Tim Shoemaker

I hesitate a little bit to review this book because as an adult non-Christian, I am definitely not its intended audience. However, since it isn't necessarily readily apparent that it is a Christian book, and since many adults do read juv and YA novels, I will add my opinion to the bunch.

This book sucks. It's terrible. Reading it is torture. (But torture that I had to endure for work.) There is a mystery, which could have POSSIBLY been interesting with more interesting characters and if the whole goody-two-shoes Christian theme was completely wiped out.

Look, I hate lying as much as the next person, possibly more. I can be honest and forthcoming to a fault, and I hate hate HATE lying, even lying by omission. In most cases, I think lying is a VERY BAD IDEA.

That being said, the preachiness in this book is exhausting. It's like a 300 page Berenstain Bears novel but way less interesting. And if you're not a Christian, all the talk about praying and God feels cheesy, like you're reading a Sunday School pamphlet. And the kids are so darn wholesome. What eighth grader says "baloney" instead of BS? None I know.

Anyway take this all with a grain of salt. If you are the intended audience, I'm sure this book is great. It has many 4 and 5 star reviews to back up that statement. If you're a cynical, non-religious adult, this is not the book for you.… (más)

From a mother's point of view this book was very frustrating. I did not enjoy the teenage main characters lying to the adults around them. Yes, the author made these teenagers learn a major life lesson the hard way, I still found myself wanting to sit these teenagers down and have a heart-to-heart talk with them. The writing style was really easy to read. I can understand why this book was chosen for the 2015/2016 Iowa Children's Choice List, the book is well written and very discuss-able. I wish this author the best of luck with this book. It is worth the time to read it… (más)

Cooper, Gordy, and Hiro along with Lunk are back for a second adventure in Tim Shoemaker’s second book Back Before Dark. The four teens are on their way home from a shopping trip when they spot a van with a backpack on top. They promised they would be home before dark. They weigh their options and decide they have time to play the role of Good Samaritan and still make it home on time. Gordy takes off ahead of the group. As he approaches the van the worse thing possible happens. The side door opens and Gordy is grabbed. His friends race to catch up. Cooper gets the license plate number but gets it all mixed up. Days go by. Cooper can’t imagine being without his best friend and cousin Gordy. He goes to school and sees a sign for a memorial to be held for Gordy. This is really more than Cooper can stand and he decides if the police aren’t going to do anything then he will. Their new friend Lunk supports Cooper in everything he does putting himself and his friends in danger. This book is all about friendship and how far we will go for our friends. There is also an underlying message of turning problems that are too big for you to handle over to God. Cooper is like so many of us that tries to handle it first and then when all else fails turns it over to God. Lunk is one of those who doesn’t understand why God would allow this to happen to good people. Then we have the strong one of the bunch Hiro. She is the one who constantly prays for her friends and the situations they get into. She is the voice of reason in the darkness. I can only home Tim Shoemaker keeps pumping these books out because I will keep putting them on my shelves at school and recommending them to everyone I can.… (más)