Singsation

April 2, 2001
This second release from copublishers Warner Books and Walk Worthy Press makes a solid contribution to the limited pool of quality Christian fiction titles written for and by African-Americans. Deborah Anne Peterson sings hymns at her small hometown church, but envisions herself performing in much glitzier venues. A fortuitous encounter with rap star Triage Blue gives her a chance to break into the big time. As she climbs the ladder of success and wrestles with the temptations that go with it, she wonders—is this really what God wants her to do with her talent? The novel pushes the parameters of traditional Christian fiction with characters who have long discussions about underwear and thongs, engage in some French kissing and exclaim, "Oh my God!" The sexual situations aren't graphic, but they are more titillating than most CBA readers are used to, although noticeably toned down from Walk Worthy's first book, Temptation. The reader must sometimes suspend belief; in less than a year, Deborah changes from a country girl into a music star who performs at the Grammys. Another character's deathbed conversion is also less than satisfying. But the portrayal of Deborah's loving relationship with her parents is both touching and refreshing. This is a laudable effort to bring an African-American perspective and a slightly edgier tone into Christian fiction, while keeping the gospel message up front and center. (Apr.
)Forecast: An author tour of five Southern cities and carefully targeted advertising on gospel and Christian radio stations and in Black Issues and Essence will get the word out to a large and mostly untapped set of potential readers.

November 1, 2001
Adult/High School-Deborah Anne Peterson, a gifted 26-year-old African-American church soloist and police dispatcher, dreams of becoming a famous singer. She gets her big break when a successful rapper, Triage Blue, visits her hometown of Villa Rica, GA, and hears her sing at his grandmother's church. He quickly arranges an audition for her as a background singer for a popular recording artist in Hollywood. Deborah Anne gets the job, but soon realizes that it is harder than she imagined it would be to live a devout Christian lifestyle among her new friends and colleagues. However, she manages to make the right choices most of the time, and is a positive influence on others in the process. This novel is effective for teaching students ways to resist peer pressure. Deborah Anne demonstrates how to be a model Christian as well as a glamorous and popular entertainer despite the pressures, dangers, and temptations of the entertainment industry. Thomas includes the typical day-to-day routines that a background singer/dancer must adhere to and gives readers a real sense of the exhausting work as well as the exhilaration of performing for adoring fans. This novel successfully tells a fast-paced, engrossing love story while preaching Christian principles.-Joyce Fay Fletcher, Rippon Middle School, Prince William County, VA

Copyright 2001 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2001
\deflang1033\pard\plain\f3\fs24 Thomas' \plain\f3\fs24" Singsation\plain\f3\fs24 is the second entry of Warner Books' new Christian imprint, Walk Worthy. It's about the maturation of a young African American gospel singer, Deborah Anne Peterson. She's discovered in her backwater Georgia congregation by a hometown boy, Triage Blue, who's made good in the big world as a rapper and movie actor. Triage lines up Deborah as a backup singer with a rhythm-and-blues band, but Deborah knows her talent is for God's glory and is soon distressed by the compromises confronting her if she wants to succeed commercially. Thomas' story is entertaining but predictable, and never as convincing as Reid Arvin's \plain\f3\fs24" Wind in the Wheat\plain\f3\fs24 (1994), much the same story from the point of view of a young white singer.

(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2001, American Library Association.)

April 1, 2001
Singsation