The Compassionate Christ by Sherri Hughes-Gragg

The Compassionate Christ
by Sherri Hughes-Gragg

ISBN-13: 9781400253340
Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Released: November 4, 2025

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In The Compassionate Christ author Sherri Hughes-Gragg invites you to embark on a transformative journey to witness firsthand the abundant and welcoming love of Jesus. Through emotive storytelling, a form of fictional narrative that mixes biblical history with Scripture, Sherri transports you back in time to vividly bring to life the biblical stories of Jesus' interactions with people. For thirty-one days you will walk alongside the Savior, witness miraculous healings and events, and experience His compassion and mercy by thinking and feeling along with the people whose lives have been instantly transformed by His love and grace.


My Review:
The Compassionate Christ is a 31-day devotional. For each day, we're asked to read a passage in the Bible, then the author wrote a fictionalized account of that passage, showing Jesus' compassion toward the hurting, the outcast, and sinner. The author ended each devotional with a short prayer regarding a truth learned from the biblical account.

The author did a lot of research into what life would have been like at the time of Jesus and included information that helped draw out the full impact of what was happening in each biblical account. She stayed true to what's actually in the Bible, simply filling in Bible background details to make the setting come alive and adding some motivation for why people might have acted the way they did. For example, the background information helped show why the woman with the issue of bleeding tried to hide that she'd touched Jesus. Overall, I'd recommend this well-research and interesting devotional.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Don't Worry, Warrior! by Levi Lusko

Don't Worry, Warrior!
by Levi Lusko,
Studio Muti (Illustrator)

ISBN-13: 9781400253265
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Tommy Nelson
Released: Oct. 28, 2025

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Follow this guidebook to wage war against anxious thoughts! Bestselling author and pastor Levi Lusko will help your tween win the hardest battles of the middle school years, including the fears, insecurities, and negative thoughts within their own heads.

Peer pressure is sneaking up on you. Moodiness is hiding in the bushes, ready to pounce. And worry wants to pin you to the ground. But you don't have to be afraid of every problem and feeling that you're confronted with. You have so much more power over what you think, how you feel, and how you act than you ever knew!

Follow the fictional characters Luca and Coral as they become warriors who overcome their struggles and glean wisdom from the biblical teaching, sage advice, and practical tools shared in every chapter. Don't Worry, Warrior!, inspired by Levi's popular book I Declare War, is for ages 8 to 12 and is a fun mix of Levi's teaching, guidance from God's Word, and fictional stories that bring each struggle and victory to life. Suitable for small groups and Bible studies for preteens.


My Review:
Don't Worry, Warrior! is a Christian book for ages 8 to 12. Each chapter handled a different challenge and usually started with a fictional account following Luca or Coral as they dealt with emotional challenges, like moving or peer pressure. The fictional situation was set up, then there's a nonfiction section giving advice on how to handle similar situations. This included examples from the author's life and from the Bible along with some relevant Bible verses. This nonfiction section included a work sheet area were you're asked a few questions that help you analyze a similar situation to understand why you acted a certain way and how you might do it differently in the future. There's also a sidebar with suggestions on things to do or think about to become a more courageous warrior. Then the fictional section continued, showing the child getting that advice and how it worked out for them.

The book covered things like how to handle your feelings when things don't go your way (talk about it, give it to God, ask God to help), taking charge of your mood, finding the good in change, trying to fit in and dealing with bullying, how we say mean things when we're angry and steps we can take so we don't lash out with hurtful words, learning to explain how you feel and what made you feel that way, being aware of your bad habits and steps to take to make good habits, how daily habits and choices make it easier to perform your best when it matters most, and giving your worries to God. Overall, I thought that the book offered useful advice along with doable steps for tweens to make positive changes. I'd recommend it.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Beloved by Francis Chan

Beloved
by Francis Chan

ISBN-13: 9780830789054
Hardcover: 160 pages
Publisher: David C Cook
Released: October 7, 2025

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley. Plus I bought a copy.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Despite pastoring for decades and reaching thousands of people through his books and preaching, Francis wrestled with deep-seated insecurity. He understood God’s love conceptually, but struggled to actually experience it. This resulted in a life that was far from the thrilling and peaceful life God saved us for. Francis prayed fervently for God to intervene, and asked his friends and family to do the same. The result was a fresh revelation of the depth of God’s love and affection. This brought about newfound freedom and enjoyment of God that only continues to grow.

As Francis shared this journey with others, he realized that many in the Church are burdened by the same insecurity, and God is zealous to change this. In Beloved, Francis Chan gives biblical insight our restlessness and striving is a symptom of our disbelief of God’s love and Satan’s schemes to keep us trapped in doubt and insecurity. Discover abiding in our identity as God’s beloved children and how God’s love overflows to a life of radical obedience and joy. God longs for His children to rest securely in His holy love. It’s what we were made for, and it is this inward confidence that causes us to be light unto the world.


My Review:
Beloved is about focusing on God's great love for us and how it can free us from the burden of trying to earn God's approval. The book "was written primarily to those who tend to focus on their own failures rather than His mercy, grace, and love." The author pointed out verses describing how much God loves us. He explained why we may not accept this and ways that Satan can keep us distracted from God's love and looking at ourselves. He described things you can do that will help you focus on God's love and counteract Satan's deceptions. He also looked at if we serve God out of our overflow of God's love or to try to earn God's love.

There were many good points, but my favorite quote was about how John called himself the beloved disciple and how "John was expressing faith in Christ's love, not in his own lovability." The book was written in a causal, conversational tone, and it was easy to follow his points. Overall, I'd highly recommend this book.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Wonders of the First Christmas by Andy McGuire

The Wonders of the First Christmas
by Andy McGuire

ISBN-13: 9780310170211
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Released: October 7, 2025

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The Christmas story is so familiar that we often take the details for granted. But did Mary and Joseph really ride on a donkey to Bethlehem? What was a manger and why did they use one for Jesus’s bed? And where were the wise men actually from? By approaching the story with historical insight and a child’s sense of wonder, Andy McGuire crafts a tale that feels fresh and insightful, using well-researched material and beautiful original artwork.

The Wonders of the First Christmas combines the gospel text of the nativity story with historical and geographic facts about ancient Israel and the life and times of Jesus. It gives children a solid foundation for their faith with beautiful art and additional content. For children ages 4 and up, it includes an easy-to-read main story as well as callouts with easy-to-understand facts.


My Review:
The Wonders of the First Christmas is a Christian book about Christmas for ages 4 and up. The illustrations were in a very realistic style and showed historically accurate visuals for the story. The main text recounts the birth of Jesus as described in the Bible, from Mary being visited by an angel until Jesus' family returns from Egypt after Herod's death. There were also boxes with a paragraph or two of historical information that expanded upon the main text, and this would be of more interest to maybe 7 year-olds and up. These boxes provided more information on carpenters, Rome, donkeys, inns, swaddling clothes, shepherds, sheep, angels, mangers, wise men, prophecy about Jesus' birth, myrrh and frankincense, camels, and Egypt. Overall, I think this would be of most interest to kids who have grown up hearing the basic Christmas story but are old enough to like learning more background information. I'd recommend this well-written and illustrated book.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Let's Find Joy by Shaunti Feldhahn and Katie Kenny Phillips

Let's Find Joy
by Shaunti Feldhahn & Katie Kenny Phillips

ISBN-13: 9780578881607
Hardcover: 36 pages
Publisher: iDisciple Publishers
Released: October 4, 2021

Source: Bought.

Book Description from Goodreads:
"Jesus has a treasure for us—JOY! It’s like happiness times a million—because joy is for ALWAYS! Not just when things seem good or easy or fair. When things are hard, joy is still there. Let’s go on a scavenger hunt for clues that make joy our treasure. Ready . . . set . . . GO!"

If kids rely on this world to make them happy, the struggles will only deepen. But what if they could learn about joy? Like, real, unwavering, not-dependent-on-their-circumstances, joy? This joy can only be found in Jesus—and there are specific steps kids can take to train themselves to choose joy every day. This beautiful children’s book gives kids the opportunity to go on an adventure for the treasure that only Jesus can give us—JOY! By following 8 clues on a treasure map (based on the 8 elements in Find Joy), children learn the daily choices that will profoundly impact their heads and hearts and give them a treasure that Jesus was born for—to give joy to all people, everywhere.


My Review:
Let's Find Joy is a Christian children's book about joy. The story follows two children (a black girl and a white boy) and their animal friends (a monkey and a bird) as they follow 8 clues on how to find joy. The text started by explaining what Christian joy is and how it's different than happiness. "If we know that God loves us and that He's on our team, we can have joy! Always!" The illustrations show the children following the clues on a treasure hunt but also demonstrate some of the clues. The text also asks the reader to think of ways to apply the clues.

The clues are (1) God is a BIG God, there's nothing He can't do and He's in control, (2) Say "Thank you!" (think of something nice someone has done for us today), (3) Say "I'm sorry" and "I forgive you," (4) Remember how God has been with us and kept us safe in the past, (5) Believe God's promises, (6) Pray, listen for God's voice, and read the Bible, (7) Follow God's rules, they guide us on safe paths, and (8) Help others along the way. Overall, I'd recommend this fun book about a topic kids rarely hear explained or talked about.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Your Worth Never Wavers by Laura Wifler

Your Worth Never Wavers
by Laura Wifler,
Sara Ugolotti (illustrator)

ISBN-13: 9798384515616
Hardcoverk: 32 pages
Publisher: B&H Kids
Released: September 16, 2025

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from NetGalley:
Research shows that attitudes about body image and self-esteem begin forming in children between the ages of three and five and only become more widespread and problematic as they grow. Many people's answer to this problem is to “look within,” “trust your heart” or “try harder” to muster up your own value and worth. Your Worth Never Wavers sends a better message: true worth and beauty is found by gaining a higher view not of ourselves but of God, the creator of everything.

Journey with a diverse group of mothers and daughters as they explore the wonders of creation from colossal canyons to boisterous beehives. Each illustration celebrates God's handiwork from nature to his design of people, showing women and girls with different skin tones, body shapes, hair types, and abilities. On each page, a child learns that the same God who made tigers, snowflakes, sunsets, and stars, is the God who fearfully and wonderfully created each person perfectly in his image.

This book is a catalyst for conversation between young readers and their loved ones about body image, identity, and God's unending love. By teaching girls the source of their worth and value, they’ll have foundational truths to lean on when doubts arrive, reminding them that they are beloved by God and declared beautiful. His love is all around them; all they must do is look.


My Review:
Your Worth Never Wavers is a Christian board book for girls ages 4-8 years old. It shows many different mothers and daughters doing activities together. The characters have many different ethnic backgrounds, and one girl was disabled. The illustrations of the people were in a fairly realistic style, while the surroundings were often fanciful and stylized. I liked that the message was to look to God when we have doubts about our value. "You're made in His image; He knit you together. Your worth never wavers--not now, and not ever. When you wonder your value or question your worth, Know you're beloved by the God who formed Earth."

Overall, I'd recommend this book. However, I would have liked it even more if it'd explained that we live in a fallen world--as in, the girl with the disability has the disability as a part of living in a broken world, not because God wanted to make her uniquely beautiful and that's how He did it.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

God's Name for Me by Talia Messina

God's Name for Me
by Talia Messina

ISBN-13: 9798400505751
Boardbook: 24 pages
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Released: September 9, 2025

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Does your little one have a special nickname that’s used just for them? In God’s Name for Me, author Talia Messina gathers diverse children to share their funny and silly nicknames—names that they were given by loved ones. But they are reminded that there is a name, the very best name, from God who has given it out of his perfect love.

Tthis charming kids’ picture book has lift-the-flap surprises to keep young children engaged and delighted and a mirror surprise in the back! Discover God’s super special name for you, given freely for being exactly who he made you to be. This name can’t be earned—it’s part of your identity, so you can’t lose it! It reminds you that being God’s child has nothing to do with personality, likability, outward appearance, energy, size, the love given, or actions taken towards others.


My Review:
God's Name for Me is a Christian board book for young children. It shows boys and girls of different ethnic backgrounds telling about a nickname a family member gave to them and why they got their nickname. All are sweet reasons, and the illustrations show the family enjoying doing things together related to the nickname. The book ends with God's name for us and "It's all about whose you are and not what you can do." His name for us? "God calls you Precious Child 'cause his love for you is strong." The illustrations were in a realistic style and did a good job of supporting and expanding upon the text. Overall, I'd recommend this delightful board book.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.