Christy Miller Collection

Christy Miller Collection

Robin Jones Gunn

December 28th, 2012

   Okay, obviously I haven't written a post recently. However the first book I'm reviewing after my brief sabbatical is the Christy Miller Collection. This is actually a group of three books in one copy. The first book Summer Promise, the second book A whisper and a wish, and the third book Yours forever.

First of all my general opinion about the writing is although there technically isn't anything wrong with the writing style that was employed I felt it was a little dry and boring. I also thought it was a bit more dramatic than it had to be. 

First Book Summer Promise

    Christy Miller is fourteen years old and is staying in sunny California for the summer. Her Aunt Marti loves to shop, and the surfer boys are everywhere. She develops a crush on surfer Todd. Todd and his 'god-lover' friends are befriending Christy and teaching her.

   Like I said I thought the writing was a little dry, but it was rather touching. It tends to touch on religion quite a bit. Christy's reactions to the challenges she faces are definitely interesting. And a lot of the situations she faces are challenges that a lot of high schoolers have to face. Over-all I think this book is probably a good choice for anyone who likes real-life drama.

Second Book: A Whisper and a Wish

   Christy's immediate family moved to California just in time for Christy's Sophomore year of high school. However, this time she's an hour and a half away from her Aunts house where she stayed the summer so now she has to start all over making friends and trying to fit in. 

   Over-all everything is working out well until an overzealous activity during some midnight fun leads to a stay at the police station. Christy starts to question her newfound faith in god asking questions. Does God really hear every whisper, and why does he make it so difficult to know who your friends really are.

   Again I felt the same problem in the second book. The writing was a bit trite and boring, but it shows that your actions have consequences. It also admirably shows the importance of choosing your friends carefully, and making wise decisions despite pressure from so-called friends.

Third Book: Yours Forever

   Christy is back at her Aunt Marti and Uncle Bob's house for a whole week between Christmas and New Years. The good news is Todd is there too. The bad news is her Aunt Marti and all of her friends from the summer seem to be mad at her. 

   She's becoming increasingly confused because she wants to know. Is Todd hers or isn't he? She finds herself questioning God again. Why would he let everything get so tangled.

   This book focuses more on her relationships and how difficult they can be for a teenager. You're never quite sure where you stand, and how to go about confronting a person you're interested in.

   Again I think Robin Jones Gunn, the author of the books, could use a little work on how to make a story show an image better, but it was still a good read. 

   Over-all I think the Christy Miller series is a good book to read for a teenager facing difficult decisions.

   A free copy of this book was provided by Multinomah publishing for review purposes.