Believe Me
Book Club Picks

Book Club Picks: Believe Me

Nic and Lucy Delano live an out-of-the-ordinary existence. Lucy is a professor at the University of Maryland and spends her life looking up at the stars. Nic is a 13-year old middle school student who has an IQ of 143 and a love for science. However, he lives in a household where his Dad does not reside (and not because his parents are divorced), and has been taught since the age of 6 that there is no such thing as Heaven or God. He's not exactly unpopular at school but he certainly can't afford to move down any rungs on the middle school food chain.

When Nic begins questioning his faith, he also begins questioning his mother. He wants to know why she doesn't believe in God, why his Dad doesn't live there anymore, and how his mom can be so concerned with things that you can't take with you once you're gone.

When an unexpected occurrence leaves Nic and his mother reeling, they must decide if their love for each other is important and large enough to help them through this crisis.

Book Club Picks: Believe Me Opinion

This book is one of the few that gets a backwards rating from me. The possibilities for discussion are unparalleled and could end up being the best book club discussion you've ever had. Not only that, but the content of the novel made me personally question my own beliefs about Christianity and the Creation of Man more than once while reading.

Sounds like a double-5 rating right? While the book is extremely well-written and the story told thoughtfully and realistically, I wasn't sold on the voice of Nic. I found it interesting to have this big question of "does God exist" narrated by a 13-year old male. I think that maybe Killham wanted us to see the innocence of a young mind exploring this huge issue. For me it was partly unbelievable. Perhaps I just haven't had enough experience with teenagers who are willing to act out of the norm and question their beliefs. After years as a middle school teacher, I could be skeptical about the level of intellect boys at that age are willing to reveal.

All-in-all though, this is an excellent book club choice because it will absolutely get the conversation going - and you may have trouble ending the meeting once you get started!

Book Club Picks: Believe Me Discussion Questions

1. Do you believe in the Scientific Creation Theory or the Bible Story of Creation?
2. Is Lucy a good mother? Why or why not?
3. Is Nic a normal teenager or does he think more deeply than other 13-year olds?

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