Found in Translation: An unforgettable mission trip where faith, obedience, and forgiveness intersect (Altered Hearts) [Paperback]

Roger Bruner (Author), Kristi Rae Bruner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2011 | Series: Altered Hearts

Join spoiled eighteen-year-old Kim Hartlinger on a mission trip to a remote Mexican village where faith, obedience, and forgiveness intersect. This first novel in a brand-new series will challenge your faith and capture your heart as you get to know Kim and her new friends and witness their unforgettable journey.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Roger Bruner has written the kind of YA novel I want my daughter and granddaughter to read. It's true to the way real young adults today see the world, themselves, and God. -- Eva Marie Everson, Author of This Fine Life

Roger and Kristi Rae Bruner's debut novel, Found in Translation, is a charming and sincere commentary on racial sensitivity and interdependence. When I started writing years ago, I wanted to create real characters who, though imperfect, could navigate the minefields of race and prejudice with God's grace. Looks like the Bruners have the same goal. Way to go, Roger and Kristi Rae. -- Linda Leigh Hargrove, author of The Making of Isaac Hunt and Loving Cee Cee Johnson

Roger and Kristi Rae Bruner's characters capture your heart and leave you rooting for them. Teens will be entertained and challenged by this page-turning read, which shows what can happen when we surrender our will to God's. -- Stacy Hawkins Adams, bestselling Christian fiction author of The Someday List and Dreams That Won't Let Go

Book Description

When Kim Hartlinger—eighteen and spoiled—arrives on a mission trip to Mexico, she discovers to her chagrin that she’ll be doing construction in a remote village without plumbing and electricity, rather than evangelism in a medium-sized town with a McDonald’s. . . Will Kim be able to touch the villagers’ hearts with the Gospel? Or will her time in Mexico be up before she gets the chance?

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Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Barbour Books (January 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1602609616
• ISBN-13: 978-1602609617
• Product Dimensions: 1 x 4.9 x 7.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #611,254 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Roger Bruner worked as a teacher, job counselor, and programmer analyst before retiring at sixty-two to pursue his dream of writing Christian fiction full-time. Barbour Publishing released the first two novels in his young adult Altered Hearts series, Found in Translation and Lost in Dreams, in 2011. His agent is actively seeking homes for several of his remaining seven unpublished manuscripts.

A guitarist, bass player, and songwriter, he is active in his church's choir, praise team, and nursing home ministry. Roger also enjoys reading, photography, web design, mission trips, and spending time with his wonderful wife, Kathleen, and their two cantankerous cats. His new grandson, Robbie, isn't yet as cantankerous as the cats, but he comes from good stock and will undoubtedly rival the cats sooner or later.

Find out more about Roger at RogerBruner.com and enjoy some of his song lyrics at asicomesinging.wordpress.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Mission trip transformation January 19, 2011

By Mary Hake

Format:Paperback

Take a self-absorbed 18-year-old girl on a mission trip to an extremely remote Mexican village and you may have a recipe for disaster. Roughing it is not part of her vocabulary or lifestyle, yet Kim Hartlinger (appropriate name, don't you think?) surprises herself as she adapts and proves equal to the tasks God puts in her path. Found in Translation by Roger Bruner, written with his daughter Kristi Rae, found this reader excited to be along for the journey.

Each unique individual is believably portrayed--foibles, failures, fears, and finding the way. It's a story of growth and exploring relationships as well as the maturing process. But don't think it's all serious and too churchy. Found in Translation is a fun read, like listening to a close friend share personal experiences, including the funny and the embarrassing along with the full truth. Kim's first person narration reveals her heart and her dreams while telling of her two-week adventure. She also develops a close friendship with an African-American girl, which adds a deeper dynamic to her experience.

Although marketed as YA, this touching story speaks to adults too. It will challenge and encourage believers to follow Kim's example of surrender and obedience to the Lord's leading. I suggest youth groups read this before heading out on that short-term mission. It would also be insightful for graduating teens before heading off to college. I look forward to the Bruners' next well-written installment in their Altered Hearts series.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Found in Translation February 28, 2011

By Angela Breidenbach

Format:Paperback

Older teens on a mission in Mexico with no plumbing, facilities, or showers during the time in the country. Believable? Yes! I was a chaperone on a trip very similar to this and the reason I wanted to read about Kim Hartlinger's story world. I've found teens serving in short term missions can really make a change in their understanding of the world and their place in it. Kim Hartlinger takes that very journey in the Bruner's novel of discovering reality, faith, and compassion for others. I think it's fun to follow the change in a girl who has an unreasonable sense of entitlement and watch her blossom into a young woman who begins the path God has for her.

Too much drama or angst? Nope. It's really like that with teens on mission trips. They're very busy trying to figure out who they are and what all the nuances of relationships mean.

One small critique I have would be that in my personal experience, people try to communicate right away with others in language barrier situations. But it was crucial to the story for the barrier to be a little tougher than usual.

I'd suggest anyone going on a mission to Mexico or any mission take the time to read Found in Translation. There are some very realistic issues brought out through entertainment in a good story. Great preparation material for youth leaders to suggest in their pre-mission planning. A little mental comprehension of life outside of the norm would be helpful in managing stressful day-to-day experiences on short trips. Do it as a book club and discuss some of the pitfalls the characters experience. Ask your youth what they'd do. Offer tips each of you learn from the book and see if it doesn't open up more discussion.

Great job, Mr. Bruner, you've written a book with more opportunity than the standard fiction novel.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars A fun read fit for any teen! October 13, 2011

By Katie McCurdy

Format:Paperback

Found in Translation is a story centered around a slightly-spoiled teen girl with a heart for mission work, is a great encouragement and inspiration to other mission-minded youths. While I had a hard time getting into the story, I'm thinking it's just because I don't normally read this genre. For readers who do enjoy these types of YA books, I am sure that they will enjoy the message that Roger Bruner brings to teens about mission work.

Kim Hartlinger came across as a lively, fun-loving girl with a heart for God and missions. The synopsis labels her as "spoiled", and while she is a bit spoiled with things, she has a pretty selfless and sweet personality, in my opinion. I admit, though, that the character felt pretty thin at times. I never really connected with Kim, and there were several instances that she did something that didn't seem natural. I lost track of how many times she throws her arms around someone, or bursts into tears.

Roger Bruner does a good job of presenting a believable mission to his readers. The hardships that the teens had to endure while rebuilding the village, and the ways God worked through them were really neat to see unfold. Kim's clumsiness was rather humorous, and I found myself chuckling over her funny personality, which often came out in the writing style that Roger uses.

So, while I found it hard to keep my interest in the book, I have a feeling that it's just action-lovin' me dying for an on-the-edge read (wink). Other readers, especially those who enjoy Christian YA fiction, would probably find this book very beneficial, uplifting, and humorous. A very slow, easy read enjoyable for all ages--especially the mission-minded readers.

I reviewed this for the author via Team Novel Teen blog tour. It was not required that I give a positive review, but solely to express my own thoughts and opinions of this book, which I have done.