Thursday, August 23, 2012

Book Review: Live to Give

It is time for another LitFuse Blog Tour... this one is for the book Live to Give by Austin Gutwein. 

I love books that I can hand to my teen to read, and I especially love books that are written by sincere, Christian male teens or young adults.  This book is that.

Connor keeps vanishing with my Kindle so that he can read more.  But then he keeps reappearing, because he just feels compelled to share what he is reading.

Well, let's do the publisher's synopsis:
Want to do something for God but don’t know what? Want to help others but don’t know who? Want to know what it is you’re really good at doing? Your gifts may feel small and insignificant. But God can use them to work a miracle!

Inspired by the biblical story of the feeding of the 5,000, "Live to Give" delivers a message of hope that we all have something to give. Written in the down-to-earth, candid voice of the gifted young man who as a kid founded a relief ministry that has saved and improved countless lives in Africa, "Live to Give" is the message that every teen needs to hear: You are more special than you know, and you can do big things.

Jesus proved that no gift is too small when He used five loaves and two fish to feed a crowd of thousands. And if no gift is too small, too ordinary, or too random, there is no limit to what the youth of today can accomplish!

A teenage philanthropist who has built a high school, two medical clinics, and a dormitory in Africa—all before the age of 16—Austin Gutwein shares how to take what may seem like the simplest of talents, gifts, and interests and use them for something Jesus can use to move mountains.
And take a look at this interview:



Connor's take:  "I love the analogies he uses, and how he is always quoting appropriate scripture.  Yet he still keeps throwing in all these personal bits, so I feel like I really know him.  It's almost like having a conversation, though I try to come out here and talk to you instead of talking to this gadget."

I asked Connor what ages he thinks this book is appropriate for, as I was thinking it would definitely be good for William (13) to read, and maybe Thomas (11).  Connor didn't hesitate.  He said, "This is good for all ages.  I think Trina [age 6] would be able to listen to it and benefit from it.  I think Dad would learn a lot."

Now, I'm not planning to read this aloud to my young elementary students, but I will be having my tween and young teen read it too.  I do think this is a book that every teen should read.

See what other people are saying about Live to Give.

And there is a giveaway happening very soon.  If we were to win, we'd give the book copies away to some young men at Scouts, and the donation would go to a nearby food pantry, as fighting rural hunger is Connor's hot-button issue.



Austin's new book Live to Give is about "Letting God Turn Your Talents into Miracles"! Celebrate with him by entering his "Get and Give" Campaign - you could win a Kindle Fire for yourself AND Litfuse will donate $250 to the charity of your choice!



One winner will receive:
  • A Brand New Kindle Fire with Wi-Fi
  • Five copies of Live to Give by Austin Gutwein
  • $250 donated on the winner’s behalf to the charity of their choice
Hurry, the giveaway ends on 8/25/12. The winner will be announced on 8/27/12 on the Live to Give Landing Page!



Just click one of the icons below to enter. Tell your friends about Austin's giveaway on FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.



Enter via E-mail Enter via FacebookEnter via Twitter

Disclaimer:  I received this book through LitFuse Blog Tour.  No other compensation was received.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own. 

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