Happy Birthday: God's Blessings to You! - Leigh, Susan K. Concordia, 2007. 22p. $5.99, board book. ISBN: 978-0-7586-1331-8. cph.org [E] Birthdays.

Birthdays are special days. We celebrate birthdays because God made us. We are God's children. God's Son is Jesus. The Bible tells us about Him. Jesus' birthday is Christmas.

Close-up photographs of smiling young children with familiar birthday items and simple text will most certainly make this an eye-catching favorite of any congregational nursery or preschool education class. It could be used as a simple introduction to Christmas or for birthday celebrations for the very young child. The small board-book size makes it an easy book to tote around and for small hands to manage. For ages 1-3.

Nanette Goings
Faith Community Lutheran Church
Longmont, Colorado

Hot Issues, Cool Choices: Facing Bullies, Peer Pressure, Popularity, and Put-Downs - Humphrey, Sandra McLeod. Illustrated by Brian Strassburg. Prometheus, 2007. 133p. $13.95, paperback. ISBN: 978-1591025696. prometheusbooks.com 302.3 Bullying-Juvenile literature. Children- Conduct of life-Juvenile literature.

It is one of those problems we wish would go away. But in junior high or middle school you will find it lurking in classrooms, locker rooms, school buses, and playgrounds. Whether verbal or physical, bullying happens in most schools in various degrees.

To help young people deal with this ever-growing problem, Sandra McLeod Humphrey, a clinical psychologist (and 2005 winner of CSLA's Helen Keating Ott Award for Outstanding Contribution to Children's Literature), creates twenty-six scenarios based on actual incidents. At the conclusion of each four-page chapter, there is a series of questions asking youth how they would respond in each of the situations. The scenes are varied, from simple teasing and being left out of the in group, to cyber-bullying that can ruin reputations or much worse.

Readers will enjoy the clever caricatures illustrating this book. Web site references are helpful. This is an excellent resource for group discussions as well as a source for individuals who want to break the cycle of bullying. Hot Issues, Cool Choices is recommended for all congregational libraries that serve children and to anyone who cares about the spiritual, emotional, and physical welfare of young people.

Mary Lou Henneman
Boardman United Methodist Church
Boardman, Ohio

We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball - Nelson, Kadir. Jump at the Sun/Hyperion (an imprint of HarperCollins), 2008. 88p. $18.99, hardcover. ISBN: 978-078680832-8. hyperionbooksforchildren.com/jump 796.35709 Negro leagues-History- Juvenile literature. African American baseball players-Juvenile literature. Baseball-United States-History-Juvenile literature.

Kadir Nelson takes readers from the beginning days when Rube Foster, a Negro pitcher from Texas, organized a scattered bunch of ill-equipped Negro teams into a league with the professional level of play he knew was possible. (The title comes from Foster, who asserted his league's independence from the whites-only major leagues by declaring, "We are the ship; all else the sea.")

Nelson tells of the flashy and fast-paced game they played and the lively cast of characters-many with memorable nicknames (Mule Suttles, Turkey Stearnes, and Cool Papa Bell-the fastest man in baseball). Writing in the imagined collective voice of a league player, Nelson tells of the hurt of being unwelcome in so many places, the grueling rides in a worn-out bus on back roads that had them "bouncing around the bus like popcorn on a hot stove." He tells of long searches for a place to stay or use the bathroom or have a meal. In some towns where they weren't welcome anywhere else, an African American church would feed them.

We Are the Ship is lavishly illustrated with Nelson's own paintings, gorgeous in their color and clarity. The art appears, at least one per two-page spread. There are also several doublepage images and one marvelous gatefold. End material includes lists of Negro Leaguers who went to the majors and of those in the Baseball Hall of Fame, bibliography and filmography, notes on sources, and an index. Hank Aaron contributes a foreword.

Monica Tenney, Media Review Editor
Maple Grove United Methodist Church
Columbus, Ohio

Dream Machine: Another Growing Field Adventure - Hoog, Mark E. Illustrated by Robert J. Aukerman. Growing Field Books, 2006. 36p. $16.95, hardcover. ISBN: 978-0-9770391-1-1. growingfield.com [E] Dreams.

Jazzmin, Bernquist, and Jackson are walking home from school one day when they discover a mysterious golden key. "Wouldn't it be great," says Jazzmin, "if there was a machine that could make our dreams come true?" Just then, a carnival gypsy appears and directs them to a real dream machine. Jazzmin, Bernquist, and Jackson all express their dreams and are surprised to discover what follows. The children learn the value of dreams, goals, practice, and responsibility.

Eye-catching illustrations and wonderful dream quotations fill the pages and the inside covers of this must-have book. Dream Machine, the second book in the Growing Field series, was written in memory of the author's colleague and friend, Jason Dahl, the captain of United flight 93 that crashed in Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001.

Nanette Goings
Faith Community Lutheran Church
Longmont, Colorado

Introducing Russell - Walter, Debbie. Moose Run, 2007. 68p. $6.95, paperback. ISBN: 978-0-9766315-2-1. moose-run.com Fiction Pets-Juvenile fiction. Animals-Juvenile fiction.

Jake the dog and Belle the cat narrate this story about their pet mouse, Russell, and the human they have helped train. When Russell's infected mosquito bite needs medical attention on a camping trip, Jake and Belle realize they need to introduce Russell to their human and get her to seek medical help.

But how are we going to get our human to understand, they wonder. When their human returns, she finds Belle sitting outside the tent with a little mouse in her mouth. "Belle, not another one! Put it down. You don't know where it's been!"

Russell, the mouse who can act, has been the mouse in Belle's mouth numerous times. He likes to play dead. Their human catches on, and a visit to the veterinarian is in order.

Now if you are a little squeamish when it comes to stories about mice living in a house and becoming part of the family, you may think twice about this book. But think again. The sweet story of friendship, human and animal, makes Introducing Russell worth reading. Illustrated by the author. For ages 9-11.

Nanette Goings
Faith Community Lutheran Church
Longmont, Colorado

Eli Remembers - Vander Zee, Ruth, and Marian Sneider. Illustrated by Bill Farnsworth. Eerdmans, 2007. 32p. $18.00, hardcover. ISBN: 978-0-8028-5309-7. eerdmans.com Fiction Jews-United States-Juvenile fiction. Rosh ha-Shanah-Juvenile fiction. Family-Juvenile fiction. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)- Lithuania-Juvenile fiction.

Children can remember.

Ruth Vander Zee's touching tale of a young boy whose family became sad every year during the Rosh Hashanah dinner is a tastefully presented introduction to the Holocaust for children from eight to twelve years old. The story is based on co-author Marian Sneider's own family history.

Eli relates his puzzlement when he was younger and his family would not talk about what made them cry as they lit seven candles. When he gets a little older, a seemingly happy family trip to Lithuania ends with a visit to Ponar Forest, where thousands of people perished during World War II. Dad and Grandpa tell Eli what happened there to adults and children, including his great-grandmother's father and six brothers and sisters. Eli places roses on the pit where his family members were buried, and, clasping his grandfather's outstretched hands, he reassures him, "It won't be a secret anymore. I'll always remember."

Bill Farnsworth's oil-on-canvas paintings lend a classic dimension to Eli's stirring story.

This is a book for parents and children to read together. It is dramatically simple but may be disturbing to sensitive youngsters. An author's note provides historical and religious context.

Except for the awkward use of "Rosh Hashanah Eve" (the evening before any Jewish holiday normally has different terminology), the text is memorable. Highly recommended for any congregation with a Holocaust collection.

Evelyn Pockrass
Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation
Indianapolis, Indiana

Annie's War - Sullivan, Jacqueline Levering. Eerdmans, 2007. 183p. $15.00, hardcover. ISBN: 978-0-8028- 5325-7. eerdmans.com/youngreaders Juvenile fiction. Family life-Washington- Fiction. Prejudices-Fiction. African Americans-Fiction. World War, 1939- 1945-Fiction. Truman, Harry S., 1884- 1972-Fiction.

Even though World War II is over, the life of Annie, a ten-year-old girl, isn't at peace. Her father is missing in action, and her mother fears he is dead.

While confined to the hospital for a month after surgery for appendicitis, Annie discovers an unlikely friend to confide in-President Harry S. Truman. Even though he comes to her only in her sleep, he helps her face many changes in her life, such as moving in with her caring grandmother, adjusting to a new school in Walla Walla, seeing her Uncle Billy turn bitter after serving in the war, and witnessing the way in which many of the people in their town react when Miss Gloria Jean Washington, a black woman, comes to town and rents a room from her grandmother. Annie, our narrator, is confused by the strange reactions of adults. Why is Uncle Billy so mean? Do the people dislike Miss Washington because of the color of her skin? Will they change? Why did they burn a cross in their front yard? Why can't President Truman help find her daddy and bring him home?

In this first novel by Jacqueline Levering Sullivan, she masterfully weaves a wonderful story geared for young people from grades four to six. One hopes that more books from this author will follow.

Mary Lou Henneman
Boardman United Methodist Church
Boardman, Ohio

Friday Night with the Pope - Shore, Jacques J. M. Illustrated by Amalia Hoffman. Gefen, 2006. 40p. $14.95, hardcover. ISBN: 978-965-229-370-1. israelbooks.com 201.5 Interfaith relations. Jewish- Catholic relations.

A moving story of a personal encounter serves as the foundation for this beautiful children's book. Jacques Shore's mother did grow up with the Catholic boy who would become pope. She did survive the Holocaust, and she and her son (as a grown man, not as the child portrayed in the book) did share a Shabbat dinner with the pope. That personal history grounds this book in reality.

Shore's story recounts his mother's recollection of the pope as a child and describes the visit he and his mother made to the Vatican for Shabbat. But there is much more. The respectful way in which the pope celebrates Shabbat with his Jewish guests illustrates the values of love and respect for all people. We are all, as the pope says, the children of God. The story embodies this message-a valuable lesson for children and adults.

This is a lovely book. Amalia Hoffman's illustrations underscore the story's message. Her pastel drawings convey the awe of meeting the pope in the Vatican as well as the hope that rests at the heart of this tale of building bridges between traditions.

May this worthy book plant many seeds of understanding in the hearts of its readers.

Rabbi Louis A. Rieser
Etz Hayim Synagogue
Derry, New Hampshire

Searching for Spice - DiMaria, Megan. Tyndale House, 2008. 363p. $12.99, paperback. ISBN: 978-1-4143-1887-5. tyndale.com Fiction Marriage-Fiction. Spouses-Fiction.

Linda Revere is a busy forty-something mother of two who longs to put some sizzle into her marriage. She and Jerry, her practical-minded husband who teaches science at the local community college, are approaching their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, and Linda determines to make married romance her project. But between her hectic workdays at an upscale photographic portrait studio with its high-maintenance clients and a difficult boss, the rigors of parenting two teenagers, nurturing friendships, and keeping up with the minutiae of modern suburban life, Linda's project doesn't get far.

Colorado writer DiMaria renders her first novel as Linda's first-person narration, weaving cheerful humor as she goes. When juvenile misbehavior by one of her children and a health scare for Linda threaten the family's happiness, Linda questions her husband's judgment and the soundness of their marriage. Through prayer and God's grace, they endure together, difficulties are resolved, and the Reveres realize anew how blessed they are.

Readers who enjoy undemanding stories of modern domesticity and romance, with characters who look to scripture and their faith for guidance, will appreciate finding Searching for Spice on church library shelves.

Monica Tenney, Media Review Editor
Maple Grove United Methodist Church
Columbus, Ohio

Solemnly Swear - Moser, Nancy. Tyndale House, 2007. 368p. $12.99, paperback. ISBN: 978-1-4143-0163-1. tyndale.com Fiction Trials (Murder)-Fiction. Jury-Fiction.

atti McCoy, a young dishwasher at an upscale restaurant, faces charges of killing her boyfriend, the headwaiter. Although the plot of Nancy Moser's Solemnly Swear revolves around a murder trial, the novel is really a penetrating character study of four of the twelve jurors.

The author introduces readers to the four: a has-been golf pro, an aging actress, a man working three jobs to support his family, and a prominent surgeon's wife who enjoys the civic and social obligations expected of her.

The action takes place on two planes: the courthouse and the private lives of the four main jurors. Yet Moser skillfully interweaves the two. Through the actions, dialogue, and thoughts of the characters, she peels away the masks of each one's public persona and reveals insecurity, self-centeredness, and hypocrisy.

We see the effects of falling away from a close relationship with God and, little by little, the characters do too. That Nancy Moser does not over-emphasize their spirituality makes the fi- nal outcome much more credible. Solemnly Swear is entertaining but also thought-provoking and would be a good addition to a congregation's fiction holdings.

Beverly M. Bixler
First Presbyterian Church
Ashland, Ohio

The Greatest Secret of All: Moving Beyond Abundance to a Life of True Fulfillment - Allen, Marc. New World Library, 2008. 121p. $18.00, hardcover. ISBN: 978-1-57731-619-0. newworldlibrary.com 158.1 Self-actualization (Psychology). New thought. Affirmations.

A bestseller in recent months has been Rhonda Byrne's The Secret, which explains how the law of attraction allows positive thinking to bring health, wealth, and happiness. In The Greatest Secret of All, Marc Allen shares his own secret, one with a refreshing emphasis on loving and serving others.

Until he was thirty years old, Allen failed at almost everything he tried. He was depressed and badly in debt. Then he took some simple steps that turned his life around. Allen realized that every problem he faced held within it opportunity and gifts. He came to know that loving and serving yourself and others is the key to happiness and peace - and that love is the greatest secret of all. In presenting his law of manifestation, Allen packs a good deal of wisdom into this small package. He quotes from teachers and writers who have inspired him: Jesus Christ, Ram Dass, Ramana Mararshi, Henry David Thoreau, Stephen Covey, and Catherine Ponder.

Allen is one of the founders of New World Library of Novato, California. His book is a quick and easy read, aided by comfortably large print. Recommended for congregational libraries, especially where there is interest in Eastern and New Age thought.

Monica Tenney, Media Review Editor
Maple Grove United Methodist Church
Columbus, Ohio

Ancient Texts for the Study of the Hebrew Bible: A Guide to the Background Literature - Sparks, Kenton L. Hendrickson, 2005. 514p. $39.95, hardcover. ISBN: 978-1-56563-407-7 hendrickson. com 221.9'5 Middle Eastern literature. Biblical history. Middle Eastern literature-Relation to O.T.

The focus of this wide-reaching volume can be summarized with a quotation from the introduction: "Appreciation of the Hebrew texts [of the Hebrew Bible] is enhanced by recognizing them as coming from a class of similar ancient texts." This book succeeds beautifully at its two stated goals: "To introduce important comparative texts from the ancient Near East, and to outline the import of these ancient texts for the study of Israelite literature."

Sparks surveys the literary environment within which the Hebrew Bible developed. Following an opening chapter devoted to ancient archives and libraries, chapters are devoted to over thirty genres, including wisdom literature, prayers, love poetry, rituals and omens, epic tales, novellas and legends, genealogies, and law codes. Within each chapter an introduction surveys the genre and provides the context. The texts are described, brief selections are presented in translation, and concluding observations draw the connections between these selections and the Bible.

This useful book catalogs an immense literature for those who wish to read the Hebrew Bible within the context of its time and place. It is readable and well organized with ample bibliographic references for those who would go the next step.

Rabbi Louis A. Rieser
Etz Hayim Synagogue
Derry, New Hampshire

David and Bathsheba: Through Nathan's Eyes - Cohen, Joel. Hidden Spring (an imprint of Paulist Press), 2007. 114p. $16.00, hardcover. ISBN: 978-1-58768-041-0. paulistpress.com 813'.6 David, King of Israel-Fiction. Bathsheba (Biblical figure)-Fiction. Nathan (Biblical prophet)- Fiction. Israel-Kings & rulers-Fiction. Women in the Bible-Fiction.

To combine scripture, Jewish legends, and imagination is a challenge well met in this story of David and Bathsheba as told in the first person by Nathan the prophet. It was Nathan's call and command to bring to David God's word of judgment about David's sin with Bathsheba and the subsequent punishment of the child's death.

Speaking truth to power has always been risky, and to enter into the mind of Nathan as he struggles with his responsibility is to sense thoughts not unlike those of many who serve today: "Why am I chosen for this difficult task?" "What reaction will come to me as the messenger: anger, rejection-or worse?"

Nathan spoke a parable about a rich man, a poor man, and an innocent lamb. David recognized his guilt, prayed for the child to be spared, and at some point after the child's death, penned Psalm 51, a psalm of contrition. Scriptures and Jewish legends are included throughout the text, as are black and white photos of art related to the life of David. A separate section of scriptures and legends and a glossary supplement the text.

Cohen's book will serve both Jewish and Christian readers. Perceptive readers looking for application will find numerous parallels with speaking truth to power in our day. All will be reminded that seemingly insignificant persons can, with discernment, speech, and action at strategic times, change history's course.

Carolyn Egolf
Lincolnshire Church of the Brethren
Fort Wayne, Indiana

One Hundred Great Catholic Books: From the Early Centuries to the Present - Brophy, Don. BlueBridge, 2007. 240p. $16.00, paperback. ISBN: 978-1933346083. bluebridgebooks.com 282 Catholic literature—Appreciation.

This book is by no means for Catholics only. Because Christians of all denominations share so much history and belief, this survey of important books by and about Catholics is a good resource for any church library.

Don Brophy, former managing editor at Paulist Press, has selected a hundred books that have nourished the faith of Catholics and others. He includes only books that are suitable for general readers and that were available either in print or online as he wrote his book.

Brophy lists his picks chronologically. They include biography and autobiography, memoir, history, theology, poetry, fiction, philosophy, and the broad category of spirituality. Among the authors represented are St. Augustine, Blaise Pascal, Graham Greene, Dorothy Day, Evelyn Waugh, Thomas Merton, Henri Nouwen, Annie Dillard, Patricia Hampl, Helen Prejean, Thomas Cahill, and Alice McDermott. For each selection, Brophy offers a two-page commentary on the author and the book, providing pleasant reminders of old favorites and instructive and often enticing introductions to unfamiliar works.

This survey of Catholic books is delightful reading and would be especially useful to anyone responsible for stocking a church library.

Monica Tenney, Media Review Editor
Maple Grove United Methodist Church
Columbus, Ohio

Christian Theologies of Scripture: A Comparative Introduction - Holcomb, Justin S., ed. NYU Press, 2006. 330p. $23.00, paperback. $75.00, hardcover. ISBN: 978-0-8147-3666-1 (paperback). ISBN: 978-0-8147-3665-4 (hardcover). nyupress.org 230'.041 Bible-Criticism, interpretation, etc.- History. Bible-Theology. Theology, Doctrinal-History. Christian theology.s

Well-researched and grounded in sound scholarship, this collection of essays provides an overview of how scriptural theology has developed from the days of early Christianity to today. It is divided into four sections, the first three focusing on specific time periods while the fourth features different theological contexts. Its breadth of coverage makes it a fine reference for anyone interested in knowing more about how theologies of scripture have developed over the history of Christianity.

While this volume is designed for use by students of theology, pastors with a curiosity for an overview of scriptural theology may also find it intriguing. Congregational libraries serving populations of seminary-bound women and men may also be interested in considering this title for acquisition.

Myka Kennedy Stephens
Druid Hills United Methodist Church
Atlanta, Georgia

Cluny: In Search of God’s Lost Empire - Mullins, Edwin. BlueBridge, 2006. 245p. $16.47, hardcover. ISBN: 978-1933346-00-7. bluebridgebooks.com 271’.14 Cluny (Benedictine abbey). Monastic and religious life—France—Middle Ages. Cluny (France)— Church history.

Cluny, a French monastery founded in 909, became the center of monastic reform during the tenth to the twelfth centuries. Edwin Mullins presents an enthralling history of this Benedictine abbey, considered by some the geographic center of Christianity in the Middle Ages. The great influence of the monasteries in medieval Europe was inevitable due to the almost universal illiteracy at the time, the fear of divine punishment, and the ferocity of medieval religion.

By the twelfth century, Europe had almost fifteen hundred Cluniac monasteries and ten thousand monks. Mullins explains the relationship between the Holy Roman Emperor as guardian of the Church and the pope as its ruler. He describes in detail the lives of the Cluny abbots Hugh the Great and Peter the Venerable and of Saints Benedict and Bernard of Clairvaux.

The monks at Cluny developed choral singing of the psalms. “Cluny psalmody remains the finest example of Gregorian chant ever composed,” Mullins writes. The physical structure of Cluny is no longer standing, but Mullins includes several architectural illustrations and maps and reveals archaeological evidence about the abbey and daily life there.

This is accessible and intriguing historical reading.

Ralph Hartsock
Trietsch Memorial United Methodist Church
Flower Mound, Texas

The Desert Mothers: Spiritual Practices from the Women of the Wilderness - Earle, Mary C. Morehouse, 2007. 89p. $14.00, paperback. ISBN: 978-0-8192-2156-8. morehousepublishing.org 255.9 Monastic and religious life of women- History-Early Church, ca. 30-300. Spiritual exercises. Prayer-Christianity.

Many Christian readers will have heard of the Desert Fathers and perhaps will be familiar with their writings. Far fewer will have heard of the Desert Mothers. So Episcopal priest Mary Earle has written this book not as a history but as an introduction and an invitation to know who the Desert Mothers were and how one might carry out some of their practices in daily life.

The Desert Mothers or ammas were actually more numerous than their male counterparts. From all walks of life these fourth-century women left their normal surroundings to live in the deserts of Egypt, Israel, and Syria, some in monastic communities, others as hermits. Their purpose was to adhere as closely as possible to the great commandment to love the Lord with all one's heart, soul, strength, and mind, and to love one's neighbor as oneself. They tried to accomplish this with silence, solitude, and stillness, yet they were also mentors, counselors, and teachers.

The Desert Mothers left their wisdom in sayings and stories. The author quotes a saying from one of them to introduce each chapter. Although the culture of these women who lived centuries ago is foreign to us, their teachings are still applicable today. Earle relates this fact well with anecdotes of contemporary women. Each chapter contains suggestions for practicing prayer, discernment, humility, moderation, and balance, all of which the Desert Mothers taught.

This would be a valuable addition to a church library.

Beverly M. Bixler
First Presbyterian Church
Ashland, Ohio

A Field Guide to Harry Potter - Duriez, Colin. InterVarsity, 2007. 300p. $16.00, paperback. ISBN: 978-0-8303-3430-3. ivpress.com 823.914 Fantasy fiction-Criticism and interpretation. Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter series-Criticism and interpretation. Potter, Harry (Fictitious character).

The series has come to its conclusion, but Harry Potter fans need not despair. Colin Duriez, author of such notable books as A Field Guide to Narnia (InterVarsity, 2004), Tolkien and C. S. Lewis: The Gift of Friendship (Paulist Press, 2003), and The C. S. Lewis Encyclopedia (Azure, 2002), has done it again in his newest guide.

Duriez expertly brings readers into the world of fantasy. A first section includes a biography of J. K. Rowling, key themes in the Potter stories, Rowling's spiritual views, the images of good and evil in fantasy, a history of children's literature and fantasy, and the art of storytelling. The book's second section includes a comprehensive alphabetical guide to beings, things, places, and events in each of the novels. Duriez also includes three appendices covering a synopsis of each of the novels, a timeline of events in the Potter realm, and a list of books to inspire discussion. Primary and secondary sources and an index round out this very readable book.

This will be a welcome addition to congregational libraries that have the Rowling series on their shelves. As one rabbi is quoted as saying, "The 'Harry Potter' books are not just novels. They are modern fairy tales with predominant spiritual themes. They describe the struggle between good and evil and the ultimate triumph of good through courage and ingenuity of the human spirit and the power of human love."

Mary Lou Henneman
Boardman United Methodist Church
Boardman, Ohio

Film and Religion: An Introduction - Flesher, Paul V. M., and Robert Torry. Abingdon, 2007. 306p. $24.00, paperback. ISBN: 978-0-687-33489-6. abingdonpress.com 791.43’682 Motion pictures— Religious aspects. Religious films—History and criticism.

This volume began as lecture notes assembled by two University of Wyoming professors for their course on religion in film. Limited in scope to American movies released since the end of World War II, each chapter address a specific cultural concern—such as Jesus, the devil, the Cold War, or violence—with an extended discussion of one or two films, detailing religious symbols, characters, and imagery.

Some of the films included are explicitly religious; others are secular but employ religious material to tell their stories. Films include The Day the Earth Stood Still, The Robe, King of Kings, The Passion of the Christ, The Exorcist, Field of Dreams, and more. There are vignettes of other films, such as The Polar Express, Ben-Hur, Rosemary’s Baby, and E.T.: The Extra-terrestrial. Reflecting the output of Hollywood, most of the book’s attention is paid to Christianity, while its final section addresses other faiths.

The authors note the social and political contexts in which the films were released; themes of American exceptionalism and millennialism figure prominently. Central to the discussion of films depicting events from scripture is the process of targumic interpretation, in which elements such as visual details and character motivation are added to fill in the frequent blanks in scriptural accounts.

Serious students of film or religion, as well as casual readers motivated to work through this academic treatment, will be entertained and enlightened. Suggestions for further reading and a filmography are included.

Monica Tenney, Media Review Editor
Maple Grove United Methodist Church
Columbus, Ohio

Formation in Faith: The Congregational Ministry of Making Disciples - Matthaei, Sondra Higgins. Abingdon, 2008. 132p. $15.00, paperback. ISBN: 978-0-687649730. abingdonpress. com 253 Church life. Evangelism. Christian ministry. Discipling (Christianity). Wesleyan tradition.

Sondra Higgins Matthaei, a professor of religious education at Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, tackles an important question faced by the church: How do we use our understanding of the message of Christ to shape our witness to others? Although she draws strongly from the Wesleyan tradition, Matthaei combines solid scholarship and practical guidelines for churches across ecumenical lines. She concludes that "the way God's people live their lives becomes the curriculum that teaches others what it means to be Christian." She argues that "more formative power comes through our actions than through our words when the members of the church provide models of a faithful life that are essential to the curriculum of forming faith."

Matthaei covers topics such as developing relationships in communion with God, recognizing the call to servant ministry, developing action for making disciples, and growing in faith community.

Each chapter contains a summary, suggestions for reflecting and planning, and additional references. The appendices, notes, index, and list of works cited help make this a powerful resource. This is a strong follow-up to Matthaei's first book, Making Disciples: Faith Formation in the Wesleyan Tradition (Abingdon, 2000).

Mary Lou Henneman
Boardman United Methodist Church
Boardman, Ohio

A Mystic Garden: Working with Soil, Attending to Soul - Norris, Gunilla. BlueBridge, 2006. 100p. $18.00, hardcover. ISBN: 978-1-933346-01-4. bluebridgebooks.com 204'.35 Gardens-Religious aspects-Meditations. Seasons- Religious aspects-Meditations.

Every gardener and former gardener will respond to Gunilla Norris's poetic reflections and prose in this small volume. Encompassing her meditations over the course of a year in her own well-loved garden, these pages are sparsely covered with words. Yet they are deep and rich and flourishing.

Readers will find explorations of the need of our spiritual core, our soul, for the Gardener's tenderness, support, living water, and pruning throughout our seasons of life. Can we be confident there will be spring and new sprouting? Yes, she says, "because the sheer law of God's joy commands it."

This fine seedling will find suitable soil in every church library. Perhaps some readers will even create another subject heading: Soul-Gardening aspects.

Lois Ward
Faith Community Lutheran Church
Longmont, Colorado

The History of Christianity in the United States - Koester, Nancy. Fortress, 2007. 239p. $18.00, paperback. ISBN:978-0-8006-3277-9. fortresspress.com 277.3 United States—Church history.

Nancy Koester’s book on the history of Christianity in the United States is remarkably readable and speaks to today’s generations. I expected a somewhat scholarly presentation but found I could barely put it down. This is a book I can recommend to members of my congregation and feel confident that, once they start it, they will actually read it through.

Koester begins with a timeline that starts with Christopher Columbus and ends with the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. That seems like a lot, and it is. From a local church in North Dakota to Martin Luther King, Jr., there is a wide spectrum of information on the history of churches in America. Koester has found a way to present a great deal of information in relatively few pages.

Within each chapter, Koester also recommends other sources on the subject. She provides notes, a glossary, a bibliography, and an index.

Ré Stooksberry
John McMillan Presbyterian Church
Bethel Park, Pennsylvania

Hospitality: The Sacred Art: Discovering the Hidden Spiritual Power of Invitation and Welcome - Sawyer, Nanette. Skylight Paths, 2008. 176p. $16.99, paperback. ISBN: 978-1-59473-228-7. skylightpaths. com 241’.671 Hospitality. Generosity. Hospitality-Religious aspects. Generosity-Religious aspects. Spiritual life.

Nanette Sawyer, a Presbyterian minister, has written a book about the art of hospitality and how the concept can come into a church and change its members and their outlook to the community. Sawyer urges us to discover the power of invitation and welcome. She outlines how a church can reach out to help others and invite them to come to their church.

This is a concept that my church exercises to great effect, inviting people from a neighboring community who are in need of shelter and food to come to the church for a peaceful and safe night or two. Sawyer provides guidance for providing such hospitality and reminds us of the spiritual growth that we and our communities will experience as we provide hospitality to others.

Highly recommended for all church libraries.

Ré Stooksberry
John McMillan Presbyterian Church
Bethel Park, Pennsylvania

Humility Matters for Practicing the Spiritual Life - Funk, Mary Margaret. Continuum, 2005. 188p. $21.95, hardcover. ISBN: 978-0-8264-1728-2. continuumbooks.com. 241'.4 Humility-Religious aspects-Catholic Church. Spiritual life-Catholic Church.

This third volume of a trilogy introduces humility using the teachings of St. Benedict. Sister Mary Margaret Funk, O.S.B., believes that humility is the core of our experience with Jesus. Humility is shown as the Christian's purity at heart-the light that others see.

Funk is the director of the School of Lectio Divina at Benedict Inn in Beech Grove, Indiana, and has served as executive director of Monastic Interreligious Dialogue. This is a good book for anyone who would like to learn more about the meaning of humility and how it works for Christians. This would make a good supplement to a church library's works on spiritual practice.

Rynette McGee
Immaculate Conception Church
Fort Smith, Arkansas

Hungry Souls, Holy Companions: Mentoring a New Generation of Christians - Hendricks, Patricia. Morehouse (an imprint of Church Publishing Incorporated), 2006. 134p. $16.00, paperback. ISBN: 978-0-8192-2196-4. morehousepublishing.org 259’.25 Mentoring in church work. Spiritual formation. Discipling (Christianity)—Young adults.

For too many congregations, reaching out to youth and young adults is something of a mystery. How do you bridge the gap between the generations? How do you attract young people to your services, activities, and ministries?

Patricia Hendricks aims to take the mystery out of reaching these groups in her helpful and enlightening guide. Hungry Souls, Holy Companions focuses on the need for spiritual mentoring relationships between older adults (baby boomers) and youth (gen-Xers and millennials). Drawing on her own experience as the director of the Christos Center for Spiritual Formation, Hendricks has produced an indispensable guide to forming and maintaining these mentoring relationships.

Congregational librarians will appreciate the well-compiled annotated bibliography, which includes a rich array of resources in a variety of formats. The format of the book itself makes this a readable and accessible resource for readers. Quotations from experts in youth ministries and spiritual direction accent the text and are set apart in special text boxes.

The chapters are well organized, and Hendricks maintains a balance between exposition and illustration. For these reasons, congregational libraries are particularly encouraged to acquire this book for their congregations and youth ministries.

Myka Kennedy Stephens
Druid Hills United Methodist Church
Atlanta, Georgia

Evil and the Justice of God - Wright, N. T. InterVarsity, 2006. 176p. $18.00, hardcover. ISBN: 978-0-8308-3398-6. ivpress.com 231'.8 Good and evil. Christianity and justice. Redemption- Christianity.

Well-known author and New Testament scholar N. T. Wright turns his attention toward the question of theodicy in his recent book Evil and the Justice of God. Adapted from a series of lectures he gave at Westminster Abbey in 2003, Wright refuses to accept the simple answers for why evil exists in the world. He begins his investigation by rejecting tendencies to create a duality between God and an evil force and the other popular alternative of believing in God's ultimate purpose or design behind evil actions. Wright thoroughly examines scripture, grappling with the evil in our faith history and how it relates to our present struggles. His final look toward forgiveness as a way of combating evil is both fresh and familiar.

While this book does not provide quick answers for those faced with evil, it prompts many questions and would make excellent reading for small groups. It is timely, written in the wake of such evil as the 9/11 attacks, the 2004 tsunami in the Indian Ocean, Hurricane Katrina, and the 2005 earthquakes in Pakistan and Kashmir. In the aftermath of such devastating events, it is helpful to find an author who pushes readers toward a better understanding of evil instead of rushing to provide answers for why evil happens.

Myka Kennedy Stephens
Druid Hills United Methodist Church
Atlanta, Georgia

A Jewish Approach to Leadership - Lewis, Hal M. Rowman & Littlefield, 2006. 172p. $18.95, paperback. $66.00, hardcover. ISBN: 978-0- 7425-5229-6 (paperback). ISBN: 978-0-7425-5228-9 (hardcover). rowmanlittlefield.com 296.6'1 Jewish leadership-United States. Leadership-Religious aspects-Judaism. Jews-United States-Politics and government-21st century.

Moses and the Journey to Leadership: Timeless Lessons of Effective Management from the Bible and Today's Leaders - Cohen, Norman J. Jewish Lights, 2007. 224p. $21.99, hardcover. $18.99, paperback. ISBN: 978-1-58023-227-2 (hardcover). ISBN: 978-1-58023-351-4 (paperback). 296.6'1 Moses (Biblical leader). Bible. O.T. Pentateuch-Criticism, interpretation, etc. Leadership-Moral and ethical aspects. Management-Moral and ethical aspects.

It is not unusual to hear people decry the lack of effective leadership in various aspects of society, including religious institutions. Hal M. Lewis of the Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies in Chicago and Rabbi Norman Cohen of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York have each written informative and challenging books about what leadership is all about in the Jewish tradition.

Lewis's writing is more theoretical and conceptual. Cohen's, on the other hand, seems more accessible as he focuses on Moses and documents specific passages in the Bible that deal with leadership development and the problems that confronted Moses as a leader.

My suggestion is to read Lewis's book first. He carefully outlines a traditional approach, relying on what the Hebrew Bible and the rabbis had to say about leadership as a basis for what he feels current Jewish leaders need to know and understand. Leadership comes from God, he says. It is not inborn, nor is any man above God's will. Prophets, priests, and kings had power, but that power was limited. Abuses of power were to be avoided. Power was to be shared. Leaders were not perfect and were expected to admit their errors. In Jewish thought, says Lewis, a "great man" theory was not valid. Leaders have always needed the support of their people, and everyone can be tempted by power. People are looking for competence and character, honesty and integrity in their leaders.

Cohen's analysis of the leadership skills of Moses confirms much of what Lewis states. A good example is the reference to Exodus 18, where Jethro, father-in-law of Moses, talks to Moses about sharing power. Cohen explains that Moses is overburdened with the weight of leadership. At first Moses says it is the people's fault because they expect him to deal with all their problems, but then he follows Jethro's advice to look for others who can act as judges. They should be people who are strong, who believe in God, who are truthful, and who are not interested in material gain. Cohen also adds blurbs about the leadership skills of contemporary figures. The layout of his book is effective in emphasizing what constitutes outstanding leadership.

Both Lewis and Cohen include footnotes and bibliographies. From Sanctuary to Boardroom has an index. Both books are recommended for congregational libraries and for the leadership within your institutions.

Evelyn Pockrass
Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation
Indianapolis, Indiana

The Color of Light - McEntyre, Marilyn Chandler. Eerdmans, 2007. 62p. $20.00, hardcover. ISBN: 978-0-8028-2728-9. eerdmans.com 811'.54 Gogh, Vincent van, 1853-1890- Poetry. Painting-Poetry.

Artists and photographers teach us to see in ways beyond a casual look. So do poets, and Marilyn Chandler McEntyre calls us not just to look but to see meaning in Vincent Van Gogh's art. The focus on light is particularly striking considering that Van Gogh's own life was marked by periodic despondency and ended in suicide. Even as McEntyre affirms Van Gogh's invitation to "say yes," she notes, "Evidently something in the light Van Gogh saw became unbearable."

In this third of her books on classical art (previous ones feature works of Vermeer and Rembrandt), McEntyre's poems focus on twenty-one Van Gogh paintings created in the late 1800s. One need not be a student of art to find meaning here. Nature, work, and rest are representative themes.

Persons with scriptural knowledge will note allusions in the poems to parables and psalms. Intentional readers will feel kinship with life's experiences as expressed in Portrait of Madame Trahue, described as a woman "whittled and planed smooth and hallowed by sorrow." They will recognize the need for purpose in Landscape with House and Ploughman, and the constancy of the sun, despite trauma, conveyed in Wheatfield with Crows.

Recommended for artists, photographers, poets, and all who value the inspiration provided by poetry wedded to paintings.

Carolyn Egolf
Lincolnshire Church of the Brethren
Fort Wayne, Indiana

Protecting Your Church Against Sexual Predators: Legal FAQs for Church Leaders - Glover, Voyle A. Kregel, 2005. 133p. $12.99, paperback. ISBN: 978-0-8254-2691-9. kregel.com 345.73’02536 Child sexual abuse—U.S. Church employees—Legal status. Laws, etc. Clergy—Malpractice—U.S.

This is a topic we might not want to discuss, but we must. This is a book we would prefer not to have in our church libraries, but it is needed.

Christians believe that sins can be forgiven, but how can Christians welcome everyone with the love of Jesus while keeping children and young people safe from sexual predators in our churches? What is the legal responsibility of congregational leaders? What if a church knows that a member has been convicted of a sexual crime?

Voyle Glover, a former deputy prosecutor for the State of Indiana and now a practicing attorney, answers a series of frequently asked questions about insurance coverage, reporting obligations, screening and background checks of staff and volunteers, and statements to the media (including what not to say) about allegations.

Glover provides clear guidelines for leaders and church members who want to follow Christian teachings on forgiveness while simultaneously protecting young people. He includes application forms for those who will work with children, questions to ask an applicant’s references, a tip sheet for trips and outings, guidelines for clergy on reporting requirements, and information about penalties for failing to report incidents and immunity for those do who report.

Glover has covered this emotionally charged topic with sensitivity. This important book will help churches handle a variety of scenarios sensibly and in a way that ministers to all the congregation with Christian caring.

Mary Lou Henneman
Boardman United Methodist Church
Boardman, Ohio

Praying the Psalms of Jesus - Sire, James W. InterVarsity, 2007. 224p. $16.00, paperback. ISBN: 978-0-8308-3508-9. ivpress.com 223'.206 Jesus Christ. Bible. O.T. Psalms- Criticism, interpretation, etc.

Questions regarding favorite scriptures often elicit mentions of one or more psalms. Hence, another book that takes us deep into this hymnbook of the Hebrews finds a recommended place on the library shelf.

Nine psalms are presented in two sections interwoven with the theme that Jesus, brought up with continual exposure to the psalms, would have known them well. He would also have affirmed his identity in them as they pointed to messiah-king and shepherd. Four of his seven sentences from the cross are directly from psalms.

Chapters include a psalm and its explanation followed by a private liturgy and further reflections. A group study guide for each chapter includes questions plus directed prayer.

Among the more difficult aspects of any study of the psalms are the imprecatory psalms, where divine vengeance is called forth upon enemies. Sire suggests a positive view of innate desire for goodness and for justice to prevail, even though these psalms remain uncomfortable for us.

Sire is a gentle teacher, injecting touches of humor, so that despite the seriousness of the material and intensity of commitment required to grasp the content, there is a personable writer inviting us on a journey. Sire also wrote Learning to Pray through the Psalms (InterVarsity, 2006).

Recommended for individuals and groups willing to commit to careful, unhurried study for reading and creative response. This would be excellent retreat material for Lent or anytime.

Carolyn Egolf
Lincolnshire Church of the Brethren
Fort Wayne, Indiana

Revolutionary Spirits: The Enlightened Faith of America’s Founding Fathers - Kowalski, Gary. BlueBridge, 2008. 224p. $22.00, hardcover. ISBN: 978-1-933346-09-0. bluebridgebooks.com 277.307 Founding Fathers of the United States—Religious life. United States—Religion—To 1800.

The founders of the United States were bold thinkers who succeeded in creating a new nation, conceived in the desire for justice and dedicated to securing the blessings of liberty for themselves and posterity. This highly readable book traces the spiritual development and outlook of six key figures: Ben Franklin, George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, and James Madison. Gary Kowalski, a Harvard-educated Unitarian-Universalist minister, opens with a compelling overview of the spiritual tenor of the times. Without recourse to the polemic of the liberal or fundamentalist arguments of our own day, he sketches a portrait of each man, relying on the subject’s own thoughts and writings to describe his religious upbringing and spiritual outlook. Kowalski introduces us to the ways these men explored the world spiritually, scientifically, socially, and politically. He helps us understand how they were able to envision a new style of government that would change the world forever.

This highly recommended book would be an important contribution at any time, but it is particularly so in this election year. I hope Kowalski’s words will be read from coast to coast and will challenge all his readers to see our marvelous nation through new eyes.

Review by:

Rabbi Louis A. Rieser
Etz Hayim Synagogue
Derry, New Hampshire

The Story of Ruth: Twelve Moments in Every Woman's Life - Chittister, Joan D. Illustrated by John August Swanson. Eerdmans, 2007. 92p. $20.00, paperback. ISBN: 978-0- 8028-2735-7. eerdmans.com 248.8'43 Ruth (Biblical figure). Women-Religious life. Bible. O.T. Ruth.

In more than a retelling of the biblical story of Ruth, Joan Chittister teams with artist John August Swanson to present a powerful model for women of today. Together they examine twelve moments of a woman's life: loss, change, transformation, aging, independence, respect, recognition, insight, empowerment, self-definition, invisibility, and fulfillment, focusing on such moments in the life of Ruth.

With skilled pen, Chittister indicts society for underestimating and failing to draw on the wisdom of older women, wisdom born of experience. The need for women to be independent is noted as a requirement for interdependence in society. The subservience of women and lack of respect for them is stressed. Recognition of differences is exemplified in the concern of both Naomi and Boaz for Ruth's safety, and the section on empowerment reminds us that every generation is called to "build bridges to the next." Ruth and Naomi's search for justice prompts a call for righteous anger toward systems that keep women invisible, either in role or reality.

Bold, colorful drawings introduce each chapter and enhance the text. Perhaps it is in keeping with the theme of women's destinies yet unfulfilled that none of the persons in the drawings smiles. Text and art together make a challenging and powerful book recommended for both women and men, particularly those concerned with social justice issues.

Carolyn Egolf
Lincolnshire Church of the Brethren
Fort Wayne, Indiana

Seeking the Spirit: How to Create a Community of Seekers - Brunett, Harry, and Jennifer Grow. Morehouse (an imprint of Church Publishing Incorporated), 2006. 116p. $15.00, paperback. ISBN-10: 978-0-8192-2194-0. morehousepublishing.org 277.3’083 Journeys Community (Columbia, Md.). Non-institutional churches—Maryland—Columbia—Case studies.

How to reach the unchurched and church-averse population is a question with which manycongregations have struggled. The Journeys Community in Maryland has sought to answer that question by creating an open “seeker” community. Their story and philosophy is presented in Seeking the Spirit, a slim narrative of how they established and increased their ministry among those who were wary of more traditional approaches to Christianity.

Co-authored by the founder and creative director of the Journeys Community, this book is designed to raise awareness about the need to minister to those seeking spiritual experiences— a ministry that may or may not result in either conversion to Christianity or church membership.

Presented as a how-to guide, this book reads more like a history of one seeker community with the occasional tip and suggestion for those interested in trying to establish their own such community. The most valuable information for the intended reader is found in the book's appendices, which contain sample outlines for worship and a list of worship themes.

Myka Kennedy Stephens
Druid Hills United Methodist Church
Atlanta, Georgia

The Serekh Texts - Metso, Sarianna. T & T Clark (an imprint of Continuum), 2007. 86p. $110.00, hardcover. ISBN: 978-0-567-04092-3. continuumbooks.com 296.155 Dead Sea scrolls.

This book focuses on the central rule documents, the Serekh texts, discovered at Qumran. It is a deeply scholarly review of the current understanding in the field. For those with interest in the Dead Sea scrolls, this book can be a fascinating window into the life of ancient Judea.

The seven chapters of this brief volume present the full range of information about these few scrolls: information about their discovery, the genre of the contents, the composition, and more. There is a commentary on key passages as well as some description of how these texts functioned within the community.

This is a very readable book but not one for the casual reader. For the interested reader, it is a treasure chest of detail.

Rabbi Louis A. Rieser
Etz Hayim Synagogue
Derry, New Hampshire

The Psalms of Solomon: A Critical Edition of the Greek Text - Wright, Robert B. T & T Clark (an imprint of Continuum), 2007. 224p. $125.00, hardcover. ISBN: 978-0-567-02643-9. continuumbooks.com 229'.912 Intertestamental history. Psalms of Solomon.

This academic text focuses on the Psalms of Solomon, eighteen psalms composed in the first century BCE. It has the limited but important goal of providing a critical edition of the Greek text. The Psalms of Solomon are presumed to have come from a Hebrew original, though no Hebrew manuscript is known. Manuscripts do exist in Syriac.

These psalms are of particular interest because they seemingly provide an eyewitness account of the first invasions of the Romans into Jerusalem and because they preserve a clear, pre- Christian description of the expectations for a Jewish Messiah.

The author provides a detailed history of the psalms including historical background, a description of the manuscripts, and an overview of previous scholarship. Each psalm is presented in the Greek, with footnotes that detail variances between extant manuscripts. An English translation is provided, with footnotes that reveal the nuances of the language.

This clearly written text is a volume for the specialist in the history of the intertestamental period.

Rabbi Louis A. Rieser
Etz Hayim Synagogue
Derry, New Hampshire

Praying Thieves and the God Who Loves Them No Matter What - Drew, Anne Marie. Morehouse (an imprint of Church Publishing Incorporated), 2006. 91p. $16.00, paperback. ISBN: 978-0-8192-1956-5. morehousepublishing.org 241.3 Spiritual life- Christianity. Deadly sins.

Do we as sinners really understand how God works in our prayer lives? Are we praying for God's intervention or for God to give in to our way of thinking? These and many other questions come to mind for the reader of this book. Anne Marie Drew considers the seven deadly sins and their impact on our relationship with God in the prayers of "sloppy sinners," angry hearts, weary spirits, lonely hearts, prideful hearts, and emptiness. As I read this book, I was moved to realize that I've prayed with all of these hearts. Drew assures us of God's love even as we, like the thieves hanging next to Jesus on Calvary, are sinners.

The author is an English professor at the United States Naval Academy in Maryland.

Rynette McGee
Immaculate Conception Church
Fort Smith, Arkansas