Spring Breakdown by Melody Carlson (Carter House Girls)

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Melody Carlson

and the book:

Spring Breakdown (Carter House Girls)

Zondervan (February 1, 2010)

***Special thanks to Bridgette Brooks of ZONDERKIDZ for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books for teens, women, and children. Before publishing, Melody traveled around the world, volunteered in teen ministry, taught preschool, raised two sons, and worked briefly in interior design and later in international adoption. "I think real-life experiences inspire the best friction," she says. Her wide variety of books seems to prove this theory.

Visit the author's website.

Product Details:

List Price: $9.99
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Zondervan (February 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 031071494X
ISBN-13: 978-0310714941

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER: Just press the button!

Here is my review of this terrific work of teen fiction:

First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Melody Carlson and her publisher for sending me a copy of "Spring Breakdown" to review for them. I have always been grateful for this generosity, and I am trying to improve at being consistent in taking the time to thank these wonderfully giving individuals in a public forum. I really appreciate your time, effort and expense in making a reviewer copy available to me.

As with all novels in this teen fiction genre, I measure its value and success by my own teen's reaction to it. When Melody Carlson's latest offering in the Carter House Girls Series, "Spring Breakdown", arrived in the mail, my 15 year-old actually screamed. I didn't have to hold the book out to her for more than a second for her to tear it from my hand, jump up and down a few times and start devouring the words on the back cover. Then she moved to the front of the book, plopped down on her bed and began reading.

Having my daughter WANT to read a book so badly is what makes me love these novels. There is godliness woven throughout the story, and sensible methods are showcased for dealing with typical (and atypical) teen dilemmas. Melody Carlson truly has a gift for writing. She speaks to women of all ages, and I can't help but think that guys may get something out of her writing, as well.

Thanks, Melody, for making my little girl love books as much as I do.

Homiletics Training: Content

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WORD up!

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