Hidden Rainbow by Christmas Carol Kaufman

Originally published in 1957, this book could easily be counted as a classic. Christmas Carol Kaufman (yes, that was her real name) was a prolific Christian author in the 1930's, 40's, and 50's, and I think Hidden Rainbow is her best work.

The story is set in the beautiful Yugoslavian countryside, about 1900. John and Anna Olesh, a newly married peasant couple, have lived their whole lives in the little village of Miletinac under the authority of the Roman Catholic church. Hoping to get some economic opportunity elsewhere, John takes a trip to America despite the villagers' disapproval. When he returns, no wealthier than before he left, the little family is struck by trouble. John and Anna's three-year-old daughter, Mary, falls and splits her kneecap, and no one in the village (not even the witch doctor) can help her. In the middle of all this, a traveling Protestant minister, Mr. Lutz, visits the village. John and Anna are not sure whether to be friendly to this seemingly harmless man, or to remember the Catholic church's warnings against Protestant heresies. They hesistantly give Mr. Lutz a meal, but refuse to accept one of his New Testaments--that is going too far.

Hoping to find a cure for Mary's knee, John sets off for America again. While he is gone, Anna succumbs to curiosity and the need for some answers, and she accepts a New Testament from Mr. Lutz. But the Catholic church at that time forbade the common people to read or even handle God's Word. Should Anna and John keep the book hidden and read it secretly, hoping to discover the truth, or should she burn it? Will the priest find out? And is the mysterious little book worth going against everything John and Anna have been taught?

Hidden Rainbow is a thought-provoking, sad, joyful, exciting, and poignant look at the power of God in two people's lives. Best of all, the story is based on the lives of real people. I would give it ten stars out of ten!

Faithful Women and Their Extraordinary God, by Noel Piper

I love reading about people from history who loved the Lord and were devoted to serving Him! This book introduces us to five faithful women who trusted God: Sarah Edwards, Gladys Alyward, Lillias Trotter, Esther Ahn Kim, and Helen Roseveare. Using the journals and letters of these five ordinary women, Mrs. Piper shares the exciting stories of how God used them for the advancement of His kingdom. I have not yet finished the book, but already I have been blessed and inspired to follow the Lord more closely and devote my entire heart and life to His glory! I hope to emulate each one of these women, even as they emulated Christ. If you are looking for an encouraging read, I would highly recommend this book!
This book is available to read for free online here or you can purchase it hard copy at the same website.

~Jenny F.

The Bronze Bow

He trains my hands for war so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze...Daniel a Jewish boy living in the time of Jesus takes this verse as motto. His hate for the Romans and vow to get even for the death of his parents keeps all happiness out of his life, he joins up with a robber band that is planning to oust the romans there he learns how to rade and plunder, and fans the fire of hate he has in his heart . Daniel meets the Messiah and makes friend with the son of a scribe and Jesus shows him a path of love and forgiveness instead of hate... But what about that bow of bronze? And his vow of revenge to the Romans? If he gives it up what is there to live for? And if this man is the Messiah when is he leading the revolt? The Romans are to be hated. Or are they? Is Jesus way of forgiveness really better? Is the Bow a Bow of Love not hate? I love this book and would really like your comments on how you liked it.

Mama's Bank Account by Kathryn Forbes

The story of Mama's Bank Account may be better known as the classic film I Remember Mama. It is the true story of Lars and Marta Hansen, immigrants from Norway who live in San Francisco in 1910. Told through the eyes of the eldest daughter, Katrin (Kathryn), the book is a series of delightful vignettes about the Hansen family--Mama especially. Whether she's pinching pennies for the monthly rent, wangling her way into the hospital to visit her sick daughter, or attempting to cure a badly injured cat, Mama is not the kind of character you can easily forget.

Though there isn't really any strong plot throughout the book, it's a wonderful read--interesting, funny, and heartwarming. I would give it eight out of ten, probably for readers 11 or 12 and up. Check out the movie, too, it's also very good.

~Amy

The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

The Yearling is our family's all time favorite book. Written in 1938, the story takes place in early 20th century backwoods Florida. Jody (a boy) lives alone with his parent on their subsistence farm. He is the youngest of seven children, but the only one who survived. Jody always wanted something of his own and early in the story he adopts an orphaned fawn which he nurses and raises. In time the fawn grows up to start eating the food the family needs to survive and Jody must make some serious "growing up" choices.

The characters in this story are very real and there are many heart rending moments between Jody, his parents and his best friend (whose odd name is Fodder wing). I don't want to say too much for fear of ruining the story. Our family read this book out loud together and it is standard to which every other book is compared. If there is such thing as a 10 out 10 book, this is it.

The Yearling was also made into a movie with Greogry Peck and Jane Wyman, but the book is really worth reading. As the book won a Pulitzer prize, I can't imagine there is a library anywhere in the English speaking world that wouldn't have at least one copy of it.

Enjoy!!

- Thomas G.

Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott

Everybody has read (or at least heard of) L. M. Alcott's classic story Little Women, as well as its sequels, Good Wives (sometimes called Part Two of Little Women) Little Men and Jo's Boys. But these were not the only books Alcott wrote--she penned a total of twelve novels and numerous short stories in her lifetime. These lesser known books include Eight Cousins, Rose in Bloom, Jack and Jill, An Old-Fashioned Girl, Under the Lilacs, Aunt Jo's Scrap-bag, The Quiet Little Woman, and A Garland for Girls.

One of my favorite classic books is Eight Cousins. Originally published in 1875, it tells the story of Rose Campbell and her seven cousins. When the story begins, Rose's father has just died, leaving her an orphan (her mother passed away when she was a baby) and under the guardianship of her Uncle Alec. Rose has been spoiled at a snooty young ladies' academy, and Uncle Alec (who is a doctor) has decided to "retrain" her--she learns to do housework, eat oatmeal, study physiology, wear flannel and bloomers instead of silk and corsets, and--gulp--go camping with her boy cousins instead of doing embroidery.

This book doesn't have an earthshattering plot, but it's hard to put down. Rose's change in attitude and personality is slow but sure--at the beginning of the book she's rather selfish and vain, and by the end she's changed into the kind of little girl Dr. Alec wants her to be. Eight Cousins is also full of interesting characters that seem very real. I would give this book eight stars out of ten! It's probably best for readers 10-16. Have you read Eight Cousins? If so, what part did you like best?

PS I own this book, if anyone is interested in borrowing it. It is also available through Borders, Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, the West Davidson County Library and the Lancaster County Library System.

Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes

Johnny Tremain a silversmiths apprentice is the proudest boy in Boston. He looks down on the other apprentices he is gifted and he knows it. Johnny has plans of being a great silversmith until an accident with a crucible leaves him without the use of his right hand. Trying to find work he finds himself in trouble with the Loyalist Mr. Lyte, riding a wild horse for a newspaper, and being the messenger for the secret patriot group the Boston Observer Club this job brings him in contact with Hancock, John and Samuel Adams, and other patriot leaders. He gets to take part in the famous Boston tea party and spy for the patriots.

I love this book I would rate it 10.

~Carolyn