The Window in the Wall

Title: The Window in the Wall
Author: Ginny Merritt
Major Themes: Ancient Palestine, Biblical Stories, Jericho, Jewish History, Historical Fiction
Synopsis: As the children of Israel approach Jericho, a family within its walls discovers the true God.

Emma’s review:

Have you ever read a book set in Jericho before the walls fell down? I hadn’t either, until I read The Window in the Wall! Ginny Merritt has done a great job of visualizing what it might have been like as Joshua and the children of Israel marched around the walls for seven days. How terrifying that silent march must have been!

The main character of the story is a young girl, the niece of Rahab. She is afraid of the priests and the evil she senses in their worship, and sad that she is not allowed to see her aunt anymore. She senses someone calling her name as she is helping her father in their flax fields outside the city walls. When the army of Israel crosses the Jordan river and approaches the city, suddenly her entire family moves to Aunt Rahab’s house on the city wall. As the enemy army marches silently, except for blowing trumpets, around the city every day, tensions build higher and higher, but the family dares not leave the room. What happens on the seventh day when the enemy army marches seven times around the walls?

Anyone who enjoys historical fiction would enjoy this well-written story. It is short enough for even slow readers to be able to get through, and captivating enough to capture their attention.

Esther’s review:

The Window in the Wall is a brilliant retelling of the Biblical account of the fall of Jericho. I’ve never read any book about that time, and Ginny Merritt’s fascinating descriptions really brought ancient Jericho and the Biblical events to life. I really enjoyed the imagination and practical experience woven into this short story. The tension was such that it kept me reading, even though the book is aimed toward younger readers.

Talia and her family are afraid—a foreign army from Egypt is marching toward Jericho, threatening their city and their lives. Talia and her papa, Yoktan, often work out in the flax fields together—but when the army miraculously crosses the river Jordan in full flood, they must leave their work and get to safety inside the city. Will God—the God above all gods—that Talia is learning to love and trust—protect them? Aunt Rahab says that if they stay with her then they will be safe, but can her word be trusted? Even if it can, will they have enough provisions to last out the siege?

The Window in the Wall—in some ways—is a simple story. It also carries deep spiritual truths, and makes the Biblical narrative in Joshua 2–6 vividly real. All young readers will love the Biblical truths woven throughout the storyline.

Note: We received this eBook for free from the publisher (via NetGalley) in exchange for our honest reviews.

No warnings!

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