Friends in Need

Opening the door carefully, I peered in. Smoke came straight at me. It looked as if the whole kitchen was on fire….

From somewhere beyond, I heard a faint call.

I had to go in.

All I remembered about fire safety was to get a wet rag to cover your nose if you have to go through smoke. But where did you get water when the fire was in the kitchen? I couldn’t even see the sink for smoke.

I heard a loud crackle as flames leaped up the window curtains and shot to the ceiling. No way I could get into the house through the kitchen.

I heard someone call out, “Help me! Please help me!”

“God, I need you!” I yelled, as I shut the door and ran back to the front of the house.

Once on the porch, I pulled off my jacket and using it to cover my head, ran full speed toward the low front window, twisting sideways as I hit the glass.

As I had hoped, the glass shattered, and I went through. But I hit the floor hard, and for a few seconds, I lay there stunned. Then I remembered where I was and jumped up. Tongues of fire were licking at the doorway between the kitchen and the living room. Smoke was billowing out.

It was at this point I realized I should have run to a neighbour’s and called the fire department….

 

Summary

Glen has found his life getting increasingly difficult. Now it spins out of control. While trying to complete his senior year at school, he also has to figure out how to treat his ex-girlfriend, who is now dating a former friend; encourage his best friend, who has become paralyzed from the waist down; find a way to avoid an annoying girl who just won’t go away; survive an unexpected relationship with his ex-girlfriend’s best friend; and protect himself from a series of disturbing events, including a form of hate-mail. In the midst of this tangle of relationships and frustrations, Glen learns that a hero is just an ordinary person who does what has to be done to help a friend in need.

 

Back Cover

Glen Sauten
He's learned to expect the unexpected, but what's happening now is beyond his wildest nightmares. And he still doesn't know what to do about…

Charlie Thornton
He thinks his won the rivalry with Glen, but has he? And why is he so anxious to be Glen's friend after stealing…

Nicole Grant
Is Charile Thornton really her Prince Charming or will she realize, as Glen believes, that Charlie is a phony? And what will happen to her friendship with…

Joyce Burgess
A momentary impulse brings Glena nd Joyce into a new relationship which distracts Glen from his worries about…

Phil Trent
Lost in his own problems, Phil seems to have given up hope. And Glen has no more idea how to help him than he does…

Marta Billings
She seems to think she belongs in Glen's life, but all he wants is to see the last of her.

In the midst of a variety of difficult relationships, plus actual harrassment by at least one unknown person, Glen Sauten learns that hero is just an ordinary person who does what has to be done to help a friend in need.

 

Reviews

"Friends In Need, third in the Circle of Friends book series, by N.J. Lindquist, contributes additional teenage conflict to Senior Glen Sauten's struggle to understand himself, his friends, and his growing relationship with God. Questioning his own and others' actions regarding friendships and relationships, he asks, "What is a real friend, anyway?" Glen helps his best friend, Phil-a paraplegic since his car racing accident-regain a sense of purpose and self-confidence leading to growth in friendship and maturity for both boys. Only after he becomes a hero, does Nicole, Glen's ex-girlfriend thanks to Charlie Thornton, realize that Charlie's rivalry with Glen was why he pursued her. Glen's growing dislike of disagreeable and antagonistic Marta, changes to concern when he prays for her and she reveals deep secrets that explain her attitudes. Lindquist paints characters and scenes that evoke tears and cheers. Her positive introduction of biblical fasting encourages readers to consider it. Coming to grips with your past, learning to forgive and growing in maturity and responsibility, all appear in the scriptural storyline. Although intended for a teenage audience (12-18) this book might well be enjoyed by adults of any age. Although part of a series, this book can be read as a stand-alone." Christian Library Journal

All teenagers have problems of one kind or another—self-concept, relationships, sometimes even tragedies—and they are all (at least to the teen experiencing them and at that particular moment) heart stopping and earth shattering. In that sense, the characters of Friends in Need are typical teens. In this teen/young adult novel, one such teenager helps his friends—and even a couple of his enemies—deal with their problems in a Christian manner and in the process learns a few valuable life lessons himself. The story moves well along a clearly defined plot: someone is sending Glen anonymous notes, and he’s trying to figure out who it is—while helping all of the other characters solve their problems. Although the story is told from the perspective of a boy, most readers will still undoubtedly be girls because the book is basically relationship oriented rather than action oriented. The plot teems with interpersonal relationships and problems, especially those of the boy-girl variety.…The Christian message in the novel is overt, not hidden or subtly “bootlegged.” Yet, the story isn’t “preachy.” It also deals tastefully and inoffensively with a situation of hinted sexual abuse. Provident Book Finder, April 2001

"If you attended public high school, you will identify with the characters in the Circle of Friends Book Series. As I grew up in small-town America, the books definitely took me back to those good old days of high school. You may not have attended a small high school as depicted in these books, but every school has these same characters. You remember them, the popular guy who has all the looks and charm, the pastor's daughter who isn't like other girls, the new rich kid in town who has everything money could buy, and just your ordinary majority.

These four books take you through the life of Glen and his friends. Glen is a guy who starts seeing the pastor's daughter for the wrong reasons, but his life is changed eternally because of it. His life has its ups and downs as he struggles with his new faith and old friends. In the back of the last of the four books, there are discussion questions that would be great for group study.

If your teen has never been to public school, maybe they wouldn't be able to identify with these characters, but everyone knows someone who isn't saved and can relate to the teenagers in these books. Maybe you know someone you or your teen just can't reach; one of these books may be the key to opening that door of communication. These books are a great tool for sharing your faith and would be a great addition to your home library or your church library." The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, Reviewed by Debbie Doane, 2005

"In the third book of NJ Lindquist's realistic Circle of Friends series featuring high school senior Glen Stauten and his friends, Glen continues his maturation process. He realizes that he has to take responsibility not only for his own life, but also for the well-being of his friends and family. Friends in Need is based on Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, which talks about our need to help each other in practical ways. The book continues the coming of age story of Glen Staunton, an oridnary high school senior who is experiencing his first break up, his first encounters with the challenges life can bring and his first attempts to follow what he believes to be God's will for his life. NJ Lindquist's novels for teens are ideally suited to be used as an outreach tool to introduce teens to Christ in a non-threatening way." clubs.yahoo.com/clubsweddingandromancewriters, shannond1965, 9/24/01

"Rating: Five Stars. Friends in Need is a young adult novel about a group of high school seniors who are faced with decisions concerning sex, absentee or overly demanding parents, peer pressures, betrayal, guilt, depression, love, loyalty and other problems of maturing to adulthood. The answers don't come any easier for these young friends than for the teens you know. What they learn is where to go to find the best solutions for today's tests and courage to face the uncertainties of the future….

Glen discovered several months ago that God loves him and wants to have a friendship with him. Not only has this new friendship changed Glen's life in a number of ways, but it has put him at odds with his friends, Phil, Lisa and Marta. His parents' concern about his new spiritual friends leads them to try to find out why Glen's so interested in church and the Wednesday night small group.

You'll just have to read this spellbinding novel to find out who the anonymous letter writer is and why Marta insists Glen must go with her when she visits her father and who is Glen dating now, Lisa? …. Marta? …. Joyce? …. Nicole? But don't even start this page turner until you have the time because you won't be able to put it down until you've finished it. Friends in Need is so fast paced though, you'll probably be able to read the whole two hundred eight pages in a half day. When you're finished you'll be satisfied for now, but anxious to find out what happens next in the lives of your new friends." Evelyn Gale, author © April 2001

"This vivid novel for teens presents relationships, struggles, and the search for love and for God. Real issues are dealt with, and Christian solutions provided." Catholic Insight, 2001

"By now you will be hooked into the relationships in this teen fiction book series that is so like the real issues with teens. What I didn't mention in the first two reviews in this series is that it is written in first person POV. This gives it such a personal feel." Crystal E. Miller, 2006

"Friends In Need tackles real issues, issues that matter to teens and young people, issues that matter to God. The reader who identifies with Glen Sauten will appreciate the real struggles Glen faces and the real solutions Christ provides as he learns to trust God for the answers. It's a very engaging story and an easy read." Leslie Kallen, April 2001

Read Chapters 1-3 of Best of Friends