It's a Green Thing: Maya: Book 2

By Melody Carlson

For the first time that she can remember, Maya Stark is beginning to feel like a “normal” teenager. Even with her mother in jail for drug possession and her pop-star father away on his comeback tour, Maya’s new life with her uncle Allen and cousin Kim is coming together. Summer vacation’s just beginning, and with a new job, a new boyfriend, and a new car (hybrid, of course), things are finally starting to look up.

But that doesn’t mean life is about to get any easier. Maya’s still devoted to living Green, and her uncle offers her a Green column in his newspaper. With the opportunity to make a difference in the town’s attitude toward the environment, Maya wonders how this fits with her newfound commitment to Christ. And if she can really consider herself a Christian when her feelings toward a fellow youth group member are anything but loving…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Apr 21, 2009
• ISBN: 9781601422637

Melody Carlson

Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books for teens, women, and children. Before publishing, Melody traveled around the world, volunteered in teen ministry, taught preschool, raised two sons, and worked briefly in interior design and later in international adoption. "I think real-life experiences inspire the best fiction," she says. Her wide variety of books seems to prove this theory.

Reviews for It's a Green Thing

[true54blue · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This story of the Nativity is based on the "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" poem. It uses imaginative rhyme to tell the story of Jesus being born in a stable. Kids love this story and it sticks close enough to the gospels to make parents happy as well.

[smilingsally · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Written in the form of a diary, this Christian teen novel will delight teenage girls. The protagonist, Maya, is a modern day Cinderella. Her alcoholic mother is in prison for possession, while her famous father is touring Europe with his band. She lives with her Uncle Allen and cousin Kim, who are still grieving over the loss of Kim's mother. Although it sounds grim, it's not; rather, it's upbeat and written in a flippant style.Maya wrestles with some interesting life questions. When the reader first meets her, she's a vegan and an environmentalist. In addition, she tackles dating, forgiveness, premarital sex, and the theme question: Since Christians are told to "love one another," is it okay for one Christian to not like another Christian? Caitlin, one of the youth leaders at church, acts as Maya's mentor and serves as her sounding board.Because she's deep into recycling, every chapter ends with Maya's Green Tip for the Day. A Readers Group Guide is included. This one is a thumbs up for any teenage girl you know.