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The Eli Diaries #2
Skin Deep
What if Jesus were in high school today? What would he say? What would he do? Maggie's reputation as the school sleep-around is hard to live with, but escaping her past is even tougher. And a strange guy named Eli just complicates matters. It doesn't help that Maggie's guardian is a falling-down drunk. So, really, what's a girl to do?
70 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2017
1 person is currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Melody Carlson
427 books3,321 followersMelody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus.
She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.
Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.
She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.
Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 6, 2021
The original Eli novel and I have an interesting history.
I first heard of the book from my former associate minister, who not only read it, he and some other church members performed a scene from it in front of the entire congregation. Some time later, my mom bought it for me, and I started reading it...but, it got put on hiatus for a while, as I wasn't much of a bookworm during my middle school years; during those days, Nintendo, CCM, and classic television ruled my life. Eventually, I did finish it, and I enjoyed it. Years later, I came across a copy of it somewhere--used bookstore? yard sale? thrift store? library? I'm still not sure--and read it again as an adult; knowing more about the life and words of Jesus Christ made me understand it in ways that I didn't back in the day.
Just recently, I was looking through Amazon's Kindle offerings, since I got a gift card for that online store for my birthday. When I searched for Bill Myers, I found another book that had recently released...but, I was surprised to see The Eli Diaries; as a fan of both Christian fiction and juvenile/young adult literature, I decided to purchase as many entries in the series as my gift card would allow. So far, it's rather enjoyable; though it's a bit harsh at times--which is exactly how high school actually is; some bad memories from those years still haunt me to this day--it's still inspiring, and makes you think...which is just what Christian literature should do.
I first heard of the book from my former associate minister, who not only read it, he and some other church members performed a scene from it in front of the entire congregation. Some time later, my mom bought it for me, and I started reading it...but, it got put on hiatus for a while, as I wasn't much of a bookworm during my middle school years; during those days, Nintendo, CCM, and classic television ruled my life. Eventually, I did finish it, and I enjoyed it. Years later, I came across a copy of it somewhere--used bookstore? yard sale? thrift store? library? I'm still not sure--and read it again as an adult; knowing more about the life and words of Jesus Christ made me understand it in ways that I didn't back in the day.
Just recently, I was looking through Amazon's Kindle offerings, since I got a gift card for that online store for my birthday. When I searched for Bill Myers, I found another book that had recently released...but, I was surprised to see The Eli Diaries; as a fan of both Christian fiction and juvenile/young adult literature, I decided to purchase as many entries in the series as my gift card would allow. So far, it's rather enjoyable; though it's a bit harsh at times--which is exactly how high school actually is; some bad memories from those years still haunt me to this day--it's still inspiring, and makes you think...which is just what Christian literature should do.
September 18, 2017
Book 2 in this novella series and Carlson writes the story from the POV of Maggie, the pretty girl we met in the first episode who had a reputation of being loose. It was good to get her first hand perspective and Carlson does a good job of revealing a girl who doesn't like herself much but is intrigued by Eli as he treats her differently to how every other boy does.
Maggie lives with her grandmother ("Grams") as a result of having negligent parents. Grams is an alcoholic and Maggie appears to be the adult in their relationship.
Not a lot happens in this episode which makes me question whether I want to keep reading the series and I hope the authors can further embellish Eli and Maggie into characters of substance and their friendship doesn't become too predictable. But I will give Part 3 a go.
We do see evidence of Eli's concern for Maggie and towards the end we see a powerful example of the power of prayer which I appreciated.
This is very short and takes less than an hour to read,
Maggie lives with her grandmother ("Grams") as a result of having negligent parents. Grams is an alcoholic and Maggie appears to be the adult in their relationship.
Not a lot happens in this episode which makes me question whether I want to keep reading the series and I hope the authors can further embellish Eli and Maggie into characters of substance and their friendship doesn't become too predictable. But I will give Part 3 a go.
We do see evidence of Eli's concern for Maggie and towards the end we see a powerful example of the power of prayer which I appreciated.
This is very short and takes less than an hour to read,
December 22, 2017
I was asked to read and review this book but received no compensation. I paid for my own copy. I knew it was written buy a great author and was so in hopes that it would be one I could recommend for my church's Christian school library but alas that will not happen. There were swear words, and too much details for a life that I hope none of the kids have to be aware of. I was hoping it would be a book to to hand to someone who has fallen into this kind of sin and a way out to know that Jesus is the answer but if fell short of that.
January 1, 2021
What if Jesus were in high school today? Maggie's reputation as the school sleep-around is hard to live with, but escaping her past is even tougher. A strange guy named Eli complicates matters. It doesn't help that Maggie's guardian is a falling-down drunk. So, really, what's a girl to do?
Eli turned to Maggie with a strange expression. "Buckle in. It's going to be a wild ride." I knew from that scene, something big would happen. I wasn't disappointed. Everywhere Jesus went, a stirring occurred. Either liked him or hated him, but couldn't ignore the King of Kings. Great read.
Eli turned to Maggie with a strange expression. "Buckle in. It's going to be a wild ride." I knew from that scene, something big would happen. I wasn't disappointed. Everywhere Jesus went, a stirring occurred. Either liked him or hated him, but couldn't ignore the King of Kings. Great read.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews