Young Adult Fiction Book Review: Counted Worthy

Counted Worthy

"I clenched the Bible until my hands ached. These pages held the words of life, but how many would have to die to preserve them?" - Heather Stone, Counted Worthy 

Author: Leah E. Good

Publisher: Leah E. Good

Copyright Date: 2014

Number of Pages: 248 pages

Reading Level: Grades 9 – 12

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Christian Fiction, Science Fiction

Cost: $12.95 (Amazon)

Rating: ★★★★★

Counted Worthy is a story about the challenges that Heather Stone, a sixteen-year-old girl, has to face as she tries to keep her faith in a society that has made being a Christian, or having anything to do with religion, illegal. Being a Christian was risky enough, but in an attempt to spread the Good News, Heather stole Bibles from the government sorting center that were supposed to be burned, and one of the Bible’s that she took could change her life forever. After her mother was killed for her faith and her father was arrested for his, Heather Stone has two options: fight for her dad and keep her faith, or give up so she doesn’t hurt anyone else. Throughout this book, you will see what choice Heather makes and how her friends and the rest of society react to her decisions.

This book has a lot of religious aspects tied into it, which could potentially make it difficult to use in the classroom. The dystopian setting could be one that creates good discussion about whether or not the students believe that something like that could happen in our society though. They could also compare the society in Counted Worthy to today’s society and determine what the similarities and differences are. 

Book Rating:

	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★	★★	★	COMMENTS
PLOT	Plot is well developed with all five elements of a good plot structure (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution).	Plot is developed, but lacking one of the five elements of plot structure.	This book has a decent plot, but is lacking two of the five elements of plot structure.	This book has a weak plot that is lacking three of the five elements of plot structure.	This book does not have a defined plot, and is lacking four or more of the five elements of plot structure.	★★★★★ I give Counted Worthy five stars for its plot because it is an intriguing story that shows the challenges that Heather Stone faces. It does so using all five elements of good plot structure.
CHARACTER	The characters are well developed, have personality, and are believable.	Characters are well rounded, but lack in personality or they are not totally believable.	Characters are somewhat developed, and lack in personality or they are not totally believable.	The characters are underdeveloped, lack in depth and are not believable.	The characters are not developed   so the readers cannot connect to the book.	★★★★★ I give Counted Worthy five stars for its characters because they are well rounded and believable. Heather stone is facing one of the most difficult times in her life and it is easy to have sympathy for her and to feel the emotions of the other main characters as well.
PACING	The story flows freely and is not rushed or slow.	The story moves freely for the most part, but there are a few spots where it feels rushed or slow.	The story moves freely for about half of the book, but the other half is rushed or slow.	The story often moves too fast or too slow and does not move freely.	There is no pacing in the story, which makes it difficult to read.	★★★★★ I give Counted Worthy five stars for pacing because the story moves freely and does not feel rushed or too slow at any point. The plot is laid out well and it draws the reader in so they will want to continue reading.

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