[.ca] Christy Miller Collection, Vol 2 (ISBN 159052585X)

All the Ingredients of a Great Book:
When I was in middle school the Christy Miller series was my first step to discovering the love I now have for literature. I had never before found a book that could hold my interest; however, from the first page of Summer Promise, I couldn't put the book down. I had discovered what it meant to be drawn into a story and identify so much with the characters that I felt I was there. I found that Christy was a girl that I could relate to - caring, cautious, genuine, and loyal to her friends. She finds herself making major changes in her life the summer she turns fifteen. She meets Todd and some other life-long friends, who in turn, introduce her to the ultimate forever-friend, Jesus Christ. Her story is beautiful and intriguing as she finds who she is through life's trials and joys. The series is made up of 12 books (3 in each collection) ranging from Christy's 15th birthday to her 19th (to give an idea of the age range of readers who might be interested.) The writing of Robin Jones Gunn is both artistic and powerful. She doesn't just tell a story, she invites you to be a part of it. Even though it's been several years since middle school, I have still, on occasion, joined Christy and her friends again as I sit by a fire in my cozy chair, sipping a cup of tea. Something that I love about these books is that Jesus isn't excluded as He is in so many of the contemporary books today. He's as much one of the characters as Christy is. And that is refreshing. I would recommend these books to any young girl (or young woman-there is a trilogy called "Christy and Todd: the College Years" as well.) Robin Jones Gunn has written numerous other books such as the Glenbrooke Series (Adult Fiction), Sisterchicks Series (Adult Fiction) and Gardenias for Breakfast. All of which will make you laugh, cry, and think - all the ingredients of a great book.