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From Sadie's Sketchbook #2
Flickering Hope
Can You Ever Trust the Enemy?Things finally seem to be falling into place for Sadie. Bear season is over, and her relationship with her art teacher is on the mend. Her home life is going better than ever, and even her enemy, Frankie, wants to be friends. But can Frankie be trusted? Ruth and Andrew think she’s spying for her father, helping him find a way to capture Sadie’s favorite bear. But Sadie suspects something else is going on with Frankie. She must decide who to trust and find out if―and how―her growing faith can get her through.
208 pages, Paperback
First published November 8, 2011
2 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Naomi Kinsman
26 books32 followersNaomi Kinsman is the author of Spilled Ink (winner of the 2009 Moonbeam Gold Medal for Educational/Activity book) as well as the From Sadie’s Sketchbook series (Zondervan). She has written and directed over 50 plays for young audiences, and has written for Highlights, Spider and Devozine magazines.
As founder of the Society of Young Inklings, Naomi shares her passion for writing and creativity with young people across the country. Society of Young Inklings offers game-based classes, unique resources, national club membership and publishing opportunities for young writers. Naomi has a BA in Theatre Arts from Seattle Pacific University, has studied theatre with the Piven Theatre Workshop and ACT, and has an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Hamline University.
She is the Regional Advisor for the San Francisco South chapter of SCBWI. Naomi lives in Northern California with her husband, and identically colored pets: a tuxedo cat and a Portuguese Water Dog.
As founder of the Society of Young Inklings, Naomi shares her passion for writing and creativity with young people across the country. Society of Young Inklings offers game-based classes, unique resources, national club membership and publishing opportunities for young writers. Naomi has a BA in Theatre Arts from Seattle Pacific University, has studied theatre with the Piven Theatre Workshop and ACT, and has an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Hamline University.
She is the Regional Advisor for the San Francisco South chapter of SCBWI. Naomi lives in Northern California with her husband, and identically colored pets: a tuxedo cat and a Portuguese Water Dog.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 20, 2012
Sadie sets off to check on Patch. She knows Frankie's dad, Jim, wants to get rid of Patch, so she has to be careful and cover her tracks. Jim thinks Patch is a problem to be taken care of, but Sadie thinks of her as a pet.
While she is out there, she runs into a young girl. Her family is living in a shack in the woods. The girl swears her to secrecy or she will expose Patch. Secrets have a way of coming out.
She loves visiting Helen and Andrew. Helen studies the bears. Sadie likes Andrew, she has a crush on him.
Secrets. Andrew's secret. Frankie's secret. Frankie is her enemy or is she? Does she want to be friends?
The girl in the woods says everything will be great if they find the bear. My bear?
Won in a Goodreads First Read Giveaway. A children's book. Picked it up to read because the cover and title made it look like a fun, easy read. A short book to just relax with and enjoy a fun romp through Sadie's mind. I could just imagine what the gravy looked like with all the different food colors added - olives on their fingertips, playing as if they were finger puppets. A nice story about a girl questioning life's reasons, God, friendship, faith. Fighting for what she believes in and never giving up.
I could feel empathy with the characters and thought the story covered the problems and confusion that all kids go through. It was well written and the story is something that kids can relate to.
All the wonderful things that involve the holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Does it bring back memories? The gift of giving, friendship and loyalty.
Flickering Hope Naomi Kinsman
While she is out there, she runs into a young girl. Her family is living in a shack in the woods. The girl swears her to secrecy or she will expose Patch. Secrets have a way of coming out.
She loves visiting Helen and Andrew. Helen studies the bears. Sadie likes Andrew, she has a crush on him.
Secrets. Andrew's secret. Frankie's secret. Frankie is her enemy or is she? Does she want to be friends?
The girl in the woods says everything will be great if they find the bear. My bear?
Won in a Goodreads First Read Giveaway. A children's book. Picked it up to read because the cover and title made it look like a fun, easy read. A short book to just relax with and enjoy a fun romp through Sadie's mind. I could just imagine what the gravy looked like with all the different food colors added - olives on their fingertips, playing as if they were finger puppets. A nice story about a girl questioning life's reasons, God, friendship, faith. Fighting for what she believes in and never giving up.
I could feel empathy with the characters and thought the story covered the problems and confusion that all kids go through. It was well written and the story is something that kids can relate to.
All the wonderful things that involve the holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Does it bring back memories? The gift of giving, friendship and loyalty.
Flickering Hope Naomi Kinsman
May 25, 2019
This is a mini ‘Books For Christian Girls’ review. It is not a full content review and will not receive one. These mini-reviews are years old and just for clarity on the rating the book received on Goodreads.
5/3/2015-
“While I enjoyed this book more than the first book, it was a little corny at times and I wasn't a fan of all the crushes, but it ended cute.”
*Main Content-
Many, many, many mentions of hunting, guns, & dead bears (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of Frankie's parents being separated; A bit of sarcasm; Minor cussing (dumb, sheesh, and stupid).
Many mentions of who-likes-who, like-liking a boy, & going out with a boy; Many mentions of boys & getting gifts for the one you like; Mentions of crushes, flirts, & kissing noises.
5/3/2015-
“While I enjoyed this book more than the first book, it was a little corny at times and I wasn't a fan of all the crushes, but it ended cute.”
*Main Content-
Many, many, many mentions of hunting, guns, & dead bears (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of Frankie's parents being separated; A bit of sarcasm; Minor cussing (dumb, sheesh, and stupid).
Many mentions of who-likes-who, like-liking a boy, & going out with a boy; Many mentions of boys & getting gifts for the one you like; Mentions of crushes, flirts, & kissing noises.
June 24, 2012
How can Patches be saved? She and her bear cub yearlings are hibernating for the winter season in a cave. Andrew's mother is doing research on bears for the DNR. Andrew's friend, Sadie, whose dad is helping with the research, tries to help as much as she can too. She has great concerns about the life of Patches.
There are people out there that either want to kill the bear or have it caught and put into captivity somewhere. Much to the chagrin of Sadie and Andrew, they discover that a family is living in the old shack in the woods and are on the look out for Patches and her cubs. This came about after Sadie met up with an 8 yr. old girl while they were out checking on Patches. She told Sadie "don't tell or we will kill the bear". Sadie didn't know what that meant at first. Apparently, the family had been living out of a car until recently when the owner of the shack told them they could live there and the place would be theirs if they found the bear. So now a different outlook on things came about. The family was poor and needed a home, but at what expense?
Now Sadie and her friends had to come up with an idea to save Patches and to help this homeless family. The owner of the shack was not to be reckoned with as he wanted to really capture that bear, but the DNA wouldn't let him. There were steps that were taken to prevent this from happening thanks to Sadie and her friends.
What can Sadie and her friends do to help this homeless family and also to help Patches and her cubs? This is a wonderful story of friendship, love, faith and hope.
I was the recipient of this free book through the Goodreads First Reads giveaway. I really enjoyed this book as well as other will, I am sure. Thank you Goodreads and Naomi Kinsman.
There are people out there that either want to kill the bear or have it caught and put into captivity somewhere. Much to the chagrin of Sadie and Andrew, they discover that a family is living in the old shack in the woods and are on the look out for Patches and her cubs. This came about after Sadie met up with an 8 yr. old girl while they were out checking on Patches. She told Sadie "don't tell or we will kill the bear". Sadie didn't know what that meant at first. Apparently, the family had been living out of a car until recently when the owner of the shack told them they could live there and the place would be theirs if they found the bear. So now a different outlook on things came about. The family was poor and needed a home, but at what expense?
Now Sadie and her friends had to come up with an idea to save Patches and to help this homeless family. The owner of the shack was not to be reckoned with as he wanted to really capture that bear, but the DNA wouldn't let him. There were steps that were taken to prevent this from happening thanks to Sadie and her friends.
What can Sadie and her friends do to help this homeless family and also to help Patches and her cubs? This is a wonderful story of friendship, love, faith and hope.
I was the recipient of this free book through the Goodreads First Reads giveaway. I really enjoyed this book as well as other will, I am sure. Thank you Goodreads and Naomi Kinsman.
May 16, 2012
Flicking Hope is the second book of the Sadie's Sketchbook series. Sadie, after moving from California is adopting her life to Michigan. She is also relieved that bear season is over. The bear, Patch, that her parents are studying under a grant, is safe and hibernating for the winter, until a family moved into an abandoned shack.
Sadie and her friends Ruth and Andrew are worried that Patch might be discovered, bringing Jim Paulson, hot on her trail to kill her.
Sadie couldn't figure out why Frankie who was mean and nasty to her when she first come to Michigan is suddenly nice to her. Sadie wasn't even sure is Frankie can be trusted with Path since Frankie is Jim Paulson's daughter.
Frankie also have her own reason for being nice. Sadie discovered one of the reason that Frankie is being nice is that she has been abandoned by her friends. Her friends think that Frankie is being a big shot due to a possibility that she will move to New York.
This book is about adolescents trying to help with the best intention may make several mistakes before they realized that by helping each other may accomplish more than doing the task by themselves and placing their faith in God's hands.
Sadie and her friends Ruth and Andrew are worried that Patch might be discovered, bringing Jim Paulson, hot on her trail to kill her.
Sadie couldn't figure out why Frankie who was mean and nasty to her when she first come to Michigan is suddenly nice to her. Sadie wasn't even sure is Frankie can be trusted with Path since Frankie is Jim Paulson's daughter.
Frankie also have her own reason for being nice. Sadie discovered one of the reason that Frankie is being nice is that she has been abandoned by her friends. Her friends think that Frankie is being a big shot due to a possibility that she will move to New York.
This book is about adolescents trying to help with the best intention may make several mistakes before they realized that by helping each other may accomplish more than doing the task by themselves and placing their faith in God's hands.
September 19, 2013
With great wit, insight and passion, Naomi Kinsman ushers Sadie (and her readers) through another crazy couple of months in her young life. This book ended up being my favorite in the entire series so far. I really enjoyed the changes that happened in Sadie’s world at this point and how she handled them. I also loved the way that the story played out. The various mysteries in this one were interesting and it was fun to watch Sadie wade through them.
Though this book was fun and had a lot of lighthearted moments, it would be hard to ignore Sadie’s struggles. With a mom who isn’t really healthy and some serious situations that could be life threatening, these books pack a powerful punch. Unlike the ‘teenage angst’ that is so popular in many other YA books, the drama and chaos here is more realistic and down to earth. I think that a lot of teenagers will be able to identify with the overwhelming anxiety and stress involved in a lot of Sadie’s circumstances.
Again, another knock it out of the ballpark adventure from Naomi Kinsman! Even as an adult I was engaged and I loved being able to share that joy of a book with my daughter. We both enjoyed this one tremendously.
This was provided by the publisher for the purpose of a review. Thank you!
Though this book was fun and had a lot of lighthearted moments, it would be hard to ignore Sadie’s struggles. With a mom who isn’t really healthy and some serious situations that could be life threatening, these books pack a powerful punch. Unlike the ‘teenage angst’ that is so popular in many other YA books, the drama and chaos here is more realistic and down to earth. I think that a lot of teenagers will be able to identify with the overwhelming anxiety and stress involved in a lot of Sadie’s circumstances.
Again, another knock it out of the ballpark adventure from Naomi Kinsman! Even as an adult I was engaged and I loved being able to share that joy of a book with my daughter. We both enjoyed this one tremendously.
This was provided by the publisher for the purpose of a review. Thank you!
March 26, 2012
I would like to give the book another half-star if Goodreads would only let me. It was good.
I felt the author did an adequate job of making this sequel a stand-alone novel, but a few more tie-ins and explanations would have been great. I enjoyed the religious aspects. The author was not heavy-handed, nor did she promote a particular denomination, so it's a good read for most kids.
The bear research grabbed me from the start because I work at a zoo, and our area has a bear rescue program that does phenomenal work. The one part that bugged me was that the researchers in the novel were overly friendly with the bears, in that they fed and touched them. The kid who played a villain for most of the book was actually right. They are wild animals, and they should be treated as such.
I would like to have seen a few more loose ends tied up. There were some bits that played heavily in the story line that sort of dropped away quietly.
All in all, this novel was a nice read. Here's a nitpicky thing. I don't like the cover at all. It looks like a teen fluff romance novel. I don't read blurbs on books because I don't like spoilers, and this cover would scare me away.
I felt the author did an adequate job of making this sequel a stand-alone novel, but a few more tie-ins and explanations would have been great. I enjoyed the religious aspects. The author was not heavy-handed, nor did she promote a particular denomination, so it's a good read for most kids.
The bear research grabbed me from the start because I work at a zoo, and our area has a bear rescue program that does phenomenal work. The one part that bugged me was that the researchers in the novel were overly friendly with the bears, in that they fed and touched them. The kid who played a villain for most of the book was actually right. They are wild animals, and they should be treated as such.
I would like to have seen a few more loose ends tied up. There were some bits that played heavily in the story line that sort of dropped away quietly.
All in all, this novel was a nice read. Here's a nitpicky thing. I don't like the cover at all. It looks like a teen fluff romance novel. I don't read blurbs on books because I don't like spoilers, and this cover would scare me away.
March 25, 2012
Naomi Kinsman has written a cute and hearfelt Christian novel that takes you on the journey of a young girl and her friends in a quest to save bears that they have become attached to. This book has everything a young girl could want from friendships being tested, friendships being made, the need to save what you love, and the idea that doing the right thing isn't always the easy thing to do. There is only one thing that I think could've been done better and that is introducing the characters and situations from the previous book. This is a sequel and I understand that, but at this reading level it would be good to give a little more information on what happened in the previous book. I don't believe this a sequel that you can pick up and know what is going on. This was a cute book and I look forward to passing it on to the middle grade readers at my church.
*I received this book through Goodreads First Reads Program
*I received this book through Goodreads First Reads Program
March 6, 2012
Sadie's story continues with another good addition to the series. Her first Thanksgiving and Christmas season in Michigan brings surprises: growing relationships, a former enemy (Frankie) who suddenly is friendly, a homeless family squatting in a cabin near the hibernating bears, and even a mysterious Christmas present from a "secret Santa." The ending of the story brings the various plot threads together when Sadie realizes the dangers to the bears she loves. As in the first book, Sadie reflects on God's presence and influence in her life.
March 22, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. I won it for my girls ages 12 and 8. I read it first, and felt very comfortable having both of them read it. There were a few grammar errors, but overall a very enjoyable book. It is nice to have books that young girls can read, and as a parent not have to worry about it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2012
I received this book free through Goodreads. I had no idea what to expect and was very pleasantly surprised. I loved it! I don't want to give away any of the plot but I will agree with the other reviewers that the presence of God is felt. There is a moral to the story without being too preachy or weird. Highly recommended!!!
June 17, 2012
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. I found this to be a wonderful book for young Christian girls. It teaches about friendships, faith, and growth. I can't wait for my daughter to read it. I believe it will teach her many valueable lessons and strengthen her faith in God. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!!
January 31, 2013
This would be a good book for a middle school student. It seemed like I should have read the first book before this one because it took me quite a few pages to catch on to the story that seemed to continue from the first book. I hoped my daughter (3rd grade) would be able to read this but I think it would be better for middle school. Thanks to Goodreads for my copy!
March 30, 2012
I really enjoyed the book. I won this book through Goodreads Giveway. I have already gave it to my daughter ( whose 13 to read) I really liked Sadie's character. I great book about friendship and God.
August 1, 2012
2nd in a series "Sadie learns about the nature of God and his love when she works to help save one of the local bears and becomes friends with her worst enemy." This is a charming story with a lesson to be learned. Young girls should love this story. I won this from Goodreads.
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February 19, 2020Originally posted: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2...
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February 19, 2012I won this book as a Goodreads First Read.
August 1, 2012
A good teenage girl Christian read. I won this book in a first reads free giveaway on good reads.
September 13, 2012
This is just a gem of a story. Really cute!
September 14, 2015
I really do love it, the end got me to that fifth star. I find it fun, exciting, thoughtful, and very relatable. I find Sadie's emerging faith and her struggles very real.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews