Scarlet Pimpernel - Jennifer, age 16
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In “the year of grace” 1792, Paris is being flooded with a never-ending river of blood flowing from the guillotine. The pitiless structure is controlled by revolutionaries who wish to see every aristocratic head fall. People all over the world are watching as thousands of innocent men, women, and children are murdered by blood-thirsty fanatics.
But during this dark time, a mysterious force is at work. All of France has heard of the daring individual who somehow manages to snatch the endangered and condemned from the teeth of the guillotine, always succeeding in seeing them safely to England. Some are amazed, some are infuriated, and others are frightened by this never-failing genius who provides a ray of hope for the aristocratic class. And although he may be sought after, no one can find out anything about his identity. The only clue he allows his pursuers is found on the notes he leaves in the hands of furious Frenchmen: his only signature, scarlet pimpernel.
The Scarlet Pimpernel is a play and adventure novel written by Baroness Emma Orczy, published in 1905. A historical fiction taking place during the French Revolution, this is the story of a young woman trying to keep her brother from being murdered and, in the process, she discovers the identity of the renowned Scarlet Pimpernel. The Scarlet Pimpernel was a bit difficult to read until I got used to the author's style and vocabulary, so I am recommending this novel to advanced middle-schoolers/high-schoolers and up. I was a bit intimidated when I started this book, but I was soon wondering about the Scarlet Pimpernel's identity. For you bookworms out there with a taste for classics, adventures, and/or historical fiction, you might want to check this one out on your next visit to the library. I think it's worth the read. :)
Do Hard Things - Matthew, age 13
Most people don't expect you to understand what we're going to tell you in this book. And even if you understand, they don't expect you to care. And even if you care, they don't expect you to do anything about it. And even if you do something about it they don't expect it to last. Well, we do.
This is the first chapter of a book called Do Hard Things by: Alex and Brett Harris. In their book, these twin brothers invite teens to join them in something they call “the Rebelution”. This rebelution is simply, teens who want to rebel against today's low expectations of teenagers. They show that the teen years are not meant to be used as an excuse for laziness, but as a time to train for living as a productive adult.
This book is not an easy read, it will challenge you to do big hard things and hard things that you'll face every day. Reading Do Hard Things is a great place to start if you want to serve God with your life, but don't know exactly how.
Matthew 7:3-4
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
I Am David - Karissa, age 12
I Am David by Anne Holm is just about the best book I've ever read!
I Am David is about a loyal boy named David who is a prisoner at a German concentration camp. With the help of a Nazi guard, David escapes from the concentration camp with only a bundle containing very few things. He learns the different ways of life beyond the concentration camp gates.
When he learns that his mother is still living, David sets out across the wintry mountains. As David wanders through the mountains he is taken captive by a cruel farmer who shuts David up in a shed. When spring is just around the corner David manages to dig a tunnel out of the shed through the snow and escapes the evil farmer. Finally, David finds his mother in Denmark and at last he has someone to look up to.
This book is one of my favorites. It was such an exciting book that I could barely ever put it down. I would definitely recommend this book to children and adults who enjoy reading about exciting adventures.
Mandie and the Foreign Spies - Mallorie, age 10
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Are you looking for an adventurous book? If so, this is a book I recommend: Mandie and the Foreign Spies, by Lois Gladys Leppards.
This book is a continuation from the last book Mandie and the Shipboard Mystery. It picks up when Mandie, Celia, Mandie’s grandmother, Senator Morton and Johnathan are at the post office in London to get Mandie a letter. The letter was a message saying that Mandie was going to have a adventurous time while she was there. But what everyone did not know was that spies would be looking to kidnap Johnathan to collect a reward of guns from Johnathan’s wealthy and well known father who owns a gun factory.
Will Johnathan be okay or will the spies find him? What will they do to Jonathan if they catch him? You will have to read Mandie and the Foreign Spies to find the answers to this amazing adventurous book! I would definitely recommend this book to girls who love mysteries and adventure.
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The Mystery of Case D. Luc - Emily, age 8
from The Cul-De-Sac Kids series by Beverly Lewis
Do you like mysteries? Me too! Dunkum is the best basketball player and has a new basketball. Ever since he had it he spends too much time with it. So Dunkum's friends make a plan. Case D. Luc is a mysterious person who takes the ball and then leaves clues so Dunkum can find it. The last clue is the most difficult. You will need to read the book to find out who Case D. Luc really is.
Harry and the Lady Next Door - Daniel, age 6
By Gene Zion
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Harry is a white and black dog. He doesn’t like the lady next door to sing because she sings too high. He likes low notes. Every time he tries to stop the lady she keeps singing anyway and he ends up in the dog house because he gets in trouble.
I think Harry is right. If I was in this book, I would help Harry. I like when Harry finds ways to stop the lady next door. One time he brought the cows from the meadow to the lady next door’s house. He wanted the cows to moo so the lady next door would sing like the cows. Harry thinks the cows sing wonderfully.
The funniest part is at the end. He figured out a really good idea of how to get the lady to go away. You have to read Harry and the Lady Next Door to find out what Harry did.
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom - James, age 4
by Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault
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Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is a book about abc's who are little kids. They climbed up a tree and it fell down because it was filled with the alphabet. Some got bandages and some got out of breath because they got hurt. Their mamas and papas put bandages on them. Then they are suppose to go to sleep but 'a' got out of bed and climbed up the tree again!
I think it is a good idea that 'a' climbed the tree again because the kids like to climb up the tree. I think climbing trees is fun. I climb apple trees and sometimes get bandages too and I still like to climb trees anyway.
I like this book because the alphabet is my favorite thing to sing about. This book is a fun book because its a good singing book. I like when Mom reads it and when Dan sings about it and Daddy too!
TWO REVIEWS FROM MOM AND DAD ALSO...
Christian Heroes: Then and Now Collection
Gladys Aylward: The Adventure of a Lifetime - Benge
Do you enjoy biographies? Like reading adventures or even watching adventure movies especially about true events? Are you a new Christian in want of Christian role models who trusted God in the midst of difficult and challenging circumstances? Perhaps you’re a first generation Christian searching for ways to encourage your own children. If you can relate to any of these reasons, then Christian Heroes: Then & Now is a great collection of books about ordinary people who loved Christ and were willing to trust God for the furtherance of His kingdom.
The first book in the series that I read was a biography: Gladys Aylward, The Adventure of a Lifetime. It was first brought to my attention at a Women’s Book Club at our church. It was an easy read, obviously not only meant for advanced readers, but it profoundly affected my life. I had only been a Christian for a short period of time and was unfamiliar with missionary biographies. I was also a young mom with hopes of teaching my children about Christian living. I was amazed at the strength God had given Gladys Aylward despite what the rest of the world had told her. She was told she could never be a missionary for the Lord because she was failing her Bible class. Gladys, a simple housemaid from London, would not give up. (oh, how I could relate!) She chose to move forward because she believed God wanted her to go to China.
Recently the words from this book have been ringing in my ear with Ukraine's political unrest….“If I must die, let me not be afraid of death, but let there be a meaning, O God, in my dying.” Hopefully these words are permanently imprinted in my mind. I am so thankful for her willingness to serve her Master in this way and with such strong conviction. Despite all the obstacles she kept moving forward. Throughout her journey to serve the Lord her she continued in a dangerous lifestyle, but God protected her and she prevailed. By the end of her life she accomplished a great deal; much more than ‘needlework in a rocking chair’ as said by another missionary in this book. I believe because her focus was on Him, not on herself, she won the race that Paul spoke of. She laid down her life for her brethren and the people of China.
Our family loves to sit around the family room at night and read a chapter or two before bed. These books are engaging enough for our oldest children (by the way, Dad especially loves them too!) and simple enough for our six year old.
A last note, if you are not a Christian yet, but are seeking Jesus, the One who loves you dearly, I would recommend these books to you also. I believe the books in this series shows the loving relationship between Christ and His children. May this draw you into His loving arms. He is waiting and the angels in heaven will rejoice when you call His name and seek His loving forgiveness. This ol' wretch who has been given new life, promises you won’t regret it because, without a doubt, Christ adores you!
~Joelle
George Muller: The Guardian of Bristol's Orphans
by Geoff and Janet Benge
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Are you looking for a great book to read with your family?
Sometimes in our fast-paced, high-tech world it's easy to overlook such simple pleasures as reading together as a family, but even these modern times, sitting down together with a good book can certainly still be a fun and rewarding family activity, even with older children.
Our family has really enjoyed reading books from the Christian Heroes:Then&Now series. The books in this series are a collection of biographies of many Christians, from the past, some well known and some less known. This series contains many, many wonderful stories of amazing things God did through the lives of these, often ordinary, people. These books are well written and even though they are intended for children to read, Joelle and I have also enjoyed them and learned a lot from reading them together with our children of mixed ages.
One of our favorite books in the series is the book about George Muller – George Muller: The Guardian of Bristol's Orphans by Geoff and Janet Benge You may think this book interested us because of our involvement with orphan ministry, but actually I think all Christians will find this book interesting and encouraging no matter what area of ministry they are involved with. This book shares the story of how God took the life of someone heading very much in the opposite direction of God, turned it around and brought George to be someone with amazingly strong obedience, faith and trust in God. It is amazing to hear the stories of how God always answered Mr. Muller's prayers and provided for him and the ministries he was involved with. It was also inspiring(or even convicted) to hear how George almost always tried to figure what he should do when he saw a particular need, rather than assuming someone else will or should take care of it.
I highly recommend reading the books in this series with your family and think George Muller: The Guardian of Bristol's Orphans is a great place to start.
- Mike
