Reviews by Jack L. Kennedy

It is often difficult to find the right words, written or oral, when you are under stress or need to comfort others. One recent inspirational book has done that, however, with sensitivity and often with a touch of humor by blending real-life touches into her writing.

A road to support is taken by Carol Round. She is a retired Jay High School journalism teacher residing in Claremore, OK who has written local newspaper columns for years. Her immensely popular book, "A Matter of Faith" (Creative Expressions, Claremore), is filled with what it calls "inspirational takes on life's joys and surprises." Its approach is similar to that of Forward Day by Day, The Upper Room, or other inspirational guides.

Each offering has a relevant, recent, everyday-life springboard. "News Matters More Than Ever," for example, tells of when she saw that line on a billboard. A lot of the daily news is disturbing, Round notes, and no one is immune to disasters or war. "We can't drive away from the bad news," she says, but we can recognize good news, goodness in others, hope, faith and other supports in life.

Another piece, "A Direct Line to God," suggests we expect too much too soon. Round wonders how it would sound if modern telephones and off-putting technology were married to theology. Want to call for help? Press 1 for a prayer request and later Press 4 to speak to a customer service representative--but hey, God is busy, so the wait may be a decade. Other contributions in the thin book are equally touching and humorous, and require no commitment to a particular theological style to enjoy.

Our words do not have to be perfect, the author says with considerable sensitivity---but we all need to take time to show others we care, and have faith.

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Our book review editor Jack L. Kennedy has written about education issues for decades in the Wichita Eagle, Lincoln Journal, New York Times, London Times, Chronicle of Higher Education, Executive Educator, Education USA and Education Week, among other publications. A former high school, junior high and university teacher, he has been president of the international Education Writers Association, recently developed a crisis reaction plan distributed internationally by Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, and currently works one-on-one with writers.