Review Detail

I'm a huge fan of non-fiction stories that aren't afraid to show the struggles and challenges people go through. In this case a story of a teen coming to terms with his own faith.

In RAPTURE PRACTICE we meet Aaron Hartzler as a child remembering the excitement of his first time acting. His family are very religious and his first acting experience is being a young boy killed in chariot wreck. He also dreams of finally being caught up in the Rapture. His family taught this and Aaron believes it too.

As a teen though he starts questioning not only his faith but who he might be too. He also hates disappointing his very religious family even when he hates what they make him do. For example not listen to any music unless it's religious or watch movies. Aaron goes on his own journey while battling with whether or not he has real faith. In the end though it's more about taking that leap of faith into accepting who he is which makes this a must read coming of age tale.

I really loved this novel. Even though I don't share the same faith as the author(I'm thinking he was Baptist) I also went through similar issues when I was a teen. I questioned, and still do, everything.

The beauty of this book has to be the honesty which must of been hard at times but is something Aaron has to do on his own journey to finding and accepting who he is. Rapture Practice is parts hilarious, real, painful, and inspiring. Place all of this together and mix with a large dose of heart. Courageous retelling that is sure to hit home with other teens out there.