Title: My Life Unscripted: Who’s Writing Your Life?
Author: Tricia Goyer
Primary Audience/age group: 14+ girls
Genre: Non-Fiction
# Of pages: 224
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Year of Release: 2007
Part of a Series? No
Rating: 5 (View Scale)

Description: Using the metaphor of screenwriting, My Life, Unscripted explores relationships in every teenage girl’s life-with herself, her friends and enemies, her parents, guys, and with God.

Real-life scripts, screenwriting terms, and timely topics, make this an interesting read for teen girls as they delve into their own inner struggles and outward relationships. They’ll also learn the importance of “scripting” their own responses BEFORE challenging life-situations arise so they are able to think about, pray about, and consider how to face these situations before the scene begins. By contrasting real-life with TV or movies, teens will understand they don’t have to get caught up in the drama.

Review: My Life Unscripted is what I would call a 20 week devotional for teens ages 14 to 18. Each chapter has a script that has a situation that is either actually from Tricias own life or one that she has made up but is very common to teen girls. Then, there is discussion on the script. Next comes the Intermission where the script/situation is related to a similar situation in the Bible. There are usually questions that the girls are to ponder and write down their thoughts. Also in each chapter is a section called My Script which has comments from teens on the subject/issue discussed in the chapter. Woven in every chapter are bible verses, strategies for evaluating situations and the way we react. I found the scripts very relevant and interesting I was looking forward to the script in each chapter. I like how the script was tied to a similar situation in the Bible showing that the Bible is as relevant today as it was hundreds or thousands of years ago. The goal seems to be to get young women to THINK about their choices before they make them. To THINK about God when making daily decisions. To think about possible consequences if they make their choices without bringing God into the decision making process.

Rating: 5 This is an excellent book for teen girls ages 14 and up. I dont think it would be appropriate for those 12 or under the scripts/situations are too mature.

Positive: The way the book is laid out makes it entertaining to read. The chapters go by quickly and you look forward to the next script. It really gets you to think about how youve been making our choices and learning how to make better choices choices based on what God would have us to do. 

 

Spiritual Elements: The book and lessons are based on lessons/stories and verses from the Bible. The book is not preachy but rather from the view of someone who has been there and can relate to todays teens. All the while, it shows that if you rely on God more, you are more likely to make choices that will benefit rather than hurt you.

 

Violence: No violence, just mature situations.

 

Language: No bad language.

 

Sexual Content: No sexual situations, just talk about pre-marital sex and pregnancy.

 

Recommendation: I highly recommend My Life Unscripted for teen girls. It would be a great devotion to use at home or with a youth group of girls. This book was such a creative way to deal with self-image, popularity, true beauty, hate, friendship, and so much more!