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Jen L.
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| Posted: Nov 13 2006 at 6:19pm | IP Logged
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I just saw this book at a Scholastic book fair. It has very good reviews, but I'm just not sure. I'm not afraid of having kids read about Judaism but not at the expense of Catholicism. Has anyone read it? The Catholic News Service recommended it and, forgive me, but that makes me think twice  .
This is what they say:
CONFESSIONS OF A CLOSET CATHOLIC, by Sarah Darer Littman. Dutton Children's Books (New York, 2005). 193 pp., $15.99.
When 11-year-old Justine Silver's best friend gives up chocolate for Lent, Justine decides to give up being Jewish -- she just doesn't tell her family. So her closet becomes her confessional and her teddy bear is Father Ted. This book, which sounds a bit sacrilegious, is actually a touching, humorous, first-person account of a young girl's struggle with religious identity, guilt, growing up and the death of her grandmother. Some understanding characters -- a grandmother, priest and rabbi -- help Justine learn more about herself in this excellent read (ages 10-14).
Here's the link to Amazon
Thanks!!!!
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Jen
dh Klete,ds (8/95),dd (12/97), dd (11/00), and ^2^ in heaven
"...the best state in which to glorify God is our actual state; the best grace is that of the moment..." St. Peter Eymard
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Jen L.
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| Posted: Nov 13 2006 at 6:20pm | IP Logged
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Here's another questionable review....
"Justine's experiments with another faith are predicated on her search for answers about her own family's commitment to Judaism, their different practices and outlooks, their social insecurities, and her own search for religious identity. Despite a serious subject, this has the humor and child-appeal of Judy Blume's "Are you there God? It's Me, Margaret" and can be used as a replacement for that slightly outdated classic." Association of Jewish Libraries - New &Notable Books for Children
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Jen
dh Klete,ds (8/95),dd (12/97), dd (11/00), and ^2^ in heaven
"...the best state in which to glorify God is our actual state; the best grace is that of the moment..." St. Peter Eymard
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Angela F
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| Posted: Nov 15 2006 at 11:41am | IP Logged
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Hi Jen,
I saw this book at the library this summer and decided to pick it up and read it for myself. Personally, I didn't like it. The descriptions above are pretty much accurate. She has a mass for herself in her closet and there's no Catholic teaching there of course. She did go see a priest in a confessional - but I don't remember what was said. And it is similar in style to Judy Blume and as an adult I really wish I'd never read those books when I was a girl.
I think with a ton of discussion it could be okay, but I always figure there's such other good stuff to read...why bother? I'd pre-read it for sure. Just my thoughts.
God bless,
Angela
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Jen L.
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| Posted: Nov 15 2006 at 11:25pm | IP Logged
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Very helpful post, Angela. Thank you.
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Jen
dh Klete,ds (8/95),dd (12/97), dd (11/00), and ^2^ in heaven
"...the best state in which to glorify God is our actual state; the best grace is that of the moment..." St. Peter Eymard
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4Real Forums : Living Literature
Topic: Confessions of a Closet Catholic
