Escape To Murray River

“I’ve never seen anything like that” whispered Patrick standing still. A half dozen other smaller kangaroos followed the larger animals, and soon they disappeared out of view.

“You’ll see plenty more.” Jefferson bent down to adjust the old leather straps on his boots and wiggled the toe that stuck out in front. “I think I know where we are now.”

Book: Escape to Murray River (Adventures Down Under #1) by Robert Elmer, Bethany House Publishers, 1997

Genre: Historical Fiction

Target Audience: Boys 12-16

Subjects: Justice, Loss, Prayer

Summary: When a scam to get their father falsely accused of a crime succeeds, Patrick and his family make the decision to follow the prison ship to Australia. Making the decision is the easy part. Figuring out how to accomplish their goal is a tad bit more complicated. Finding the money, avoiding the enemy who betrayed their dad, getting passage on a ship, surviving the long journey over the water that stole Patrick’s brother’s life years ago – these obstacles are just too big to overcome – at least on their own.

Notes: Escape To Murray River is the first 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 first book focuses on the journey to get to Australia and what was going on in England that influenced Australia. The spiritual element in this story is the basic faith. Patrick has to become convinced of his need to put his trust in God, as God is the only one who can help them accomplish the goal of not only making it to Australia alive, but becoming reunited with his dad. There is another character who doesn’t believe prayer works, presenting the challenge to Patrick.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 3/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

John 8:32 – Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."