The Butterfly Effect Review

Book: The Butterfly Effect
Author: Andy Andrews
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
ISBN: 978-1-4041-8780-1
Genre: Self-help, motivational

I recently received the new book, The Butterfly Effect, by Andy Andrews. My First Impression was pleasant surprise. The book is a quick read, under 10 minutes in fact. It is written in large letterhead type with easy to understand terminology. It is the story of a number of people who changed the world, and how their lives were impacted by others. It is a story of the effect our every decision and action has on everyone around us. It is a call to rise to action...

"Every single thing you do matters. You have been created as one of a kind. You have been created in order to make a difference. You have within you the power to change the world." (pp.105)

Who this book is good for: This book is fantastic if you want an inspiration. It is a great gift book to anyone, especially a young adult.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book. Sit down and read the inspiration that others left for us. And take a moment to consider that the person you are will touch others, even if it doesn't feel like it.

For more information on the Butterfly Effect or to purchase your favorite Christian fiction, check out DeeperShopping.com

**I received this complimentary review copy from Thomas Nelson Publishers

The Boy Who Changed the World Review

Book: The Boy Who Changed the World

Author: Andy Andrews

Illustrated by: Philip Hurst

Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishers

Genre: Children's nonfiction

ISBN: 978-1-4003-1605-2

I recently received The Boy Who Changed the World by Andy Andrews in the mail. After enjoying his book Heart Mender so much, I had high hopes for his children's book and he didn't disappoint. Before purchasing this book, be aware that it is not fiction. This means it is not as captivating as the stories you will often find in children's books. However, it is an interesting story, especially for your older children and is a great springboard for discussion.

The storyline: This is the story of Moses Carver, George Washington Carver, Henry Wallace, and Norman Borlaug. The book covers each of their stories and how they began a ripple effect that in essence, changed the world. The moral of the story is that everything you do matters, it has an effect.

What I liked about this book: I LOVED the illustrations. It reminded me of the books my great aunt used to write. They are colorful, kind of old fashioned, LOVE LOVE LOVE them! The storyline is great. I like the fact that it is true, that it inspires kids to do what they can with what resources they have available to them. To dream big.

What I didn't like about this book: There isn't much to say here. I thought it could have been a little bit simpler. It is definitely not a book my kids would understand. I would say this is more a story for the older children in your life.

Who this book is good for: This book is fantastic for children aged 7-9! It recommends ages 4-8 however, I have doubts that a 4 year old would understand where the story was headed and what it meant. At the same time, there is no harm in starting it early and explaining things to them as you go. It is a great springboard to talk about the effects of their actions. To discuss their dreams and aspirations, what they are good at and how they can use that to help other people.

For more information on the book The Boy Who Changed the World or to purchase your favorite Christian fiction, check out DeeperShopping.com

**I received this book free of charge from Thomas Nelson Publishers

Review: the Heart Mender

I recently read The Heart Mender by Andy Andrews and was overall very impressed by what I read. The Heart Mender is a story of love, war, friendship, and forgiveness. Helen Mason is a young widow during WWII. Helen is alone with no family and bitter and angry at the Nazi's for taking her husband's life. She works as a waitress during the day and feeds her bitterness at night, allowing her anger to shadow who she is. The story then takes us to the other side of the world where we meet German U-boat officer Lt. Josef Landerman. Overcome with grief over his family's death, he is betrayed by his own country and left for dead where he washes up on Helen's doorstep.

Although I found this story a little hard to get into, I was intrigued by the details of war that I had never heard of before. Andy Andrews gives you an inner look to the life of early America as well as the inner war between the Nazi's and the "true Germans". The story is based on true history as well as true characters whose names were changed to protect their privacy and anonymity. This gives it a ring of truth and reality that make it impossible to put down. For a Christian Fiction novel, there was very little talk about God. Although I appreciate the fact that this makes the book more applicable to the average person, I was also a little bit disappointed and felt that it made it lacking somehow. If this book were to have a 'moral of the story' it would definitely be about forgiveness and the healing power of love. At the end, Andy adds a "Where are they now?" portion as well as a readers guide that gives the reader further insight into the character's true lives.

I would most definitely recommend The Heart Mender: A Story of Second Chances to my readers. If you like romance, war, or historical fiction, you will love this book.

For more information on the book, The Heart Mender, or to purchase your favorite Christian fiction, check out DeeperShopping.com

**I received a free copy of this book through Thomas Nelson