Christy: Stage Fright, Goodbye Sweet Prince, Brotherly Love

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

C. Archer has done a wonderful job of adapting the book Christy by Catherine Marshall into something easy to read for younger children. This audio version by Oasis Audio is read by the talented Jaimee Draper and will captivate the imagination of children 6 and up. Draper reads with drama and flair that add life to the characters and depth to the story.

This set of audio stories is a great way to introduce children to classic fiction. I would suggest that parents listen to them before allowing their children to since there may be parts or entire stories that are too scary for your child depending on their personality.

I enjoyed listening to these myself as they simplify and then dramatize to a greater depth the original story. They do sometimes add some variations that you will not find in Catherine's original book.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

Stage Fright: As Christy's students are preparing for a school play, she reveals her dream to act on stage. Little does she know that Dr. MacNeill's aunt is the artistic director of the Knoxville Theater. Before long, just as Christy is about to debut on stage, several mysterious incidents threaten both her dreams and her pride.

Goodbye, Sweet Prince: The whip cracked and the stallion reared up in pain. Christy cried in horror, "I've got to find a way to get Prince away from here!" Prince, the mission's stallion, has a cruel new owner. Christy and her students are heartsick. They desperately want to help Prince. But how? Is there a way their magnificent horse can be reclaimed?

Brotherly Love: George, Christy's younger brother, is charming and kind. But is he also a thief? Everyone is delighted when George visits Christy at the Cutter Gap Mission. But the delight ends when George reveals what he has been expelled from school for stealing. Can Christy summon the love and faith to help her brother do the right thing?

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To listen to an excerpt of this book, click here!

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This review copy was provided courtesy of Oasis Audio but the opinions expressed are my own.

Christy: The Princess Club, Family Secrets, Mountain Madness

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

C. Archer has done a wonderful job of adapting the book Christy by Catherine Marshall into something easy to read for younger children. This audio version by Oasis Audio is read by the talented Jaimee Draper and will captivate the imagination of children 6 and up. Draper reads with drama and flair that add life to the characters and depth to the story.

This set of audio stories is a great way to introduce children to classic fiction. I would suggest that parents listen to them before allowing their children to since there may be parts or entire stories that are too scary for your child depending on their personality.

I enjoyed listening to these myself as they simplify and then dramatize to a greater depth the original story. They do sometimes add some variations that you will not find in Catherine's original book.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

The Princess Club: When Ruby Mae, Bessie, and Clara discover gold in Dead Man's Creek, they form an exclusive group, "The Princess Club." Christy watches in dismay as Cutter Gap is torn apart by greed and envy. Can she find a way to heal the bitter divisions caused by a handful of gold?

Family Secrets: Bob Allen and many of the residents of Cutter Gap are upset that a black family has moved into the Cove. When hostile shooting and a series of threatening incidents befall the newly arrived family, the Washingtons, Christy steps in to help. But it's a clue in the Washington's family Bible that may hold the key to real peace and acceptance.

Mountain Madness: When Christy travels alone to a nearby mountain, she vows to discover the truth behind the terrifying legend of a strange mountain creature. But what she finds seems worse than anything she could ever have imagined!

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To listen to a excerpts of this audio book click here.

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This review copy was provided courtesy of Oasis Audio but the opinions expressed are my own.

Christy: Midnight Rescue, The Proposal, Christy’s Choice

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

C. Archer has done a wonderful job of adapting the book Christy by Catherine Marshall into something easy to read for younger children. This audio version by Oasis Audio is read by the talented Jaimee Draper and will captivate the imagination of children 6 and up. Draper reads with drama and flair that add life to the characters and depth to the story.

This set of audio stories is a great way to introduce children to classic fiction. I would suggest that parents listen to them before allowing their children to since there may be parts or entire stories that are too scary for your child depending on their personality.

I enjoyed listening to these myself as they simplify and then dramatize to a greater depth the original story. They do sometimes add some variations that you will not find in Catherine's original book.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

Midnight Rescue: Christy Huddleston, the new school teacher in Cutter Gap, thought her biggest problem was going to be choosing between the charming country doctor, Neil MacNeill, and the handsome minister, David Grantland. But Christy has more serious matters to deal with when her student Ruby Mae Morrison and the mission's runaway black stallion vanish in a furious storm. As Christy desperately searches for Ruby Mae in the cold, blinding rain, she runs headlong into three angry moonshiners bent on revenge against anyone who might try to stop their illegal activities. Can Christy survive this most terrifying test of her faith and courage?

The Proposal: Christy should be thrilled when David, the handsome minister, proposes marriage. So why do thoughts of Dr. MacNeill keep popping into her head? Before she can answer David, Christy is blinded in a terrible riding accident and all her dreams are threatened.

Christy's Choice: Christy screamed as the train broke from the track and plunged down the side of the mountain. When Christy is offered a chance to teach in her hometown, she faces a difficult decision. Will her train ride back to Cutter Gap be a journey home or a last farewell? In a moment of terror and danger, Christy must decide where her future lies.

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This review copy was provided courtesy of Oasis Audio by the opinions expressed are my own.

Christy: The Bridge to Cutter Gap, Silent Superstitions, The Angry Intruder

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

C. Archer has done a wonderful job of adapting the book Christy by Catherine Marshall into something easy to read for younger children. This audio version by Oasis Audio is read by the talented Jaimee Draper and will captivate the imagination of children 6 and up. Draper reads with drama and flair that add life to the characters and depth to the story.

This set of audio stories is a great way to introduce children to classic fiction. I would suggest that parents listen to them before allowing their children to since there may be parts or entire stories that are too scary for your child depending on their personality.

I enjoyed listening to these myself as they simplify and then dramatize to a greater depth the original story. They do sometimes add some variations that you will not find in Catherine's original book.


BOOK OVERVIEW:

The Bridge to Cutter Gap: Christy Huddleston's dream is to teach poor mountain children. Join Christy as she crosses from the familiar world of parties and pretty things to the different world of Cutter Gap, located in the heart of the Smoky Mountains. There she meets the doctor who needs her help to save a life and the handsome minister who helps her face the challenges of teaching and loving the mountain people.

Silent Superstitions: Strange things are happening in Cutter Gap and everybody is convinced that Christy is cursed. After all, who can explain Bob Allens' mysterious accident on his way to bring Christy to Cutter Gap? Or the lightning strike that sent a tree through the school window? Will fear and superstition triumph? Will Christy be driven out of Cutter Gap forever? Or will Christy overcome and win the hearts of the mountain people?

The Angry Intruder: Headstrong and independent, Christy is determined to change the lives of the children in Cutter Gap. Yet it seems that anything new and strange poses a threat to the mountain people, who are proud of their way of life. Evidently, Christy has angered someone enough to cause a string of mysterious pranks. The handsome minister fears that the pranks will turn dangerous. Unfortunately, he doesn't realize how right his fears are.

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This review copy was provided courtesy of Oasis Audio by the opinions expressed are my own.

Christy by Catherine Marshall

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Catherine Marshall whisks you back in time to a secluded place in the Smokey Mountains where you see life through the eyes of Christy. She is a spunky and courageous young teacher who wants her life to be about more than just who she knows and what parties she attends. As you find yourself walking the rugged hills and viewing the majestic sights in your own imagination, you will also find yourself learning wholesome life lessons.

The characters come to life through this audio version of the book and you finish this story feeling like you have new friends. Kellie Martin - who played Christy on the CBS dramatized version of this book - reads the book with passion and depth.

I not only enjoyed hearing the whole and original version of Christy, but was captivated by the tale. I couldn't wait to get up and get to work around the house so that I could continue listening to this amazing journey of Christy and the many other people woven into her story. I would highly recommend this book for older children to adults. It would make a great resource to entertain the family on a long road trip or over a longer period of time in commuting to school or around town.

There were parts that may be slightly scary - such as shootings, burials, and some of the folklore - but overall I think that it would still be appropriate for the average person, child, or family.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

Christy Huddleston left home at 19 to teach school in the Smokey Mountains. There she came to know and love the wild mountain people with their fierce pride, their dark superstitions, their terrible poverty, their yearning for beauty and truth. Christy found her faith severely challenged in these primitive surroundings; and, confronted with two young men of unique strength and needs, she found her own growing yearnings challenged by love.

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This review copy was provided courtesy of Oasis Audio.

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This book is awarded with the To Read, Or Not To Read badge of distinction  - Best Of The Best - for the fact that because it is so good, it has been added to Mandy’s bookshelf!