SHINE A LIGHT TODAY. AKA: SALT
The Christian & Faith-Based go-to media review series that spotlights faith-driven books, films, and podcasts worth your time.

The Dead Sea Squirrels (Books 1-6)
The Dead Sea Squirrels is a series of children’s novels by VeggieTales co-creator and voice actor Mike Nawrocki. Following the misadventures of Michael and his two ancient squirrels, this book series provides good, Godly messages and unravels the Bible’s timeline in an approachable format for kids. Filled with delightful humor, relevant life lessons, and cute, appealing artwork, this series stands out among its peers.

Magnificent Mulligans: Dolphins in Danger
The Magnificent Mulligans: Dolphins in Danger is another outstanding middle-grade adventure novel written by Bill Myers. In this story, the Mulligans — two parents, eight children, and a whole park full of animals — encounter rogue dolphins, errant tennis players, hungry flamingoes, one giant cougar in a tiny airplane, and a variety of lessons on disobedience and its consequences. All of which are narrated by the delightful Winona, the family chimpanzee.

Magnificent Mulligans: What a Croc!
The fourth book of the Magnificent Mulligans series, What a Croc!, sees the Mulligan family racing around town to catch their wayward animals, all while battling against a supposed curse and preparing for an upcoming mayoral election. With a core message of trusting in God to work out all things for your good, the Mulligans must serenade irate elephants, corral hungry crocodiles, and hunt down…ghosts?

Smoke in the Air!
The Mulligan family is back for another messy and heartfelt adventure in Smoke in the Air! written by Bill Myers and published by Tyndale House Publishing. This third entry into the Magnificent Mulligans series is a red-hot disaster as a raging fire threatens the wildlife park. Split into teams, the family must race to protect each other and the animals under their care, learning important lessons about sacrifice, love, and salvation.

Lions, Elephants, and Lies
Lions, Elephants, and Lies is the second book of the high-flying Magnificent Mulligan’s series, written by Bill Myers and published by Tyndale Publishing House. The peril is turned up to 11 in Lions, Elephants, and Lies as the various Mulligan teams encounter the consequences of lying as Jessica and Janelle switch places at school while Dad, Nick, and Lisa all head to Botswana to help an orphaned baby elephant and encounter a team of poachers.

Leapin’ Leopards
Leapin’ Leopards is the first book in Bill Myer’s exciting, animal-packed adventure series, The Magnificent Mulligans. The Mulligans, a large family in charge of the 1350-acre Mulligan Wild Animal Park have their hands full with the birth of a baby giraffe, middle school fashion drama, and an escaped leopard name Freda. All these adventures lovingly transcribed to the reader by the wry-humored family chimpanzee, Winona.

Nova
Chuck Black’s first book of the Starlore Legacy series, Nova, is a fighter-pilot space opera for middle-grade to YA students. Crafted in the vein of Dune and Star Wars on the foundation of Biblical retellings, Nova promises great adventure and political intrigue, all wrapped up in a star-spanning, coming-of-age tale.

A Wrinkle in Time
Madeline L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time has long been held as a staple in middle grade science fiction and fantasy. A mind-bending adventure across the stars in an ultimate battle between obviously good and obviously evil, this story paints a beautiful and fantastical adventure for children of all ages.