Rivers of Judah:   In Response To: Do you have any "best pick" books? Books that you would highly recommend for highschoolers?        For fiction, BJUP has some really good ones. The series by Catherine Farnes is for teens. They also have many good biographies of missionaries and other Christians. I highly recommend all of their books. I bought all of the Rivers of Judah series. (-homeschoolchristian.com) Teacher (name withheld) 1998Rebekah is an average Christian teenager in the middle of a church crisis. Judah is the new pastor's son--with a secret to hide. Michael is determined to discover the secret, and he's not going to give up until he does. Together, Rebekah and Judah find out what trusting in God's promises really means. I've read this book in my English classes twice so far, and I've had my junior high and high school classes mesmerized. The dialogue is incredible, and the intensity of this book is thrilling. Discussion topics come brimming out of the plot. Here are some believable kids in relevant crises that can help other teens with current issues they're facing: sibling rivalry,genuine godliness, persecution, and forgiveness and restitution. Melinda, 2002 This book is the best book I've ever read, I love it! It's about Rebekah Cahill and how she learns to help her friend, Judah Ewen, and how she grows in her faith. I can't explain it that well, because this is a book you just have to read it to find out! Katie (Old Town, Maine), July 08, 2002 If I could give this book more than a 5 I would, I've read a LOT of books and in my opinion 'The Rivers of Judah' is one of the best (if not THE best)I've ever read. I Love it and would recommend it to ANYONE that likes a good book Jenn S. (Kewaskum, WI), December 20, 2001 One of the best books I have ever read! Very good story line, Catherine Farnes doesn't shy away from the hard issues. Extremely good read. Snow:  Catherine Farnes's engaging young-adult novel, Snow, chronicles the spiritual evolution of Stephanie Teale, a high school junior with albinism, after her family's move from New England to Colorado. Not only must she acclimate herself to a new geographical region and a new school, but she must also transition from attending a special school for the blind to mainstreaming into public school. Not surprisingly, the lifestyle change isn't an easy one for Stephanie. She finds her fellow students' demeaning and callous reactions to her unusual appearance and visual impairment particularly hard to take. However, she soon forms a close bond with Nathan Ewing, the son of a pastor whose father happens to be well acquainted with her own father, a recently reformed Christian. Through Nathan, his friends and his family, a few church services, and a pivotal road trip through the Rockies during which Stephanie's albinism actually proves to be an asset, she becomes convinced that Christianity is the primary vehicle through which she can find self-acceptance and strengthen her relationships with others around her. Farnes does an admirable job of delving into the realities of what living with albinism entails. Stephanie's physical characteristics and her limited eyesight, while posing significant obstacles to fitting in, are depicted in a manner that is very true to life. It seems likely that Farnes either personally knew someone with albinism or conducted fairly extensive research to be able to capture the essence of Stephanie's visual perceptions of the world around her and the tenor of Stephanie's own responses to her condition with such clarity. Many of the thoughts she attributes to Stephanie would be easy for many people with albinism to relate to. Equally commendable is the fact that Farnes confers upon Stephanie a great deal of worldy wisdom for her age in addition to wittiness, the ability to think independently, and a physically based talent (running) — clearly this character, though struggling to maintain her sense of self-worth, demonstrates a certain degree of personal strength.- Contempray fiction (lunaetena) Out of hiding:   The way of escape: Have you ever wondered why God allows things that don't make sense or don't seem fair? Catherine Farnes has. Acknowledging God's sovereignty, embracing it, and then working toward the scriptural end to "count it all joy" is the process she turns to for peace in challenging situations. "It's not always easy to keep my mind on God when things are unsettled all around me," she says. "But God promises to keep us in perfect peace when our minds are stayed on Him."-BJU PRESS REVEIW Over the divide:   The slide: "How do you cope with a father who abandoned you nine years ago, has returned and wants to be loved again? Sixteen year old Taren decides she is not going to forgive him, no matter how Christian he has become. In fact, non-hiking Taren is so far into unforgiveness that she decides going on a several day mountain back-pack trip with her church’s youth group is preferable to staying anywhere near her dad. Taren figures avoiding her father is worth any amount of annoyance, even when that group include the weirdoes that make up the rest of the youth group, a pair of boots that are the height of fashion and very uncomfortable, and pepper spray to ward off the wolves and bears. After the group reaches the mountains, the chaperones get sick and guess who takes their place? You’ve got it! Taren’s Dad just happens to be a guide trained in mountain rescue. And you can be sure his rescue experience is going to be needed. "In The Slide, experienced youth author Catherine Farnes presents a thought provoking, true to life, exciting novel about the problems teens face today. Set in Montana, descriptions of landscape are breathtaking. With emotions ranging from humor to deep distress, this book’s major issues include: forgiveness and reconciliation, change, friendship, rational thinking in dangerous conditions, backsliding, divorce, parental failure, death, salvation. Narrated by Taren, the characters become recognizable, believable. Situations are credible. The straight forward plot flows convincingly into the denouement. Christianity forms the basis for all solutions, but, like life, not all problems are solved. The ending will make a good beginning for a sequel. The Slide is recommended for all church libraries and schools, as well as being useful for home-schoolers, youth groups, and as a gift." -- Donna Eggett, Christian Book Previews   The last thing teenage Taren wants is for her prodigal father to butt into her life. She goes on her church's youth group camping trip with the hopes of avoiding any thoughts or discussion of him. Guess who shows up? This action story with a sometimes-heavy message on reconciliation and redemption will be appreciated by young evangelicals looking for some physical as well as spiritual tension. -Fresh Christian Fiction Reveiws   Snowblind:   One:   Bigfoots bridge: