Mission Life

Print |

Reprint/License |

Subscription |

RSS |

-- School Library Journal, 12/11/2007

Sanctuary for some, unholy bonds for others–the concept of the religious mission is both to comfort and convert. Students interested in learning more about religious fieldwork will enjoy these titles, which will jumpstart discussions on cultural ethics and religion’s place in society.

HAMILTON, Harriet. Ribbons of the Sun. Brown Barn. 2006. pap. $8.95. ISBN 978-0-9768126-2-3.

Gr 8 Up–Rosa comes from a poor Mayan family and dreams of going to the city with her father where he sells flowers. When she is sold into service as a maid, her dream becomes a nightmare. The head of the household soon begins to abuse her, and when she becomes pregnant, Rosa finds herself on the street. Her life takes a turn for the better when she discovers a mission that will take her and baby Flor in, giving them a second chance at life.

KOLLER, Jackie French. The Primrose Way. Harcourt/Gulliver. 1992. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-0-15-256745-3; pap. $6.95. ISBN 978-0-15-200372-2.

Gr 7-12–Puritan 16-year-old Rebekah is at first shocked, then entranced by the living conditions and remoteness of her father’s mission among the Pawtucket tribe, in what is now Ipswich, Massachusetts. It is 1633, and when she befriends the chief’s niece, Rebekah becomes fascinated with the tribe’s rituals and spiritual beliefs.

MCDANIEL, Lurlene. Angel of Mercy. Bantam. 1999. Tr $8.95. ISBN 978-0-553-57145-5; pap. $4.99. ISBN 978-0-553-57148-6.

Gr 7-10–Get a fresh box of tissues before sitting down with this romance! When 18-year-old Heather finishes high school, she joins a mercy mission on a hospital ship en route to Africa. She is completely unprepared for the level of poverty and sickness she encounters, and it is only a chance meeting with handsome Ian that gives her any hope. A dangerous rescue attempt goes awry, but Heather finds the strength to keep going.

REPP, Gloria. Mik-Shrok. Journey Bks. 1998. pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-1-57924-069-1.

Gr 4-7–This Christian novel is full of hope and high adventure, tracing the challenges of missionaries in the Alaska Territory in 1950. When a group of sled dogs enters their lives, Steve and Liz Bailey know that God is watching over them. The leader of the dog team, Mik-Shrok, proves to be a canine saint.

STEWART, Jennifer. Close Encounters of a Third-World Kind. Holiday House. 2004. Tr $16.95. ISBN 978-0-8234-1850-3.

Gr 3-6–Written in a similar tone as Mary Pope Osborne’s “Magic Treehouse” series (Random), this book follows the adventures of a comfortable suburban family that heads off to Nepal for a two-month medical mission. When 12-year-old Annie and her little sister, Chelsea, befriend native 10-year-old Nirmala, they learn more about their temporary home and Nepal’s culture than they ever expected. Local customs and issues of poverty and lack of medical care are smoothly integrated into the plot.

Remarkable Reads are produced by the editors of NoveList, NoveList K-8, and Book Index with Reviews (BIR), leading resources for readers' advisory services and collection development. For more information, visit NoveList.