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The Heart Reader of Franklin High
When Jake Sheffield, a typical Christian teenager, awakens to discover that he can hear the deepest spiritual needs of those around him, his friends witness the experience and begin to hear also.
Library Binding
First published June 6, 2000
12 people are currently reading
365 people want to read
About the author
Terri Blackstock
91 books5,602 followersTerri Blackstock is a New York Times best-seller, with over seven million books sold worldwide.. She has had over thirty years of success as a novelist.
Terri spent the first twelve years of her life traveling in a U.S. Air Force family. She lived in nine states and attended the first four years of school in The Netherlands. Because she was a perpetual “new kid,” her imagination became her closest friend. That, she believes, was the biggest factor in her becoming a novelist. She sold her first novel at the age of twenty-five, and has had a successful career ever since.
In 1994 Terri was writing romance novels under two pseudonyms for publishers such as HarperCollins, Harlequin, Dell and Silhouette, when a spiritual awakening prompted her to switch gears. At the time, she was reading more suspense than romance, and felt drawn to write thrillers about ordinary people in grave danger. Her newly awakened faith wove its way into the tapestry of her suspense novels, offering hope instead of despair. Her goal is to entertain with page-turning plots, while challenging her readers to think and grow. She hopes to remind them that they’re valued by God and that their trials have a purpose.
Terri spent the first twelve years of her life traveling in a U.S. Air Force family. She lived in nine states and attended the first four years of school in The Netherlands. Because she was a perpetual “new kid,” her imagination became her closest friend. That, she believes, was the biggest factor in her becoming a novelist. She sold her first novel at the age of twenty-five, and has had a successful career ever since.
In 1994 Terri was writing romance novels under two pseudonyms for publishers such as HarperCollins, Harlequin, Dell and Silhouette, when a spiritual awakening prompted her to switch gears. At the time, she was reading more suspense than romance, and felt drawn to write thrillers about ordinary people in grave danger. Her newly awakened faith wove its way into the tapestry of her suspense novels, offering hope instead of despair. Her goal is to entertain with page-turning plots, while challenging her readers to think and grow. She hopes to remind them that they’re valued by God and that their trials have a purpose.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 16, 2023
I read this book when I was in college I think, and I absolutely LOVED it, so when I saw it available on libro.fm, I requested it immediately. Sometimes five stars from the past end up being not-so five stars upon re-visiting, but thankfully this one maintained it's five star status with me!
My only quibble is that it is dated. One example of this is the scene where the MC H is waiting in line to use the payphone at the high school he attends in America. Yeah, I don't even think payphones even EXIST anymore, so that scene automatically dates this book. Also, the male characters say, "Maaaaan" to each other a lot. I thought this was written in like the 60s or 70s, or that it takes place then, but it was published in 2000, so probably is more contemporary then the 60s or 70s, but it doesn't really feel "now", though it seems to want to take place now. So that can be a little jarring for the reader/listener.
The narrator had a good, clear voice, though I did have to raise the volume for when the characters lowered their voices. I only had one narrator for whom I didn't have to raise/lower the volume and I need to hunt down all of their works and listen to them, because that is so nice.
But other than that, which every narrator seems to do, no quibbles with her otherwise.
This is very religious and I think I really needed it. It felt like a balm for my soul. For various reasons I have not been attending church physically or been able to go to church meetings, so having this to listen to really fed my spiritually. I needed it at this time.
If you aren't religious, specifically Christian, this might not be to your liking.
For me, this is going to be a keeper and I might introduce it to some of the others in my church to see what they think.
5, it reached me when I needed it, stars.
My thanks to libro.fm and Thomas Nelson for an ALC of this book to listen to and review.
Original review below this point.
Wow, excellent book. It is inspirational. I read it until I finished it last night, but somehow managed to get up on time. Good book. Quick read, which is a good thing, because once you pick it up, you won't want to put it down.
My only quibble is that it is dated. One example of this is the scene where the MC H is waiting in line to use the payphone at the high school he attends in America. Yeah, I don't even think payphones even EXIST anymore, so that scene automatically dates this book. Also, the male characters say, "Maaaaan" to each other a lot. I thought this was written in like the 60s or 70s, or that it takes place then, but it was published in 2000, so probably is more contemporary then the 60s or 70s, but it doesn't really feel "now", though it seems to want to take place now. So that can be a little jarring for the reader/listener.
The narrator had a good, clear voice, though I did have to raise the volume for when the characters lowered their voices. I only had one narrator for whom I didn't have to raise/lower the volume and I need to hunt down all of their works and listen to them, because that is so nice.
But other than that, which every narrator seems to do, no quibbles with her otherwise.
This is very religious and I think I really needed it. It felt like a balm for my soul. For various reasons I have not been attending church physically or been able to go to church meetings, so having this to listen to really fed my spiritually. I needed it at this time.
If you aren't religious, specifically Christian, this might not be to your liking.
For me, this is going to be a keeper and I might introduce it to some of the others in my church to see what they think.
5, it reached me when I needed it, stars.
My thanks to libro.fm and Thomas Nelson for an ALC of this book to listen to and review.
Original review below this point.
Wow, excellent book. It is inspirational. I read it until I finished it last night, but somehow managed to get up on time. Good book. Quick read, which is a good thing, because once you pick it up, you won't want to put it down.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2022
Jack, a lukewarm Christian is given a gift from God in a dream. He can hear people negative thoughts. Now Jack has a chance to witness Christ for all who are suffering. At first he is scared and doesn't know why God granted him this gift but as time goes on he has a heart for all those in need. But when God takes away the gift, can he continue witnessing to the lost. Will his heart for Christ spread to those Christian who are also lukewarm?
I needed to hear this message of Jack. As a Christian I find it the hardest to witness Christ to other. Through Jack gift and his longing for the lost makes me want to go out and spread the word. This story was beautify written, I recommend it to all Christians who struggle with witnessing. It really is a wonderful book!!
I needed to hear this message of Jack. As a Christian I find it the hardest to witness Christ to other. Through Jack gift and his longing for the lost makes me want to go out and spread the word. This story was beautify written, I recommend it to all Christians who struggle with witnessing. It really is a wonderful book!!
December 31, 2025
It opened up my eyes to ask God “let me see the person through your eyes!”
September 10, 2023
Such a beautiful concept, but needs a finer, gentler, more honest delivery
April 3, 2024
This is a very different type of book than I normally listen to and my first book by Terri Blackstock. It’s about a high school boy who wakes up one day with the ability to hear what people’s deepest spiritual need is. He tells his youth pastor about it and together they start sharing the gospel with those people, bringing many people to Christ.
The book convicted me because I am not good at all about sharing the gospel. I live in a Christian bubble and don’t venture out much and when I do, I’m too timid to share my faith. While I thought the way the book did it was a little too simplistic and heavy handed, the point was that they did it. It was convicting in a good way.
The book is quite dated, with references to pay phones and telephone books. It’s well narrated (that’s how I found it actually, looking for more books narrated by this narrator). It’s short too. If your faith needs a little kick in the pants, listen to it. It is good.
The book convicted me because I am not good at all about sharing the gospel. I live in a Christian bubble and don’t venture out much and when I do, I’m too timid to share my faith. While I thought the way the book did it was a little too simplistic and heavy handed, the point was that they did it. It was convicting in a good way.
The book is quite dated, with references to pay phones and telephone books. It’s well narrated (that’s how I found it actually, looking for more books narrated by this narrator). It’s short too. If your faith needs a little kick in the pants, listen to it. It is good.
September 16, 2024
I loved this book so much. It was very inspiring and well-written, a good short read that I easily finished in one sitting. It deals with real struggles of faith and is a good read for young adult Christians and older. I would not recommend for under sixth grade because of the hard topics it deals with such as suicide, depression, anxiety, faith, hopelessness, and some fighting. Overall would read a million more times, 10/10!
May 8, 2023
I can’t give this book the full five stars. The reading experience was enjoyable and I honestly feel compelled to make some changes in my own life after reading it. It is a starting point. There is some incorrectness and incompleteness that could be remedied by an actual reading of the Gospels and Acts.
March 20, 2021
Jesus, the heart reader
What if every Christian’s goal in life was to tell people about Jesus? This book takes an amazing look at that possibility. This might be her best book ever! Very, very well done!
What if every Christian’s goal in life was to tell people about Jesus? This book takes an amazing look at that possibility. This might be her best book ever! Very, very well done!
October 1, 2023
The story of a normal high school kid who is touched by The Holy Spirit and begins evangelizing. It's pretty preachy and somewhat repetitive, but the story is short, and pushes one to think about how we share God with others.
October 16, 2025
Christian Teen Fiction
I love that the characters act realistically. Fast-paced and believable.
Feels like it’s written for guys, which is fantastic as we need guy books!
Trigger warning: teenage pregnancy, suicidal ideation
I love that the characters act realistically. Fast-paced and believable.
Feels like it’s written for guys, which is fantastic as we need guy books!
Trigger warning: teenage pregnancy, suicidal ideation
October 29, 2019
Excellent book for younger readers as a challenge to think fully of their faith and witness for Christ. It is light reading, but good.
January 5, 2022
Fantastic Read!
Very practical and easy to read. We read within our life group and it was a major hit for all ages.
Very practical and easy to read. We read within our life group and it was a major hit for all ages.
May 11, 2012
Review by Jill Williamson
Jake Sheffield has a weird dream that ends with a strange word that he felt like was from God. That’s totally crazy, and he brushes it off like it was nothing. Until he gets to school.
He starts hearing things. Hearing people speak to him when they aren’t’ moving their mouths. He’s so freaked out that he ditches school and meets with his youth pastor, who doesn’t believe him until it happens again and Jake tells him what he heard. His youth pastor’s heart’s deepest need. Together, Jake and his youth pastor figure out that God has given Jake a gift. And although Jake is terrified, he learns to use it, and God does something amazing.
This book is so neat! It’s not a new book, by far, but it’s a really powerful story. I loved the challenge the book left me with—the reality check, if you will. This is a book that will entertain you and shake up your faith: two great combinations. And it’s my understanding that 100% of the author’s profits on this book go to Samaritan’s Purse, so that’s pretty cool too. Highly recommended!
Jake Sheffield has a weird dream that ends with a strange word that he felt like was from God. That’s totally crazy, and he brushes it off like it was nothing. Until he gets to school.
He starts hearing things. Hearing people speak to him when they aren’t’ moving their mouths. He’s so freaked out that he ditches school and meets with his youth pastor, who doesn’t believe him until it happens again and Jake tells him what he heard. His youth pastor’s heart’s deepest need. Together, Jake and his youth pastor figure out that God has given Jake a gift. And although Jake is terrified, he learns to use it, and God does something amazing.
This book is so neat! It’s not a new book, by far, but it’s a really powerful story. I loved the challenge the book left me with—the reality check, if you will. This is a book that will entertain you and shake up your faith: two great combinations. And it’s my understanding that 100% of the author’s profits on this book go to Samaritan’s Purse, so that’s pretty cool too. Highly recommended!
March 4, 2013
I rated it 5 stars for a reason. It is an amazing, awe inspiring book. Definitely one that a teenager could relate to better. But if you are an adult there is an adult version simply titled "The Heart Reader" It was refreshing to see Jake react to his new gift in a realistic way and then watch his courage rise throughout the book. Very well written and I would suggest teens read it.
April 22, 2015
This book was pretty dang bad. It's about a guy who can suddenly hear people's thoughts and uses that gift to spread the love of Jesus to them. He hears how fundamentally scared and broken they all are and knows what to say to turn them to the gospel. I didn't know if I should give it five stars for how cheesy it was, but decided to give it two because that's how much I think it's worth reading.
May 21, 2017
such a great christian book! helps you understand people and makes you want to go spread Gods word
April 15, 2013
I thought Heaven is for real was a life changing book, but this is even more so. This is my favorite book now; it is so inspiring and life changing, everyone needs to read this book!
November 15, 2013
So good!!! I just love Terri Blackstock's writing. This book challenged me on so many levels. Loved it!!!
October 28, 2014
Intersting....
November 25, 2014
Story line was a bit exaggerated, but the concept is life changing.
Read
July 28, 2011Typical "Christian teen" reading. But it was still kind of inspiring.
May 20, 2015
teen is given the gift of hearing what God hears
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews