Dana's Valley

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Appropriately, bestselling author Janette Oke and her daughter Laurel Oke Logan have written a novel about how one family struggled to overcome obstacles to faith.

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Bestselling novelist Oke is a mainstay in the Christian fiction market but, unfortunately, this newest offering, coauthored with her daughter, falls flat, despite a promising plot. Dana, a young teenager, is diagnosed with a terminal illness and her solidly Christian family deals with the resulting turmoil. Oke and Logan make a noble attempt to show that Christian families don't always enjoy rosy lives in the midst of suffering and affliction. A teen son strays, a younger child feels neglected and a sister struggles with bitterness toward God. Yet despite chapters of narration describing the family's daily life before the cancer wreaks its havoc, there is little character development. The book is wooden where it has the chance to evoke deep emotions. For example, when the siblings wait at the house for the call telling them Dana's bone-marrow transplant surgery is completed, sister Erin notes, "We were all a bit anxious." No kidding. There are a few sweet moments, including one in which Dana's little brother, Corey, chooses a spot for his tree where she can see it from her window. However, everything is wrapped up quickly, neatly and unbelievably in the end. After pages of bitterness over her sister's disease, we see the younger sister's attitude toward God changed in a few paragraphs. This passionless story falls short of other titles in Christian domestic fiction, including Oke's own work. (Apr.) Forecast: Oke's books have sold more than 20 million copies to date, so this will surely enjoy strong sales among her many fans. New readers, however, will likely be disappointed, and lackluster reviews won't drive many to the book in any case, hobbling the crossover ambitions for this one. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

VOYA

Despite its title, this book belongs to Dana's sister, Erin, who is ten when the book begins. Erin is the third of four children in a busy, happy, Christian family. She enjoys an especially close relationship with Dana, who is just fourteen months older. The first indications of trouble come when Dana is feeling excessively tired and continually seems to be getting sick. At first, she is diagnosed with lupus, but medication does not help. When the doctors finally discover that she has leukemia, the family's reaction to Dana's illness is realistic. The mother becomes totally absorbed in Dana's care, neglecting the other children, especially four-year-old Corey. The father is working longer hours to pay the bills. The older brother stops attending church and takes up with some disreputable friends. Erin struggles with her fear, resentment, and grief with growing maturity, although her Christian faith is sorely tested. The plot is predictable, and Oke and Logan takes their time in the telling. The lengthiness of the book gives the reader ample time to experience all of the family's changes as gradually as they occur. The family's Christianity is evident in its commitment to prayer, church, and the Bible, but the realizations the members receive from their faith are not exclusive to Christians. This book will be popular with good readers, especially girls who devour all the Christian literature that they can find. Readers who are not Christians but are fans of Lurlene McDaniel might appreciate the way Erin comes to terms with her sister's illness. VOYA CODES: 3Q 3P J S A/YA (Readable without serious defects; Will appeal with pushing; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High,defined as grades 10 to 12; Adult and Young Adult). 2001, Bethany House, 300p, $15.99, $11.95 Trade pb. Ages 12 to Adult. Reviewer: Diane Masla SOURCE: VOYA, February 2002 (Vol. 24, No.6)

Library Journal

Dana's Valley