The Sparrow Found a House (Book Review)

The Sparrow Found a House 
By: Jason McIntire
Rating: 2-ish stars (It was okay; I kinda liked it)

What if your new stepdad was a Bible-toting Army Sergeant? Fifteen-year-old Jessie Rivera is living every teenager's nightmare. Her widowed mom has married a man who wears his heavy Christian values like his sergeant's stripes - on both sleeves.

Glenn Sparrow is persistent, immovable, and not afraid to be firm. Worse than that, he's loving, kind - even fun - and he has Chris, Moe, and Katie completely won over.

But Jessie is determined that she won't be won over, or give up her "freedom" without a fight. She knows what she wants, and it isn't what they've got.

Or is it?

The book was two-ish-star for me mostly because it was not really exciting. It was just okay for me. There wasn't much action or adventure, which I find I like in books. Also, it felt like it tended more towards legalistic Christianity at times. That opinion of mine being said, I think the group that Mr. McIntire has written this book for will enjoy it's similarities to life (conservative Christians who homeschool). It has good morals and messages which resonate with everyday life. It also had a different cast of characters - not really stereotyped, like jocks or geeks. (Hah...yeah, those stereotypes. ;))

My favorite of the characters? Probably Chris Rivera. I think it was because he was so willing to change, and he was kind. He's so completely different at the end from the person he was when the book started. I especially liked the fact that he even started working out later on in the book (I know, that sounds weird, but it showed that he truly did want to become a better person. It was the change on the inside showing on the outside!). :) I also agreed with the video game section of the book. My family has always been into video games (me the least of all the siblings), but we stray far away from violent video games. We play Mario Party and Lego games and the like. ;)

My favorite message of the book? Probably when Katie, the youngest sister, was about to go to the spelling bee, I believe, and her mom talks to her about our talents being for the glory of God. This was impressed upon me the most because I can struggle with what Katie was struggling with, even though I am quite a few years older than her nine years. Everybody can struggle with wanting to be praised for their gifts. It was a nice reminder that God gave us our gifts and talents, so His glory should be our focus.

Everything was played out pretty realistically in this book. Especially when God intervened (won't name the situation, but it had to do with homeschooling). Because HE DOES THAT. God is a good God, and He is right by our sides. He really does intervene for us!

Overall, however, this book was just okay for me personally.

*Thanks to the author for a free review copy! I was not obligated to right a positive review. The feelings above are my own.*

View all my reviews

The Liebster Award

 

I was nominated by Mikayla from The Bubblegum Ballerina to do the Liebster Award. Thanks to her for the tag!

The rules? 

~Rules~

1) Link back to the person who tagged you

2) Answer all 11 questions

3) Tag 11 bloggers who have less than a thousand readers

4) Ask them 11 questions

5) Let them know you've tagged them through social media

Let's get started! Here are Mikayla's questions (and my answers, o' course! ;)):

What was the last thing you wrote?

In a book... 

“Honest, I am not. The moment you appeared on the docks I knew that you’d be a joy to have around – and my guess proved correct. You’re a good girl, Madeline. Very brave and determined, though you don’t seem to see that yourself. At your age, I’m surprised to see you taking this journey with no family aboard except an uncle you had barely met once before, and that when he wasn’t truly himself.”

            I laughed, lightening a bit. “You were all the family I needed, and besides, I knew when I met you that you would be a joy, if you were happier.”

But, if it's just the last thing I wrote in general, it was a text to a friend. 
 

What is the last thing you ate?

Macaroni and cheese.

What is the last thing you listened to?

Prodigal from Sidewalk Prophets (though, I did hear a song in The Lion King II). ;)

What was the last book you read?

Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott.

What was the last blog you visited?

Yours, Mikayla! ;) But, before that, this blog, written for and about the TV show Heartland.  

What was the last game you played?

My niece and I kinda played Don't Spill the Beans. She just had fun spinning the pot and having the beans fall off. XD The last video game I played was Kirby's Return to Dreamland with my siblings. :) 

What was the last Bible verse you read?

Isaiah 59:1-2, which says: Surely my arms are not too short to save, nor My ears too dull to hear your prayers. But your sins have caused me to pull back from you. 

It was in a devotional... ;)

What was the last thing that made you laugh aloud?

Hmm... I laughed watching Toy Story 3 last night (I adore Toy Story), but I probably laughed about something cute my niece did. Probably. 

What was the last thing you said?

UH...at the time I wrote this, it was: "Stephanie, Nathaniel can watch too." Haha! Yeah. ;) I'm babysitting my niece and nephew, and Steph was not wanting to let Nathaniel watch Clifford with her. ;) 

What was the last gift you received?

Well, my dad bought me a Nook the other day. Does that count? If not, my grandma sent some candies and detailed coloring books and colored pencils for Valentines day. :)

ANNND that's all! 

(I officially tag Julia Ryan from A Barefoot Gal, but otherwise, you're also tagged if you're reading this right now!)

My questions:

1. Letters to Juliet - have you watched it? (It's ADORABLE.)

2. Have you read Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott? If you did, did you enjoy it?

3. Are you more of an early bird or a night owl?

4. What is your absolute favorite place to go to?

5. Have you ever gotten a book signed by its author? If so, which book?

6. Would you rather watch a comedy, a drama, or an action/adventure movie?

7. What is your favorite type of book to read? (Adventure, historical, western, etc.)

8. Chocolate or vanilla ice cream? (It's vanilla for me. ;))

9. Have you seen any Star Wars movies?

10.Who is your favorite musician? (And your favorite album from them?)

11.Do you like the Toy Story movies? (Also, which of the three movies so far is your favorite?)

Did you all know they're making a FOURTH Toy Story film? I'm excited... (because those movies are soooo much fun!) ;)

Happy blogging! (And reading.)

~Micaiah K.~