Sadie Rose and the Mysterious Stranger

They ran around the angry, fighting mass of bodies toward the trail that led across the prairie to Staff. Fresh energy rushes through them.
Just as they passed the house, Book blocked their way, a Colt .45 pointed right at Sadie.

Book: Sadie Rose and the Mysterious Stranger (A Sadie Rose Adventure) by Hilda Stahl, Crossway Books, 1993

Genre: Historical Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 10-14

Subjects: Slavery/Human Trafficing/Kidnapping, Family Relationships, Righteousness, Faith

Summary: Such an innocent cover – a house for poor children. All those hurting and lost, the orphans and poor can come in and find shelter and care. That’s what the town believes. Only those who live there know the truth. It’s a place of slavery. They are forced to work for the evil man and live in fear of his whip, gun or ability to withhold food from them. Sadie Rose and Opal are visiting the city with their stepdad when Horace Wippet offers them a chance to earn from money for a day. Admiring the items in the store window, the girls eagerly take him up on it since the townspeople vouch for what a good man he is. Once they realize their predicament they start attempting to find ways to escape, but despite the large number of children around, no one dares to escape. It’s just too dangerous. All the slaves at this “Poor Horse” say the same thing: Sadie and Opal will never see their family again.

Notes: The Mysterious Stranger is the eleventh of the Sadie Rose Adventures. This series tells of a twelve year old girl’s first year living in the Nebraska sandhills during the pioneer days. Sadie has a knack for getting into danger. The series focuses a lot on family relationships as Sadie lives with her mother, stepdad, older sister, older brother, younger sister and younger brother. It also focuses a lot on the hopes and dreams of marriage for the young girls. The culture was for girls to marry quite young so the characters, especially Sadie’s older sister focus heavily on trying to find a good husband. There is also a strong thread of forgiveness and the importance of telling the truth running through the series.

In this eleventh book, the main character now shifts back to Sadie Rose, but with a focus on the adventure and the side characters’ spiritual struggles more than Sadie’s. Sadie actually shows a lot of maturity in this book (despite the foolish decision to walk off with a total stranger just because he promises you a chance to make some money). She is the one to lead the other children in an uprising against their captors, inspiring them with songs of praise to God. The side characters are those who know what is happening to the children but have either turned a blind eye to it or even gone along with it, helping with it. Sadie’s example inspires some of them to turn back to the faith they knew as children and pursue righteousness instead of greed. An interesting twist from the earlier books is that Sadie and Opal both boldly declare over and over again that their stepfather will come rescue them, will stop at nothing to rescue them. They have complete faith in his love and care for them as opposed to the early books in the series that take place about a year ago chronologically. In the earlier books Sadie very much doubted her new stepfather’s love for them and was always angry at him. Now she is viewing him as her hero.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

1 Corinthians 16:13 – Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.

Psalm 94:16 – Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?

Sadie Rose and the Dangerous Search

Her heart sinking, Cloris took the paper and read it. It did indeed say she’d stay in service to Prescott Vines until she turned thirty. “I didn’t sign this – I know I didn’t,” she said in a dead voice. “This is not legal!”

“My dear niece, it’s your word against mine. Naturally, everyone would believe me. You may go now. And don’t try to run away or I’ll have you locked away in a mental home – the very one we’ve visited to try to improve conditions.”

Cloris turned and walked away as though she was in a daze.

Book: Sadie Rose and the Dangerous Search (Sadie Rose Adventure by Hilda Stahl, Crossway Books, 1993

Genre: Historical Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 10-14

Subjects: Romance, Love, Crime, Trust in God, Slavery

Summary: Enslaved until she’s thirty years old. Call it what you want, but being locked in her room every night, being forced to work for someone for no pay, being threatened and insulted all the time – all this adds up to slavery. And this is the life Cloris is stuck in. Sadie can’t believe the story she is hearing as Cloris tells of her life and what led her to this area! But as Cloris goes on, Sadie learns of the danger Cloris is running from – the danger that is right over the next hill! Of course the trouble over the next hill isn’t the only danger. The blinding snowstorm they are out in is also a problem. And being separated from Riley and her stepdad in this storm is also a problem. Cloris’ problems can probably be solved – if they can ever get out of here alive!

Notes: The Dangerous Search is the tenth of the Sadie Rose Adventures. This series tells of a twelve year old girl’s first year living in the Nebraska sandhills during the pioneer days. Sadie has a knack for getting into danger. The series focuses a lot on family relationships as Sadie lives with her mother, stepdad, older sister, older brother, younger sister and younger brother. It also focuses a lot on the hopes and dreams of marriage for the young girls. The culture was for girls to marry quite young so the characters, especially Sadie’s older sister focus heavily on trying to find a good husband. There is also a strong thread of forgiveness and the importance of telling the truth running through the series.

In this tenth book, the main character now shifts to a new character whose life intersects with Sadie Rose and the rest of the York family. Cloris’ story is a lesson in trusting God in the midst of horrid circumstances. On the run, sometimes for her very life, Cloris keeps turning to God, first asking for strength to survive the difficult circumstance she is in, then when opportunity for escape comes, she asks for help to get away safely.  She also recognizes and acknowledges God when He does rescue her each time.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Psalm 119:146 – I call out to you; save me and I will keep your statutes.

Sadie Rose and the Champion Shartshooter

“Where’s the key, Gerda?” asked Sadie impatiently.
”That man took it!” cried Gerda bursting into tears. “He locked me in, and he’s coming back for me. I saw him behind you on the street! Get me out! Hurry before he returns! He’s going to take me with him, and I don’t want to go!”

Book: Sadie Rose and the Champion Sharpshooter (Sadie Rose Adventure) by Hilda Stahl, Crossway Books, 1991

Genre: Historical Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 10-14

Subjects: Romance, Responsibility, Lies, Flirting, Salvation, Family Relationships, Bullying

Summary: Gerda is enough to drive anyone nuts and the entire York family is tired of her. She’s as interested in finding a husband as Opal is, but even more of a tease. She’s playing around with multiple men and manipulating those around her as she does so. Her flirtations go too far when she pursues someone who determines to kidnap her! It’s up to Sadie to rescue her – that is if she can do so without getting into trouble herself. The whole family is in town for the town celebration days and the town kids do not like the country kids. Sadie is their main target for the bullying. They are willing to try about anything to hurt her and ruin her chances to compete in the sharpshooting competition – that she has a good chance of winning!

Notes: The Champion Shartshooter is the seventh of the Sadie Rose Adventures. This series tells of a twelve year old girl’s first year living in the Nebraska sandhills during the pioneer days. Sadie has a knack for getting into danger. The series focuses a lot on family relationships as Sadie lives with her mother, stepdad, older sister, older brother, younger sister and younger brother. It also focuses a lot on the hopes and dreams of marriage for

the young girls. The culture was for girls to marry quite young so the characters, especially Sadie’s older sister focus heavily on trying to find a good husband. There is also a strong thread of forgiveness and the importance of telling the truth running through the series.

In this seventh book, Sadie’s character has grown enough that a lot of the story actually focuses on her cousin from Michigan who is making some very irresponsible and hurtful choices. Because she is such a central character in the story and is seventeen and ready for marriage, romance is a huge theme in this book. Gerda is giving lots of hints and teasing to two different boys and flirting with even more beyond that. When she finally realizes how much her choices are hurting others and herself she also recognizes her need for a relationship with God and has Caleb York help her put her trust in Christ for her salvation.

Sadie’s issues are largely focused around trusting God to be with her and help her do her best. Recognizing that He is with her, she realizes she doesn’t need to fear the shooting contest, even though she is up against others with a reputation for being extremely skilled at it.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Proverbs 26:18-19, 28 – Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I was only joking!" 28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.

Sadie Rose and the Secret Romance

Opal sighed. How she longed for someone who loved her enough to say, “Anything you say, Opal” Just then she glanced up to find Flynn looking at her. Her heart stopped, then thundered on. Would Flynn be the man to say that to her?

Book: Sadie Rose and the Secret Romance (Sadie Rose Adventure) by Hilda Stahl, Crossway Books, 1992

Genre: Historical Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 10-14

Subjects: Romance, Love, Truth, Lies, Forgiveness, Repentance

Summary: He’s so handsome! And so mature! Opal is in love. She’s just sure of it! When a traveling salesman shows up in town the people have various reactions to him. Sadie thinks he’s a hero for helping her catch the runaway calf. Opal is convinced he’s ideal husband material. The adults value his teaching skills and hire him as the community’s school teacher. Mitch and Mary however take a very different reaction to him. They are convinced there is something suspicious about him, something not quite trustworthy. On his part, Flynn sees them as ideal candidates to swindle… until he starts to get to know them. The more time he spends with these people who take their faith seriously, particularly the command to love one another, the harder he finds it to finish out his plan to swindle them! A terrifying blizzard could change everything once and for all.

Notes: The Secret Romance is the eighth of the Sadie Rose Adventures. This series tells of a twelve year old girl’s first year living in the Nebraska sandhills during the pioneer days. Sadie has a knack for getting into danger. The series focuses a lot on family relationships as Sadie lives with her mother, stepdad, older sister, older brother, younger sister and younger brother. It also focuses a lot on the hopes and dreams of marriage for the young girls. The culture was for girls to marry quite young so the characters, especially Sadie’s older sister focus heavily on trying to find a good husband. There is also a strong thread of forgiveness and the importance of telling the truth running through the series.

In this eighth book, the main character now shifts to Opal who continues to be determined to find a husband in time to get married as soon as she turns sixteen. Opal learns a few lessons about what love is and what she truly wants in a relationship. Even more though, Flynn becomes a central character and we see the story through his eyes as he attempts to swindle the people and finds himself caught by their genuine love for Christ and for him. Originally he plans to convince Opal to sneak away with him – not to marry him, but to work for him, helping him swindle people. But when faced with her innocent love and her determination to stick to her word even when it hurts her, he finds he can’t go through with his plans. He grew up in a home with faith but rejected that faith when he grew up. Now surrounded with it again, he finds it’s not only the people he can’t resist, it’s God Himself that wants him back!

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

 Luke 15:7 – I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

Sadie Rose and the Mad Fortune Hunters

“What are you gonna do with us?” asked Riley hoarsely. Sadie couldn’t speak around the tight lump in her throat. Hawser laughed. “Why, I’m taking you with me to help me in my new business. And Sadie here will go along until we find somebody that’ll trade for her or pay a good sum of money for her.”

Book: Sadie Rose and the Mad Fortune Hunters (Sadie Rose Adventure, Book 5)by Hilda Stahl, Crossway Books, 1990

Genre: Historical Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 10-14

Subjects: Trust in God, Fairness/Justice, Mental Illness, Showing Love, Fear, God’s Will

Summary: You can’t sell your children for a horse! At least someone in their right mind knows you can’t. But apparently Monday Malda is not in her right mind. When the Malda family stops at the Yorks as they travel through on their way to the Missouri, Ma and Caleb, their stepdad, are not home. So Riley and Sadie and the other York children do their best to show hospitality to the travelers. But they are a strange family. They have ten kids but don’t seem to have a clue what to do with any of them. When Sadie wakes up the next morning she discovers that the Melda family snuck out in the middle of the night – with Riley’s new colt! And worse still, they seriously left behind the two youngest children as payment! Riley and Sadie take off after them but run into one problem after another. Soon they are wondering if they will ever get home again.

Notes: The Mad Fortune Hunters is the fifth of the Sadie Rose Adventures. This series tells of a twelve year old girl’s first year living in the Nebraska sandhills during the pioneer days. Sadie has a knack for getting into danger. The series focuses a lot on family relationships as Sadie lives with her mother, stepdad, older sister, older brother, younger sister and younger brother. It also focuses a lot on the hopes and dreams of marriage for the young girls. The culture was for girls to marry quite young so the characters, especially Sadie’s older sister focus heavily on trying to find a good husband. There is also a strong thread of forgiveness and the importance of telling the truth running through the series.

In this fifth book, Sadie has finally managed to learn how to forgive and how to control her anger and things that upset her. The focus of this book is more on Riley as he struggles to follow God’s leading and obey what he senses God wants him to do even when it hurts. It addresses the issue of mental illness as Monday, the mother of the family who stole from them is not in her right mind. Riley and Sadie encourage her to put her trust back in God, leaning on Him for strength when she feels afraid.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Psalm 56:3 – When I am afraid, I will trust in You.

Sadie Rose and the Double Secret

Oh, the secret must be dreadful! She laughed under her breath. “I’ll learn the secret,” she whispered under her breath. “And Mitch will be very, very sorry for what he made me do.”

Book:Sadie Rose and the Double Secret (Sadie Rose Adventure, Book 4) by Hilda Stahl, Crossway Books, 1990

Genre: Historical Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 10-14

Subjects: Secrets, Temptation, Revenge, Jealousy

Summary: Oh how she longs for a piece of paper of her own! She would write down what Levi did for her so she could remember it for all time! It’s hard to not be jealous of Mitch and his family. They can afford as much paper as they want. When a piece of paper gets a small tear Mitch is ready to just crumble it up and throw it away. So when Mitch offers a trade for a whole stack of papers Sadie finds it extremely hard to resist the temptation and finally gives in, doing what she knows full well is wrong. Now she’s overwhelmed with guilt for her decision and fear that someone will find out her horrible secret. She’s also filled with anger at Mitch for “making” her do this! She’s not the only one struggling with the Hepford family though. Her stepdad is getting pretty jealous of all the nice things Zane keeps giving their family… particularly his wife! Before long it seems their whole family is becoming torn apart!

Notes: Double Secret is the fourth of the Sadie Rose Adventures. This series tells of a twelve year old girl’s first year living in the Nebraska sandhills during the pioneer days. Sadie has a knack for getting into danger. The series focuses a lot on family relationships as Sadie lives with her mother, stepdad, older sister, older brother, younger sister and younger brother. It also focuses a lot on the hopes and dreams of marriage for the young girls. The culture was for girls to marry quite young so the characters, especially Sadie’s older sister focus heavily on trying to find a good husband. There is also a strong thread of forgiveness and the importance of telling the truth running through the series.

In this fourth book Sadie still hasn’t figured out how to forgive those who hurt her or how to deal with her guilt. She lets her guilt over her poor decision turn into out of control anger at the one who offered her the temptation in the first place even though he never once forced her. He simply offered her a choice. Sadie is challenged to show kindness, being reminded of Ephesians 4:32 but in her anger wants to refuse to do it. She gets a good example when her stepfather takes his concern to God, spending time in prayer, pouring out his heart to his Heavenly Father and finding peace as well as strength to do what he knows is right.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Ephesians 4:32 - Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Sadie Rose and the Outlaw Rustlers

Sadie’s body burned with heat from the wind and the sun as she flew across the ground, still blackened from the prairie fire, and ran desperately toward the Hepfords’ place. She forced back the terrible pictures in her head of what the three cowboys could do to her precious family if she didn’t get help to them in time.

Book:Sadie Rose and the Outlaw Rustlers (Sadie Rose Adventure, Book 3) by Hilda Stahl, Crossway Books, 1989

Genre: Historical Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 10-14

Subjects: Promises, Family Relationships, Forgiveness

Summary: A boy learning a woman’s chores? Well, if your family is made up of nothing but men, someone has to learn to cook and clean and mend! And in the Hepford family that someone is Mitch. And in the York family Sadie is the one chosen to teach him. The trouble is that Mitch has no desire to learn these skills and in an attempt to get out of it, he gets sneaky and gets Sadie in trouble – not just with her parents, but with her whole family! If the problems within her family and with Mitch weren’t bad enough, she faces a prairie fire in the middle of the night and a band of rustlers with murder on their mind – the murder of her stepdad!  

Notes: Outlaw Rustlers is the third of the Sadie Rose Adventures. This series tells of a twelve year old girl’s first year living in the Nebraska sandhills during the pioneer days. Sadie has a knack for getting into danger. The series focuses a lot on family relationships as Sadie lives with her mother, stepdad, older sister, older brother, younger sister and younger brother. It also focuses a lot on the hopes and dreams of marriage for the young girls. The culture was for girls to marry quite young so the characters, especially Sadie’s older sister focus heavily on trying to find a good husband. There is also a strong thread of forgiveness and the importance of telling the truth running through the series.

In this third book Sadie is continuing to wrestle with how to forgive when someone hurts you and how to control her anger. She is determined to get revenge on those who have hurt her until her stepdad really challenges her to obey Jesus even when she doesn’t feel like it.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

Romans 12:17-20 – Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.

adie Rose and the Cottonwood Creek Orphan

She stopped dead in her tracks. “What in the world…” 
A boy was leading Bossie away by her halter. For a minute she thought it was Web, but she could see the boy was taller, dressed in ragged dark pants and shirt. An old cap like Riley used to wear covered his head. 
Anger and frustration rushed over Sadie, and she leaped forward and yelled, “Stop! Stop! Bring back our cow!”

Book: Sadie Rose and the Cottonwood Creek Orphan (Sadie Rose Adventure, Book 2)by Hilda Stahl, Crossway Books, 1989

Genre: Historical Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 10-14

Subjects: Orphans, Family Relationships, Forgiveness, God’s Omni-presence

Summary: There’s a thief in the county! And it’s making all of them mad! First someone unties the York’s cow so that it escapes – leaving Helen and Web to take the blame for it! Then someone tries to rob Jewel. When they have a conversation with the bachelors, they hear that food has been stolen from them. When Sadie sets out her last dress to dry, it gets stolen. Enough is enough! Someone has to put a stop to this! But when Sadie finally catches up with the thieving orphan, she’s in for quite a surprise!

Notes: The Cottonwood Creek Orphan is the second of the Sadie Rose Adventures. This series tells of a twelve year old girl’s first year living in the Nebraska sandhills during the pioneer days. Sadie has a knack for getting into danger. The series focuses a lot on family relationships as Sadie lives with her mother, stepdad, older sister, older brother, younger sister and younger brother. It also focuses a lot on the hopes and dreams of marriage for the young girls. The culture was for girls to marry quite young so the characters, especially Sadie’s older sister focus heavily on trying to find a good husband. There is also a strong thread of forgiveness and the importance of telling the truth running through the series.

In this second book Sadie is still wrestling hard with what it means to truly follow Jesus and live a life filled with honesty and forgiveness. Every little thing fills her up with anger towards a sibling or a friend or a parent and she reacts badly, hurting those she cares about the most. Hearing a sad story that causes her to feel sympathy for the orphan she was so angry at helps her get control of her anger a little bit. She finally realizes that she needs to tell the truth to her sister and seek forgiveness. Then she needs to forgive her stepfather for making a decision she disagreed with.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Sadie Rose And The Daring Escape

Sadie had fallen asleep before she’d heard Pa’s final answer. She touched York’s Bible and wished she hadn’t. She deserved to burn forever in Hell for causing Pa’s death, but Helen didn’t deserve to burn for the lie Sadie herself had made her tell. “Oh Helen, don’t let me make you suffer.”

Book: Sadie Rose and the Daring Escape (Sadie Rose Adventure, Book 1) by Hilda Stahl, Crossway Books, 1988

Genre: Historical Fiction

Target Audience: Girls 10-14

Subjects: Lies, Friendship, Family Relationships, Loss, Forgiveness, Moving

Summary: How fast can things go wrong in a new home? With Sadie Rose around, pretty much instantly. Within minutes of arriving in the new community after Sadie Rose’s mom married York and moved them across the state to the edge of the Nebraska sandhills, Sadie has found trouble. An angry man is abusing his dog and Sadie intervenes, putting herself in as much danger as the dog. Thankfully, a nice man and his son come to her rescue and take the dog from the mean man and give him to Sadie. That doesn’t calm the anger in her heart though. Sadie Rose is furious at being forced to move and furious that someone new has moved into their lives to take their dad’s place. But most of all, Sadie is being torn apart by guilt. She knows full well it is her fault that her dad died. And she remembers well what the preacher told her happens to those who sin – they burn in hell forever!

Notes: The Daring Escape is the first of the Sadie Rose Adventures. This series tells of a twelve year old girl’s first year living in the Nebraska sandhills during the pioneer days. Sadie has a knack for getting into danger. The series focuses a lot on family relationships as Sadie lives with her mother, stepdad, older sister, older brother, younger sister and younger brother. It also focuses a lot on the hopes and dreams of marriage for the young girls. The culture was for girls to marry quite young so the characters, especially Sadie’s older sister focus heavily on trying to find a good husband. There is also a strong thread of forgiveness and the importance of telling the truth running through the series.

In this first book Sadie has to deal with the guilt she feels over causing her dad’s death as he died in a blizzard while looking for her. She gets told of God’s willingness to forgive those who have put their trust in Him for salvation. She begins the process of opening up to and loving her new stepfather and the rest of her family. The thread of the importance of telling the truth is also strong as Sadie not only lies, but forces a younger sister to lie for her as well and wrestles with the guilt of it on top of her other guilt.

Spiritual Content Recommendation Scale: 5/5

Reviewer: J:-)mi

1 John 1:7 – But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.