"Under the Tangerine Tree" by Esther M. Bandy

About this book:

  “Twelve-year-old Angie Mangione lives with her parents and her five-year-old brother, Joey, in New York City. After Papa is shot, Mama moves with Angie and Joey to Granny’s house on a country lake in Florida. How can Angie cope with missing Papa, moving to Florida, being the new girl at school, and living with her angry teenage cousin at Granny’s house? Will Angie and Joey be able to survive the mysterious danger that lurks in the lake? With all the changes in Angie’s life, will she ever be happy again?”

 

 

Series: As of now, no, a stand-alone novel.

 

 

Spiritual Content- Scriptures are quoted, read, & discussed (& a few Scripture are listed in the dedication); Prayers, Thanking God, & Blessings over food; Hymns are sung at school in a music class; Church going & sermons (Palm Sunday & Easter church services as well); Many talks about God, Jesus, Heaven, receiving Jesus into your heart, & sins; ‘H’s are capitalized when referring to God; Angie wonders what Jesus has to do with her as she hasn’t done anything bad *Spoiler* towards the middle, she asks her mom how to receive Jesus and after a thorough discussion, she prays *End of Spoiler*; Many mentions of God, Jesus, accepting Him, & faiths; Many mentions of prayers, praying, & blessings over food; Mentions of churches, church going, hymns, sermons, & pastors; Mentions of Heaven & someone’s soul being there after they died; Mentions of Bibles, and those & events in the Bible; Mentions of Christmas, the Christmas story, & a nativity; Mentions of sins & sinning; A couple mentions of missionaries; A mention of thanking God; A mention of a Bible study.

 

 

Negative Content- The book starts with Angie coming home from school & learning that her father has been shot (he tried to protect a cashier from being robbed at a store, barely-above-not-detailed); Angie thinks of a plan to runaway from their new home; Angie is worried at one point that an alligator might kill someone; A close-call with an alligator & a nightmare the night after (the alligator is killed, up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of the robbery, Angie’s father being shot and killed, her family grieving, & the funeral (including seeing the body in a casket, barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of assassinations & the shooters; Mentions of deaths in car wrecks & hurricanes; Mentions of a young boy being attacked by an alligator and it attacking (& killing) a beloved pet dog (barely-above-not-detailed) & other alligator attacks; Mentions of some people using guns to hurt people and some people using guns to protect people (this includes a young teen aiming a rifle at a lake to protect those swimming from an alligator, but Angie is scared by him doing this, though she realizes that “guns could be horrible, but they could be useful too”); Mentions of teasing/name-calling from kids at school; A few mentions of the Cuban Missile Crisis & almost going to war; A few mentions of a workers’ strikes & violence; A few mentions of a car accident & someone losing their legs from it; A mention of someone who was killed by lightening; A mention of robbing a bank; A mention of when Angie stolen candy from a store; A mention of lying; 

             *Note: Mentions of equal rights & it being wrong that people are treated differently based on their skin color (including a couple mentions of a bomb exploding at a church killing children); A few mentions of a song & singer (Tony Bennett). 

 

 

Sexual Content- N/A.

 

-Angela “Angie” Mangione, age 12

                                P.O.V. switches between them 

                                            Set in 1963 

                                                    171 pages

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Pre Teens-

New Teens-

Early High School Teens- 

 

Older High School Teens- 

 

My personal Rating- 

 

{Lower the ratings a full star for those sensitive about the death of a parent &/or animal deaths.}

{The ratings are lower as the girl gets older because of the simple plot-line, but it is clean for all ages, depending on the sensitivity of the reader.}

Personally, this book wouldn’t have been for me when I was a pre-teen, though I can appreciate all the faith content in it. I do think it’s a bit loaded for sensitive middle-grade readers with the grieving of Angie’s father and the mentions of alligator attacks, but it was interesting to see a peek of the 1960s in a middle-grade story.

 

 

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 Author for this honest review.

"The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip" by Sara Brunsvold

About this book:

  “Aidyn Kelley is talented, ambitious, and ready for a more serious assignment than the fluff pieces she’s been getting as a cub reporter for the Kansas City Star. In her eagerness, she pushes too hard, earning herself the menial task of writing an obituary for an unremarkable woman who’s just entered hospice care. But there’s more to Clara Kip than meets the eye. The spirited septuagenarian may be dying, but she’s not quite ready to cash it in yet. Never one to shy away from an assignment herself, she can see that God brought the young reporter into her life for a reason. And if it’s a story Aidyn Kelley wants, that’s just what Mrs. Kip will give her—but she’s going to have to work for it.”

Series: As of now, no, a stand-alone novel.

 

 

Spiritual Content- 2 Peter 1:15 at the end; Many Scriptures are mentioned, read, quoted, & repeated; Bible reading; Many, many prayers, praising, & thanking God; Church going & helping at a mission; Witnessing to others (including Mrs. Kip witnesses to a man and prayers hard for his salvation, there is a scene of him apparently seeing Someone after their witnessing, before his death); Many, many talks about God, His will, trusting Him, & witnessing; ‘H’s are not capitalized when referring to God; All about many, many mentions of God, His will, & trusting Him; In a flashback scene, Mrs. Kip is mad at God and doesn’t understand why He allowed something to happen and in another scene, she thinks that God is a bully (in the next flashback scene, she’s a new Christian); Many mentions of God, witnessing, & His will; Many mentions of Bibles, Bible reading, books of the Bible, those in the Bible, & Scriptures; Mentions of Heaven & longing to be there; Mentions of churches, church going, Bible classes, Sunday school classes, pastors, worship, & songs; Mentions of mission trips, missionaries, & martyrs; Mentions of angels & God’s hidden warriors; Mentions of blessings & being blessed; Mentions of a cross necklace (Aidyn wears one, but keeps it under her shirt at work since “newsrooms aren’t exactly harbors of faith”); A few mentions of God’s creation; A few mentions of different Christian denominations; A few mentions of godsends & God speed; A few mentions of Buddhists learning about Christianity because it gives hope; A couple mentions of baptisms; A couple mentions of devotionals; A couple mentions of miracles; A couple mentions of someone being like a saint; A couple mentions of a Chris Tomlin song; A couple mentions of a Faith section of a newspaper being the article is code for being “relatively buried”; 

             *Note: A couple mentions of Aidyn and her friend (Rahmiya)’s difference in faith and how they rarely talk about it (the end of the book leaves it open ended about Aidyn talking to her about it); A couple mentions of someone believing in Jesus, but struggling to deal with his own demons and “taking their power for granted”; A mention of a group of people having been through hell; A mention of a godforsaken place.  

 

 

Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘freaking’, a ‘suck it up’, a form of ‘stupid’, two forms of ‘dumb’; A little bit of (playfully) eye rolling; Mrs. Kips is in hospice care (cancer), has pain, has to take morphine at times, and also needs help going to the bathroom (up to semi-detailed); Seeing signs of death approaching (written mostly in a medical way), seeing someone die, & helping clean them (up to semi-detailed); See an infant that died (up to semi-detailed); In a flashback scene, Mrs. Kips drinks Scotch after her husband’s death (though she doesn’t like it); A nightmare of a child being attacked by a beast (not gruesome, but in a spiritual-way, barely-above-not-detailed); While not technically lying, Aidyn fishes for information by acting like she knows what the other person is talking about; Many mentions of wars, fighting, deaths, families being separated, & Communists (including a new government that wants to murder someone); Many mentions of death, deaths, how they happened, signs of death approaching, & grieving (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of a car accident, death, & how it happened (hinted to be drunk-driving, up to semi-detailed); Mentions of pain & injuries; Mentions of alcohol, drinking, someone who “battled the bottle”, & a bar; A few mentions of killers, thieves, and liars; A few mentions of prejudice & trying to help foreigners despite others being small-minded about it; A couple mentions of terrorists & bombs; A couple mentions of the Great Depression; A couple mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of smoking & a pipe; A couple mentions of humans being cruel to animals; A mention of the Japanese internment camps in the 1940s; A mention of a possible murder; A mention of illegal dogfights;    

             *Note: Mentions of social media & technology (FaceTime, YouTube); Mentions of Harley motorcycles; A couple mentions of a store & items (JCPenney, Barbie); A couple mentions of Elvis & a song; A couple mentions of car brands; A mention of Starbucks; A mention of McDonald’s; A mention of a brand name (Vuitton).   

 

 

Sexual Content- A bit of Mrs. Kip recalling her husband’s embrace, warmth, and scent (barely-above-not-detailed); A few mentions of an out-of-wedlock pregnancy (a businessman and a “naïve waitress”); A mention of rescuing young girls from the red-light districts; 

             *Note: A couple mentions of a younger brother’s rancid boxers.

 

-Clara Kip, age 79

-Aidyn Kelley, age 24

                                P.O.V. switches between them    

Set in 2016 & Flashbacks back to other times (1969, 1971, 1975-1979, & 1983)                                                                     368 pages

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Pre Teens-

New Teens-

Early High School Teens-

Older High School Teens-

My personal Rating-

{ This book may be a hard read for those who recently lost a loved one due to the many mentions of deaths and death nearing, though, it could also help if the loved one was a Christian.}

To be frankly honest, I had been pushing reading this book off for the last couple of weeks. I was hearing great things about it, but I either wasn’t feeling it or wasn’t sure what to expect. So here I am two weeks later, finally have read this book with dried tears on my cheeks.

What a faith-filled story this was.

This is what Christian Fiction is in the best possible way: a story showing someone’s faith being steadfast during the hard times, not forgetting Him in the easy times, and also witnessing God’s love to others. I adored the message that this book carried.

I wasn’t the biggest fan of Aidyn at first (she grew on me about half-way, though), but Mrs. Kips quickly caught my attention. Nearly every word out of her mouth was a prayer or praise to God and it was truly inspiring to read. Part of me wishes that we would have learned a bit more about Aidyn or even more details about Mrs. Kip, but the important details—their faiths—were there. I thought it was interesting to be introduced to a character through one person’s eyes and then when the point of view switches, we learn different things about that same person. I loved the missions aspects of this book and foresee myself going on some research bunny trails soon.

For those looking for a Christian Fiction book that isn’t the normal book in the genre, I highly suggest you check this one out.

 

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 (Revell) for this honest review.

"Aj's Ireland" by Renee Riva

About this book:

  “In 1967, nine-year-old AJ wins a trip to Ireland to spend Christmas in a medieval castle. There's only one drawback; she has to bring her big Italian family along. It doesn't take long for AJ to drive her Prom Queen sister crazy with her newly acquired Irish accent, or to take revenge on her brother with her Spooky Suzu doll hanging above his bed at night. Hop on the Blarney bus with The Degulio's, a group of tap dancers, and a family of yodelers for a rip roaring ride around Ireland. You may learn some interesting history amid the chaos in this comical coming of age adventure seen through the eyes of quirky AJ. You will never see Ireland the same again. A feel good read for ages 8 to adult”


Series: Considered a #.5 in the “AJ” trilogy. You can see the reviews of Book #1 Here! and #2 Here!


Spiritual Content- Set during Christmas time; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Mentions of God & Christ; Mentions of churches, a cathedral, & priests; Mentions of Christmas, baby Jesus, & songs; Mentions of Christmas Eve & a candlelight vigil; Mentions of saints & angels; A few mentions of prayers & praying; A couple mentions of Heaven; A couple mentions of blessings;

             *Note: A couple mentions of ghosts.

Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘blah, blah, blah’, a ‘darn’, a ‘drat’, a form of ‘idiot’, an ‘oh my gosh’, a ‘what the heck’, six ‘dumb’s; Sarcasm, Sass, & Eye rolling; Pain & Injuries (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of famines, dying, & deaths; Mentions of wars & fighting; Mentions of gangsters, mobs, & Bonnie and Clyde; Mentions of alcohol, drinking, & bars/pubs; Mentions of eating bunnies (doesn’t happen); Mentions of pranks on siblings (including a “possessed” doll, a ghost, and a dungeon); A couple mentions of slaves; A couple mentions of forest fires; A couple mentions of illnesses & deaths; A mention of cigarettes;

             *Note: Mentions of pop culture from this time period (Seventeen magazine, JC Penny’s, & a couple movies and actresses).

Sexual Content- Mentions of AJ’s boy-crazy sister, cute/handsome boys, almost kissing, & kissing; Mentions of kissing stone;

             *Note: A couple mentions of a mini-skirt & mini-jumper; A mention of someone’s bum.

-Angelia Juliana “AJ” Degulio, age 9
                                                     P.O.V. of AJ

                                                      Set in 1967
                                                       162 pages

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Pre Teens-

New Teens-

Early High School Teens-

Older High School Teens-

My personal Rating-

{Add ½ star to a full star for those who have enjoyed the other books in the series.}

Such a fun prequel to this series—that I happen to read after I finished the main trilogy! Haha! I would say that this one is just as on par with the humor and crazy antics as the other books. :)

See y’all on Wednesday 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 author for this honest review.

"Saving Sailor" by Renee Riva

About this book:

  “It’s 1968 and ten-year-old A.J. Degulio is having the best summer vacation of her young life, hanging out with her dog Sailor, at the lake; alternately playing and fighting with her four siblings; and driving her mother crazy with her fake Southern accent. And when she meets Danny Morgan—who shares her love for star gazing and deep thoughts—it seems that she’s met a soul mate. But then Danny’s family in falling apart, and the wreckage affects both the Degulios and the Morgans. It takes a tragedy to reveal the high price of betrayal…and the hope that lies in forgiveness.”


Series: Book #1 in the “A.J.” series.  


Spiritual Content- A few Scriptures are read; A bit of Witnessing; Prayers & talking to God; Going to Mass & confessions; Talks about God; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; AJ’s family is Roman Catholic; Many mentions of God; Many mentions of prayers, praying over food, & thanking God; Many mentions of churches, church going, Mass, confessions, priests, sisters, & sins; Mentions of talks about God; Mentions of Heaven; Mentions of hymns; Mentions of baptisms; Mentions of Catholics & Baptists; Mentions of Mother Teresa & martyrs; Mentions of saints & saint statues; A few mentions of Balaam’s donkey; A few mentions of rosary beads & Hail Marys; A couple mentions of wanting to be a preacher; A couple mentions of the Pope; A couple mentions of a convent; A mention of Billy Graham;

             *Note: When AJ messes up she says, “Sometimes I think I must be possessed.”; A couple mentions of Greek love gods; A couple mentions of Hercules & Zeus; A mention of a goddess; A mention of eternal damnation; A mention of being damned to a long stay in purgatory; A mention of a one-way ticket to hell.

Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘blah-blah-blah’, a ‘blazin’’, a ‘dang’, a ‘duh’, a ‘hush up’, a ‘stinking’, two forms of ‘darn’, two ‘oh my gosh’s, two ‘sissy’s, two forms of ‘wimp’, five forms of ‘idiot’, six ‘stupid’s, nine ‘dumb’s, Some eye rolling & sass; Mentions of curses (some are written out as “bleeping” and a report to a vacation to the Hoover Dam gets smart);  Pain (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of stitches & injuries (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of eating animals that were cared for as pets (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of the Zodiac Killer and his victims (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of crimes & prisons; Mentions of cigarettes & smoking; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; Mentions of boys using the bathroom outside; Mentions of rumors; A few mentions of a car accident & death (barely-above-not-detailed); A few mentions of a war & deaths; A few mentions of stealing & thieves; A few mentions of blackmail; A few mentions of dogs on death row in a shelter; A few mentions of wine; A few mentions of throwing up; A few mentions of tattoos; A few mentions of nightmares; A couple mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of diarrhea; A couple mentions of roadkill; A mention of the Mafia; A mention of a human target for a spear contest; A mention of drunks; A mention of horror movies;

           *Note: Mentions of pop culture in the 1960s; Mentions of Truth or Dare & pranks; A mention of looking like a zombie; A mention of a vampire; A mention of aliens.

Sexual Content- A bit of Noticing; Blushes; a ‘floozies’ (AJ says her sister reminds her of them from the western movies), a ‘hot’, and two ‘baby’s; AJ says she melts over the steamy love scenes in western movies where the guy kisses the girl; Mentions of Danny’s father cheating on his mother (it’s never straight out said, but he’s apparently done it before; mentions of if Danny’s mother will leave him; AJ asks if Danny means that his father is having a sleepover with another lady; no details; *Spoiler* Near the end Danny’s father says that Jesus found him and repents *End of Spoiler*); Mentions of AJ’s crush and him kissing her for so long (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of crushes, blushes, boys, island romances, kissing, kisses, boyfriends, girlfriends, & dating; Mentions of a boy trying to kiss AJ; Mentions of pretty women & a married man looking away; Mentions of proms & dances; Mentions of teens swarming around the opposite gender; A few mentions of a guy leading on girl on & already having a girlfriend; A few mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of married couples kissing;

             *Note: Mentions of noticing  fat & skinny people; A few mentions of behinds, backsides, & fannies; A mention of something butting up to something; A mention of a big man’s tiny swim bottoms.

-Angelina Juliana “AJ” Degulio, age 9-10

                                1^st person P.O.V. of AJ

                                              Set in 1968 {Epilogue in 1976}
                                                        217 pages

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Pre Teens-

New Teens-

Early High School Teens-

Older High School Teens-

My personal Rating-

I’ve actually read this book twice now and I’m pretty sure I enjoyed this second time just as much as the first! AJ, her personality, & her crazy family are hilarious—there were so many parts I had to put the book down to wipe tears from my eyes from laughing so hard!

While AJ is ten, I won’t recommend this book for that age range because of certain topics mentioned/discussed. She doesn’t feel very young or immature as some other ten-year-olds, so I think older girls, like myself, should still enjoy. That epilogue is a bit of a spoiler for book #2 & #3, but it’s still so good! :)

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.