Faced with the choice of going to jail or taking part in traditional native Circle Justice, Cole chooses the latter. He figures he'll play along and outsmart those who are trying to "help" him. He believes they don't really care.
Banished to an island off the coast of Alaska, things don't go quite as Cole planned. A failed escape attempt, followed by his near-fatal mauling by a bear, lead to the beginnings of a changed outlook. Cole's anger does not immediately subside, but over a period of time he learns the lessons he needs to know in order to choose a different future for himself.
As far as the native elements are concerned, a review by Beverly Slapin (click here) concludes that Touching Spirit Bear is "a terrible book". While I didn't always find Cole, or the situations he was in, to be credible, I did find it a mostly enjoyable read.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Death in the Air
by Shane Peacock (Canadian author alert!)
Random House, 2008
When Monsieur Mercure, the famous trapeze artist, falls from a great height to crash at Sherlock's feet, the boy is drawn into his second case. A close look at the bar the man had been gripping proves it was no accident.
As Sherlock investigates, it becomes clear that there are three prime suspects, and at least one person knows something that they're withholding. When Sherlock learns that a large sum of money has also been stolen from the entertainment venue, he knows instinctively that the two incidents are linked. But how?
As the case unfolds, the danger to Sherlock increases. Will he solve the crime before Scotland Yard pieces it together? Will he receive the reward and recognition he deserves? Will he even live to tell the tale...?! If you want the answers to these questions, you'll have to read the book.
Random House, 2008
When Monsieur Mercure, the famous trapeze artist, falls from a great height to crash at Sherlock's feet, the boy is drawn into his second case. A close look at the bar the man had been gripping proves it was no accident.
As Sherlock investigates, it becomes clear that there are three prime suspects, and at least one person knows something that they're withholding. When Sherlock learns that a large sum of money has also been stolen from the entertainment venue, he knows instinctively that the two incidents are linked. But how?
As the case unfolds, the danger to Sherlock increases. Will he solve the crime before Scotland Yard pieces it together? Will he receive the reward and recognition he deserves? Will he even live to tell the tale...?! If you want the answers to these questions, you'll have to read the book.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
What's Possible!
50 true stories of people who dared to dream they could make a difference
by Daryn Kagan
Meredith Books, 2008
I love reading inspirational stories, so to find a book packed with 50 of them was fantastic. Each story tells of how the individual discovered his or her passion and followed through on it. The choices made were not necessarily lucrative, but certainly the people involved found more fulfillment in living out their dreams and in helping others than in any kind of 9-5 or higher-prestige endeavour.
Reading this book excited me and encouraged me to keep pursuing my own dreams and to keep thinking of creative ways to make a difference in the world.
Check out http://www.darynkagan.com/ for more uplifting stories.
by Daryn Kagan
Meredith Books, 2008
I love reading inspirational stories, so to find a book packed with 50 of them was fantastic. Each story tells of how the individual discovered his or her passion and followed through on it. The choices made were not necessarily lucrative, but certainly the people involved found more fulfillment in living out their dreams and in helping others than in any kind of 9-5 or higher-prestige endeavour.
Reading this book excited me and encouraged me to keep pursuing my own dreams and to keep thinking of creative ways to make a difference in the world.
Check out http://www.darynkagan.com/ for more uplifting stories.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Eye of the Crow
by Shane Peacock (Canadian author alert!)
Tundra Books, 2007
The first in a new series called the Boy Sherlock Holmes.
Sherlock Holmes is a 13 year old boy. He's not too interested in school, though it's not due to a lack of intelligence. There are just too many people problems there. He'd rather be out in London, reading the Illustrated Police News, and knowing what's going on in the world.
Sherlock's parents married for love, and life has not been easy, but they are intelligent individuals who have instilled a love of learning and observing in their offspring. When a woman is murdered and a suspect jailed, Sherlock is drawn into the case. The picture of the woman in the newspaper looks remarkably like a young version of his mother, and when Sherlock goes to the Bow Street Jail to see the suspect admitted, the accused makes eye contact with him and insists that he did not commit the crime. The police witness the communication and assume that Sherlock must somehow be an accessory, and the boy must prove his own and the other's innocence.
Lots of action, great historical and setting detail; cliffhangers at the conclusion of every chapter. Makes for a wonderful read-aloud. Highly recommended for boys and mystery lovers of all ages.
Tundra Books, 2007
The first in a new series called the Boy Sherlock Holmes.
Sherlock Holmes is a 13 year old boy. He's not too interested in school, though it's not due to a lack of intelligence. There are just too many people problems there. He'd rather be out in London, reading the Illustrated Police News, and knowing what's going on in the world.
Sherlock's parents married for love, and life has not been easy, but they are intelligent individuals who have instilled a love of learning and observing in their offspring. When a woman is murdered and a suspect jailed, Sherlock is drawn into the case. The picture of the woman in the newspaper looks remarkably like a young version of his mother, and when Sherlock goes to the Bow Street Jail to see the suspect admitted, the accused makes eye contact with him and insists that he did not commit the crime. The police witness the communication and assume that Sherlock must somehow be an accessory, and the boy must prove his own and the other's innocence.
Lots of action, great historical and setting detail; cliffhangers at the conclusion of every chapter. Makes for a wonderful read-aloud. Highly recommended for boys and mystery lovers of all ages.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Catering to Nobody
by Dianne Mott Davidson
Bantam, 2002
Goldy Bear, owner/operator of Goldilocks Catering (where everything is "just right"!), is in a pickle. The local constabulary has closed down her business until they feel satisfied that she had nothing to do with the poisoning of a funeral attendee (her former father-in-law, no less) at an event she catered. A single mom, whose wealthy ex is less than reliable at making child support payments, Goldy depends on her business to pay the bills.
Fortunately for Goldy, the lead investigator on the case, Tom Schultz, takes a fancy to her despite her strong-willed ways, and invites her to participate in finding clues. Her livelihood on the line, Goldy takes the job seriously. What, if anything, connects the death of her child's former teacher, the poisoning of her father-in-law, her new tenant/assistant's changed behaviour, and her son's fascination with Dungeons and Dragons? The results may surprise you.
I liked this better than Crime Brulee, but not as well as the Hannah Swensen or Agatha Raisin mysteries. I do, however, look forward to reading the next in the series while I wait for new HS and AR books to appear.
Bantam, 2002
Goldy Bear, owner/operator of Goldilocks Catering (where everything is "just right"!), is in a pickle. The local constabulary has closed down her business until they feel satisfied that she had nothing to do with the poisoning of a funeral attendee (her former father-in-law, no less) at an event she catered. A single mom, whose wealthy ex is less than reliable at making child support payments, Goldy depends on her business to pay the bills.
Fortunately for Goldy, the lead investigator on the case, Tom Schultz, takes a fancy to her despite her strong-willed ways, and invites her to participate in finding clues. Her livelihood on the line, Goldy takes the job seriously. What, if anything, connects the death of her child's former teacher, the poisoning of her father-in-law, her new tenant/assistant's changed behaviour, and her son's fascination with Dungeons and Dragons? The results may surprise you.
I liked this better than Crime Brulee, but not as well as the Hannah Swensen or Agatha Raisin mysteries. I do, however, look forward to reading the next in the series while I wait for new HS and AR books to appear.
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