Never Ever Give Up

Reviewed by: Ceil Carey

Church: Community Christian Church, Yorkville, IL

Introduction

Title: Never ever give up: The inspiring story of Jessie and her JoyJars

Author: Erik Rees with Jenna Glatzer

Publisher: Zondervan

Publication Date: 2014

Format: Book

Length: 234 pages

OVERVIEW

Erik Rees tells the story of his daughter’s ten month battle with cancer and her loving spirit toward others during this ordeal. Jessie wants to help other kids with cancer and comes up with the idea of JoyJars, packages with toys, games and love to be given out in hospital wards. Although Rees is very sad, he is never maudlin, and tries to face the future trusting in the Lord. Jessie lost her fight in early 2012 but her message lives on in the Jessie Rees Foundation and with the over 300,000 Facebook fans that the author talks to every week. This is an inspiring book, the story will stay with readers for a long time just as Jessie’s message will.

ASSESSMENT

Rating (1 to 5)

4 out of 5

Suggested Audience

Adults and high school students

Christian Impact

Reading this book will demonstrate how we can reach out of ourselves in the midst of the worst of circumstances; we can think of others despite our own problems.

Ceil Carey is a retired public library professional, Christian book club leader and Co-President of ECLA.

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