The Astonishing Journey of Teddy Bodain

If you are looking for an adventure story that will make you both laugh and cry, The Astonishing Journey of Teddy Bodain is a book you'll want to add to your personal library. Teddy (Theodora) Bodain, is a ten year old girl who is on her way to Florida with her family in the late nineteenth century. As they are traveling by wagon train, she writes letters to her best friend Martha. The whole book is comprised of the 130 letters she writes on her journeys.

The illustrations by Dave Olson, are as historically accurate, as they are well done. There are illustrations on every page spread.

Teddy's journey takes her from Mississippi to Florida encountering events joyful, humorous, and tragic. The love the Bodain family shares is beautiful to read. They brave river crossings, sickness and death, separation, and thievery. As Teddy recounts her experiences to her friend, you will see that she is a very brave little girl!

What I Like: This book is so hard to put down, a compelling read. There's a glossary at the end of the book that is so helpful. I found it very useful when I wasn't sure what linseed oil was! My little girls are too young for this story, but I cannot wait to read it with them when they are old enough. This is a special piece of literature.

What I Dislike: I really don't dislike anything about this book.

Overall Rating: Excellent

Age Appeal: According to the publisher, 8-12, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and would imagine that a teenager would find it very interesting.

Publisher Info: Buttery Moon Multimedia, 2009; ISBN:0979009456 ; Paperback, $10.95

Buy it Now from the author's website for $10.95.

Special Info: Parents may want to know that there is a death in the book. Teddy's baby brother dies of yellow fever. The whole event is handled compassionately in the book and is appropriate for its intended age appeal. Are you a teacher? On the author's website, there is a teacher's edition of the book that includes 130 lesson plans.

Many Waters

Madeleine L'Engle's book Many Waters is the fanciful tale of two brothers who go back in time and experience life shortly before the Flood. Many Waters is the fourth book in L'Engle's well-known Time Quintet, which begins with A Wrinkle in Time. Sandy and Dennys Murry are the stable, "ordinary," and athletic members of their family. When they accidentally interrupt one of their dad's experiments and find themselves in a desert oasis, they are shocked. Sandy and Dennys quickly become sunburned, and must rely on small mammoths, "virtual" unicorns, and the goodwill of strangers to survive.

When Sandy and Dennys first arrive in the desert, they meet Japheth, a tiny, but full-grown young man. He befriends them, and calls unicorns to transport them to his father's tent. However, the unicorns must be believed in to exist, so when the severity of Dennys' sunburn causes him to lose consciousness, he and his unicorn disappear. He awakens in the tent of Tiglah, a seductive, but ill-intentioned young girl. Tiglah's family throws Dennys into a garbage heap, but Japheth rescues him and brings him to his father, Noah. As Dennys recovers from his sunburn in Noah's tent, Sandy is recovering in Grandfather Lamech's tent. The boys quickly realize they are living in the last days before the Flood. Both Lamech and Noah speak with El (God), and receive strange warnings and instructions about building an ark.

To complicate matters, the Seraphim and Nephilim still walk among humans and are interested in Sandy and Dennys. The Seraphim are angels who have chosen to remain on Earth and act as guardians to those who love El, but the Nephilim are fallen angels who take daughters of men as their wives. Both Seraphim and Nephilim appear at times in animal or angelic form. The Nephilim and Tiglah's family try to use the boys for their own gain. Meanwhile, Sandy and Dennys are trying to figure out a way to save Noah's beautiful and kind youngest daughter, Yalith, who is not married and does not have a place on the ark. They also would like to return home. Eventually, the Seraphim agree to help, and they take Yalith to "the Presence" in the same way Enoch "walked with God and was not." Then, the Seraphim use unicorns to deliver Sandy and Dennys to their home in modern-day New England.

What I Like: I love the theme of the book. L'Engle uses the biblical passage "Many Waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it." Yalith and her father, Noah, and her grandfather, Lamech, all have an unshakable belief in the love and goodness of El (God). They know His love is forever, no matter what happens.

I also like the characters of Sandy and Dennys. They are written authentically, and are innocent, kind and helpful boys. They are confused by their attraction to Yalith and Tiglah--until now, they have been more interested in sports than girls. They choose to refuse Tiglah's advances. They also convince Lamech and Noah to set aside a long-standing feud and become reconciled. They have very real reactions to Lamech's death, and they question the point of the Flood, in light of the evils they face in today's world. Nevertheless, they choose to act for the good of others, and they realize if the Flood hadn't happened, Jesus would not have been born.

L"Engle's depiction of the Nephilim and Seraphim is fascinating, and will make readers want to learn more about biblical references to them.

What I Dislike: Although I love this book, I have two cautions. First, there is some sexuality. L'Engle subtly shows healthy, beautiful relationships within marriage. For example, she writes,"And they were one. And it was good." She also shows sexuality in the context of power and exploitation. On one occasion she uses the term "slut" and on another, she refers to Tiglah being "an easy lay." (These are the only two instances of bad language in the book). Also, the men and women only wear loin clothes, and there are some references to the girls having "rosy breasts." Although the book would provide a great framework for talking about sexuality, especially with teen boys, I wish L'Engle would have used different words.

My second caution is the book is definitely in the realm of fantasy and is not meant to be biblical, or historical fiction. L'Engle takes an imaginative view of the Nehilim and Seraphim, as well as relationships between Noah and his family. At times, the boys critique the patriarchal nature of the Old Testament, and question how the Bible was written.

Overall Rating: Very Good due to qualifications above, but it is one of my favorites

Age Appeal: Young Adult (14-up)

Publisher Info: Square Fish (Farrar, Strauss, Grioux), 2007; ISBN: 9780312368579; Paperback, $6.99

Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $5.49

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Special Info: Read my comments about A Wrinkle in Time in my Top Ten List here.

The Lion Graphic Bible

For kids who are more drawn to graphic novels and comics more than traditional books, The Lion Graphic Bible by Jeff Anderson (a well known graphic novel artist) and Mike Maddox (who also writes for DC Comics) is an excellent resource.

Illustrations reign supreme in a graphic novel, and Anderson does a superb job displaying emotions and bringing biblical characters to life. His scenes range from tranquil and lovely (as in the story of creation) to scary (as in the book of Revelation).

Maddox's text is true to the Bible, yet simple and straightforward - and sometimes even funny. The scope of this "Bible" is impressive, too. Most of the familiar stories of the scriptures are covered, including details from Revelation, which are often omitted in children's books. The stories are gritty, real, and not dumbed down.

What I Like: Everything. This is an extremely well-done graphic version of the Bible, suitable not just for kids, but for adults.

What I Dislike: Not every story of the Bible can be included in a book like this. However, the story of Sodom and Gomorrah is oddly omitted. Also don't look for the Psalms or Proverbs here; this book is about action.

Overall Rating: Excellent.

Age Appeal: 9 - 12.

Publishing Info: Lion Books, 2007; ISBN: 978-0825462658; paperback, $12.99

Buy Now at ChristianBook.com for $9.99

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Special Info: Read all of our reviews of Paul L. Maier's books.

The Easter Angels

The Easter Angels, written by Bob Hartman, presents a behind-the-scenes look at the day of Jesus' resurrection. Rather than following the soldiers or women at the tomb, the gardener or even the disciples, this book tells a story about the angels involved in that day.

Candriel was a guardian angel, strong and beautiful. He had been given a mysterious assignment. He was told where to go, but not what to do, only to wait for instruction from his partner, an angel he had never met.

Shakkath was the Angel of Death, weighted by his mournful tasks throughout the centuries. Rather than bright and fearsome, he was sorrowful, dark, and willowy.

The two, paired up for this special mission, talked about their vastly different experiences. They also talked about Jesus' death. Candriel had watched, eagerly awaiting the orders to save Jesus from the Cross. Those orders never came. Shakkath, already having witnessed too much death, chose not to stay away from the Calvary that day. Now sitting in a garden graveyard, they waited for the signal to open their instructions.

When three women approached, they read their charge. Candriel, so eager to free Jesus before His death, was to use his strength to roll away the stone and reveal an empty tomb. Shakkath, who so well understood the sadness and loss of death, was to share the good news with the women. Both jumped into action. When Shakkath saw the empty tomb and recognized that Jesus was alive, he changed. No longer dark and mournful, he instantly became healthy, bright and joyful. "The soldiers said it was an earthquake. They said they saw a flash of lightning. But Candriel knew different. The sound that cracked the morning stillness was a sad whisper exploding into a shout of joy... the Angel of Death became, for evermore, the Angel of Life."

Illustrator Sophy Williams uses dynamic colors and high contrast to infuse the pages with emotion. The illustrations are not crisply defined; they're also darker than most children's books, but these details correspond well with the tone of the text.

What I Like: This is an interesting story that depicts the thoughts and experiences of angels, something rarely done in Christian literature. I especially like the redemptive elements. This book clearly shows the power of Christ's resurrection to change individuals!

What I Dislike: It's really dark for a kids' book. More importantly, the somber tone of this story implies fact, but there is little to no biblical foundation. The text even suggests there was no earthquake which directly contradicts the account in Matthew 28. Because Jesus' resurrection is a vital foundation to the Christian faith, stories related to it should be obviously fact or obviously fiction. This book walks a dangerous line between those two.

Overall Rating: Ho-hum. I like it as a fantasy tale or legend, but because its genre is not clear to readers, my theological convictions forbid me to rate it higher.

Age Appeal: 6-10

Publisher Info: Lions Children's, 2010; ISBN: 0825478944; Hardback; $14.95

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Benjamin's House and Antony's House

Benjamin’s House is the story of the crippled man who is lowered through the roof of a house by his friends so he can see Jesus. His faith, and that of his friends, is so strong, that when Jesus sees him he tells him to get up and walk – and the man does.

The story takes place in “Benjamin’s house,” hence the name of the book. Mark 2: 1-12 is given as a reference for the story. Bright, colorful illustrations cover each two-page spread.

This version of the story isn’t much different from many others I’ve read. What makes this book different is the format; it’s a board book that measures just 3 X 1.9”.

Antony’s House is the same in style, size and layout. It is the story of the soldier whose servant is sick. The soldier, named Antony, finds Jesus and tells him his servant is sick and can’t come to Jesus to be healed. Jesus tells the man he will come to his house. But, the soldier doesn’t feel worthy of Jesus’ presence in his home so he says, “Just give the order and my servant will be well.” His faith is so strong that Jesus heals the servant without even seeing him. Matthew 8: 5-13 is given as a reference for this story.

What I Like: These are very short books that will hold a child’s attention. And, they are small enough to make them highly portable so you can take them anywhere.

What I Dislike: However, having said that, they are so small I fear they would be very easy to lose.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: I couldn’t find a suggested age group for these books. The board book format would suggest baby-preschool, but the number of words and the reading level makes them more suitable for ages 3-5.

Publisher Info: Angus Hudson Limited, 2001; ISBN: 0825472245; Board Book, $2.98 (Benjamin’s House).
Angus Hudson Limited, 2001; ISBN: 0825472253; Board Book, $2.98 (Antony’s House).

Buy Benjamin’s House now at Amazon.com for $2.98.

Buy Antony’s House at Amazon.com for $2.98.