Tuesday, July 13, 2004

Is Left Behind good for children? My ten-year-old daughter is reading the Left Behind children's series and seems to like them, but I ought to ask her more in-depth questions about the books and read one or two myself... Please tell me what you think. Have you read them? Your children? Related to that, the following is from Marge Wood, a friend in Austin, Texas who has also written a couple pieces for Wineskins: I work in Central Library in downtown Austin, Texas. I work in the "youth services" area as a shelver, so I have a good idea what kids are reading these days. What I hate are the "graphic novels." I can't even get involved in one. But the kids love them. I tell you what else I hate: the new Jerry Jenkins series LEFT BEHIND: THE KIDS. I read one just on general principles that I should see what is available, since I figured the children of of adults reading the LEFT BEHIND series would read them. I was so terrified that I barely could read the short little book. It was horrible--full of "I tried and tried to tell you but you would't listen and now it's too late...." I was so distressed that I complained to all the librarians around me. I even called a friend in Oklahoma City who writes and edits. He said, "Oh I know the guys who write those books. You are offended because they go against your theological views....Just consider those books to be horror books." Horror books. Imagine a series aimed at teaching Biblical views, with horror as its genre. I kept that in my mind and went back to work. Sure enough I found a lovely lady choosing books for her two daughters, one a teen-ager. We visited and she took several I recommended, including THE OUTCASTS OF 19 SCHUYLER PLACE by E.L. Konigsburg. You need to read it. I digress. Then she came to the Jenkins section where there are around thirty of those little novels that I think should be tossed in the nearest burning barrel. She took one. I asked mildly, "Do your daughters like these?" She responded, "Oh yes. They love to be scared." Hmm. I had forgotten being that age, when I also loved to be scared. She should have borrowed TURN OF THE SCREW by Henry James. Now that will scare you. Anyway it made me see the books in a new light. But I still think that is a terrible way to teach theology. What IS good is the fact that the childrens' area is full of readers of all ages. Parents bring their children and sit to read quietly with them. Children run, holler, play, choose books, lie on the floor with a stack of books, come to puppet and music shows, leave half-empty shelves. They sit and play computer games. They borrow videos, tapes and CDs--and DVDs--of course, but mainly they borrow books. As long as they are reading, we are happy. Best, Marge Wood othermother6@juno.com 2:04:30 PM    comment []

Tony Campolo's new book is taken but more available Thanks to Laura, Terry, and Daniel who've all spoken for books this week (and I've shipped them free copies. They took these books: Brennan Manning, The Relentless Tenderness of Jesus  (Revell, 2004). TAKEN Nancy Beach, An Hour on Sunday: Creating moments of transformation and wonder (Willow Creek/Zondervan, 2004). Michael Card, A Fragile Stone I'm asking for 300-500 words in review that I will either publish in Wineskins print, Wineskins online, ZOE online or even in this blog or you can publish it in yours. At any rate, you'll get to read a new complimentary book from the publisher and share truths from it with others. Here are more books that have come in and are now available: Tony Campolo, Speaking my mind (taken) Leslie Newbigin, Signs amid the rubble: the purposes of God in human history David J. Lose, Confessing Jesus Christ: preaching in a postmodern world Michael Miller, The kingdom focused leader Bob Russell with Rusty Russell, When God answers prayer William Carr Peel and Walt Larimore, Going public with your faith (has been recognized in awards for 2003 books). Bob Jacks, Matthew Jacks with Pam Mellskog, Divine Appointments (premise is that God puts people in our life by "Divine Appointment" and our kingdom business is opening our eyes to see them and reach out with words God gives). Daniel Akin, God on Sex In earlier posts I listed available books. Some have not been spoken for. I have noted those already taken on the following two posts: more books | still more books available Book rate postage of $2 postage is covering 1 book, so send a self-addressed stamped envelope to me with $2 for each book you want to my work address: Greg Taylor The ZOE Group, Inc. PO Box 41028 Nashville TN 37204. Thanks. 6:27:00 AM    comment []