My writing friend, Joan Lovestrand Farley launched her thoughtful fiction, Letters to Cassie, on January 5th, 2025. (link to purchase on title)

Joan invited me to beta read a few chapters and I thoroughly enjoyed what I read, so it was a pleasure to order her book to read in its entirety.

The story’s description reads:

Cassie always imagined her high school graduation would be a moment of celebration, surrounded by her family. But when her mother passes away from cancer just before her senior year, that dream shatters, and her future feels empty.

Grief consumes her, and the path ahead seems impossible without her mom’s steady guidance. Who am I? What are my strengths? What will I do with my life? Why does it all feel so meaningless? Even the smallest decisions feel overwhelming without her mom by her side—until her dad reveals something extraordinary: nine letters her mom wrote, each with a special task for her senior year.

These letters become a lifeline, not just a series of challenges but a journey of healing, self-discovery, and faith. With each letter, Cassie is led closer to understanding her purpose and finding her identity as “God’s girl,” uncovering the depth of God’s love for her.

Follow Cassie on this emotional and empowering journey, and discover how these letters might inspire your own personal growth, one challenge at a time.

And a theme emerged through my January titles.

Mentoring, being mentored, learning, growth…

Joan’s book follows the life of fictional protagonist Cassie as she navigates the painful loss of her mother from cancer. During Cassie’s grief-saturated senior year a series of letters written by her mom before she died meet Cassie with warmth, memory, and love — all challenging her to step out of her comfort zone and grow with God.

Joan’s engaging writing drew my heart to Cassie, her dad, and sister right away. Her friends and church family become a constant presence enveloping her with tenderness and care. Some mentor her while she learns to mentor as well. Relationships deepen. Her trust awakens to a good God who is always near and understands.

Well done, Joan! You may read more about her here.

Book two was written by another writing friend, Kelly Callen Heath. Her title is a nonfiction, Circle of Influence: Cultivating the Power of Mentorship in Your Teen’s Life. (link to purchase on title)

Kelly’s life experience discipling teens in full-time student ministry and parenthood, as well as a Psychology degree, has amply equipped her to discuss the invitation to find mentors for your teens as well as prayerfully seeking God on how you may mentor someone. This book is a rich resource for anyone navigating the teen years as a parent or who is in ministry.

Well done, Kelly! You may read more about her here.

Kelly’s book description reads:

As our children approach the teen years, there is a natural separation that occurs in their attempt to become more independent. Unfortunately, the teen years are also packed with important decisions, temptations, and an abundance of voices trying fervently to lead them astray. In the midst of our rapidly declining moral culture, teens and young adults are discarding their parents’ faith and values in record numbers.

What if parents could more easily encourage their teen’s independence without fearing how it will affect their future? How do we help our teens get the support they need?

Circle of Influence: Cultivating the Power of Mentorship in Your Teen’s Life helps parents purposefully surround their teens with adult mentors who will shape their teen’s faith and guide their decisions so they don’t have to navigate these crucial years alone.

Circle of Influence helps parents:

recognize the importance of cultivating healthy teen mentorsidentify seven specific people and roles for teenspartner with leaders and mentors who can make a life-changing impactdiscover how to keep good mentors in your teen’s life

Though written primarily for parents, it also helps leaders who invest in teens clarify the specific roles they play and maximize their impact in those areas.

Christian parents are desperate to help their kids grow solid roots before they enter adulthood. Discover Circle of Influence—the ultimate guide for parents seeking to cultivate a strong support system and navigate the crucial teen years.

If you are looking for Christian resources for teens these are two books I would highly recommend.