Ken C. Johnson

Oh, Nick, I really feel ya in this story. Not that I'm an artist, not even close, but I definitely know what it's like to feel threatened by someone who comes along and seems to be better than you at something you felt was your strong point. Quite frankly, everything Nick feels here I have felt before, so this book hit me closer to home than most of the others in the series. The lesson Nick learns—to simply do your best and focus on using your talents and abilities in whatever way God has planned for you, rather than worry about comparing yourself to others—is a good one for everyone and even a good reminder for those who may have learned that in the past. Definitely one of my favorites in the series. McGee, Nick’s animated friend, isn’t as enjoyable on the page as he is on the screen, but I tend to just skim the all-animated sections now. These books may not be easy to find anymore, but if you do have the chance to read this book or procure it for an 8-10-year-old child, I recommend it.… (mehr)

This might be my favorite of this series so far, with the exception of the first one, which had a leg up with nostalgia. Like that first book, this one has a good emotional component, as Nick tries to stand up for a kid who is being bullied. Unfortunately, he has to learn that it takes a lot to shake people out of complacency (himself included). While he may not make all of the best choices and second-guesses his own responsibility in the situation, it's no surprise that, with some help from his wise parents, he makes the right decisions in the end. It's a good short story overall, though McGee, Nick's animated friend, isn't as enjoyable on the page as he is on the screen. These books may not be easy to find anymore, but if you do have the chance to read this book or procure it for an 8-10-year-old child, I recommend it.… (mehr)

Talk about reliving my childhood! As is the case with so many Christian children's video series that were around in the 90s (Last Chance Detectives, Superbook, The Flying House, etc.), my family owned only a couple of the McGee and Me! videos. Which means that the ones we did own were watched over and over, and I can now quote quite a few lines from each of them. This first book in the book series that came out around the same time as the videos is one of the titles we owned as a video, so I know it pretty well. And I remember how sad it always made me when Nick (the MC) came upon his Native American neighbor after his house had been vandalized. The book also does a good job of bringing out those emotions, as well as putting across the message that one little white lie can do a lot of damage. Though McGee, Nick's animated friend, isn't as enjoyable on the page as he is on the screen, this is overall a good short story full of heart. Though these books may not be easy to find anymore, if you do have the chance to read this book or procure it for an 8-10-year-old child, I recommend it.… (mehr)