Friends
in Need
Circle of Friends #3
N. J. Lindquist
 |
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. |
Reviews
Back Cover Excerpt
Reviews
Christian
Library Journal
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.
Provident
Book Finder, April 2001
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.
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, Reviewed by Debbie
Doane, 2005
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.
clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/weddingandromancewriters
shannond1965, 9/24/01
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.
Evelyn Gale, author © April 2001
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.
Faith
Today
Teens struggle with faith and friendship.
Catholic
Insight, 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.
Crystal
E. Miller, 2006
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.
Leslie
Kallen, April 2001
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.
Endorsements
"[One
of the characters] ends up in a wheelchair. [The] circumstances were
so real it brought back memories. Friends in Need is a good
read for teens faced with a friend in a wheelchair, or who use one
themselves." David Hudson, former editor of Relate
Magazine, a magazine for disabled Christians and those who care
for them
“You
articulated the grief process very well in the conversations that
take place on Glen and Lisa's visit to Phil. Excellent! Your books
are the best Christian fiction I have read in decades.” Marilyn
Yocum, writer and speaker
“Captures
the nature of friendship and what that means in this world of trials
and temptations.” Neil Anderson, author of The Bondage
Breaker, Stomping Out the Darkness, Discipleship Counseling
“Lindquist
taught school for a number of years, so she knows how teenagers think,
what problems they face, and how they interact with both each other
and adults..." Dennis Peterson, writer and editor
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.
Excerpt
Sometimes
you have no choice...
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....
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