Lydia Barnes and the Blood Diamond Treasure

“Lydia, listen.” Ben said. “We have a problem.” “What is it?” “ Someone else is after the treasure,” he said.”

Book: Lydia Barnes &; The Blood Diamond Treasure (Global Warning Series) by Heather Gemmen Wilson, Weslyan Publishing House, 2007

Genre: Mystery

Target Audience: Girls 13-16

Subject: Loss, Friendship, Faith, Family Relationships, AIDS, Missions

Summary: She may not be into following God the way her dad is, but she has no objection whatsoever to the adventure his following of God leads her on. He went to Liberia Africa to help a medical mission. She’s going to Liberia Africa to join a son of one of the missionaries on a treasure hunt for the blood diamond! The trouble is that they’re not the only ones in search of this treasure. The first night they are there, someone goes into Ben’s room and steals one of the clues! One clue leads to another, to another and soon Lydia and Ben find themselves trapped in a room with a gun aimed at them!

Notes: This is the first in a series about a young girl and the adventures she has. In this story, she is still struggling with the loss of her mom years earlier and as a result, is rejecting God and the faith her dad models for her. It’s not until she’s faced with someone who is also in the midst of an extremely difficult time that she finally turns to God for help and puts her faith in Him. This book does a very good job showing a realistic young girl struggling with faith in God. It also portrays some of the difficulties the land of Africa faces with poverty and AIDS and war. Then it shows where the hope is found in the midst of the trials and tragedies. The story reads somewhat like a story that would appeal to younger readers but due to some of the subjects covered, I don’t recommend it for younger than 13.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Proverbs 2:1-5 – My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.