Keepin' It Real

As a mother of five children, one of whom is coming up on the teen years, I found Keepin' It Real a good reminder of the deeply-felt concerns of those no longer children but not yet adults. This is a genuine glimpse into the thoughts of a young person struggling to sort through some of life's toughest questions. It highlights the importance of the journey itself, and of keeping God always in sight. As I read it, I felt I easily could have been reading my own diary from my growing up years, when emotions were high and confusion an everyday feeling. Both parents and teens will benefit from a read-through of this sensitive approach to growing up in today's world.

An amazing book which through letters to God a teen develops her beliefs, finds answers and comfort through her stormy year and concludes with a strong faith and an accepting heart. The book includes humor as it explores the tramas this teen faces. Her letters to God give the wonderful reality of the fabulous relationship one can have with God - talking to him each day. This book is on its way to my teen granddaughter - Thank you Sandy!

What's really cool about 13-year old Leslie, who wrote every single letter in this book, is how she figured out that you can talk to God like a friend, and then how she went ahead and did it. Any young person who wants to feel closer to God (but who wonders what the "right language" is supposed to be) should read this wonderful year-long diary. Before you know it, you'll be wanting to start writing your own set of letters to God.

This book takes on all the trials of teenagehood--pimples, dates, gym class, even parents contemplating divorce--and gives her readers an idea of just where to turn for help.

Anyone who is (or who ever has been) 13 will identify with Leslie's struggles to make sense of her family, her faith, her own thoughts, and the world. Through her letters to God, Leslie deals with questions as big as the very nature of God and as small as why Mom gets so bent out of shape about how the bathroom towels are folded. Sandra Humphrey has done a beautiful job of not only creating a very believable character, but more importantly, of showing young readers how inextricably faith is linked to the issues of everyday life.