Guest Author - Diana Pederson

Some Books for Summer Reading

Summer is a busy time for most people. If you are a parent, keeping your children busy and out of trouble is one of your top priorities right now. Chances are it is difficult for you to find time to sit down and read. Therefore, I have selected one short book for you and two for your children to read some rainy summer afternoon.

Todd & Jedd Hafer. Wake Up and Smell the Pizza. Bethany House. 2005.

This is a devotional written just for teens. Each devotion is considered an “ingredient” The topics deal with concerns of typical teenagers. I enjoyed reading through the book and seeing how the teens are aided in applying the suggestions included with each topic to the teenager’s life today.

May I suggest tucking this book under your teen’s pillow? It contains 40 days worth of devotions. Perhaps it will encourage your teen to develop the habit of daily devotions this summer.

Angela Thomas. Seeing Yourself Through God’s Eyes. Transit Books Division of Thomas Nelson. 2004.

Girls! Sometimes I think all they are concerned with is whether the boys consider them “pretty”. If your daughter is in this category, hand them this book. It’s guaranteed to show them a new way of viewing themselves – through the eyes of God rather than the eyes of boys (or other girls for that matter). As you read through this book, you’ll find quizzes to take and questions to answer.

This book includes a cd of Angela live. I believe it will help any girl who has a low self image. Today, the television constantly holds up physical beauty as something to strive for. Angela holds up a relationship with God as something to strive for – in other words, inner beauty instead of outer beauty. Your middle school or high school aged daughter will surely be challenged to placing her trust in God instead of beauty!

Carolyn Shores Wright. In the Shelter of His Wings: Resting in God’s Tender Care. Harvest House Publishers. 2004.

In the Shelter of His Wings contains encouraging words for those who are suffering or just discouraged over life. Brief quotes from famous Christians and the Bible are surrounded with wonderful pictures. This book will give you a lift. Perhaps you know someone who is ill or suffering in other ways? Why not read this book through yourself and then make a gift of it to someone else.