After the Leaves Fall

Surely you have seen the T-shirts that say "If all else fails, ask Grandma." Julia Bakker has only person who in her life who truly loves her with a Christ-like love, unconditionally. Her Grandma Bakker has been there for her through all her losses in her life. Her mother left her father and her at a very young age. She doesn't even refer to her mother as "Mom" but Janice. Her father dies when she is just 16 and she stays with her grandma. Her best friend Thomas breaks her heart when he announces that his future is now with Francesca. He promises to always be her friend even though she was hoping that someday she could be much to him.

Julia is a hard worker and a scholarship recipient. She has her chance to escape for the conservative and "everyone knows everyone else's business" town. She elects to go to Brighton University as an engineering major. She has to try and deal with her exact opposite of a roomate Becca who would rather sleep than work hard. Julia finds a friend in one of her first engineering classes. Only thing is Parker is a "teacher's assistant" who always has advice, be it good or bad for her. She tries hard but is engineering the field she really should be trying to get into or did she just pick that major so she could get the scholarship.

Julia and Parker become friends and start spending alot of time together. He gives her help in her classes and she tries to make him out to be the good quality friend that she has in Thomas. The unexpected happens and Julia's life comes crashing down. Who is there to pick up the pieces but Grandma. Grandma finds her strength in the Lord and encourages Julia but is not pushy. She leaves the Holy Spirit to do the work of changing Julia's outlook. Its time for Julia to start her life over again. Will her life be just one disappointment after another, or is there light at the end of the tunnel? Grandma has the answer but is Grandma up to date with the times?

"After the Leaves Fall" is an awesome book for readers who enjoy a young heroine who is a survivor despite the circumstances she finds herself involved. This is an excellent book by Nicole Baart, a first time novel writer. I sincerely hope Nicole writes more books as this one really kept your interest from cover to cover. It touches your heart and leaves your heart feeling that refreshed.

31 Girl

Title: 31 Girl
Author: Mary Simpson
Publisher: Whitaker House,2005
ISBN: 0-88368-808-5
Reviewed by Lori Plach for Christian Review of Books 4/07

Are you looking for a manual for a young lady that will teach all that she needs to know about being the type of girl that God has designed her to be? If so, look no further than "31 Girl" by Mary Simpson.

Mary Simpson takes each verse of Proverbs 31 and develops a chapter around it. Each chapter has a quote found in a secular book or film. She includes the scripture verse in New International Version format. She then tells a story about her personal life that relates to that scripture verse. Each chapter has a prayer which can be used for the girl's individual prayer time. There are treasure tips included in each section which deal with everything from nail care, face care, letting others know how much they mean to you, and pedicures along with alot of other helpful advice. At the end of each chapter is a story written about one of her "31 girls" with their own experiences being their guide.

There are chapters about humility, serving the Lord with gladness and true beauty coming from within ourselves. This one book that I feel is very important for every Christian girl to have. There are pictures throughout the book which show girls having fun. There are wide variety of poems and quotations that apply to every girl no matter if she is in her teens or twenties.

Mary Simpson is very knowledgable in the Scriptures and has created a real treasury. I had a difficult laying this book down until I was finished with it. However, it could be taken one chapter a day just as easily. I am hoping to use this book as part of my curriculum for my young girls group at our church this fall. The rose theme is carried out throughout this book making this is a beautiful book in its content which outweighs its physical appearance. "31 Girl" is a must read for every girl in their walk with their Lord!