Stranger in the Chat Room [Paperback]

Todd Hafer (Author), Jedd Hafer (Author), Tricia Brock (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2003

Following life-changing interactions with God in an Internet chat room, a group of teens disperse for the summer. As they reconnect, an intriguing character invades their supposedly private domain. Claiming to know about their encounters with the Almighty, he asks to talk about their experiences. The friends soon find him challenging their beliefs. As the teens defend themselves against this increasingly malevolent interloper, they must draw on the truth they have learned from God’s Word. A modern-day Screwtape Letters for young adults.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 6-9. Having met God in In the Chat Room with God (2002), a group of teenagers now meets with unabashed evil in this sequel. Jenn, a new, somewhat unsure Christian, and Lorri, an avowed non-Christian, want to argue with one another about spirituality, but Watcher55 breaks into their chats and bugs them. Watcher55 is a weird, even scary, character, who eventually leads the teens into trouble (most notably when Lorri sneaks out of the house, goes to a party, and is slipped drugs). Eventually, the encounter with evil strengthens Jenn's faith and even brings Lorri closer to God. Told as a series of chat room transcripts, the story is fast paced and involving, and it's nice to see Christian fiction discuss the faith struggles of kids after their conversions. Unfortunately, the plotting is sloppy, and the teens' slangy but annoyingly didactic online chats don't read like normal IM conversations. Give this to young Christians, who will respond to the redemptive themes in the story. John Green
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"The influence of Lewis on the Hafer brothers is noticeable and welcomed... a great read." -- Youthworker, May/June 2004

"a great little story, focusing on the nature of evil, and how hard it is to share the faith. Recommended." -- Christianfictionreview.com

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Paperback: 221 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (September 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764228234
• ISBN-13: 978-0764228230
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,612,314 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I write books with my smart brother Todd. We try to be authentic and thought-provoking. I also get to speak all over. I love to talk to adults about issues facing young people. I also work for Children's ARK
(www.childrensark.org) where our mission is "Changing the World, One Child at a Time".
I have a wonderful wife and 4 [mostly] wonderful children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An eye-opening read on two different levels!, January 17, 2004

By 

Christian Bookshelf "Christian Bookworm Reviews" (usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stranger in the Chat Room (Paperback)

It is not necessary to read the first book in this series, "In the Chat Room with God", but after reading this one, a reader will definitely want to catch the buzz created from the first effort. It is the summer and all the characters, Blake, Jenn, Krys, Lorri and A.C. keep track of one another via the computer. Lorri, Blake's younger sister, is going through a difficult phase. She is finding her "righteous" brother to be annoying and overbearing. Jenn, a new Christian, provides a listening ear for Lorri. During a chat room session, an intruder breaks into the two girls' conversation. The mysterious stranger continues to invade the group's chats, challenging them about their faith. The online experience quickly moves to being "threatening" as the stranger attempts to touch base offline.

While the storyline is geared towards teens, adults may find this book just as valuable. The "chat room" dialogue can be easily understood by the "Generation X" crowd. On the flip side, a parent can read this book and receive an inside look at the cyber world their teenager may spend a great time "inhabiting". The message from this book is very real on two levels. Physically, there are "dangerous" online strangers teenagers come in contact via chat rooms all the time. At the same time, spiritually we all are invaded by "strangers" who want to do us harm. Promoting online safety as well as safety in God's arms, this is short eye-opening read!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It could Happen, November 26, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Stranger in the Chat Room (Paperback)

As a parent this book was eye opening. I wonder often who my kids are talking to online, even though we have warned them about talking to strangers. The book is plausible and really makes you think because obviously there are evil people out there. The plot moves along quickly and keeps your atttention. Some of the characters appear gullible at first especially Lori. The twisted logic of Watcher55 is well exposed and I really liked the ending, when Light and darkness meet. This is a good book for parents to read if they are uninformed of the down side of the Web. Even if they are informed, it is a good reminder to be vigilant of who their kids are meeting.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well-Crafted Suspense!, February 3, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Stranger in the Chat Room (Paperback)

I truly appreciate a well-crafted story with a point, so I loved this book!

The characters are intriguing and well-drawn, as they reveal themselves through a series of on-line-style chats. Further, the careful plotting keeps the story moving along -- providing some shocking surprises along the way.

If you're like me, and often find yourself saying, "I wish I could read something that's beyond the run-of-the-mill, the formulaic," "Stranger in the Chat Room" just might be the perfect book for you.