The Messengers: Discovered

"In a trend that will surely be replicated many times but never perfected in the same way, Lisa Clark has combined heady Christian theology and a dystopian YA thriller for middle-grade readers. Simon is the son of a secretive - but loving - father who discovers that the Darkness (the nameless fear that his community of rules and order pins everything on) is actually the message of the gospel. Doled out in small but potent doses, the Message is sweet like honey to all who hear it in this debut thriller that is appropriate for children probably as young as ten. Lisa Clark's writing is tightly effective, but the heart with which she deals with the theology is light and jubilant. Young readers will love the rebellion against the authorities, while parents will delight in handing their children a book that not only encourages sharing their faith - even in the worst circumstances - but also embraces the importance of family, love and friendship. The first of a series, I have no doubt that Clark's writing will quickly take this book to the top of the growing YA Inspirational genre." —Colleen Oakes