A Cup Of Dust

About The Book:  Where you come from isn't who you are
Ten-year-old Pearl Spence is a daydreamer, playing make-believe to escape life in Oklahoma's Dust Bowl in 1935. The Spences have their share of misfortune, but as the sheriff's family, they've got more than most in this dry, desolate place. They're who the town turns to when there's a crisis or a need―and during these desperate times, there are plenty of both, even if half the town stands empty as people have packed up and moved on.
Pearl is proud of her loving, strong family, though she often wearies of tracking down her mentally impaired older sister or wrestling with her grandmother's unshakable belief in a God who Pearl just isn't sure she likes.  Then a mysterious man bent on revenge tramps into her town of Red River. Eddie is dangerous and he seems fixated on Pearl. When he reveals why he's really there and shares a shocking secret involving the whole town, dust won't be the only thing darkening Pearl's world.  While the tone is suspenseful and often poignant, the subtle humor of Pearl's voice keeps A Cup of Dust from becoming heavy-handed. Finkbeiner deftly paints a story of a family unit coming together despite fractures of distress threatening to pull them apart.

About The Author:  Susie Finkbeiner is a stay-at-home mom, speaker, and author from West Michigan. Her previous books include Paint Chips (2013) and My Mother’s Chamomile (2014). She has served as fiction editor and regular contributor to the Burnside Writers Guild and Unbound magazine. Finkbeiner is an avid blogger (see www.susiefinkbeiner.com), is on the planning committee of the Breathe Christian Writers Conference, and has presented or led groups of other writers at several conferences.

My Thoughts On The Book:  I have always been a big fan of history and the Dust Bowl has been a subject I have read about in great detail.  This was not the easiest book I have ever read and I would have to put it down from time to time just to absorb what I had just read.  It is a tough read, but once you are captured by the spirit of Pearl you find yourself needing to pick it up again and finishing.  It is a very emotional read and even though you know it is fiction you know this could have been reality. Finkbeiner is a master word smith and weaves a tale of sadness, reality, terror, and the hardness of life in the life of 10 year old Pearl.  This is a must read for anyone who is a fan of historical fiction, especially the Oklahoma Dust Bowl.  I must tell future readers that there is some violence, yet without the violence the story would not have been as powerful as it was.  This book was comparable to The Grapes of Wrath in depth and subject. 
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Kregel Publiations as part of their Book Review Blogger Programs. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!



My Little Life of Jesus

About The Book:  My Little Life of Jesus introduces the story of Jesus' life to 3-to 5-year-olds. It follows Jesus from His birth, being baptized by John, meeting the disciples and teaching them how to pray, telling His stories to people in nearby towns and villages, right through to His return to the heavenly Father. Illustrated throughout with adorable artwork from a popular Candle Books artist, there is also a map included to show the land where Jesus lived. This padded hardcover comes complete with a presentation page for gift or award giving.
About The Author: Karen Williamson worked as a London primary school teacher and publisher’s editor before launching a successful career as full-time writer. With three children of her own, she specializes in Bible stories for young readers.|As a child, Marie continually drew characters and illustrated fun books for friends and family. After studying graphic design and illustration at college she has worked on stationery, puzzles, greetings-cards, maps and posters as well as numerous children's books.
About The Illustrator:  Amanda Enright is an illustrator from West Sussex in the UK.    

My Thoughts On The Book:   I do not review children's books often and for the most part I enjoyed this little book. It had great eye appeal.  I actually read it to a Sunday School class of 5 year olds and they were most impressed.  I loved that each event was followed by scripture.  The events were close to accurate, Jesus's getting his own donkey was not correct.  I researched several versions of the Bible and in all versions the disciples got the donkey as Jesus asked.  It was still a very simple telling of the life of Jesus that a small child could comprehend and I loved that.  The illustrations were precious.  The only thing I found fault in was that all the characters were white.  People from that region of the country were darker skinned.  Yet, even with that I could see where children would never notice this.  This book would be a great gift for a little one in your life.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Kregel Publishers as part of their Book Review Blogger Programs. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!