Status
Available
Call number
Series
Publication
Focus on the Family Pub (1995), 163 pages
Description
Normally a confident and adventurous sixteen-year-old, Sierra returns from a missionary tour in England to a number of unsettling changes in her home and family.
User reviews
LibraryThing member bookworm12
I read both the Christy Miller series and the Sierra Jensen series when I was in junior high and early high school. I read them and re-read them and at 13, Robin Jones Gunn was probably my favorite author. I decided to re-read the first book in each series as an adult and it was such a treat. It
After spending time on a mission trip in Europe, the free-spirited Sierra returns home to finish high school. The only problem is that home is no longer where she left it. Her entire family moved to Portland, Oregon and now Sierra must adjust to a new town and school.
Her preppy sister is fitting in, as are her younger brothers, but after her time away she can’t seem to find her footing. To top it off, the great guy she met on the plane on the way home seems to be popping up in her new life, but always at the wrong moment.
If I’d read this series for the first time now, I’m sure I would have a completely different view. She is so innocent and she’s worried about all the silly things most teenagers focus on: making friends, a boy she has a crush on, fitting in, etc. Her problems seem small in the big scheme of things. But the thing is, these books aren’t meant for adults, they’re for young teens and for that age, they’re a perfect fit. When you’re young your feelings seem like the most wonderful and awful things in the world. Reading about someone else who is going through the same things is incredibly reassuring. I’d definitely recommend these for anyone hoping to find a good series for young girls.
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was like returning to my adolescence for a moment. After spending time on a mission trip in Europe, the free-spirited Sierra returns home to finish high school. The only problem is that home is no longer where she left it. Her entire family moved to Portland, Oregon and now Sierra must adjust to a new town and school.
Her preppy sister is fitting in, as are her younger brothers, but after her time away she can’t seem to find her footing. To top it off, the great guy she met on the plane on the way home seems to be popping up in her new life, but always at the wrong moment.
If I’d read this series for the first time now, I’m sure I would have a completely different view. She is so innocent and she’s worried about all the silly things most teenagers focus on: making friends, a boy she has a crush on, fitting in, etc. Her problems seem small in the big scheme of things. But the thing is, these books aren’t meant for adults, they’re for young teens and for that age, they’re a perfect fit. When you’re young your feelings seem like the most wonderful and awful things in the world. Reading about someone else who is going through the same things is incredibly reassuring. I’d definitely recommend these for anyone hoping to find a good series for young girls.
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LibraryThing member greisn1
"Only You, Sierra" by Robin Jones Gunn is the first work of Christian fiction I have ever read, and I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I was surprised to see how prevalent Sierra's faith was in the story. The entire story revolved around Sierra waiting for "God-things", or events caused by the
As a mother, I found this to be a great story. Sierra is a very polite, moral young lady who is not afraid to follow her heart. Her relationship with her parents is very open and adult, with both sides willing to listen to each other and compromise. Sierra definitely thinks about her actions and what effect they will or have had. More than once in the story, she admitted she was wrong and apologized. This character is one that every parent will wish they had.
The only part I was concerned about was Sierra's strong desire to have a boyfriend. For being a Christian novel, I was rather surprised that was the focus of the novel. However, I can recall my teen years and yes, my life revolved around boys. I really commend Gunn on her ability to show something most teens worry about in a way that still puts the main focus on God.
One thing I did notice about the novel is that it was originally published in 1995, and it seems like Gunn tried to do some minor updating. There are a few times when sentences about cell phones or emails look like they were added in at the last minute. This doesn't change anything about the story, but I found the lack of technology to be refreshing. So much of our lives today focuses on technology, it was nice to read about a family who likes to spend time together.
I would give this book 5 of 5 stars. Gunn did a great job writing a story that focuses on real-world problems like dating and relocating that is also wholesome and entertaining. I would recommend this book to any Christian.
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creator that were meant to lead Sierra to something.As a mother, I found this to be a great story. Sierra is a very polite, moral young lady who is not afraid to follow her heart. Her relationship with her parents is very open and adult, with both sides willing to listen to each other and compromise. Sierra definitely thinks about her actions and what effect they will or have had. More than once in the story, she admitted she was wrong and apologized. This character is one that every parent will wish they had.
The only part I was concerned about was Sierra's strong desire to have a boyfriend. For being a Christian novel, I was rather surprised that was the focus of the novel. However, I can recall my teen years and yes, my life revolved around boys. I really commend Gunn on her ability to show something most teens worry about in a way that still puts the main focus on God.
One thing I did notice about the novel is that it was originally published in 1995, and it seems like Gunn tried to do some minor updating. There are a few times when sentences about cell phones or emails look like they were added in at the last minute. This doesn't change anything about the story, but I found the lack of technology to be refreshing. So much of our lives today focuses on technology, it was nice to read about a family who likes to spend time together.
I would give this book 5 of 5 stars. Gunn did a great job writing a story that focuses on real-world problems like dating and relocating that is also wholesome and entertaining. I would recommend this book to any Christian.
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LibraryThing member greisn1
"Only You, Sierra" by Robin Jones Gunn is the first work of Christian fiction I have ever read, and I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I was surprised to see how prevalent Sierra's faith was in the story. The entire story revolved around Sierra waiting for "God-things", or events caused by the
As a mother, I found this to be a great story. Sierra is a very polite, moral young lady who is not afraid to follow her heart. Her relationship with her parents is very open and adult, with both sides willing to listen to each other and compromise. Sierra definitely thinks about her actions and what effect they will or have had. More than once in the story, she admitted she was wrong and apologized. This character is one that every parent will wish they had.
The only part I was concerned about was Sierra's strong desire to have a boyfriend. For being a Christian novel, I was rather surprised that was the focus of the novel. However, I can recall my teen years and yes, my life revolved around boys. I really commend Gunn on her ability to show something most teens worry about in a way that still puts the main focus on God.
One thing I did notice about the novel is that it was originally published in 1995, and it seems like Gunn tried to do some minor updating. There are a few times when sentences about cell phones or emails look like they were added in at the last minute. This doesn't change anything about the story, but I found the lack of technology to be refreshing. So much of our lives today focuses on technology, it was nice to read about a family who likes to spend time together.
I would give this book 5 of 5 stars. Gunn did a great job writing a story that focuses on real-world problems like dating and relocating that is also wholesome and entertaining. I would recommend this book to any Christian.
Show More
creator that were meant to lead Sierra to something.As a mother, I found this to be a great story. Sierra is a very polite, moral young lady who is not afraid to follow her heart. Her relationship with her parents is very open and adult, with both sides willing to listen to each other and compromise. Sierra definitely thinks about her actions and what effect they will or have had. More than once in the story, she admitted she was wrong and apologized. This character is one that every parent will wish they had.
The only part I was concerned about was Sierra's strong desire to have a boyfriend. For being a Christian novel, I was rather surprised that was the focus of the novel. However, I can recall my teen years and yes, my life revolved around boys. I really commend Gunn on her ability to show something most teens worry about in a way that still puts the main focus on God.
One thing I did notice about the novel is that it was originally published in 1995, and it seems like Gunn tried to do some minor updating. There are a few times when sentences about cell phones or emails look like they were added in at the last minute. This doesn't change anything about the story, but I found the lack of technology to be refreshing. So much of our lives today focuses on technology, it was nice to read about a family who likes to spend time together.
I would give this book 5 of 5 stars. Gunn did a great job writing a story that focuses on real-world problems like dating and relocating that is also wholesome and entertaining. I would recommend this book to any Christian.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Nebraska_Girl1971
I really enjoyed this book - it was a book that I did have a hard time putting down. It is about a 16-year old girl who is going through some minor difficulties in life, but she knows she has God on her side. Throughout the book, it offers great moral advice for teens and also sites bible passages
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- especially for those harder times in life. It is a great read for ages 10-17 and would encourge parents to look for these books. I did a little research, and there are 12 books (or 4 volumes with 3 books in each volume) Show Less
LibraryThing member dawnymae
Robin Gunn has always done a good job with her writing style, and this series is no different. She targets young adult girls, and does it very well. She captures the heart of a teenage girl, and exposes it in this book, Sierra is thinking about boys and whether she'll get to date when she is just
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coming back from Europe. To top it off, her family has moved to Oregon and she will be starting a new school in the middle of the year! How will she ever get a date now! All she can see is another dateless & friendless year. Sierra has faith and leans on God heavily throughout the book. It's an updated version of the first run of this novel in 1995, but still has relevance today, as girls are still unsure of themselves around boys even if we do have cellphones and computers at our disposal. Well done! Show Less
LibraryThing member MeganB66
This is a story of a young girl who went to Europe in a mission trip and when she goes back to America she will be going to a new state, city, school, and all. Everything will be different. All Seirra wants is to find a boy to love her the way her mission trip friends have found in their
I really did not like this book for many reasons. To start i have never liked when authors use the first book of a series to just introduce characters rather than have an actual story. A book needs a beginning a middle and an end and Only You Sierra had only a beginning. The writing annoyed me to no end. The book started out great. The character development and a plot start was interesting and grabbed my attention. The minuet that Sierra got on the plane however, everything suddenly turned to being written like a 7th grader. There was random information that added nothing to the story like Sierra washing her dog or her the fact that she was flossing her teeth with an extra long strand of peppermint-flavored dental floss. The minuet she got back into the states the rest of the book is filled with information just like that.
The biggest thing that i did not like about this story was Sierra herself. She started out like such a nice girl and then became a self centered person. She kept saying how she was independent and advetures but refused to make a place in her new school. She had a hypocritical attitude about going to a regular school instead of a christian school when she gave Paul a scolding for turning away from his religion because he was dating a non christian girl. She called her Gandmother her soul mate only to avoid her through the whole book. I just can't see how someone who claims to be so sweet can go to a movie and make an employee feel bad for something they can't control like the prices. I work at a theater and for her to think that asking if Pepsi is okay is a stupid question obviously is a spoiled brat that has never dealt with the public.
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boyfriends.I really did not like this book for many reasons. To start i have never liked when authors use the first book of a series to just introduce characters rather than have an actual story. A book needs a beginning a middle and an end and Only You Sierra had only a beginning. The writing annoyed me to no end. The book started out great. The character development and a plot start was interesting and grabbed my attention. The minuet that Sierra got on the plane however, everything suddenly turned to being written like a 7th grader. There was random information that added nothing to the story like Sierra washing her dog or her the fact that she was flossing her teeth with an extra long strand of peppermint-flavored dental floss. The minuet she got back into the states the rest of the book is filled with information just like that.
The biggest thing that i did not like about this story was Sierra herself. She started out like such a nice girl and then became a self centered person. She kept saying how she was independent and advetures but refused to make a place in her new school. She had a hypocritical attitude about going to a regular school instead of a christian school when she gave Paul a scolding for turning away from his religion because he was dating a non christian girl. She called her Gandmother her soul mate only to avoid her through the whole book. I just can't see how someone who claims to be so sweet can go to a movie and make an employee feel bad for something they can't control like the prices. I work at a theater and for her to think that asking if Pepsi is okay is a stupid question obviously is a spoiled brat that has never dealt with the public.
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LibraryThing member LynndaEll
Old Book Becomes New
Only You, Sierra, written by Robin Jones Gunn and published in 1998, has been released this year as an eBook. The eBook format on my Kindle had a few problems. Chapter headings appeared at the bottom of the page and some words were split in two (“ser vice” for example).
The
As I read the story, I found myself wishing Robin Jones Gunn’s books would have been available when I was a teenager. None of the books I read at that time reflected my Christian worldview. One of Ms. Gunn’s strengths is to model ways to cope with loneliness, insecurities, and change in a positive manner without being preachy. If you know a Christian girl between the ages of twelve and sixteen, I recommend buying this book for her, as well as Ms. Gunn’s other books.
Only You, Sierra, written by Robin Jones Gunn and published in 1998, has been released this year as an eBook. The eBook format on my Kindle had a few problems. Chapter headings appeared at the bottom of the page and some words were split in two (“ser vice” for example).
The
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story centers on sixteen year-old Sierra Jensen who is mature for her age. Her maturity, however, does not keep her out of trouble with her parents as she settles into a new community and her grandmother’s house. A new home, new school, and new semi-relationship with a college student keeps Sierra’s emotions in a constant tangle. The book ends without the happily-ever-after scene, but it is satisfying.As I read the story, I found myself wishing Robin Jones Gunn’s books would have been available when I was a teenager. None of the books I read at that time reflected my Christian worldview. One of Ms. Gunn’s strengths is to model ways to cope with loneliness, insecurities, and change in a positive manner without being preachy. If you know a Christian girl between the ages of twelve and sixteen, I recommend buying this book for her, as well as Ms. Gunn’s other books.
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LibraryThing member myheartheartsbooks
Only You, Sierra (The Sierra Jensen Series #1) was my first foray into the Christian novels. The plot is not complex and when the end of the novella is reached you realize that it was just a novella and you want more. Not because the plot is especially tantalizing and leaves you wanting more, but
The story introduces you Sierra Jensen who goes on a church mission in Europe, she doesn't feel as if she fits in with the older people who are also on mission and is worried about problems about fitting in at home, because her family has moved from their home to help out Sierra's elderly grandmother. On the way back home, she meets the perfect guy but they are faced with struggles, mainly her age (sixteen), among other things.
This book was okay. I wouldn't really recommend it to anyone I know, this book was written for a specific target audience. It'll be perfect for a young preteen wanting to read Christian books.
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because by the end nothing really happens or is resolved except one of the many problems that were created. The story introduces you Sierra Jensen who goes on a church mission in Europe, she doesn't feel as if she fits in with the older people who are also on mission and is worried about problems about fitting in at home, because her family has moved from their home to help out Sierra's elderly grandmother. On the way back home, she meets the perfect guy but they are faced with struggles, mainly her age (sixteen), among other things.
This book was okay. I wouldn't really recommend it to anyone I know, this book was written for a specific target audience. It'll be perfect for a young preteen wanting to read Christian books.
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LibraryThing member tarenn
ONLY YOU SIERRA by Robin Jones Quinn is an interesting inspirational young adult
fiction.It is Book 1 in the new "Sierra Jensen" series.This is a release from
1998. It has faith,teenage drama,peer pressure,mission
trip,friendship,family,relocation,finding new friends,new house,new friends,new
room,
relocating after a mission trip and making new friends.Sierra,is a real life
teenager with real life fears,worries,stress,with her faith unshakeable.She does
wonder if she will ever find love.Her faith is prevalent throughout the story.
This is a wonderful story for teens.It is a story with real world doubts and
focus for teenagers. This book was received for the purpose of review from
Library Thing and the author.Details can be found at Multnomah Books/Waterbrook .
fiction.It is Book 1 in the new "Sierra Jensen" series.This is a release from
1998. It has faith,teenage drama,peer pressure,mission
trip,friendship,family,relocation,finding new friends,new house,new friends,new
room,
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and finding love. This is a wholesome story of a teenager who is relocating after a mission trip and making new friends.Sierra,is a real life
teenager with real life fears,worries,stress,with her faith unshakeable.She does
wonder if she will ever find love.Her faith is prevalent throughout the story.
This is a wonderful story for teens.It is a story with real world doubts and
focus for teenagers. This book was received for the purpose of review from
Library Thing and the author.Details can be found at Multnomah Books/Waterbrook .
Show Less
LibraryThing member DynamicUno
"Only You, Sierra" is book one in the Sierra Jensen series by Robin Jones Gunn. I was sent an ebook to review and I was able to read it from my phone while I was on the go.
After a mission trip in Europe, Sierra and her "new" friends regroup before heading back to the States. Here, we get to catch a
Meanwhile, Sierra is wondering when she will find "the one" for her and have a relationship like Todd and Christy's. She's also concerned because when she returns to the States, she'll have to adjust to a new home, school, and people because her family moved in with her ailing grandmother while she was gone.
At the airport, Sierra meets an interesting stranger and they end up on the same flights as they return to America. Having a very frank discussion about God and life, Sierra learns that her new friend Paul goes to college in the town just over from where Sierra will live.
When Sierra reaches her new home, she has to learn to adjust to all of the changes that have taken place and reconcile them with the changes that have happened to her on the inside. It's not an easy process, but progress is made.
I enjoyed reading this book. There were a few times that I was annoyed at Sierra because of her "attitude"--which is exactly the type of thing that annoys me in real life with the teens I work with daily.
My ebook did contain a lot of typos, but I'm sure that will be corrected with the re-release of the book. I also saw where a few things were added to try to update the book to make it relevant for teens today--asking for a cell phone, etc.--but they did not detract from the story at all. The ending was a bit short, but it definitely makes you want to grab book 2 to find out what happens next.
Overall, I liked this book and recommend it for teens--especially teen girls going into high school. Let me know what you think! Happy Reading!
After a mission trip in Europe, Sierra and her "new" friends regroup before heading back to the States. Here, we get to catch a
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glimpse of Christy and Todd (another YA series by Ms. Gunn) and find out what has happened since we last heard from them.Meanwhile, Sierra is wondering when she will find "the one" for her and have a relationship like Todd and Christy's. She's also concerned because when she returns to the States, she'll have to adjust to a new home, school, and people because her family moved in with her ailing grandmother while she was gone.
At the airport, Sierra meets an interesting stranger and they end up on the same flights as they return to America. Having a very frank discussion about God and life, Sierra learns that her new friend Paul goes to college in the town just over from where Sierra will live.
When Sierra reaches her new home, she has to learn to adjust to all of the changes that have taken place and reconcile them with the changes that have happened to her on the inside. It's not an easy process, but progress is made.
I enjoyed reading this book. There were a few times that I was annoyed at Sierra because of her "attitude"--which is exactly the type of thing that annoys me in real life with the teens I work with daily.
My ebook did contain a lot of typos, but I'm sure that will be corrected with the re-release of the book. I also saw where a few things were added to try to update the book to make it relevant for teens today--asking for a cell phone, etc.--but they did not detract from the story at all. The ending was a bit short, but it definitely makes you want to grab book 2 to find out what happens next.
Overall, I liked this book and recommend it for teens--especially teen girls going into high school. Let me know what you think! Happy Reading!
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LibraryThing member cyndidd
As a teen, I used to read the Christy Miller series from Robin Jones Gunn. So, naturally, I was interested in the Sierra Jensen series when they became available. Now I am excited about helping review these wonderful books for the next generation of young people.
Only You, Sierra was a wonderful
As we step into Sierra's life we see that the changes she faces so come with a bit of stress. But, by relying on God and talking to her family, she is able to come out ahead.
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I received this book free in return for my honest review.
Only You, Sierra was a wonderful
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look into the life of a young Christian girl. Sierra has just arrived home from a missions trip to England. Only, "home" isn't where it was. While she was overseas, her parents changed states, choosing to move in with her grandmother, who is suffering from memory loss. Sierra faces many changes, exceeding the usual jet lag. She now has a new house, new room (where she couldn't even pick where she wanted her bed), new school, new friends. How can she possibly keep it all straight?As we step into Sierra's life we see that the changes she faces so come with a bit of stress. But, by relying on God and talking to her family, she is able to come out ahead.
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I received this book free in return for my honest review.
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LibraryThing member Bookworm_Lisa
Sierra is a 16 year old young woman. She is coming off of a spiritual high in England to find herself returning to a different home. Her family moved from California to Oregon the three weeks she was with other youth in a missionary environment in England. She has a hard time adjusting. She misses
Sierra is learning to accept her new life and make friends. She matures and grows in the course of this relatively short novel.
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her older friends and she keeps thinking about a young man she met just before boarding the plane to the United States. His name is Paul and he was having a spiritual crisis. Sierra took the opportunity to talk to him about faith and coming back to Jesus. The ended up on the same plane and she feels compelled to pray for him. Sierra is learning to accept her new life and make friends. She matures and grows in the course of this relatively short novel.
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LibraryThing member kalim007
The first book in the Sierra Jensen series set the stage for the remainder of the books. A must read for readers who enjoyed the "Christy Miller" series, especially since this is where the previous series ended. Sierra is not looking forward to heading home since her family has moved and she has to
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change schools. Of course, she meets a new friend which makes everything more interesting. Great start to a great series! Show Less
LibraryThing member Marypo
I love Sierra's personality. I see parts of myself in her. What's up with borrowing her dad's shirts though?
LibraryThing member Marypo
I love Sierra's personality. I see parts of myself in her. What's up with borrowing her dad's shirts though?
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
7.5 inches
ISBN
1561793701 / 9781561793709