Author: Rusty Whitener
Publisher: Kregel Productions
About the Book: In 1971, Zack is just a 12-year-old boy dreaming about his last season of Little League and the chance to maybe win the championship game. The Robins were a good team, but they weren't All-Stars like the Hawks. But then along came Rafer.
Zack first saw Rafer just leaning against a tree at the edge of their practice field. He was sitting so stiff and so still that Zack wasn't sure he was even alive. He spoke very few words, but it was soon apparent that he wanted to hit the ball too. Zack tried to take it easy on him, but Rafer wanted the pitches to be real fast. He showed them he could really hit the ball. They brought him to try-outs the next week and even though he didn't get to really show what he could do, the coach took Zack and his friends' word and put him on the team.
Over the course of the story we learn that Rafer is autistic. He says very little, but sees much - and his words hold much meaning.
Donnie is Zack's best friend and a pastor's son. He invites the whole team to church the beginning of the season, and this sparks curiosity in Zack. He is pretty sure that his Dad doesn't believe in Heaven and Hell, but isn't sure where his Mom stands on the whole thing. Zack does have a big heart though, and quickly becomes Rafer's protector, friend, mentor. Rafer slowly begins to change as the season progresses and helps the Robins to start a winning season.
There are many lessons to be learned in this book and I think each person who reads it will take away the one that is most important to him/her. There is much talk about grace and the forgiveness of sins, and this is the most important message. I like it because it is from a boy/man's point of view. So many times those books about grace are about women and are all touchy-feely. This would be a great book to give to a young man who is a non-believer or is riding the fence.
Read the first chapter of A Season of Miracles.
About the author: Rusty Whitener is a novelist, screenwriter, and actor. His first screenplay, Touched, won first runner-up for the Kairos Prize at the 2009 Los Angeles Movieguide Awards and first place at the Gideon Film Festival. That screenplay soon became A Season of Miracles. The movie version of this book is now in production with Elevating Entertainment. Find out more at http://www.rustywhitener.com/ and http://www.aseasonofmiracles.com/.
~I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kregel Publications in exchange for my review.~
Publisher/Publication Date: Kregel Publications, Aug 2010
ISBN: 
978-0-8254-4191-2
978-0-8254-4191-2271 pages
1 comment:
Kristi-
Thanks so much for this wonderful, sincere review of my book, “A Season of Miracles.” It means a lot to me that the book spoke to you, though you're not a baseball fan. I wanted it to be about how we can find love and grace in people who are different, and you encourage me to consider I may have succeeded on at least some levels. Blessings on you!
Your fellow bookworm,
Rusty Whitener
www.aseasonofmiraclesbook.com
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