After her mother is killed by an explosion that also destroys her Vietnam village, four-year-old Kim is alone and afraid. Eventually, she is rescued by soldiers who bring her to an orphanage. Surrounded by the love of the couple who run the orphanage, the companionship of the children who live there, and her mother's promise, “I will always be with you,” Kim finds the strength and courage to survive. This picture book for older readers, based on a true story from the Vietnam War, portrays the hope that exists in even the most desperate situations. Poignant illustrations capture the perseverance of the human spirit and the power of kindness.

Always With You

Children's Books

VANDER ZEE, Ruth

Literature & Fiction

Eerdmans Books for Young Readers

Year after year, Eli watches the solemn lighting of seven candles at his family's celebration of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. On such a happy occasion, his parents and grandparents always seem sad, and Eli can't understand why. Then one year Eli travels to Eastern Europe to learn more about his family history. There, he learns how the candles represent his family's connection to the Holocaust in Lithuania, and how remembering his ancestors can help heal years of grief and shame. This powerful story, illuminated by Bill Farnsworth's sensitive brush strokes and muted palette, can be used as an introduction to World War II and the Holocaust, and will also remind young readers how they can make a difference in the lives of their families.

Eli Remembers

Sneider, Marian

A powerful story about racial tensions It's the middle of the Great Depression, but James William still enjoys his life in rural Mississippi. But his happiness starts to unravel when he discovers the fire that burned down the local preacher's house wasn't an accident, but a hate crime. When his friend LeRoy tells him about the Klan and their hanging tree, James William has a hard time grasping this harsh reality, until an unexpected encounter brings the issue close to home. A thought-provoking story of one boy's loss of naiveté, Mississippi Morning will challenge young readers to question their own assumptions and confront personal decisions.

Mississippi Morning

It is the winter of 1944. In Nazi-occupied Europe, a Jewish couple realize their fate is sealed and make a heart-rending decision so that their infant daughter might live. Ruth Vander Zee's elegant narration and Roberto Innocenti's searing and beautiful illustrations combine to capture the fear, love, and sadness of a Holocaust survivor's story.

Erika's Story

Creative Paperbacks

Woman Meets Jesus retells biblical stories of Jesus’ encounters with women such as the woman with a bottle of perfume, the woman who hemorrhaged for twelve years, and the woman at the well. Author Ruth Vander Zee describes how these life-changing encounters deepened her personal walk with Jesus—and how women today can experience spiritual renewal as they personally meet the Jesus who demonstrated astonishing compassion for women who were lonely, beaten down, discouraged, marginalized, and perfectionistic. Includes revealing sidebar notes and illustrations along with group or personal discussion questions. Read excerpts at the author's book website. THE AUTHORS 
Ruth Vander Zee is the author of four acclaimed children’s books: Erika’s Story, Mississippi Morning, Eli Remembers, and Always with You. Ruth is a captivating speaker whose gift for storytelling helps children and adults rediscover their love for others, themselves, and God. Visit her website (www.journey-of-faith.com) to share your thoughts about this book and to schedule her to speak to your group. Caryn Dahlstrand Rivadeneira (preface) contributes regularly to Christianity Today’s Her.Meneutics blog. Her books include Grumble Hallelujah: Learning to Love Your Life Even When It Lets You Down and Mama’s Got a Fake ID. She co-founded the Redbud Writers Guild near Chicago. Mary Albert Darling (foreword) teaches communication at Spring Arbor University and is co-author with Tony Campolo of Connecting Like Jesus and The God of Intimacy and Action. 
ENDORSEMENTS 
"Every woman will discover in Woman Meets Jesus the freedom to overcome bondage to religion and to live an honest, grace-filled faith." – Lis Van Harten, Director of Sustaining Pastoral and Congregational Excellence, Christian Reformed Church of North America, Grand Rapids, MI 
"This book is perfect for church groups to read and discuss, using the questions following each chapter’s wonderfully described encounters between Jesus and women." – Phyllis Balzer Pals, Adult Education Committee Chair, Plymouth Congregational Church, Coconut Grove, FL 
"The book captures God’s bountiful love for us and leads us to experience a lavishly grateful spirit in our own lives." – Kathy Klompeen, Executive Assistant to the President, Bastyr University, Bothell, WA 
"Deeply touched by the emotions that surfaced while reading these compelling stories, I realized that Jesus has a very special relationship with me and all women." – Myriam Zayas, RN, BSN, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology 
"Woman Meets Jesus takes my breath away. Jesus' compassion for women is as stunning today as it must have been 2,000 years ago." – Quentin J. Schultze, author of Communicating for Life and Here I Am 
"This book is for all who have struggled with being close to Jesus—and who wonder where they fit in as a Christian mother, daughter or sister. It gave me the courage to open the door to my heart so Jesus will continue to help me grow." – Sharon Molendyk, Bible study leader, Miami Florida 
"Each chapter is an eye-opening experience which helps me reflect on my life with a new set of spectacles custom fitted to my life as female." – Elsa Garcia, elementary school educator 
"Woman Meets Jesus showed my book group how Jesus’ love and compassion transformed the lives of women who were often rejected, abused, misunderstood, sick, and feeling worthless." – Christine Baird, Miami, Florida 
"I now realize the healing work of Jesus in my life is an ongoing process, not just a one-time dying for my sins, but a day by day healing of what drags me down." – Marina Hakkers, Miami, Florida

Woman Meets Jesus: How Jesus Encourages, Empowers, and Equips Women on Their Personal Journey of Faith

Religion & Spirituality

Christian Books & Bibles

Edenridge Press LLC

This action-study for junior high and high school students introduces the concept of spiritual gifts and helps teens identify "working gifts" (gifts they're using now) and "waiting gifts" (gifts they are developing but haven't used yet).

Discover Your Gifts Youth Leader's Guide: And Learn How to Use Them

Health, Fitness & Dieting

Psychology & Counseling

Faith Alive Christian Resources

Discover Your Gifts Youth Student Book: And Learn How to Use Them

A Jewish woman recounts how her mother was able to spare her from the horrors of the Holocaust as an infant.

History

Creative Editions

In the 1930s, as the entire United States contended with the effects of the Great Depression, dust storms raged throughout a portion of the country that had once been rich farmland. Depleted of their natural prairie grasses and farmed too harshly, eroded soils blew away as drought settled in. Like thousands of Americans during that time, Calvin and his family cling to hope as they wonder when "next year" will finally come. Ultimately, a choice will be made that will change the landscape of Calvin's family forever.

Next Year

L'histoire d'Erika

D'eux

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by VANDER ZEE, Ruth. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by VANDER ZEE, Ruth

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by VANDER ZEE, Ruth. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Always With You

Eli Remembers

Mississippi Morning

Erika's Story

Woman Meets Jesus: How Jesus Encourages, Empowers, and Equips Women on Their Personal Journey of Faith

Discover Your Gifts Youth Leader's Guide: And Learn How to Use Them

Discover Your Gifts Youth Student Book: And Learn How to Use Them

Erika's Story

Next Year

L'histoire d'Erika