The Princess & Curdie by George MacDonald
Having read Phantastes last year we were a bit weary of another MacDonald book as the language was quite difficult for the kids. But this book was much more readable for this 21st century family, and the kids eagerly awaited each night's time together with Curdie, the young miner sent to save the kingdom, the princess Irene, and the adventures that awaited them in Gwyntystorm, the royal city. It is easy to see how Tolkien and Lewis were inspired by MacDonald.

Joel: A boy from Gallilee by Annie Fellows Johnston (Lamplighter Series)
Imagine taking the gospels and telling them from the perspective of a young crippled boy whose only thoughts are of revenge on the boy who crippled him. Talk is there is a prophet going about healing people; could he be the Messiah? When Joel finally sees Jesus he has to make a decision, would he rather be healed or hold on to his desire for revenge? Read on to see what happens... We found this book to be an excellent help is seeing the gospels afresh and thinking through how we might have responded had we been there. (Thanks to the Savages for sending this one to us!)

That Printer of Udells by Harold Bell Wright
Apparently this book changed former President Ronald Reagan's life when he read it as a 12-year-old. That was testimony enough for us to decide to read it to our kids. It is set about 100 years ago in a midwestern town with the normal prejudices and vices of most towns. The churches are full but it does not seem to make much of a difference in the town. However, one preacher, an elder, and a few young people in the congregation are out to change that. When the "bum", who entered town and started working at Udell's printing shop, makes the decision to follow Jesus everything changes. The book spells out a compassion that respects the individual and forces him to respect himself. The kids really enjoyed the story. In the end it was easy to see why Reagan enjoyed the book. And interestingly much that he espoused in his social policies is similar to what the book lays out (at least, I think it is, but I may be wrong in that). [We are grateful to the Cvancaras for letting us borrow their copy.]