Brave Girls: Faithful Friends

"It's late, and the slumber party has quieted down.  Now the girls are in their sleeping bags on the floor, talking into the darkness to one another.

"'Hey, did you hear about Hannah?' a voice breaks into the quiet."

What should Kaitlyn do when the girls start to gossip about Hannah?

Brave Girls:  Faithful Friends by Jennifer Gerelds is a 90-day situational devotional for 8- to 13-year-old girls.  The paperback is 135 pages long and is on perhaps a third- or fourth-grade reading level.  I'd recommend it for a church lending library, as the basis of a small group Bible study for preteens, or as a stocking stuffer at Christmas.

I like the casual writing style in this book.  It begins with a Bible verse, a situation, some advice, and a one- or two-sentence prayer in the conclusion.

Rose is a first-grader and while she could easily read most of the devotional, she doesn't know the meaning of words such as imminent, armadillo, and Philistine.

One thing to keep in mind when selecting a devotional for children is the fact that smaller people are still learning all the "rules," whereas you and I usually already doggone well know when we're leaving people out, being dishonest or changing the way we act around different friends.  I think the book is perfect for preteens who are just starting to learn some of the more complicated rules and would like some guidance. 

I know girls in this age group want to start to take control of what they wear, where they go, and who they hang out with.  I think the advice offered in the book is pretty generic and balanced.  For example, when planning a party, hosts should "listen to what your guests want to do, not just what you want to do," and "help those who seem shy or afraid to join the fun," as well as to remember to "talk to everyone at some point."

It's not a short book, but it's an easy read, and it gives some good advice.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”