Student Saturday: What Waits in the Water by Kieran Scott

 

Genre: Young Adult, Mystery, Horror
Student Reviewer: Alyssa O.

The story What Waits in the Water written by Kieran Scott is a scary and breath-taking book. This book makes you want to keep reading. The setting of this book takes place at an older lake house. The main character Hannah is spending a weekend at the lake house. The lake next to the house starts to seem creepy. I relate to this story by being scared to go somewhere. Although the places I had to go are not actually scary this story is scary. I would read this story many more times again. I recommend this to middle schoolers or older. 

One Minute After You Die by Erwin W. Lutzer

 

Genre:  Christian Nonfiction

Source:  I purchased a copy

Fow me this was an inspirational book, a confirmation of what I have known since I was a child. Things I wondered about were made clear. I always wondered about people who said they spoke to their long dead loved ones. I remember asking my mother at such a young age about that, and she said that it was demons pretending to be their loved one.  This book spoke about people who have had near death experiences.  I have no doubt that in some cases they have had a glimpse of something God allowed them to see.  I remember reading an account when I was a teen of a man who said he had died and felt the flames of hell burning his feet. This happened twice and in the end he repented and lived for the Lord.  I have no proof that these things really happened. What I do know for sure, as my mother said for years, one minute after you die you will be in heaven or in hell.

I choose to live my life for the lord.  This is not popular today. I have gotten in trouble several times for answering questions asked of me at school and someone with a differing opinion, or someone who was mad at me said something to those above me. I’ve been in trouble before. If that is what I must endure for God then so be it.  This is a book full of scripture explaining Biblically what we can expect. It is one that I highly recommend.

Chester and the Magic 8 Ball by Lynn Katz

 

Genre: Middle Grade Realistic Fiction.
Source: I received a copy from BookBub. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Middle school is tough. I know this because I’m a middle school teacher. Sixth graders are trying to grow up yet they face so many new challenges. This is often the first time they face the death of a family member or friend for the first time. They face bullying, illnesses, changes in friendship. I guess that is why I know middle school kids will be able to identify with this story.

Georgia has wanted a dog as long as she can remember. She asks her Magic 8 Ball if she will get a dog today and the answer comes back, ‘It is certain’. Georgia puts her plan into effect and by the end of the day she has a dog in her life. Chester isn’t just any dog. He was a well loved dog whose elderly owner fed him candy which rotted his teeth. He had to have all his teeth pulled. Everyone loves Chester.  When Georgia’s father comes home from the hospital and sees the dog he argues with his wife and leave the house. Georgia knows her parents have been fighting a lot lately. But now she believes getting Chester caused her dad to move out.

As we read through the book we see how Chester’s presence has such a surprising effect on people.  Will he bring people together?  Is he psychic? After all he plays with the Magic 8 Ball and so far all his predictions to questions Georgia has asked have been correct.  A charming book full of hope and wishing for better things. A book that shows you that sometimes what you need is right in front of you.  Looking forward to sharing this with my students at school and recommending it to our media specialist.