James Edward Howell Jr. stirs up memories of his childhood in his memoir "And the Sun Rose on Another Day," a reminder of God's influence in our lives and the power of friends.

Howell's book is a testament to strength and to how a ten-year-old boy can overcome the death of a father. He paints a picture of what his dad and grandpa were like before acknowledging their deaths. Life continues as he discovers two potential mentors-a cousin and a brother-in-law-and the power of family. Obstacles in life fade as he places emphasis on his faith.

There's humor in tales of childish...