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The Master's Likeness by Joseph Johnson A heartwarming story of a young boy named Robert Welby, an orphan all alone in the world with no friend to care for him. When Dr. Thorncross took him into his school, Robert was his "Christ's sake" boy, the doctor usually had one boy who he admitted free of charge at his own expense, but this time what started as an act of charity became a deep and beautiful friendship between the stern, precise headmaster and the poor, lonely boy. Robert knew who it was that had taken him in, saved him from the workhouse and opened his arms to him, and he was deeply grateful. Having recently lost his father, the boy was devoted to the doctor, and the love of his affectionate nature was poured out to this headmaster who had done so much for him. The doctor was a Christian man, holding fast to the principals that his boys should grow and learn in godly character and the fear of the Lord as well as in education. All the boys respected him greatly...
Dawn of a Tomorrow by Frances Hodgson Burnett A man, depressed, desperate, on the brink of cutting the delicate thread that ties him to this earth, in his mind there is no tomorrow. After today, no more sleepless nights, no more remembering, never more to wake. After today... but where will he be tomorrow? He asks himself that question, but cannot find an answer. No tomorrow... From the first, the reader is drawn into a story of Antony Dart, who is on his way to end his own life...a life without God, and therefore without hope. The fog is dense; he wanders around on his way to the pawn shop to buy the pistol. With that done, once more he goes out into the fog. And then, he meets a little girl. She is a poor, ragged child of the streets, but for some irresistible reason Dart follows her, though he knows not why. She leads him to Apple Blossom Court where she lives, a dirty, rundown, dark place like so many in the slums of London. There, he meets a woman whose past has been a life of sin...
The Spanish Brothers by Deborah Alcock A gripping story of two young bothers, Juan and Carlos, in Spain during the Inquisition. The two were devoted to each other, and from the time that they were but boys, they had planned and fancied how they would find their father, who had been lost and was believed dead long ago. They wondered at the phrase carved in glass by their father's hand, "El Dorado Yo hé trovado" "I have found El Dorado" They dreamed of what the great treasure he had found had been. The brothers grew up, Carlos, the younger and more delicate of the two, went into training to be a Catholic priest, Juan to be a soldier. Carlos was well taught in the Catholic faith, and on the verge of becoming a priest when he met Juliano Hernandez, whose influence would change him forever. Juliano was not a Catholic, but a follower a Christ, part of those who were chosen to suffer for His name. Julian gave Carlos a Spanish New Testament, which was very scarce and dangerous...
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens reviewed by Elizabeth Niebel Set amidst the turmoil of the corrupt governments of England and France, this story begins in 1775 with the release of Alexandre Manette who has unjustly been in prison for the past eighteen years. He is reunited with his eighteen-year-old daughter, Lucie Manette, who believed herself an orphan. Though Monsieur Manette gladly adjusts to leading a normal life again, he is haunted by the thought of something he cannot remember. Charles Darnay is a French heir to much wealth, which he does not claim, due to the means by which it was acquired. Rather, he has chosen to earn his living by teaching, and in kindnesses to others, attempt to repair the wrongs incurred by his family. In one such instance of kindness, he meets the Manettes; their acquaintance grows into friendship throughout further meetings. Darnay's renunciation of wealth and position in France, donning a false name in England, and traffic between the two countries...
My Mates and I by Mrs. O.F. Walton A young man like many others, Charlie Wescott had the outward appearances of a Christian, but his heart was not in it. He longed for change, to see more of the world. Against his parents' wishes, Charlie decided to go to London to find work, and there he did see some of the world, and the types of people that thrive in it. Though he resisted temptation and peer pressure for a while, he soon fell into bad company. While thus he continued, even news of his mother's death and prayers for her boy who she knew was going wrong would not change his heart, but God knew how to reach him. When working one terrible day, the support Charlie was standing on gave way… Through the story of Charlie, Mrs. O.F. Walton tells of the danger of sin, rebellion and conformity to the world, and of how willing God is to receive us back if we turn to him. Some of the character traits it teaches are humility, discretion, love and forgiveness. Great book for teenage boys...