Since we have been busy packing and moving, we haven’t had time to sit down and write out any official reviews. Instead of giving a single review, we’ll just give a list of some of our summer reads and our rating.

• The Bark of the Bog Owl by Jonathan Rogers (Wilderking Trilogy #1) 4 stars- We listened to this as a family on our way to Montana. It was great as an audiobook! The boys loved it and its such a lovely retelling of the story of David. You can read more about my thoughts on it in my review from last year, I read the trilogy last year.
• Secret of the Swamp King (Wilderking Trilogy #2) 4 stars
• The Way of the Wilderking (Wilderking Trilogy #3) 4 stars
• Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl 3.5 stars- Second time reading, we listened to the audio as a family. It’s one of those ones where I say the movie is actually better.
• This Homeward Ache by Amy Baik Lee, 4 stars- I wanted to write a review on this one but it’s been too long now since I read it and it will take me too long to remember everything. It was a lovely book though and perfect for this season of life. The main point was to redirect our longing for places or seasons of our life toward a longing heavenward.
• Born A Crime by Trevor Noah, 4 stars- So interesting learning about life under apartheid, really shocking that this was not that long ago.
• Into the Uncut Grass by Trevor Noah, 3 stars- Very much like The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse but pales in comparison. It was cute and sweet though.
• The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, 5 stars- Audio book with the family, second time reading this beautiful story of forgiveness, identity, and love.
• Bridge to Terebithia by Katherine Paterson, 4 stars- I read The Great Gilly Hopkins earlier this year and enjoyed it so I thought I would read another Paterson book. This was also great, I cried at the end. Great book for looking at grief in children.
• Liturgy of the Ordinary by Julie Canlis, 5 stars- Second time reading this one. Just some great thoughts on our humanity in Christ. Love it.
• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by Ian Fleming, 4 stars- Audio book with the family. Quirky, fun book for the family. I loved that it was about a family having an adventure together.

Currently Reading

Discovering God through the Arts by Terry Glaspey- loving it already!

The Adventures of Father Brown by G. K. Chesterton- It’s been on my To-Be-Read pile for a long time!

Other Exciting Book News

One of the current co-leaders and dear friend from Ukraine, Sharyn, has recently released her story of coming to missions as a book! Lance and I had the privilege to preread it almost a year ago. We were not only blessed to read the early draft and brainstorm organization/titles but we were blessed to hear of their faith and trust in God’s goodness and plans. Her story starts with how she came to Ukraine and ends with how the base helped in the humanitarian efforts during the full scale war in Ukraine. We both recommend this current missionary biography that will encourage you and strengthen your faith. You can buy a copy at YWAM Publishing, on Amazon for a Kindle version or just click HERE.

3.5/5 stars

A formational book review by Megan

“No rabbit is safe. Between now and tonight we must persuade as many rabbits as possible to join us.”

A survival story, rabbits must strike out on their own and create their own home but to do so will require courage, hope and friendship.

*I must confess that I have not read the original story yet so I feel a little funny giving a review of the graphic novel but it was interesting enough and had some food for thought hence this short review.

Reading as a Disciple

“O Frith! Are you sending us to live among the clouds?”

Fiver is a rabbit that often has visions of the future, it is his vision in the beginning that motivates Hazel and others to leave their warren. It is often seen as a message from their god they call Frith. Some rabbits don’t believe in Fiver’s visions but some do, others just think he’s weird. It was a reminder to me of how we sometimes take hearing from God. It can be confusing at times and not make sense but we continue to step out in faith and trust what we hear.

Reading Communally

“You called me over to show me a piece of wood, Blackberry?”

“It drifted down the river. It floats. Don’t you see? We could put Pipkin and Fiver on it and make it float again.”

“First Bigwig’s anger and impatience, and now my cleverest rabbit has lost his mind.”

I enjoyed the beginning and reading how the different rabbits worked together. We see the strong and brave acting within their strengths and those who are clever and smart using their skills to help everyone. No one was made to be useless and extra baggage. Every rabbit and other animal lives were precious and cared for, every life had value. Hazel shows patience in teaching the other rabbits who have been used to lording over others that that is not how they should function in their new home. It is good to remember to be patient with others and to make sure everyone works within their giftings.

Final Thoughts

I really need to read the original to truly give a full review. It’s hard to know if the things that I didn’t like are unique to the graphic novel or to the actual story. It is definitely not a story for children, it is high school and up. There is plenty of animal violence and cruelty and the graphic novel helps you visualize that so I can’t recommend it for just anyone but it does give lots of conversation starters on how to treat people and how to respond to bullies, the value of life and respect for others.

Other books:

I haven’t read any other of Richard Adam’s books.

3/5 stars

A formational book review by Megan

“… God specializes in protection, yet God’s protection may still include pain.”

As a young newly-married couple, Debby and her husband went to live covertly behind the Iron Curtain as missionaries in Poland. They encounter the cold of communism and the Cold War while relying on God for big and small needs.

Reading as a Disciple

“Seasoned by time, reflection gives way to three realities: In difficult circumstances, sometimes it is difficult to ascertain what God is teaching us. In difficult circumstances, most often, it does not matter what God is teaching us; it only matters who God is. In difficult circumstances, a shoulder, not a question is needed.”

God does not change, he is constant. This was evident through out Pulling Back the Iron Curtain. God is good and he cares for his children was something seen in several of the stories Thompson told. I loved hearing how she had prayed for a specific tea set and a real turkey and God provided those things as simple and unexciting as those things were, God heard her prayer and answered. God showed his character, his faithfulness was apparent and that was what mattered more than what lesson was learned in the midst of any difficult situation. It can be easy to focus on what needs to be done or what should have been learned but in trying situations, it is best to reflect on who God is.

Reading Communally

“We learned that- admitting wrong, asking forgiveness- transcends all cultural settings, crosses all political and geographical barriers, and applies to all human beings.”

I loved this chapter, it was funny knowing my own experience of living in Ukraine and it was also miraculous and shocking knowing what I know of life in the Soviet Union. Asking forgiveness was not a common practice and is still not common in countries of the former Soviet Union so this story of forgiveness is beautiful and such a lovely reminder of the power of saying “sorry.” The humble act of saying sorry and asking for forgiveness is a powerful tool around the world. It is critical to learn how to ask forgiveness if you are to be in community with others, it is unavoidable. We will at some point in our lives hurt someone and we will need to apologize. It is uncomfortable and can be super awkward but no doubt it can strengthen your relationship and help you grow in your relationships.

Final Thoughts

There were some great individual stories that I really enjoyed and some I felt challenged by but there were also plenty of chapters that were nothing special. Some chapters were generic or lacking details which made it fall flat. While I am glad I read it, I think there are other better missionary biographies.

4.5/5 stars

A formational book review by Megan

“They weren’t just beholding rock formations; they were beholding handiwork. What he saw spoke to the nature of this world- a dangerous world, a world where we will have trouble. And it spoke to the nature of the one who made it- magnificent and dangerous, overwhelming and vast, beautiful and sublime.”

Russ Ramsey brings us a look into the lives of different artists and what was unique about their lives and what can be learned from their life and work. Perfect for those new to art appreciation as well as those experienced in art history. Ramsey is able to apply the lens of the Gospel and help the reader find hope through the stories of suffering and pain many artists experienced.

Reading as a Disciple

“Who I am to God is who I am. What comes out of this life is his business, but what I do will never be what makes me who I am. Because this is so, when suffering comes, it doesn’t have the power to unravel God’s design. Instead, the suffering becomes part of the fabric.”

Nothing is a surprise to God, no amount of trauma or difficulties are a shock to God but they can all be used by God. No amount of difficulties or even our reaction to difficulties will ever change how God sees us, we are his children and we are loved by God. So many of the stories have an element of suffering, hence the subtitle, What Art Teaches Us About the Wonder and Struggle of Being Alive, but it is beautiful to see how beauty continued in the suffering. Sometimes I think we like to have life be a nice packaged testimony, ‘life before Christ was hard and then I found Jesus and now I’m good.’ But in reality, Jesus did not promise an easy life, there will still be suffering but now we have hope to carry us through the suffering, hope that through redemption, there will be beauty.

Reading Communally

“To truly love someone is to move beyond first impressions into the heart of things; it is to take on the sacred work of stewarding another’s joys and sorrows. It is to show up for their celebrations and invite them to yours. It is to sit with them when they’re sick, nurse them until they are better, and lean on them when you’re the one who is hurting. Is there a more sacred calling? To really know a person is to know them by their sorrow. Our sorrows, failures, and afflictions are sacred, not shameful, because they tell the truth about our need for redeeming grace and mercy.”

What a beautiful idea, that those things in our life that we may see as shameful, should instead be seen as a reminder of our need for redeeming grace. And not only that but that other’s should be able to join us in this journey of faith. Ramsey calls it a sacred calling, to truly love people and be with them in their ups and downs. Earlier in the chapter he calls failures and limits sacred, they speak truth. Letting people see those sacred parts of our lives is scary but by allowing others to see the sacred parts of our lives, we can help them see God’s redeeming grace as well as let other’s remind us of God’s love and grace. It should be a mutual reminder, there is not simply one helping the other or teaching the other but suffering and failures points anyone toward God’s redemption.

Final Thoughts

Such a beautiful book full of inspiration. There were moments that I was in awe and challenged and other times simply inspired. So much beauty in art and so many reminders of God’s hand in our lives, weaving a complete and hope-filled story. Highly recommend it for everyone but I do think Rembrandt Is In the Wind is still my favorite of the two art books Ramsey has written.

Other books:

Rembrandt is in the Wind– personal favorite

There are other books Ramsey has written but you can look them up.

4.5/5 stars

A formational book review by Megan

“All of life is a battle against fear. We fight it on one front, and it sneaks around to our flank.” He paused, looked kindly at her. “Yes, Father. I understand.” “I regret many things I’ve done,” he said, “but most of all I regret those moments when I said to Fear, ‘You are my master.’”

The Green Ember follows Heather and Picket, simple rabbits, but their lives are turned upside down one day when they are suddenly thrown into a broader adventure. They must overcome prejudice, assumptions, fear, and hate. How will they navigate this uncertain time and will they be for the coming kingdom or against it?

Reading as a Disciple

“The king was asked during this time by a faithful subject, ‘What, Lord Jupiter, is the greatest joy in the peace you have won?’ He did not answer suddenly; that was not his way. He was a philosopher king, so he thought on it. Finally, after several moments in silence, he answered with a wide smile, ‘That I am my father’s true son.’”

Family background and history takes a prominent role in this story but we should all be aware of our own family history and backgrounds too. No matter our own family story, what is beautiful is that our story with God is simple and true, we are his children and are heirs in Christ. Heather and Picket must wrestle with their own family history and things they thought were true but perhaps are not. They face prejudice against them and deal with their own prejudice, both are difficult to overcome. Shame and doubt can make overcoming family history seem impossible but God continually pursues us.

Reading Communally

“Here we anticipate the Mended Wood, the Great Wood healed. Those painters are seeing what is not yet but we hope will be. They are really seeing, but it’s a different kind of sight. They anticipate the Mended Wood. So do all in this community, in our various ways. We sing about it. We paint it. We make crutches and soups and have gardens and weddings and babies. This is a place out of time. A window into the past and the future world. We are heralds, you see, my dear, saying what will surely come. And we prepare with all our might, to be ready when once again we are free.”

The Green Ember had a subtle theme of redemption woven throughout that reminded me of our desire to see God heal our broken world. This idea of being a herald is the same as being an image-bearer, we bear the image of God in us, though we are broken individually, together, in community, we gain a better picture of what is to come.

It was also lovely to see in the book the idea that everyone is preparing for the Mended Wood by doing a craft, learning a trade. Not everyone was a soldier, rabbits continued to chose a trade and by this they were still preparing for the Mended Wood. Nothing was considered unnecessary, all jobs were seen as important and as work toward the Mended Wood. Everyone was a herald and therefore their work was directed toward the hope of the wood being healed and made whole again. We should have the same attitude, that no matter what job we hold, we do it unto God knowing that it will bring glory to God now. All jobs can bring glory to God as we serve as a herald to point others to the hope to come.

Final Thoughts

A thoroughly enjoyable read, lots of action and suspense. I always appreciate kid stories that allow for great conversation and this one does not disappoint. Betrayal, loyalty, hope, friendship, legacy, truth, fear and gossip are all some of the topics that could be discussed. I look forward to finishing the series and seeing what will happen.

Other books by S.D. Smith:

The Green Ember series- I’ve read the second book as well and enjoyed it. Hopefully I’ll finish the third and fourth books sometime this year.

Mooses with Bazookas- Have not read

Jack Zulu series- Have not read