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China Tate Series #1
Sliced Heather on Toast
When a bossy rich girl takes an immediate disliking to her on the bus to Camp Kariwiyo, China Tate, daughter of missionary parents, knows that she will need God's help to make it through her week at camp.
- GenresYoung Adult
180 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1994
2 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Lissa Halls Johnson
34 books26 followersLISSA HALLS JOHNSON is the author of novels for teens, tweens and young adults. Formerly a book producer at Focus on the Family, she was the creator, editor and writer for the Brio girls series and for the Kid Witness book series. She has contributed to Reader’s Digest, Brio, Breakaway, Focus on the Family Magazine, TQ, and other periodicals.
She has written radio drama scripts and was previously a member of the ADVENTURES IN ODYSSEY creative team. She has contributed to a number of fiction and nonfiction books, and is the co-author of a book for parents of teens.
Lissa also speaks throughout the country.
When she’s not writing, she’s hiking, skiing, or snowshoeing in the Colorado mountains she adores with her husband, Rich and dog, Kyna.
She has written radio drama scripts and was previously a member of the ADVENTURES IN ODYSSEY creative team. She has contributed to a number of fiction and nonfiction books, and is the co-author of a book for parents of teens.
Lissa also speaks throughout the country.
When she’s not writing, she’s hiking, skiing, or snowshoeing in the Colorado mountains she adores with her husband, Rich and dog, Kyna.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 13, 2013
Sliced Heather on Toast is a suspenseful but humorous book. The book takes place at camp crazy bear when China Tate a missionary kid from Guatemala comes looking for a good time and some nice friends. She has always been the odd person out having no friends and always being a loner. As soon as China boards the bus to head to camp she hears a boy say "Oh no", "here comes the queen of everything." as Heather boards the bus the beautiful, raven- haired girl who is rude,conceded and annoying tries to make China's stay at camp miserable. In spite of Heather's heckling china finds new friends and feels like she has found the place she finally belongs.
This book is written so beautifully and is incredibly easy to understand. Johnson makes it so simple for you to convince yourself you are in the story. She describes the setting so well you feel like you are in the book. The thing I loved the most about this book was the suspense at the end of each chapter knowing that some prank is going to be puled or a secret is going to be told. I would recommend this book to any girl from the ages 10-14. If your a girl who loves drama, ,pranks, secrets, lies and friends this will be an exceptional book for you. I would most definitely read the next four book that Johnson has written for us and I cant wait to keep reading.
This book is written so beautifully and is incredibly easy to understand. Johnson makes it so simple for you to convince yourself you are in the story. She describes the setting so well you feel like you are in the book. The thing I loved the most about this book was the suspense at the end of each chapter knowing that some prank is going to be puled or a secret is going to be told. I would recommend this book to any girl from the ages 10-14. If your a girl who loves drama, ,pranks, secrets, lies and friends this will be an exceptional book for you. I would most definitely read the next four book that Johnson has written for us and I cant wait to keep reading.
August 17, 2023
After rediscovering it when writing my Books Set at Summer Camp post, I decided to read the China Tate series by the talented Christian novelist Lissa Halls Johnson over the summer. Sliced Heather on Toast was an excellent MG/YA series starter–the perfect summer read! I can’t wait to read the other six in the series this summer.
Back Cover Blurb:
China looked up as a beautiful, raven-haired girl boarded the camp bus. “Oh no. Heather the Queen of Everything has arrived,” moaned one of the boys. At once China envied this “queen” for being all she had ever wanted to be, and she admired her for the same reason.
China Jasmine Tate is on her way to Camp Crazy Bear for a week. A missionary kid from Guatemala, China has always felt like the odd one in the bunch, the one who doesn’t fit. Meeting new kids and adjusting to life in the States is tough enough. But now the arrogant and beautiful Heather wants to make sure that China’s stay at camp is miserable.
In spite of Heather’s heckling, something inside China seems to blossom and open up at Camp Crazy Bear. Could it be that she might finally belong somewhere? As the war between the two girls escalates, China discovers real friends and unexpected allies, plus a wonderful, fresh faith in God.
But Queen Heather is playing meaner and meaner tricks, spoiling the fun that China could have at camp. Defensive and frustrated, China wonders how to beat the queen at her own game. If she gives in to the temptation to be as mean as Heather, will revenge be sweet–or will regret leave a bitter aftertaste in her mouth?
Characters: Lissa Halls Johnson writes excellent characters with a lot of depth. China, a missionary kid who feels like she has nowhere to belong, was a protagonist I greatly enjoyed reading about. The side characters, including Deedee, China’s new friend, and the camp staff, were also distinctive and vibrant. Magda was probably my favorite of them. Even Heather, the self-absorbed Queen of Everything herself, was complex and not merely what she appeared on the surface. Come to think of it, she would be a good protagonist for a spin-off series.
Setting: I loved the well-described setting of Camp Crazy Bear. Books set at church camp are the best!
Theme: Sliced Heather on Toast has themes of revenge, kindness, and friendship. They were all well-written, and I enjoyed reading about China’s journey to let go of revenge and love her enemies.
Quote:
"The insecurity of the missionary life made her comfortable and crazy at the same time. Everyone else seemed to be secure. Everyone else seemed to have a place where they belonged. Even the queen--Heather--belonged. Even the chlorinated Sheila belonged--right there waiting on Heather. Everyone had a place. Everyone but me."
Sliced Heather on Toast was definitely a 5-star read and one I would recommend to girls ages 12-14, and even older if they enjoy reading middle-grade fiction. I bought used copies of three more in the series--I'm excited to read them all!
Back Cover Blurb:
China looked up as a beautiful, raven-haired girl boarded the camp bus. “Oh no. Heather the Queen of Everything has arrived,” moaned one of the boys. At once China envied this “queen” for being all she had ever wanted to be, and she admired her for the same reason.
China Jasmine Tate is on her way to Camp Crazy Bear for a week. A missionary kid from Guatemala, China has always felt like the odd one in the bunch, the one who doesn’t fit. Meeting new kids and adjusting to life in the States is tough enough. But now the arrogant and beautiful Heather wants to make sure that China’s stay at camp is miserable.
In spite of Heather’s heckling, something inside China seems to blossom and open up at Camp Crazy Bear. Could it be that she might finally belong somewhere? As the war between the two girls escalates, China discovers real friends and unexpected allies, plus a wonderful, fresh faith in God.
But Queen Heather is playing meaner and meaner tricks, spoiling the fun that China could have at camp. Defensive and frustrated, China wonders how to beat the queen at her own game. If she gives in to the temptation to be as mean as Heather, will revenge be sweet–or will regret leave a bitter aftertaste in her mouth?
Characters: Lissa Halls Johnson writes excellent characters with a lot of depth. China, a missionary kid who feels like she has nowhere to belong, was a protagonist I greatly enjoyed reading about. The side characters, including Deedee, China’s new friend, and the camp staff, were also distinctive and vibrant. Magda was probably my favorite of them. Even Heather, the self-absorbed Queen of Everything herself, was complex and not merely what she appeared on the surface. Come to think of it, she would be a good protagonist for a spin-off series.
Setting: I loved the well-described setting of Camp Crazy Bear. Books set at church camp are the best!
Theme: Sliced Heather on Toast has themes of revenge, kindness, and friendship. They were all well-written, and I enjoyed reading about China’s journey to let go of revenge and love her enemies.
Quote:
"The insecurity of the missionary life made her comfortable and crazy at the same time. Everyone else seemed to be secure. Everyone else seemed to have a place where they belonged. Even the queen--Heather--belonged. Even the chlorinated Sheila belonged--right there waiting on Heather. Everyone had a place. Everyone but me."
Sliced Heather on Toast was definitely a 5-star read and one I would recommend to girls ages 12-14, and even older if they enjoy reading middle-grade fiction. I bought used copies of three more in the series--I'm excited to read them all!
July 22, 2008
Lissa is one of my sisters friends and works for FOTF (Focus on the Family). Great series; I want to read them all. This is the first book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews