Tuesday, September 13, 2011

The Slide

Hi, y'all!

Today's review:

Title:  The Slide
Author: Catherine Farnes
Target Audience:  Young Adults
Main characters: 
Taren:  the 16-year-old narrator
Will:  Taren's father
Pastor Bruce Adams
Payne Adams
Other members of the youth group
The Craig family:  Dakota, Jaycee, and Hayden


Summary:  Taren's father left nine years ago.  It was only about eighteen months ago that she stopped waiting for him to come back, but after 7 1/2 years of absolutely no contact, she finally gives up.  Then, about six months ago, he shows up, claiming that's he's become a Christian and wants to do the right thing.  Taren feels neglected and doesn't want anything to do with her father.  She has been pulling away from youth group, neglecting her Bible, fighting with her mother, and wearing clothes that are increasingly shorter.  Taren decides she'd rather go on a backpacking trip with the youth group than spend time with her father, but Will ends up coming along when one of the chaperones is injured while preparing for the trip.  While at the top of the mountain, a near-fatal accident involving one of the boys from the youth group and Jaycee leads Taren to realize that she had made a conscious decision not to forgive her father which has left her sliding down an icy slope.  Suddenly, she wants to know how to forgive her father.  She begins to say something, but is interrupted.  But the interruption allows enough time to think so that when she gets another chance, she is ready. 
Review:  This book deals with running from God and what can happen when even a small decision is made to go against what one knows to be right.  There is more than one person running from God in this story.  Taren, Will, and Hayden Craig are each running in his or her own way.  The book also shows that actions have consequences, sometimes unexpected.  Payne's joking behavior is annoying in youth group, but becomes life-threatening on the mountaintop.  Like in Over the Divide, God uses special circumstances to draw people unto Himself.  The importance of forgiveness is another focus of this book. 

Another book that I love to re-read.
4 stars--Out to eat.

Pretty good. The writing is good. Any objectionable elements are treated very well. No problems. I would read this author again. I'll probably keep the book to re-read.

Gladly forgiven,
Bella

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