The Perfect Nest

Name of Book: The Perfect Nest

Author: Catherine Friend

Illustrator: John Manders

Publisher: Scholastic

Audience: 5+

Summary: A story about a cat who comes up with a plan that he believes will get him what he wants, many birds to lay eggs in the nest for him to make his omelets. After building the nest birds start to lay eggs and they hatch after the birds have left. The cat then must take care of the hatchlings and learns that caring for others is more important than fulfilling his intended plans.

Literary elements at work in the story: A picture book told from an omniscient narrator’s perspective. The story is set on a farm. It shows the interaction of the different birds with one another, the cat’s interaction with the birds, and finally the cats interaction with the hatchlings. The theme is realizing that God’s plans are not our plans.

How does the perspective on gender/race/culture/economic/ability make a difference to the story? The story is fictional and the characters are animals. The main character is a male and the other characters are female and babies. It stands in opposition to the cultural assumptions that women are the primary caregivers of children.

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Theology: Our plan for life is not God’s plan for our life, and even though we may be unaware of it, God will eventually reveal to us God’s plan for our life. Most of the time, God’s plan for us is better than what our plan would have been.

Faith Talk Questions:

1. What was originally important to Jack the Cat?
2. What changes Jack’s feelings about what’s important?
3. What does this story tell us about God’s plans for us?
4. Does God use us for things we didn’t think we could be used for?

Review prepared by Mason Todd, Union-PSCE in Charlotte

Lord of the Rings Triology

Name of Book: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

Author:  J.R.R. Tolkien

Illustrator: Alan Lee

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin

Publisher’s Intended Audience: Grades 7 and Up

Summary: The Ring of Power has resurfaced and is striving to return to the hand of its master, the Dark Lord, Sauron.  It is the task of the fellowship, nine individuals representing all of the free folk of Middle Earth, to destroy the ring in the Cracks of Mount Doom deep within the borders of Mordor (Sauron’s stronghold) in order to prevent the world from being covered in a second darkness.  But Sauron is using his enslaved servants – including the Black Riders – to hunt the ring, for without it, he cannot return to his full strength.  The Hobbit, Frodo, carries the ring of magic on the quest and along with the fellowship must avoid enemies (and sometimes even friends) to reach the Black Lands and send the ring into the fire from which it was forged.

Literary elements at work in the story:  (genre/setting/characterization /plot/theme/point of view/style): An epic high fantasy fiction set in Middle Earth.  Tolkien has created a mythology for England predating the Roman occupation of Britain.  His human and near human characters are very convincing.  This is an extraordinary adventure which sets the bar for all other stories in the genre.

Perspective on gender/race/culture/economic/ability: Races are represented through fanciful (and oh so believable) characters such as dwarves, elves, orcs, wizards and Hobbits.  There are few female main characters but the ones there are show strength and intelligence and help move events.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7

Theology: Though not an allegory, these books are rich with Christian themes…call of the hero, quest, provision, staying on the right path, sacrifice, and more.

Faith Talk Questions (Intended for use with upper elementary, youth and adults):

1. How was the Hobbit, Frodo, called to the quest to destroy the ring of power?  What were his feelings about the journey?  With that in mind, do you think you’ve ever received a call from God?  What was your first reaction?  How is your call similar or dissimilar to Frodo’s?
2. How were the other members of the Fellowship called?  Have you ever felt called to participate in community with others? What was the task set before your community or fellowship and why was it important for you to act with others rather than alone?
3. What provision does Frodo receive to help him on his quest?  At what points in the story does unlooked for help arrive?  Can you recall a time that God provisioned you for a task?  Have you ever received unexpected help?
4. What enabled Sauron to ensnare the Nazgul?  What caused Saruman’s fall?  Why do you think that Bilbo and Frodo were able to resist the evil of the One Ring?  How has your attempt to live in faithfulness to Christ helped you to resist evil or temptation?
5. How important was the Fellowship of the Nine Walkers to the outcome of the quest?  In what ways was the Fellowship itself significant in moving events?  How were their lives changed on the journey?  How have you changed on your Christian journey?  In what ways has a community of faith helped you to stay on the right path?

Review prepared by Kelly Hames, MACE, Entering cohort – 2008