Sarah's New World

John simply waved in reply as he dashed toward home, but his thoughts were troubled. Eager as he was for his family to leave for America, he would miss his fun-loving friends in Holland. And for all I know, we may not leave at all, he admitted to himself. All he could do was wait and pray that God would let Father and the others know the best thing to do. A decision must and would be made soon. Maybe even tomorrow.

Book: Sarah's New World: The Mayflower Adventure (Sisters in Time Book 1) by Colleen L. Reece, Barbour Publishers, 2004

Genre: Historical Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 9-15

Subjects: Family Relationships, Fear, Moving, The Pilgrims, Salvation, Prayer, God’s Will

Summary: Leave? All their friends? Their home? For some "new world" a dangerous ocean away filled with cruel savages? Are her parents crazy? Sure, it'd be nice to worship and live the way they want, but is it really worth all they have to sacrifice for it? Sarah is afraid of many things, not least of which is that life will never be the same again!

Notes: Sarah’s New World is the first in the Sisters-In-Time series. This series features young girls living at various key points in American history, particularly around the wars. It always places the girls right at the edge of the teen years, coming of age.  The concept of the series it to not only show a glimpse of history, but to help young girls feel that the people back then weren’t that different than the people today.

Anna’s Fight For Hope takes place in 1620 focusing on the decision of the people in Holland to set sail on the Mayflower and all the difficulties they faced simply trying to get to the new world. The spiritual elements focus on Sarah’s fear and John’s attempt to help and comfort. There is also a strong element of trying to reach the lost as one of the sailors the children come to care about is not a believer. The largest element though is simply praying for God’s will and trusting Him to take care of you once you are doing what He said to do. The pilgrims pray a lot about their decisions to travel to the new world.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Isaiah 43:1-2 – But now, this is what the LORD says-- he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.