Yes, those books were far more disturbing. Then again, they don't have a Christian worldview or at the very least any of the hope that such beliefs bring.

Do we tell teenagers the truth about how people suffered in WW2? Or do we sugarcoat it, as if such tales are always some sort of marvellous boys' own adventure?

That's a very good question, waggawerewolf27 - a question that I don't think can be answered by just one person, or in just one sentence, for that matter. I guess this isn't quite the thread to get into the topic of any wars, (unless one is talking about a book), but what you said is definitely a good point: a point that certainly needs to be addressed by everyone at some time.

Back to the topic at hand, I must tell everyone that I just finished reading The Incredible Journey (by Sheila Burnford) last night! I really enjoyed it, and each chapter had a gorgeous illustration, usually of the animals, at the beginning of it. These pictures really added a lot to the story. I know this book is a children's book, but, as C. S. Lewis so wisely put it: "A children's story which is enjoyed only by children is a bad children's story". I'm really looking forward to watching again both of the movies based on this story (The Incredible Journey and Homeward Bound) now that I'm finished the book! I would definitely recommend this book, to anyone who likes animals, and appreciates the significance of perseverance through hard times.

Another book I've been reading is The Pearl by John Steinbeck. I vaguely remember this tale from reading it in my grade nine English class in high school. I can't recall that much of the story, only the overall gist, but I remember enjoying it. It's a good read so far! (I'm only on the second chapter as of yet.)

Nice job on dodging Wagga's question.

People should be told the truth. The question is when should that truth be shared? When they are ready. Nothing more nothing less. I don't think reality should be sugar-coated, it should be dealt with and understood. But by the same token, you don't want to expose someone to the horrible realities of life if they're not mature enough to deal with it. Nor do you want people to revel or wallow in such things. Discernment is key.

I really wasn't meaning to dodge the question, W4J! (But, looking back on my post now, I can see how what I wrote was dodging it. ) It was a really good question though, and you're right: it did deserve a response. The only problem was, I knew if I tried to answer it, it would take up far too much space in a thread that really isn't meant for such discussions. (I have a hard time explaining things concisely.) But you seem to have done a good job replying to it in a concise way, for which I applaud you - - , and I fully back up everything you said! *Hopes this post won't be pulled by a mod for being too off-topic... *

I apologise. I could've worded that with a bit more care. Thank you for not taking it personally.

I'm about to begin Ted Dekker's The Priest's Graveyard. I hope it's good.

Thanks. I forgive you! Ooh, Ted Dekker, eh? (Oops, there's me acting Canadian, again! ) His books are so intriguing! Hope you enjoy it, W4J!

Nice job on dodging Wagga's question.

People should be told the truth. The question is when should that truth be shared? When they are ready. Nothing more nothing less. I don't think reality should be sugar-coated, it should be dealt with and understood. But by the same token, you don't want to expose someone to the horrible realities of life if they're not mature enough to deal with it. Nor do you want people to revel or wallow in such things. Discernment is key.

Fair point, though I don't think that Nellie was dodging the question at all. I asked it because of the book I was reading which forced me to ask myself that question, also. This was a true life story which was delayed in the telling. Denis Avey, the man in question, commented that for years he was unable to handle the events he went through himself, suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. He found he was unable to tell people, not least because people expected to hear only nice jolly tales like Eric William's Wooden Horse or the Great Escape, or Paul Brickhill's the Dam Busters.

I always enjoyed Ian Serraillier's The Silver Sword, and also have read Erich Maria Remarque's All quiet at the Western Front, a book sometimes on HSC reading lists. Denis Avey said he joined the army because of his sense of adventure, serving in North Africa, before he became a prisoner of war in Greece, then because of a habit of escaping, ending up working at IG Farben, at Auschwitz, alongside many of the Jewish prisoners. Although he was treated better than those unfortunates, or Russians, he wasn't treated all that much better, unlike in those other POW stories, which is his point, though he did try to help some of the Jews he came into contact with.

I know that boys often do read adventure stories, preferring them to books like Little Women. Do you think those other WW2 books sugarcoat what it is like being a soldier in WW2, or what it might have been like being a Prisoner of War in German-held territory?

I just got the new book "Troubletwisters" by Garth Nix and Sean Williams from my library! it's really epic, and the plot is fast paced. I'm already wanting a sequel even though I'm not done the book

Oooh! Garth Nix and Sean Williams. They're Australian authors, very good too (Sean is even South Australian - like me).

Garth Nix is an author with whom I've been consistently impressed. His work has not always ranked as my favorite, but he's consistently good at writing and series ideas.

His knack for creating interesting worlds that are out of the box but still believable is awesome. I especially love the world in the Sabriel, Lirael and Abhorsen trilogy. Right now I'm reading his Keys to the Kingdom series. Up next for me is Sir Thursday.

Agreed. I love Garth Nix's books. I just wish he would hurry up and finish writing the new book set in the Old Kingdom. It was supposed to be released this year, but I see that it's been pushed back to 2013. Grrr. It's called Clariel and it's set 300 years before the Sabriel trilogy.

I really should read the whole Keys To The Kingdom series - I have only read Mr Monday and I loved it! so I really don't know why I never read the rest. I shall be reading that series very soon

if ya'll like Garth Nix, you'll LOVE Troubletwisters!

Right Ho, Jeeves! by P.G. Wodehouse
I really enjoyed it! My first taste of Wodehouse. I'm fairly eager to read more! I just finished the book this morning.

Spindle's End by Robin McKinley
It was pretty interesting-- I definitely enjoyed Beauty more though. Spindle's End seemed to drag in a few parts for me... There was a lot of description, which was good sometimes, but I found myself skipping paragraphs that didn't have dialogue because... I was impatient to get on with it I guess. So I guess I enjoyed it at least somewhat.
Cons: It had way more magic in it then I had expected. I mean, I suppose it was the story of Sleeping Beauty, and that story in the first place is based on magic and stuff. But it sort of bothered me-- the whole thing was wrapped around spells and magic and stuff. :-/ I wasn't a big fan of that.
So I wouldn't read it again... it was just okay, IMO.

Just finished Ted Dekker's newest release - The Priest's Graveyard. Not quite his best but still very powerful and thought-provoking. Highly recommended.

I still reading Authentic Beauty. I have been busy lately and haven't had as much time to read as I would like. I'm beginning to wish I had wait a little longer before reading Authentic Beauty, I'm not sure I was ready for it.

I'm rereading my Dad's George MacDonald books, I read The Highlander's Last Song last week. And now I'm reading The Baronet's Song. It's one of my favorites. I original read the abridged version when I was 14 and I loved it at once. Then I decided to read TBS and it's even better.

SnowAngel