Book Reviews for Summer 2013

Red Sun Blue Earth

By Sienna North

Sayaka Sato is an ordinary fifteen-year-old—until 3:46 pm on March 11, when an earthquake and tsunami strike Japan and rip her life into shreds. Will Sayaka be able to reunite with her family, earn their forgiveness, and forge a new life for herself, or will she be too late?

About the author

Sienna North was born and raised in Japan until age twelve, and has visited Japan during and after the 2011 tsunami. She blogs at http://www.siennanorth.com. Red Sun Blue Earth is her debut novel.

“This fictional narrative could be the true-life account of a teenager caught in Japan’s 2011 catastrophe. I found it hard to put down as I entered Sayaka’s world and experienced her anger, bitterness, hope, and healing. The loss of loved ones is handled carefully, but sensitive preteens may find this book too intense to handle. A fine novel from an up-and-coming author.”

– Barbara Bauman

Swirly

By Sara Sanders; Illustrated by Matthew Pierce

Lila is born in the Blue Country, but moves with her parents to the Yellow Country when she is a little girl. As she gets older she discovers that she isn’t all blue—she has swirls of yellow from growing up in the Yellow Country!

Lila isn’t just like her yellow friends or her blue cousins, so she feels as though she doesn’t fit in anywhere. But when she meets another swirly kid and his swirly mom, she finds out that she does belong somewhere . . . with a very special swirly Someone.

“Swirly, by Sara Saunders, is an awesome book that I recommend for little MKs who don’t think they fit in the countries they live in. This book will encourage your little kids that even if you don’t think you fit in your country, Jesus thinks you are special however you are!”

– Megumi Nakazawa

This reviewer rates this book as 5 out of 5 stars

Illustration by Megumi Nakazawa