Found in Translation

Author: Roger Bruner

Series: Altered Hearts #1

Genre: Christian/Fiction/Young Adult

When Kim Hartlinger arrives late on a mission trip to Mexico and discovers that the mission location has changed and now she will be doing construction in a remote village without plumbing and electricity. She can rough it with her designer clothes, or turn around and head home. With no English speaking villagers, Spanish speaking team members, or any translators, Kim worries they will not be able to reach the heart of the villagers in just 14 days. Will Kim be able to touch the villagers’ hearts with the Gospel? Or will her time in Mexico be up before she gets the chance?

 

Positive Elements: Where to begin? This is a book about finding God, rebelling against what YOU want, and serving others. Kim learns that not everything revolves around her, and ends up being a huge Christian influence on the village people. This book really spoke to me, as I have a tendency to be self-centered, just like Kim. I identified a lot with her, and this made me convince myself I would change.

 

Negative Elements: Kim has a tendency to swear (though none are ever actually written) even though her parents disapprove. She replaces her ‘swear’ words with milder things. One boy seems to have an ‘interest’ in her, though nothing ever happens. She is also, quite frankly, a brat at the beginning – but this is a book about learning and growing, therefore I don’t really think it’s a ‘negative’ element.

 

Summary: I was expecting a light, fluffy chick-lit “Latte Days” kind of book. What I got was a surprisingly deep, fun, thought-provoking and spiritually enlightening book that I finished in a couple of days. Thank you, Mr. Bruner! I hope to read the next one, Lost in Dreams, VERY soon!

 

Ages: 15+ (Not because there is really anything that should be avoided for younger teens, but I think this is about where the reading/spiritual understanding level starts)

 

4.5 out of 5 stars

 

Team Novel Teen is a group of bloggers dedicated to spreading the word about clean teen fiction. Check out other posts about Found in Translation by Roger Bruner by clicking on the links below, and check out www.NovelTeen.com for more information about Team Novel Teen