September 5

‘A good book is a good book’

Regarding diversity among children’s books, one of the most skilled YA novelists of the 20th century was Rosemary Sutcliff, author of the Carnegie Medal–winning The Lantern Bearers. She was severely disabled by childhood arthritis and some of her books feature disabled characters, but many do not. Her focus was on telling worthwhile stories.

Holly Johnson on Facebook

‘Classics for preschoolers’

Through homeschooling I discovered that abridged versions of books for younger children are an excellent way to introduce them to difficult content, especially Shakespeare and Don Quixote. When they get older, they can tackle the real deal in all its grandeur.

Katherine Powers on wng.org

For older preschool and younger elementary children, I have found Scribner’s Storybook Classics to be excellent. The series includes Kidnapped, Treasure Island, Robin Hood, and The Last of the Mohicans.

Cathy Shelton on wng.org

‘YA grows up’

I’m 36 and I love young adult books and children’s books, as well as Dickens, Austen, and Brontë. Readers love good, well-written stories, regardless of the target age group.

Ginny Crowe on Facebook

Many adults may read YA books for the same reason I do: to discern if a book is appropriate for my children and if so to be able to discuss it with them.

Marilyn Loftsgard on wng.org

‘An enhanced view of life’

We should not slow down in working to end abortion. Planned Parenthood nurtures students from an early age into the culture of casual sex and casual abortion. It’s rotten and needs to go.

Beth Nemati on wng.org

Janie B. Cheaney is right that “pro-life” does not end with the birth of the baby. We must also equip the children for a productive and fulfilling life in Christ and support the families of children with special needs, who are far more likely to be aborted.

Jim Craig / Richland Center, Wis.

This very divisive social issue, abortion, is part of a larger pattern on which both sides can agree: We need to address problems of poverty and ignorance that lead to unwanted pregnancies.

John Arnott on Facebook

‘A hot issue’

The biggest story might be the false narratives that permeate our culture: Global warming is a crisis, there is a war on women, evolution is a fact, most people are racist, and so on. Our elections revolve around solving these faux crises while those who tell the truth are endlessly vilified. We live in strange times indeed.

Rick Flanders on wng.org

Joel Belz was “puzzled” that readers responding to his question about dealing with homosexual customers seemed more worried about their rights than communicating effectively. I find this disturbing but not surprising. Too many Christian leaders emphasize maintaining and restoring the church’s influence, but for power, not service.

Elizabeth Kerr / Ontario, Calif.

As the baker, I would ask, “Were I to ask you to deny completely who you are, would you be able to do it? Nor can I. I’m sorry.” I’d then offer them a referral to another baker and call my lawyer.

Tom Allison on wng.org

‘War Room’

We saw the movie, and this review did not do it justice. It had a lot of humor and many places for tears, and it wasn’t preachy at all. The Kendrick brothers are getting better all the time.

John & Jan Trimble / Fulton, Mo.

I recommend this movie, but it’s a bit simplistic in suggesting our prayers will be answered as quickly and completely as they are in this movie.

Joni Halpin on wng.org

‘A league of his own’

NFL receiver Ryan Broyles is a wise man. Not many live within their income, let alone on a mere fraction of it.

Julie Michel Rudiger on Facebook

‘Christian crossroads’

Goshen College’s decision saddens but does not surprise me. Mennonite institutions of higher learning sadly have helped drive their denominations further and further into the religion of political liberalism and away from their Anabaptist roots. The Council for Christian Colleges & Universities is making a tragic mistake to lose soundly biblical members while retaining (even as affiliates) institutions such as Goshen and EMU.

Eric Beachy on wng.org

‘Service centers’

As a former city manager I found this article interesting, but it didn’t mention how a library’s outreach to homeless populations tends to repel existing patrons. The smell is particularly offensive. Libraries are looking for purpose in an electronic age, but it’s a poor use of taxpayer dollars.

William Carlson / Lincoln, Calif.

August 22

‘A tale of two museums’

I’m another homeschooler who visited the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago many times. My family did not shy away from grappling with the exhibits’ bold claims of the orthodoxy of macroevolution. When we consider the arguments of those who believe in theistic and macroevolution, we need to take God at His Word.

Chelsey McNeil on wng.org

Fantastic article. The cover headline says, “Question authority.” Let students question their parents, teachers, pastors, and elected officials, lest they learn to be minions. They should even question God. Job, Moses, and David did.

Mark Burton / Albuquerque, N.M.

‘Light preservers’

I’m not surprised that LED blue light can kill bacteria in food. Blue light also contributes to age-related macular degeneration. I tell my optometry patients to use filters and coatings to block blue light. For retinal health, bring back my incandescent lights.

Christopher K. Keats / Clearwater, Fla.

July 11

‘Blindsided’

This issue was quite the contradiction. Your Charleston shootings coverage was headlined “No room for hate” but “Blindsided” provided plenty of room for it. You’re dressing up hatred as faith, and you are not fooling anyone.

Larry Schultz / Springville, N.Y.

June 13

‘Gained in translation’

The vast majority of Chinese Christians are unaware that printed versions of the Bible, other than the government-approved CUV, are available. As a missionary in China I found some people struggled with the CUV so I found several simplified Chinese translations. I ordered copies online, even in bulk, and had no issues with the government. The Xinyiben, for example, was an excellent literal translation that corrects some mistranslations in the CUV.

B.W. / Columbia, Mo.

Corrections

The National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers produced the Common Core State Standards (“Testing the limits,” Sept. 5).

A letter from retired military officers had a total of 233 signatures by Sept. 1 (“Deadline Iran,” Sept. 19).

Derrick Good’s daughters attend schools other than Hillsboro High School in Hillsboro, Mo. (Quotables, Sept. 19).

Clarification

Zion Harvey was 2 years old when his hands and feet were amputated and 8 at the time of the transplant surgery (“Healing hands,” Sept. 5).

WORLD Around the World

Berlin Wall Submitted by Lauren Dunn

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