Dragonfire

The pillars creaked. The walls bulged. The heavy rain of the days before pressed against the swollen seams of the building. She feared the whole structure would collapse before she reached the inn’s yard. She came back into the front room. The clouds above had thinned, and a ray of sunshine broke through. One of the horses outside nickered. Kale smiled and stepped cautiously through the debris. “I found them,” she called to Bardon. “And I didn’t get into trouble.” He didn’t answer. “Bardon, I found them.” Still no answer. “Bardon?”

Book:DragonFire (Dragon Keepers Chronicles, Book 4) by Donita K. Paul, Waterbrook Press, 2007

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy

Target Audience: Girls and boys age 10+

Subjects: Trust in people and God

Summary: Kale and Bardon, who are now married, SPOILER ALERT! They must go on separate missions to defeat the pretender. Kale must learn to trust her father and to get closer to each other. Bardon must go and find Burner Stox and his minions and defeat them. They set off separately and Kale and her father get into some trouble with a thing. They find out that it is a good guy and they get even closer to Burner. Bardon starts off  by being attacked and having to leave squad members behind. Bardon, after a long while, finds more squad members and even dragon like Kale did.

Notes: This book is the 4^th book in the series starting with Dragonspell. Wulder is being personified as God in the book. Paladin is being personified as Jesus in this book that Kale and Bardon have to accept. Kale is having troubles keeping a mission away from her husband since they can only mind read when together. Kale says in the beginning that they make a good team and now they have to be apart. Bardon has troubles focusing on the mission when he is always worried or thinking about Kale. He must learn to let go of the one whom he loves to focus on the others around him and keep them safe so they don’t get hurt.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 4/5

Reviewer: 4m3l14 M0rkv3

Psalm 9:10 – Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Challenge On The Hill Of Fire

There was a loud snapping of branches. Leaves crunched behind them. The big druid was coming! “Don’t move,” Tristan said.

“Are you daft?” Caera’s father whispered.

 “Trust me,” Tristan said.

Book:Challenge on the Hill of Fire (AIO Imagination Station Books) by Marianne Hering and Nancy J. Sanders, Focus on the Family and Tyndale House Publishing, 2012

Genre: Adventure

Target Audience: Boys and girls 8-13

Subjects: St. Patrick, Druids, God’s Power

Summary: Green, shamrocks, leprechauns, pots of gold, all of it makes for a fascinating holiday and Patrick and Beth are ready to celebrate! But Mr. Whittaker has something more exciting than leprechaun traps for them. A trip in the Imagination Station lands them in Ireland on the night of the Easter festival. The law of the land says no one but the druids can light a paschal fire on this night, but the bishop and other Christians have no intention of following that law. They are determined to stand up to the druids and declare truth to the people trapped in fear. As usual, the adventure lands Patrick and Beth right in the midst of the danger. Captured to be used as either slaves or a sacrifice they have to escape the druid and use the gifts Mr. Whittaker gave them to help the bishop.

Notes: This is the 10^th in the Imagination Station Adventures series. The series is much like the secular Magic Tree House books but instead of wizards and magic it’s imagination and inventions giving them the different place/different time experiences. The radio show the concept is taken from is very solid – full of great spiritual elements and lessons and challenges as well as fun and excitement. This book did a much better job than some of the other in the series at focusing on spiritual elements. The spiritual elements in this story are faith in the one true God, missions, and declaring truth. The historical figure in this book is St. Patrick. The children participate in the lighting of the fire that challenged the druids and led to the king accepting Christianity into the land. As with the Magic Tree House, part of the focus of the series is on giving a picture of the time and place featured in the setting of the book.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Philippians 1:20-21 - I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Escape To The Hiding Place

The German solider pointed his long rifle right at Patrick. On the tip of the barrel was a sharp silver blade. It came within inches of Patrick’s nose. “What are you doing here?” the solider shouted.

Book: Escape to the Hiding Place (AIO Imagination Station Books) by Marianne Hering and Marshal Younger, Focus on the Family and Tyndale House Publishing, 2012

Genre: Adventure

Target Audience: Boys and girls 8-13

Subjects: World War II, Dutch Resistance, Corrie Ten Boom, Serving God while young

Summary: Being a kid is no fun sometimes. No one lets you do anything. Even taking a babysitting class requires you to be at least eleven and for Beth, that is three years away! When she and Patrick complain to Mr. Whittaker, he sends them on an adventure to Holland during WWII to see what sort of things children can do to make a difference in the world around them. Here they meet a young boy who is helping his family with the resistance against the Germans. And when the resistance gets a baby that needs reunited with it’s mother, Patrick and Beth are the only ones who can deliver it. No one is allowed on the roads after dark, German soldiers are patrolling the streets everywhere – in fact, the number of guards has tripled. It’s far from safe, but someone has to do it!

Notes: This is the 9^th in the Imagination Station Adventures series. The series is much like the secular Magic Tree House books but instead of wizards and magic it’s imagination and inventions giving them the different place/different time experiences. The radio show the concept is taken from is very solid – full of great spiritual elements and lessons and challenges as well as fun and excitement. This book did a much better job than some of the other in the series at focusing on spiritual elements. The spiritual element in this story are the faith of the resistance workers as they rely on God to protect them as they seek to help the Jews. There is also the element of what a young child can do to help impact their world. The historical figure in this book is Corrie Ten Boom. The children deliver the baby to her home and get to hide in the hiding place created to shelter the Jews. sAs with the Magic Tree House, part of the focus of the series is on giving a picture of the time and place featured in the setting of the book.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

1 Timothy 4:12 - Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

Battle For Cannibal Island

Toki’s face twisted up in anger. “You speak like the man Calvert! I hate his words! I hate the teachings of his God! Your God would be King and change our ways. He would make us weak with words like ‘love your enemies.’ I am king. I kill and eat my enemies.”

Book: Battle for Cannibal Island (AIO Imagination Station Books) by Marianne Hering and Wayne Thomas Batson, Focus on the Family and Tyndale House Publishing, 2012

Genre: Adventure

Target Audience: Boys and girls 8-13

Subjects: Missions, Cannibalism, Selfishness

Summary: It’s not fair! His mom is making Patrick miss his big soccer game for his grandma’s birthday. His grandma isn’t even fun to be around! She pinches his cheeks and criticizes him. In his grumpiness Patrick even lashes out at Beth when she tries to encourage him. And he does what he knows is disobedient – he starts an Imagination Station Adventure without asking Mr. Whittaker’s permission. Soon Patrick and Beth find themselves on a ship with all sorts of problems. A storm is coming, the cannibal king is burning villages of Christians on the nearby island, a convict escapes and uses Patrick as his hostage, a man falls overboard and a missionary on board the ship is determined to be allowed to go on shore of the island with the cannibals!

Notes: This is the 8^th in the Imagination Station Adventures series. The series is much like the secular Magic Tree House books but instead of wizards and magic it’s imagination and inventions giving them the different place/different time experiences. The radio show the concept is taken from is very solid – full of great spiritual elements and lessons and challenges as well as fun and excitement. This book did a much better job than some of the other in the series at focusing on spiritual elements. The spiritual elements in this story are the history of the missionary James Calvert and his ministry to the cannibals, loving people even when they hurt you, and putting the needs of others above yourself. Calvert also has an interesting discussion with the kids about how being a Christian means you have died to yourself. As with the Magic Tree House, part of the focus of the series is on giving a picture of the time and place featured in the setting of the book.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Colossians 3:1-3 - Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

Secret Of The Prince’s Tomb

“No!” Beth cried. She pulled back. The guard pushed her toward the door. “You were attempting to help a slave escape,” he said. He opened the cell door with a key. He roughly pushed the cousins inside. Beth fell to her knees on wet straw. Patrick stumbled and fell against a stone wall. Before he could turn around, he heard a BANG and then a CLANK.

Book:Secret of the Prince's Tomb (AIO Imagination Station Books) by Marianne Hering and Marshal Younger, Focus on the Family and Tyndale House Publishing, 2012

Genre: Adventure

Target Audience: Boys and girls 8-13

Subjects: Slavery, Ancient Egypt, Trust in God, Hope

Summary: Patrick is miserable. Summer vacation is almost over and it’s time for school to start back up. He might as well be a slave. It’s the same thing. Or so he thinks. Mr. Whittaker isn’t convinced having teachers giving instructions and hard work is as bad at Patrick believes. So he sends Patrick and Beth to experience genuine slavery for themselves. They arrive in ancient Egypt on the day the Pharaoh gives in to his fear that the Israelites are too numerous and therefore dangerous and takes action to turn them into slaves. Patrick and Beth make friends with a young Israelite girl and the Pharaoh’s son. But being friends with an Israelite isn’t safe. Helping a slave is a criminal offense and worthy of being thrown in jail!

Notes: This is the 7^th in the Imagination Station Adventures series. The series is much like the secular Magic Tree House books but instead of wizards and magic it’s imagination and inventions giving them the different place/different time experiences. The radio show the concept is taken from is very solid – full of great spiritual elements and lessons and challenges as well as fun and excitement. This book did a much better job than some of the other in the series at focusing on spiritual elements. The spiritual elements in this story is first of all, the very history of the Israelite people as recorded in Scripture. Multiple Biblical events are referenced from Genesis and Exodus. It also focuses on where hope is found. The characters are wanting to have Joseph’s bones in their possession to give them hope. They are putting their faith in an object, just like the Egyptians around them. Patrick and Beth help them see that their hope and faith needs to be in something living, the one true God. As with the Magic Tree House, part of the focus of the series is on giving a picture of the time and place featured in the setting of the book.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Jeremiah 10:10 – But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God, the eternal King. When he is angry, the earth trembles; the nations cannot endure his wrath.

Psalm 42:11 – Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Attack At The Arena

Patrick was pushed with the men down a long hallway. It was lined with cells on each side. Some held more men. Others had caged animals. “It’s like a zoo,” Patrick said. What are the animals all doing here?”

“The same as us,” Aldric said. “We’re here to die for the glory of Rome.”

Book: Attack at the Arena (AIO Imagination Station Books) by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker, Focus on the Family and Tyndale House Publishing, 2011

Genre: Adventure

Target Audience: Boys and girls 8-13

Subjects: Murder, Rome

Summary: A trip to ancient Rome sounds quite exciting to Patrick and Beth – until they get captured and sent to the arena! As soon as the kids returned from their adventure with the Vikings, Mr. Whittaker receives another note saying Albert needs his help. This one says that he needs a silver cup. The Imagination Station still won’t let Mr. Whittaker have adventures for some reason, so Patrick and Beth go in pursuit of the cup. Beth posing as a slave is caught and sent to Emperor Honorious. Patrick joins up with a monk by the name of Telemachus, but is captured and sent to the arena to die for the glory of Rome. The people are demanding more violence, more death and Patrick and Beth may be the ones the crowd gets!

Notes: This is the 2^nd in the Imagination Station Adventures series. The series is much like the secular Magic Tree House books but instead of wizards and magic it’s imagination and inventions giving them the different place/different time experiences. The radio show the concept is taken from is very solid – full of great spiritual elements and lessons and challenges as well as fun and excitement. This book did a much better job than some of the other in the series at focusing on spiritual elements. The spiritual elements in this story is the historical event of Telemachus requesting that if the emperor profess Christianity, he put a halt to the violence of the arena because the God of Christianity does not delight in murder. As with the Magic Tree House, part of the focus of the series is on giving a picture of the time and place featured in the setting of the book.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 4/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

1 John 3:12 – Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous.

Peril In The Palace

He motioned toward a group of men at the side of the room. They wore long yellow robes and yellow turbans. The men came forward and circled Kublai Khan’s throne. “We will see who has power,” Kublai Khan said. “Your God or the Mongol shamans.

Book: Peril in the Palace (AIO Imagination Station Books) by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker, Focus on the Family and Tyndale House Publishing, 2011

Genre: Adventure

Target Audience: Boys and girls 8-13

Subjects: Gospel, False Religions, Mongolia

Summary: First a Viking ship, then a Roman arena, now a Mongolian Palace! Patrick and Beth sure are getting around! Instead of a note, this time a knight appears in the Imagination Station and gives them a message himself saying where to go to help Mr. Whittaker’s relative, Albert. The mystery grows but the kids take the challenge. When they arrive in Mongolia they instantly get kidnapped by fierce Mongol warriors! Saved by a famous explorer, Marco Polo, the children journey to the palace of the great Kublai Khan to give him gifts in hopes of getting a golden tablet. The problem is that they arrive in the midst of a belief system clash. The great Khan has asked for 100 Christian teachers and has been denied. On the other hand, the shamans are present and plentiful and aren’t afraid to use magic tricks to convince the Khan to see things their way. As if that isn’t bad enough, before they have time to even ask for a golden tablet, war breaks out against Kublai Khan’s people and the children are shut away in a room to keep them from escaping to aid the enemy. Now they are trapped and still have no golden tablet and the entire country is in danger!

Notes: This is the 3^rd in the Imagination Station Adventures series. The series is much like the secular Magic Tree House books but instead of wizards and magic it’s imagination and inventions giving them the different place/different time experiences. The radio show the concept is taken from is very solid – full of great spiritual elements and lessons and challenges as well as fun and excitement. This book did a much better job than some of the other in the series at focusing on spiritual elements. The spiritual elements in this story is the historical event of Khan asking for 100 Christian teachers to be sent to teach the Mongols about Jesus, but those teachers never came. So in this fictional account, Patrick and Beth step up and proclaim a quick summary of the Gospel in an attempt to explain the truth to Kublai Khan. As with the Magic Tree House, part of the focus of the series is on giving a picture of the time and place featured in the setting of the book.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 4/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Romans 10:13-15 – for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

The Swamp Robber

But in a flash he jumped up and dashed lickety-sizzle straight toward Poetry. Both hands were stretched out in front of him as if he was going to grab Poetry and choke him to death.

Book: The Swamp Robber by Paul Hutchens, Moody Publishers, 1997, 1940

Genre: Adventure

Target Audience: Boys 10-14

Subject: Salvation, Drunkenness, Prayer

Summary: It all started the day Poetry decided to scare Bill and Dragonfly using the wig and beard he found in the old tree stump. The Sugar Creek Gang can’t figure out why it’s there, until they hear about a robber in the area. They figure it must belong to him – and they’re right! The police think they’ve caught the robber when a young boy is arrested, but Bill, Poetry, Dragonfly, Circus, Little Jim and Big Jim find out otherwise when they catch someone in another wig and beard digging in the woods one night! All this gives Bill some things to think about as he ponders the significance of these events, as well as a few other adventures occurring in his life.

Notes: The Sugar Creek Gang is a series about a group of young boys ranging from about age ten to the mid-teen years somewhere. The big idea is boys being boys and the adventures they get into as a result. The book move quickly from one adventure to the next. None are written as overly intense, even when a character is facing death. All the stories are narrated by a member of the gang as he looks back on the story, making it obvious that everyone ended up ok. The fun of the adventure is figuring out how, not if. The books are short, but have relatively long chapters for a beginning reader. They would definitely make great read-alouds. There is a lot of strong spiritual emphasis in the stories including the basics of salvation, living as a Christian, standing up for your faith, and witnessing to others.

In this story, Bill, the main character of the series, is pondering salvation and what happens if a person dies without becoming a Christian. The birth of a new sister, the near-death of the young boy caught by the police, and the drunken actions of Circus’ father cause Bill to ponder his own mortality, realizing that he needs to be saved and the others around him need to be saved as well. In this book he is ten years old, having grown up in a very godly home his whole life. He recognizes for the first time the need for assurance of his own salvation.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

2 Corinthians 6:1 – As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

2 Timothy 3:15 - And how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Panic At Emu Flat

“Sit down, please.” The magistrate motioned to two burgundy leather chairs set at angles in front of his massive oak desk. Patrick slipped into one of them. He couldn’t remember feeling smaller in his life. “You understand, young man, what a profoundly serious matter this is?”

Book: Panic at Emu Flat (The Adventures Down Under Book 8) by Robert Elmer, Bethany House Publishers, 1999

Genre: Historical Fiction

Target Audience: Boys 12-16

Subjects: Friendship, Peace, Fear, Crime, Hope

Summary: Life as he knew it completely changed when his dad was exiled to Australia with Patrick and his family following behind on another ship. Australia has brought numerous adventures, many of them quite serious, some even life-altering. But life is possibly going to change again. His dad has been pardoned and offered a job back in Ireland. But first, there are a few more intense and once again, possibly life-altering adventures to be had in Australia. The McWaids are still running the paddle streamer down the river. They’ve lost a crew member – Patrick’s friend Jefferson – to the competition, a fancier steamer – the Victoria. They’ve gained some rather unusual cargo in exchange for Jefferson though. The Victoria had been given a bunch of ostriches to transport but refused to take them any further, leaving the McWaids to pick them up, along with a rather interesting passenger heading to the same place as the ostriches. The ostriches prove to be more than just interesting as they create some adventures of their own for the McWaids. Just when Patrick thinks things can’t get any more complicated of difficult though, rumors of a death start traveling around and Patrick finds himself right in the middle of it.

Notes: Dingo Creek Challenge is the eighth and final book in the Adventures Down Under series. The books tell the story of Patrick, his sister and his little brother as they face the challenges of trying to survive in Australia shortly after it was being settled as a prison colony. The author found many of the adventures someone living there at that time would have faced and has Patrick, his family and his friends encounter them all throughout the course of the series.

This eighth book focuses on courage and peace. Patrick is overwhelmed with a sense of everything being wrong and danger ahead. Then when he finds out he may be responsible for the death of a man, he becomes even more afraid and walks around completely defeated, having given up all hope of anything good ever coming to him again. A man in church approaches him and says that lots of people are praying for Patrick, gives him a gift and tells him to “thank the Lord” rather than him, sort of inspiring him to find hope again.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 4/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Romans 5:1-5 – Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Strike Three

Stephanie grabbed her glove and made her way into the outfield, feeling hurt and confused. As she passed by Alexis and Jackie, Jackie smiled that awful fake smile at her. Stephanie, who had never hit anyone in her life, had an almost irresistible urge to punch her.

Book:Strike Three (Game On!) by Stephen D. Smith with Lisa Caldwell, Standard Publishing, 2006

Genre: Sports Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 12-15

Subjects: Anorexia, bullying, physical disability, friendship, witnessing

Summary: Stephanie adores her older brother. When he’s hurt in an accident and left at least temporarily paralyzed it only strengthens Stephanie and draws both her and her brother closer to Christ. But Stephanie’s faith is about to be severely tested when she joins a softball team with a big bully on it. This other girl is used to her dad’s money buying whatever she wants – including coveted positions on the team. When she doesn’t get what she wants, she turns her wrath on those around her, both Stephanie and her new friend Alexis. Worse still is the fact that she turns Alexis against Stephanie when Alexis needs her most. Alexis has a serious eating disorder and Stephanie was trying to help her when the bully got in the way. Pretty soon Stephanie is unsure if she should even continue playing softball because of the pressure!

Notes: This book does an amazing job portraying a normal life for a young girl: sports, friendship, first crushes, growing independence, low self-image, etc. It also does a great job portraying Godly adults and even just older teens encouraging and challenging the young girl to so what’s right, to follow Christ and seek wisdom from Him. I highly recommend this one.

Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

2 Timothy 1:7 - For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

Vanished

“She’s freaking me out”, Abby whispered. Jeri nodded. The headmistress patted her long coiled hair where it was pinned in back. “Our school van, driven by our art teacher, Mr. Reeves, was carrying six girls home from the Museum this afternoon… there’s no easy way to tell you. They’ve all disappeared.”

Book: Vanished (Faithgirlz! / Boarding School Mysteries) by Kristi Holl, Zondervan Publishers, 20011

Genre: Mystery

Target Audience: Girls 11-14

Subjects: Friendship, Obedience to authority, Crime

Summary: Jeri’s roommate has mysteriously vanished, a tragedy, but also an unfortunate opportunity. Jeri’s been wanting to be an investigative reporter and this is her chance to try. But her eagerness to help gets the school into more and more trouble. Soon the headmistress has banned Jeri from helping with the search at all. Jeri’s determination can’t be stopped though and she soon finds herself in a dangerous situation.

Notes: This is the first in a faithgirlz series called Boarding School Mysteries. It was previously published in 2008 under the title “Fading Tracks”. It is a series about young pre and early teen girls who attend a boarding school and find themselves caught up in mysteries. The lessons in this book are on trusting God even in difficult times – Jeri is experiencing a number of let downs in the beginning of the book, climaxing with the disappearance of her friend, and on being obedient to and respectful of authority. Every time Jeri took matters into her own hands, she got in trouble, sometimes others too, not just herself. She needed to learn to be respectful of the authority and follow their directions.

Recommendation Scale: 4/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Psalm 62:8 - Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.