Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

JFH Staff Book Review


Glimmer Girls: London Art Chase / A Dolphin Wish

Natalie Grant

Glimmer Girls: London Art Chase

Glimmer Girls: A Dolphin Wish

Artist Info: Profile / Discography
Genre: Pre-Teen
Page Count: 208 Pages (Each Book)
Street Date: January 26, 2016

Being the father of two pre-teen girls, I view the world of entertainment quite differently than I did ten-plus years ago. That copy of Rolling Stone or Entertainment Weekly that once graced my desk or the family coffee table is being re-thought as my girls start to read and absorb everything that comes along their path. My wife and I are more cognizant of what advertising images are present in things that hang around the house, and what kind of music is playing on the family stereo. What once was an important matter of personal conviction is now a slightly bigger family conversation. That is not to cast judgment on the reading of Rolling Stone (though careful judgment is encouraged); it's simply that situations change and different angles need to be considered.

Recording artist Natalie Grant seems to have these same kind of thoughts in the writing of her new series of pre-teen novels, Glimmer Girls. But thankfully, the first two novels in the series, London Art Chase and A Dolphin Wish, are light on the preaching and heavy on silly fun.

Centered around three sisters, older twins Mia and Maddie and their little sister Lulu (a family lineup that mirrors Grant's own), who are the daughters of a pop star mom, Glimmer Girls reads like an episode of a Disney Channel sitcom, only with a family that prays together (often during stressful moments) and treats each other with kindness (as opposed to the sassiness and snark of a typical Disney Channel show). Beyond that, Grant mercifully avoids the kinds of "messages" that weigh down many such attempts. Instead, Grant writes with an insider's ear for pre-teen dialog, and a suitably whimsical take on what constitutes a "mystery" at this age.

In London Art Chase, the sisters and their faithful nanny Miss Julia participate in the sort of far-fetched art theft capers that are common plot devices for books of this genre, but the storytelling is fun and lively and the family interactions honest.

The second book in the series, A Dolphin Wish, shows Grant settling into a writing groove and comes off as more polished and confident. Set against the backdrop of the San Diego Zoo, the story again features a mystery to be solved and family dynamics to be negotiated. There is a nice lesson featured towards the end of the book about why people make the choices they do, but it naturally flows from the story and feels honest.

My pre-teens devoured these two novels in just a few days (waking up early to read before school) and were blessed to find characters that pray like our family does, yet feel authentic and close to home. Grant is to be commended for stretching herself this way, and Glimmer Girls are a welcome edition to the ranks of pre-teen books. They aren't merely a good alternative read for pre-teen girls, they stand on their own as a fun and creative series of books for their audience.

- Review date: 2/2/16, written by Alex Caldwell of Jesusfreakhideout.com

 

. Publisher: Zonderkidz
. Page Count: 208 Pages (Both books each)
. Street Date: January 26, 2016
. Buy It: Amazon.com (The London Art Chase)
. Buy It: Amazon.com (A Dolphin Wish)

 



Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Book review page

 

                 
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

Search JFH



This Friday, October 17, 2025
ALBUMS
ANTHNY DIARY ENTRY 1 [Provident]
AOH Music BEHOLD (Acoustic Live), Vol. 1 (independent)
Blanca Full Bloom [Curb]
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas [Gaither]
Geoff Moore and The Distance Foundations (Re-Release) [Girder]
Geoff Moore and The Distance A Place To Stand (Re-Release) [Girder]
Vince Gill 50 Years From Home: I Gave You Everything I Had - EP [UMG]
Nate Parrish Make Me A Mountain (independent)
Psallos The New and Better Way: Hymns of Hebrews (independent)
Anne Wilson Stars [Capitol CMG]
Megan Woods The Truth EP [Fair Trade]

SINGLES
Elevation Worship Jesus Be The Name - Single [Provident]
F'rael God's Wheel (ft. TRYBISHOP) - Single [Syntax]
Brandon Lake When A Cowboy Prays (Amazon Music Songline) - Single [Provident]
LEON Undefeated - Single [El Rescate Music]
No Vain Glory UNLEADED - Single [Syntax]
Park 7 The Hope Is On The Way - Single (independent)
Rave Jesus & Gracie Binion Need Your Love - Single [Provident]
REFVGE, Cyfë II & WAY? U P W A R D S ft. Bianca Silver & Josh LeCroy - Single [Syntax]
Rhymes In Harmony & MAYIA My Sister - Single [Syntax]
Rock City Worship Gravestone - Single [Capitol CMG]
Anton Scholl Born To Love You - Single [Near Kingdom]
Nathan Sheridan Don't Lose Hope - Single [WieRok]
SNT. VINCENT Feast of the Saints - Single [Syntax]
Vertical Kings Faith In Stereo - Single [Covenant]
Vic Lucas, Essence Natay & Ashleey Barnes Let it Rain - Single [Syntax]
Zane Vickery All Things New - Single (independent)
Aaron Williams Abide (feat. CAIN) - Single [Integrity]

DVD
Chris Blue Every Day Is Christmas DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, October 24, 2025
ALBUMS
John Allan untitled EP [Centricity]
Dan Bremnes The Villain - EP [Curb]
Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]
God Behind Bars Music Live From Angola Prison Vol. 1 [Provident]
Fepeste This World Ain't Mine to Change [Velvet Blue]
gio. FINE BY ME [Capitol CMG]
Brandon Lake Amazon Music Songline [Provident]
Tyson Motsenbocker Modern Worries [Tooth & Nail]
Smalltown Poets St. Augustine (independent)
Zahriya Zachary Rediscovery [Bethel]

SINGLES
29:11 Worship, Zion Rempel You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
Joe L Barnes Grief, Joy, Gratitude - Single [Provident]
Chad Cory, Zacardi Cortez My First Love (Remix) - Single [DREAM]
Leanna Crawford Beginning Of Your Grace - Single [Provident]
darthy Juniper Tree - Single [WieRok]
Emerson Day Midnight Hour - Single [Fair Trade]
Good Weather Forecast lows2highs - Single [DREAM]
Grace + Max Rich - Single [WieRok]
Mercy Tribe Music The King is in the Room (feat. Ayiesha Woods) - Single (independent)
Mountains in the Sea You Never Fail (feat. Emily Guy) - Single [DREAM]
Seph Schlueter Already On The Way (feat. Benjamin William Hastings) - Single [Provident]
Tomb Slayer The Christmas Lamb (feat. Khristian Dentley & Sarah Whittemore) - Single [Tomb Slayer]
The Undertaking! All Smiles - Single (independent)

VINYL
Clear Convictions Endure [Resuscitation]


For all release dates, click here!
 

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase!
Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images