Revolve 2010: NCV Revolve New Testament Biblezine 2010
Editor: Amy Weiner
Publisher: Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Audience: Teens
Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
I was excited when this book arrived. I was positive that my teen would love it, so I gave it to her to open and look over. She disappeared with it and that evening she came to me and said she read over the articles and was hugely disappointed. She brought the Biblezine out and we went over it together and she explained what she felt was wrong with it - and I was shocked with what she showed me.
The description on the website boasts "...this New Testament continues showing teen girls that the Bible is relevant to their lives." I had expected a flashy type magazine to catch a teen's eye, but with articles that would compliment the New Testament text that was on the page and maybe bring that text to something relevant to life today. What I discovered was a bunch of articles thrown in throughout the NT with no rhyme or reason. There were make-up tips, hair dyeing tips, fashion advice, guy tips... and nothing that would really enhance the Bible scripture on that page. I couldn't find any connection at all. The NT text is there as well as a few Bible notes, but I really doubt that it would be read. Featured on most pages are verses of
the Psalms in text lingo that my daughter felt was "horrible" and had no place or purpose at all.
My teen described "Revolve 2010" as "cheapening the Bible". She said if she wants a teen magazine, she'll buy one. If she wants something that helps her apply the Bible to everyday life, this isn't it. She stated matter-of-factly she won't be recommending this to anyone.
I, too, read over the articles and understand what she's talking about. I was so excited as a parent to find something I thought would appeal and be useful to my teen. Instead, I found something my teen found distasteful. Teens don't need something flashy or worldly - they want substance! Sadly, this just doesn't meet that bill.
I received this Biblezine through the Book Sneeze program in exchange for an honest review.
That's too bad. I'm a devout Catholic, and I would prefer to read the straight Bible text than some watered down, meaningless interpretation of what youth might want. Nice honest review though! :)
ReplyDeleteI've got this one to review too and I was so surprised by the extra content that I gave it to my Dad to look at for his opinion (he is a Sunday School/Bible study teacher). We both felt there was content that didn't really fit. When I was a teen I had this great teen study bible with extra articles throughout that really helped me. The articles were sometimes funny but they always always fit in with the scriptures in some way. I agree with you that Revolve doesn't work! Revolve has actually been around for a few years (I remember looking at an NIV version in 2005 or 2006) but I never really read it closely. They have one for teen boys and they have something similar for women. There were a few features that I did like (Facebook like profiles of different people in the Bible) but mostly it would be better on the pages of Brio and not in the Bible.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your honest review. I hope the publishers listen!
Great honest review. My review will come out next month
ReplyDeleteI have an award for you HERE
ReplyDeleteWow, I was the only one who liked it out of the bunch. Guess every teen is different. I have two and mine were ok with it. It did not for them spiritually, but at least they didn't through it away immediately.
ReplyDeleteTo each his own I guess.