Only You, Sierra

A sixteen year old returns from a mission trip overseas to start a new life with her family in Portland, OR. On the way home she meets a man in the airport who is connected to her by a string of coincidences.

Meanwhile, in Portland, Sierra is having a hard time adjusting to her new school. As she struggles to make friends and adjust to her grandmother's deteriorating mental condition, Sierra draws near to God. Walk with her as she learns to trust God and get over her own fears.

This book was alright. I might have liked it more if I was fifteen or so. I just find it a bit gross that the whole book is focused on a sixteen year old's obsession with finding a boyfriend. Girls are already bombarded by our society with the message that they are show more only valuable if a man finds them attractive. It would be nice if Christian girls didn't get that same message from their own literature. The last thing a sixteen year old needs is a nineteen year old boyfriend. Gross. show less

I read both the Christy Miller series and the Sierra Jensen series when I was in junior high and early high school. I read them and re-read them and at 13, Robin Jones Gunn was probably my favorite author. I decided to re-read the first book in each series as an adult and it was such a treat. It was like returning to my adolescence for a moment.

After spending time on a mission trip in Europe, the free-spirited Sierra returns home to finish high school. The only problem is that home is no longer where she left it. Her entire family moved to Portland, Oregon and now Sierra must adjust to a new town and school.

Her preppy sister is fitting in, as are her younger brothers, but after her time away she can’t seem to find her footing. To show more top it off, the great guy she met on the plane on the way home seems to be popping up in her new life, but always at the wrong moment.

If I’d read this series for the first time now, I’m sure I would have a completely different view. She is so innocent and she’s worried about all the silly things most teenagers focus on: making friends, a boy she has a crush on, fitting in, etc. Her problems seem small in the big scheme of things. But the thing is, these books aren’t meant for adults, they’re for young teens and for that age, they’re a perfect fit. When you’re young your feelings seem like the most wonderful and awful things in the world. Reading about someone else who is going through the same things is incredibly reassuring. I’d definitely recommend these for anyone hoping to find a good series for young girls. show less

"Only You, Sierra" by Robin Gunn Jones is the first work of Christian fiction I have ever read, and I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I was surprised to see how prevalent Sierra's faith was in the story. The entire story revolved around Sierra waiting for "God-things", or events caused by the creator that were meant to lead Sierra to something.

As a mother, I found this to be a great story. Sierra is a very polite, moral young lady who is not afraid to follow her heart. Her relationship with her parents is very open and adult, with both sides willing to listen to each other and compromise. Sierra definitely thinks about her actions and what effect they will or have had. More than once in the story, she admitted she was wrong and show more apologized. This character is one that every parent will wish they had.

The only part I was concerned about was Sierra's strong desire to have a boyfriend. For being a Christian novel, I was rather surprised that was the focus of the novel. However, I can recall my teen years and yes, my life revolved around boys. I really commend Jones on her ability to show something most teens worry about in a way that still puts the main focus on God.

One thing I did notice about the novel is that it was originally published in 1995, and it seems like Jones tried to do some minor updating. There are a few times when sentences about cell phones or emails look like they were added in at the last minute. This doesn't change anything about the story, but I found the lack of technology to be refreshing. So much of our lives today focuses on technology, it was nice to read about a family who likes to spend time together.

I would give this book 5 of 5 stars. Jones did a great job writing a story that focuses on real-world problems like dating and relocating that is also wholesome and entertaining. I would recommend this book to any Christian. show less

"Only You, Sierra" by Robin Jones Gunn is the first work of Christian fiction I have ever read, and I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I was surprised to see how prevalent Sierra's faith was in the story. The entire story revolved around Sierra waiting for "God-things", or events caused by the creator that were meant to lead Sierra to something.

As a mother, I found this to be a great story. Sierra is a very polite, moral young lady who is not afraid to follow her heart. Her relationship with her parents is very open and adult, with both sides willing to listen to each other and compromise. Sierra definitely thinks about her actions and what effect they will or have had. More than once in the story, she admitted she was wrong and show more apologized. This character is one that every parent will wish they had.

The only part I was concerned about was Sierra's strong desire to have a boyfriend. For being a Christian novel, I was rather surprised that was the focus of the novel. However, I can recall my teen years and yes, my life revolved around boys. I really commend Gunn on her ability to show something most teens worry about in a way that still puts the main focus on God.

One thing I did notice about the novel is that it was originally published in 1995, and it seems like Gunn tried to do some minor updating. There are a few times when sentences about cell phones or emails look like they were added in at the last minute. This doesn't change anything about the story, but I found the lack of technology to be refreshing. So much of our lives today focuses on technology, it was nice to read about a family who likes to spend time together.

I would give this book 5 of 5 stars. Gunn did a great job writing a story that focuses on real-world problems like dating and relocating that is also wholesome and entertaining. I would recommend this book to any Christian. show less

"Only You, Sierra" by Robin Jones Gunn is the first work of Christian fiction I have ever read, and I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I was surprised to see how prevalent Sierra's faith was in the story. The entire story revolved around Sierra waiting for "God-things", or events caused by the creator that were meant to lead Sierra to something.

As a mother, I found this to be a great story. Sierra is a very polite, moral young lady who is not afraid to follow her heart. Her relationship with her parents is very open and adult, with both sides willing to listen to each other and compromise. Sierra definitely thinks about her actions and what effect they will or have had. More than once in the story, she admitted she was wrong and show more apologized. This character is one that every parent will wish they had.

The only part I was concerned about was Sierra's strong desire to have a boyfriend. For being a Christian novel, I was rather surprised that was the focus of the novel. However, I can recall my teen years and yes, my life revolved around boys. I really commend Gunn on her ability to show something most teens worry about in a way that still puts the main focus on God.

One thing I did notice about the novel is that it was originally published in 1995, and it seems like Gunn tried to do some minor updating. There are a few times when sentences about cell phones or emails look like they were added in at the last minute. This doesn't change anything about the story, but I found the lack of technology to be refreshing. So much of our lives today focuses on technology, it was nice to read about a family who likes to spend time together.

I would give this book 5 of 5 stars. Gunn did a great job writing a story that focuses on real-world problems like dating and relocating that is also wholesome and entertaining. I would recommend this book to any Christian. show less

"Only You, Sierra" is book one in the Sierra Jensen series by Robin Jones Gunn. I was sent an ebook to review and I was able to read it from my phone while I was on the go.

After a mission trip in Europe, Sierra and her "new" friends regroup before heading back to the States. Here, we get to catch a glimpse of Christy and Todd (another YA series by Ms. Gunn) and find out what has happened since we last heard from them.

Meanwhile, Sierra is wondering when she will find "the one" for her and have a relationship like Todd and Christy's. She's also concerned because when she returns to the States, she'll have to adjust to a new home, school, and people because her family moved in with her ailing grandmother while she was gone.

At the airport, show more Sierra meets an interesting stranger and they end up on the same flights as they return to America. Having a very frank discussion about God and life, Sierra learns that her new friend Paul goes to college in the town just over from where Sierra will live.

When Sierra reaches her new home, she has to learn to adjust to all of the changes that have taken place and reconcile them with the changes that have happened to her on the inside. It's not an easy process, but progress is made.

I enjoyed reading this book. There were a few times that I was annoyed at Sierra because of her "attitude"--which is exactly the type of thing that annoys me in real life with the teens I work with daily.

My ebook did contain a lot of typos, but I'm sure that will be corrected with the re-release of the book. I also saw where a few things were added to try to update the book to make it relevant for teens today--asking for a cell phone, etc.--but they did not detract from the story at all. The ending was a bit short, but it definitely makes you want to grab book 2 to find out what happens next.

Overall, I liked this book and recommend it for teens--especially teen girls going into high school. Let me know what you think! Happy Reading! show less

Old Book Becomes New

Only You, Sierra, written by Robin Jones Gunn and published in 1998, has been released this year as an eBook. The eBook format on my Kindle had a few problems. Chapter headings appeared at the bottom of the page and some words were split in two (“ser vice” for example).

The story centers on sixteen year-old Sierra Jensen who is mature for her age. Her maturity, however, does not keep her out of trouble with her parents as she settles into a new community and her grandmother’s house. A new home, new school, and new semi-relationship with a college student keeps Sierra’s emotions in a constant tangle. The book ends without the happily-ever-after scene, but it is satisfying.

As I read the story, I found myself show more wishing Robin Jones Gunn’s books would have been available when I was a teenager. None of the books I read at that time reflected my Christian worldview. One of Ms. Gunn’s strengths is to model ways to cope with loneliness, insecurities, and change in a positive manner without being preachy. If you know a Christian girl between the ages of twelve and sixteen, I recommend buying this book for her, as well as Ms. Gunn’s other books. show less