Crossroads Among the Gentiles

Title: Crossroads Among the Gentiles
Author: Elizabeth Raum
Series: Choose Your Journey
Major Themes: Bible Stories, Gospel, Jesus
Synopsis: The story of Jesus’ ministry to the Gentiles is told through the eyes of three different children.

When I was young, I enjoyed books where you chose your path. I always had to try all the different options and see where each one would end up! Crossroads Among the Gentiles is one of these books, and in the process retells many stories from the Gospels. I enjoyed following the various paths to see what happened with the different choices.

There are three base stories in this book. The main characters in the stories are a child of Samaria, a younger brother of the disciple Bartholomew, and a daughter of Susannah, one of the women who followed and ministered to Jesus. Of course, these characters are imaginary, but the events that are described are real, as told in the Bible.

The child of Samaria comes across Jesus when she goes to the well and sees Him talking to a woman. She has to decide whether or not to stay and listen to Him or to continue helping her mother, and then other people.

Bartholomew’s brother also has conflicts. He has some friends who have a questionable reputation. His brother tells stories that he has heard from Jesus, and then takes him to hear Jesus for himself. The brother gets to go along on several trips across the Sea of Galilee and see some miracles.

Susannah and her daughter travel with Jesus, and find themselves going north of Galilee into cities of the Gentiles. They help provide food and cook for Jesus and the disciples. They also witness many miracles and help people themselves.

Children will enjoy this fresh view of Jesus’ ministry to the Gentiles. There is a list in the back showing which stories from the Gospels are included in each story, and also several pages of information about the Jews and their relationship to the Gentiles near them. This book will be a good addition to any child’s library!

I received a free ecopy of this book from NetGalley, and chose to review it.

No warnings!