By "Gardening Mercies: Finding God in Your Garden" Laurie Ost Kehler of Los Altos (Bethany House Publishers, Minneapolis, Minnesota; May, 2001; $11.99) combines tips about local gardening with the author's spiritual explorations. A seemingly dead "Souvenir de las Malmaison" rose, for instance, responds to loving care; a "Ballerina" rose does just fine in semi-shade; dahlia bulbs need to be dug up in the fall - each chapter begins with an experience with plant life in the garden, then points toward a Biblical passage and an examination of a parallel situation in human life. To order, logon to Barnes and Noble at www.bn.com.

Sument Pendharkar of Los Altos announces the publication of his book for adolescents and children over 10, “Raising Yourself: Making the Right Choices.” This is a non-preachy, very realistic look at decision-making for teenagers - about values, family relationships, money issues and the lifelong consequences of staying on-track in school. Specific topics like dating, substance abuse and early parenthood are discussed in practical terms. This book is a winner for parents wondering how to talk to their children about issues of vital importance - they can first read it themselves, then pass it along to their offspring. “It really is your life, and what you decide to make of it is your choice,” is Pendharkar’s theme - scary but more manageable, with the help of this readable guidebook.

To order, see www.hillviewbooks.com.