(3) 4-6 Thirteen-year-old Nate's preacher father hates music, but it captivates Nate, who becomes friends with the musical Carter family and other musicians in town. When Nate leaves home, he discovers his father's music aversion is related to the death of Nate's two-year-old sister years ago. Set in 1927 Tennessee, this novel satisfyingly incorporates real history, capturing a boy's poignant coming-of-age as well as a fruitful time in country music.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) YA Although an accident leads to Christopher's death, it's mislabeled a suicide before his boyfriend Marley can explain. As Christopher's conservative-televangelist father denies his son's homosexuality to the press, Marley tries to honor the boyfriend he loved--but doing so inadvertently perpetuates the suicide myth. Self's novel addresses important, weighty issues, but thin characterization prevents Marley's moral dilemma from developing much tension.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(3) YA Out-and-proud Jo (short for Joanna) agrees to go back in the closet for her senior year when her father, a radio evangelist, moves her from Atlanta to rural Georgia to be closer to her new stepmother's (conservative) family. Nuanced takes on family dynamics, social politics, friendship pressures, religious faith, and first love all inform this smart twist on the coming-out story.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(3) YA Raised by a staunchly atheistic father, Phillip's life takes a confusing turn when he falls for Rebekah, an evangelical Christian. As Phillip struggles to figure out what he truly believes, he must also deal with dissipating friendships and finally confront his feelings about his mother's death. Klauss crafts a witty narrative of Phillip's authentic search for identity.

Reviewer: Randy Ribay

(3) YA Ronald Earl, a.k.a. "Little Texas," has been preaching since he was ten. Now, at almost sixteen, he begins to doubt his calling--just as a mysterious ghostly figure appears. The protagonist's compelling first-person narration, peppered with biblical language, is full of relatable uncertainty. As the story accelerates, readers will find themselves startled by both the personal and actual demons Little Texas must face.

Reviewer: Chelsey Philpot

(3) YA Spiritual Leaders and Thinkers series. The subjects of these report-oriented biographies of religious leaders will be of varying interest to young people. The feature that sets these apart from other biographies are the appended primary source documents in most of the volumes, including the text of Luther's Ninety-five Theses and the Dalai Lama's Nobel acceptance speech. Chronology, reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Spiritual Leaders and Thinkers titles: Martin Luther, Thomas Merton, Mary Baker Eddy, Aimee Semple McPherson, and Dalai Lama.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) YA People to Know series. The books in this series profile an individual in texts that include career achievements and some personal information. The coverage is generally discreet, and there is very little analysis in these flatly written biographies, which are accompanied by black-and-white photos. They will probably be sufficient for report-writing students and those needing basic factual information. A time line is included. Bib., ind. [Review covers these People to Know titles: Anne McCaffrey, Steve Jobs, Billy Graham.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta