Jana's Journal: A Novel [Paperback]

Jeanette Windle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2002

Jana Thompson is just beginning what should be the best year of her life—her senior year. It's supposed to be amazing, but if the first few days of school are any indication . . . well, just buckle up and hold on. Guaranteed fiction! (20040603)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Jana is an average teen: not pretty or ugly; not smart or dumb; not popular but not a geek. Jana's loneliness is realistically portrayed. (Whisper Watchound )

From the Author

"God never told us to love ourselves; the truth is, we do such a good job of loving ourselves, we seldom get around to loving other people." "If you really want to feel good about yourself, stop thinking about yourself at all and start thinking about other people."

These two sound pieces of advice given to me by a teacher in my own teens were not fully appreciated at the time, but had a profound impact on my life and became the theme of Jana's Journal. Our society places great emphasis on teaching children and teens 'self-esteem' and the search for 'self-fulfillment', but very little emphasis on teaching selflessness and consideration of others.

While fiction, Jana's Journal was birthed from my own teen struggles with these issues. As Jana pens in vivid color her own struggles self-esteem, peer pressure, difficulties at school and trouble at home, enter one sympathetic school counselor who informs Jana that she needs more self-esteem, self-love, and self-fulfillment--and tells Jana how she can get it.

And it works. Jana is suddenly prettier, more popular,and well-pleased with herself. She is also alienating friends and family as she climbs over them up the popularity ladder.

It is when her new world crashes down that her yearbook advisor gives her the above pieces of advice. She grudgingly accepts his challenge to join his team at an inner-city youth center. Jana's diary pages come alive as she describes her inadvertant involvement with the city's most dangerous gang, the Werewolves, and a young street girl, Maria. An involvement that leads to a terrifying pursuit through the sewers of San Diego, a confrontation with rival gang leaders with a penchant for murder, and the toughest decision of her life. And somehow by the last page how well she thinks of herself just doesn't seem so important anymore.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Paperback: 236 pages
• Publisher: Kregel Publications (April 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 082544117X
• ISBN-13: 978-0825441172
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 5.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,447,237 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

As the child of missionary parents, award-winning author and journalist Jeanette Windle grew up in the rural villages, jungles, and mountains of Colombia, now guerrilla hot zones. Her detailed research and writing is so realistic that it has prompted government agencies to question her to determine if she has received classified information. Curently based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Jeanette has lived in six countries and traveled in more than thirty. She has more than fifteen books in print, including political/suspense best seller CrossFire and 2010 CBA Award finalist and Christy Award finalist Veiled Freedom.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jana's Journal = Excellence, August 2, 2002

By 

Teresa Frampton "Stef" (Michigan, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jana's Journal: A Novel (Paperback)

I bought this book because I loved the cover, and I enjoy reading books written as journals. However, this is no ordinary journal-book. Although the beginning is slow, the excitement I got later on made up for it.

Jana is a senior in high school and thinks her problems are solved when she's the newest Miss Popular. However, she realizes that popularity isn't everything and soon ditches her new friends for her old ones, Annette and Sally. She also becomes friends with Brian, a college guy who is making up some credits at Jana's high school, and who helps with one of her classes.

Mr. B, a mentor of Jana's, invites her to come to the Center, where children, teens, and adults who make their living on the streets come for help. Jana sees a whole different world and soon comes there frequently. Then gang happenings occur, and her life is changed completely. You won't want to put this down.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WoW, May 1, 2006

By 

Jen A Bookworm (Ca.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jana's Journal: A Novel (Paperback)

Jana's journal is not what you will expect. When you start reading think about your own life. Have you ever felt like she does, or what would you do if you were her. This book taught me a lot about myself. I was dissipointed when the story ended. I wanted to keep reading. I loved this book.