Book Description
The first nine books in the popular Christy Miller series are now available in three treasured volumes!
Bestselling author Robin Jones Gunn packs each one with enough action, romance, and drama to keep you reading and wanting more. It all starts the summer Christy vacations on a California beach and meets two friends who change her life forever. But after moving across the country with her family, Christy must begin her sophomore year of high school uncertain where she’ll fit in. A red-headed new best friend, a try at cheerleading, a job at a pet store, and expectations for the prom fill Christy’s high school years with a string of laughter-and-tears moments. Fireball Katie keeps everyone guessing what she’ll do next, and surfer Todd keeps showing up while popular Rick has determined to get her full attention! As these memorable years unfold, Christy and her God-loving friends find out what it means to be a âpeculiar treasure.â Follow Christy Miller as she stays true to her identity in Christ, drawing closer to God for help in realizing her dreams and dealing with her disappointments.
Whether you’re meeting her for the first time or have known her for yearsâ
Christy Is a Forever Friend
Surprise Endings
Cheerleading tryouts are coming up, and Christy Miller is giving it all she’s got. The competition is tough and some of the girls are just rude, but Christy thinks she has a good chance to make the squad. Meanwhile prom is just around the corner, and Christy hopes her parents will make an exception to their âno dating until sixteenâ rule. She’d love to go with Todd to his prom! But nothing turns out as Christy had planned. As the surprises keep coming, can Christy respond with grace...and maybe even spring a surprise of her own?
Island Dreamer
Christy Miller is spending her sixteenth birthday on Maui with her family, Todd, and Paula, her best friend from Wisconsin! What could be better? But Christy soon finds that she and Paula don’t have as much in common anymore. Paula’s obsessed with having a boyfriend...even if it means stealing Todd from Christy! Will he choose Paula over her? Or will the islands send Christy dreaming in new directions?
A Heart Full of Hope
Christy Miller is sixteen, and that means she can finally date! Rick has waited months for this, and he has a whole list of dates planned. He’s not happy about her early curfews and weekend job, but Christy knows her parents aren’t about to negotiate on those points. Really, she’s dazzled to be pursued by such a thoughtful guy. So why does she feel overwhelmed? Where does Todd fit into her life now? And can any guy really fulfill all her hopes?
Story Behind the Book
âThe Christy Miller series was actually born when a group of thirteen-year-olds challenged me to write a novel. I’d been questioning the content of their favorite books when they said, âWhy don’t you write a book for us?’ I told them no, I only wrote picture books. But they persisted: âHow hard could it be? We’ll even tell you what to write! We want a love story with teenagers at the beach.’ And there you go. Summer Promise first released seventeen years ago and is now translated into five languages. I continue to hear from readers all over the world, many girls saying that they gave their life to Christ after reading Summer Promise. I love that!â
âRobin Jones Gunn
Customer Reviews:
Don't you want a Todd?.......2007-03-28
I love when Todd kissed Christy! It's so sweet! You want them together so so so much! I've read this one twice, and I love the Island Dreamer. Her relationship with the Lord grows. Sometimes I just want to scream at Paula from trying to steal Todd, though.
Christy is a delightful character.......2007-01-03
Although I am an adult, I've enjoyed all the Christy Miller stories. Christy is the sort of person I would have loved to have had for a friend durin high school, and I think many girls can relate to her. The pacing of the stories is sometimes a little slow, and the supporting characters, especially Christy's parents, should have been much better developed. Still, the stories are so enjoyable they are well worth reading.
Hey Juliet, Rick isn't your Romeo.......2006-12-30
Christy Miller is amazing. I adore every book in the series and even in the Sierra Jensen series. "Awesome" young women on fire for God are inspirational. In Volume 2, Christy is different though. Issues occur and the world isn't completely sugarcoated. It is a nice change from the picture perfect world of Newport and Todd. Life isn't always easy, but Christy's struggles reflect that God is always. The moral of this collection is God is there, patience pays, and guys like Rick aren't worthy of "peculiar treasures". Don't hate the Rick's of the world. Pray for them because love and God are the only two things that can change a heart.
Book Description
every reader who has ever wondered whether God sees their suffering...for those wonder if there is any purpose to their pain...for those who wonder why God allows their struggles to continue...Ron Mehl shines new light on life's bad things, revealing their part in God's plan to shower them with his love.
Customer Reviews:
God bless dear Ron Mehl.......2007-06-17
This man doesn't have any *bad* books. I've read most of his writings and they're all wonderful. Some may criticize his wonderfully simple writing style but I think that's part of its great appeal. So many of the biblical commentaries and exegeses I've read are so difficult to read and understand. By contrast, Mehl's conversational writing style is a breath of fresh air.
There won't be any more books from Mehl, as he passed on May 2003. However, the good news is, he left an impressive array of books that are filled with inspirational stories and healing words and helpful messages.
I've read the writings of dozens of contemporary Christian authors and I consider Ron Mehl to be right up there with Philip Yancey as one of my all-time favorites.
Surprise Endings was especially poignant for me, because it discusses the problem of life not turning out the way you hoped, despite your best efforts, prayers and 12-page mission statements. It points out that even in life's darkest trials and hardest times, there are things for which we can be grateful.
The next-to-last chapter is titled, "Death" where Mehl explains that Christians needn't be afraid to die, because heaven and all its glory awaits. Whilst reading all the good things he had to say about heaven, I thought about all the good Reverend Mehl did here on earth and I like to think he was welcomed into heaven with, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Book Description
Motivate students with high-interest fiction from master authors
- Motivate struggling readers with high-interest stories at ten reading levels
- Improve vocabulary and comprehension skills
- Encourage writing in response to reading
One of our classic best-sellers,
Goodman's Five-Star Stories, supplements any literature curriculum or stands on its own by providing interesting fiction at just the right reading levels. Adapted well-known short stories by traditional authors and newer multicultural authors entice even struggling readers with tales of adventure, derring-do, and surprise. Vocabulary in context, cloze passages, and critical thinking exercises help readers improve their understanding of the narrative text.
Average customer rating:
- Goodman's Five-Star Stories: Surprises
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Surprises: 15 Great Stories with Surprise Endings with Exercises for Comprehension & Enrichment (Goodman's Five-Star Stories, Level D)
Burton Goodman
Manufacturer: Jamestown Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Chills: 12 Chilling Tales and Exciting Adventures with Exercises to Help You Learn (Goodman's Five-Star Stories, Level B)
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More Surprises: 15 More GREAT Stories with Surprise Endings
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Goodman's Five-Star Stories: Shocks
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Goodman's Five-Star Stories: Conflicts
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Goodman's Five-Star Stories: Sudden Twists
ASIN: 0890616752 |
Book Description
Motivate students with high-interest fiction from master authors
- Motivate struggling readers with high-interest stories at ten reading levels
- Improve vocabulary and comprehension skills
- Encourage writing in response to reading
One of our classic best-sellers,
Goodman's Five-Star Stories, supplements any literature curriculum or stands on its own by providing interesting fiction at just the right reading levels. Adapted well-known short stories by traditional authors and newer multicultural authors entice even struggling readers with tales of adventure, derring-do, and surprise. Vocabulary in context, cloze passages, and critical thinking exercises help readers improve their understanding of the narrative text.
Customer Reviews:
Goodman's Five-Star Stories: Surprises.......2005-07-02
I find the series of Goodman's Five Star Stories excellent. Most of the stories are inviting and interesting.
Book Description
What do you get when you combine cheerleader tryouts, two dates for the same night, and a fifteen-year-old's yearnings for fun and love?
Christy Miller is determined that things are going to go her way this spring. Her heart is set on becoming a cheerleader, and with all the practice she's put in, she's sure she can pass the tough tryouts. What's even more exciting is that the prom is just around the corner, and Christy gets swept away making plans for her dress, the dinner, and the entire event.
But her dreams turn to bitter disappointment when her parents tell her she won't be allowed to attend the prom, and Christy watches in tears as Todd takes another girl. And all her hard work for a spot on the cheerleading squad can't erase the fact that one of the cheerleaders makes it clear that Christy isn't welcome. Can Christy leave a space in her heart for God to fill, or will she keep looking to others for happiness?
Get acquainted with Christy's friend Sierra by reading all twelve books in the SIERRA JENSEN SERIES, also by Robin Jones Gunn.
Customer Reviews:
Fans of the series will not be disappointed,.......2007-06-01
Christy Miller is determined to have the perfect spring. In SURPRISE ENDINGS, the fourth book in Robin Jones Gunn's Christy Miller series, Christy thinks she has it all. Not only is she a top contender for a spot on the cheerleading squad, but the prom is coming up and her parents might just bend their rules to let her go with perfect Todd.
As Christy begins cheerleading tryouts, she is continually mocked by the older team members, especially jealous Renee. The insults start getting to her, and all that keeps her going is football star Rick Doyle. However, Rick's encouragement goes a bit too far, and Christy begins to wonder if she's trying out because she wants to or because Rick is determined to mold her into the perfect girlfriend. When she confronts Rick about his intentions, he only reaffirms that he wants to date her --- as soon as she reaches his social status.
Meanwhile, Todd makes plans for a special dinner with Christy, who is sure he'll ask her to the prom. But he arrives at her house only to inform her that he's going with another girl from school. Completely devastated, Christy vows to forget her entire relationship with Todd. In a moment of anger and desperation, she commits to going to the prom with Rick, who is all too eager to accept her invitation. Of course, Christy is overlooking one small detail --- she is still not allowed to date. Her parents force her to cancel, which creates even more drama in their very confusing relationship.
At the same time, Christy's friends and family have already pinned her as a star cheerleader, even though she still hasn't made the team. Will she be able to live up to everyone's expectations? Will Rick ever speak to her again? And, most importantly, can she ever forgive Todd for destroying her prom dreams?
SURPRISE ENDINGS is a great installment in this enjoyable series. It's a very quick read, and the non-stop excitement in Christy's life will keep the pages turning. Some readers may find the cheerleading plot to be a bit superficial compared to the rest of the series (at one point, Christy prays to make the cheerleading team, in order to be a Christian example for others), but it's just in the background of a much larger and more interesting story.
Fans of the series will not be disappointed, especially as the book deepens the complicated love triangle involving Christy, Todd and Rick --- one that is sure to be explored in subsequent adventures.
--- Reviewed by Jennifer Crosby
Suprise Endings: A Great Story.......2005-05-03
"Surprise Endings" is a great book. Robin Jones Gunn did an excellant job in writing it. It continues from the previous books as Christy Miller now faces more tough choices. Trying out for cheerleading, who to go with to prom, dealing with another girl in the picture, and peer pressure from her other classmates are just a few of the hard situations she's faced with. Her religion and beliefs play a big role as in the other books. I can imagine what she's going through. There are so many conflicts and challanges that she faces. It never gets boring. It is interesting and real. I recommend this book for anyone who likes reading about adventure, romance, and tough problems that occur in everyday life. I enjoyed this book and I hope others will also.
A Wonderful Addition to a Wonderful Series!.......2002-11-24
'Surprise Endings' is a really good book. It opens with Christy about to try out for cheerleader. She finds a friend in Terri, another Christian girl trying out to be cheerleader, but another girl on the squad seems out to get Christy. Then there are the proms. Will Todd ask her to his? Will she go to her own? And just how badly does she want to be a cheerleader? With everything going on her life, Christy learns that people can only do so much, and some spaces only God can fill. This book will keep you guessing, and it truly has a 'surprise ending.'
Amazing.......2002-05-05
This book is amazing. I've got and read all of the Christy miller books...well all the ones that have been writen, and all of them are amazing. You feel as if you are there. It is hard to believe Christy miller and Todd Spencer and all the others in the book are made up...you feel as if they are good friends of yours. I have learned lots from these books. They help me with my life...Thanks Robin for writing so great books!
I LIKE THIS BOOK.......2000-03-27
I LIKE THIS BOOK, ESPECIALLY WHEN CHRISTY LET'S TERI TAKE HER PLACE ON THE CHEERLEADING SQUAD. SHE IS SO NICE. BUT I THINK NEXT PROM SHE SHOULD GO WITH TODD. HER PARENTS WOULD SAY YES, THEY LOVE TODD, AND SO DOES DAVID. I REALLY LIKE THIS BOOK.
Average customer rating:
- Do not read in the dark!!
- Until the End . . .
- If we all were so lucky...
- A Damaged Man Against A Damaged World
- This thriller is a page-turner!
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The Reckoning
D. Mikels
Manufacturer: Xlibris Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Contemporary
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Similar Items:
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The Road
ASIN: 142573152X |
Book Description
John Morrison´s life has been a wreck. . .but it´s about to get even worse. An unspeakable apocalyptic event has transformed John´s turbulent existence--an event that threatens to end his life at any given moment. With the aid of two companions, John struggles to hide from demented mobs, fight when necessary. . .survive. But is it a struggle for survival--or absolution? Learn the answer in D. Mikels´s powerful novel, "The Reckoning."
Customer Reviews:
Do not read in the dark!!.......2007-10-03
John Morrison's life was going right down the drain. With the loss of his son and now his impending divorce, he thought all was lost. True he still had his daughter Tiffany, but nothing will ever sooth his heart. John had no idea that his life was about to get much much worse, at the first sight of the green smoke.
The Others with fiery red eyes, cannibalistic nature, and the need to set buildings afire, were taking over. The infectious disease spreading like wildfire amongst the town and surrounding areas. There were only a handful of survivors, but John, Kevin, and Deb managed to stick together and escape from the evil brewing in Blairington.
D. Mikels scrawls a tale of horror that engrosses the reader from the start. I started reading this book one night while lying in bed...believe me that did not last long. Dreams of Zombies with fiery red eyes plagued me for two days. The Reckoning was filled with excitement and ended in an unimaginable twist. D. Mikels knows what he is doing, a captivating author that can make the hairs on your neck stand straight up. 5 Hearts
Until the End . . ........2007-05-24
D. Mikels, you're a good writer, well versed in craft and pacing, able to hold a story together with a theme, but character driven. That's what I take from The Reckoning. It's a good book, novella, told as two stories - the before and the after.
John Morrison screwed up his life - that's the message from the before - and in point by point detail, we learn how that happened. He's not a bad man and he's not a good man, he's just a man with flaws as well as strengths. He's not particularly honest, but then again he does have a conscience.
For my taste though, I'd have rather had full alternating chapters detailing the before and after, or I'd have brought out the before in situations, dialogue, memories, etc. A few inconsistencies threw me out of the story and those ought to have been caught in the proofing stage. But the major problem I had with the book is the ending. Those of you who've read it know what I'm talking about, but I won't spoil it for those who haven't. Suffice it to say that the reader has an emotional investment in the plot and characters and that ending betrayed that connection, I believe.
However, those nits aside, this was a quick and enjoyable read. It carried me through based on the strength of plot and pacing. Like a good movie, it was told in specific scenes and I had no trouble seeing those scenes before me as I read the text.
I'm giving it 4 stars because it succeeded on so many levels, anything lower would be unfair of me. I can't give it 5 stars because it just wasn't quite up to that standard for me.
I will read more by D. Mikels and look forward to doing so. Besides, a fellow Sooner with writing talent is a great find indeed.
- CV Rick
If we all were so lucky..........2007-05-12
You might be wondering at the title of my review, especially if you have read the synopsis of this book and the other reviews. What luck is there? No, I am not being sarcastic either.
This is a very intimate and personal story of a man who is given the opportunity, with a backdrop that is devastating and unthinkable, to allow his own life to be reviewed in great detail.
There is a sudden explosion and things change for John Morrison. It changes for everyone around him as well. Some sort of attack, some sort of diabolical distruction has been wrought against mankind...at least all of those in the United States, if not everywhere. In an instant, a green gas has caused many people to go insane--they have become rabid animals, attacking everyone they see. Their red tinged eyes give a clear indication that they are something "other" than human now.
John has not gotten sick with this poison. People who have not gotten sick are victims to be pummelled and destroyed by the condemned. John does his best to survive, hooking up with a couple of other survivors, desperately trying to find a place that is safe, a place where the others cannot go.
But that is just half the story. The author uses flashbacks to allow both us and John to examine his life. He and his wife were seperating when the blast occurred--he was packing his things so he could move across town. His son died in a horrible accident a few weeks before and his life has unravelled. Throughout this tale of his desperate attempt at survival we revisit all the aspects of his married life that he felt were his failings--all the things that he did wrong, all the things that crumbled within his grasp.
So why is John lucky? Because usually when we are presented with our mortality, or own eminent demise, we not given much of a chance to better grasp what it is that happened to bring us to our current state. With a world in such a chaotic state usually a sudden and abrupt ending happens while the world crumbles around us. We are given no chances to comprehend anything at all. John however not only gets the chance to escape the demons of his exterior world but also face his inner demons at the same time.
This is a novella that was well put together and is tightly bound. The author drew me and quickly made me appreciate what agony our main character is going through--more so the agony of his past existence than even the horrible experiences of the apocalypse around him. Things are revealed both to him and to us, the reader, that are both terrifying but provide incredibly profound revelations. Whether you feel that John is a wretch of a man or simply weak, like all of us are, there is something to him that makes him incredibly human and noble as he does his best not just for himself but for those who he is still trying to save.
A reckoning is defined as an appraisal or judgement but is also can be defined as a settlement of accounts. John is blessed and lucky, as I mentioned in the title of my review, because he is not only forced to do the former but is also able to strive for the latter in this story.
A Damaged Man Against A Damaged World.......2007-04-24
The Reckoning chronicles John Morrison's journey as he struggles to survive in a post apocalyptic world. His once imperfect life is now complicated by a strange sulfuric fog that pollutes the air and water and 'changes' people, ultimately killing them.
John's life was far from stellar before 'it' happened. As the current story unfolds, the author begins each chapter with a glimpse into John's past, creating an image of a man deeply flawed.
The story flows fast and furious and the writing is of the caliber that you don't want to put it down; eager to get to the next level of action, fear or discovery. The author takes you on a creative ride between the past and the present; he gives you a realistic feel of the emotions and responses the characters convey in the face of adversity.
Though the book is only 124 pages long, it is not lacking in content. It is rich and detailed, telling a tale of a horrific event, as seen by a damaged man and finally about forgiveness and peace. A great read.
This thriller is a page-turner!.......2007-02-03
This terrific thriller begins with a bittersweet flashback to a simple, happy day that meant a lot to John Morrison. He remembers his little son's tiny blue sneakers with the white tips, and now, years later, his son is gone. Looking back, John realizes his life has been one loss after another - jobs, love, his son, and ultimately, his self-respect. Today, something will happen that is so huge, so devastating, that he will have to fight for his very survival or give up and fail for the last time. His journey toward redemption will be the hardest of his life. Will he make it?
D. Mikels' third book is a great read and his best story yet. John, the protagonist, is a very real man; flawed and filled with regrets. When a cataclysmic event changes life on earth, John must face many challenges and his own weaknesses in order to survive. The narrative is crisp, the dialogue authentic, and the pacing quick; there's action on every page and you can't wait to see what will happen next. This is a book that fans of action, science fiction, and drama are sure to enjoy. Heartily recommended.
Customer Reviews:
SUPERB WORK.......2004-10-17
this book was great! it helped me so much with my knowledge of stories, and it helped me with my imagination. i loved it!
Average customer rating:
- Our 2 Year Old's Favorite Book!
- My son loves this book!
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Max'S Train Ride: A Squeaky Storybook With A Surprise Ending (Fisher Price Squeaky)
Susan Hood
Manufacturer: Reader's Digest
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Board book
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ASIN: 1575841835 |
Book Description
Young children will love these bright and noisy books that "honk" and "whistle" when the vinyl cover is pressed.
Choo! Choo! Max loves riding the train! In Max's Train Ride, he and his mommy are going on a very special trip. Kids will have a ball pressing the book's cover to hear the train whistle blow as they read this charming story.
Format: Books that Squeak
Dimensions (inches): 5 1/2 x 5
Customer Reviews:
Our 2 Year Old's Favorite Book!.......2000-12-09
I knew our 2 year old daughter liked trains when I bought this book, but I had no idea it would be such a hit! She carries it with her everywhere and we ready it over and over. The lovely, bright illustrations have lots of detail, so there are many things we can talk about. (If mommy and daddy get tired ready the story over and over!)
We had to order a new copy, since the first one was literally loved to pieces!
My son loves this book!.......2000-05-09
I started reading this book to my son when he was only a few months old. Now, at a year, it is still one of his favorites. The bright illustrations and rhyming narrative hold his attention. Plus the squeaky cover with the 3D people and animals makes this book a good toy/story to take on trips.
Books:
- Take Me Tonight (The Bullet Catchers, Book 3)
- Take Me Tonight (The Bullet Catchers, Book 3)
- The 6th Target
- The Challenge of Effective Speaking (with CD-ROM and SpeechBuilder Express/InfoTrac )
- The Complete Book of Long-Distance Cycling: Build the Strength, Skills, and Confidence to Ride as Far as You Want
- The Fred Factor: How passion in your work and life can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary
- The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists
- The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists
- The Kids' Guide to First Aid: All About Bruises, Burns, Stings, Sprains & Other Ouches (Williamson Kids Can! Series)
- The Multi-Site Church Revolution: Being One Church in Many Locations (Leadership Network Innovation Series, The)
Books Index
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