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Stories From Africa

October 1, 2015 by Emma Filbrun · Leave a Comment

1 Oct

Title: Stories From Africa
Author: SIM Missionaries
Major Themes: Africa, Missionaries
Synopsis: Six true stories from missionaries in Africa help children understand more about God’s love and care for us.

Stories From Africa is a collection of six true stories, written by various missionaries. One tells about a little girl with leprosy, who hears of a hospital for people like her and walks for a long time to get there. Another story is about a missionary pilot who flies to pick up a little boy who is very sick. Each story is different, and each is illustrated with a line drawing that would make a good coloring picture. These stories will help your young child learn more about God’s love and care for us.

No warnings!

Age levels:

Listening Level—Ages 3 – 4, 5 – 8
Reading Independently—Ages 7 – 9, 8 – 12

Links to buy this book:

Amazon: Paperback
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com

The Bronze Bow

September 30, 2015 by Emma Filbrun · Leave a Comment

30 Sep

The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare

Title: The Bronze Bow
Author: Elizabeth George Speare
Major Themes: Bible Times, Jesus, Romans
Synopsis: Daniel can think of nothing except his hatred for the Romans and revenging his parent’s deaths, but other things keep getting in his way and making him think.

The Bronze Bow has been a favorite of mine for many years. I’m not sure when I first read it, but I believe I found a copy at a secondhand shop when I was 10 or 12. I enjoyed it so much I looked for other books by Elizabeth George Speare at the library. Now, I’ve had the privilege of reading it to my own children! We’ve read aloud two of Speare’s other books, Sign of the Beaver and The Witch of Blackbird Pond, and thoroughly enjoyed them, too—especially the first.

Daniel has been living in a cave in the mountain for five years, ever since he ran away from the blacksmith he was apprenticed to. He hates the Romans, because they crucified his father ten years ago; his mother died, too, of exposure and a broken heart. Daniel’s sister, who lives with their grandmother, has refused to set foot out of the house or talk to anyone other than Daniel and their grandmother, since their parents died. Daniel lives only for revenge on the Romans, and he is sure that Rosh, the leader of the band who lives on the mountain, will free Israel from them. When Grandmother dies, Daniel has to move back to the village to care for his sister, Leah. Can he continue working against the Romans from there? Will he be able to keep his anger toward them in check enough to not be killed by them? And what about the new preacher who often spends time in Capernaum? He seems to be a dynamic leader, but Daniel has a hard time understanding him.

The Bronze Bow is a powerful picture of life in Israel at the time of Christ. Rebellion against the Romans was constantly seething just below the surface, and Jesus’s teachings of love and forgiveness were a new concept to many. I really liked the way the author made you feel as if you were present, and as puzzled at what was happening as Daniel was.

No warnings!

Age levels:

Listening Level—Ages 8 – 12, 10 – 12, Family Friendly
Reading Independently—Ages 10 – 12, 12 – 15, 15 and Above, Adults

Links to buy this book:

Amazon: Paperback | Library Binding | Audible Audiobook (unabridged) | Audio CD (unabridged)
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com

Only One Woof

September 29, 2015 by Emma Filbrun · Leave a Comment

29 Sep

Title: Only One Woof
Author: James Herriot
Major Themes: Dogs, Farming
Synopsis: The young sheepdog, Gyp, never barks until one day when he sees his brother performing in the sheepdog trials.

Only One Woof is another absolutely delightful picture book set in the Yorkshire countryside that James Herriot knew so well. The gorgeous colorful paintings by Peter Barrett bring the story to life. In this tale, the vet goes to Mr Wilkins’ farm and sees two sheepdog puppies playing with each other and herding the ducklings, much to their mother’s dismay. One of the pups cannot bark. As the years go by, the vet watches this pup grow up, and one day at the sheep-dog trials, witnesses him bark for the first time in his life. Will he ever bark again? Any young child will love this story and the beautiful pictures.

No warnings!

Age levels:

Listening Level—Ages 3 – 4, 5 – 8
Reading Independently—Ages 7 – 9

Links to buy this book:

Amazon: Paperback | Hardcover
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com

Augustus Ceasar’s World

September 28, 2015 by Emma Filbrun · Leave a Comment

28 Sep

Augustus Ceasar's World by Genevieve Foster

Title: Augustus Ceasar’s World
Author: Genevieve Foster
Major Themes: Roman Empire, Augustus Caesar
Synopsis: The life of Augustus Caesar is told in detail, and events and religions from around the world at the same time are described.

We are currently studying the Roman Empire. The last time we went through this level of Sonlight, they had Augustus Ceasar’s World scheduled in. They have now deleted it, but since we already have the book and enjoyed it the last time through, I decided we would read it again. Genevieve Foster does a masterful job of making history into a fascinating story.

The story begins with young Octavius, a schoolboy who has been named as Julius Caesar’s heir. Julius Caesar has just been murdered, so Octavius goes to Rome to claim his inheritance. The story carries on through Octavius’s life, as he was given the name of Augustus (Caesar was the family name), and became emperor. Along with the story of Augustus’ life, we learn about the events in all parts of the Roman Empire at the time, including the drama of Antony and Cleopatra, the story of Herod in Judea, and the story of Jesus’ life. We also learn about various religions, how they began and what the people who follow them believe.

If you are studying the Roman Empire or the years from 44 BC to AD 14, I highly recommend Augustus Ceasar’s World. I wouldn’t just hand this book to your child and tell them to read it, though—see the warnings below. This is one that I believe should be read aloud, and discussed.

WARNING: Augustus Ceasar’s World is not written from a Christian perspective. The author seems to have the attitude that all religions are equal, in fact, page 264 quotes a Hindu holy book as saying as much. Several places say that the books of the Old Testament were not written until a thousand years after Moses, that the Law of Moses was simply oral tradition until about the time of the captivity of Israel. Pages 186-187 say that the Children of Israel learned to believe in one God while they were in the desert. Pages 187-191 tell the story of the Bible as if it is on the same level as all other religion’s beliefs. Pages 205-209 say that Akhenaton, an Egyptian Pharaoh was the first man in the world to believe in the idea of only one God.

Age levels:

Listening Level—Ages 8 – 12, 10 – 12
Reading Independently—Ages 12 – 15

Links to buy this book:

Amazon: Paperback | Hardcover
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com

Florence Nightingale: Lady With the Lamp

September 25, 2015 by Emma Filbrun · Leave a Comment

25 Sep

Florence Nightingale: Lady With the Lamp by Sam Wellman

Title: Florence Nightingale: Lady With the Lamp
Author: Sam Wellman
Series: Heroes of the Faith series and included in Inspiring Women of the Faith
Major Themes: Florence Nightingale, Crimean War
Synopsis: Florence Nightingale’s long life was dedicated to pursuing the work God had for her, including nursing soldiers in the Crimean War and improving hospitals and nursing in England.

I am loving the Heroes of the Faith series of biographies. I borrowed the book Inspiring Women of the Faith from a friend, which contains four of these biographies. I’ve just finished Florence Nightingale: Lady With the Lamp, and loved it. Most biographies, in my experience, start out fascinating and lose steam as you go, as the subject of the book ages. This one about Florence Nightingale, however, like the previous one about Sojourner Truth, kept my interest all the way through.

Florence was born into a wealthy English family shortly before Victoria became Queen of England. Her mother and sister, Parthe, were only interested in social life and mixing with “important” people. Florence found no meaning in their preferred life, but when she tried to follow her own interests and help poor and sick people, her mother and sister were horrified and did their best to stop her. Not until she was 33 years old was Flo able to follow the direction God gave her for her life. Once she broke away from her mother and sister’s demands, Flo threw herself into working to alleviate suffering. Her most famous endeavor was nursing sick and wounded soldiers in the Crimean War, which England fought with Russia in Turkey. Arriving there to find horrific conditions in the hospital, Flo immersed herself in nursing the soldiers and improving conditions. The grateful soldiers never forgot the lady who walked through the wards at night with a lamp, looking for men who needed her.

After the war, Flo worked tirelessly, even when her own health broke, to improve hospitals and teach women how to nurse sick people. She also wrote a book about philosophy. I learned some things about her life from this book that I had never picked up anywhere else. Florence Nightingale is quite an interesting person, a dedicated Christian. I highly recommend Florence Nightingale: Lady With the Lamp to anyone who enjoys a biography of a Christian woman, or is interested in nursing.

No warnings!

Age levels:

Listening Level—Family Read Alouds
Reading Independently—Ages 12 – 15, 15 and Above, Adults

Links to buy this book:

Amazon: Paperback
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com