I Gotta Know!

In his book I Gotta Know, popular contemporary Christian singer Al Denson provides serious advice on relevant issues teens face. Questions are arranged in categories such as Love and Sex, Friends and School, Family Problems, and Questions about God, Sin, and Salvation. Each question is addressed with genuine concern and personal anecdotes that help young people respect and trust Al's answers. I Gotta Know shows teens the unconditional love of God and gives them confidence to accept themselves.

Denson is a motivational youth leader in the evangelical Christian ministry. His question-and-answer book tackles difficult issues teenagers face by offering a spirited response to each thorny question, along with Bible quotes, and one quick closing sum-up ("Remembering This May Help") meant to stay with the reader. Fear of dying, salvation, drugs and alcohol, harmful peer influence, rejection, competition, fitting in, sex, family problems, and other issues are featured in the questions: "If God is loving then why does He allow suffering?" "I've really hurt my parents. How can I make it right with them?" "How can I forgive someone who has hurt me really badly?" Denson's tone in the reply is highly accessible and welcoming, often recounting a related incident from his own youth: "Ask your parents `What can I do to earn your trust again?' Ask them to be specific. It's not magic. It takes good honest communication and hard work." Homosexuality, abortion, and premarital sex receive swift condemnation, as do other taboos in the evangelical ministry. Useful for Christian collections that serve youth, youth leaders, and teachers, the book is well designed and well written. Anne O'Malley