Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa Demi Margeret K. McElderry Books, 2005 For those of us who grew up in the closing years of the twentieth century, Mother Teresa is something of an icon. She stands for everything that is saintly, good, and – well, all too often, unattainable. “What do you expect,” I remember friends in high school [...]

Caedmon’s Song

Caedmon’s Song Ruth Ashby and Bill Slavin Eerdmans, 2006 For those of us who aren’t literature majors, a brief biographical note: Caedmon was a herdsman for the abbey at Whitby in mid- to late-seventh century England. He is also counted as the first recorded English poet. His transformation from ordinary, tongue-tied herdsman to one gifted [...]

Peril and Peace: Chronicles of the Ancient Church

Peril and Peace:Chronicles of the Ancient Church History Lives, Volume 1 Mindy & Brandon Withrow Christian Focus Publications, 2005 More than once, Haley and I have had the same experience. We see a book, we love the idea, and we think to ourselves somewhat fearfully, “I really hope this works.” Strangely enough, my own excitement [...]

Hero Tales

Hero Tales Dave & Neta Jackson Bethany House, 1996 When my husband and I were engaged, he was in graduate school and living with Haley’s in-laws. I was still in college nearby, and would drive up occasionally and stay with their family for the weekend. After dinner together, we would sit together around the table [...]

The Holy Twins: Benedict and Scholastica

The Holy Twins: Benedict and Scholastica Kathleen Norris and Tomie dePaola G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2001 When I was last browsing through the picture book stacks at my local library, I was delighted to chance upon The Holy Twins: Benedict and Scholastica, a collaboration between Kathleen Norris and Tomie dePaola. Not because I had a prior [...]

Stories of the Saints

Stories of the Saints Joyce Denham and Judy Stevens Paraclete, 2007 I grew up in a church that didn’t talk much about the saints, nor did we mark All Saints’ Day in the church year. And to be honest, I still have some reservations about how saints are sometimes celebrated – especially when they are [...]

Martin Luther: A Man Who Changed the World

Martin Luther: A Man Who Changed the World Paul L. Maier and Greg Copeland Concordia, 2004 Reformation Day is coming up on October 31: it’s been 493 years since Luther posted his theses for debate on the door of the Castle Church and started a revolution in Western Christendom. Lutheran, Catholic, Reformed, Baptist – whatever [...]