This book came at a time I really needed it from Thomas Nelson Publishers. It was my first book I reviewed, and God's timing was right on. I have like most teenaged girls dealt a lot with self image. Jenna put so much in perspective for me. I have a fresh view of who I am, through my eyes and the eyes of my heavenly Father.

Jenna Lucado, daughter of Pastor and author, Max Lucado creates an amazing devotional for young girls (I'd recommend between the ages of 12-17). Two of my daughters, ages 16 and 12 will benefit greatly from this devotional guide. As a mom of three daughters ages 16, 12 and 9 we have had some pretty intense discussions, and at times, I have been at a loss of how to effectively communicate with them. Jenna Lucado has a style that is comfortable, trusting and helps yield discussion on many of the issues and topics that preteens and teenage girls deal with every day. Jenna Lucado is sincere and sensible as issues are addressed such as: friends, boys, makeup, the mirror, practical tips, and to top it off, it is filled with scripture, notes from Jenna's dad, Max and she pens this as if she and the reader are best friends! This devotional has room in to jot notes, fill in blanks and more importantly, allows the reader to dig deeper and to journal the journey! Although I am not preteen or a teenager any more, this book is beautifully written and should be curriculum for Middle School and High School (girls) Youth Groups! I love how Jenna shares her heart and her vibrant passion for Christ with us all. Redefining Beautiful helps us all look at God's creation (me...and you) and helps us to see that what He has created is Beautiful! I must say, I wish I had this book when I was going through my preteen and teenage years. I cannot wait to share it with my daughters and remind them a promise that Jesus said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5 Please note: I write reviews for Nelson Publishing Company.

Imagine you're at summer camp as a teenager (or tween). You don't want to leave because you've had a great time, learned some awesome things and had an amazing camp counselor. Your counselor, although just a few years older than yourself, has listened to what you're going through, shared how she got through it and gave the best advice that wouldn't be heard from any other venue. She she's super cool. Meet Jenna Lucado and Redefining Beautiful.Jenna, with some help from Daddy Max Lucado, shares her heart on everything from not fitting in, figuring out who you are, boyfriends, disappointments and seeing yourself as God sees you beautiful. She focuses on relationships; your relationship with God and your relationship with your Dad, and how that influences the other relationships in your life. I'm now reading this book with my 11 year old girlie, who may just be a little bit under the target age range for this book, but she gets most everything Jenna is talking about.I do recommend Redefining Beautiful for those young ladies maybe in the 13-17 age range. Your young lady will feel like she's at summer camp with a truly amazing camp counselor and walk away understanding what true beauty is and where it comes from.DISCLAIIMER: I did receive this book for free in exchange for providing my thoughts, positive or negative, (review) on this blog.

Women of all ages will find this book "a keeper" and willneed extra copies to give. My daughter and granddaughter found this to be true also.

Designed as an easy read for teen-aged girls, Redefining Beautiful takes an uplifting view of the issues most important at that age: boys, beauty, fashion, popularity, and the struggle for self-esteem that attempts to undermine any success with any of the above. Interspersed with snippets of Bible stories as well as inspirational insights from Max Lucado, this book brings a three-pronged approach to life as a Christian teen girl searching for acceptance in a world that tells her she will never belong. Recognizing that the self image of any girl is largely based on her relationship (or lack thereof) with her own father, the book points the reader toward the acceptance and unconditional love of a heavenly father. With this as a background, the author stresses the changes a true relationship with God makes in both the inward and outward appearance. My favorite tips include the creative use of Vaseline as a beauty accessory and allowing Facebook to identify the depth of the readers own bond with God. The closing chapter invites the reader to dig deep into their own past to put in writing what she may want for her future, promising that the end of the story is always best written by God himself. Girls of any age need this reminder from time to time. Therefore, this book comes highly recommended.