Maggie Come Lately by Michelle Buckman covers a more serious subject matter than the usual chick lit/YA that I choose. It’s a coming-of-age story of a girl who is searching for her place in the world. It’s dark at times and yet there is a ribbon of faith that runs through the book and helps to put her struggle in perspective. It’s a story of hurt and betrayal, but also one of redemption.

Maggie has struggled for years to make sense of her mother’s suicide. She resents the fact that she has had to make up for her mom’s absence - doing the cooking, cleaning and other “motherly” tasks. She wonders what it’s like to be a normal teenager.
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3-2-1 Penguins! are a favorite in our home and their newest adventure was no exception. I now know the movie almost by heart - my son watches it any chance he gets. I have to admit, though, that I enjoy the movie as well. The Penguins are hilarious - especially Kevin. I highly recommend this movie for a family night, special treat or for any kids who love adventurous penguins.

About 3-2-1 Penguins! Save The Planets!
It’s Zidgel, Midgel, Fidgel and Kevin to the rescue in 3-2-1 Penguins!®: Save The Planets!, an all-new out-of-this-world adventure from Big Idea, Inc., an Entertainment Rights group company. Big Idea’s beloved flock of flightless fowl is back in action with 3 exciting new episodes on one DVD for the first time! Loaded with lots of family-friendly bonus features, this brand-new DVD lands in stores September 2008. Priced at $14.99 SRP, the product is available through Genius Products.
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Blog Tour Contest: Since Sweet September is all about family, Tricia wants to meet yours. Leave a comment on the Tricia’s blog tour post (http://triciagoyer.blogspot.com/2008/09/sweet-september-blog-tour.html) sharing who your favorite family member is and why and you’ll be entered into a drawing to win William-Sonoma’s Pumpkin Harvest Loaf Pan & Quick Bread Set. (I’ve attached a photo. It’s super cute…and would be great for fall treats!)

About the book: Harvest time at Heather Creek Farm is an exciting time, but the kids don’t seem to be getting into the spirit. One day while he’s wandering through the fields, Christopher stumbles across an old piece of metal buried in the ground. He doesn’t know what it is, but he hides it in the shed.

That night, the garden by the house is uprooted. Who could have done such a thing? Charlotte is determined to find out, but is distracted when she gets news that Sam is failing school. The sullen teen is indifferent and won’t study. He starts spending a lot of time with Pete. Though she loves her son dearly, Pete never finished high school, and Charlotte is afraid he’ll encourage Sam to do the same. How can she help him get back on track?

A gripping story that examines the Stevenson family’s history as well as its shaky future, Sweet September will bring you deeper into the loving community of Bedford and the deep ties of love that bind this broken family together. As they forge new connections, you’ll be entertained, inspired, and reminded that God’s grace can make all things new.

About Tricia: Tricia Goyer is the author of twelve books including From Dust and Ashes, My Life UnScripted, and the children’s book, 10 Minutes to Showtime. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer’s Conference in 2003. Tricia’s book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like Today’s Christian Woman and Focus on the Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family make their home in the mountains of Montana.

Tricia’s website: www.triciagoyer.com

Tricia’s blog: http://triciagoyer.blogspot.com

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Written by Judy Dippel

What happens when two women who don’t know each other meet to talk about a topic they are both passionate about—in this case, the magnitude and importance of women’s friendship? It goes without saying, the result of such a meeting brings hours of non-stop conversation. But more importantly, an instant kinship and collaboration on a dramatically different book on women’s friendship began to develop when Eugene, Oregon writers Judy Dippel and Debra Whiting Alexander, Ph.D. met. The Art of Authentic Friendship: Real Women, Real Challenges, Real Solutions (released in July 2008, Evergreen Press) is the outcome of two years of writing partnership between them. Their interviews and surveys, of women of many ages and demographics, uncovered the biggest issues facing women’s friendships in today’s culture. Endorsement from Portland author and speaker, Poppy Smith, says, “Friends are good for women!  They bring joy, companionship, a listening ear, and crucial support in the ups and downs of life.  But, friendships can also be challenging and painful. Sometimes friends hurt us, and sometimes we fail them. Authors Judy and Debra remind us of the joys of friendship, but they also tackle the tough and challenging issues that can arise. Drawing from their survey on friendship, they look at the top challenges women identified.  Providing tools, wise advice, Scriptures, and practical helps and solutions, their book encourages women to find, develop and maintain friendships that nurture their souls.”
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Sydney Alexander is back and happily married to the man of her dreams. Now, if she can just find great guys for her friends life will be perfect. She’s already done it once - she set up her hippie neighbor Rain with Stinky Nate. They are happily married now as well, so Sydney is convinced she can make the same magic happen for other friends.

Sydney takes on the challenge of matchmaking for a few of her friends including her boss, Lucinda. As she becomes confident in her set-up abilities, she even takes on the role of “Lucy for the Lovelorn,” a syndicated column that could take her career to new heights.
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The newest Veggie DVD is here and it is adorable. Here’s a brief synopsis:

Meet Tomato Sawyer and Huckleberry Larry – two friends homesteading along the banks of the mighty

Tom and Huck look forward to owning their own land, building a home and opening Huck’s Jerkyland and Tom’s Tax Preparation.  But everything changes when they meet a mysterious stranger who is on the run and trying to find his mama.  Will Huck and Tom risk losing all they’ve worked for in order to help someone they hardly know? Find out in this exciting river rescue that reminds kids of the importance of helping others.

My kids really enjoyed the story and I, of course, enjoyed the fact that they were learning as they were watching. This particular movie’s lesson was about helping others and it made it easy to talk to my kids about why it’s important to help others and ways that they can apply this to their daily lives.

And, I’d hate to leave out my favorite part … the new Silly Song, The Biscuit of Zazzamarandabo. 

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Here are a few books that are perfect for kids - and those who are kids at heart.

God Gave Us Heaven

Little Cub awakens one morning with some important questions on her mind: What is heaven like? How do we get there? Will we eat in heaven? Will we be angels?

During a delightful day spent wandering their arctic world, Papa gently answers each question, assuring Little Cub that heaven is a wonderful place, “a million times better” than she can imagine. He explains how God has made a way for those who love him to enter their heavenly home forever after their lives on earth are over.
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The Miracle Girls is a sweet novel about second chances. Ana Dominguez has just moved to Half Moon Bay and is doing her best to fit in to her new life. Unfortunately, Riley, the most popular girl in school has singled Ana out for her own brand of high school torture. When Ana and Riley end up in detention together, Ana is sure things can’t get any worse.

As He tends to do, God uses this bad situation to bring Ana together with a group of girls (Riley included) who, like her, are living their second chance at life. Ana realizes that they have brought together for a purpose, but she must now convince the other “Miracle Girls” - maybe not Riley - that their friendship is meant to be.
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Is your faith dull? Holy Fools: Following Jesus with Reckless Abandon may be the cure - at the very least it’s a way to shake up any spiritual life that needs it. Holy Fools is a book that will challenge the reader to the very core and cause him/her to look at life through a new “foolish” lens.

Woodley is open and honest in the book, sharing how he himself came to the place in life where he realized his spiritual life needed to be shaken up. God led Woodley to read the words of some of the prophets of the Bible - all of them considered fools at some time (or all the time) during their ministry. And yet, through the words of godly men like Hosea, Ezekiel and Paul, Woodley began to see more clearly what God desires from His followers. Thus began his journey to becoming a “holy fool.”
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Review by: Sandy McKeown

Author Paula Friedrichsen sheds light on a subject most women only share in a secluded corner of a noisy deli over a strong cup of coffee. Paula found herself in a situation most women don’t easily talk about. She was attracted to another man, her own pastor at the time, no less.

Paula shares in her book, The Man You Always Wanted is the One You Already Have, how she ultimately discovered she was married to the right man—the one she chose to want. She takes us through the essential process of wanting the man we’re married to.
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