4 out of 4 stars
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Rolling Through Teens is an inspirational collection of poetry portrayed from the unique perspective of life in a wheelchair by author Mary Settle. The book is divided into three parts which include prayers and reflections on faith in God, hopes and dreams, family relationships, and the challenges of living with cerebral palsy. Featuring an eclectic collection of poems with titles such as Longing, The Black Lamb, Big Camo Wheelchair, and A Piece of Home, the young author conveys her thoughts with gratitude, grace, and strength.
I tend to be selective when it comes to reading poetry. While I understand that writing poems is a form of therapeutic expression, I've encountered more than a few poetry books that were rife with self-pity. That was certainly not the case with this touching collection. The author's writing style was clear and purposeful. She shared from the heart which was reflected by the sincerity of her words.
What I most enjoyed about this book was the author's voice of gratitude, which I found exceptional in light of her physical challenges. At the same time, her writing reflected honesty and transparency. I was also impressed by the author's maturity concerning the many obstacles she's faced in her young life. Though the entire collection conveyed her strong faith in God, it was especially apparent in the first section of the book, Cries of a Young Girl's Heart. My favorite poem was called Where Are You? and was written from the perspective of God speaking lovingly to the reader. There were also several endearing poems expressing her devotion to her siblings. Many of the heartfelt poems in this collection brought tears to my eyes.
Poetry books often include the author's muse or inspiration, and I would have liked to have seen the addition of a preface or introduction that featured more details about the author's background and how she came to write the collection. Though the book's cover and some of the poems referenced her wheelchair, mentioning the author's cerebral palsy would have added clarity for the readers.
I noted a single grammatical error, and I'm pleased to rate this inspirational collection 4 out of 4 stars. While I would recommend this book to fans of inspirational poetry, I believe it will also appeal to those who are overcoming difficult challenges. It is appropriate for adolescents, as well. Additionally, readers who are struggling with debilitating illnesses will appreciate the book.
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Rolling Through Teens
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