Approved for 12+

My Name Is…(Book)

This story is based on real people and many real events known to the author. The names of the real-life characters in the story have been changed. The names of the places are factual.

People on the shore were waving at me, but no one was coming to help me. Suddenly, the head of a giant anaconda came up out of the water, right by my head. I awoke sweating with terror. I wanted to die, but not that way. As I lie there shaking with fear, a light began to appear over my head and it got brighter and brighter. I had never seen such a bright, beautiful light -- all the colors of the rainbow bathing me with their beauty. The light shimmered and swirled and then came together in the form of a man's face. Never before had I seen a face like this. It was not a jungle face and it was a kinder face than I could ever have imagined. He smiled at me, as no one had ever smiled before, and his eyes looked down into the depths of my soul. I wanted to reach out to him, but I wasn't able to move. The warmth of his eyes and his smile spoke in a whisper: "I love you. I will always be with you. I love you. I will always be with you...." Tears formed in my eyes and gently trickled down my cheeks. Who was this person who loved me?
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Negative Rating
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SexLanguageViolenceDrugsNudityOther
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Positive Rating
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FaithIntegrity

Dove Review

To the author: “My Name Is…” is a powerful Christian book. This story of the Ecuadorian Amazon jungle is amazing and, at times, frightening. It is mainly a story of hope. I thought it was written with a sincerity and an honesty that work well. The “difficult” times that Atok and Rimak go through is not sugar-coated. To deal with hunger, health issues, snakes, abuse from some people, being considered as “workers” only by some people, well…the word “difficult” doesn’t do the situation justice. Yet, Atok’s dream of the “Man in light” gives hope that circumstances will one day change for him, and indeed they do. The love that Abuelito and Abuelita show him is exemplary and speaks of the love of Christ. Hugs are something new to him, and something he loves, and may make those in this country feel guilty for not appreciating the simple things sometimes. The book powerfully describes some people’s struggle of having enough food to eat.

This book would make a powerful dramatic and inspirational movie. We award it our “Faith-Friendly” Seal for ages 12-plus, along with five Doves, the highest rating. This book should be required reading to inspire people to be more thankful.

Dove Rating Details

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Faith

None

0
Integrity

Kids abused at times, kicked and slapped in their faces; boy was hit with a stick; the "boom" of a volcano.

1
Sex

A comment about a girl of 14 being pregnant and unsure who the father was.

1
Language

Boy called "Donkey" and "Stupid."

2
Violence

Kids abused at times, kicked and slapped in their faces; boy was hit with a stick; the "boom" of a volcano.

0
Drugs

A young man was taken to clinic, very ill, and had an IV put in his arm; injections with a long needle.

0
Nudity

None

2
Other

The mention of shaman and their incantations; kids ate grasshoppers and a rat because they were hungry; mention that a man ate a monkey; kid coughs up mucus with flecks of blood in it; kids considered suicide; the threat of a giant anaconda; diarrhea and vomiting are described; some kids fed more in a home than Atok or Rimak; the mention of chicken droppings; family deals with a flood; possum killed and head shown in refrigerator.

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