"Mandie and The Jumping Juniper" by Lois Gladys Leppard

About this book:

  “When Mandie and Celia left the United States to spend the summer traveling with Mrs. Taft through Europe, they didn't expect that each new place they visited would have a mystery and adventure all its own. But since boarding the Queen Victoria, it's been one episode after another.
  Traveling from Switzerland to Germany with Jonathan, Uncle Ned, and Senator Morton, they arrive at the medieval stone castle of Baroness Geissler. None of them know much about the castle, but with its many turrets, long narrow slits for windows, a drawbridge and moat, it's not a surprise when they discover there's a mystery surrounding it. A very old juniper tree that's located on the property is said to "jump" sometimes, and no one knows why.
  What is the secret of the jumping tree? And why is the baroness's grandson so rude and unlikeable? Will Snowball help them solve the mystery?”


Series: Book #18 in “Mandie” series. (To read the reviews of the previous books in this series, click the number to be taken to that review: #1! #2! #3! #4! #5! #6! #7! #8! #9! #10! #11! #12! #13! #14! #15! #16! #17!) {There also is the “Young Mandie Mystery” series, (Book #1 review Here and Book #2 review Here!) but they do not connect together well}

Spiritual Content- Leviticus 19:16 at the beginning; Prayers & Thanking God; A Scripture is quoted & prayed; A few mentions of God; A couple mentions of praying; A couple mentions of miracles.

Negative Content- Minor cussing including: three ‘stupid’s; A bit of eye rolling; Rupert can be rude & have a bratty attitude; Mentions of blood & pain (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of murders, duels, a dungeon & disposing of the bodies (barely-above-not-detailed); A mention of a drunk.

Sexual Content- Mandie & Celia talk a bit about boys & marrying them; A mention of Rupert (who’s engaged) kissing another girl; A couple mentions of Rupert’s flirtatious ways; A couple mentions of Rupert’s lady friends; A few mentions of boy having a girlfriend, being old enough for one & them being sweet on each other.

-Amanda “Mandie” Shaw, age 13
                                   P.O.V. of Mandie

                                              Set in 1901
                         160 pages (also available in a collection with four other Mandie books.)

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Pre Teens-

New Teens-

Early High School Teens-

Older High School Teens-

My personal Rating-

Yet another good Mandie mystery! The ending did feel a bit rushed & quick, though, which can make a Mandie fan eager to read the next one. ;)

See y’all on Monday with a new review!

*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

"Riley Unlikely" by Riley Banks-Snyder

About this book:

  “Riley Unlikely is the inspiring story of Riley Banks, who first traveled to Kenya at age 13, and has been back every year since bringing backpacks of school supplies and hygiene kits for young girls, developing relationships and friendships, and is currently, as a young millennial, raising money to build a complete learning complex in Kibwezi, Kenya for those who have nothing.
  At age sixteen Riley learned that, because of a rare medical condition, she would never be able to have her own children. Devastating news to most young women, especially those who love children and have always dreamed of having their own family. But Riley’s response was: Kenya has given me a thousand children.
  Riley’s stories of her trips to Kenya, her struggles to figure out how to best serve and care for these people she has fallen in love with, and her own unexpected health issues are funny, compelling and gripping. Readers will find that God writes surprising stories in the lives of those who follow Him. Hard to put down, Riley Unlikely will inspire you to pursue your dreams and make a difference in your own world—and around the world.”


Series: No.

Spiritual Content- All about God, His love, plans, believers, sharing about God, missionaries & the mission filed; Prayers; Scriptures are quoted, mentioned & talked about; Many talks about God & His plans; ‘H’s are not capital when referring to God; Mentions of prayers; Mentions of churches; Mentions of places, those & events in the Bible; Mentions of Bibles & Bible reading; Mentions of wondering why God would let something happen; Mentions of creations; Mentions of Israel & gaining Biblical knowledge; A couple mentions of VBS;

*Note: A few mentions of other religions.

Negative Content- Mentions of bombs, terrorism & deaths (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of someone being attacked, their injuries & murder (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of deaths; Mentions of pain & passing out; Mentions of bathrooms & human waste; Mentions of body odor & foul smells; Mentions of bullies & ugliness; A few mentions of bladders & wetting a pair of pants; A few mentions of killing & eating chickens; A mention of pulling cockroaches out of ears;

*Note: A mention of Justin Bieber.

Sexual Content- A couple mentions of AIDS; A couple mentions of unwed teenage pregnancies; A few mentions of absentee dads; Mentions of guys, dating & relationships; Mentions of Planned Parenthood, birth control & abortions; Many mentions of & Talks about periods, feminine hygiene products (pads & tampons), girls becoming prostitutes & being paid for s*x by perverse men so they can afford hygiene supplies, also mentions of undies, pregnancies, birth control & HIV;  

            *Note: A few mentions of modesty; Mentions of a monthly period, being a “late bloomer”, a disease/syndrome where a woman is born without a uterus, reproduction & infertility.  

                                                {Non-fiction}
                                                        176 pages

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Pre Teens-

New Teens-

Early High School Teens-

Older High School Teens-

My personal Rating-

I don’t remember when or how I stumbled upon Generation Next on Facebook, but it’s been a year or two of following the organization. Reading Riley’s story & how that non-profit came to be was so inspiring and I just loved this part near the end:

“When you’re serving just because you can, the work is useful and beneficial and good. But you’ll stay committed to it only as long as it stays convenient. By contrast, when you’re serving in a capacity where you feel called, you’ll move heaven and earth if you have to, to see it through.”

See y’all on Friday with a new review!

*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

*I received this book for free from the Publisher for this honest review.