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The Tombs of Anak

August 12, 2015 by Emma Filbrun · Leave a Comment

12 Aug

Title: The Tombs of Anak
Author: Frank E. Peretti
Series: The Cooper Kids Adventure Series
Major Themes: Mystery, Archaeology
Synopsis: When an archaeological team discovers a cave structure under an ancient Philistine temple, they quickly find themselves drawn into danger and intrigue.

I’ve been seeing The Cooper Kids Adventure Series come up frequently lately, so when I saw The Tombs of Anak on a friend’s bookshelf, I decided to borrow it to see what these books are like. I wasn’t real surprised. I read a few of Frank Peretti’s books some 20-25 years ago, so I knew what his writing style is like. If you are looking for a page-turner that will get the adrenaline going, this is definitely one of those!

The story opens with three men on an archaeological dig in Palestine. They have just uncovered an ancient Philistine temple, and now they’ve discovered a strange underground room. One of the men, who seems to be searching for treasure, insists on being lowered immediately down the shaft—and disappears! The leader of the team and his two children soon arrive on the scene, and are quickly drawn into mystery, intrigue, and extreme danger, involving the Anakims of Biblical fame.

One thing I appreciated about The Tombs of Anak was the fact that the main characters seemed to have a strong Christian faith even in the face of death. Also, people groups and incidents from the times of Moses and David are referred to as fact. However, I have concerns about books with this level of intense action and excitement. When children read books like this frequently, it will spoil their appetite for slower-paced stories, which may have a lot more value. This type may be valuable to encourage a reluctant reader, but I don’t plan to let my boys read them at this stage.

WARNING: There is some violence; a couple of people are murdered by the mysterious, deadly Anak.

Age levels:

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

Links to buy this book:

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

Yielded Captive

August 10, 2015 by Emma Filbrun · Leave a Comment

10 Aug

Title: Yielded Captive
Author: Dalaina May
Major Themes: Romance, Missions
Synopsis: A young wife and mother is kidnapped by a Stone Age tribe in the Amazon jungle.

Yielded Captive is a thought-provoking novel. What if you, as a wife and mother, were captured by a Stone Age Amazonian tribe and forced to become the wife of the chief, who killed your husband? That’s the scenario presented in this story. Allison and her husband spent three years trying in vain to reach a tribe who had never had contact with modern civilization. A few of the gifts they offered had been taken, but nothing else was seen of the tribe. Until—one day when, without warning, warriors burst out of the jungle shooting arrows at the men, and Allison was grabbed and hauled off into the rain forest with her 13-month-old son!

For years, Allison lived with the tribe, learning to live the way they lived. When she started trying to minister to another woman in the village, she realized the reason she had been feeling distanced from God, and had to learn to forgive her captor. Meanwhile, her husband, who she thought was dead, was trying to rebuild his own life in Texas. Would they ever get back together?

You will be on the edge of your seat all the way through Yielded Captive, if you’re like me—but please don’t read it Sunday morning before you go to church, or you won’t be able to concentrate on the sermon very well! One part that challenged me was when Allison would be meditating on Scripture she had previously memorized. How would I fare if suddenly I had no Bible, and no other Christians around?

WARNING: Not for children—rape is referred to several times.

Age levels:

Reading Independently—Ages 15 and Above, Adults

Links to buy this book:

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

Ricky and the Hammond Cousins

August 7, 2015 by Emma Filbrun · Leave a Comment

7 Aug

Ricky and the Hammond Cousins by Wanda M. Yoder

Title: Ricky and the Hammond Cousins
Author: Wanda M. Yoder
Series: Hammond Cousins series, book 2
Major Themes: ADHD, Hyperactivity
Synopsis: The Hammond Cousins have a new challenge when hyperactive Ricky comes to live in the community.

The Hammond Cousins have a new challenge to face. It wasn’t too hard, after all, to learn how to get along with Markie and his Down Syndrome. But when Ricky came on the scene….

I know I say this about most books, but it’s true: My boys loved Ricky and the Hammond Cousins! While we were reading it, it was the most-asked-for book of the four we were in the middle of. I don’t know if they were identifying with the characters, enjoying the conservative Christian atmosphere of the story, or just that it was well-written, but they enjoyed it.

As the story opens, Uncle Jerry brings his son to live with him at Grandma Hammond’s house, and the cousins meet the six-year-old for the first time. He arrives in a whirlwind of energy, and they soon learn that the little boy rarely holds still for even a few seconds. As a result, possibly, of his parent’s lifestyle when he was born, Ricky has an extreme case of ADHD. Grandma Hammond insists there is nothing wrong with him that love, good food and discipline can’t cure—is she right, or will Ricky have to have medication to help him calm down?

Ricky and the Hammond Cousins is a delightful portrait of a large extended Mennonite family loving and helping a little boy who badly needs love. Many important life lessons are taught along the way.

No warnings!

Age levels:

Listening Level—Ages 5 – 8, 8 – 12, 10 – 12, Family Friendly
Reading Independently—Ages 8 – 12, 10 – 12

Links to buy this book:

Amazon: Paperback
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com

Theras and His Town

August 6, 2015 by Emma Filbrun · Leave a Comment

6 Aug

Theras and His Town by Caroline Dale Snedeker

Title: Theras and His Town
Author: Caroline Dale Snedeker
Major Themes: Ancient Greece, Athens, Sparta
Synopsis: Theras experiences life as a typical boy in Ancient Greece, both in Athens and Sparta.

When we started reading Theras and His Town a week or two ago, I thought it might be too juvenile for my 11-15-year-olds. They ended up enjoying it, though, and when I offered the choice of reading extra in it, or reading from one of a couple of other books we had going, they wanted to carry on with Theras.

As the story opens, 7-year-old Theras is starting to school in ancient Athens for the first time. His father takes him to school, where he spends time learning to read, write and sing, and then practices sports at the athletic field. Another day, his father takes him to the Acropolis to worship Athena, and one day, Theras, now 10, ran away from home for the day. He little realized the danger he placed himself in by being alone in the city! The next year, when his father was killed in a battle, Theras was taken to Sparta. He hated the cruelty he saw there, and determined to run away and go back home to Athens.

Theras and His Town gives a good picture of daily life in both Athens and Sparta. It is simply written, but engaging all the same, with a good story line. I would recommend it to supplement any study of ancient Greece.

WARNING: The characters swear by their gods frequently throughout the story.

Age levels:

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

Links to buy this book:

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

The Yellow Sock

August 5, 2015 by Emma Filbrun · Leave a Comment

5 Aug

Title: The Yellow Sock
Author: Angela Hunt
Major Themes: Adoption, Trusting God
Synopsis: When Megan and her husband are told they will never be able to have their own children, they decide to pursue adoption.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Yellow Sock. As a novella, it’s short enough that it can be read fairly quickly, and quite well-written. It kept my attention from beginning to end, even though I knew how it would likely end.

Megan Wingfield and her husband have been married for three years and trying unsuccessfully for two years to have a baby, when they receive the news that they will never be able to have a baby of their own. After struggling with how to respond to this news, they eventually decide to pursue adoption, but many obstacles stand in their way, and they must keep giving their desires to God and believing that He knows what is best for them.

I have never personally had experience with adoption, but many people I know have adopted children. The subject has always fascinated me, and The Yellow Sock really rings true. Any mother would be able to identify with Megan and her struggles.

No warnings!

Age levels:

Reading Independently—Adults

Links to buy this book:

Amazon: Paperback | Kindle | Audible Audiobook (unabridged)
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com