Piercing Proverbs

July 1, 2002
Gr. 7-12. The book of Proverbs may seem unlikely fodder for teen readers: the verses are quaint, archaic, and often cryptic. Even so, some hit the bull's-eye with their relevancy. In his examination of these ancient writings, Carlson invites teens to ponder distinctions between wise people and fools: fools don't think they need advice; fools give full vent to anger; and a fool is like the dog that returns to its vomit. Using the New Living Translation, Carlson paraphrases the Scriptures and then clearly applies them to familiar circumstances and relationships--family, money, etc. The proverb "Fires go out for lack of fuel and quarrels disappear when gossip stops" may sound like a quote from someone's great-grandmother, but the words might just make teens stop and think.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2002, American Library Association.)