“We shine, not burn!” That’s the McKenzie family motto. Eleven-year-old Kathleen loves it, and is determined to do her very best to shine for Christ.

In a peculiar turn of events, Kathleen find herself beginning a friendship with a new girl in town, Lucy Meier. Over the days, Kathleen and Lucy form an impenetrable bond as they study for the upcoming spelling bee, talk about Thanksgiving preparations, and share the struggles and triumphs of their faith. Kathleen’s life is framed with more success on the horizon and full of wonderful friends – her dreams are cheery and bright.

One day, a headline changes it all. STOCK MARKET CRASH LEAVES MILLIONS PENNILESS AND HOPELESS. What did it mean to “invest in the market”? How did a market crash? Did it mean that Papa would lose his job? Would they lose all their wonderful things?

Kathleen is challenged to trust the Lord in all things and not fear. She must focus with gratefulness on the things she has and can still do. Then, Lucy gets deathly ill. Will God really work all things together for their good? Can she trust God with her shaken dreams? Will Kathleen’s faith continue to shine for Christ or will she burn out?

It’s Kathleen’s Shaken Dreams by Tracy Leineger Craven – the first book in her A Life of Faith: Kathleen McKenzie series.

It is beautifully written and quite engaging. It was written with children in mind, but even adults can enjoy this Christian historical fiction. It’s still one of my favorites!

Children make great main characters because they are often curious and not afraid to ask questions. Children are observant and remember things well. They like to think outside the box and try new things, and they rely heavily on supporting cast. All of these are components writers and readers love!

Children are often amazing examples of faith in God, and Kathleen McKenzie is no exception.  Jesus Christ Himself said, “Yes! I tell you that unless you change and become like little children, you won’t even enter the Kingdom of Heaven!” (Matt. 18:3)

I’m raising a Hallelu Yah! Jesus, as You did, I praise the Father because He has hidden the secrets of the Kingdom from the wise and learned and revealed them to little children, for this was Your good pleasure! (Luke 10:21) Hallelu Yah to the Lord of heaven and earth!

In this book, we see a child’s perspective of the dawning of the Great Depression. Kathleen’s faith is real, relational, and rooted in Scripture. Her prayers are spontaneous, but sincere. She and her family consistently dive into the Word. However, Kathleen’s fears and disappointments are real, too. When fear and faith collide, how will she choose to respond?

Kathleen’s and Lucy’s conversations about God, their faith, fear, and other daily events are a beautiful reminder that “as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” (That’s Proverbs 27:17.)

I loved how Mrs. Craven twined Scripture and familiar hymns into the McKenzie’s daily life. She also starts each chapter with a verse from the Bible that relates to the events, daydreams, and struggles of Kathleen in that chapter. Mrs. Craven not only touches on the spiritual meanings of the verses, but she applies them in her character’s life, giving us practical applications of how we can live out the commands of Christ.

It really brings the Scriptures to bear in the arena of the ordinary. And it brings God into the practical things of life as the true, personal Friend and Savior who is to be worshipped, served, and loved.

It’s a 5-star read for me! What about you?