the_jesus_fandom's reviews
501 reviews

The Long Way Westward by Joan Sandin

adventurous hopeful informative medium-paced

3.0

 For such a short story, this one still manages to pack quite a bit of nuance in it: although America is “the promised land”, immigrants still don’t get treated great. Erik thinks everyone is equal, so everyone must be allowed to drive first class, only to realize that’s not the case. When someone later in the book mentions everyone is equal in America, he thinks back to that moment. 

 However, the book still ends on a positive and hopeful note, showing that although there were hardships, a lot of them from other people, it was often true that people had a better life in America. 

Friends and Brothers by Dick King-Smith

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

 Sweet stories with a realistic relationship between brothers. 

Walk The World's Rim by Betty Baker

adventurous challenging emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

 What a story! I never knew much about the Indian civilizations in the southern parts of North America and in Mexico. At the end, the main character

rejects the white man’s religion (Christianity) and goes back to his roots because he realises the Spanish are greedy and dangerous

. On the one hand, as a Christian, I see it as something that transcends culture, but at the same time I find this book a good warning on how someone can learn all about Christianity, but if you don’t actually teach them well and live out what you preach, it isn’t going to have an effect. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Genocide, Physical abuse, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Colonisation

Minor: Cannibalism

Henry and Mudge in Puddle Trouble by Cynthia Rylant, Suçie Stevenson

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

 Okay, this one is super short, but you know, honestly it’s actually got some profound lessons. In the first one, when Henry learns to let go of something beautiful and forgive his dog who innocently destroyed it. It surprised me to read that in a children’s book. 

Buddy: First Seeing Eye Dog, the (Level 4) by Eva Moore

hopeful inspiring medium-paced

3.75

 Although short, this story was very inspiring and honestly, very cool. It’s amazing how we can train animals to help us and give disabled people more freedom and autonomy. 

A Sudden Puff of Glittering Smoke by Anne Fine

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

 A funny story, albeit not incredibly creative or original, which is what I’m used to from this author. 

Where Is God When It Hurts? by Philip Yancey

challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced

4.5

The approach this author takes (focusing on our response instead of the why) was fairly new to me, and gave a very hopeful view on this world and its toils. His advice for helping people who are suffering was amazing, and I think if more people read this book they'd learn how to comfort those who are suffering instead of rubbing salt in their wounds with generic words of wisdom.

Garfield: pocket 52 by Jim Davis

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

 Not always my style of humour, but a funny enough diversion. 

Weg uit de Peel by Jacques Vriens

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

 Heftig boek. Het doet echt wat met je. Uiteraard ben ik als christen niet zo’n fan van de negatieve afbeelding van het christendom, maar het valt ook niet te betwisten dat het christendom vaak is vervormd door machtige mensen voor hun eigen bestwil. 

 Waar Vriens heel goed in is, is je echt boos maken over ongerechtigheid. Tegelijkertijd is de relatie tussen Janne en haar moeder niet helemaal zwart-wit; je ziet echt de gefrustreerde vrouw achter de briesende moeder. Dat vond ik mooi. 

 Het helpt je ook te realiseren hoe goed wij het eigenlijk tegenwoordig hebben, met alle keuzevrijheid en welvaart. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Sexual assault

Moderate: Gun violence, Violence

Prairie School by Avi

informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

 A sweet story about the importance of reading. Not much to say, I thought it was well-illustrated and had likeable characters to root for.