Motorcycles, Sushi& One Strange Book (Real Life)

Gr 7—10—Jessie, 15, has just received a phone call from her dad whom she has never met and believed was dead. She is transplanted in Florida to live with him after her bipolar mother's suicide attempt. Jessie suffers from ADHD, doesn't get along with her new stepsister, and isn't sure of the intentions of a guy she meets. Jessie's father attempts to bring more structure to her life through his biker friends and working at his sushi restaurant. He is patient and understanding, unlike her mother, which helps change Jessie's perspective on life. The turning point comes when she finds a book that gives her insight and examples from Jesus's life. Christian readers will appreciate the references to scripture and the theme "Seek and you shall find." Jessie is a likable character, but does she really not recognize "Yeshua" as Jesus? Because of this lack of recognition, can she really be transformed so quickly? Predictable at times, the story will not draw a large audience. It does, however, make a strong statement for reading and understanding the Bible and its teachings.—Karen Alexander, Lake Fenton High School, Linden, MI