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Christy Miller #2
A Whisper and a Wish
Dreams come true, Christy Miller is convinced. What other explanation could there be for her family's sudden decision to move from Wisconsin to California? Or for the interest that the most gorgeous guy in her new school shows her? But she soon learns there's another side to this life.
152 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
15 people are currently reading
376 people want to read
About the author
Robin Jones Gunn
162 books2,630 followersROBIN JONES GUNN has written more than 100 books with over 6.5 million copies sold worldwide. Her Father Christmas books have been made into three Hallmark Christmas movies. The timeless Christy Miller series now continues in Christy & Todd: The College Years, Married Years, Baby Years, and the Haven Maker series. Robin's novels and non-fiction works include Before Your Tween Daughter Becomes a Woman, Victim of Grace, Praying for Your Future Husband, and Before You Meet Your Future Husband co-authored with Tricia Goyer. Her books have received multiple awards and are a favorite with book clubs and study groups. Many of Robin's books are in eBook, audiobook, large print, and foreign editions. Robin does a weekly Podcast called "Women Worth Knowing" with Cheryl Brodersen. Robin and her husband have a grown son and daughter and live in California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
September 3, 2024
3.5 stars, personally. 4 for nostalgic rating.
About this book:
“Christy’s family makes a big move just before her sophomore year of high school, and Christy has to start all over making friends. Despite an embarrassing escapade at a slumber party, things are going pretty well until some midnight fun leads to a trip to the police station. Why is it so hard to know who your friends really are? Christy wonders if Katie will remain a loyal friend. More importantly, she wonders if she'll ever see Todd again.”
Spiritual Content- A handful of Scriptures are mentioned, read, remembered, quoted, & discussed in sermons/lessons; Prayers & Talking to God; Church going, Sunday school, Youth group, & a sermon/lesson; Talks about God, Him being in control, Jesus, being a Christian, saying no to things the world wants you to do, & saying yes to what God wants you to do; 'H's are capital when referring to God; Christy talks to her friend about becoming a Christian & is hurt when the friend doesn’t get it; Alissa writes to Christy that she doesn’t understand how Christy gave her heart to Jesus who is dead (she adds that she believes Jesus was a good man like Buddha and Mohammed & while doesn’t understand how Christy can make promises to a man who “no longer exists”, says Christy can believe what she chooses; Christy isn’t sure how to answer Alissa *Spoiler* ); Christy doesn’t think her life has changed that much by being a Christian, but Katie says her life has; Christy has a hard time focusing on a pastor because of a guy but tries to pay attention; Christy recalls a verse about God being with her and feels Jesus give her peace in a scary situation; Mentions of Christians, becoming one, & having God inside of you; Mentions of Bibles, Bible reading, & books of the Bible; Mentions of churches, church going, youth groups, Sunday school, pastors, services, sermons, & a summer camp; Mentions of “missionary dating” & how it isn’t a good idea; A mention of becoming a nun;
*Note: A mention of the word ‘gweek’ being a “prehistoric, total nerd-ball”; A mention of an alien.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: Minor cussing including: five ‘dumb’s and six ‘stupid’s; Some sarcasm; Christy toilet papers a guy’s house with other girls during a sleepover (the girl who is hosting the sleepover’s mom is okay with them doing it and takes them because she did “much worse stuff” when she was a teenager; The girls say you only do it to people you like—"like really cute guys”; Christy isn’t sure about it but tries to get her spirits up like everyone else); A new friend of Christy has an eating disorder, throws up after eating often, & takes prescription diet pills; Christy and her friends sneak out of the hotel without permission (Christy didn’t think it was a good idea but went anyway; *Spoiler* ; Mentions of drugs (including marijuana and cocaine), smoking, a party with drugs and underage drinking, someone being stoned, & a death (events in Book #1); Mentions of lies & lying (including to law enforcement); Mentions of throwing up; Mentions of a divorce & a mother leaving to go “find herself”; A few mentions of drug overdoses & deaths (barely-above-not-detailed); A few mentions of shoplifting & stealing; A couple mentions of a possible burglar & mugger; A couple mentions of runaways; A couple mentions of jealousy; A mention of an injury & stitches; A mention of cheating;
*Note: Christy can be very insecure and self-conscious at times, feel like she doesn’t belong, & wants to be accepted by new friends and be liked (examples of these times include: when her best friend has a new friend and feels like she lost her to this new friend, likes the idea of being friends with someone who is popular, loving being the center of attention in her new friend group, feeling snubbed when her new friends don’t reach out to her, & tries to project her best “I’m too good for the rest of you” look in the mirror); Christy’s father snaps at her when tired & can be very grumpy; Christy is embarrassed by her mom when dropping her off at a sleepover (Christy thinks that she “can’t stand being treated like a baby” and hopes the other girls didn’t hear); Christy finds her little brother annoying & yells at him once when upset; Christy thinks her family is a mess, but after comparing it with a new friend’s family, she realizes she has it made; Christy’s parents are upset with her at her lack of communication & being gone longer than they expected; Christy’s aunt can be pushy on her thoughts in what others should wear & Christy hates how it makes her feel; Mentions of side characters having “problems” (Alissa in Book #1 and Brittany in this book); Mentions of car brands; Mentions of brand names (Aqua Velva, Folgers coffee, M&Ms, 7-Up, Coke, & Visa); Mentions of Disneyland & fictional characters; A few mentions of places (Dairy Queen, Burger King, & Macy’s); A mention of an artist (Norman Rockwell); A mention of a TV show (Leave It to Beaver); A mention of a “punker” look (punk rocker); A mention of “shrinks” that help those with eating disorders.
Sexual Content- Noticing (barely-above-not-detailed); Blushes; A ‘babe’ and five forms of ‘hot’ when referring to guys; Christy is asked by a new friend how “involved” she was with Todd (Christy isn’t sure what she means, so the girl clarifies as “kissing and stuff”); Christy’s new firend tells her that guys use girls and that “guys are famous for making promises they never keep”; Christy has a big crush on Todd; Christy’s friend Paula has a crush on an eighteen-year-old (she’s fourteen & Christy says it doesn’t sound good); Christy is told by her parents that she can’t date (later, she says to a guy that she can’t date until she’s sixteen); A girl comments on liking both Italian and Chinese guys and food; A girl comments on finding a guy scary because he’s mysterious and untouchable (though she likes that, she still is scared by it at times); A friend tells Christy that there’s nothing wrong with liking two guys at the same time (adding that her mom says that this is the time of their lives where they “should go for as much attention” as they can get & that the girls should decide who they want to go out with without waiting on the guys to decide if they’re interested in them); Mentions of boyfriends/girlfriends, dates, dating, group dating, crushes, who-likes-who, exes, & break-ups; Mentions of cute & handsome guys; Mentions of a sweet talker guy who knows he can get any girl he wants; Mentions of homecoming & dates; A mention of flirting;
*Note: One of Christy’s new friends has an eating disorder and takes her mom’s prescription diet pills and laxatives & there’s many mentions of and talks about it throughout this book (she compliments Christy on her outfit making her look thin, throws up after eating often, lost a lot of weight after her boyfriend said he liked skinny girls, quotes her mom’s magnet that said “one moment on the lips, forever wear it on the hips!’, recalls her father giving her mother a magnet of a lamb that said “ewe’s not fat. Ewe’s fluffy” and her mom getting really mad, her mom taking prescription diet pills and being really skinny, makes Christy not tell anyone that she’s taking the diet pills and gives some to Christy with advice, saying she’s getting more attention from guys since she’s lost weight, an ex-boyfriend commenting on her losing her “baby fat”, and then mentions of those with eating disorders having a voice in their head that tells them they can’t be anything or do anything unless they’re thin, & mentions of professional places who help those with eating disorders, a few mentions of the actual names of eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia, & a mention of a clump of her hair in the sink); The new friend gives Christy some of the diet pills with the comment that a certain guy will pay more attention to her if she loses a bit of weight (Christy thinks about taking them because she thinks she could stand to lose some weight around her “stomach and thighs” and is curious if the guy will pay more attention to her; This plants the seed in Christy about being unhappy with herself and she starts to pay attention to what she eats to lose weight; *Spoiler* ; Christy’s aunt notices the girl’s hip bones sticking out and how she “hardly has enough bottom to hold her bathing suit on” plus comments on the girl needing professional help (she comments that Christy has never had a problem with that because of her healthy appetite, which Christy isn’t sure if that was a compliment or a put-down); Christy tries on a dress (borrowed from a new friend) and isn’t able to get it on (there’s few comments about it being a size three and Christy’s disbelief over someone wearing that size); Christy is described as being tall and slim; Christy notices the difference between her mom and aunt, how her mom looks like “the frumpiest, plainest, dullest woman in the world” next to her aunt, & wonders if her mom will let her aunt change her into a socialite, but then realizes that maybe she doesn’t want her mom to be remade and be the “plain, old mom” that she is; Christy wears a dress that her aunt bought her & her father comments on it making her look older (Christy tells her diary that she’s not trying to grow up fast and puts the dress in the back of her closet to wear when she’s at least eighteen); Because Katie is the cougar mascot for their high school, she is called “Katie Cougar”; Mentions of clothing accidents where clothing is forgotten in front of the other gender, when a pair of shorts ripped showing off the girl’s underwear, & when a girl’s bikini top came off and got stuck in the pool filter; Mentions of teen girls dressing to look older & wearing “excessively wild” makeup (Christy’s parents have the rule that if they can tell she’s wearing makeup, it’s too much); A mention of girls stealing another girl’s bra at a sleepover with the intent to freeze it.
-Christina Juliet “Christy” Miller, age 15
P.O.V. of Christy
160 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Four Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
2024 Reread thoughts:
It’s a quick jump back into Christy’s life and the news that her family is moving—to California! But the freedom she was given in the summer while visiting her aunt and uncle plus the news that they won’t be living in the same area has put a damper on her excitement.
Like the first book in this series, there’s a lot of lessons for Christy in this book as well. That’s honestly part of the neat thing about this series—even though it was written 20+ years ago, it doesn’t feel very dated. No one has cellphones and they send letters instead of texts. But the lessons she has to learn are ones still needed today for many girls.
I was excited to see Katie introduced in this book, but way less excited to see Rick introduced. Some details of things that will happen soon are lingering in my mind and I’m glad to see more character development for Christy.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
About this book:
“Christy’s family makes a big move just before her sophomore year of high school, and Christy has to start all over making friends. Despite an embarrassing escapade at a slumber party, things are going pretty well until some midnight fun leads to a trip to the police station. Why is it so hard to know who your friends really are? Christy wonders if Katie will remain a loyal friend. More importantly, she wonders if she'll ever see Todd again.”
Spiritual Content- A handful of Scriptures are mentioned, read, remembered, quoted, & discussed in sermons/lessons; Prayers & Talking to God; Church going, Sunday school, Youth group, & a sermon/lesson; Talks about God, Him being in control, Jesus, being a Christian, saying no to things the world wants you to do, & saying yes to what God wants you to do; 'H's are capital when referring to God; Christy talks to her friend about becoming a Christian & is hurt when the friend doesn’t get it; Alissa writes to Christy that she doesn’t understand how Christy gave her heart to Jesus who is dead (she adds that she believes Jesus was a good man like Buddha and Mohammed & while doesn’t understand how Christy can make promises to a man who “no longer exists”, says Christy can believe what she chooses; Christy isn’t sure how to answer Alissa *Spoiler* ); Christy doesn’t think her life has changed that much by being a Christian, but Katie says her life has; Christy has a hard time focusing on a pastor because of a guy but tries to pay attention; Christy recalls a verse about God being with her and feels Jesus give her peace in a scary situation; Mentions of Christians, becoming one, & having God inside of you; Mentions of Bibles, Bible reading, & books of the Bible; Mentions of churches, church going, youth groups, Sunday school, pastors, services, sermons, & a summer camp; Mentions of “missionary dating” & how it isn’t a good idea; A mention of becoming a nun;
*Note: A mention of the word ‘gweek’ being a “prehistoric, total nerd-ball”; A mention of an alien.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: Minor cussing including: five ‘dumb’s and six ‘stupid’s; Some sarcasm; Christy toilet papers a guy’s house with other girls during a sleepover (the girl who is hosting the sleepover’s mom is okay with them doing it and takes them because she did “much worse stuff” when she was a teenager; The girls say you only do it to people you like—"like really cute guys”; Christy isn’t sure about it but tries to get her spirits up like everyone else); A new friend of Christy has an eating disorder, throws up after eating often, & takes prescription diet pills; Christy and her friends sneak out of the hotel without permission (Christy didn’t think it was a good idea but went anyway; *Spoiler* ; Mentions of drugs (including marijuana and cocaine), smoking, a party with drugs and underage drinking, someone being stoned, & a death (events in Book #1); Mentions of lies & lying (including to law enforcement); Mentions of throwing up; Mentions of a divorce & a mother leaving to go “find herself”; A few mentions of drug overdoses & deaths (barely-above-not-detailed); A few mentions of shoplifting & stealing; A couple mentions of a possible burglar & mugger; A couple mentions of runaways; A couple mentions of jealousy; A mention of an injury & stitches; A mention of cheating;
*Note: Christy can be very insecure and self-conscious at times, feel like she doesn’t belong, & wants to be accepted by new friends and be liked (examples of these times include: when her best friend has a new friend and feels like she lost her to this new friend, likes the idea of being friends with someone who is popular, loving being the center of attention in her new friend group, feeling snubbed when her new friends don’t reach out to her, & tries to project her best “I’m too good for the rest of you” look in the mirror); Christy’s father snaps at her when tired & can be very grumpy; Christy is embarrassed by her mom when dropping her off at a sleepover (Christy thinks that she “can’t stand being treated like a baby” and hopes the other girls didn’t hear); Christy finds her little brother annoying & yells at him once when upset; Christy thinks her family is a mess, but after comparing it with a new friend’s family, she realizes she has it made; Christy’s parents are upset with her at her lack of communication & being gone longer than they expected; Christy’s aunt can be pushy on her thoughts in what others should wear & Christy hates how it makes her feel; Mentions of side characters having “problems” (Alissa in Book #1 and Brittany in this book); Mentions of car brands; Mentions of brand names (Aqua Velva, Folgers coffee, M&Ms, 7-Up, Coke, & Visa); Mentions of Disneyland & fictional characters; A few mentions of places (Dairy Queen, Burger King, & Macy’s); A mention of an artist (Norman Rockwell); A mention of a TV show (Leave It to Beaver); A mention of a “punker” look (punk rocker); A mention of “shrinks” that help those with eating disorders.
Sexual Content- Noticing (barely-above-not-detailed); Blushes; A ‘babe’ and five forms of ‘hot’ when referring to guys; Christy is asked by a new friend how “involved” she was with Todd (Christy isn’t sure what she means, so the girl clarifies as “kissing and stuff”); Christy’s new firend tells her that guys use girls and that “guys are famous for making promises they never keep”; Christy has a big crush on Todd; Christy’s friend Paula has a crush on an eighteen-year-old (she’s fourteen & Christy says it doesn’t sound good); Christy is told by her parents that she can’t date (later, she says to a guy that she can’t date until she’s sixteen); A girl comments on liking both Italian and Chinese guys and food; A girl comments on finding a guy scary because he’s mysterious and untouchable (though she likes that, she still is scared by it at times); A friend tells Christy that there’s nothing wrong with liking two guys at the same time (adding that her mom says that this is the time of their lives where they “should go for as much attention” as they can get & that the girls should decide who they want to go out with without waiting on the guys to decide if they’re interested in them); Mentions of boyfriends/girlfriends, dates, dating, group dating, crushes, who-likes-who, exes, & break-ups; Mentions of cute & handsome guys; Mentions of a sweet talker guy who knows he can get any girl he wants; Mentions of homecoming & dates; A mention of flirting;
*Note: One of Christy’s new friends has an eating disorder and takes her mom’s prescription diet pills and laxatives & there’s many mentions of and talks about it throughout this book (she compliments Christy on her outfit making her look thin, throws up after eating often, lost a lot of weight after her boyfriend said he liked skinny girls, quotes her mom’s magnet that said “one moment on the lips, forever wear it on the hips!’, recalls her father giving her mother a magnet of a lamb that said “ewe’s not fat. Ewe’s fluffy” and her mom getting really mad, her mom taking prescription diet pills and being really skinny, makes Christy not tell anyone that she’s taking the diet pills and gives some to Christy with advice, saying she’s getting more attention from guys since she’s lost weight, an ex-boyfriend commenting on her losing her “baby fat”, and then mentions of those with eating disorders having a voice in their head that tells them they can’t be anything or do anything unless they’re thin, & mentions of professional places who help those with eating disorders, a few mentions of the actual names of eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia, & a mention of a clump of her hair in the sink); The new friend gives Christy some of the diet pills with the comment that a certain guy will pay more attention to her if she loses a bit of weight (Christy thinks about taking them because she thinks she could stand to lose some weight around her “stomach and thighs” and is curious if the guy will pay more attention to her; This plants the seed in Christy about being unhappy with herself and she starts to pay attention to what she eats to lose weight; *Spoiler* ; Christy’s aunt notices the girl’s hip bones sticking out and how she “hardly has enough bottom to hold her bathing suit on” plus comments on the girl needing professional help (she comments that Christy has never had a problem with that because of her healthy appetite, which Christy isn’t sure if that was a compliment or a put-down); Christy tries on a dress (borrowed from a new friend) and isn’t able to get it on (there’s few comments about it being a size three and Christy’s disbelief over someone wearing that size); Christy is described as being tall and slim; Christy notices the difference between her mom and aunt, how her mom looks like “the frumpiest, plainest, dullest woman in the world” next to her aunt, & wonders if her mom will let her aunt change her into a socialite, but then realizes that maybe she doesn’t want her mom to be remade and be the “plain, old mom” that she is; Christy wears a dress that her aunt bought her & her father comments on it making her look older (Christy tells her diary that she’s not trying to grow up fast and puts the dress in the back of her closet to wear when she’s at least eighteen); Because Katie is the cougar mascot for their high school, she is called “Katie Cougar”; Mentions of clothing accidents where clothing is forgotten in front of the other gender, when a pair of shorts ripped showing off the girl’s underwear, & when a girl’s bikini top came off and got stuck in the pool filter; Mentions of teen girls dressing to look older & wearing “excessively wild” makeup (Christy’s parents have the rule that if they can tell she’s wearing makeup, it’s too much); A mention of girls stealing another girl’s bra at a sleepover with the intent to freeze it.
-Christina Juliet “Christy” Miller, age 15
P.O.V. of Christy
160 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Four Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
2024 Reread thoughts:
It’s a quick jump back into Christy’s life and the news that her family is moving—to California! But the freedom she was given in the summer while visiting her aunt and uncle plus the news that they won’t be living in the same area has put a damper on her excitement.
Like the first book in this series, there’s a lot of lessons for Christy in this book as well. That’s honestly part of the neat thing about this series—even though it was written 20+ years ago, it doesn’t feel very dated. No one has cellphones and they send letters instead of texts. But the lessons she has to learn are ones still needed today for many girls.
I was excited to see Katie introduced in this book, but way less excited to see Rick introduced. Some details of things that will happen soon are lingering in my mind and I’m glad to see more character development for Christy.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
April 29, 2015
Christy Miller is moving to California. Lucky girl, especially since her (crush?/boyfriend?) friend Todd lives there.
Christy's Uncle Bob buys her a nice leather diary and encourages her to write everything down in it. I know he's a nice guy, so I am not going to be creeped out by this.
Christy's still writing letters to Alissa and trying to convert her to born-again Christianity.
Christy's new friends are Janelle, Katie, and Brittney. Brittney is supposed to be the "bad one," a bulimic who shoplifts. I thought Gunn's portrayal of a bulimic girl was unrealistic. No bulimic I know would be that obvious about her bulimia and so eager to make someone else into a bulimic as well. Gunn obviously does not have first-hand experience with this disease.
Christy delves into criminal behavior in this book - TPing Rick's house and being framed for shoplifting. She actually gets arrested for breaking curfew and shoplifting (she's innocent of the shoplifting charge), but Gunn does a good job of showing how scary being arrested is, and how easy it is for so-called friends to put you in a bad position.
Todd, her love interest from the last book, is obviously still a flake. Christy's always writing him letters and trying to contact him and he doesn't respond. In spite of all this, he seems to think she'll just be there where he left her, ready to pick up and take off where they left off. Jerk.
Creepy quote: While at a restaurant, the waiter discusses Christy with Christy's uncle Bob: "such innocence," Joaquin said to Bob. "It is beautiful on a woman." Yuck! Ew. And this is right in front of Christy, as if she isn't even there. Ick.
Another super-creepy part. Rick, the new non-boyfriend love interest, asks Christy out. She's 15. Here's the quote:
"I think the most beautiful girls are the most innocent ones." !!! This gives me the willies, and not in a good way. PREDATOR! My mind is screaming. I think this books hyper-focus, hyper-value on virginity is really disturbing. If a guy said this to me (when I was 15, especially), I wouldn't be able to run away fast enough. Blergh.
After she gets asked out by Rick, who promises to call her AND wait the 9 months until she turns 16 so that he can get a date with her (yeah, right, I don't believe him for one second) - Todd the flake FINALLY calls. And do you know what he talks to Christy about? Christy, who's been fantasizing about him for months, desperate to hear from him? God. Yes, that's right, he just gives her some religious lectures, says he'll cook breakfast with her on the beach sometime in the unspecified future, and hangs up. Poor Christy! I don't know what she sees in this sod. Blergh. No wonder she's so frustrated with him. He would drive me nuts! And not in a good way.
Christy's Uncle Bob buys her a nice leather diary and encourages her to write everything down in it. I know he's a nice guy, so I am not going to be creeped out by this.
Christy's still writing letters to Alissa and trying to convert her to born-again Christianity.
Christy's new friends are Janelle, Katie, and Brittney. Brittney is supposed to be the "bad one," a bulimic who shoplifts. I thought Gunn's portrayal of a bulimic girl was unrealistic. No bulimic I know would be that obvious about her bulimia and so eager to make someone else into a bulimic as well. Gunn obviously does not have first-hand experience with this disease.
Christy delves into criminal behavior in this book - TPing Rick's house and being framed for shoplifting. She actually gets arrested for breaking curfew and shoplifting (she's innocent of the shoplifting charge), but Gunn does a good job of showing how scary being arrested is, and how easy it is for so-called friends to put you in a bad position.
Todd, her love interest from the last book, is obviously still a flake. Christy's always writing him letters and trying to contact him and he doesn't respond. In spite of all this, he seems to think she'll just be there where he left her, ready to pick up and take off where they left off. Jerk.
Creepy quote: While at a restaurant, the waiter discusses Christy with Christy's uncle Bob: "such innocence," Joaquin said to Bob. "It is beautiful on a woman." Yuck! Ew. And this is right in front of Christy, as if she isn't even there. Ick.
Another super-creepy part. Rick, the new non-boyfriend love interest, asks Christy out. She's 15. Here's the quote:
"I think the most beautiful girls are the most innocent ones." !!! This gives me the willies, and not in a good way. PREDATOR! My mind is screaming. I think this books hyper-focus, hyper-value on virginity is really disturbing. If a guy said this to me (when I was 15, especially), I wouldn't be able to run away fast enough. Blergh.
After she gets asked out by Rick, who promises to call her AND wait the 9 months until she turns 16 so that he can get a date with her (yeah, right, I don't believe him for one second) - Todd the flake FINALLY calls. And do you know what he talks to Christy about? Christy, who's been fantasizing about him for months, desperate to hear from him? God. Yes, that's right, he just gives her some religious lectures, says he'll cook breakfast with her on the beach sometime in the unspecified future, and hangs up. Poor Christy! I don't know what she sees in this sod. Blergh. No wonder she's so frustrated with him. He would drive me nuts! And not in a good way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2017
3.5 stars. I enjoyed some parts more than others. :P
March 29, 2018
It was a TINY bit better than the first book of the series, but she's seriously so shallow, and the book is so cliché it's just not a series I want to finish.
Goodbye Christy Miller! And goodbye all her problems!
Goodbye Christy Miller! And goodbye all her problems!
April 2, 2019
Another cute Christy book. So far this series has given me a little peek into issues other teen girls commonly deal with that I wasn't really exposed to.
July 24, 2015
This book was good. Christy is still immature and hasn't found herself yet but I really like some of the lessons that this book teaches. :)
March 3, 2023
We start this book learning why Christy had to cut her summer vacation short. It was because
I think the major lesson in this book is to keep good company and to always be away of situations you are in. It's very easy for someone to bring you down, or get you in to trouble, if you're not careful. The scene at the youth group really helped illustrate how easy this can happen...plus it was also humorous which should help it stay with you.
I think the major lesson in this book is to keep good company and to always be away of situations you are in. It's very easy for someone to bring you down, or get you in to trouble, if you're not careful. The scene at the youth group really helped illustrate how easy this can happen...plus it was also humorous which should help it stay with you.
July 11, 2025
book 1 was better. This one had a good message for teen girls. 3.5-- Christy is as annoying as ever, and seems like she doesn't know what to do.
February 26, 2025
Some reread thoughts as an adult (2020):
I've read this series countless times - what's listed below is just the times I've reread it in adulthood, I have actually read it who knows how many times since I first "met" Christy Miller in 1999. I am no doubt closer in age to Christy's parents at this point in my life than I am to Christy, but continue to reread (and now, re-listen) to this series as a comforting favorite.
While I am not a parent, it really stuck out to me on this reread just how unnecessarily strict Christy's parents are with her. She's a good kid, a rule follower, and the only "bad" things that happen to her are when her good intentions (helping a friend) are taken advantage of (her new friend turns out to not have Christy's best interest at heart). Her parents come down so crazy hard on her that I think a real kid would have rebelled or had a much worse attitude than she does. She's not perfect, her communication and thinking things through is teenage typical, but I think she's really a better kid than her parents give her credit for.
This book only: during the run in with the police, Christy is arrested and told that this incident will appear on her record, but she can have her juvenile record sealed when she turns 18. This is never mentioned again.
I've read this series countless times - what's listed below is just the times I've reread it in adulthood, I have actually read it who knows how many times since I first "met" Christy Miller in 1999. I am no doubt closer in age to Christy's parents at this point in my life than I am to Christy, but continue to reread (and now, re-listen) to this series as a comforting favorite.
While I am not a parent, it really stuck out to me on this reread just how unnecessarily strict Christy's parents are with her. She's a good kid, a rule follower, and the only "bad" things that happen to her are when her good intentions (helping a friend) are taken advantage of (her new friend turns out to not have Christy's best interest at heart). Her parents come down so crazy hard on her that I think a real kid would have rebelled or had a much worse attitude than she does. She's not perfect, her communication and thinking things through is teenage typical, but I think she's really a better kid than her parents give her credit for.
This book only: during the run in with the police, Christy is arrested and told that this incident will appear on her record, but she can have her juvenile record sealed when she turns 18. This is never mentioned again.
December 30, 2016
A Whisper and a Wish, the second book in the Christy Miller series, was a good read, although I have to say I always enjoyed the first book more. I don't know if I'm biased because of the lack of Todd or what...:P
Anywho. In this book Christy is moving to California. "Well, how convenient," you think. "Christy gets to hang out with all her good-influence beach friends and pursue a relationship with Todd. Lovely. Wonderful." Well nope. She moves to Escondido and to a new school where she knows nobody, and she has to start over again from scratch.
I liked the themes of this book - particularly don't be a follower. If your friends are doing something you aren't comfortable with, don't do it. This is something I struggle with sometimes (although not to the extent of Christy and her friends' problems), and I like how Robin Jones Gunn writes it to be so relatable.
Also big thumbs up for her parents at least keep Christy from dating Rick for another year or so. Good move, Mr. and Mrs. Miller. *nods approval*
Overall, great book. 5 stars out of 5.
Anywho. In this book Christy is moving to California. "Well, how convenient," you think. "Christy gets to hang out with all her good-influence beach friends and pursue a relationship with Todd. Lovely. Wonderful." Well nope. She moves to Escondido and to a new school where she knows nobody, and she has to start over again from scratch.
I liked the themes of this book - particularly don't be a follower. If your friends are doing something you aren't comfortable with, don't do it. This is something I struggle with sometimes (although not to the extent of Christy and her friends' problems), and I like how Robin Jones Gunn writes it to be so relatable.
Also big thumbs up for her parents at least keep Christy from dating Rick for another year or so. Good move, Mr. and Mrs. Miller. *nods approval*
Overall, great book. 5 stars out of 5.
December 21, 2016
Typical Christy: "No! No! Why can't we live here! Why didn't anyone tell me the dairy was so far away? ... Maybe Dad's job will fall through, and we'll have to go back to Wisconsin. What am I thinking? I want to live here, not Wisconsin!"
Christy's family is moving to California, the place she absolutely loved getting to know during the summer. But nothing is turning out as she planned. Christy has to start her school year away from all the friends she made over the summer, and she feels all alone. Soon the popular girls in school take Christy in, but just how much will their friendship cost her?
"A Whisper and a Wish" explores serious topics: moving, good and bad friendships, eating disorders, and more. Christy learns that, no matter where she is, she can trust God to be there with her. "A Whisper and a Wish" is the second in the Christy Miller series.
Christy's family is moving to California, the place she absolutely loved getting to know during the summer. But nothing is turning out as she planned. Christy has to start her school year away from all the friends she made over the summer, and she feels all alone. Soon the popular girls in school take Christy in, but just how much will their friendship cost her?
"A Whisper and a Wish" explores serious topics: moving, good and bad friendships, eating disorders, and more. Christy learns that, no matter where she is, she can trust God to be there with her. "A Whisper and a Wish" is the second in the Christy Miller series.
June 4, 2019
Discussion points: eating disorders/drug abuse, making wise decisions. 14+
November 29, 2013
A literary parable of sorts, showing the corruption of good character by bad company, the potential consequences of not telling the truth, and true faith being living for God, not just believing in him. The ending, though happy, implies that matters are either going to get really mushy or very dramatic, if not both.
EDIT: See my review of the entire series at:
http://rwlreviews.blogspot.com/2013/0...
EDIT: See my review of the entire series at:
http://rwlreviews.blogspot.com/2013/0...
March 2, 2023
A Whisper and a Wish continues Christy's story. She and her family move to California, but it isn't as perfect as she expected. Todd moves away and she didn't get to see him before he left. She meets a new group of friends and has to deal with new challenges and difficult decisions. Some choices she makes land her in serious trouble.
A good reread. Not as enjoyable as book one, but I liked getting introduced to Katie's character.
A good reread. Not as enjoyable as book one, but I liked getting introduced to Katie's character.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2021
I'm A Whisper and A Wish-
This is probably my least favorite of the books in this volume. I don't dislike it at all, but I just don't like it as much as the other ones. It was a little hard to transition from Christy's summer life to her actual life. I got to meet her parents and David for the first time. I like her parents, and I admire their way of doing things. I just sort of wish that Christy was closer to them. Their family seemed functional, but a bit too cold for my taste. Other than those two, we also got to meet Katie, Janelle, Brittany, and Rick. Katie doesn't really play a huge part in this book, but I know she will later on. It's kind of cool how you didn't mean to make her important, but she ended up being that way. Janelle is only big in this book, but I like her. She's funny and kind. I can't stand Brittany. I felt so bad for her! The only thing that did seem a little bit off for me is that people that struggle with bulimia are usually not very skinny. Anorexic people are the skinny ones. Brittany was an awful friend! She lied and stole and cared WAY too much about her weight. Rick isn't too bad in this book, but since he isn't Todd I don't like him. Christy has grown a little. I can tell by the way she makes decisions and trusts the Lord. I like how she grows her own spine in this book. :) I wish there was more Todd in this book! He's so perfect. Anyways, this is a worthy successor, and I like this book. Thank you for writing it!
2021 update:
This one was better and more poignant than what I remembered. :)
This is probably my least favorite of the books in this volume. I don't dislike it at all, but I just don't like it as much as the other ones. It was a little hard to transition from Christy's summer life to her actual life. I got to meet her parents and David for the first time. I like her parents, and I admire their way of doing things. I just sort of wish that Christy was closer to them. Their family seemed functional, but a bit too cold for my taste. Other than those two, we also got to meet Katie, Janelle, Brittany, and Rick. Katie doesn't really play a huge part in this book, but I know she will later on. It's kind of cool how you didn't mean to make her important, but she ended up being that way. Janelle is only big in this book, but I like her. She's funny and kind. I can't stand Brittany. I felt so bad for her! The only thing that did seem a little bit off for me is that people that struggle with bulimia are usually not very skinny. Anorexic people are the skinny ones. Brittany was an awful friend! She lied and stole and cared WAY too much about her weight. Rick isn't too bad in this book, but since he isn't Todd I don't like him. Christy has grown a little. I can tell by the way she makes decisions and trusts the Lord. I like how she grows her own spine in this book. :) I wish there was more Todd in this book! He's so perfect. Anyways, this is a worthy successor, and I like this book. Thank you for writing it!
2021 update:
This one was better and more poignant than what I remembered. :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2022
I love how there are little themes thrown in here and there to make it more realistic. First it was Shawn getting stoned and dieing, and now it's Brittany being bulimic. These are topics that I haven't found in any other books I've read so it's interesting to see Christys mindset as she walks through the not so pretty parts of life.
On a side note though. I TOTALLY SHIP HER AND RICK!!!! Todd is sweet but I just feel like at this point Rick is the better option. He lives closer, he has a strong relationship with Jesus, but a downfall to Rick is that he seems like a player, so he better watch himself or not might just have to hop through these pages.
Todd is so sweet, but he just seems too immature. He was the best, and only choice in book 1, but now that Christy has someone else in her life, and considering that Todd didn't even write her!! I think that she should see where things with Rick go and go from there😉😙🤗 if you made it to the end,, happy reading friends! Have a blessed day/night🥰🤗
On a side note though. I TOTALLY SHIP HER AND RICK!!!! Todd is sweet but I just feel like at this point Rick is the better option. He lives closer, he has a strong relationship with Jesus, but a downfall to Rick is that he seems like a player, so he better watch himself or not might just have to hop through these pages.
Todd is so sweet, but he just seems too immature. He was the best, and only choice in book 1, but now that Christy has someone else in her life, and considering that Todd didn't even write her!! I think that she should see where things with Rick go and go from there😉😙🤗 if you made it to the end,, happy reading friends! Have a blessed day/night🥰🤗
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2024
I am really enjoying reading this series again after 10 plus years. I read this when I was a teenager and it is amazing some of the wisdom I gleaned from these books as I traveled with Christy. I remember learning about living in the land of what if and if only, and the damage it can cause. This book also discusses how we need to be thoughtful and careful who we choose to hang around and be friends with! Can't wait to read the rest of the series!
August 22, 2021
This book was very, very good. I loved the moral at the end about choosing your friends wisely. I also really enjoyed the illustration that Todd gives Christy at the end. This book was even better then the first.
April 22, 2019
This book was really good!! I am LOVING Christy Miller! @VictoriaGoodbrand your so right their so amazing!! 😍😍
November 26, 2022
I wish this book was more interesting
June 24, 2021
This series is quickly going downhill. Christy is such an irritating, dumb character!
November 26, 2024
Overview:
Language/Profanity: None
Faith: talk of church, youth group, how we need to let God into our lives and let him take control.
Romance/Sex: Some crushes, and being intrested in each other.
Action/Adventure: Christy and her friends sneak out at night, and they get into trouble.
Other: A story of a girl who loses her bikini top in the pool when there are guys around. Talk of weight loss drugs. And Toilet Papering a house.
Language/Profanity: None
Faith: talk of church, youth group, how we need to let God into our lives and let him take control.
Romance/Sex: Some crushes, and being intrested in each other.
Action/Adventure: Christy and her friends sneak out at night, and they get into trouble.
Other: A story of a girl who loses her bikini top in the pool when there are guys around. Talk of weight loss drugs. And Toilet Papering a house.
January 5, 2021
This is an incredible set of books. Because I read them all in a set they all meld into one book in my mind.
As inspiring Christian fiction this would be at the top of my list, just under Erynn Mangum's books. Let's just say that I learned some much needed lessons from a these books. Despite the fact that the main character Christy is 15 years-old I could still relate to the issues she struggled with. The lessons she learned were very good, and there was a lot of Bible content involved in Christy's growth.
I also really enjoyed the analogies Robin Jones Gunn came up with to describe hard to grasp aspects of salvation. These analogies were so clear and applicable that I will probably use them in the future.
Just a side note, the character Todd is a great guy. Honestly, he is the character I like the most, and he is a wonderful Christian example.
The only critique I have with these books has to do with Christy. Now most of her problems are quite relatable in the normal sense I'm sure, but her "romantic" struggles are a little ridiculous to me. Of course I am also a little old for these books, so that could have something to do with it. There really isn't anything that Christy does that is wrong, I just keep questioning why Christy is pretending to like this one guy when she obviously likes the other.
Other than that, I completely recommend these books to any teenage girl, whether you are Christian or not. These books are moving and eyeopening.
Warning: There is quite a bit of secular/mature content in the first book especially (drugs, drinking, sex, pregnancy, death, eating disorders, sneaking out etc). Christy does not do most of these things, but she does help a few friends out during their hardships.
All I know is I wish I read these books when I was younger and didn't know where to find any clean books. These are VERY worth reading books. I give these three books that I have read so far a solid 4 stars. I completely recommend this series. I am totally hooked, and excitedly waiting to read the next book I can find.
As inspiring Christian fiction this would be at the top of my list, just under Erynn Mangum's books. Let's just say that I learned some much needed lessons from a these books. Despite the fact that the main character Christy is 15 years-old I could still relate to the issues she struggled with. The lessons she learned were very good, and there was a lot of Bible content involved in Christy's growth.
I also really enjoyed the analogies Robin Jones Gunn came up with to describe hard to grasp aspects of salvation. These analogies were so clear and applicable that I will probably use them in the future.
Just a side note, the character Todd is a great guy. Honestly, he is the character I like the most, and he is a wonderful Christian example.
The only critique I have with these books has to do with Christy. Now most of her problems are quite relatable in the normal sense I'm sure, but her "romantic" struggles are a little ridiculous to me. Of course I am also a little old for these books, so that could have something to do with it. There really isn't anything that Christy does that is wrong, I just keep questioning why Christy is pretending to like this one guy when she obviously likes the other.
Other than that, I completely recommend these books to any teenage girl, whether you are Christian or not. These books are moving and eyeopening.
Warning: There is quite a bit of secular/mature content in the first book especially (drugs, drinking, sex, pregnancy, death, eating disorders, sneaking out etc). Christy does not do most of these things, but she does help a few friends out during their hardships.
All I know is I wish I read these books when I was younger and didn't know where to find any clean books. These are VERY worth reading books. I give these three books that I have read so far a solid 4 stars. I completely recommend this series. I am totally hooked, and excitedly waiting to read the next book I can find.
August 10, 2023
[Series best read in order]
Short and sweet Christian spin on still relevant teen social issues. Body image, drug use, self worth, dating, inner voice conflicts, etc. I remember reading three Christy Miller books in one day my first time through the series.
3rd time through the series, first time as an adult of a tween. Still so relevant and ways to apply to my life as well as my daughter. Glad we are reading through this series together this time.
Short and sweet Christian spin on still relevant teen social issues. Body image, drug use, self worth, dating, inner voice conflicts, etc. I remember reading three Christy Miller books in one day my first time through the series.
3rd time through the series, first time as an adult of a tween. Still so relevant and ways to apply to my life as well as my daughter. Glad we are reading through this series together this time.
Read
July 5, 2010Just finished this book today, didn't like this one very
much at all. Brittany drives me insane - and I'm still not
satisfied with the ending because she didn't get told off or
served!! Now I'll have to begin the next to see what happens.
ohhh and I can't stand Christy having two boyfriends, now that
is annoying. :p lol
much at all. Brittany drives me insane - and I'm still not
satisfied with the ending because she didn't get told off or
served!! Now I'll have to begin the next to see what happens.
ohhh and I can't stand Christy having two boyfriends, now that
is annoying. :p lol
Read
June 18, 2011Better than the first that was for sure, in the second installment, you really take something away from this book, that actually makes you think, and put what Christy has learned and direct it into your own life. Very good book.
*side note:
Her family (apart from uncle bob) I just want to yell at. gah!
*side note:
Her family (apart from uncle bob) I just want to yell at. gah!
June 4, 2011
I thought it was a little better than the last book. Maybe they get better as they go on. This book shows you that even if the friends you have seem okay they might not be. And to always tell the truth no matter what. And also to trust God and let him be your friend.
March 10, 2024
As I read this book, I kept thinking on how much Christie and I relate. She and I are the quiet, shy people. We also struggle on making split-second decisions. I really love this book, and several others because they capture the spirit of God.
December 31, 2017
Really loving this series! Todd is great!!!!!!!!!
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