Hope Rising: Stories from the Ranch of Rescued Dreams--Kim Meeder
Genre: Christian Inspirational/Horses Summary: A compilation of stories from a non-profit organization that rescues broken horses and troubled kids, pairs them up, and mends troubled hearts and minds. Other: These stories are all touching, and the conversions are nothing short of miraculous. The kids and horses are beautiful, and each story is uplifting and hope filled. If you like horses, that's a bonus, but you don't have to love horses to like this book. (Ages 10+) ~Amy
God's Smuggler (Autobiography)--Brother Andrew
*RA Genre: Christian Autobiography Summary: Brother Andrew always wanted to be a spy. He loved to play tricks on the Nazi guards stationed in his hometown in Holland. He didn't like church, thought religious folk were too stuffy, and liked to be his own man. During his years as a young adult, he grew more and more lost, as he fought in Vietnam and saw devestation right and left. Then he found God, and the story just flies from there. He became a spy for the Lord, smuggling Bibles into countries behind the Iron Curtain. Other: This is an amazing biography that I've read cover to cover no less than 7 times in three years and skimmed it countless times in between. I've bought this book for several of my friends and read it out loud to my whole family. It's easy reading, and it has good humor and amazing miracles. (Ages 10+) ~Amy
The Final Quest--Rick Joyner
*RA Genre: Christian Inspirational/Allegory Summary: Does spiritual battle exist? What are the dangers and temptations that threaten the human race? This relation of a series of dreams Rick Joyner had about demons, heaven, and the present and future spiritual battle deal with these questions and much more in an engaging allegory that challenges the heart and mind. Other: The Final Quest is a series of prophetic visions/dreams that Pastor Rick Joyner of MorningStar Ministries compiled. It is touching and informative and really put the world into perspective. My whole family enjoyed it. (Ages 12+) ~Amy
The Hiding Place (Autobiography)--Corrie Ten Boom
*RA Genre: Christian Autobiography Summary: Corrie Ten Boom and her family were just simple watchmakers in the quiet, unassuming little city of Haarlem. Then WWII hits, and Corrie becomes one of the leaders of the Underground helping to save the lives of many precious Jews. The constant danger finally hits them full-force when a fake call for help causes them to be captured and imprisoned by the authorities. In prison, Corrie and her sister Betsie must rely on God to see them through the devastating conditions of a Nazi concentration camp. Other: Along with God's Smuggler, this is my favorite Christian biography (at least so far). It is an amazing story of provision, faith, miracles, and overall life lessons, and all the people involved are incredibly inspiring. It is a little emotionally intense and a few of the scenes in the concentration camp are very vivid and squalid, but I did read it aloud to my family, including my little sister. We were all blessed (even though my mom and sister gasped a lot). (Ages 12+) ~Amy
Nothing is Impossible--Hyun-Young Cho
Genre: Christian Autobiography Summary: In elementary school, Hyun-Young Cho was known as the "Dance King." He hated studying and only wanted to be the Korean Michael Jackson. But God had a different plan for his life. From that little boy in Korea to a graduate of one of the most prestigious universities in the U.S. and now a bestselling author and well-known speaker, his life is chronicled and the lessons he learned compiled in this book. Other: This was a good instructional book. He has a great testimony, and he has good pointers about life in college and in general. It would be good for all Christian teenagers to read just to reaffirm the basics. The writing is a little choppy because it's translated from Korean, but it's still a good book. (Ages 12+) ~Amy
Tramp For the Lord (Sequel to The Hiding Place)--Corrie Ten Boom
*RA Genre: Inspirational/Autobiography Summary: In this sequel to The Hiding Place, Corrie compiles testimonies from her ministry after her experiences during WWII. She realizes the way God wanted her to preach, and the miracles of provision that she experienced during her amazing life are recorded. God called her to go all over the world as a "tramp for the Lord," telling her testimony wherever there was people who had a heart to hear. Other: I love this book. It is very different from The Hiding Place in that it is a compilation of different inspirational stories, but it has just as much heart and maybe even more devotion. Corrie Ten Boom put all the insights that she gained through these situations, and they are amazing to read. My sister liked this book even more than she did The Hiding Place. (Ages 12+) ~Amy
Chasing the Dragon (Autobiography)--Jackie Pullinger
Genre: Christian Autobiography Summary: What happens to a drug and prostitute filled city, rank with filth and violence, when one woman heeds the call of God and goes to bring the light to Hong Kong? Miracles, healings, and hundreds of precious lives saved into the light. Other: This is the amazing story chronicling the trials and miracles experienced by Jackie Pullinger in her ministry to the people of Hong Kong. Because of the graphic destitution of the city, this book is for an older age group than God's Smuggler. It doesn't flow quite as well as God's Smuggler did, but it was still a powerful book. (Ages 13+) ~Amy