The Secret Life Of The American Teenager

My Thoughts: I know that this is blog about books for teens, but God put this in my heart to say today.

I know that a lot of you teens watch TV shows that you just love. Well, there is this new TV show that just came out and, like many girls, I had to see it.

At first it had a good message, but now it has strayed from their main point.

They were trying to help stop teens from having sex, but then some of their main characters started messing around, having sex and not taking it seriously.

I don't see how we as teens are supposed to get the message to not have sex at our age from a TV show like this. When they make it look like it's no big deal, many teens treat sex and hooking up like no big deal.

Just like in the movie Juno, the people behind this show are making it seem too easy and not all that life changing. I thought that this show would take this whole teen sex thing seriously, but it didn't and what does that say to us teens today?

That it's OK to have sex; that it's just fun and cool. Well, I have news for people that make movies and shows like this stuff. What you guys put out there for us to see does happen to have an effect on us.

We do listen to what you say in your shows and movies, and sometimes act on what you show us is OK to do. I know of teens that have had sex and gotten pregnant and have flipped out and didn't know what to do.

So for you teens out there, please talk to your mom or dad. Don't get your sex advice from the TV, books, magazines or movies.

Till then, hold my place for me.

KT

Goodbye Hollywood Nobody by Lisa Samson

From the back of the book:

Charley's off to Scotland with her new beau, and Scotty and her dad travel to Maine in search of Scotty's mom. That's not all they're looking for, though. There are still a lot of unanswered questions about faith. Scotty's faced with her bitterness toward Karissa and what it means to live a "Jesusy extraordinary" life. Shouldn't forgiveness play a role in that? And when Scotty and her dad land on her mother's last known trail, will their questions finally be answered?

My Thoughts:

I LOVED THIS BOOK! You can see how Scotty has grown in her relationship with God, and how she goes through so much pain and yet, in the end, she comes out gaining so much. She comes out with a better understanding of faith, and she ends up with everything she could have ever wanted.

It isn't everything SHE wanted--but it's what God had for her, which is WAY better than she could have ever asked for.

She learns how to love the people you think are unlovable, but Scotty realizes it's just an outer shell of protection she sees. Scotty meets all kinds of new and terrific people who end up being her "family"--the family she's always wanted to have.

By the end, you can see how she grows, her family grows, and how it is all created by God and her love for Him. These books taught me that it doesn't matter what age you are or how long you've been in Christ. You'll grow, you'll learn...and while you may get hurt, you'll benefit from it all in the long run.

This book taught me that, if I want to do something for teens my age and younger, and if I just put myself out there and stop being afraid of what I don't know...well, who knows? Maybe I'll be able to help someone who's in need of help, and may bring them to God...

...like my Mom does.

Till then, hold my place for me!

KT

Perfecting Kate by Tamara Leigh

From the Back of the Book:

Just when mural artist Kate Meadows resolves to embrace singledom and be unbelievably, inconceivably happy, it seems to be raining men. Hallelujah! Or not. First, there's Michael. He's the famous makeup artist determined to bring Kate's looks up to his standard. It's amazing what a few cosmetic procedures can do, but Kate's starting to feel like she's on Extreme Makeover, just without the TV cameras and someone else paying the bill. Then there's the enigmatic Dr. Clive Alexander. Despite his insistence that Kate is perfect just the way she is, he wants to change her in his own way. So, what's a single, thirty-something woman to do? It's a tough call. For as much effort goes into improving her appearance, even more is needed to jumpstart her "on hold" relationship with God.

My Thoughts:

Oh, wow! I LOVED THIS BOOK! I know, I know...it's been awhile since my last review...but summer = freedom! Now, I'm reading again, and I picked the best book to read!

"Perfecting Kate" was an eye-opening book. Like Kate, I feel like I have flaws. I've had guys tell me that I needed to fix or change this or that. So I got what she was going through, totally.

And even though the Kate in the book wasn't real, she felt real to me, and it was like I was right there in the story with her.

At the beginning, I thought, "Oh, this is just another one of those boring books my mom likes" (no offense, Mom!). But, I was OH. SO. WRONG. It turned out to be so much more.

As I kept reading, I had hope. Maybe my life might turn out like Kate's did in the book, except...oops! Almost spilled the ending there! My bad!

I guess maybe God has my life planned out, all mapped out for me, kinda like He did with Kate. I've just gotta listen, not ignore Him, and follow Him when He calls.

So if any of you are reading this right now and are like me and Kate, listening to the guys that pick at you and want to change you, and are NOT listening to God...

...you need to read "Perfecting Kate". It will open your eyes to a whole new perspective on things.

Till Then, Hold My Place For Me,

KT

Twilight By Stephenie Meyer

From The Back Of The Book: “I’D NEVER GIVEN MUCH THOUGHT TO HOW I WOULD DIE– I’d had reason enough in the last few months –but even if I had, I would not have imagined it like this. . . . Surely it was a good way to die, in the place of something else, someone I loved. Noble, even. That ought to count for something.”
When Isabella Swan moves to the gloomy town of Forks and meets the mysterious, alluring Edward Cullen, her life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. With his porcelain skin, golden eyes, mesmerizing voice, and supernatural gifts, Edward is both irresistible and impenetrable. Up until now, he has managed to keep his true identity hidden, but Bella is determined to uncover his dark secret.
What Bella doesn’t realize is the closer she gets to him, the more she is putting herself and those around her at risk. And, it might be too late to turn back





My Thoughts:

This is one of the best books I have ever read! I love the romance between Edward and Bella. There are some moments in this book that have God in them, believe it or not.

This is the most thrilling reading experience I have had in a long time and I can't wait until the final book comes out.

I even told my mom that they should make it into a movie and they are! I have to tell the truth though: at first I didn't like the book, but my mom knew that I would, so she kept pushing me to keep reading.

I'm so glad she did! I read it and fell in love with the book and can't wait till the whole series is MINE.

Till Next Time Hold My Place

KT

Serenity #10:Girl Overboard!

From The Back Of The Book:
The outer girl is different, but what about her heart?

It's makeover time as Serenity sets out to do a radical overhaul on her closet--and her image. But major changes in her hair, her clothes, and her attitude just leave her feeling all wrong. Can she find her own voice--and the right hair color--before she loses herself completely?

Then, in a mini-movie that harkens back to the horror films of the 1930s, Serenity and her friends create "Fraulein Stein's Monster." When a mad scientist becomes obsessed, will the monster soon be the master?



My Thoughts: Well, reading friends, this is the last book for now in this series.

That I know of, at least.

I hope that you read this series, and that you get some great lessons from reading them. I will never forget the things these books have taught me. Plus, these are the kinds of books you can read again and again.

Till Next Time Hold My Place

KT

Serenity #9: Choosing Chang!

From The Back Of The Book: A Night at the Drive-in Leaves Serenity Reeling

Serenity decides the best way to make Derek jealous is by dating other guys. But the date she arranges forces her to decide what she really wants in a relationship. Who knew trying to do the right thing could be so confusing?

Then, Serenity and her pals film another mini-movie--this one a Biblical epic, "Esther, Queen of Persia." Whisked away to take part in a royal beauty contest, lovely young Esther realizes there may be a purpose and plan to life beyond what she can imagine.



My Thoughts: I love the two books in one thing--it is so cool!

People, you have got to read these books--they are so great for any teenager.

These books will teach you stuff about yourself you never would think of.

They make you think more than ever about stuff that really matters.

Till Next Time Hold My Place

KT

Serenity #8:Sunday Best!

From The Back Of The Book: Serenity's got a sinking feeling

Serenity wants to change for the better, but when a clumsy attempt at doing the right thing goes awry, she finds herself over her head in deep waters. Will she sink on her own . . . or accept help from an unexpected source?

Then in the latest mini-movie from Serenity and her pals--this one a disaster epic--an earthquake leaves the local mall crumbling. When a group of curious kids meet a gang of vicious looters, things really get shaky as they find themselves "Crawling from the Wreckage."

My Thoughts: This manga is great!

It shows us how hard it is for both saved and unsaved people to try to do the right thing.

We take things for granted and we don't even know we do it.

I think that this book is going to help us in things we struggle with.


Till Next Time Hold My Place

KT