Title: Salvation
Author: Michele Wallace Campanelli
Publisher: ThePictureBookPro
ISBN: 978-7-4304-4413-0
Pages: 33
Genre: Illustrated Children’s Book / Christianity / Bible / Social Issues
Reviewer: Beth Adams
Pacific Book Review
This book begins with Drake, a troubled teen with tattoos and an attitude, walking into a Bible study run by Ms. Smith. As Drake was the first one to attend, none of the other teens were there yet, so he had a chance to speak privately to Ms. Smith. Drake’s cousin, Frankie, was recently killed in a drug deal gone bad by certain gang members. “In the wrong place at the wrong time,” Drake said brushing off the tragedy, although still facing the emotions of missing his cousin.
Ms. Smith dives right into the Bible, John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only beloved son, so that those who believe in him shall have eternal life.” Drake believes Frankie was a bad person and would never go to Heaven, however Ms. Smith dismisses all of Frankie’s poor moral decisions as being forgiven if one puts his faith in Jesus. This part of the book was impressive, as Drake serially listed Frankie’s shortcomings: such as selling and using drugs on school property; stealing money from his grandmother; hitting his sister, and on and on. To each Ms. Smith replied with, “Forgiven.“
Salvation by author Michele Wallace Campanelli goes straight to the teaching of the Bible, showing in particular how Christ died for our sins. The highly saturated color illustrations are computer enhanced remakes of many images seen throughout Christian portraits. Most interestingly, having personally read this book during the Easter season, the resurrection of Jesus emerging from his grave and adorning the powerful light of eternal life are done very well, impacting the story with powerful images.
The moral of Salvation is how Bible teachings apply to the modern age of teenagers confronting new and diverse challenges such as drugs, school pressures, and most importantly gang assimilation. Drake learns a valuable lesson, that is to join the gang of good, faith, and love. Acceptance of his participation by the other Bible class students results in a positive message and a case-in-point for it being never too late to let Jesus into your life. Salvation is a wonderful book for faith-based family libraries, illustrating a pathway for eternal life through the love of Jesus. Michele Wallace Campanelli has written a special story that introduces children to the comforting message of God’s grace and the beauty of forgiveness.
