Archive for the 'real review' Category

May 2, 2008

Miss Match by Erynn Mangum

Review by Maddee Schrader, RTF Staff Writer, 16 

Erynn Mangum published Miss Match when she was twenty-three, and calls it semi-autobiographical. I’m always cautious of first-time authors, but in several cases have felt shamed afterward for doubting. Enough said.

Lauren Holbrook is twenty-four, living at home and working at a photography studio owned by her best friend from first grade. Besides being alarmingly addicted to coffee (“liquid candy bars”) and Milky Way bars, she might be considered normal save for her unusual hobby.

She is a matchmaker. (more…)

Filed under: Real Teen Faith Writers, Guest Writers, dating, real review

April 30, 2008

A few days ago I heard two different people with two very different ideas talking about the movie, Expelled. This is what one of our favorite sites, Planet Wisdom, had to say about it:

Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed
Rated PG
reviewed by Christopher Lyon

Ben Stein’s documentary about the battle in the scientific community between Intelligent Design and Darwinian evolution is NOT a debate film.

Stein mostly doesn’t try to make the case for Intelligent Design (ID) or get too deeply into the science of evolution. What he wants to do is make the case that the scientific and academic establishment is freezing out legit ID scientists from participating in the conversation. And he makes that point convincingly — especially if you were pretty sure that was true to start with. (Read rest of review. . .)

Real Quote from Review: As Bible-believing Christians, we are convinced that God created all life. Here’s my bias: I’m going to believe that no matter what. Faith in God as revealed in His Word is my first commitment. Because I’m so convinced, I believe that a thorough and free study of the scientific evidence will, in fact, eventually reveal that a designer is necessary for life to exist.

Filed under: youth worker resources, real links, real review

April 24, 2008

Can I tell you a secret? I hate the Gossip Girl series.

Uhh uh, Suzie, hate is such a strong word.

If I had a stronger word, I’d use it. I don’t like how it portrays youth culture, because the reality is that after working with teens for nearly two decades, I don’t recognize even one teen that I’ve met or know. It takes the problems of youth culture and wraps them in shallow characters and glitz and designer labels, glamorizing what ultimately has hurt many teens.

But I found a series recently that has the same addictive reading style, sprinkles in the same designer labels, and is set in a posh setting with fab clothes and tricky relationships. It’s well-written, fun, gently faith-filled, and to be honest, more than a little addictive. It’s the All About Us series written by Shelley Adina. (more…)

Filed under: fashion, real review

February 22, 2008

“Body obsession is a distraction from the more important aspects of self,” explains Dr. Linda Mintle, licensed clinical psychologist. “Outer beauty is only a facade that often hides the deeper character issues of a person.”

Nancy Alcorn has written a series of books on addiction, cutting, sexual abuse, and eating disorders. She works with girls seeking help for each of these in a nationally-recognized residential ministry called Mercy House. In her new book, Starved: Mercy for Eating Disorders, Alcorn offers faith-based hope for those needing freedom from eating disorders. She identifies the root issues connected with an eating disorder and offers practical principles that can be applied to bring restoration and lasting freedom.

For more information about Mercy ministries, click here.

Filed under: real quote, real review, self-injury

February 8, 2008

The Book? Secrets About Guys - that shouldn’t be so secret!

The Author?  Grace Dove

The Publisher? Standard Publishing

One “Secret” found in the book: Guys don’t depend upon relationships with girls for their identity or fulfillment.

Today we are interviewing Grace Dove, author of the book “Secrets About Guys (that shouldn’t be so secret)”.

Suzie: Grace, thanks for hanging out at RTF. Let’s get started. You grew up with three sisters, four brothers, and you married and raised three sons. Sounds like you have spent a lot of time with guys. Is it safe to say you are an expert on them? (more…)

Filed under: writing, real interviews, dating, real review

January 15, 2008

by C.W. Ross, Guest RTF Writer 

Artist:chasetheglow
Title:chasetheglow
Website: http://www.myspace.com/chasetheglow
Style: Alternative Rock
Rating: 8.9 out of 10

Chasetheglow was formed recently in the spring of 2007. While the band itself is new its individual members aren’t having previous music experience being in other bands.

For example, I first hear lead singer Sara Pecchia’s vocals a few years back when she was in the band Identity. Back then I was amazed by her vocal talents being that she was still only a teenager, so when she recently contacted me about a new band she was involved with I couldn’t wait to hear their music.

I wasn’t disappointed Sara always had the vocal talent but now she also has the extra wisdom that comes from life experiences that adds that extra bit of passion to her vocals. (more…)

Filed under: Guest Writers, music, real review

January 1, 2008

This is what Lindy Keffer, reviewer, had to say in Plugged In about the movie Juno.

Excerpt: As Juno, Ellen Page is completely adorable. And wow, can the girl talk! She leads the cast through 92 minutes of rapid-fire repartee. (Think Gilmore Girls on prenatal vitamins.) Audiences have to stay on their toes to keep up, and even then, if they’re unfamiliar with what the film’s screenwriter Diablo Cody calls “teen speak,” they’re still likely to get left behind.

Speaking of teens, Juno is—if nothing else—a telling inside perspective on the new teenage sexuality (or at least the world’s version of it). All the old rules are out the window. Sex is just as likely to happen between best friends (or even near-strangers) as it is between those who are seriously dating. And having sex isn’t necessarily a precursor to the deepening of commitment. It’s just one of many complications to be factored in as teens are defining their relationships. (more…)

Filed under: sex, real review

December 1, 2007

From Planet Wisdom
Amazing Grace
Rated PG for thematic material involving slavery, and some mild language.
reviewed by Christopher Lyon

Excerpt: “Amazing Grace” might not have the fanboys lining up around the block like star Ioan Gruffudd’s next film, “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.” But his role as the real-life 1700s slavery abolitionist William Wilberforce is far more heroic than Reed Richards could ever hope to be.

And Wilberforce didn’t need a costume to change the world.

(more…)

Filed under: youth worker resources, real links, real review